When I heard these two unfamiliar terms, I knew that Meretskov was in a hurry. In order to block the frantic attack of the German army, even the elite troops at the bottom of the box were used. You must know that if you were in the Chinese army at that time, this was equivalent to the existence of an officer training regiment or a cadre regiment.

When General Yakovlev heard Meretskov's phone call, he asked in surprise: "The second lieutenant training team and the junior commander's training company, but they are all officers, do you want to use them as ordinary soldiers?" ”

Meretskov waved his hand and said in an unquestionable tone: "Now the situation is critical, and there is not much to care about." As soon as the Germans broke through the defensive line of the 65th Division, rushed to the road, occupied and closed the passage to Lyuban, the link between the Front and the 2nd Shock Army was severed. You can think of what the consequences will be. ”

Yakovlev opened his mouth and was about to say something, when he suddenly heard the sound of artillery outside, and it seemed that the Germans had launched a new round of attack, so he quickly closed his mouth......

Meretskov turned his head and asked Colonel Koshevoy: "Comrade Colonel, where can I observe the situation on the battlefield." ”

"Report to the commander of the front," Koshevoy replied, standing up in accordance with the regulations, "two hundred meters from here, on the edge of the forest, there is an underground observation post with a clear view of the entire battlefield. ”

Meretskov waved his hand and said, "Then what are you still stunned for, take us over immediately." ”

Colonel Koshevoy said with some embarrassment: "Comrade General, that observation post is too small to accommodate so many people. ”

Meretskov looked at the room full of commanders and said, "Since it can't accommodate so many people, let's go less, except for those whose names I have named, the rest will stay here." Then he named Yakovlev and two generals and went with Colonel Koshevoy to the observation post.

He walked to the door, glanced back, pointed to me, who was still crowded in the middle of a group of commanders, and said, "Major Oshanina, you come with you." ”

Originally, I was inconspicuous in the crowd, but when he called this, the eyes of everyone in the command turned to me. I was a little embarrassed to look at me, and hurriedly lowered my head and walked quickly through the crowd, chasing Meretskov and them who were walking in front.

We bent down and walked briskly along the trench to the observation post at the edge of the forest. There were two officers in the observation post, one observing the enemy and the other at the wooden table taking notes. Seeing our group entering, the two of them hurriedly stood up and saluted.

"How's it going?" Meretskov asked as he took the telescope from an officer.

"Report to Comrade General." The officer, apparently knowing Meretskov, replied succinctly: "The attacking Germans were infantry, and since our troops were suppressed by enemy artillery fire, they could not organize a strong blockade. The enemy in individual sections has approached the lines of our troops. ”

Several senior commanders were crowded into the observation hole, and I couldn't squeeze through it at all, so I simply didn't join in the excitement, but just stood upright in the middle of the observation post, waiting patiently.

In this observation post, in addition to the rumbling of artillery, the sound of rifle and machine gun fire, and the explosion of grenades are clearly audible. From time to time, shells exploded not far from the observation post, and snow from the roofs fell down through the cracks between the logs, leaving people all over their faces.

"Comrade division commander, comrade division commander. Is Comrade Division Commander here? "Outside, a roaring voice came in, and then a lieutenant wearing a steel helmet and carrying a rifle and a gunpowder smoke came in.

Koshevoy turned his head and looked at the intruder, and asked sternly, "What's the matter?" ”

"Report to Comrade Division Commander, the Germans broke through the positions of the 195th Regiment."

"What?" Everyone in the observation center was stunned by the news. Koshevoy grabbed the lieutenant by the collar and asked loudly: "How did the position was lost, where is the commander of the 195th regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Dennikov?" ”

The lieutenant, who was grabbed by the collar, coughed loudly, and Koshevoy realized that he was holding it too tightly, making it impossible for the other party to breathe, and quickly let go of his hand. The lieutenant gasped for breath and coughed twice more before replying: "The fighters were so pressed by the fire that they could not raise their heads, and the enemy quietly approached our position under the cover of artillery fire. As soon as the artillery fire stopped, they rushed forward, because the fighters suffered heavy casualties in the shelling and could not stop their attack. The battle was unfolding near the regimental command post, the regimental commander Denikiv had already died, and the regimental chief of staff was directing the fighters in a counterattack. ”

Colonel Koshevoy turned back to Meretskov and said: "Comrade General, I will immediately go to the 195th Regiment to take over the command, and I will definitely be able to hold the position." ”

"Go ahead!" Meretskov did not stop him, and readily agreed.

