After arranging the work for all the members of the second lieutenant training team, I did not let them leave immediately, but turned around and called Vera to the front and whispered to her: "Vera, you immediately go to Second Lieutenant Razumeyeva and ask her to inform all the regimental commanders to come to me to report." Remember, tell them to move quickly, otherwise I'll assign those good commanders to other regiments. ”

Vera smiled knowingly at my command, turned around and ran down the hill. Just now, when I took Basmanov and them out on patrol because of the reconstruction of the division headquarters, Razumeyeva also moved to a hidden section of the guard battalion with a walkie-talkie, and the reason why I called Vera to give orders was because she was familiar with the road.

After Vera left, I again faced the phalanx of the ensign training team and continued to address them: "Comrade commanders, as we all know, the second lieutenant training team and the junior commander's training company formed by you are the most combat-effective units in the Volkhov Front. Now that you have been assigned to the various regiments of the independent division to serve as company platoon commanders, I believe that you will turn the company you lead into an elite division that is as powerful as you are now. ”

"Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! "The commanders and fighters in the phalanx responded to me with confidence.

I nodded with satisfaction at everyone's answers, then turned my head and whispered to Kirillov: "Comrade commissar, would you like to say a few words as well?" Seeing that he nodded slightly, I smiled and said to the commanders and fighters of the second lieutenant training team, "Next, I would like to introduce you to the new political commissar of the independent division, Comrade Kirillov, who was a staff member of the Central Committee before the outbreak of the Battle of Stalingrad. There is a high level of political theory. He is welcome to give us a few words. "Finished. I took the lead and applauded.

Led by me, everyone applauded and applauded this unfamiliar commissar. I knew in my heart that this thunderous applause was partly out of politeness, and partly because of Kirillov's former special status, after all, he had worked beside the Supreme Commander himself.

Seeing Kirillov take two steps forward, I hurriedly stepped aside. Make sure he stands in the most prominent position at the front of the queue. With a smile on his face, he scanned the phalanx, raised his hand and pressed down, and the applause suddenly stopped. He waited until there was silence now before he said loudly: "Dear comrades commanders, welcome to the independent division!" The Independent Division is a newly formed unit, and although it is quite numerous, most of our fighters have no military training and no combat experience. Before coming to this force. I was apprehensive, for I didn't know if I would be able to assist Division Commander Oshanina in leading the troops. Because the most lacking thing in the army is the commander. There is a great shortage of both military commanders and political workers. Relying only on me, the division commander, and a few regiment commanders could not improve the combat effectiveness of this unit within the end of the unit. At this point, he glanced at the phalanx again, sighed with relief, and then said with relief, "But now it's okay, because you're here." Just as Division Commander Oshanina said just now, you are all the best commanders in the Red Army, and as long as you serve as commanders in the company, we will definitely be able to lead our independent division into an elite division with strong combat effectiveness. As soon as his words fell, thunderous applause rang out in the phalanx.

After the applause subsided, Kirillov said: "Next, I would like to introduce to you a few political workers that I have brought from the political department of the group army, because many of you will work with them in the coming days. With that, he turned around and beckoned the twelve political workers to his side.

After a dozen political workers lined up in a neat row behind him, Kirillov began to introduce the commanders of the second lieutenant training team. Every time he said a person's name, the political worker stepped forward, raised his hand to salute everyone, said a simple hello, and then retreated into the queue of political workers.

Before Kirillov could finish introducing all the political workers, Sergerikov and Pugachev, who had been informed by Razumeyeva, had already run down the hillside out of breath and were about to salute me when they came to me, even before they could breathe. I raised my hand to stop them, and then whispered to the two of them, "Stand by first, and I will have something to say to you later." ”

The two of them nodded neatly and stood obediently behind me.

After seeing that Kirillov had introduced all the political workers, I turned my head and shook my head at Sedjerikov and Pugachev, and said, "Follow me." With that, I walked over to Kirillov's side.

