Not long after the order was given, another piece of good news came: the city of Fleda had been captured by the Gaidar regiment of the 22nd Guards Division, and the defenders of the city had been completely annihilated.

When the news came, I was stunned for a moment, I thought that with the withdrawal of the main force of the 22nd Guards Division and the tank brigade and artillery regiment, the battle in this city would continue for two more days, but I didn't expect it to be captured so easily. But when I thought about it, I was relieved, you must know that this unit formed by my own hands is the best at street fighting, and it has also made many achievements in the defense of Stalingrad, and it is really not a big problem to seize such a small city.

Now that the city of Fleda has been successfully captured, we can now confidently and boldly carry out our offensive plans on the Western Front. But before that, I felt it necessary to report the good news of the capture of the city of Fleda to the command of the army group, so that Commander Kharytonov would also be happy.

Thinking of this, I called Vitkov over and instructed him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately send a telegram to the headquarters of the army group to report the results of our capture of the city of Fleda." ”

After listening to my instructions, Vitkov asked with some embarrassment: "Comrade commander, is it true that the battle plan we have drawn up is not reported to the superiors?" If it succeeds, then it's fine; But if something goes wrong and the attack is frustrated, then the consequences will be unimaginable. ”

Vitkov's reminder made me hesitate, if the battle plan I had just drawn up was not reported, if something really went wrong, the consequences would be really severe. I walked back and forth in the command with my hands behind my back, my mind spinning rapidly, pondering the pros and cons of doing so. And Kirillov and Vitkov stood aside. Staring at me intently. Waiting for me to make a final decision.

Let's be honest. To take military action without asking for permission in the Soviet army is to risk your own head. However, if we report our plan to the army group headquarters, it is not clear whether it will be approved or not, and perhaps our unit will be transferred to the west of Donetsk to participate in the battle to attack the fortified positions of the German army together with the main force.

Seeking wealth and danger, this word suddenly popped up in my head. It cleared my mind. I secretly said in my heart: This battle has not been written in the history books of later generations, which proves that the Soviet offensive failed in the end, and it is estimated that it was defeated very badly. If that is the case, we simply take the next risk, and if we have achieved good results when other friendly units have been crushed by the Germans, who will then hold us accountable for our unauthorized actions?

Thinking of this, I stopped and decisively ordered Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, send a telegram to the command. Report the results of the capture of the city of Fleda. In addition, at the headquarters of the army group, we were short of ammunition and supplies. It is not possible to fight new battles in the short term, and I hope to replenish our troops as much as possible. At this point, I buried my head in the map marked with red and blue arrows on the table, and said in a steady tone, "For the sake of the future of our 79th Infantry Corps, I think we should take a gamble." ”

"But, Comrade Commander." As a veteran of the army for more than 20 years, Vitkov tried to persuade me to change my mind: "It's too risky to do this, don't you think again......"

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Kirillov, my old partner, promptly stood up to show his support to me, patted Vitkov on the shoulder and said in a friendly voice: "Just do as Comrade Oshanina says, with what I know about her, her decision will not be wrong." ”

"Alright then, Comrade Commissar." Seeing that Kirillov also stood up and unconditionally supported me, Vitkov could only sigh and accept the unchangeable facts in front of him, "I'll go and send a telegram to the army group headquarters." ”

After Vitkov left, Kirillov, who had just expressed his unconditional support for me, asked worriedly: "Comrade Oshanina, I also think that you are too risky to do this. To be on the safe side, would it be better to send a secret telegram to General Rokossovsky or Marshal Zhukov to report to them this battle plan of yours? In this way, even if something goes wrong in the future, someone will be able to come out and take care of it for you. ”

I knew that Kirillov said this with good intentions, but I still resolutely rejected his suggestion and explained to him: "Comrade commissar, this plan cannot be reported to either Marshal Zhukov or General Rokossovsky, which will complicate matters. ”

As for how complicated things will be, I didn't say, and Kirillov didn't ask. He was concerned about another question: "I don't understand, Comrade Oshanina, according to my observations, you seem to be reluctant to let us fight with the main forces of the army group, what is the reason for this?" ”

In response to Kirillov's question, I looked to the left and right as usual, and when I saw that the operator on the wall with headphones was not paying attention to our side, I whispered: "Comrade commissar, have you heard of the Battle of the Somme?" ”

"Battle of the Somme?!" After repeating my words, Kirillov nodded and replied: "I know, it was during the First World War, when the British and French forces launched an attack on the German army in the Somme River area, in which the left flank of the British army adopted a dense offensive formation, and was severely killed and wounded by German machine gun and artillery fire, and in just one day, nearly 60,000 casualties were inflicted. At this point, he paused for a moment, and then asked in surprise: "Oshanina, what are you asking about this, is what you are going to say next related to this battle example?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commissar." I said politely: "I think that the tactics of many commanders of our army are too outdated, and they rigidly copy the set they learned in military academies, and they are deeply rooted in their minds that if they want to seize the enemy's position, as long as the density of troops invested exceeds the limit of the enemy's firepower density, they can achieve a breakthrough.