The colonel saluted and ran with the lieutenant along the trench to the position of the 195th regiment.

The battle continues.

While observing the situation on the battlefield, Meretskov raised his wrist from time to time to look at his watch, and I could see from his small gesture that he was anxiously waiting for the arrival of the second lieutenant training team and the junior commander's training company.

"Comrade division commander, comrade division commander. Is Comrade Division Commander here? There was another shout from outside, and with the shouting, it was a second lieutenant who broke into the observation post.

"Which section was broken through by the Germans this time?" General Yakovlev asked viciously at the second lieutenant.

"Report to Comrade General," replied the second lieutenant, shuddering with fright, "the Germans stormed the positions of the 194th regiment, and the fighters were fighting with them with bayonets." ”

"The positions of the 194th regiment were also broken through?" Hearing this, Meretskov frowned nervously and said to himself: "The left flank and center of the 65th Division have been broken through by the Germans, and only one right flank remains, can it withstand it?" ”

"Comrade General," General Yakovlev said to Meretskov suddenly, "at this critical moment, only the determination of the commander is the mental strength to stabilize the situation of the war. Without further ado, I immediately went to the 194th Regiment and personally commanded the troops to drive the enemy out of our positions. ”

"No," Meretskov interrupted him, and said resolutely: "You are the commander of the army group, not the regiment commander, and let the other commanders do the counterattack." ”

Hearing him say this, General Yakovlev grabbed the cotton military cap from his head, slammed it on the table, patted his chest with one hand, and said loudly to Meretskov: "Come on, Comrade General, what is the value of my personal safety." As long as I can block the attack of the fascist bandits, old man, even if I Yakovlev is sacrificed, what is it ?! After saying that, he grabbed the cotton military hat on the table and walked outside as he put it on.

He walked to the door, put on his military cap, turned to us, and said in a gentle tone: "Comrade General, rest assured, the Germans' bullets will not hit me Yakovlev. ”

There was silence in the observation post.

Meretskov put the telescope on the table, slowly walked towards Yakovlev, held the other's hands tightly with both hands, shook them vigorously and said: "Good luck, old man!" Then he let go, put his hand on his shoulder and patted him gently, saying, "Take care, stay safe!" ”

Yakovlev took a step back, slowly raised his right hand and gave a standard military salute to Meretskov, and after seeing Meretskov salute himself, he decisively turned around and left with the second lieutenant.

Meretskov's hand never let go, and as I watched the back of the commander of the 52nd Army disappear, I saw a faint tear glint in his eyes.

The arrival of General Yakovlev and Colonel Koshevoy to the position still had a noticeable effect on the morale of the troops. After less than half an hour, the gunfire outside became sparse, and the German attacking units began to retreat, only sporadic shells continued to fall on our positions and explode.

"Report!" Hearing the sound from outside, I couldn't help but feel a little nervous, could it be that there was something wrong with the defense line somewhere?

"Come in!" Meretskov, who was observing the battlefield, shouted without looking back.

Following his order, two commanders came in from the outside, one lieutenant and one captain.

"What's the matter?" Meretskov did not turn around, and one of the generals next to him took the initiative to ask questions.

The lieutenant took a step forward and reported loudly: "Report to Comrade General, the second lieutenant training team has been ordered to come and wait for your instructions!" ”

Then the captain also stepped forward and reported in the same voice: "Report to the front commander, comrade, the junior commander's teaching company has been ordered to come and wait for your instructions!" ”

Meretskov turned around, his face full of joy and said: "You guys are finally here!" ”