Burning Moscow

And Dolnikov, who was sitting aside, said lightly: "Comrade General, I congratulate you on your promotion. Please accept my respect." After finishing speaking, he stood up from his seat and leaned forward slightly towards me. Stretched out his hands.

I stretched out my hand and shook his hand, then asked him to sit down.

In the next thirty hours, our activity space will be in this small train box. If we sit still, we will definitely be extremely boring. So after a moment of silence, I provoked the conversation and chatted with the two of them.

I thoughtfully said: "...Although my superiors appointed me as the commander of the Sixth Army, as the troops were reorganized soon, I estimate that apart from the guards, there are only a few infantry divisions. The soldier's empty number."

After I finished speaking, Yushchenko and Dolnikov couldn't help showing surprised expressions. After they looked at each other, Dolnikov said: "Comrade General, don't you know that our army Is there a backup plan that can reorganize the annihilated troops in a very short period of time?"

"What, do we have a backup plan for rapid formation of troops?" Dolnikov's statement surprised me. I couldn't help but turn my attention to Yushchenko next to him. After seeing him also nodded to confirm, I fiercely. I remembered that both of them were from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and they must know many secrets that I didn't know. In order to find out what happened, I asked curiously: "I don't know what kind of plan it is, Captain Dolnikov, can you give me a detailed introduction?"

My seemingly simple request embarrassed Dolnikov. He turned his head and glanced at Yushchenko next to him, as if he wanted to ask if he could tell me and the backup plan. Yushchenko is also a clever man. Seeing Dolnikov turned his eyes, he knew what he meant. He nodded and said, "Captain. Comrade Commander may not know this plan, so please introduce her to her. Right." He was afraid that Dolnikov would not say anything, and added. "Even if you don't tell me, after she returns to Moscow, Marshal Zhukov or Comrade Beria will give her a special explanation."

Yushchenko’s words let Dolnikov dispel his worries. Regarding this mysterious "backup plan," he told me: "Comrade General, you also know that the formation of troops during the war mainly depends on the personnel. Among them, the formation of the command organization is the most critical. With the power of an ordinary infantry division. There are two deputy commanders in the division, one is responsible for assisting the commander in daily work, and the other is in addition to participating in normal training and preparation work. , There is also a secret position-the reserve division commander; the division deputy chiefs of staff are also two, and one of them is the reserve division chief of staff; and so on, the regiments, battalions, companies, and even platoons are the same. In other words, each division has a complete command structure as a backup.

Once the war broke out and the infantry division received an order to go to the front, the division brought a deputy commander. That is, the deputy commander who assisted the commander in his daily work, while the other reserve commander remained at the station. Similarly, the backup command structure of the entire division from regiment to squad remained. In the shortest possible time, the supplementary soldiers were formed to become a new infantry division. "

This is the first time I heard of this backup plan of the Soviet army, but it gave me a really good impression that a new force can be formed in the shortest time with only a set of command structures. However, what kind of combat effectiveness the newly formed troops have is still debatable, so I couldn’t help but interject: "Comrade Captain, although we have a sound command system. The military quality of recruits is generally not high. Can it be combat effective?"

"Comrade General, you are right." Dolnikov answered me politely: "This newly formed infantry division is definitely not as good as the one that just went to the front in terms of combat effectiveness, but it is a division after all. The new division commander He is a well-trained and experienced commander who has served in the army for many years and is capable of performing the important tasks of division commander. The commanders under his command who served as regiment commander, battalion commander and face commander are also Active duty commanders, they usually deal with our commanders and the weapons and equipment of various divisions, have participated in rigorous military training and exercises, have excellent personal military skills, and have rich management experience. In addition, this new division is from the division commander to the next class. The platoon leaders are all colleagues who have worked together for many years and are very familiar with each other. This ensures the efficient operation of the new command structure."

I waited for Dolnikov to finish, and then asked curiously: "Captain, although the troops are formed, where do their weapons and ammunition come from? It should not be the same as the command system, and even the weapons and ammunition are backed up, right? ?"

"Comrade Commander, let me explain this to you." Yushchenko took the topic with a smile and said to me: "The new army uses old-fashioned weapons and equipment. For example, when the original army is changed, The eliminated weapons and equipment will certainly not be melted down as scrap copper and rotten iron, but will be temporarily sealed up for future use by the newly formed reserve forces. Because they are all old-fashioned equipment, the maintenance costs are usually limited. But in At critical moments, these troops with old-style weapons can reinforce the well-equipped troops. It is precisely because of such a backup plan that our military can always maintain a steady flow of troops to supplement the frontline troops in the war."

What Dolnikov and Yushchenko said made me suddenly realize. It is no wonder that the Soviet Army suffered such severe losses in the early days of the Great Patriotic War. Even when millions of commanders and soldiers were captured, they still maintained ample strength, all of which benefited from this comprehensive backup plan. At the time of the Defence of Stalingrad, when I looked at the supplementary troops coming from the other side every day, I was very surprised that why the Soviet army was able to form so many troops in such a short period of time, and now I finally understand what is going on. Up.

After a day of traveling by train, we arrived in Nizhny Novgorod. Seeing the train stop on the platform and start to replenish coal and water, Dolnikov got up from his seat. Before I could ask, he took the initiative to report to me: "Comrade General, I plan to go to the military representative office at the station."

"Go to the military representative office?" I don't know why he said that, so I asked in surprise, "Comrade Captain, what are you going to do in the military representative office?"

