Kirillov did not answer Trushin's words, but turned his head to look at me and repeated the sentence just now: "Comrade Oshanina, you are the commander of the first division, and you have the final say in military matters. The whereabouts of Captain Lushen and his subordinates are still up to you. ”

In fact, as early as the time when Iglatov was reciting the call, I was thinking about how to arrange this militia battalion. Because I had not seen their combat effectiveness, I did not dare to send them directly to the position of a regiment. If their fighters were routed in German artillery or air raids, there was a risk that the defenders on the heights would collapse on all fronts.

Now Kirillov pushed me on the matter of the placement of the militia battalion, and I hesitated for a moment before standing up and saying to Trushin: "Comrade Captain, from now on, your militia battalion belongs to the formation of the 5th Regiment of the Independent Division. The 5th Regiment is now stationed in the settlement on the south side of the heights, so you can take your troops to report to Lieutenant Colonel Oleg later. ”

Originally, I thought that Captain Trushin would put forward his own different ideas about my arrangement, but I didn't expect him to readily agree: "Yes, I obey your orders." ”

I then said to Trushin: "Comrade Captain, the independent division is different from other troops, and when you get here, the first thing you need to change is the traditional tactics. When the other troops were on the defensive, they hid in the trenches all day long, and when they saw that the Germans did not move, they were secretly happy in their hearts. When the Germans attacked, they resolutely resisted and did not retreat a single step. In my troops it was a different tactic, if the Germans attacked, then we resisted resolutely; If the Germans had stopped their attack, we would not have been idle, nor would we have been glad to see an opportunity to catch our breath. It's about taking the initiative to attack. But the Germans now have more than just air supremacy. There is also powerful artillery and armored forces. If we rashly launch a counter-offensive, the command will suffer unnecessary losses, so you must learn to fight skillfully, and since we cannot take advantage of the daytime attack, then we will use the night to carry out a sneak attack, disturb the peace of the Germans, and disrupt their offensive deployment during the day. ”

My words confused Trushin. He looked at me with a frown and asked hesitantly: "Comrade division commander, please forgive me for saying that this tactic of yours is indeed different from the tactics I know. We have always been taught that it is better to leave the bones of the hill exposed than to let the enemy take a step forward, and to hold on to the position like a nail. But the sneak attack tactics you mentioned don't seem to have been adopted by any troops. ”

"Comrade Captain," Kirillov said in time to relieve me, "I don't care what tactics other troops use. Since you have come to the Independent Division, then you must follow the rules of the Independent Division. Since Colonel Oshanina is the commander of the first division. What she said was an order, and according to the regulations, orders from superiors are not allowed to be discussed, and since you have received an order, carry it out. ”

"Yes!" Seeing that the political commissar of the division also said so, Captain Trushin had no choice but to straighten up and reluctantly agreed.

I can understand Trushen's reaction, because the Soviet army's tactics are too rigid, offense is offense, defense is defense, and there is no such thing as a switch between offense and defense, so it is not surprising that he does not understand. When Kirillov had finished speaking, I then instructed him: "Comrade Captain, you and your soldiers are locals, and when you arrive at the settlement, check every residential building to see if there are any stranded residents in it, and try to persuade them to leave, because this will soon become one of the main battlefields, and I am afraid that the settlement will be razed to the ground by German artillery fire and bombardment, and in that case the lives of the residents who remain at home will be in danger." ”

Trushin obviously listened to my words, and he tilted his head in the direction of Iglatov and said: "Please rest assured, division commander, as soon as I arrive at the settlement, I will immediately arrange for Captain Iglatov to handle this matter." ”

"That's good, Comrade Captain." Kirillov walked up to Trushin's side, took out his cigarette case, took out a cigarette from it, lit it, and pondered, as if he was thinking about how to express his thoughts more correctly. After taking a puff of his cigarette, he continued: "To the inhabitants who are reluctant to leave their homes, the Mamayev Hill and the dock will be the focus of the German attack, and our troops will not necessarily be able to stop them here, so I beg those residents to go to the pier and leave by boat." ”

After listening to Kirillov's words, Trushin nodded vigorously and replied in a resolute tone: "Please rest assured, Comrade Political Commissar, I promise to persuade all the residents of the settlement to leave tonight." ”

"Maybe the residents will have scruples and think that enemy planes are constantly bombing the pier, and they will be in danger when they go to the pier to board a boat." I was afraid that Kirillov's words were not clear enough, so I hurriedly added: "Comrade Captain, you must make them understand that although they will encounter danger at the dock, at least there is hope of escape, and if they continue to stay in the settlement, then only the jade will be burned." ”

"Completely understood, Comrade Division Commander." Trushin's wrinkled face replied to me with a smile: "Please rest assured, I will complete the task you have assigned to me." He paused for a moment at this point, then straightened up again and asked tentatively, "Division commander, political commissar, are you allowed to leave with my subordinates?" ”

