Vasilyev, the new head of the political department of the group army, passed through the corpses of our soldiers and German soldiers who had not yet been cleaned up, and looked at the commanders and fighters who were cleaning the battlefield covered in gunpowder smoke, and the wounded who were lying on stretchers with serious injuries and moaning in pain.

Vasilyev, seeing that I was gradually falling behind, slowed down his pace and stopped where he was, waiting for me. After seeing the reason for my backwardness, he sighed softly and said to me with a wry smile: "If it weren't for the desperate efforts of these commanders and fighters to block the German attack, perhaps the headquarters of the group army would have been wiped out by the enemy long ago." ”

As soon as we walked into the familiar command room, Gurov, the military commissar who had been sitting at the table, stood up, walked up to my hand, took my hand, and said, "Comrade Oshanina, you have come at a very good time. If it weren't for your support, this headquarters would have either been wiped out by the enemy or would have been transferred. In either case, the entire command system of the army group will fall into chaos in a short period of time. ”

I politely responded to Gurov's enthusiasm as I took the time to look at Chuikov, who was still standing at the table. I saw him frowning, holding a thick stack of telenewspapers, and kept flipping through them. And Chief of Staff Krylov was on a walkie-talkie on the wall, wearing headphones and holding a microphone, as if he was talking to some unit below.

I was dragged by Gurov to the table, and Chuikov put down the telegram in his hand, nodded at me, and continued: "Comrade Oshanina, you came at the right time. Later, by the way, I will bring back the medal awarded to your division by the superior. Save me from sending someone to run again. ”

As soon as Chuikov's words were finished. Gurov shoved the pile of boxes on the table towards me. I was about to jokingly ask if there was my medal in these boxes, when Krylov, who was next to the walkie-talkie, threw the headphones and microphone on the table, ran over quickly, and reported with a stern expression: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Lyudnikov, commander of the 70th Guards Division, called and said that the Germans had sent a dozen tanks to cover about a battalion of infantry and launched a fierce attack on his position. At the moment the enemy has broken through two of his lines of defense in a row. Rushed to a point only 150 meters from his division headquarters. He said that they were about to be overwhelmed, so he begged me to let the artillery of the army group open fire on him, aim at his defense area, hit with rocket artillery, hit hard! ”

"No! Absolutely not! After listening to Krylov's report, Gurov very simply raised his objections: "The lethality of rocket artillery is too great, and the accuracy is not good, and once fired, it will inevitably cause a large number of accidental injuries." Don't knock the enemy back when you arrive. Instead, it blew up all of our own people. ”

I listened to Krylov's words. If I and Lyudnikov were to switch positions, in order to hold our positions and destroy the invading enemy, I would not hesitate to let the artillerymen fire at my position. After listening to Gurov's objections at this moment, I quickly turned my attention to Chuikov to hear what kind of decision he would make.

Chuikov did not make a decision right away, but walked slowly around the room with his hands behind his back. He did not go around the house in circles, but walked in a straight line, and in a short time he reached the door. He stopped and shouted loudly outside: "Hey, General Khogarsky, come to me!" ”

With his shout, a middle-aged major general who was wearing a black military coat without a military cap ran over, stopped in front of him, and asked politely: "Comrade commander, what instructions do you have?" ”

"General Khogarsky," Chuikov said to him with a straight face, "at the moment the enemy's troops have attacked near the headquarters of the 70th Guards Division, and I order you to immediately aim at Colonel Lyudnikov's defense zone and hit me hard with rocket artillery!" ”

"But, Comrade Commander." As for the order given by Chuikov, Khokalsky had already heard it wrong, and he deliberately confirmed: "Did you order me to aim at the defense area of the 70th Guards Division with rocket artillery and hit hard?" ”

"Yes, yes, my comrade artillery commander." Chuikov repeated loudly with some impatience: "You did not misunderstand my order, that is, aim at the defense zone of Lyudnikov with rocket artillery and hit me hard." You must know that all their lines of defense were broken through by the enemy, and the German troops were about to rush into his command post. Only by firing artillery at their defensive areas will we be able to withstand the enemy's attack. Do you understand? ”

"Understood!" Hogarsky agreed, turned and left quickly, giving orders.

