When I saw Pugachev's expression when he entered the door, I guessed that it was good news related to the Perstian tank battalion, and I only thought that they had defeated the German troops, but I did not expect such a good result. So I beckoned to Pugachev, let him come to me, and asked curiously: "Major, tell us what is going on?" ”

Pugachev glanced at Vitkov and seemed to take back the telegram and read it to us first, but seeing that the attention of all three of us was focused on him, he dismissed this idea and recounted the battle of the Persjian tank battalion from his memory: "...... During the movement of the tank battalion in the direction of Rivni, a reconnaissance detachment on motorcycles in front spotted an oncoming German tank unit. Upon learning of the situation, the major immediately ordered all the tanks to hide behind a small hill and prepare for an ambush on the Germans.

After more than an hour, the Germans, a powerful tank force in battle formation, appeared in front of Major Perstian, and they were moving violently to the northeast. As soon as the enemy tanks passed down the hillside, the major immediately ordered the tank battalion to attack, and the only 18 tanks in the battalion quietly followed behind the Germans. Before the Germans noticed what was behind them, they opened fire decisively, and in just a few minutes, they destroyed 37 German tanks without any damage themselves. Identification documents seized from the fallen officers showed that they had eliminated the 11th Panzer Regiment belonging to the 15th Panzer Division of the German Army. ”

After listening to Pugachev's account, Kirillov was actually happy, and he turned to Vitkov and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff. It's so much fun. You just said how the German 11th Panzer Division inflicted heavy losses on our troops on the banks of the Zil River. In the blink of an eye. Our tank battalion ate up one of the armored regiments of this unit. And with the same tactics they used to use. ”

Needless to say, this tactic used by Persjian must have been taught to him by Akhromeyev, who in turn knew about the battle on the banks of the Zil River told by Guò Vitkov. The Germans used this tactic to inflict heavy losses on our army two months ago. I can't believe that now we have repaid them. Originally, according to my habitual thinking, the second echelon of the troops must be placed behind the first echelon on the battlefield, but I didn't expect Akhromeyev to actually put the troops in front and hit the German troops on the march by surprise, which was really beautiful. It is a bit too condescending to keep him in the army as a staff officer, and he should be sent to the army below as a regiment commander, and such a position may be more suitable for him.

I was thinking about the work arrangements for Akhromeyev when I heard Vitkov asking Pugachev: "Major, why does the 15th Panzer Regiment only have such tanks?" ”

Vitkov does not say. I really didn't notice this detail, it is impossible for a German armored regiment to have only thirty tanks. So I looked at Pugachev again. I'd like to hear what he had to say. Pugachev shrugged his shoulders and replied: "Major Akhromeyev's telegram did not say anything about this, and I don't know very well. Perhaps because in the early battles, the Germans also suffered heavy losses and were not replenished in time. Or maybe it's just one of their vanguards. ”

After Pugachev finished speaking, Vitkov turned to me and asked: "Comrade commander, do you need to report today's results to your superiors?" ”

I would have liked to continue to conceal the whereabouts of my troops, but in the course of nearly two days of this day, our troops have captured two cities occupied by the Germans in succession, and will launch an attack on the third city, the Kuban, in the shortest possible time. At the same time, it had just fought a battle with the elite 11th Panzer Division of the German army. Even if we don't say anything, it is estimated that Khalitonov and others will be able to learn about our movements from the German intelligence, and instead of being reproached by their superiors at that time, it is better to take the initiative to report to the army group headquarters in order to achieve their understanding. Thinking of this, I instructed Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, immediately report to the army group command the results we have achieved in the past two days. ”

"Do you need to report the results of the 15th Panzer Regiment?" Vitkov, a man who knew what was important, went out of his way to remind me: "Although Major Akhromeyev's telegram says that the German panzer regiment has been completely annihilated. But I always felt that the number of tanks destroyed by us was too small, and the statement of 'total annihilation' was a bit unreasonable. ”

"Since the outcome of the battle cannot be determined," I pondered for a moment, and then said decisively, "then when reporting to the army group headquarters, use the word 'heavy damage.'" Remember, for the sake of secrecy, only telegrams can be sent, not wireless calls. ”

"Yes!" Vitkov agreed, went to the operator by the wall, and drew up a telegram to the army headquarters to report the victory.

At this time, I again instructed Pugachev: "Comrade Major, you should immediately go back to the telecommunications room, continue to keep in touch with Major Akhromeyev, and report to me as soon as there is any latest news." ”

Kirillov looked at Pugachev's departing back and said with emotion: "Comrade Oshanina, the commanders and fighters of our original independent division are all good, no matter which unit they are, as long as they pull it out, they can fight, and they can win every time. Then he said to me in a consultative tone, "Should Major Perstian be considered for awarding him a medal for such great success?" ”

"Yes." I nodded, agreeing with Kirillov's suggestion. Immediately, I asked: "Comrade Political Commissar, what medal do you think is appropriate to award him?" ”

Kirillov lowered his head and thought for a moment, and said: "I see that Major Perstian already has a Red Banner Medal, otherwise I would like to apply for a Red Star Order for him, which is awarded to Soviet officers and men, troops, fleets, corps, labor collectives, institutions, enterprises and social organizations who have made outstanding contributions in the cause of national defense in wartime and peacetime." In addition to the major, the tank battalion deserves the same honor. ”

"Comrade Political Commissar," I replied with a smile after listening to him, "to apply for commendations and award medals to the commanders and fighters." It's all your business. So this thing. It's up to you. ”

Kirillov pulled a pen and paper out of his briefcase and began to carefully write down the list of applications for the honorary. And Vitkov also walked back from the walkie-talkie and reported to me: "Comrade Army Commander, a telegram to the headquarters of the army group has been sent. ”

I nodded and asked casually, "How did the superior reply?" ”

Vitkov shook his head and said: "There is no answer yet......

