After Chuikov ended the call with Zhukov, he sat down in the chair next to the phone, without saying a word, and the whole person seemed distracted, so that Korpakchi and Gurov gathered around to ask him, but he didn't pay attention.

I was standing next to me and I heard his conversation with Zhukov. As a front-line commander, he had already foreseen the brutality of this battle, so he tactfully proposed to Zhukov that he hoped to restore the defensive positions of the army group on the west bank of the Don River, as well as the actual second echelon and reserves. The reason why Zhukov did not immediately reply to him was simply that Gordorf was the commander of the Stalingrad Front, which was appointed by Stalin, and that he had great trust in the general, and that he could not tolerate anyone pointing fingers at the new commander at this time. As the deputy commander, Zhukov naturally knows it, so he doesn't want to touch this mold. Perhaps it was Chuikov who figured this out to behave so out of shape.

After a long time, his expression returned to normal, and when he looked up and saw the two commanders standing next to him, he asked curiously, "Hey, Kolpakchi and Gurov, what are you two standing here?" ”

Seeing that he came to his senses, Korpakchi couldn't wait to ask: "Chuikov, what did Comrade General say, did he agree to adjust the deployment and retransfer the 112th Infantry Division back to the joint of our two armies?" ”

Chuikov sighed and said unwillingly: "I listened to Comrade Zhukov's tone, and he was very satisfied with my original deployment. However, in order to revise the decision made by Commander Gordov, Comrade Zhukov could not give orders to General Goldov without the consent of the Supreme Commander himself. Seeing the disappointed expressions on the faces of the two. He hurriedly comforted him and said, "But Comrade General agreed." He would consult with Commander Goldorf. Seek to redeploy those forces back to the West Bank. ”

After listening to this, Gurov nodded, walked over and was about to pick up the phone. Chuikov asked strangely: "Comrade Military Commissar, who are you going to call?" ”

"I will call General Goldov and ask what he intends to do to recognize Major Oshanina for their achievements today?"

Before he could pick up the microphone, the phone rang suddenly, startling him unprepared. After stabilizing his emotions. Only then did he pick up the microphone: "Hello, I'm Gurov, the military commissar of the group army, where are you?" The other party quickly identified himself, and Gurov smiled on his face and said politely: "It turned out to be you, Comrade Commander." I wonder if you called at this time, do you have any instructions? After listening for a while, Gurov's face suddenly turned red with excitement, and he said in a loud voice: "Understood, Comrade Commander." I completely understand, I'm going to arrange the relevant matters. ”

Put down the phone. He excitedly reported to Kolpakć: "Comrade General, just now the commander of the Front called and said that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief himself, after learning of Major Oshanina's brilliant achievements today, was very happy and personally issued an order of commendation: to award every commander and fighter who participated in the battle the Order of the Red Banner, to be promoted to the rank of the first class, and to inform the commanders and fighters of their heroic deeds to all the commanders and fighters of the army. ”

Hearing the good news, Kolpacic was also extremely excited, he walked up to me, took the initiative to reach out and shake my hand, and said: "Major Oshanina, I congratulate you. It is an incomparable honor to be personally commended by the Supreme Commander himself. Speaking of this, he turned back to Gurov and asked: "Comrade Military Commissar, I wonder when the commander of the Ludao Front Army will send the medal?" ”

"General Goldov said that the medal would be sent overnight. At the same time, he also suggested that we hold a brief commendation meeting to publicize the heroic deeds of Major Oshanina and others throughout the army. ”

"Commendation meeting?! Where should this award be held? Kolparkic walked back and forth in the room with his hands rubbed together, muttering about the commendation meeting.

At this time, Chuikov spoke: "I said General Korpakchi, didn't your counter-assault operation be postponed until ten o'clock tomorrow morning?" I suggest that we convene a brief commendation meeting here before the start of the counterattack, so that all the participating units can send representatives to show them the brilliant achievements and supreme glory of Major Oshanina and her men, so as to boost the morale of the participating troops. Look, what about my suggestion? ”

When Gurov heard this, he clapped his hands again and again, and said: "Comrade Chuikov's suggestion is good, and it not only achieves the goal of commending heroes, but also effectively raises the morale of the troops. Doing so will be of great help to the offensive tomorrow morning. ”

Korpakchi was about to answer, but when he turned his head, he found that I was still standing next to me like a nail, and hurriedly called Semykov in and ordered him: "Comrade Captain, Major Oshanina has been tired of traveling for the past few days, and today she has participated in another day of fighting, she should be very tired, you should take her to rest." ”

Sermilov agreed, took me out of the headquarters, came to a nearby house, pointed to the house and said to me: "Comrade Major, the owner of this house has been evacuated, but the house is quite complete and can be occupied, so you can stay here for the time being tonight." ”

