Sergei's body trembled involuntarily at the words of the prisoner of war camp that came out of my mouth, as if the word represented painful memories that he could not recall.

"Tell me, Comrade Sergei." Akhromeyev said to him in a friendly manner: "Tell everyone about your experience in the German prisoner of war camp, so that all our commanders and fighters will know the brutality of the fascist bandits, so that we can arouse the common hatred of the enemy and defeat the damned German invaders." ”

After listening to Akhromeyev's words, Sergei nodded and said with a blank expression: "Okay, comrade division commander and chief of staff, since you want to know the situation of the German prisoner of war camp, then I will tell you in detail."

We were the first platoon of prisoners of war sent to Vitebsk, and two-thirds of them were wounded. More than 3,000 of us were herded into a wagon, the crowding inside the carriage is indescribable, the wounded are bleeding and the filthy scars are everywhere. During the three-day trip, many people in each carriage lost blood and died, and blood infections were also caused. Everywhere was filled with the groans, curses, sighs of the dying people, the painful sounds of wiggling their wrestles. Hunger and lack of water and air caused a large number of deaths not only of the wounded, but also of healthy prisoners of war. In addition to the deaths from wounds, there were other losses, and every time the train stopped to replenish water, the Germans would have someone in each carriage send someone to fetch water or empty the commode. They left the carriage for a short time, and if they did not return to the carriage in time after hearing the German whistle, they would have been shot by the Germans without hesitation.

When we arrived at the prisoner of war camp, we were placed in the open by the Germans. In autumn, there is no protection, and the wind and rain are carried day and night. The Germans didn't even prepare a simple shack for us. The prisoners of war tried to find shelter from the wind and rain, and in order to have a place to live, we even dug holes in the ground, and in the end many of them died in the holes they dug with their own hands, and most of the prisoners of war suffered from edema, scurvy, endless diarrhea, and tuberculosis caused by starvation. Unbearably hungry, all day searching for anything to eat: grass, tree roots, insects, leftovers from the cafeteria, etc.

Every day the most terrible things happen, every day people get sick and die. Starved to death, corpses were everywhere, skinny and bone-thin. The POWs ate whatever they could find. Including grasses and poisonous mushrooms. ……”

Hearing this, I raised my hand to interrupt him and asked with concern: "Comrade Sergei, you are staying in a prisoner of war camp. Not enough to eat and not warm to wear. Will it become so skinny as it is now? ”

Unexpectedly, Sergei actually shook his head and replied: "No, Comrade Lida, I managed to escape after only spending more than two months in the prisoner of war camp. ”

"How did you escape?" Akhromeyev, who had been acting as a listener all along, suddenly asked.

Sergei took a sip of the teapot on the table, and then continued: "There are not many guards in the prisoner of war camp, except for a few German soldiers, the rest are those soldiers of the Eastern Battalion. And the prisoner of war camp was also not walled. There are only two barbed wires. A captured ensign, secretly organized more than two hundred prisoners of war. On a rainy night, while the guards had let their guard down, he led us to escape with a quilt on a barbed wire fence. ”

Hearing that Sergei had escaped from the prisoner of war camp in an organized manner, Akhromeyev couldn't help but ask curiously: "Comrade soldier, I don't know where the second lieutenant is now?" ”

When Sergei heard this, he bowed his head in silence, and after a long while, he gritted his teeth and said: "Sacrificed." On our way to escape, we were discovered by the enemy, and he died heroically to cover us. ”

I waited for his feelings to calm down a bit, and then I asked, "After escaping from the prisoner of war camp, where did you go, and why did you come to the Independent Division again?" ”

Sergei said to me with a bitter face: "Lida, when we escaped from the prisoner of war camp, there were more than two hundred people, and after more than half a long journey, only seven people remained. We went through a lot of hardship to the city occupied by our army and went to report to the local garrison, only to be detained. The commander of the unit said that the Supreme High Command had issued an order that all captured commanders and fighters, regardless of whether they had put up stubborn resistance before being captured, would be sent to the correctional camps. In this way, several of our comrades-in-arms who escaped from the prisoner of war camp were sent to a punishment camp in the forest. It was only recently that we were recruited as recruits and were added to your separate division. ”

Actually, I do not agree with Stalin's impersonal order, knowing that I have been taken prisoner, and if anyone else had known about it, I would have been sent to a punishment camp. So in this case, I can only choose to be silent. Just as I was struggling with how to comfort Sergei, the curtain was lifted, and Captain Khrushov and Savchenko walked in one after the other to relieve me.

