Burning Moscow

Unexpectedly, Patton glanced at me, snorted contemptuously, looked behind his back with his hands, his chin raised high, his eyes fixed on the ceiling of the war room, as if there was something nice on it that attracted him.

My outstretched hand froze there like this. Just as I was about to withdraw my hand, Marshall next to him hurriedly took a few steps forward, walked to Patton's side, and said loudly: "George, let me introduce you to you. This is General Oshanina from Soviet Russia. "

The translator standing behind me immediately translated Marshall's words to me. Although I had understood what Marshall said to Patton, I still pretended to be serious and listened to what the translator said to hide my embarrassment. .

I retracted my outstretched hand, pretending to be indifferent and said: "In our cavalry unit, we are equipped with an M1913 cavalry saber aided by an American ally. The standard slashing action can be changed to a stab. The soldiers are right. I really love this kind of saber, and I call it the'Barton saber.' I just wanted to ask General Barton to ask if he designed this cavalry saber himself."

After listening to someone’s translation, Patton looked down at me, the arrogant expression on his face also converged. Although the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, he still said coldly: "Yes, that kind of saber I designed it on a whim after I learned fencing skills from Mr. Clary of France. What, is this kind of saber popular in Russia?".

"Yes, Mr. General." Although I have never visited the cavalry unit, and I don't know how our cavalry would rate this kind of saber, it didn't affect Patton who was standing in front of me by fooling me. Anyway, he couldn't send someone to understand: "In our cavalry unit. Because of the limited number of these sabers. Therefore, only soldiers who perform well or who have made military exploits are eligible to have this'Paton saber. '"

As soon as I finished speaking, Patton turned his head and asked the translator behind me: "When did she just say it?" The translator immediately translated what I said to him.

After Barton listened, the expression on his face became more friendly. He grinned slightly, stretched out his hand to me, and said: "General Oshanina. I always think that war is a man’s business, and women should be treated. Give birth at home and do housework."

I held Patton’s powerful hand and smiled and replied, “General, don’t you think I’m already a neutral person? The war has erased the gender of a person, and I hope others will treat me as a soldier first. Women are second. You once said: A soldier is also a citizen, and the highest duty and right of a citizen is to take up arms to defend the motherland."

Button listened to me uttering his famous words and couldn't help laughing. Marshall saw that there was no more tension between me and Patton, and said with a smile: "General Oshanina. I don't think you are right. As long as the war does not erase your life, you will always be just a woman. And still A beautiful woman." Then he patted Button on the back. Said to him, "George, stop standing here, go back to your seat, we still have very important things to discuss."

Since the highest ranks in the room were Marshall and Button, when arranging seats, Marshall asked Button to sit on his right and I sat on his left. As for the interpreter provided for me, I was sitting slightly outside between me and Marshall.

Looking at Button, I suddenly remembered that according to historical records, he should be in Africa at this moment. How could he suddenly appear in Washington? When I carefully confided my question to Marshall, he did not ask my source, but smiled and said to me: "General Oshanina, George took over as the commander of the 2nd Army on March 6. He appointed General Bradley as his deputy. In the Tunisian campaign that began on the 17th, although his troops were only responsible for assisting tasks, they successfully captured Gafsa and successfully repelled the Germans. And the armored unit of the Italian army. He was temporarily recalled to Washington this time to coordinate the battle with the British army."

Hearing Marshall talk about his record, Patton's face could not help showing a triumphant expression, and my original vague memory became clear. Patton's troops should be marching toward Gabes at this time, toward Germany and Italy. The Mares line of coalition forces put pressure on it. And because his troops did not receive the air support promised in advance, he had a dispute with Major General Arthur of the Royal Air Force. Maybe he was temporarily transferred back, and there is still some connection with this matter.

After Marshall finished talking about Button, he coughed and started to return to the subject: "Gentlemen, General Oshanina, who I accompany the friendly army, came here today to discuss the opening of the second battlefield." After a pause, he He said to a colonel on the opposite side: "Colonel Pug, it's up to you to introduce information to our allies."

