When Kirillov said this, I sat on the stone bench beside Razumeyeva and remained silent, feeling very sorry for this lost honor.

"Colonel Oshanina, as your commissar, I should criticize you," Kirillov continued, "you are the commander of a division, and even if you take it upon yourself to incorporate the German troops, for the sake of security, you should disperse them into various units, instead of reorganizing them into guard units and placing them next to the division headquarters. Have you ever thought that if the Germans attacked, they suddenly turned their guns and eliminated the division headquarters, and then our troops were leaderless, and the chain of command would be in disarray, so that the Germans could easily capture Mamayev Hill? ”

After listening to Kirillov's words, I nodded, knowing in my heart that he was saying this from the bottom of his heart, for my own good, but it was not appropriate to disperse Grams's and Beckman's troops into the company. Thinking of this, after taking a deep breath, I raised my head and said to him: "Comrade Political Commissar, what you said is very reasonable. I reorganized the German officers and soldiers who surrendered to Cheng into a guard company, which is indeed a bit under-considered, not as comprehensive as yours. However, since they have been organized into guard companies, it is easy to shake the morale of the army if they are to be dispersed into various companies, so I think it is better to maintain the status quo. After that, I paused for a moment, then asked him tentatively, "Is this okay?" ”

Regarding my stubbornness, Kirillov said thoughtfully: "Comrade division commander, before coming to the independent division, Commander Chuikov once told me that after I arrived in the division. The military side is up to you. The reorganization of the German army should fall under the category of military aspects. Just do what you want. ”

"Comrade Political Commissar, thank you for your trust, please believe that I will not be wrong in looking at people." Although I understand that Kirillov is right, at such a time, if I were to disperse Captain Grams and his men into various companies, it would certainly cause unnecessary confusion, so I would have to slap my face and become fat. "Although they are all Germans, they are now on our side, and I believe in them." ”

Although I said the phrase "I believe in them" in front of Kirillov and Razumeyeva, it didn't take long for Gramms and Beckman to know about it, and they came together to show their loyalty to me. After thinking about it carefully, the people who leaked my words would definitely not be Kirillov and Razumeeva. Probably a warrior standing guard outside the door. If in other units, ordinary soldiers must not get along well with the German army. Not to mention the fact that the members of the Independent Division, almost all of whom were prisoners from the Gulag concentration camp, hated the Cheka members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs the most than the Germans, and therefore had much less psychological resistance to the Germans, which led to the act of ventilating the German allies.

After deciding the fate of Grahms, Kirillov changed the topic in time, and he asked worriedly: "Comrade division commander, the bombing of just a few enemy planes today has caused so many casualties to us, if the enemy bombards them with artillery during the air attack, do you think our troops will be able to hold the Mamayev post?" ”

Faced with this question that Kirillov heard, I didn't know how to answer it for a while. Of all the history I know, Mamayev Gang changed hands the most times throughout the Battle of Stalingrad. In order to fight for this commanding height, the two sides launched a desperate battle on this small high ground. After one side was defeated, it immediately organized troops to attack and occupy, and after the occupation, it began to defend stubbornly. Tons of shells and bombs fell on the high ground all day long, turning the whole ground upside down. At the same time, white-knuckle battles with bayonets and grenades are also carried out here all the time.

Although I had fantasized that as long as I led my troops to defend this place, I would be able to turn Mamayev Hill into a floodgate that the Germans could not cross. But when the troops were actually stationed here, I found that the situation was far more serious than I had imagined, with no air supremacy, no artillery, no anti-tank firepower, and only the flesh and blood of thousands of light infantry to resist the Germans armed to the teeth.

Seeing that I was slow to speak, Kirillov became a little impatient and repeated his question again: "Comrade division commander, do you think we can hold the Mamayev post?" ”

I organized the vocabulary in my head and said slowly: "Commissar Kirillov, when I first came to Mamayev Height, I used to walk around. I saw that the side of the hill next to the river, just over a hundred meters away from the wharf, if the Germans occupied the hill, they could cover most of the wharf with a dozen machine guns. As soon as they opened fire, both civilians waiting to retreat and troops who had just arrived by boat would suffer heavy casualties. Because I asked the commanders and fighters of the independent division that as long as there was one person still in the position, then the Germans would never be allowed to set foot on the Mamayev post. ”

My words brought a smile on Kirillov's face, and he looked at me and said, "Commander Oshanina, I wonder what preparations you have made to defend the Mamayev post?" ”

"I have ordered the 1st and 2nd regiments on the high ground to use the gap between the first and second regiments to rush to repair the fortifications. With strong fortifications, in the event of enemy shelling and air strikes, it was possible to reduce the casualties of the troops, so that we could hold out longer. ”

"Comrade Oshanina, I heard that the independent division is formed by five regiments, but there are only two regiments on the Mamayev Gang, so where are the other three regiments?"