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and said to Sergei: "Okay, Comrade Sergei, I know everything about you, and now I still have something to discuss with your battalion commander, so go back first." ”

After Sergei came out of the command post, Savchenko looked at his back and asked me in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, do you know this fighter?" ”

I nodded, and before I could speak, Akhromeyev was already laughing and preemptively said: "You are right, Comrade Savchenko." This Comrade Sergei worked in the marriage registry office before the war, and it was with his help that the marriage certificate of our division commander was processed. ”

With an expression of disbelief on his face, Khrushov said with some exaggeration: "Ah, won't it?!" It's incredible that there is such a coincidence. ”

"It's true, Comrade Captain." I briefly told them the story of Lida and Oshanin getting their marriage license, and then asked Savchenko: "Comrade political instructor, do you know that Sergei was once captured?" ”

Savchenko nodded vigorously and said affirmatively: "Yes, I heard him say it before." He obviously misunderstood the original meaning of my question, and explained cleverly, "Comrade Division, although he is an acquaintance of yours, you must also know it. The High Command had issued an order: all commanders and fighters captured by the Germans, regardless of whether they had resisted or not......"

I didn't wait for him to finish, then I raised my hand to stop him. Turning his head, he asked Khrushov: "Comrade Captain, how is the situation in the battalion?" ”

Khrushov hurriedly straightened up and reported to me: "Report to the division commander, since our battalion withdrew from the 107.5 heights, we have been resting in the tunnel for two days. Every day when they heard the sound of gunfire outside, the commanders and fighters were suffocated, and they all looked forward to meeting the Germans outside as soon as possible. With that, he glanced back at the door. Then he cautiously asked: "Division commander, I don't know when we will send our battalion to the 107.5 heights again?" ”

Seeing Khrushov so eager to fight, I felt sincerely happy in my heart. But he could only regretfully tell him: "Comrade Captain, the 107.5th Heights and the residential quarters behind it have been assigned to the 39th Guards Regiment and the 42nd Infantry Brigade, and the task of our division is to hold the Mamayev Heights. Defend the security of the city and the Volga transport line. ”

Before leaving the command post. I also said to Savchenko in a serious tone: "Comrade political instructor, as a political worker, I hope that you can do a good job in the political and ideological work in the camp. For example, Sergei and other fighters who had a similar experience of being captured could tell other commanders and fighters about their tragic experiences in the prisoner of war camps, so that everyone could understand the brutality of the German army, so as to arouse everyone's hatred and hatred, and also to break the illusions that those wavering elements had about the Germans. ”

Akhromeyev and I walked around the positions a few more times. before returning to the command. As soon as I saw Kirillov's face, I asked straight to the point: "Comrade commissar." Is there a new order coming down from the command? ”

"Yes, Comrade Oshanina." Kirillov said as he handed over a telegram, and at the same time said: "Since the troops holding the 107.5 heights suffered heavy losses in the daytime battles, the army group intends to hand over the defense of the heights to the 92nd Infantry Brigade, which is about to cross the river. In order to avoid misunderstandings, we will notify us by telegram in advance. ”

As for this friendly unit that was about to fight side by side, I asked curiously: "Comrade Political Commissar, where did this 92nd Infantry Brigade come from?" ”

"The 92nd Infantry Brigade is said to be an infantry brigade, but the absolute majority of the fighters are sailors from the Baltic Fleet, but they are under the command of the army."

Hearing Kirillov say that the new friendly army was made up of sailors, I felt much more at ease. In my impression, the combat effectiveness of sailors is much higher than that of army commanders and fighters. With them holding on to the high ground, I don't have to worry about whether I should send reinforcements or not.

Early the next morning, Basmanov, who hurried in from outside, reported to us: "Report to the division commander, political commissar, chief of staff, that a unit is passing at the foot of our hillside. ”

"Is it a sailor?" Kirillov asked.

"Yes, there is about the strength of a battalion, and the leader of the team is a naval captain."

Since friendly troops have passed under our hillside, I think it is necessary to say hello to others, after all, in the coming days our two troops will be fighting side by side, so I said to Kirillov: "Let's go, Comrade Commissar, let's go down and have a look." ”

The two of us took the guards to the foot of the hillside, and saw hundreds of sailors and soldiers in black naval uniforms and beanie hats, marching in a long queue in the direction of Heights 107.5.

Seeing us coming down the hill, a tall sailor commander with a large brimmed hat ran up to us, who stopped two or three paces away from us, raised his hand in salute, and respectfully reported: "Hello, comrade commander. ”

After returning the salute, I carefully looked at the young commander in front of me, and then asked politely: "Comrade Captain, which part of you are from?" ”

"Report to Comrade Colonel, I am the commander of the 1st Battalion of the 92nd Infantry Brigade Navy Captain Lemusev, and I was ordered to lead my battalion to the 107.5 heights to receive the defense."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Comrade Captain." Kirillov said, stepped forward to shake hands with him, and took the initiative to introduce the situation on the high ground to the other party: "...... The northern slope of the high ground is gentle and easy to attack and difficult to defend, so your battalion must build more fortifications after entering the position to resist the enemy's fierce attack. ”

"Thank you for the reminder, comrade political commissar at the regimental level." The captain politely said: "Although there are fewer people in our battalion, we will fight the Germans." But there is no ambiguity at all. As long as we have one man, the Germans will not want to occupy our positions. ”

"Well done, Comrade Captain." Kirillov patted him on the shoulder. He said appreciatively: "I believe that all of you sailors and soldiers are good, and you will be able to hold your position firmly." ”

The captain saluted us and turned to chase the troops.