"Please wait, Comrade Captain." I preemptively spoke before Kirillov spoke. Then I came to the door, lifted the curtain and shouted outside: "Captain Basmanov, where are you?" Come to me. ”

At my shout, Basmanov trotted over from the far side of the trench, stood in front of me, and asked without a red face and panting: "Comrade division commander, do you have any instructions?" ”

I made a gesture for him to follow me into the command, and then pointed to Trushin and said to him: "Comrade Captain, I give you a task to immediately take Captain Trushin and his militia battalion to the settlement, they are now part of the 5th Regiment, you take them directly to Lieutenant Colonel Oleg to report." ”

"Yes, I promise to get the job done." After answering me loudly, Basmanov turned to the side and made a gesture of invitation to Trushin, and at the same time said politely: "Please, Comrade Captain." I'll take you to the settlement. ”

After Basmanov took Trushin and they left. Kirillov sat on a stone bench. Looking up at the roof of the headquarters, he asked with some sorrow: "Comrade Oshanina, do you think that our headquarters can withstand the bombs or shells of the German army?" ”

I looked up at the roof made of logs, shook my head slowly, and said worriedly: "Actually, this was originally the location of the headquarters of the group army. It's okay to dodge shrapnel and stray bullets, but if we are hit by shells or bombs, we should go to Marx. Well, when the fortifications on the position were almost finished, I asked Second Lieutenant Mihayev's engineer company to re-dig a tunnel for us to serve as a new headquarters. ”

When Kirillov heard what I had said, he had to say helplessly: "That's it." ”

While we were talking, Razumeyeva, who was sitting at the door, suddenly turned her head and said to me with a nervous expression: "Comrade division commander, there is your phone. It was the commander who called. ”

"Who is it?" My mind was still thinking about where to build the new division headquarters, so I didn't pay much attention to the expression on Razumeeva's face.

"General Zhukov." She replied quickly.

"Oh. It's Commander Chuikov, did he say anything? I said as I slouched up from the stone table.

"No, no, it's not Commander Chuikov, it's Zhukov, it's General Zhukov!" When Razumeyeva saw my reaction, her face turned red with such anxiety that she stuttered nervously.

It was General Zhukov, not Chuikov, who startled me when he heard who Razumeeva was talking about. I hurriedly rushed to Razumeyeva's side and snatched the headset and microphone from her hand. As soon as he put the earphone to his ear, he couldn't wait to shout into the microphone: "Hey, hey, Comrade General, I'm Oshanina." ”

Zhukov's impatient voice came from the earphones: "I'm not deaf, what are you shouting so loudly for?" ”

I hurriedly lowered my voice and asked flatteringly: "Hello, Comrade General, may I ask you to find me at this time, do you have any tasks to assign to me?" ”

"Lida, let me ask you, are you in the water in your brain, how can you do such a foolish thing?" Zhukov told me to be quiet, but he yelled at me.

I was stunned for a moment, and after removing the earphones from my ears a little, I asked cautiously: "Comrade General, I don't know what you are talking about?" ”

"Hmph, things have come to this point, and you're still pretending to be confused." After Zhukov said this, he asked me dissatisfiedly: "Let me ask you, did you take in a German army and organize them into your guard company?" ”

"Comrade General, you have misunderstood, this is how it happened......" Hearing that Zhukov was actually talking about this matter, I tried to explain to him in a panic.

Unexpectedly, he interrupted me mercilessly and asked me sharply: "You just need to answer me, yes or no?" ”

"Yes, I did incorporate the German troops who surrendered into my guard battalion." I knew that sooner or later Zhukov would know about it, so I could only answer him honestly.

"You...... Why are you doing this? Although I couldn't see his expression, I could tell from his voice that he was asking through his back molars.

"Comrade General, please listen to my explanation." I was deeply afraid that if I did not explain the matter to him clearly, he would be dismissed from my post, so I had to take advantage of the gap between his words to explain the matter: "I have adapted the German officers and soldiers who have surrendered to us. After my education of the commanders of the unit, they are already on the same side as us. The reason why they were reorganized into guard battalions was out of trust in them, and I am sure that they will not disappoint me. ”

"Aren't you afraid that when the Germans attack, they will turn against each other and terminate your division headquarters, paralyzing the command system of the independent division, and plunging the entire army into chaos?" Zhukov and the other commanders were worried about the same thing, that is, they felt that it was an irresponsible and risky act to place a newly reorganized enemy unit near such a key position as the division headquarters.