I moved the map to him, pointed to the place where the other three regiments were stationed and said to him: "Comrade Kirillov, the other three regiments are in this settlement near the heights. As soon as the defenders guarding the heights were tight, they would quickly send their troops to the front for reinforcements. ”

Kirillov looked at the map, nodded and said: "I have been to this settlement, there is a martyr's cemetery inside, where the commanders and fighters who died defending Tsaritsyn during the civil war are buried. The settlement is divided into two by the cemetery, and there are far fewer buildings like this near the hill than on the side of the city......"

When Kirillov introduced the settlement, I couldn't help but mutter. It is estimated that only in the country of Russia. will appear near the cemetery to repair the settlement. If it's a different country. The house built next to the cemetery, let alone sold, even if it is given away for free, not many people are willing to ask for it.

Kirillov was talking, and suddenly saw me talking to myself in a low voice, and couldn't help but ask curiously: "Comrade Oshanina, what are you talking about?" ”

When he asked me this, I quickly gathered my mind and pretended to say, "That's the case." Comrade Political Commissar. The separate division was replenished just some time ago, and there were too many recruits. And these new fighters are all prisoners who have just been released from the Gulag concentration camp, and they have not undergone any military training or combat experience, except that the cohort training is stronger than that of friendly troops, and they have no combat effectiveness at all. I am thinking about where I should go to find some combat backbones to enrich the company and improve the combat effectiveness of the entire unit. ”

After listening to my words, Kirillov lowered his head and thought about it, then looked up and said to me: "It is obviously impossible to transfer the combat backbone from the regular army. There were many casualties among the troops, and the command took them as treasures. No one wants to give it to someone lightly. This is because as long as these backbone cadres are present, as soon as the troops are withdrawn to the rear and replenished, they will soon be able to form combat effectiveness. ”

His words have long been expected by me, not to mention him and Chuikov, even if I asked Zhukov last time that I wanted some combat backbones to replenish the troops, wouldn't he feel embarrassed. But in order not to spoil my fun, he reluctantly agreed to send me a few militia annihilation battalions, and for how long has it been, I have not even seen a shadow of a militiaman.

Seeing my disappointed expression, Kirillov hurriedly comforted me and said: "Don't be disappointed, Oshanina, although in terms of personnel, we can't get help from the regular army, but there is no problem with the militia. ”

"Militia?!" His words made me think that at the right time, I would send a message to Zhukov and ask where the militia battalions he had promised me were.

But Kirillov misunderstood my attitude, thinking that I was not interested in the militia, and made a point of emphasizing: "You must not look down on the militia, many factory militias are strictly trained in military affairs, so to speak, as soon as they put on military uniforms, they can immediately become a well-trained army." ”

I was just about to explain to Kirillov that I did not mean to look down on the militia, when the curtain was lifted from the outside, and Basmanov leaned in and happily reported to me: "Comrade division commander, the city defense committee has sent a militia battalion to our division. ”

Hearing Basmanov's report, Kirillov and I both stood up in unison and asked in unison: "Where are the comrades in the militia battalion?" ”

Basmanov stepped aside, opened the curtain a little more, and said to the outside: "Please come in, comrade battalion commander." ”

As he spoke, two commanders in brand-new uniforms passed him and walked into the headquarters. I looked at it and couldn't help but smile on my face, it turned out that I knew everyone who came in.

When the two men came in, they walked up to us and saluted, and reported: "The militia battalion of the Red October Factory has come to report and listen to the instructions of the two commanders. ”

Kirillov returned the salute first, then stretched out his hand to shake the hand of the older commander, and said politely: "Welcome to Mamayev Posts, with you, our defense will be even stronger." ”

When it was my turn to shake hands with them, I first shook the hands of the older commander and said with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Captain, I didn't expect us to meet so soon." On behalf of the Independent Division, I welcome you and your team to Mamayev Heights. ”

The elder was stunned when he heard me say this, and when he squinted his eyes and looked me up and down, trying to think about where he had seen me, I let go of his hand, walked up to the young man next to him, and took the initiative to extend his hand: "Comrade Igratov, thank you very much for showing us the way last time. ”

When I spoke of leading the way, Kirillov was confused, and the older man had already remembered who I was. He slapped himself on the forehead and shouted loudly: "Comrade Colonel, I said why do you look so familiar, it turns out that we met a few days ago, and when you got lost, I arranged for Iglatov to show you the way." ”

"Yes, yes, Comrade Captain, you finally remembered." I took his hand again, shook it vigorously, and asked, "I don't know what to call you?" ”

"My name is Trushin. Alexey. Grigorievich. Trushin. He was the commander of the militia battalion of the Red October Plant. I was ordered by order of Comrade Chuyanov, a member of the Committee for the Defense of the City. Come to the Mamayev Gang to garrison. And take your command. After speaking, his body turned slightly to the side, in order to introduce the young man next to him, "Comrade Colonel, Igratov is a person you know, he is now the commander of a company in the militia battalion. ”