"That's it, Comrade General." Dolnikov reported to me truthfully: "Because we went too hurriedly and did not have time to inform Moscow, even if we get to the place. So many of us have to go back to their respective stations. , It’s also a nuisance. So I’m going to make a phone call to get us back to Moscow. Report to them.”

Hearing that this was the case, I quickly urged Dolnikov: "Since this is the case. Comrade Captain, please contact your superiors quickly. By the way, let them prepare their vehicles and wait for us on the platform. I am in the afternoon. I have to go to Marx Square to participate in a celebration. If there is no car, I am worried that I will be late."

"Don't worry, Comrade General." Dolnikov assured me, patting his chest, "I must have done this properly. When you get off the train, you can see the car that picks you up."

When Dolnikov left, Yushchenko on the opposite side smiled and said to me: "Comrade Commander, I found that your attitude towards Captain Dolnikov has become more and more friendly."

Regarding Yushchenko’s statement, I did not refute, but followed his meaning and said: "Yes, Captain Yushchenko, although I had some misunderstandings with Captain Dolnikov before, but after this period of time we got along. , I also found that he is actually a pretty good guy. His attitude towards him has naturally changed."

After about half an hour, Dolnikov returned to the carriage again. As soon as he entered the carriage, he reported to me: "Comrade General. I have all inquired clearly. Our train will arrive in Moscow on time at 11:30 in the morning, and Colonel Bezikov and his men will be at the station. Waiting for you."

When I heard Dolnikov talk about "arriving on time", I couldn't help but think of a joke, saying that Russian planes can arrive on time no matter how long they are delayed. Thinking of this, a smile appeared on my face. Dolnikov didn't expect that I just laughed at the thought of a paragraph, and thought I was satisfied with his report, and there was a smug expression on his face. Sit down behind him in his seat. Then he chatted with Yushchenko next to him.

But after the train entered the Moscow railway station, the conductor who had not been seen appeared at the door of my box. Respectfully said to me: "Comrade General, the Moscow station is here. I will arrange for you and your men to get off first."

For the kindness of the conductor. Naturally, I would not object. I nodded and smiled and said to him: "Thank you, thank you, comrade conductor."

Thanks to the conductor's care, our group got off the train first. As soon as I arrived on the platform, I saw Colonel Bezikov who had been waiting here for a long time. After he stood at attention and saluted, he smiled and said to me: "Lida, you have worked hard." After that, he stretched out his hand to me.

I shook the colonel's hand and said gratefully: "Hello, Colonel Bezikov, thank you for coming to pick me up in person. I hope my return will not cause you any inconvenience."

Bezikov smiled and said, "Lida, we are all so familiar with each other. Don't put on a lieutenant stand and talk to me. Get in the car. The celebration ceremony should start in half an hour. If you don’t leave again If we do, we will be late."

I got into the car driven by Bezikov himself, while Yushchenko, Dolnikov, and the rest of the soldiers sat in the truck behind.

After the car started, I turned my head and asked Bezikov who was driving: "Colonel, is there any news in Moscow lately?"

"What news can I have?" Bezikov holding the steering wheel and driving intently said without looking back: "The biggest news is that you, a female general, served as the commander of the 6th Army."

I heard that the fact that I became a commander has become the headline news in Moscow recently. I can't help but ask curiously: "I don't know what everyone thinks about this matter?"

Bezikov frowned and thought for a while, and replied: "There are both supporters and opponents. Those who support you, needless to say, you should have guessed it, including Marshal Zhukov and Chief of Staff Vasilevsky. , The commander of the Central Front Army Rokosovsky, the young People’s Committee Comrade Ustinov, etc.; and those who oppose you are mainly local cadres. The reason for their opposition is very simple. They think you are a Women, maybe it’s more appropriate to work locally than in the army."

I really don’t care what other people think. I only care about how the person who can decide the fate of everyone thinks, so I then asked: "What did Comrade Stalin say?"

Bezikov smiled bitterly and said, "Lida, you may not have thought of it. The first person who proposed to let you take a position was the Supreme Commander himself, and those cadres who opposed your being the commander of the group army just figured it out. Comrade Stalin’s ideas will make every effort to oppose you as the commander of the group army."

"Since the objection is not small, how did the appointment to me later be approved?" Listening to Bezikov's words, I can't help feeling very strange. Usually in this case, my appointment will be passed. Shelved it, but it was passed, which is really confusing.

"It's very simple." Bezikov held the steering wheel in both hands, turned his head and glanced at me quickly, and then continued to look forward intently: "Marshal Zhukov discussed with Vasilevsky and called Usti. Nov, Khrulev, Rokosovsky and others went to find Comrade Stalin together. After repeated statements, Comrade Stalin finally agreed not to consider the matter of letting you work locally. And appoint you as the commander of the 6th Army."

I really didn't expect that there were so many twists and turns in one of my appointments. It seems that it is not a bad thing to have a good relationship with the bigwigs in the army. At least they can reach out to help me at the critical moment.

When our car passed Gorky Street, I saw that the street where the tank column was originally parked was now empty again. When the residents of the city were able to walk freely on this street, I felt like I saw it here last time. Those tank columns that can't be seen at a glance seem to be a dream.

I coughed and asked, "Colonel, have the parade tanks started to line up troops?"

"A tank in a military parade?

Bezikov was taken aback for a moment, and then he understood what I was talking about. He shook his head and said: "If you want to install troops first, you may have to wait until June at the earliest, and production has not yet officially started." "

Hearing this, I secretly calculated that the Battle of Kursk will begin in July and the troops will be deployed in June. There will be more than a month of preparation time. By then, the commanders and fighters should have fully mastered the use of the new equipment. (To be continued.)