Before Colonel Beray arrived, Shederikov and others, who had learned that I had returned to the headquarters, had already hurried over.

Shedericho did not come alone, he was followed by two commanders. My eyes were sharp, and as soon as the three of them entered the door, I recognized the major on his right, who was Major Basmanov, the deputy commander of my former guard battalion; The man on the left-hand side looked very kind, and after a little thought, I remembered that this was Captain Rosenberg.

The three of them walked up to me and stopped, raised their hands and saluted, and first reported to me by Shederikov: "Comrade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, commander of the 1st Regiment of the former 22nd Guards Infantry Division, reports to you that we have successfully broken through the heavy encirclement of the German army, come to report to you, listen to your orders, please instruct!" ”

When I saw this old subordinate reappear in front of me, I couldn't control my emotions a little, stepped forward and grabbed his arms, shook him vigorously a few times, held back the tears that were about to burst out of my eyes, and said in a choked voice: "Lieutenant Colonel Shederikov, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 6th Guards Army, I welcome your arrival. After saying this, I blinked my eyes vigorously a few times, and then continued, "It doesn't matter if the troops are gone, as long as you, the regimental commander, are still there, then we can rebuild the first regiment of the 22nd Guards Division and let you be the regiment commander again." ”

After hearing my words, the guilty expression on Sederikov's face, who had thought that he would be reproached, disappeared and was replaced by unexpected surprise, and he asked in surprise: "Comrade commander, can you really rebuild my mess again?" ”

"Yes, yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." The Independent Division is my old unit, how could I watch it annihilated. Whenever possible. I'll try to get it back up and running as soon as possible. Therefore, I made a special wish to Shederikov: "Drop it, it will only take a week at most, and your regiment will be rebuilt again." ”

After Shedelikov waited for me to finish speaking, he still cautiously asked: "Comrade commander, to rebuild a regiment, I don't know if there are enough commanders and soldiers now?" ”

Although it was my temporary idea to rebuild a regiment, there was no problem with the soldiers. It is enough to reorganize the nearby militia organization into a regular army, and anyway, the more than 100 people who broke through this time can be enriched into the army as the backbone of the battle, and I believe that this rebuilt force will soon be able to form combat effectiveness.

After careful consideration, I said to Shederikov: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I can incorporate the militia of nearby towns into your new unit. And the more than 100 people who broke through with you will be enriched into the troops as the backbone of the battle, and let them serve as grassroots commanders, so that. Troops can form combat effectiveness in a very short time. ”

I said this and glanced at Major Basmanov next to me. He said apologetically: "Comrade Major, I originally wanted you to go to the group army guard regiment, but now that Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov's new regiment needs you more, you should first go to his regiment to be the regimental chief of staff." You don't have an opinion, right? ”

When Basmanov heard my name call his name, he hurriedly took two steps forward and stood side by side with Sederikov. After glancing at the other party, he turned to look at me and replied: "Comrade commander, I resolutely obey your orders. ”

Seeing that neither Shederikov nor Basmanov had any objections, I turned my attention to Captain Rosenberg again. I only glanced at it, then shifted my gaze to Sedjerikov and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, this Captain Rosenberg behind you, you must already know him, right?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." When Sedelikov heard my question, he immediately answered in the affirmative: "At the beginning of the battle to seize the bridge over the Dnieper, Comrade Captain made no small achievements. If it weren't for the fact that he had crossed the river with his men at risk of night and had a flanking attack with our frontal attacking troops. Probably, our army will pay even greater sacrifices in the battle to seize the bridge. ”

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, since you know Captain Rosenberg, things will be easy." When I saw that Sedelikov knew the details of Rosenberg, I was immediately relieved, so I arranged his duties: "Let him be a battalion commander in your regiment, I don't know what you think?" ”

Hearing my question, Sedjerikov glanced back at Rosenberg behind him, and nodded in agreement: "Comrade commander, I also think that with the ability of Captain Rosenberg, it is completely possible to take up a higher position. ”

"Since you don't have an opinion, let's decide so." After I finished saying this, I suddenly remembered that I had never met Grams, so I couldn't help but ask again: "By the way, when I just went to the barracks, I heard that you and Grams, a group of German officers and soldiers who had surrendered to Chengcheng, went somewhere else. ”

