When the Karpov battalion first came into contact with us, it put forward four conditions, and after I reported to the higher leaders for instructions, after eliminating the third condition that was the most difficult to do, I agreed to his other three conditions, that is, to ensure the personal safety of all officers and men in the battalion; not to disrupt the existing structure of the battalion and to receive them out of danger when appropriate.

With the success of the battalion anyway, it is also time for us to deliver on our promises. In addition to the commanders of the four regiments, there were also several battalion commanders and political workers, Captain Karpov and two of his company commanders also attended the meeting.

There were so many people that it was impossible to sit around the table. With Kirillov in charge, the leaders of our four divisions and the commanders of each regiment sat at the table, and the rest sat on the wooden benches that were made next to them.

When everyone was seated and quiet, Kirillov stood up with a cough and a smile on his face, and after looking around, he said in a loud voice: "Hello, dear comrades! Perhaps because of excitement and nervousness, he fell silent after saying this. No one spoke in the room, and all eyes were on Kirillov, who was standing at the table.

"I am very happy, comrades commanders and fighters of the Independent Division, that we finally have the opportunity to get together today." After a brief silence, Kirillov continued: "From the time the independent division was stationed at the Mamayev Heights to the present, perhaps for the first time our battalion and regimental commanders have gathered in the same room for a meeting. ……”

I very much agree with this statement of Kirillov, due to the fierceness of the fighting, the combat missions of the regiments are not easy. So I've never called them together for a meeting. If not to introduce them to the newly joined Karpov and his men. It is not expected that today's meeting will be convened on an ad hoc basis.

Kirillov after a simple greeting. quickly changed the topic to the main topic: "I have summoned everyone here for a meeting today to introduce a new comrade-in-arms to you. At this, he paused, then beckoned in the direction of the full seat, and shouted: "Captain Karpov, come to the front." ”

With his shout, Karpov stood up from the bench in the last row. He did not wear a German uniform today, but a new-fitting Soviet-style military overcoat. Walking in front of Kirillov, after giving a clean military salute, he stood still in an upright position.

Kirillov smiled at him and began to look slowly around the commanders and fighters in attendance. Seeing this move, I think he is thinking about how to introduce Karpov to everyone, after all, there are only a few people who know what is planned anyway. After Kirillov's gaze was withdrawn from everyone, he pointed to Karpov beside him and said to everyone: "Let me introduce to you, this is Captain Karpov. He was previously an artillery company commander under General Petrov, captured by the Germans during the battle for the defense of Odessa......"

Kirillov just said this. There was an uproar in the room. Everyone knows that Stalin once said that all the commanders and fighters who were captured. Whether or not they had resisted beforehand, they would be sent to a correctional camp or court-martialed upon their return, so they were puzzled that Kirillov was openly introducing an officer who had been captured.

Seeing that the scene was in danger of getting out of control, I quickly slapped the table and shouted loudly: "Quiet, quiet, comrades commanders, please keep quiet." Don't you know that meetings should be quiet? Seeing that the room was gradually quieting down, I added: "Continue to listen to the political commissar." ”

Kirillov nodded gratefully at me and continued to introduce Karpov: "Not long ago, Captain Karpov was the commander of an Eastern battalion in the German army, and thanks to our efforts, he resolutely led his troops out of the German battle sequence and returned to our side. ”

The commander below did not say anything, but Gaidar, who was sitting next to me, complained that his troops had paid a lot of price in yesterday's battle, and he muttered: "Isn't it just an army of white bandits?" I don't want to think about how many casualties we have just to get them out. With 278 people sacrificed and 191 wounded, more than 200 people were returned, is it worth it? ”

Gaidar's whining was heard not only by me, but also by Kirillov, who frowned and shouted at Gaidar: "Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, what nonsense are you talking about? Are you still a regimental commander of an independent division? Captain Karpov's troops are already in the right direction, our own comrades-in-arms and comrades, you have no right to insult them like this. ”

Kirillov's words of reproach for Gaidar were heard by all the people in the room. I looked nervously at Karpov, afraid that he would be embarrassed. Thankfully, Karpov remained upright in his position, his face as usual, as if Gaidar had just said someone else and not himself.

Kirillov was obviously afraid of what Karpov would think, and specially comforted him: "Comrade Karpov, Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar said this because his troops paid a lot of price in yesterday's battle, and almost all of the sacrifices were old soldiers with rich combat experience. I hope you don't take to heart these irresponsible words he said in an uncalm state. ”

Karpov smiled indifferently and said disapprerovitically: "Comrade political commissar, please rest assured, I won't be too careful. I understand Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar's feelings, in order to cover our retreat, not only the fourth regiment paid heavy sacrifices, but even the commanders and fighters of the first regiment suffered more than half of the casualties. He can whine at me, and I feel a little less guilty. ”