After Shederikov and Pugachev also came over, I loudly announced to the commanders and fighters of the second lieutenant training team and political workers: "Comrades, let me introduce you to this tall lieutenant colonel who is next to me is Comrade Sederikov, the commander of the 1st regiment. Please come out of the ranks of the commanders and political workers assigned to the first regiment! ”

Following my command, the commanders and fighters of the first platoon of the second lieutenant training team collectively took a step forward, and Starirov, Kruglov, and Kogan in the ranks of political workers behind me also took a step forward. Seeing that the commanders and political workers assigned to the regiment were complete, I said to Sedelikov: "Alright, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, bring back all your men." Speaking of this, I suddenly saw the political instructor Oberstein standing beside Akhromeyev, and hurriedly pointed with his hand and added, "And that political instructor Comrade Oberstein will temporarily go to your regiment to take up the post of political commissar." ”

After listening to my introduction, Sederikov was slightly stunned, but he quickly regained his composure, walked in front of Oberstein, took the initiative to extend his hand to the other party, and said in a friendly manner: "Hello, political commissar Oberstan, welcome to the group. ”

Oberstein also shook his hand amicably and said politely: "Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, we will be partners in the future, and we hope to be able to cooperate happily!" ”

"Happy cooperation," said Sederikov, shrugging his shoulders and speaking in a relaxed tone, "of course, we will be able to cooperate happily in the days to come." ”

When Shedelikov was leaving with the 34 commanders newly assigned to him. I also made a point of shaking hands with each of the commanders. And at the same time sincerely wish them the best of luck.

Distribute a clump. I'll then assign the second regiment. Since everyone had just experienced, after hearing that Captain Pugachev was introduced to the post of acting commander of the Second Regiment, the 30 commanders assigned to his command and three political workers, including Xiao Ming, Zuyev, and Savchenko, stood up one after another, without my orders.

Seeing this scene, Kirillov and I met and smiled, and then I said: "Since the commanders and comrades know what they have to do, then you should follow Commander Pugachev back to the position." ”

As soon as the commanders assigned to the 1st and 2nd regiments left, a jeep came galloping from the direction of the settlement. I know that this time appeared. It's not Gaidar, it's Oleg and Vylol, so I didn't care. The car rushed to a stop only five or six meters away from me, and as soon as the door opened, Gaidar jumped out of the car and ran towards me with a shout: "Report to the division commander, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, commander of the 4th regiment, report to you and wait for your orders." ”

Kirillov had already greeted Gaidar just now, and everyone knew him. At this moment, seeing his shouting gaffe, he couldn't help but wrinkle his face. Criticized Gaidar harshly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, remember who you are. What is the system now? ”

Gaidar, who was criticized by Kirillov, quickly stopped, stood there and smiled embarrassedly, and then timidly introduced: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commissar. Because just now, when the division commander asked Second Lieutenant Razumeeva to inform us, he specifically emphasized that we should hurry up, otherwise those excellent commanders will be assigned to other regiments. ”

"You're just afraid that you'll be too late, and the commanders who should have been assigned to you will be asked to leave by other regiments, is that so, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel?" Although Kirillov's tone was still very stern, the corners of his mouth were still slightly upturned after he finished speaking.

"No, that's it, my dear comrade commissar." Gaidar replied embarrassedly, and his words immediately caused a good-natured laugh from the commanders and fighters in the queue.

At this time, Oleg and Vylol, who had just come off the jeep, also came over, and the two of them walked in front of us, stood up and saluted, and then said respectfully: "Report to the division commander and comrade political commissar, the commander of the fifth regiment Oleg and the political commissar Vylor came on your orders and listened to your orders!" ”

For the expression of the two, Kirillov nodded with satisfaction, and asked with a smile: "Commander Oleg, political commissar Vylol, why don't you come here like Gaidar, aren't you afraid that you will be late, and the excellent commanders have been picked by the first and second regiments that came first?" ”

Oleg did not speak, but turned his head to look at Vylor next to him, and motioned for her to answer Kirillov's words. At his behest, Velore took a step forward and replied loudly: "Report to Comrade Political Commissar, we believe that the division leadership will make overall arrangements in this regard, and all we have to do is obey, so whether we come early or late, we accept the commanders that the division leaders have already arranged. ”

"In the end, he is engaged in political work, and his speaking level is high." After praising Vylore, Kirillov said angrily to Gaidar: "See? Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, or Commissar Velol can understand the intentions of his superiors, and if you have the opportunity in the future, you have to learn more from her, do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Commissar." Gaidar replied reluctantly.