Some of today's important commanders have no experience in commanding large corps. If the tactical level, mobility ability, and firearms of both sides are relatively primitive, our fighters can still be effective by relying on bravery, tenacity, and fierce attacks. Take a look at the current enemy's equipment. There are planes on and tanks and artillery under them. If we go back to the same old tactics as before. In addition to the blood and lives of the commanders and fighters, I see any hope for victory. ”

After listening to my rebellious words, Kirillov was silent for a long time, and finally said with difficulty: "Well, Comrade Oshanina, whatever decision you make, I will resolutely support you. ”

Kirillov's attitude warmed my heart. I stepped forward and took his hand, shook it vigorously, and said gratefully: "Thank you, thank you, Comrade Commissar!" But rest assured, not only will there be any vicious consequences in the future, but I will also bear it. ”

"Comrade Oshanina, you are thinking too much." When Kirillov heard me say this, he hurriedly expressed his attitude again: "Since I am your political commissar, if something goes wrong in the future." I'll take some of the responsibility for you, too. ”

As we talked, Vitkov walked in from outside with a smile on his face. Behind him was Akhromeyev, who was also full of spring breeze. The two of them walked up to us, and Akhromeyev spoke first: "Comrade commander, there is an old subordinate of yours who has recovered from his injuries and has been discharged from the hospital, and he has come to report to you, do you want to see him?" ”

"My old subordinates?" Akhromeyev's words confused me, how could I possibly guess who came to me to report when I had tens of thousands of men? I was about to wave Akhromeyev to send him away, but seeing that both he and Vitkov were smiling, proving that this person was known to both of them, and that his rank was not too low, I changed my mind and ordered Akhromeyev: "Comrade Major, go and call someone in." ”

"Yes!" Akhromeyev agreed, turned and walked towards the door. He came to the door and shouted outside: "Come in, Comrade Commander will let you in!" ”

With his shouting, an officer wearing a large-brimmed hat walked in from outside the door, he quickly came to us, raised his hand and saluted, and said loudly: "Report to the division commander, comrade political commissar, Major Pugachev, the former acting commander of the 2nd Regiment of the Independent Division, report to you that I have recovered from my injuries and been discharged from the hospital, and I request to return to the team, please instruct!" ”

"Take a break!" I casually shouted a password, but I didn't return the salute, but I grabbed his hand and shook it vigorously, and said excitedly: "Major Pugachev, when were you discharged from the hospital?" "We haven't seen each other since the last time we went to relieve the siege of Chuikov's army headquarters and he was sent to seize the school's artillery observation point, and I even thought he had died. Seeing him standing in front of me in high spirits at this moment, I was overjoyed, and while shaking hands with him, I asked with concern, "Comrade Major, have all your injuries healed?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Just now he called me and Kirillov by his old position because he was excited, and when he officially reported to me at this moment, he changed to the correct military rank: "After more than three months of recuperation, I have fully recovered from my injuries. Speaking of this, he suddenly became a little writhing, and asked me in a hesitant manner, "I heard that Lieutenant Colonel Oleg has returned to the post of regimental commander of the Second Regiment, I wonder how you plan to arrange my work?" ”

When Pugachev mentioned this, I immediately remembered that after he was wounded, I merged the 2nd and 5th regiments, and put the former commander of the 2nd regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, back to the post of regimental commander, and put the first class instructor Vylor to the post of political commissar of the regiment. Now that Major Pugachev has returned from injury, as the acting regimental commander, he will definitely not be able to return to the 2nd regiment to compete with Lieutenant Colonel Oleg for the post of regiment commander, and can only rearrange a new post for him. Thinking of this, I turned my head and asked Kirillov: "Comrade Political Commissar, what do you think about the work arrangement of Major Pugachev?" ”

Kirillov frowned and thought for a while, then finally shook his head and said regretfully: "Comrade Oshanina, as far as I know, Division Commander Pantailyev has recently made a big personnel adjustment in the division," Speaking of this, he glanced meaningfully at Akhromeyev, who was standing in front of us, and then said: "Many commanders who joined with him from the new division have been promoted in different ways. Therefore, I want Comrade Pugachev to return to work in the 22nd Guards Division, which may not be appropriate. ”

Kirillov's words made my heart heavy, I did not expect that less than two months after I left the independent division, Pandereev began to install cronies everywhere to exclude dissidents, and even the chief of staff of the division, Akhromeyev, was squeezed out of the division. And Pugachev has been away from the army for a long time, and it is estimated that even if he returns, he will not be assigned any good positions, rather than that, it is better for me to leave him in the military command, at least one more subordinate who can use his skills. But what position should he be assigned to? I can't help but get worried.

Just when I was in a dilemma, Akhromeyev took a step forward and said to me in a loud voice: "Comrade commander, I have an idea, can I say?" ”

I was upset, and when I heard Akhromeyev say this, I couldn't help waving my hand and said angrily: "Comrade Major, you are my old subordinate, just say anything straight, don't keep going around in circles." ”

"Comrade Commander, that's what I think." When Akhromeyev heard me say this, he did not go around in circles anymore, but said bluntly: "Thanks to your trust, I have been assigned two posts, chief of operations and chief of intelligence, and I feel that it is inappropriate for one person to hold two positions, so I propose that Major Pugachev take over one of them." ”

After listening to Akhromeyev's proposal, I stared at Pugachev and began to think: he is a commander with rich combat experience, has participated in many battles, and has made a lot of contributions, what he lacks is the experience of working in the command headquarters, and I just used this time to let him exercise.

After thinking about it, without consulting Kirillov and them, I formally announced to Akhromeyev and Pugachev: "Major Akhromeev, after my consideration, in order to give full play to your strengths, I intend to let you take up the posts of chief of the army staff and chief of the intelligence department, and the vacated post of chief of the operations department will be taken over by Major Pugachev." Speaking of which, I turned sideways and asked Kirillov next to me: "Comrade commissar, do you have a different opinion?" ”

"No comment." Kirillov nodded and said, "I think your arrangement is very appropriate. ”

And Vitkov, seeing that my gaze swept towards him, did not wait for me to speak, and immediately preemptively said: "Comrade commander, I have no opinion, resolutely swoop down on your orders." ”

"Since there is no objection from everyone," I said, seeing that the political commissar and the chief of staff had expressed their support for my proposal, "from now on, Pugachev will be the chief of operations of our army." (To be continued......)