Burning Moscow

After Zhukov finished speaking, he waved at me and asked me to go to his desk.

Seeing me walking to the desk, he took out a notebook, opened it and laid it on the table, raised his head and said to me: "Lida, now I will introduce you to the basic situation of the 6th Army."

Hearing that Zhukov was going to introduce me to the situation of the troops, I immediately took out a pen and paper from my briefcase and prepared for the record.

"The 6th Guards Army..." Zhukov said, it surprised me. Isn't it the 6th Army of Khalidonov? How come it became the 6th Guards Army? Although both are group forces, there is a huge difference in terms of treatment.

I raised my hand and interrupted Zhukov’s words. In his dissatisfied gaze, I asked tremblingly: "Comrade Marshal, please allow me to ask, not that I should go to the 6th Army, where General Khalitonov was once the commander. How did it become the 6th Guards Army again?"

After hearing what I said, Zhukov turned his head and asked Vasilevsky in astonishment: "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, didn't you tell Lida which group army she is going to be the commander of?"

Vasilevsky said in surprise: "Comrade Marshal, you personally called Lida and asked her to rush back to Moscow immediately. I thought you told her everything on the phone. "

Zhukov said nothing, and turned his gaze to Bezikov who was going to the train station to pick me up. Bezikov jumped up from his seat, stood upright in front of Zhukov, and replied without looking sideways: "Report to Comrade Marshal, I thought that Lida had learned from you about her upcoming army. , So when chatting with her on the road, I used the designation of the 6th Army, and did not specifically emphasize to her that it was the Guards Army."

Facing the oolong he had made, Zhukov smiled bitterly. Some embarrassedly said to me: "I'm sorry, Lida, this matter is my fault. I didn't tell you clearly in time, please forgive me!"

How can I afford Zhukov to apologize to me in public. He waved his hands desperately and said, "Comrade Marshal, this is not your fault. It is all my fault. When I was on the road, I did not expect to check with Colonel Bezikov, otherwise there would be no such oolong incident." At this time, I couldn't help but secretly rejoice, but luckily I figured it out before I set off. Otherwise, it would be really embarrassing to go to the 6th Army to take office.

Zhukov then explained to me: "The 6th Guards Army was adapted from the 21st Army, which was formed on the basis of the Volga Military District shortly after the outbreak of the war. It governs two infantry corps and one mechanized army. It was successively incorporated into the Western Front, the Central Front, the Bryansk Front, the Southwest Front, the Stalingrad Front and the Don Front. He has participated in the Battle of Smolensk, the Defense Battle of Kiev, the Defense Battle of the North Donets River, and the Hal The Battle of Cove and the Battle of Stalingrad are a team of heroes who have made great achievements.

The group army was reorganized into the 6th Guards Army in April this year. The former commander of the group army, Major General Danilov, is now the deputy commander of the group army. He is an old commander with rich combat experience. I hope you can get along well with him when you go. If you have any questions, you can ask him for advice, and he will definitely assist you. "

Regarding Zhukov’s instructions, I naturally agreed: “Don’t worry, Comrade Marshal, although General Danilov is my deputy, I will definitely respect his opinions in my usual work and will not act arbitrarily.”

Zhukov was very satisfied with my statement. He nodded and continued to say: "In the current group army, there are the 51st, 52nd, 67th and 71st Guards Infantry Divisions, as well as the 326th and 375th Infantry Divisions, as well as two tank brigades. . Five artillery regiments, two heavy mortar regiments, and three guard rocket battalions."

When I heard that the number of artillery had increased again, I couldn't help but feel ecstatic, because in this way, the firepower output of the group army was greatly enhanced. Whether it was for defense or offense, it was enough for the Germans to drink a pot. After I recorded what Zhukov said, while he paused for a while, I interjected and asked: "Comrade Marshal, I don’t know what is the condition of my army’s weapons and equipment?" I asked this because of my command. It is the Guards, and the equipment of the unit must be far stronger than other units.