I thanked him and was about to push the door in, when he said again: "I will call you before the commendation ceremony starts, you don't have to worry about being late." ”

I walked into the room and looked at the sheets on the bed, and the neatly folded quilts, all of which were a little washed and white, probably from the original landlord, who may have left in too much of a hurry, so he didn't have time to take them. I walked to the edge of the bed and sat down, took off my boots and lay down on the bed, pulling the quilt over my body. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

I was sleeping soundly when I suddenly heard the sound of a military horn outside the window, and I dimly felt that this trumpet sound was very familiar, like a collection number. As soon as I thought of the rallying number, I suddenly remembered the commendation meeting that was going to be held this morning, and I quickly turned over and got out of bed, put on my boots and ran out.

As soon as I opened the door, Captain Semykov was trotting towards me, and I guessed that he should have come to wake me up, so I hurriedly took the initiative to greet him: "Hello, Captain Semykov." ”

As soon as Semykov looked up and saw that I was already standing at the door, he hurriedly said with a smile on his face: "Morning, Comrade Major. I was about to wake you up, but you got up first. The commanders and fighters who participated in the commendation meeting are gathering, let's go now, don't be late. ”

Captain Semykov took me to the place where the commendation meeting was to be held, where two or three hundred people had already gathered and stood in four phalanxes. I asked Semykov in a low voice: "Comrade Captain, where did these commanders and fighters come from?" ”

Semykov replied in a low voice: "Part of them are the staff officers of the army group command, and the rest are all representatives of the units that are going to participate in the counter-assault offensive operation today, as well as the commanders and fighters of the 13th Tank Army who are going to cooperate with us today." ”

Hearing him talk about the tank army, I paid special attention to it, and sure enough, there was a phalanx commander and fighter, all wearing black tank uniforms, which were estimated to be from the 13th Tank Army.

Semykov took me to a house, where Lieutenant Peter and several of them were already waiting. When he saw me enter the door, he hurriedly stepped forward to salute and say hello. Before leaving, Semykov said: "Comrade Major, you stay here for the first time, and then go out when you are called." ”

The meeting began under the chairmanship of Gurov. I looked down at my watch, and it was just seven o'clock in the morning, that is, after the commendation meeting, these commanders and fighters who watched the ceremony had about three hours to return to the troops to prepare for today's attack.

Gurov rushed at the infantry phalanx in front of him and said loudly: "...... Next, I will invite Colonel Rukhlie, the chief of operations from the Front Command, to announce the commendation order from the superiors. Everyone is welcome! After saying that, he took the lead and applauded.

Amid warm applause, a colonel wearing a large-brimmed hat strode up to the front of the group, raised his hand to salute everyone, took out a document from the briefcase he carried with him, and read it aloud to everyone: "...... In recognition of Major Oshanina and her subordinates, for their heroic and tenacious fighting spirit and brilliant achievements in the defense of Kretskaya. After consulting the Supreme High Command, the Front Command decided to award the Order of the Red Banner to five people and promote each of them to the rank of one rank. Major Oshanina and her men are invited to enter. ”

The five of us tidied up our appearances, followed Shemikov, who had come to lead the way, and hurried to the front of Colonel Rukhlie, who had been awarded the medal.

Colonel Rukhre, looking at the medal hanging from my chest, said approvingly: "Comrade Major, oh no, now Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. It seems that you have done well in battle, and you already have several medals. ”

When he hung the new Order of the Red Banner on the front and back of my chest, I raised my hand to salute him and habitually shouted: "For the service of the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

Captain Peter, who was next to be awarded the medal, followed my example, with the medal hanging on his chest and his hand, raised his hand to salute Colonel Rukhre, and shouted: "Serve the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

After a brief ordination, Gurov spoke again, and all five of us took a few steps back and formed a line not far behind him. After looking back at us, Gurov said loudly to the commanders and fighters in front of him: "Comrade commanders and fighters, in a few hours, we will soon launch a counterattack against the fascist bandits." In the course of the battle, we must display our heroic and tenacious fighting spirit to drive the enemy out of our original positions and complete our glorious counterattack mission. At the same time, we must not be afraid of sacrifice, fatigue, continuous combat, and annihilation of the enemy who will attack in the future! Speaking of this, he raised the decibel again: "GCD members, GQT members, carry forward your vanguard role and resolutely destroy the enemy!" Comrades, the time has come for meritorious service, look at these commanders and fighters standing in front of you, they are your examples! Comrades, fight bravely, move forward, destroy all the enemies you see! ”

The commanders and fighters were so excited by Gurov's words that as soon as his words fell, the slogan of "Ula" suddenly sounded in the queue like a tsunami! (To be continued......)