"I just see that you just say it, but you still don't understand it in your heart." Kirillov hit the nail on the head and pointed out what was really in his heart.

Hearing Kirillov say this, Gaidar laughed a little embarrassedly.

Kirillov ignored him, and instead of me, he issued an order directly to the second lieutenant training team: "Commanders and fighters assigned to the 5th Regiment, please come to me." ”

Following his order, the commanders who had been standing in the last row crossed over their colleagues in the two rows in front of us and formed a neat queue. Then Kirillov turned around and shouted at the queue of political workers behind him: "Rogulev, Gurkin, you two come here." ”

After all the people assigned to the Fifth Regiment were concentrated, Kirillov pointed to Oleg and Vylor and said: "Comrade commanders, let me introduce to you, this is the commander and political commissar of the Fifth Regiment that you are about to report. ”

As soon as his words fell, the 32 commanders collectively raised their hands to salute Oleg and Vylol, and shouted at the same time: "Hello, commander, political commissar! ”

Oleg and Vylor returned the salute. He happily said to these commanders: "Hello comrades, commanders. Welcome to the fifth group! From today. We will fight side by side together, and the future fascist bandits will be buried under Stalingrad. ”

"Willing to serve the Soviet Fatherland!" The commanders replied neatly.

Seeing that Oleg and Vylor were walking in the direction of the settlement with the 32 commanders assigned to them in a neat pace, Gaidar, who was standing next to him, was a little anxious. He walked up to me and asked in a low and anxious voice: "Comrade division commander, what about the commander assigned to our regiment?" ”

I knew from Kirillov's cousin that he was going to tease Gaidar. So he raised his chin in the direction of Kirillov and said in an official tone: "Well, you go and ask Comrade Political Commissar." I have entrusted the work assigned to these commanders to him. ”

When Gaidar heard me say this, he had no choice but to walk up to Kirillov with a bitter face and say in a low voice: "Comrade commissar, just now I was wrong, and I admit my mistake to you. Please have a lot of them, so don't be surprised. Seeing that the expression on Kirillov's face was not so strict, he asked cautiously again: "I don't know which commanders were assigned to our regiment?" ”

Kirillov turned his head to look at him. Didn't speak, just coughed heavily. Then he looked up at the sky, as if something nice had caught his attention.

I heard Kirillov's cough and understood that this was his code to me, so I wasted no time in stepping forward and pretending to help Gaidar say good things: "Comrade Political Commissar, you see, Comrade Gaidar has also realized his mistake, and there will be no more reckless behavior just now, please forgive him this time." ”

Kirillov waited for me to finish, and deliberately put on a very embarrassed expression, as if he wanted to continue to make things difficult for Gaidar. Seeing this, I added in time: "Okay, Comrade Political Commissar, hurry up and hand over to him the commander assigned to the Fourth Regiment, and he will take the commander back to the company as much as possible." ”

It was only at this time that Kirillov felt that he had almost taught Gaidar a lesson, so he put on a reluctant look, nodded reluctantly, and said: "Okay, Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, since it was Comrade Gaidar who interceded with you, I will forgive you this time." Then he took a step forward, walked to the remaining two platoons of the second lieutenant training team, and said loudly to them: "Comrade commander, come and get to know you, this is Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, the commander of the 4th Regiment. From today onwards, you will be assigned to work in the Third and Fourth Regiments under his command, and I hope that after you arrive at your new posts, you will continue to carry forward the fine traditions of the past and make new contributions to the motherland. ”

"Willing to serve the Soviet Fatherland!"

