Early in the morning, I was woken up in a deep sleep by Akhromeyev, who gently shook my shoulder, and seeing that I had woken up from my sleep, he immediately reported to me: "Comrade division commander, a call from the command of the army group. Hearing that I only mumbled vaguely, he quickly added, "It was a call from Commander Chuikov himself." ”

Hearing that it was Chuikov's call, I was worried that he had something important to inform me, so I quickly turned over and got out of bed, rushed to the table in a few arrows, grabbed the microphone on the table, and said a little nervously: "Hey, Comrade Commander?" I'm Oshanina, what are your instructions? ”

When Chuikov heard that it was me, he immediately said teasingly: "Comrade Oshanina, your independent division is quite powerful." I've heard people say that you just got an elite army yesterday, and although there are only more than a hundred people, they are carrying new weapons that we have never seen before, right? According to the analysis of professionals, the combat effectiveness of a company with this kind of equipment can at least be equal to that of a battalion of an ordinary army. ”

"Comrade commander, look at what you said, how can it be so exaggerated." I replied embarrassedly: "It was indeed a small unit that came last night, and it was the special guard company assigned to me by my superiors, and the company commander who led the team was my old subordinate when I was the commander of the 8th Guards Division. The guns they carry are all new weapons that have just been developed, and they will not be installed in the troops for the time being. "Speaking of which, I suddenly remembered the arrival of the special guard company, I didn't report it to the army command at all, how did Chuikov know? Could it be that he has put his eyes and ears on my side, if that is the case? But it was so chilling to me.

Come to think of it. I couldn't help but hold the microphone and look at Kirillov and Pantailyev nearby. And Akhromeyev, who told me to answer the phone, guessed in his heart which of them had privately reported this to Chuikov?

Just when I was suspicious of my colleagues, Chuikov's next sentence relieved me: "Last night, when General Lobov, the head of logistics, was directing the troops to carry supplies on the dock, he suddenly saw a small unit with strange rifles on his back getting off the ship, and the leading captain also asked him to inquire about the road of your division headquarters, and he knew that this unit was newly added to you." ”

After listening to Chuikov's words, I breathed a sigh of relief, and secretly said in my heart that it was Yushchenko and they met General Lobov. It's not that someone close to me leaks secrets. Since Chuikov did not have the men around me to monitor me, I felt much more at ease, so I changed the subject and asked, "Comrade Commander, what is the current situation in the city?" ”

"Based on the information we have and the current course of the battle, it can be seen that the Germans are as exhausted as our troops. After ten days of fighting, the Germans once again divided the units of our army group into two parts and occupied the tractor plant, but they did not achieve the goal of destroying the main forces of our army. "In order to ensure the continuation of the offensive on the city, the Germans had to bring in reserves from the depths to the battle. Even new troops were transferred from Germany proper.

Obviously, by November. The Germans continued to attack Stalingrad not out of military necessity, but for political purposes. Of course, the German generals, as before, underestimated the strength of the Soviet people and the Red Army, and their offensive would still be completely crushed by us.

In the first days of November, the task of our army group was to disturb the enemy with all its might, to make it unstable, and if the German high command suddenly decided to withdraw from Stalingrad, we had to bite them tightly and not let them escape. ”

"Comrade Commander, please rest assured." For me, who knew the outcome of the battle, I understood that the German army would not dare to retreat casually even if it was surrounded, not to mention that the German army still had the upper hand, at least on the surface, they still had the possibility of capturing Stalingrad at any time. Therefore, after hearing Chuikov's words, I immediately expressed my determination to him: "Our independent division will definitely attract the enemy in front of the heights, and will definitely not let them leave Stalingrad easily." ”

After talking about the current form, Chuikov turned the topic to my guard company again: "Comrade Oshanina, how is the combat effectiveness of your new guard company?" ”

"Comrade Commander," although I did not know what Chuikov meant by asking this, I still answered truthfully: "This company is subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and many of its commanders and fighters have rich combat experience. ”

Chuikov suddenly said in a slumped voice: "Comrade Oshanina, I want to discuss something with you. ”

"Comrade Commander, please speak." I didn't understand why Chuikov was so out of shape, so he politely said, "As long as it's within my ability, I'll do my best." ”

"That's right, Comrade Oshanina." Chuikov said with some difficulty: "You can also see that in the battle some time ago, we lost too many soldiers, and even the guard battalion of the group army headquarters was replenished to the combat unit. At present, I can only rely on the staff and logistics staff to ensure the safety of the headquarters. So, I ask you, can you give me some men from your new guard company to strengthen the security of the headquarters? ”

Hearing Chuikov begging me in such a low voice, I knew in my heart that what he said was true, and if he hadn't been in a place where mountains and rivers were exhausted, with his character, he would not have made such a request to his subordinates. I would not refuse his request and could not refuse, so I readily agreed: "Comrade commander, no problem, I will send you a platoon at once." ”

"Great, that's great." Hearing that I promised so happily, Chuikov laughed happily, "With the strength of this platoon, I believe that the safety of the army headquarters can be guaranteed." ”

Putting down the phone, I immediately asked someone to bring Yushchenko over and announced to him: "Comrade Captain, immediately transfer a platoon from the company and let them report to the headquarters of the group army." ”

Hearing me say this, Yushchenko couldn't help but be stunned, and then asked rhetorically: "Comrade division commander, can I ask, what is a platoon to be sent to the headquarters of the group army for?" ”

I patiently explained to Yushchenko: "Comrade Captain, since the situation in the city is very bad now, the guard battalions of the army headquarters have been replenished with combat units, and in order to ensure the safety of the commander, I have decided to transfer one of your platoons to carry out the defense work. ”

"But, Comrade Division." Yushchenko did not immediately carry out my order, but justified: "I received an order to go to the independent division to protect your safety. I will not be able to carry out your order until I have received a new order. ”

"Comrade Captain," Kirillov, seeing that Yushchenko was unwilling to carry out the order I had given him, came out and criticized him: "Don't you know that the orders of your superiors are not allowed to be discussed?" Besides, the army group headquarters is empty, and if it is attacked by the Germans and the senior commander is killed, then the command system of the entire army will fall into chaos, and what will be the consequences at that time, even if I don't say it, you can think of it, right? ”

Hearing Kirillov say this, Yushchenko stopped talking, raised his hand to salute us, and turned away.

Kirillov and I walked out of the headquarters, and the cold wind made me shiver, and I realized that it was already white outside, and it seemed that the snow last night was really not small. I said to Kirillov with emotion: "Comrade commissar, it is snowing, so that the enemy's aircraft will have much less time to sortie, which is very beneficial for our defense. ”

Unexpectedly, Kirillov said with a stern face: "Comrade Oshanina, don't be happy yet, heavy snow is good for us, but at the same time it is harmful. He pointed to the Volga River in the distance and said: "If the weather is colder, the Volga River will freeze, and the supplies and soldiers on the other side of the river will not be able to come." At that time, we will enter the most difficult period. (To be continued......)