The middle-aged colonel in the army uniform stood up from his position, bowed slightly in our direction, and then walked to the big map by the wall and began to explain to us: "Gentlemen, in January this year, President Roosevelt At the Casablanca meeting with Prime Minister Churchill, the decision to land on Sicily in the first half of the year was passed, and the landing on the European continent was postponed to August 1943. At the same time, the Anglo-American Special Planning Staff was established to formulate the landing plan in Europe. , British Army Lieutenant General Morgan will serve as the chief of staff. According to the resolution, once the decision is made to land on the European continent and open a second battlefield, the Special Staff will immediately begin to formulate a combat plan."

Colonel Pug picked up an explanation stick leaning against the wall and continued: "According to the experience and lessons of previous landing operations, the landing site must meet the following three conditions: 1. It must be within the radius of the fighter plane taking off from the British airport; Second, the ferry distance should be as short as possible; third, there should be a large port nearby. From Vlissingen in the Netherlands to the 480-kilometer coastline of Cherbourg, there are only three more suitable places.” Speaking of which, Pa Grid turned around and pointed the map on the wall with the explanation stick. "They are Kantandin Peninsula, Calais, and Normandy."

After Marshall waited for Colonel Pug to put down the explanation stick and walk back to his place, he turned and smiled and said to me: "General Oshanina, although General Morgan of the United Kingdom is responsible for opening the second battlefield. But we can also discuss it. Provide him with some feasible plans. In order to work out a more suitable landing plan. Continue you are the representative sent by the Russian side. Can you tell us your views on the landing operation?".

"Yes, General Oshanina." Patton also agreed friendlyly: "Tell us about your views. Maybe it will give us who are involved in making the plan have better inspiration."

I knew in my heart that even though Marshall and Patton were so polite on the surface, they couldn’t see the Soviets at all from their bones. Otherwise, Zhukov wouldn’t be able to toast Patton at the celebration banquet to conquer Berlin two years later. He was also cursed by him.

I stood up. Going around the table with the translator, walked to the map and stood still. Raised my hand to salute everyone present, and then said politely: "Dear General Marshall, General Patton, gentlemen: Since General Marshall asked me to talk about my views, then I will talk about my choice of Allied landing sites. Some of his views. If there is anything wrong, I would like to ask General Marshall, General Patton and gentlemen to criticize and correct me."

Seeing Marshall nod slightly, I picked up the explanatory stick on the wall, pointed to the map and began to talk incessantly: "As far as I know, as early as March last year. General Eisenhower and the staff of the War Hall made a proposal. The basic idea of ​​how to open up the second battlefield is to concentrate a large number of American troops in Britain. The British and American air forces gain air superiority over Europe in the river, and then cross the strait from Britain to France and Germany.

From the explanation of Colonel Pug just now, I can see that General Eisenhower’s theory of war has been well implemented. At present, on the coastline chosen by the Allied forces for landing, only the three areas of Kantandin Peninsula, Calais and Normandy are suitable.

Let’s take a look. Due to the narrow terrain of the Kantandin Peninsula, it is not conducive to the deployment of large forces. I think it is not suitable for opening up as an Allied landing field. We can remove it from the candidate list.

Secondly, Calais. The advantage of this place is that it is the closest to the United Kingdom. Not only can the Royal Air Force get air cover in the shortest time, but the transport fleet can also quickly deploy troops to the Calais area. Although Calais has such advantages, the disadvantages are also obvious. Because it is close to the German mainland, the German reinforcements to the beach defenders are very convenient. In addition, the Germans have the strongest defensive force here, and they stick to the complete and solid fortifications. , Are the elite troops of the German army. In addition, the five nearby large ports lacked inland communication lines, so they wanted to develop in depth without using the Allied forces to land. "

Having said that, I stopped deliberately and turned to see the reaction of the officers present. I saw that the color of mockery that had originally hung on their faces disappeared, replaced by a solemn expression. Marshall also had a serious look. He saw me stop, and after hesitating for a moment, he waved at me and said encouragingly: "Please go ahead, General Oshanina, tell everyone your true thoughts. "

After getting permission from Marshall, I continued: "Now only Normandy is left. Although it is far away from Britain, the advantage is that the German defense force is relatively weak, and it is only a few dozen kilometers away from Cherbourg, the largest port in northern France. In addition to the wide terrain here, more than 15 divisions can be deployed at the same time..." Although I clearly remember that Normandy can deploy 30 divisions in the information, but in order not to shock the world, I deliberately The number of troops is reduced by the other half.

