Burning Moscow

Early the next morning, I was called by Zhukov to his headquarters.

When I walked into the large room of the headquarters, I found that besides Zhukov, there was another general who I didn't know was present. They were leaning over the table and looking at the map. When the two heard the door ringing, they both raised their heads towards me.

After Zhukov saw that it was me, he pointed to the general next to him and introduced to me: "Lida, come and get to know him. This is Comrade Khrulev, the head of the logistics department of the Red Army. Khrulev, This is General Oshanina." After speaking, he stared at the map in front of him.

I could see the military rank on Khrulev's shoulders, and hurriedly took a few steps forward, and came to him. Although I have never seen this general, I have long admired his name, so after raising my hand to salute, I respectfully said: "Hello, Comrade General! I have long admired your name. I can see you here today. ,it's my honour."

Khrulev, who was in his early fifties, looked like a kind old man. When he shook hands with me, he also smiled and said, "Hello, General Oshanina. I have long admired your name to you, but you are The only female general in our Red Army."

Zhukov waited for our greeting and greeted: "Since we all know each other, then all sit down. Next, we have more important things to discuss."

After I sat down, Zhukov looked at me and said, "Lida, I called you here today to inform you of important things. Originally, the Supreme Command intended you to visit the United States with the friendly delegation in mid-April. . But now that the situation has changed, your itinerary has to be adjusted."

When I heard Zhukov's words like this, I couldn't help feeling a little flustered, asking whether it was my trip to the United States. Is it just like that? But Zhukov’s next words surprised me again. I only heard: "Comrade Stalin intends to let you go to the United States with Comrade Molotov, and General Khrulev is also with him." Smiling at Khrulev. The mouth continued, "The three of you have their own division of labor. Comrade Molotov is responsible for the consolidation of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and General Khrulev is responsible for negotiating with the military for a new round of US aid. And you, as the base camp. Representatives of the United States have to work with the generals of the United States to study when and where to launch the second battlefield."

Zhukov’s last words once again made me suffer. I am just an ordinary person. Let me deal with the American generals who are better than monkeys because of their hair. Wouldn’t they let me be embarrassed? Thought of this. I quickly stood up and said to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, I have never participated in such a job, and I have no experience in this field. I am worried that I will not be able to do such a job..."

Before I could finish my words, Zhukov waved his hand to interrupt me: "Your task was arranged by Comrade Stalin himself. No one has the right to change it."

As soon as Zhukov's words were spoken, I knew my arrangements for dealing with American generals. It's already a solid matter, and there is no possibility of change at all. Had to bite the bullet and agreed, and sat back in his position again.

After Zhukov explained this to me. He turned his attention to Khrulev and said in another tone: "Dear Andrei Vasilyevich, let’s discuss what we need to make to our American allies. The first is the tank. Kai Chi is an anti-tank weapon and anti-aircraft gun. It also needs a large number of armor plates and various types of aircraft. In addition, we also need American cars."

Hear here. Khrulev interrupted Zhukov and asked politely: "Comrade Deputy Commander. Please be forgiving. The off-road performance of our domestically produced GAZ car is no better than the multi-purpose off-road car of the Willis Motor Company of the United States. Poor car. I think it is more appropriate to use domestically-made vehicles for transportation vehicles, so that at least I won’t worry about spare parts."

Unexpectedly, Zhukov shook his head and immediately rejected his proposal: "Comrade Khrulev, all of our automobile factories now produce tanks or armored vehicles, so transportation vehicles can only be provided by our allies."

Khrulev quickly recorded in the notebook while chanting in a low voice: "Tanks, anti-aircraft guns, airplanes, armored steel plates, cars." After writing these things, he looked up at Zhukov and asked: "That's all. ?"

Zhukov frowned and thought for a while, and said: "I think we still need a lot of barbed wire for our army's defense zone in Kursk."

"About how many wires are needed?" Khrulev asked.

"It takes at least five hundred tons." Zhukov slowly said a number, and when I was calculating how wide a region so many barbed wire fences could be used, I heard the words behind him: "Even if it doesn't reach five hundred tons, But they provide us with 400 tons of barbed wire every month. I think they can do this."

After Khrulev added this variety to his book, he picked it up and read to Zhukov: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I will read it to you and see if there is anything that needs to be added. Five hundred tanks are provided every month, each Four hundred type planes, five thousand jeeps, as well as anti-aircraft guns, anti-tank guns, armored steel plates, and five hundred tons of barbed wire." When he put down the notebook, he added, "By the way, we still need the U.S. military Armored car?"

Zhukov waved his hand and directly denied his proposal: "No, that kind of car is of no use to us. With our strength, it can completely create a more advanced armored personnel carrier. By the way, if possible, let the Americans do it. We provide transport trucks. Our domestically produced trucks are basically one and a half ton trucks. They are in urgent need of their three-ton semi trucks."

Khrulev nodded, and wrote a few more pens in his notebook.