After returning to the table, Chuikov asked with a heavy heart: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you know what is the reason that the artillery of the group army has not played its due role at all recently and has not been able to provide the necessary fire support for our subordinate troops?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Krylov hurriedly explained to Chuikov: "The enemy occupied the elementary school a few blocks away, where the top floor of the school building turned out to be the observation point of our artillery. Since the enemy occupied there, we could no longer send artillery observers, so the artillery lost its effective target. ”

"Take it back, Comrade Chief of Staff." Chuikov ordered in a stern tone: "Immediately organize forces and take back the elementary school from the enemy!" ”

After listening to Chuikov's order, Krylov shrugged his shoulders and said with a bitter face: "Comrade commander, this is very difficult, you must know that after the battle just now, the troops defending the headquarters are less than one platoon of fighters left. I don't think it will be possible to use such a small number of troops to recapture the enemy's heavily guarded elementary school. ”

Chuikov turned his gaze to me and asked bluntly: "Comrade Oshanina, how many troops have you brought here?" ”

Hearing Cui Kefu ask this, my heart suddenly sank, and my heart said no, I only have such a few people left, and you have to worry about it? However, since the commander had opened his mouth to ask, I could not help but say, so I could only reply stubbornly: "There are still two tanks and two companies of troops." As soon as the words came out, I hurriedly revised my statement, "I originally planned to lead three infantry brigades with a few tanks to relieve the siege of the headquarters. However, it was decided on an ad hoc basis. It was a bit too late in time to draw enough troops. So I brought only one company of soldiers. Passing by the warriors just now. There was also less than a platoon of troops left. ”

Krylov asked with displeasure: "Didn't you say that there are still two companies, why are they now a platoon again?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff." I hurriedly excused myself: "When I set out with my troops, the commander of the second regiment, Major Pugachev, was still gathering the remaining troops, and if they could arrive now, there would be at least two full companies." ”

I said this to Krylov, as well as a delaying tactic, as long as Pugachev did not show up. I can say that the troops have not yet arrived, and they can justifiably escape the fate of sending our troops into battle. In order to seize a position or fortification, they do not know how to use tactics at all, they only know how to let the troops fight and rush, even if they seize the enemy's position, the participating troops usually suffer heavy casualties and are unable to fight again, so that as long as the enemy comes to counterattack. can make Chuikov's early efforts in vain.

Just as I was complacent about my little calculations, a staff officer came up and reported to Chuikov: "Comrade commander. A commander came from outside, saying that the commander of the 2nd Regiment of the Independent Division, Major Pugachev, had come to the command to look for Colonel Oshanina. ”

The staff officer's words were like a bolt from the blue, and I was dumbfounded. When I thought that the fresh forces of these two companies of the 2nd Regiment could not be saved, and they were going to be used as cannon fodder by Chuikov, I wanted to cry without tears. When Chuikov looked at me, he asked tentatively: "Oshanina, is this Major Pugachev the commander of the follow-up troops you are talking about?" I just smiled wryly and nodded in the affirmative.

Pugachev walked in under the leadership of the staff officer, put his fingers together on his forehead, turned his body half a circle, and took care of everyone until later, then he put down his hand and stood honestly in the same place.

When Chuikov saw the arrival of the new force, a smile appeared on his face, and he asked amiably: "Comrade Major, how many people have you brought here?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," Pugachev replied in a loud voice, "I took two companies, and since they were mixed with the remaining commanders and fighters of several companies of the Second Regiment, there were 130 fighters in each company. ”

"Good, good!" A relieved smile appeared on Chuikov's face, just in time to see the artillery commander Khogarsky walk in, Chuikov hurriedly beckoned to the other party, and when Khokalsky walked to his side, he continued to say to Pugachev: "Comrade Major, I now give you a difficult task. The enemy has occupied the observation point of our artillery, and your task is to lead your fighters to the school occupied by the enemy and take it back from the enemy. Next, you should hold on to it and indicate the target of the artillery fire on the roof of the building. Have faith? ”

"Please rest assured, Comrade Commander, I promise to complete the task!"

Hearing Pugachev's answer so crisply, the smile on Chuikov's face grew, and he turned to Khogarsky and said: "Comrade Artillery Commander, you take this major to you, send him two more guides and telegraphers, and soon our artillery will be able to show its might." ”

Hokalsky agreed, beckoning Pugachev to leave. When I think that Pugachev and his troops have left like this, there is little hope of survival, and my heart is twisted. Seeing that he had already walked to the door with Khogarsky, he suddenly got the courage out of nowhere and shouted loudly at his back: "Major Pugachev, wait a minute!" ”

As soon as the words came out, countless strange eyes in the room turned to me, as if to find out why I stopped the commander who was about to go on a mission. Pugachev also stopped, looked back at me, and asked strangely: "Comrade division commander, do you have any other instructions?" ”

I grabbed a box that was placed on the table, opened the lid casually, took out a brand-new Order of the Red Banner from it, walked quickly to Pugachev, pinned him to his chest without saying a word, and at the same time said: "Major Pugachev, I will now officially inform you. For your bravery, tenacity and fearless revolutionary spirit in the defense of Stalingrad, the command of the army group awarded you the Order of the Red Banner. ”

As soon as I finished speaking, the room burst into applause. Pugachev looked down at the medal on his chest, gently stroked it with his hand, and was so excited that he forgot to speak. At this time, the voice of the head of the political department Vasilyev sounded beside me: "Comrade Major, don't you know that after receiving the medal. Should something be said? ”

Vasilyev's words reminded the agitated Pugachev. He hurriedly straightened his waist. Say it loudly: "Serve the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

"Well said, Comrade Major!" Vasilyev continued: "Now you take your fighters and go to serve the Motherland. I sincerely hope that you will make new contributions to the motherland in the next battle! ”

Excited, Pugachev didn't say anything, just raised his hand to salute us, turned around and strode away.

