After a few small talks, Andreushchenko suddenly returned to the matter of the exchange, and he asked me in disbelief: "Comrade commander, do you think the Germans will agree to our conditions and exchange with us in person?" ”

"Comrade Colonel." Before I could speak, Romanov had already taken the lead and said to Andreushchenko with a serious expression: "You have not been under Commander Oshanina for a day or two, do you still have doubts about her ability?" When was the judgment she made, the decision she made, not correct? So I am sure that this time will not be an exception, and the Germans will certainly agree to the conditions we have proposed, as she analyzed. ”

Although Lao Maozi didn't say anything modest, I was still a little embarrassed to hear that Romanov gave me such a high evaluation. Seeing that he still wanted to continue to reprimand Andreushchenko, he hurriedly came out to play a round: "Okay, Comrade Deputy Army Commander, don't say any more." Colonel Andreushchenko should have understood what you said, but he was only concerned about the confusion and fearing that our wounded would not be able to escape the clutches of the enemy, which is why he was so worried. ”

The reason why I want to stop Romanov from talking about it is because although his military rank is higher than Andreushyenko, after all, both of them are the commanders of the first division, and it is estimated that Andreushchenko will not feel comfortable in his heart when he is so criticized by the commander of the same level.

Hearing me say this, Romanov also realized that he had made a mistake, and quickly coughed and took the initiative to apologize to Andreushchenko: "I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel, it's all my fault for my impatience, I shouldn't be angry with you, I formally apologize to you." ”

After hearing this, Andreushchenko waved his hand and said magnanimously: "Comrade Deputy Army Commander, you are right. I should believe the commander. Her judgment should not be doubted. "Speaking of which. He turned his head to look at me again, apologized to me, and said, "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I was wrong, I shouldn't have doubted your judgment, I shouldn't have challenged your authority. ”

For such a low profile of Andreushchenko, I laughed twice. Then he said, "Okay, let's not talk about that. At present, the Germans are acting very abnormally, and if they had seized the favorable opportunity yesterday when General Gurdiev had just died, General Romanov had not yet taken office, and the 308th Division was leaderless, they would have stepped up their offensive a little. At this moment, Alexandria should have fallen back into the clutches of the Germans. The more this situation is, the more we must be vigilant and beware of a surprise attack by the enemy. ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." The two replied in unison: "We will let the troops increase their combat readiness." ”

"If only you could understand that." Seeing that the two were not reduced by the German troops around the city. I am very satisfied with that. Then I asked about Gurdiev: "That's right. Comrade Deputy Army Commander, where are the remains of General Gurdiev? I want to see his remains. ”

This proposal of mine made Romanov's face look embarrassed. After a long time, he said: "Comrade commander, in fact, we have not been able to collect the body of General Gurdiev in its entirety. ”

"The body was not collected in its entirety," I said to him, and I immediately asked in confusion, "Deputy Commander, I didn't understand what you meant." ”

Romanov coughed heavily, cleared his throat, and explained to me: "According to the surviving staff officers of the division headquarters, General Gurtiev was directly hit by a bomb from an enemy plane and was blown to pieces. Later, they carefully searched the neighborhood for a long time, and in addition to finding part of the general's stump, there was also a steel helmet that had been blown up and a medal. Last night I personally led his body to be buried in a nearby cemetery and marked it for future searches. ”

"You did a great job, Comrade Deputy Commander." In the current situation, the Romanov's treatment of Gurdiev's body was the most appropriate, so I nodded and said in agreement: "When the war is over, inform the general's family and ask them to move the remains back to their hometown for burial." ”

"Are there anti-tank weapons in the city?" I asked again after a moment.