Zhukov waited for him to finish writing, and then suddenly asked: "How many armor plates can we get from our allies every month?"

"One thousand tons," Khrulev replied blankly.

"Only one thousand tons?" Zhukov showed an unhappy expression on his face when talking about this number. "But as far as I know, the United States produces 50 million tons of steel each year."

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander, your data is very accurate." After flattering, Khrulev explained to him: "The United States does not only provide us with military aid. At the same time, it also provides necessary war materials for the United Kingdom. And they are unable to increase steel production in the short term."

"The problem of increasing the production of armored steel plates is easy to solve, as long as the appropriate additives are added." Zhukov said in a mocking tone: "This kind of thing that every steelworker knows, don't the capitalists in the United States understand? ?"

At this time. I heard a noise from the door, and quickly turned my head to look around. I saw the officer on duty outside the door, standing in front of the open door at this moment. Seeing that the attention of the people in the room was focused on him, he quickly reported: "Comrade Marshal, the two commanders of the Voronezh Front are here."

"Invite them in!" Zhukov said in an extremely majestic tone.

The officer agreed. Then the people at the door made a gesture of asking, and said at the same time: "Please come in, comrades generals!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two big commanders in military coats and gray cylindrical **** caps. He strode into the command center. Seeing that the two had entered the room, the officer walked out silently and closed the door.

The two generals came to Zhukov with a chill and stood still, raised their hands and saluted and reported: "Comrade Marshal, the commander of the Voronezh Front (deputy commander) General Vatutin (Apanashenko) will report to you, We are here to report on your order, please direct!"

After Zhukov raised his hand and paid a gift, he thought about shaking hands with the two one by one. Say hello to them. Then Khrulev, who was next to him, also shook hands with the two of them, and chatted with the familiar Vatutin.

After they had finished greeting each other, I quickly walked to Vatutin's front. Raised his hand to salute the burly new general, and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front!"

When Vatutin shook hands with me, he complained: "Comrade Oshanina, although you have been in the Southwest Front under my command for a while, I am your superior. I have never seen you. "Speaking of this, a smile suddenly appeared on his face. At the same time shook my hand vigorously and said, "You are good, Lieutenant General Oshanina. This is what I want to tell you!"

Then he turned his head to Apanashenko, who had the same rank as him next to him, and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, this is Comrade Oshanina whom I mentioned to you on the road. She led her troops on the right bank of the Dnieper. The tenacious fight not only messed up the enemy’s rear, but also successfully liberated Kiev."

"It turns out that you are Oshanina." After listening to Vatutin's introduction, Apanashenko also proactively reached out to me, and said friendly and frankly: "I envy you, Comrade General. Great Guardian. After the outbreak of the National War, although I commanded an army of millions of people, I have never fought a war. I feel very ashamed in front of you."

Hearing what Apanashenko said, I was speechless. I didn't know what to say in response to him, so I smiled bitterly and continued to remain silent. Fortunately, Zhukov saw my embarrassment and came out to relieve me in time: "Comrade Apanashenko, the Far East Front Army under your command has loosened a total of 17 infantry divisions, 3 tank divisions, and 2 for the front line in the past two years. A cavalry division, 2 airborne brigades and 4 infantry brigades, dozens of bomber and fighter regiments. The combat experience of these units has played a very significant role in the war. And because of your excellent management, Our victory has provided a strong guarantee and prevented our army from falling into the dilemma of fighting on the two fronts."

To Zhukov’s compliment, Apanashenko smiled honestly, and said modestly: "Comrade Marshal, everything I do is to adapt to the requirements of the war and work hard to turn the Far East into a fortress that is always ready to fight. .Every unit and soldier in the Far East is always ready to resist the Japanese attack, or to fight on the western front. This is the need of the leader, the need of the army, and the country and the country. The needs of the nation."

After listening to Apanaschenko’s statement, Zhukov nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile: "General Apanaschenko, you are a very capable commander. It is precisely because of this that Comrade Stalin personally ordered you to Moved over from the position of commander of the Far East Front. He intends to give you a chance to command a combat front, a fighting front, so that you can become a marshal after the war is over, because you have been in the war. In the final stage, he led a front army that rode a decisive role."

Having said that, Zhukov took a look at Vatutin next to him, then raised his hand to pat Apanashenko’s shoulder, and continued: “Don’t mind that you are the deputy commander of the front army, although you were long before the war broke out. You already have the rank of general, but you did not experience the current war as a cavalry last night. You still need to accumulate more experience with Comrade Vatutin so that you can command an army alone in the future..."

While a few of them were talking, I looked at the commander and deputy commander in Voronezh in front of me, sighing over their future destiny. Vatutin was attacked in Ukraine a year later, but unfortunately died. On the other hand, Apanaschenko was killed by enemy planes in the battle of Kursk during the months of Kursk. Otherwise, these two generals will definitely get the rank of marshal after the war. (To be continued)