Hearing Zhukov's question, I had no choice but to grit my teeth and reply: "Yes, Comrade General, I think that the former German commanders such as Grams and Beckman, after my education, have realized that Hitler is our common enemy and that of the German people, and they will unswervingly stand by our side and fight side by side with us. ”

"Shut up!" Zhukov interrupted me stiffly. After a moment of silence. Then he said to me in a milder tone, "Leda." I know you're very accurate, but isn't it too risky to do it this time? You are my most important subordinate, and I don't want to give you a mandatory order to send these Germans to prisoner of war camps, but do you have to risk your own future to defend them? ”

I stood silently next to the walkie-talkie, quietly listening to Zhukov without saying a word.

"Leda. You give me an affirmative answer. Zhukov angrily urged.

"Yes, Comrade General." I replied affirmatively, expressing my attitude: "I trust them, and as long as you don't remove me, then I'm willing to take this risk." ”

Zhukov listened to me so resolutely, let out a long sigh, and said with some hatred: "Since you are so stubborn, then I will make an exception to support you once and let these Germans continue to stay in your guard battalion." But as a result, the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union' that was originally intended to be awarded to you was canceled. What a shame. ”

When I heard Zhukov say that I could let Grams and them stay in the guard barracks, my mood suddenly improved. After thanking Zhukov, I asked tentatively: "Comrade General, there is one thing that I don't quite understand, why did we award me and Instructor Gerasimov such high honors when we only defeated a small German army that tried to capture the dock?" "The purpose of my question is to find out why I took out a dozen German tanks with a few soldiers on the Don River, and only received the reward of promotion to the rank of the first rank, but this time for protecting the dock, I can directly get the highest honor.

Zhukov snorted and said: "The Mamayev Gang you are holding on to is near the dock, don't you know the importance of the dock to Stalingrad?" If the Germans had taken the docks, we would have lost all contact with the outside world. Without the replenishment of weapons, ammunition, food, supplies and reserves, we will be able to support Stalingrad for a few more days. Therefore, after learning of this and consulting the Supreme Commander himself, I decided to confer the highest honor on you and Instructor Gerasimov. It's a pity that you don't cherish it yourself and give up this honor in vain. ”

"Comrade General, although the honor is gone this time, there will be a chance to make great contributions in the future. I think it may not be long before you personally wear the Gold Star Medal, which represents the highest honor, on my chest. "When I said this, I had already completely thought about it, although I could not receive the title of "Golden Star Medal" and "Hero of the Soviet Union" this time, but in the next Battle of Kursk, breaking the encirclement of Leningrad, liberating Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, conquering Berlin, and still have a lot of meritorious service opportunities, am I still worried that I will not get more medals and honors?

"Since you are so confident, then I will wait and see, waiting for the day when you will be personally honored, which can come as soon as possible." Zhukov said in a cold tone, "By the way, there is one more thing I want to inform you. The ensign training team that I asked you for from Comrade Meretskov has now reached the eastern bank of the Volga and will be able to report to you tonight at first. ”

"Great, that's great, thank you, Comrade General." The news of the arrival of the second lieutenant training team was confirmed by Zhukov's mouth, and I was really overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. After thanking me, I hesitated for a moment, but still asked tentatively: "Comrade General, is the counterattack carried out by the three group armies today smooth?" ”

Unexpectedly, Zhukov still said to me coldly: "Don't ask about things that you shouldn't ask, just don't ask casually, do your own things well." If the Mamayev Hill is lost, you will have to wait for a court-martial. Although Zhukov's words were very polite, they did not affect my good mood in the slightest, and I even thought that Lao Maozi's language was too poor, how could it be as profound as the language of the Celestial Empire. If it is changed to the language of the Celestial Empire, it should be "If you can't complete the task, come to see you." How imposing it sounds, it is not at all as dry as Zhukov's "just waiting to be court-martialed".

Putting down the headphones and microphones, I turned around and walked up to Kirillov and said to him excitedly: "Comrade commissar, I have good news for you, the second lieutenant training team from Leningrad will arrive tonight." ”

"Ensign training team?" When Kirillov heard me say this, he couldn't help frowning and asked in bewilderment: "Where did you come from?" ”

As soon as he said this, I remembered that I had just heard about it from Gurov, and I didn't tell him at all, and it was normal that he didn't know. He explained to him: "Comrade Political Commissar, this is the case, some time ago I made a request to General Zhukov to transfer the second lieutenant training team belonging to the Volkhov Front Army to enrich and strengthen the grassroots command force of our division. Since the road from Leningrad to here was cut off by the Germans, they had to make a big circle and come back, so they were delayed on the road for a long time. ”

Although I said it more clearly, Kirillov asked confusedly: "Volkhov Front, isn't it under the command of Meretskov?" How did you know he had an ensign training team? ”

"Comrade commissar, do you know that I spent half a year in the Volkhov Front, and it was not until after the battle of the Bulge that I was transferred to Stalingrad." When I said this, I was thinking that this new commissar did not know enough about my resume, and it seemed that I would have to communicate with him more in the future to increase my understanding. (To be continued......)

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