Seeing the remaining sixty commanders of the second lieutenant training team and four political workers, all of whom were divided into the third and fourth regiments, Gaidar's originally bitter face showed a happy expression, and he saluted Kirillov and me again and again, and said incoherently: "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you division commander, thank you political commissar!" ”

When he was about to leave with these commanders, I stopped him and asked with a stern expression: "Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, after the commander of the third regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Koska, was wounded, the third regiment was handed over to you to take care of. When there is no war in peacetime, there is no problem. Once the fight starts, there will inevitably be a lack of command, so you have to do your best to find a suitable person within the scope of the three regiments to take the position of Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard. ”

Gaidar glanced at the dozens of commanders standing not far away and asked in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, can you choose personnel from among them?" ”

Without thinking, I shook my head, directly vetoed his suggestion, and said my reasons: "Although they are all experienced commanders, they have just arrived here, and they are not familiar with our troops, so it is not a big problem to let them command company or battalion-level combat units, if they directly command regiment-level units, I am afraid that their different styles from ours will make the soldiers in the company feel confused." So before October, I will not let any of them be regimental commanders. Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Division Commander." Gaidar saluted me, turned away, and walked with the commanders in orderly steps toward the settlement.

After the new ensign training team and political workers were taken away by the regimental leaders of the five regiments, I, Kirillov, and Akhromeyev did not stop and walked directly to the division headquarters.

On the way, I asked Akhromeyev: "Comrade Captain, Comrade General, is it okay?" "Although I did not say the name of the general, Akhromeyev understood that I was talking about General Meretskov of the Volkhov Front. Hurriedly replied: "Report to Comrade Division Commander." He's fine. Since you were transferred to the Stalingrad Front. He's still talking about you a lot. ”

Hearing Akhromeyev say this, whether it is polite words or the truth, my heart feels warm. If there are still people who think about you from time to time after you have been away from a place, it proves that being a human being is not a failure.

I nodded, and said as I walked: "When I have the opportunity in the future, I will contact Comrade General and personally express my gratitude to him." ”

"Comrade Division Commander." Akhromeyev said politely: "You don't have to wait, you can contact him today." ”

Although I was tempted to contact Meretskov, I didn't know the call code of the other station, so I just said it casually. Hearing Akhromeyev say this, I curiously asked: "Comrade Captain, what is the method of contact?" You know, I'm too low to know his radio call code. ”

Akhromeyev smiled on his face and said with a little mystery: "Comrade division commander, if you want to contact Comrade General. I have here the call code that he personally gave me, so I can contact me directly. ”

"Where is the code. Hurry up and show me. "When I heard that Captain Akhromeyev was carrying the call code of the Volkhov Front radio station, I hurriedly urged him.

He took out a boxy piece of paper from his jacket pocket, handed it to me, and said solemnly: "Comrade Division Commander, this is the call code of Comrade General, please destroy it immediately after you read it, lest it fall into the hands of the enemy and cause incalculable consequences." ”

I snatched the paper from his hand, and without opening it at all, beckoned Vera to take me to the shelter where Razumeyeva was.

As soon as I entered the shelter, I blasted out all the guards in the house, except for Razumeeva, and then handed her the piece of paper, and hurriedly said: "Comrade second lieutenant, immediately get in touch with this radio station, move quickly, quickly, understand?" ”

Razumeyeva didn't know why I was in such a hurry, but she took the piece of paper, opened it, looked at it, and began to call the radio station in Leningrad with a code.

After about five or six minutes, contact was made with the radio of the Volkhov Front. Unfortunately, although the effective communication distance of this walkie-talkie is thousands of kilometers, the distance between me and Meretskov is obviously beyond this limited distance, and I can only regret to send a telegram to Meretskov via the walkie-talkie, informing him that the ensign training team has arrived safely, and at the same time thanking him.

When I left, I picked up the piece of paper that was placed in front of Razumeeva, lit it with a candle on the table, and watched as the whole paper was almost reduced to ashes, and then I turned and left in disappointment.