As a few of us gathered around the table again, Chuikov began to talk about the situation at hand: "...... After such a long battle, I realized that the determination of the commander to fight to the end and the bravery of the fighters were not enough. We had no room for maneuver in the passive defensive position, and due to the limitations of the terrain, the troops suffered heavy losses from enemy artillery fire and bombardment. However, since Stalingrad, the city named after the Supreme Commander himself, was of irreplaceable importance, not only militarily but also politically, we had to resolutely defend it, and no matter what sacrifices were made, we would not allow the invaders to occupy it. At present, the difficult problem before us is how to use the existing forces and weapons and equipment to reduce the losses of our army while attritioning the enemy to the greatest extent. ”

Krylov waited for Chuikov to finish. Turning his attention to me, he asked, "Colonel Oshanina." I'd like to hear your thoughts on this? ”

I felt that it was not appropriate for me to speak on such an occasion, so I hurriedly excused myself and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, this is an issue that the leaders of your group army are considering. ”

When Chuikov saw me say this, he quickly showed a dissatisfied expression. Gurov noticed the displeasure on Chuikov's face, and hurriedly played a round for me: "Commander, chief of staff, I think Comrade Oshanina may not have thought it through, so I didn't recklessly say immature ideas. Let's give her some time to think about it, and maybe she'll be able to come up with a useful suggestion for us. ”

At this time, a communications staff officer walked up to Krylov, handed a telegram to Krylov, and then turned to leave. Krylov quickly read the contents of the telegram, then handed it to Chuikov and said: "Comrade commander, look at it, the telegram sent to us directly by the Supreme High Command!" ”

Hearing that it was a telegram from the Supreme High Command, Gurov, who was originally seated, also hurriedly stood up and nervously asked Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what did the Supreme High Command say in the telegram?" ”

Krylov glanced at Chuikov, who was reading the telegram, and replied: "The Supreme High Command informs us that from today, September 28, 1942, the Stalingrad Front will be renamed the Don Front, and the commander will be Lieutenant General Rokossovsky; The South-Eastern Front was renamed the Stalingrad Front, and its commander was Colonel-General Yeremenko; The 1st Guards Army was expanded into the South-Western Front, and its commander was Lieutenant General Vadudin. ”

When I heard Rokossovsky's name, I couldn't help but rejoice in my heart, and I didn't think that less than a year later, I would have the opportunity to fight side by side with the future Marshal of the Soviet Union.

After Gurov waited for Krylov to finish speaking, he continued to ask: "Did you say when we will be replenished with new reserves?" ”

Krylov shook his head silently and said regretfully: "No, the telegram only informed us about the adjustment of the composition of the troops, and did not mention the sending of reserves to Stalingrad. ”

Chuikov sighed, handed the telegram to Gurov, and just as he was about to speak, another communications staff officer ran over and reported loudly to Krylov: "Report to Comrade Chief of Staff, a call from Colonel Lyudnikov." ”

Hearing that it was Lyudnikov calling, when Krylov answered the phone, several of us involuntarily gathered around and listened to the conversation between the two. Krylov asked with concern: "Comrade Colonel, how is the situation on your side?" Was the enemy's attack repulsed by artillery fire? ”

Lyudnikov's already hoarse voice came from the earpiece: "Report to Comrade Chief of Staff, the enemy was repulsed." Just five minutes of fierce volley fire from rocket artillery caused heavy losses to the German troops who launched the attack with tanks as the lead, obediently leaving behind seven or eight destroyed tanks and more than two hundred corpses and retreating. ”

"What about the casualties of your troops?" Krylov asked with concern.

Lyudnikov laughed a few times, and said in a bitter tone: "The casualties are not small, and after roughly counting the number of people, there are still more than seven hundred people left in the division, half of whom are wounded. ”

"What," Krylov was taken aback when he heard this: "There are only more than seven hundred people left?" With your little strength, can you hold your existing defensive positions? ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I beg you," Lyudnikov pleaded earnestly into the microphone, "send me some reinforcements, even if it is even a platoon." Although we have repelled the enemy's attack today, if they make two more such attacks, we are in danger of being completely annihilated. ”

"Comrade Colonel, first order your subordinates to consolidate the existing positions," Krylov said hesitantly: "Reinforcements, we will send them to you later." ”

After Krylov finished the call with Lyudnikov, Chuikov walked to the high-frequency telephone next to the wall, picked up the microphone, hesitated for a moment, and then decisively dialed the headquarters of the Front: "Hey, Comrade Commander Yeremenko, I'm Chuikov!" (To be continued......)