Before he could finish his words, the operator sitting in front of the walkie-talkie suddenly turned around and shouted at us: "The army commander, the chief of staff, is the telephone of the headquarters of the group army, and it is the commander himself!" ”

The call operator was heard. I couldn't help but chuckle in my heart, and said that I was really afraid of something, and I was worried that the use of wireless calls would leak secrets, but I didn't expect this Khalitonov to use this device to talk to me in plain language. Although I was full of slander in my heart, my superiors had called, and I couldn't pretend that I wasn't there, so I could only walk over hard, put on headphones, and respectfully said to the microphone: "Hello, Comrade Commander." I'm Oshanina. ”

From the earphones came Haridonov's stern voice: "Hey, Commander Oshanina. I want you to give me an explanation, according to the deployment of the army group headquarters, your army should be assembled near the city of Fleda at this moment, ready to cooperate with the friendly forces to capture the city of Kulahovo, but why is it now running to the southwest of Huli Ebol and Poloy? ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," I replied tremblingly, hearing his unkind tone, "according to reconnaissance, I found that the German defense in the south-west direction was quite weak, so I moved my troops without asking for instructions and launched an attack on the cities of Huli Eberle and Poloi......"

"Alright, no need to explain, Comrade Oshanina." Khalitonov's voice suddenly softened, "Comrade Stalin once said: the victor is not to blame. Now that you've managed to capture two cities, stay there. Judging from the map, your area is not far from the city of Kuban, and I hope that you will take this city as much as you can and open the way to Zaporosh. ”

Every time Kharytonov said a place name, my heart trembled. I secretly complained in my heart: if our phone call was eavesdropped by the Germans, it would be tantamount to exposing our troop deployment to the enemy. I took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to say to Kharitonov: "Comrade commander, in order to avoid leaking secrets, I think it would be more appropriate to report to you on the specific combat deployment in the form of a telegram. ”

"Hahaha!" Khalitonov suddenly burst out laughing without warning, and he said with a smile: "Comrade Oshanina, although you are an excellent command, you are also a female comrade, so it is understandable that you are a little suspicious. Ignoring my possible outburst, he continued, "Leaks? Do you think that our current wireless calls will be eavesdropped by the Germans? ”

"Comrade Commander, I think it's entirely possible." I cautiously reminded him: "During the Battle of Stalingrad, our troops were once overheard by the Germans because of their use of plain language calls, and the result was a defeat in the battle. ”

"Can it compare then to now?" Khalitonov confidently said: "Now our army occupies a position of superiority on the battlefield, and the ratio of our forces to the German army has reached an unprecedented eight to one. Even if they eavesdrop on our situation, it will be useless, and under the blow of our iron fist, the fascist invaders will be completely wiped out. ”

Seeing that Khalitonov was so confident, I couldn't argue with him anymore, after all, he was my superior, and I had to show him the respect he deserved, so I could only echo what he said.

Finally, he said: "I heard that you have inflicted heavy damage on the German 11th Panzer Division, which is remarkable. You must know that this division caused great trouble to our army during the battle on the banks of the Zil River. At that time, General Vasilevsky announced in public that any unit that could defeat Balk's troops would be awarded the Order of the Red Banner, and the commander of the unit would also be awarded the 'Golden Star Medal' and the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'. ”

Hearing the titles of "Gold Star Medal" and "Hero of the Soviet Union", my heart beat faster and faster, so fast that it almost jumped out of my throat. The last time I was in Stalingrad, I had an opportunity to receive the "Golden Star Medal", but it was canceled for soliciting German officers and soldiers who had defected without permission. And this time, as long as the 11th Panzer Division of the German Major General Balk is completely defeated, this honor can be obtained, how can I not be excited. Because I kept thinking about this low-hanging fruit "Gold Star Medal" and the corresponding title of "Hero of the Soviet Union", I didn't hear clearly what Khalitonov said later.

It wasn't until the operator called me softly next to me that I realized that Khalitonov had already gone offline. After exchanging the headset and the microphone with the operator, I returned to the table and repeated to the two of them what Kharytonov had just said.

"What, the Gold Star Medal?!" Hearing such a reward, Kirillov, who has always been calm, jumped up from his seat and muttered: "Defeat the commander of the 11th Panzer Division of the German army, you can receive the Order of the Red Star and the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, this Major Perstian is really lucky." ”

Just as Kirillov was sighing, Pugachev hurriedly walked in from outside. Looking at the telegram he was holding in his hand, Vitkov smiled and asked: "Dear Major Pugachev, what kind of good news have you brought us?" ”

Unexpectedly, Pugachev replied with a stern face: "I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff, I think I brought a very unfortunate bad news this time. The Germans, concentrating superior forces, launched a fierce assault on the defense line of our first echelon. With that, he handed the telegram in his hand to Vitkov.

"Major Pugachev, what's wrong?" Hearing Pugachev say bad news, I also restrained the smile on my face and asked with a stern expression: "What did Major Akhromeyev's telegram say?" ”

Pugachev had long remembered the contents of the telegram and, hearing my question, immediately reported to me: "Comrade Army Commander, according to Major Akhromeyev, about 50 tanks of the German army are advancing along the road to the positions of the first echelon. As soon as they approached our defensive positions, they formed battle formations and launched an assault from the march, and about 10 tanks broke through into the defensive positions of our troops. An anti-tank artillery battery defending the site engaged in a fierce battle with German tanks. However, due to the fact that the enemy's tanks were followed by a large number of infantry in armored vehicles, our commanders and fighters suffered heavy casualties, and the anti-tank guns on the positions were destroyed by the enemy one after another, and the entire defense line was in danger of being breached. (To be continued......)