Zhukov heard what I said, and after looking at each other with Vasilevsky, he pointed at me with a imaginary finger, and said with a smile: "We guessed that you would ask this question. Since you asked about it, if you don't tell If you say, I guess you won’t even be able to sleep well tonight.” As he said, he turned a few pages of the notebook on the table and continued, “The Kalashnikov rifle you know is not enough because the output is not enough. Meet all the needs of the troops, so in your group army, only three guard divisions are equipped. The ordinary infantry divisions still use Mosin Lagan rifles and *sha submachine guns, but they will also be used after August. The change will be carried out gradually."

"What about the tanks?" I thought that I still had two tank brigades, so I couldn't wait to ask as soon as Zhukov finished talking about the equipment of the infantry.

"As for the tanks, the latest tanks appeared during the military parade. Since there are still many technical problems that have not been overcome, it may not be possible to install troops within two years." Zhukov added after saying this, "Of course. , The tank brigade still undergoes a refurbishment and is equipped with another new type of tank, which can also form an overwhelming advantage over German tanks on the battlefield."

I heard that both tank brigades can be equipped with new tanks like the t-54/55, and my heart feels a lot more at ease. But then I thought that during the Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in the history of war broke out. If the tank brigade does not have a unified command, it may be defeated by the Germans in the battle. Thinking of this, I suggested to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, I have an idea. For the convenience of command, can these two tank brigades be combined into one tank army, and a commander with combat experience shall be appointed to take charge of the command? ?"

Hearing my proposal, Zhukov turned his head again to look at Vasilievsky next to him. After the two exchanged their eyes for a while, Zhukov turned his head and looked at me again and said: "We can merge the two tank brigades into A tank army, but do you have a candidate for the commander?"

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." I immediately gave Zhukov an affirmative answer.

"Who is it?" Zhukov and Vasilievsky asked in unison.

"Colonel Don Lei." The two had just finished their voices. I said the candidate that I had considered for a long time in my heart: "He was the brigade commander of the 84th Tank Brigade. He had participated in many battles and had a wealth of combat experience. Later in the battle outside Zaporos. He was because of this. He was wounded and retired from the battle. I think he has recovered and discharged from the hospital at the moment. He is fully qualified for the post of commander of the army."

"You have no opinion, Comrade Vasilevsky." After listening to my opinion, Zhukov did not make a statement, but turned to ask Vasilevsky. When he saw that the other party shook his head and said that he had no objection, he calmly said to me: "Well, since you recommend Colonel Biere, then he will be the commander of the tank army." Seeing that I smiled. Look like. Hastily added another sentence: "However, I cannot be promoted to his rank before he has achieved great results. In other words, he can only be the commander of the rank of colonel."

"No problem, Comrade Marshal." I remembered that after the Great Purge, the army was full of majors and captains, and I felt that it would be nothing to let Colonel Berei be a commander. "I believe that Colonel Eberei's consciousness, he doesn't care about his rank."

"Just don't care." Zhukov murmured, and then said: "Next. I will introduce you to the situation of the teachers and teachers, so that you can have a preliminary understanding of your subordinates."

"Major General Tavartkilasze, commander of the 51st Guards Infantry Division, is an excellent commander with bravery and fearlessness. The troops under his command have achieved good results in battles in many places...

The 52nd Guards Infantry Division was formed in Voronezh in December 1941. The original designation was the Internal Guard Motorized Division of the People’s Committee of the Interior. It consisted of the 6th, 16th, and 28th Regiments of the Motorized Infantry, the 10th Regiment of the Howitzer and the Other auxiliary forces. The commander is Colonel Nekrasov...

The 71st Guards Infantry Division is a team with a glorious tradition. The division was formerly known as the 1st Infantry Division of Ust Medveticaya, which was formed in October 1918. It was originally composed of Medveticaya Revolutionary Infantry 1st and 2nd Regiment and Bravin Cavalry 3rd Regiment. In the spring of 1918, the aforementioned regiments fought against the Cossack White Guards in Don. In the Great Patriotic War, the division successfully completed various combat tasks assigned by its superiors. Showed bravery, tenacity and a high degree of organizational discipline in the battle, and was renamed the 71st Guards Infantry Division in March this year. There are currently 89th Regiment, 117th Regiment, and 225th Regiment of Infantry. The 211th Regiment of the Light Artillery, the 226th Regiment of the Howitzer and other units were commanded by Colonel Sivakov. ..."