After he finished his introduction, I explained to them: "I am the commander of the independent division, Colonel Oshanina, and this is the newly appointed commissar Comrade Kirillov. Before the outbreak of the war, he worked in the Central Committee. ”

"Since it's an acquaintance, you're welcome, just sit down." Kirillov beckoned Trushin and Iglatov to sit down, and after taking a special look at their collar badges, he asked with concern: "Captain Trushin, how is the situation of the Red October Plant now?" The workers are all on the battlefield, so doesn't the production in the factory stop? ”

Captain Trushin waved his hand and said disappreciatively: "No, although the Germans are constantly bombarding the city. But production in our factory continues. Workers repair tanks and weapons in the surviving factories and spend their spare time cleaning up the muck and stones that have piled up here and there in the streets due to collapsed houses. Two days ago, we also repaired the city's water mains. The water supply for the inhabitants of the city was ensured. ”

"How many people are there in your camp?" Kirillov then asked.

"There are 600 people in the battalion, all of whom are the backbone of the factory. Comrade Chuyanov said that we working class are the backbone of building the motherland when we take up tools, and we are also the backbone of defending the motherland when we put on military uniforms and take up arms. ”

"How's the worker's affection?" Kyrilov is worthy of being a political worker, and the questions he asks are different from what I usually ask.

"Full of fighting passion. Please rest assured that as long as we still have one person left, it will be nailed to the position like a nail. It is better to leave the bones exposed on the hill than to let the enemy take a step forward. ”

"Division commander, commissar, I have here a copy of the call of the city defense committee to the citizens to defend Stalingrad." Captain Iglatov, who had been silent, suddenly interjected.

Iglatov's words aroused Kirillov's great interest, and he asked with interest: "What call, show it to me." ”

Unexpectedly, Iglatov smiled apologetically and replied: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commissar, I don't have it here." Seeing the disappointed expression on Kirillov's face, he hurriedly added: "But I have memorized the contents of the call." ”

Trushin hurriedly said to Igratov encouragingly: "Igratov, don't sell it, hurry up and recite the content of the appeal to the division commander and political commissar." ”

Iglatov turned his gaze to us, and seeing that Kirilov and I both nodded in agreement, he stood up and recited for us the call to action written by the Stalingrad City Defense Committee:

"Dear citizens of Stalingrad!

A raging enemy has invaded our city.

The suffering of 24 years ago is being repeated today.

The bloodthirsty Hitlerite bandits swooped down on Stalingrad, the city of the sun, on the Volga, the great river of Russia.

The Red Army fighters were desperately defending Stalingrad, and all approaching ground was covered with the corpses of fascist robbers.

The fascist leader Hitler sent more and more outlaws in vain to seize Stalingrad at any cost.

Comrades citizens of Stalingrad,

We must not surrender the city to the enemy, but let every street in the city be covered with barricades that the enemy cannot pass, and turn every house, every neighborhood, every street into an impregnable fortress.

Everyone went to build barricades, and they had to organize teams to build barricades on the streets every day, and they would make use of the stones, wood, iron, and tram cars they had at hand to build barricades.

We must build as many barricades as possible, so that our fighters, the defenders of Stalingrad, can use the barricades we have built to beat the enemy.

Red Army soldiers! Stalingrad defenders!

We will do everything in our power to support you in order to defend the city. Never take a step back and strike hard at the enemy. He committed many brutal acts, taking revenge on him for the ruined home, for the blood and tears shed by his children, mothers, and wives.

Defenders of Stalingrad! In the stormy year of 1918, our fathers repelled the bandits hired by the Germans and held the red Tsaritsyn. Today, in 1942, we will be able to hold Stalingrad, which was awarded the Order of the Red Banner. We must persevere, repel the enemy, and completely destroy the bloodthirsty German invaders.

Let's build barricades!

Therefore, those who can take up arms must go to the barricades to defend the city and their homeland. ”

The city defense committee's call to recite is here, and it's all over. Iglatov scratched the back of his head, smiled at us a little embarrassedly, and said: "Division commander, political commissar, I have finished reciting the appeal. ”

Kirillov nodded with satisfaction, looked at Trushin and said with a smile: "Comrade Captain, this subordinate of yours is really good, he can actually recite such a long appeal." ”

Trushin laughed innocently twice, then put away the smile on his face, and asked with a stern expression: "The militia battalion is assembling at the foot of the hill and is ready to be sent by you, I don't know where you plan to send us?" (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank the book friend Jiu Youyi Children's Shoes for voting two votes in support; Thanks to the book friends for the cat in the wind, the laziness of the king, and the voting support of Chu Xiangshui children's shoes; Thank you for the reward of the book friend Luo-Xia children's shoes.