Burning Moscow

After Cuikov finished the call with Zhukov, he sat down on the chair next to the phone without saying a word. He seemed lost and lost, so much so that Kolpakchi and Gurov surrounded him and asked him what he said. Did not take care of it.

I just stood by and heard the conversation between him and Zhukov. As a front-line commander, he had already foreseen the cruelty of this battle, so he tactfully proposed to Zhukov that he hoped to restore the group army's defensive position on the west bank of the Don River, as well as the actual second echelon and reserve. The reason why Zhukov did not immediately reply to him is very simple. Golddorf is the commander of the Stalingrad Front who was appointed by Stalin. He said that he trusts the general very much. At this time, anyone can point to the new commander. He can't tolerate the gestures. As the deputy commander-in-chief, Zhukov was naturally aware of it, so he was reluctant to touch this mold. Cui Kefu might have figured this out before he was so gaffey.

After a long time, his expression returned to normal. He looked up and saw the two commanders standing next to him. He curiously asked, "Hey, Kolpakchi and Gurov, what are you two doing here?"

Seeing him sober up, Kolpakic couldn't wait to ask: "Cui Kefu, what did Comrade General say, did he agree to adjust the deployment and relocate the 112th Infantry Division to the joint of our two armies?"

Cui Kefu sighed and said unwillingly: "I listened to Comrade Zhukov's tone. He was very satisfied with my original deployment. However, if you want to modify the decision made by Commander Golddorf, you must get the Supreme Commander. I agree, otherwise Comrade Zhukov will not be able to give orders to General Golddorf." Seeing the disappointed expressions of the two, he quickly comforted: "However, Comrade General agreed that he will negotiate with Commander Golddorf. , And strive to redeploy those troops back to the West Bank."

After listening, Gurov nodded and picked up the phone when he walked over. Cui Kefu asked strangely: "Comrade Military Commissioner, who are you planning to call?"

"I called General Golddorf and asked about the results they achieved today for Major Oshanina. How does he plan to commend him?"

Before he picked up the microphone, the phone rang suddenly, shocking him who was not prepared for anything. After he stabilized his emotions, he picked up the microphone: "Hello, I am Gurov, a military commissar of the Army Group. Where are you?" The other party quickly revealed his identity, and Gurov said politely with a smile on his face. "It turned out to be you, Comrade Commander. I don't know if you are calling at this time. Do you have any instructions?" After listening for a while. Gurov suddenly flushed with excitement. Repeatedly said: "Understood. Comrade Commander, I fully understand, I will arrange related matters now."

Putting down the phone, he reported excitedly to Kolpakci: "Comrade General. Just now the commander of the Front Army called and said that the Supreme Commander himself was very happy to learn about the brilliant results of Major Oshanina and the others today. He personally issued a commendation order: awarding the Red Flag Medal to each commander and fighter who participated in the war, being promoted to the first rank, and reporting their heroic deeds to the commanders and fighters of the whole army.

Hearing this good news, Kolpakci was also extremely excited. He walked up to me and offered to extend his hand to shake my hand. He said: "Major Oshanina, I congratulate you. It is an incomparable honor to receive the personal commendation from the Supreme Commander himself." Having said that, he turned around and asked Gurov: "Comrade Military Commissioner, no I know the commander of the front army. When will the medal be delivered?"

"General Golddorf said that the medal will be sent overnight. At the same time, he also suggested that we hold a short commendation meeting to publicize the heroic deeds of Major Oshanina and the others in the whole army."

"Recognition meeting?! Where should this commendation meeting be held?" Kolpakchi walked back and forth in the room rubbing his hands, mumbling constantly about the commendation meeting.

At this time, Trikov spoke: "I said General Kolpakchi, isn't your counter-assault operation postponed until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning? I suggest that we hold a short commendation meeting here before the start of the counter-attack. Let all the participating troops send representatives, let them see the brilliant achievements and the supreme glory achieved by Major Oshanina and her subordinates, so as to inspire the morale of the participating troops. Look, how about my suggestion ?"

When Gurov heard this, he clapped his hands repeatedly and applauded, "Comrade Cui Kefu's suggestion is not bad. It not only achieves the goal of commending heroes, but also effectively improves the morale of the troops. This will greatly affect the offensive tomorrow morning. help."

Kolpakic was about to answer the conversation, turned his head and found that I was standing beside me like a nail, and quickly called Shemikov in and told him: "Comrade Captain, Major Oshanina has been busy these days. She should be very tired after participating in a day's battle. Take her to rest."

Semilov agreed, took me out of the headquarters, came to a nearby house, pointed to the house and said to me: "Comrade Major, the owner of this house has been evacuated, but the house is pretty complete. , Can live, you can live here temporarily tonight."