Zhukov spoke for ten minutes. I have just introduced the situation of the three guard divisions and the two infantry divisions to me. Just when I thought he had finished all the content of the introduction, Vasilievsky who was next to him suddenly interjected: "Lida, I have another good news to tell you."

good news? ! When I heard Vasilevsky say this, I couldn't help but look at him in wonder, and said in my heart what news is more important than my becoming the commander of the 6th Guards Army?

"In order to strengthen the strength of your group army, after discussing with Comrade Stalin this morning, we decided to add another infantry division to you." Seeing my stunned look, Vasilevsky couldn't help showing triumphant expression on his face. With a smile, he also specially emphasized: "It's not an ordinary infantry division, it's a guard division."

"I don't know which guard division it is?" When I heard that another guard division should be added to me, I almost shouted "Wula!" excitedly, but I still tried to stabilize my emotions and asked Huaxi with a smile. Levsky: "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, I don't know which guard division you plan to assign to my group army?"

"The 77th Guards Division." Vasilevsky said casually the number of the unit.

After reading the number of the guard division again, I felt no impression at all, so I shook my head and said, "I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of the General Staff, I don't know this division. Can you tell me something about it? ?"

Seeing that I did not know anything about this unit, Vasilevsky explained to me patiently: "The 77th Guards Division was formed in Moscow in July 1041. The original designation was the Moscow Militia Infantry. The 21st Infantry Division was renamed the 173rd Infantry Division in September, with 1311th Infantry Regiment, 1313th Regiment, 1315th Regiment and Artillery 979th Regiment and other units.

During the defense of Moscow, they fought in the 33rd Army Formation of the Reserve Front, and they fought for the first time against the Germans in the southwest of Kirov in Kaluga. From the end of October to the beginning of December, within the 50th Army Formation of the Western Front, arduous defensive battles were carried out in the areas of Belev, Veniov and Kashila. From 1941 to 1942, during the initial counter-offensive period and the general offensive to the West, our army fought in the 49th and 50th Group Army of the Western Front. On December 9, 1941, the 322nd Infantry Division of the 10th Army regained Veneov. Starting from the second half of April 1942, he held on to the occupied positions. In August 1942, it changed its deployment to the southwest, and successively participated in the glorious defense of Stalingrad in many group formations of the Stalingrad Front Army. Because the officers and soldiers of the whole division performed bravely, tenaciously, resolutely, and displayed a high degree of organizational discipline in the battle against the German army.

Now the designations of the regiments have been adjusted. The division’s organizational system includes the 215th, 217th, and 219th Guards Infantry Regiments, two artillery regiments, and other units ~www.NovelMTL.com~The commander is Askarepov. Colonel. "

"Comrade Chief of the General Staff," Zhukov reminded him as soon as Vasilevsky finished speaking: "The commander of the division is not a colonel, but a major general. He was promoted just in March." Finished correcting Vasilevsky. After Ji’s mistake, Zhukov said to me: “According to the original plan, the division should be integrated into the 61st Army of the Bryansk Front Army. However, after repeated research with my colleagues in the command, I found that the enemy is most likely to launch an offensive area. It is the Prokhorovka area in the Voronezh Front Army area. Therefore, I temporarily decided to place the division under your command."

After Zhukov finished speaking, he asked me blankly: "Lida, do you have any questions?"

I quickly closed the notebook in my hand, dropped my hands naturally, straightened my body, and replied loudly: "Report to Comrade Marshal, there is no problem."

"Since there is no problem, then you can go back first." Zhukov unceremoniously issued an eviction order to me: "Let Colonel Bezikov cooperate with you to form the guard regiment overnight, and rush to your headquarters early tomorrow morning. Right."

"Yes!" Bezikov and I replied neatly and loudly. (To be continued.)