"Yes, but very few." Romanov said with a look of regret: "When the 308th Division seized the city, it captured a batch of German weapons and equipment, including four anti-tank guns and five anti-aircraft machine guns, all of which were standard weapons of our army. These weapons should have been in stock in those warehouses occupied by the Germans back then, so the ammunition was effective and could not support long-term operations. ”

In response to Romanov's complaints, I could only look up to the sky and sigh helplessly: "Comrade Deputy Commander, although we captured a batch of enemy anti-tank guns in Kafbas, the number was limited, and we could only barely equip the 22nd Guards Division and the artillery regiment. Since your anti-tank forces here are weak, I will call the Chief of Staff later and ask Lieutenant Colonel Kaverin to draw a battalion from the artillery regiment to strengthen you. ”

"Great, Comrade Commander, it's great." When Romanov said this, he glanced at Andreushchenko and said emotionally: "With this artillery battalion, we will be more sure when dealing with the German armored forces." ”

As we spoke, the large wooden door to the conference room was pushed open, and an ensign walked in from outside. He came to us, raised his hand and saluted, then stood still and did not speak, as if hesitating who to report.

Romanov saw the second lieutenant's embarrassment, and hurriedly said to him: "Second lieutenant, if there is anything, report directly to the comrade commander." ”

"Yes!" The second lieutenant agreed, and then reported: "Comrade commander, I have just received a call from the front, and the Germans have sent liaison officers to them. ”

Although I had known that the Germans would agree to my quid pro quo, I was still nervous until I received definite information, and when I heard the second lieutenant say that the Germans had sent a liaison officer, I couldn't wait to ask: "What do the Germans say?" ”

"They said the exchange would take place tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, and as for the location," said the lieutenant, pausing slightly, as if recalling the contents of the call. But he was quick to affirm that "outside the forward positions in the northeast of the city." ”

"Got it, Comrade Second Lieutenant." After I got the exact news, the stone in my heart fell to the ground. Then he commanded: "You go and call back to the front." Say that we agree with the time and place proposed by the Germans. Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock in the morning, the two sides will exchange on time. ”

"Yes!" The second lieutenant agreed, turned and walked back, ready to carry out the order I had just given.

As soon as the second lieutenant walked out of the conference room, Romanov asked me: "Comrade commander, hand over the exchange ceremony tomorrow morning to me." ”

"No, Comrade Deputy Commander. I was afraid that there would be some conspiracy of the Germans, for the sake of safety. You should stay in the command with the Commander, and I'll be in charge of the exchange. As soon as his words fell, Andreushchenko raised an objection, and he said with a solemn expression: "Even if something happens to me, you can command my 171st Division." ”

"Comrade Colonel, I am the supreme commander here, and I have the final say on who is in charge of this matter." Not to be outdone, Romanov said: "In the current situation, I don't think the Germans dare to make any small moves, after all, the exchange place is at our front." Once you find out that the enemy is moving. It will also be able to withdraw to the positions of our troops in time, and there will be no danger."

It seemed that Andreushchenko wanted to rush this dangerous mission. So as soon as Romanov's words were finished, he immediately continued: "But, Comrade General, ......"

"Alright, alright! You two division commanders should stop arguing. Seeing that the two were about to start an argument, I quickly interrupted them and said to myself: "You don't have to go tomorrow, you should each stay in the division and control your own troops." As for the exchange of prisoners of war, I am still personally responsible. ”

"What?" When the two people who were arguing heard me say this, they both stopped in unison, and after a short silence, they persuaded me in unison: "Comrade commander, you are the commander of an army, and you can't just take risks. ”

I smiled at the kindness of the two, and then said disappreciatively: "The deputy commander also said just now that the exchange venue is outside the forward position of our army, and once I find out that the enemy has any conspiracy, I can also retreat to the forward position in time." In order to reassure the two of them, I also deliberately emphasized, "An old soldier like Manstein is still a little chivalrous, and he disdains to play such a small conspiracy that cannot be put on the table." Rest assured, I will not be in danger. ”

Although my words were so clear, Romanov was still not at ease, and he took the initiative to propose: "Comrade commander, there are not many troops on the forward positions, only half a battalion, for the sake of safety, I will send you another company, right?" ”

I nodded and said, "That's the best." I only brought a platoon of guards with me when I came here, and if I had asked them to help carry the wounded, it would have been estimated that there would not be enough of them, but with this company you sent, plus the original strength of the position, that man would be more than enough. ”

Early the next morning, I rushed to the forward position early with Yushchenko and the fighters of the guard platoon. As soon as I entered the trenches, two commanders came to report to me, one of the captains was the company commander who held his position, and the lieutenant next to me was the company commander of the company that Romanov had sent to me.