Looking at the sailors who were gradually moving away, Kirillov suddenly asked me: "Comrade Oshanina, after seeing the brutal offensive and defensive battles of yesterday, do you think they can hold their positions?" ”

To be honest, in my memory. I don't have any impression of this 92nd Infantry Brigade, it is estimated that the record is not good, otherwise. At least it can leave a brilliant mark in the history of the Great Patriotic War. Hearing Kirillov's question, I smiled bitterly and said vaguely: "As long as these sailors do not collapse under German artillery fire and show their true combat power." I'm sure they'll be able to hold their ground. ”

I looked up at the sky. Although it was daylight, the enemy had not yet launched a new offensive. I have never been there to inspect the settlement behind the Mamayev Gang since the Fifth Regiment was moved, and now Kirilov and I are outside, so on a whim, I said to Kirillov: "Comrade Political Commissar, anyway, there is Captain Akhromeyev in the command headquarters, let's go to the defense area of the Fifth Regiment, shall we?" ”

"Hmm. This is good, I agree. Kirillov finished. Summoned one of the guards next to him and told him to rush back to the division headquarters and report our whereabouts to Akhromeyev.

Since there was no transportation, our group had to walk there.

Kirillov said thoughtfully as he walked: "Comrade Oshanina, I have an idea that for such a long time, the 5th regiment almost did not take part in the battle. Now that this battle is getting bigger and bigger, do you think it's time to consider letting the Fifth Regiment also fight? ”

After listening to his words, I nodded and said approvingly: "Comrade Political Commissar, I also have this idea. Although the Fifth Regiment was the last unit to be formed, their combat effectiveness was not weak at all compared to the First Regiment. Today, I just planned to assign a little combat mission to Lieutenant Colonel Oleg and them. ”

"Where are you going to send them to the battle, in the city or in the Mamayev Hills?"

Without hesitation, I replied: "The area of Mamayev Gang is not large, and there are already three regiments in place, so there is no need to transfer another regiment to it. I'm going to send them out into the city. The position was not for them to fight positional warfare with the Germans who had stormed the city, but to fight urban guerrilla warfare. ”

"Guerrilla warfare? Do you mean to let our regular troops, like guerrillas, fight guerrilla warfare with the enemy? ”

"Yes, if we were to open up in the city and engage the Germans in positional warfare, their overwhelming superiority of aircraft, tanks, and artillery would inflict heavy casualties on our troops. Since we use guerrilla warfare and get tangled with the enemy, their aircraft and artillery will be useless. ”

Although Kirillov had already learned a lot of whimsy from me, he was still a little hesitant when he heard this style of play: "Is this appropriate?" The Germans had a higher number of individual soldiers than our soldiers, and they also had more troops than us, so I was afraid that if we really fought, we would not be sure of victory. ”

"Comrade commissar, you don't have to worry." The task that is about to be assigned to the 5th regiment, if I can't convince even the commissar, will my subordinates still carry out my orders without discount? So I tried to make my thoughts clear to him: "Isn't there still a militia battalion in the fifth regiment?" If there is a familiarity with the city, the Germans cannot compare with them. Therefore, I planned to mix the militia battalion and other companies, and use their familiarity with the terrain to fight guerrilla warfare with the enemy in the city, and destroy as many enemies as possible who rushed into the city. ”

Seeing that he had already been a little moved by what I said, I struck while the iron was hot and said: "Besides, the north side of the city is only composed of many factory areas, and the space for the movement of the troops is relatively large, even if the enemy has several times more troops than us, he will not be able to trap our troops. ”

Kirillov was indeed a good political commissar, and after listening to my analysis, he no longer objected, and after nodding his head, he specially reminded me: "You plan to send the fifth regiment into the city to fight a guerrilla war with the German army, and I suggest that you immediately report it to the army group headquarters, so that the commanders can know what they want." ”

"The telephone in the command post of the Fifth Regiment can directly talk to the headquarters, and when we arrive at the locality, I will personally call the comrade commander."

The two of us were talking, and before we knew it, we had come to the defense area of the Fifth Regiment. Oleg and Vylol, who received the report from the sentry, took the initiative to meet us with several staff officers in the regiment.

After Oleg saluted us, he asked in surprise: "Division commander, political commissar, how did you come here?" Is there any new operational order to be issued to us? ”

Kirillov and I looked at each other, then smiled and said: "It seems that this Lieutenant Colonel Oleg is really not simple, as soon as he sees us here, he knows that we will give him a battle order." ”

After his guess was confirmed, Oleg said a little nervously: "Division commander, political commissar, if there are any orders, you can give them by phone, how can you risk running here?" You know, at the moment just a few blocks from here, there are German troops. ”

When I heard that there were German troops nearby, I was suddenly shocked into a cold sweat, and Kirilov and I swaggered to the position of the Fifth Regiment with a few people, which was really the rhythm of looking for death. However, in the presence of so many subordinates, I still tried to maintain my composure, and instructed Villol: "Comrade Vellol, you go and call the militia battalion commander and Grams, I have a task to assign to you." (To be continued......)

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