Kirillov and Akhromeyev were standing not far from the concealment department, and when they saw me coming out of the house, the captain immediately asked with concern: "Comrade division commander, have you made contact with Comrade General?" ”

I nodded, and said in frustration: "The contact is done, but unfortunately the distance is too far away, and it is beyond the effective communication distance to speak with Comrade General, so I only sent him a telegram to report to him the news that you have arrived safely, and at the same time express my gratitude to him for his selfless support." ”

Speaking of which, I turned my head and asked Kirillov, who was standing next to the captain: "Comrade commissar, is our new command completed?" ”

Kirillov shook his head and replied: "I just asked Ensign Mihayev, and he said that it would take another hour at the earliest. We're either standing here and waiting now, or we're going to take this opportunity to walk around. Colonel Oshanina, I don't know what you think? ”

I thought about it for a moment, and then replied, "Forget it, it's getting dark, so let's stay here." In case someone comes to us for something, if they can't find it, it's troublesome. ”

The three of us followed the newly dug trench of the Second Regiment to a place where there was no one around, and each found a place to sit and chat. Captain Akhromeyev first asked: "Division commander and political commissar, when we crossed the river by boat, we heard from others that General Zhukov had organized the strength of three army groups, and since yesterday, in the northwest of the city, they have carried out a counter-assault on the German army. ”

Kirillov obviously did not know much about the situation of this counterattack, and when he heard Akhromeyev ask this, he said somewhat helplessly: "Dear Comrade Chief of Staff, we are only a division-level unit, and military secrets like this are not known to people of our level. ”

Seeing that Akhromeyev had turned his gaze to me again, I waved my hand and said in a pretended deep voice: "Captain Akhromeyev, although I have not received any information about this counterattack, according to my judgment, this hasty counterattack will not work. ”

My words surprised both Kirillov and Akhromeyev, and Kirillov asked in surprise: "Comrade Oshanina, why do you say that?" You must know that we are a whole three armies, and the front of the counterattack is only a 6th Army of the German Paulus, even if we can't destroy them, it should not be a big problem to drive them out of the existing occupied positions, right? ”

"Comrade commissar, your idea is good. However, the actual situation was that the counterattack was launched too hastily, our military advance was not fully prepared, there were not enough artillery and tanks, and even the air supremacy on the battlefield was firmly controlled by the Germans. You can think about it, under the three-dimensional defense of the German army, which has aircraft and tanks and artillery, the offensive launched by our army will not pose any threat to the German army except for increasing unnecessary casualties. ”

"Comrade Oshanina, your analysis is too pessimistic, isn't it?" Although Kirillov also vaguely felt that things were a little unavoidable, he still retorted to me with a tough attitude: "If the offensive of the three armies under the command of General Zhukov is ineffective, then why did the enemy not attack our Mamayev Gang, and why did even the enemy planes that attacked the docks almost disappear?" ”

"The enemy did not attack Mamayev because most of their forces were transferred to the northwest to take part in the battle. As for the decrease in enemy aircraft attacking the docks, it may be related to the results of our anti-aircraft machine gun company that defeated six of their enemy planes. The Germans are not stupid either, they will definitely not disperse their forces at such a moment, let us break them individually. ”

"But......" When Kirillov listened to me and wanted to refute me, suddenly a shout came from afar: "Comrade division commander, comrade political commissar, where are you?" Comrade Division Commander and Comrade Political Commissar ,......"

When I heard the sudden shout, my heart tightened, and I secretly said, "Something won't happen again, right?" Before I could react, Captain Akhromeyev had already stood up and shouted in the direction from which the voice came: "Hey, the division commander and the commissar are here, if there is anything, come and talk about it." ”

It was not a lot of effort, but five or six people walked along the trenches, and at the forefront was a political worker assigned to the 2nd regiment, I remember that his name was Savchenko, and he was originally in charge of the work of the group army members. He was followed by four warriors, the hands of a disheveled warrior without a military cap, twisted behind him by two heavily armed warriors, and escorted towards us.

Seeing this scene, I suddenly became angry in my heart, how did this Savchenko do it, on the first day he arrived at the company, he actually figured out the big purge, this soldier may have just complained a few words, but he sent someone to arrest him and take him over as a prisoner. (To be continued......)