"Yes," Shederikov did not deny my question, and explained to me: "After the military commissar and the chief of staff came to you, a group of officers and soldiers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs came and said that they would examine Captain Grams, who had defected to the city. I was afraid that something would happen to them, so I accompanied Basmanov and Rosenberg. Before leaving, I sent someone to inform the military commissar, but in order to prevent him from worrying, I did not let anyone explain where we had gone. ”

Hearing this from Sederikov, I immediately criticized him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, do you know? You are doing this completely wrong. For such a big thing, why not ventilate with the military commissar. If something happens to you, we can't help you. "Although there is a large number of internal affairs troops stationed in the area under the jurisdiction of the army, according to the custom, I am not afraid of them at all, because I still have the warrant that Beria gave me, and I can mobilize the local internal affairs troops at any time as needed.

Sederikov immediately blushed and bowed his head and apologized to me in a low voice: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, it was my mistake. The reason why I did not explain to the military commissar where we had gone was because I was afraid that he would be worried, and secondly, if something happened, it would affect you. ”

"Alright, don't say it." I interrupted his argument impatiently, and then said to him with a straight face: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please remember that I am now the commander of the group army, and I have much more power than when I was a division commander or army commander before. As long as my men do not mutiny and desert, no matter what happens, I can free you from the hands of the internal affairs forces. Do you see what I mean? ”

"Understood." Sederikov replied with some embarrassment.

"Colonel Bezikov," I saw that Sederikov took the initiative to admit his mistake to me, and did not continue to blame him, but turned around and called Bezikov over, and instructed him: "The matter of rebuilding a mess will be handled by you and Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov." Remember, the troops had to be rebuilt within a week and immediately put into training. Do you understand? ”

"Understood." Bezkov readily agreed, and then asked: "What about the weapons and equipment?" ”

Since the two divisions of the first line of defense were re-equipped some time ago, there is no shortage of equipment in the rebuilding of a regiment. I succinctly said to Bezikov: "Didn't the 51st and 52nd Guards Divisions just change their equipment and give it to Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov. ”

"Okay, I'll arrange it." After saying that, he left the headquarters with Sederikov and the three of them.

Not long after they left, Colonel Berey hurried to the headquarters. As soon as he entered the door, he saw Captain Shamrikh standing next to him, and immediately greeted him in surprise, and took the initiative to greet the other party and said: "My God, I really didn't expect that you guys would actually break out of Kyiv." ”

"Comrade Brigade Commander, I didn't expect us to see you here." When the three Shamrish saw the appearance of their former acting commander of the 22nd Tank Brigade, they were all very excited, and they crowded to Colonel Bere's side and began to reminisce with him.

When I had almost finished greeting them, I called Bere to me and consulted with him: "Comrade Colonel, do you see the current situation, should we form another tank brigade, or should we assign them directly to the two existing tank brigades?" ”

"Comrade Commander," after listening to what I said, Bere pondered for a moment, and then replied: "At present, our tank corps has a limited number of tanks and soldiers, and if we want to form another brigade, I think it is unrealistic. Speaking of this, he saw a displeased expression on my face, and hurriedly added: "Of course, I understand the abilities of Captain Shamlikh and his others, they are all qualified tank commanders, and it would be a bit condescending to let them do infantry again." It would be better for me to put them in my military headquarters for a while, and if there are suitable positions, I will immediately send them to the army. Comrade Commander, do you see it? ”

Since Colonel Bere has said everything to this point, I can't refute it anymore, so I have to follow his meaning and say: "Comrade Colonel, you have thought it through, then follow your plan, and let Shamrich and the three of them work in your military headquarters for a period of time, and then send them to the grassroots units when they are accustomed to the environment." "Since I know the brutality of the Battle of Kursk, I am not at all worried that Beray will break his promise, and when the commanders of the tank army at all levels suffer heavy casualties, a good tank commander like Shamrikh will become a sought-after commodity.

Seeing that the work of Shamlih and the others had also been arranged, I waved my hand at Bieley and said, "Okay, Comrade Colonel, you can leave." The training of tank units should be carried out quickly, and the Germans may soon launch an attack on us. If our tank units are too weak in combat effectiveness, they will not be able to stop the surprise attack of the German armored forces. Do you understand? ”

"Understood." Berey replied, saluted me, and left the headquarters with three new men. (To be continued.) )