Not only Kirillov, but even I glanced at Karpov with some surprise, and said that I didn't expect him to be such a well-informed person. I only heard Kirillov say again: "Comrade Karpov, Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar is a mature and excellent commander, and he only finds it difficult to accept the fact that his men have suffered heavy casualties, which is why he complains about this. But we are all comrades in the trenches, and when he is calm, he will take the initiative to apologize to you for these wrong words today. ”

Karpov said very reasonably: "Please rest assured that the commissar personally believes that in time." I will definitely be able to become good comrades-in-arms who fight side by side with Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar. ”

Although Karpov's statement. Let Gaidar reluctantly shut his mouth. But there were still unconvinced people among the commanders sitting below. As soon as Karpov's words fell, one person immediately stood up and said loudly: "Division commander, political commissar, there is no room for white bandits like Karpov in our ranks, they have fought with our troops in different areas, and it can be said that their hands are stained with the blood of our comrades, so I think he and his men should be shot to death." ”

As soon as this statement came out. The audience was in an uproar, and even Kirillov changed color. I looked at it and saw that it was none other than Major Yaming, the deputy commander of the Second Regiment, and only an officer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs like him dared to be so empty-eyed.

I stood up with my hands on the edge of the table, glared at Yamin fiercely, and said loudly to everyone present: "Comrades, let the Karpov battalion do this anyway." The leaders of our division have asked their superiors for instructions. In addition to the detailed plan known to the command organs at the group army and front army levels, Deputy Commander-in-Chief General Zhukov also agreed with the plan. He also said that the matter would be reported to the Supreme Commander himself when the time was right. That is, Comrade Stalin was also aware of this matter in the Karpov battalion anyway, and he did not object, but expressed his approval of our plan. Hearing that I had rolled out the shield of Stalin, Yameen was speechless, muttered a few words, and sat down obediently.

At this time, Pantai Leev, who had been sitting next to me and had not spoken, stood up, he looked at Yaming, a former subordinate, and said with a gloomy face: "Comrade Major, I know that you are from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. But Captain Karpov and they have gone back to our ranks and become our comrades. What do you mean by still screaming one by one? In order to plot against this force, our division commander, General Oshanina, personally ventured behind enemy lines to talk to Comrade Karpov and strengthen his determination to return to our side. You must know that this is not just about fighting for troops, its important significance is to shock the enemy's military morale and disintegrate the enemy's fighting spirit, and its political significance and value are incalculable. What do you mean by calling people white bandits and shooting them all? Is it trying to create chaos in the independent division? Do you want this hard-won force to collapse? The more he spoke, the angrier he became, and his face flushed with excitement.

Major Yaming, who was scolded by him, was at a loss for words at the moment, so he could only bow his head deeply and raise his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead without saying a word.

After Pandereev's attack, Kirillov, who was standing next to him, also became calm, his eyes looked at the crowd, and he said unhurriedly: "Commanders and comrades, from now on, Captain Karpov and his subordinates are part of our independent division. If I hear anyone call them white bandits again, I will remove them from their posts. Do you hear that? As he said the last sentence, he deliberately raised his voice.

The following replied, "I heard it!" ”

"I can't hear clearly!" Kirillov said loudly.

"I heard you!" This time, the answers of the commanders below became neat and forceful.

"Next, I announce the allocation of the Karpov battalion." When Kirillov said this, he also made a point of explaining to everyone: "When we came into contact with Captain Karpov, he once put forward four conditions to us, and after consulting our superiors, we only agreed to three of them. And yesterday's response action was also one of the original conditions. Let me now tell you about his remaining two conditions. He picked up his notebook from the table, flipped through a few pages, and began to read aloud: "First, it is necessary to ensure the personal safety of all officers and men in the battalion. Because they were selected from the prisoner camps, and after being incorporated into the Eastern Battalion, they fought in different places with their former compatriots, inflicting losses on those troops. After joining our army, our army cannot settle accounts with them, and must ensure that no one is punished for the mistakes committed in the past. Second, the formation of the Eastern Battalion cannot be disrupted. Political workers can be dispatched, but existing officers cannot leave the unit, and soldiers cannot be dispersed into other units. ”

After reading it, Kirillov did not ask everyone's opinion, but turned to Karpov and said: "Comrade Captain, I intend to integrate your battalion into a regiment of battle sequences. In order to prevent the other party from having any ideas, he also said patiently: "More than half of the troops of the first regiment were killed and wounded in yesterday's battle, and almost all of them were experienced veterans, so I decided to replenish you to the regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov." ”

After listening to Kirillov's words, Karpov immediately nodded and replied without thinking: "Comrade political commissar, I obey your arrangement, and after the meeting is dismissed, I will take the troops to the first regiment to report." ”

Although Shederikov, who was sitting at the table, did not speak, but from his expression, I still knew that he was feeling sorry for his lost troops, and now when he heard that the Karpov battalion was going to be replenished to the first regiment, a smile suddenly appeared on his face, he stood up, shook Karpov's hand, and said in a friendly manner: "Captain Karpov, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the first regiment, welcome you to join." (To be continued......)