After saying what I should say, I put down the explanation stick, walked back to my seat and sat down.

It took a long time before Marshall stood up, and after sweeping his eyes from every officer present, he said solemnly: "General Oshanina's speech, I must have heard everyone clearly." After agreeing in unison, he added, “The content you just heard is top secret. No one can disclose a word to the outside world, otherwise it will be severely punished.”

After speaking, Marshall turned to me again: "General Oshanina, I would like to invite you to work out a landing plan for the second battlefield with us. Would you like it?".

"General Marshall," my mission to the United States this time is to urge the United States to work out a plan to open up a second battlefield as soon as possible. Since there is such a good opportunity in front of me, I can't give up easily, so I smiled and agreed. Said: "I am very happy to help you."

When Marshall faced his men again, he simply said: "Except for Colonel Pug and General Patton, all the other officers will go out."

Hearing Marshall's order, the officers sitting around the table stood up, saluted him, and filed out of the command post. The staff officer who walked at the end closed the door easily.

But when there were only four of us and one translator left in the room, Marshall was not polite and asked me straightforwardly: "General Oshanina, how do you plan to make the Allied landing plan in Normandy?"

After listening to the translation, I didn't immediately answer how firepower should suppress the beachhead defenders or how to land on the beach. Because I have learned about Marshall from the biographies of later generations, and know that he most hates the act of blurting out major issues. He thinks that this method of giving answers without thinking has a lot of speculation. This kind of person is not worthy of him. trust.

Although I am not his subordinate, if I show such a character, it will also arouse his disgust. Even if he doesn't say it, he will have a defensive heart towards me, so when he adopts the suggestions I put forward, he may also pick the bones in the egg.

I pretended to think for a moment, and then said slowly: "General Marshall, this matter is of great importance, please allow me to go back and think about it first, and then I will answer your question after I have a comprehensive consideration, okay?".

For my reply, Marshall smiled and said: "Okay!" Maybe it was because I thought I didn't understand English. He took out a notebook and wrote my name in it, with a special note at the back: "This person is completely trustworthy!"

But after closing the notebook, he said to me politely: "General Oshanina, I will report your analysis to President Roosevelt later..."

When he was talking, a phone in the room rang suddenly. Colonel Pug walked over and took the phone. After listening for a moment, he turned to Marshall and said, "Mr. Chief of Staff, it's your phone." Marshall took his. Put the notebook on the table, got up and walked over to the phone.

I stared at the notebook on the table and looked at Patton, who was looking at me with a smile. I couldn't help thinking of the content mentioned in Marshall's biography. Marshall had three comments to Patton in his notebook.

The first comment: "This person can lead troops through fire and water."

The second comment: "Tighten his neck with a rope."

The third comment: "As soon as there is an armored unit~www.NovelMTL.com~, hand it over to him!"

It is said that as long as the person who is on the Marshall notebook, it is possible to become a higher rank officer.

While thinking about it, Marshall, who had answered the phone, walked back and smiled and said to me: "General Oshanina, I have reported the matter to President Roosevelt, and he is going to ask Sir Frederick Morgan to arrive overnight. Come from Washington, let him participate in the execution of the landing plan. It's getting late, so go back and rest first."

After shaking hands with me and bidding farewell, he ordered the interpreter standing next to him: "You are responsible for sending General Oshanina back to the Soviet embassy!" (To be continued...)

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Chapter 103: A Trip to the United States (2:

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