I thanked him, and was about to push the door in. He said afterwards: "Before the commendation ceremony, I will call you. Don't worry about being late."

I walked into the room and looked at the sheets on the bed and neatly folded quilts. They were all washed and turned white. It should be from the original landlord. He may have gone too hurriedly, so he didn’t have time to take it away. . I walked to the bed and sat down, took off my boots and lay on the bed, pulled the quilt and covered my body. Before long, I fell asleep.

Sleeping soundly, I suddenly heard the sound of a bugle coming from outside the window. I dimly felt that the sound of the trumpet was very familiar, like an assembly number. Thinking of the assembly number, I suddenly remembered the commendation meeting to be held this morning, and quickly turned over and got out of bed, put on my boots and ran out.

As soon as the door was opened, Captain Shemikov was trotting to my side. I guess he was here to wake me up, and quickly greeted him: "Hello, Captain Shemikov."

As soon as Semykov looked up, he saw that I was already standing at the door, and he quickly said with a smile on his face: "Morning, Comrade Major. I was going to wake you up. I didn't expect you to get up first. The officers and men who participated in the commendation meeting. We are gathering, let’s go now, don’t be late."

Captain Shemikov took me to the place where the commendation meeting is about to be held. Two or three hundred people have gathered here, and they have formed four phalanxes. I asked Shemikov in a low voice, "Comrade Captain, where do these commanders come from?"

Shemikov replied in a low voice: "Part of them are staff officers of the group army headquarters, and all the rest are representatives of the troops who will participate in the counter-assault offensive operations today, as well as the commanders and fighters of the 13th Tank Army who will cooperate with us today."

When I heard him talk about the tank army, I paid special attention to it. Sure enough, there was a phalanx of commanders, all wearing black tank uniforms, probably from the 13th Tank Army.

Shemikov took me to a house where Lieutenant Peter and the others had already been waiting. Seeing me coming in, he hurriedly stepped forward to salute and greet me. Shemikov said before leaving: "Comrade Major, you stay here first, and then go out when you are called."

The meeting began under Gurov's presidency. I looked down at my watch. It was just seven o'clock in the morning, that is to say, after the commendation meeting was over, the officers and men who were watching the ceremony had about three hours to return to the army to prepare for today's attack.

Gurov directed at the infantry phalanx in front of him, and said loudly: "...Next, please come from the command of the front army, Colonel Rukhley, announcing the commendation order from his superiors. Welcome!" After speaking, he took the lead and rallied. Palm.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, a colonel wearing a big brimmed hat strode to the front of the team, raised his hand to salute everyone, took out a document from the briefcase he carried, and read it aloud to everyone. "... In order to commend Major Oshanina and her subordinates for their brave and tenacious fighting spirit and the brilliant results they have achieved in the battle to defend Kretskaya. The Front Army Headquarters is requesting the highest After the command department, it was decided to award the five red flag medals, and each were promoted to the first rank. Next, I will invite Major Oshanina and her subordinates to enter the arena."

The five of us cleaned up our appearances, followed behind Shemikov, who was leading the way, and hurriedly came to the honored Colonel Rukhley.

Colonel Ruchlie looked at the medal on my chest and said approvingly: "Comrade Major, oh no, I am now Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. It seems that you performed very well in the battle. You already have several medals. Up."

When he hung the new red flag medal on my chest~www.NovelMTL.com~ I raised my hand to salute him, and habitually shouted: "Serve the Soviet motherland!"

The next Captain Peter and the others, who were awarded the honor, also followed my example. With the medal hung around their chest, they raised their hands to salute Colonel Ruchlie and shouted: "Serve the Soviet motherland!"

After the brief award, Gurov stood up and spoke again, and the five of us all stepped back and stood in a row not far behind him. After looking back at us, Gurov said loudly to the commanders and fighters in front of him: "Comrade commanders and fighters, in a few hours, we will soon launch a counterattack against the fascist bandits. In the battle, we We must give play to our brave and tenacious fighting spirit, drive the enemy out of our original position, and complete our glorious counterattack mission. At the same time, we must not be afraid of sacrifice or fatigue, and continue to fight the enemy completely and simply annihilate the enemy!" Here, he raised the decibel again: "Members, gqt members, carry forward your vanguard role and resolutely eliminate the enemy! Comrades, the time for meritorious service has arrived. Look at these commanders and fighters standing in front of you. They are yours. Role model! Comrades, fight bravely, go forward, and destroy all the enemies you see!"

The commanders and fighters were excited by Gurov's words. As soon as his words fell, the slogan "Ula" resounded in the queue like a mountain whistling and a tsunami!