It was a bit cold outside, so we all stayed in the observation post, which wasn't too cold, and quietly looked at the road to the north. Yushchenko couldn't help but get anxious when he saw that the appointed time was getting closer and closer, and he kept muttering in my ear: "Comrade commander, why haven't you come yet?" Could it be that the Germans lied to us......"

I was so distraught by his chatter that I glared at him fiercely, and then said angrily, "Okay, Comrade Captain, stop chattering." Although the Germans are our enemies, since they said that they are coming, they will definitely come, so wait patiently. ”

"Yes." Yushchenko, who was counted down by me, immediately obediently shut his mouth. But I knew in my heart that although he did not say anything, he was still skeptical that the Germans would send our captured wounded as agreed.

A few minutes before eight o'clock, the German convoy appeared. In front is a three-wheeled motorcycle to open the way, and in the middle is a convoy of more than a dozen covered trucks, followed by a dozen motorcycles, and then two armored vehicles are pressing the formation. Probably to prevent misunderstandings, the officer sitting in the sidecar also held a white flag in his hand.

Seeing that the Germans stopped at a distance of a hundred meters from the front and stopped advancing, I understood in my heart that this was the official exchange place chosen by the Germans, and I said to the defending captains: "Captain, for the sake of safety, it is better to prepare your soldiers for battle." Then he shook his head at Yushchenko and the lieutenant and said, "Let's go, give me a walk to the Germans." ”

After the three of us left the trench, the fighters of the special guard platoon also climbed out of the trench and followed us in a straggler formation. The coffin containing Ike's body was carried by eight able-bodied warriors, who followed us closely behind and headed for the German convoy.

The two sides met, Lieutenant Colonel Huber, who had just come down from the cab of the leading truck, was very surprised to see that I had only brought one platoon, and after a brief greeting, he asked tentatively: "Your Excellency, General, you only bring such a few men and horses, aren't you afraid that our convoy is not the wounded of your army, but our elite troops?" ”

I smiled and replied confidently: "Don't be afraid, I believe that Marshal Manstein is a military man with a chivalrous spirit, and will never engage in such intrigues that cannot be put on the table." ”

Hearing me say this, Lieutenant Colonel Huber laughed a little awkwardly, and then beckoned to the back, and immediately six soldiers, carrying a coffin, trotted all the way over.

After the coffin was lowered beside us, Huber pointed with his hand and said to me: "Your Excellency, the coffin is the body of General Khalitonov of your army, do you need to check it?" ”

"No need." I had never seen Kharytonov, and even if the coffin was opened, I would not be able to tell whether it was the general himself, so I simply pretended to be generous and said to Huber: "Mr. Lieutenant Colonel, I trust you. After saying that, he turned around and waved at the eight warriors standing behind, and ordered, "Give them the coffin." ”

After handing over the coffin containing the body of the opposing general, Hu Bo leaned on his side again, pointed to the crowd not far away, and said, "Those are the wounded captured by your army, you can send someone to receive them." After saying that, he turned around and said to me solemnly: "Your Excellency, my mission has been accomplished, please allow me to retire." ”

"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Huber." Although we were hostile to each other, seeing that the deal was quite successful, I took the initiative to extend my hand to each other and politely said, "I hope we will have a chance to cooperate in the future." ”

Hearing me say this, Lieutenant Colonel Huber's face suddenly showed a look of laughter and tears. But he quickly returned to normal, took my hand, and said politely: "Goodbye, Your Excellency, General, there will be a date later!" With that, he raised his hand and saluted me, and walked towards the convoy with the six soldiers carrying the coffins. (To be continued......)