Burning Moscow

After Semenov finished his presentation, Meretskov turned his head to look at Starikov again, raised his chin, and said, "General Starikov, Colonel Semenov has finished reporting. Next, , It's your turn to tell us about the battle preparations of your group army."

Starikov responded and pointed to the map to explain to us: "Comrade Commander, dear generals, I will now introduce you to the preparations for the battle of my Eighth Army.

After attending the last combat meeting of the front army, after returning to the army, I immediately issued an order to prepare for the army under my jurisdiction. Everyone knows that because of confidentiality, none of the orders we issued were issued in the form of written instructions. They were all issued verbally, and the chief military officers of the various units were recruited to the group army headquarters to issue them in person.

The army must dig trenches and traffic trenches, build artillery positions, pave roads and open marching routes, especially paving roads, is the top priority of our battle preparation tasks, because a good road determines whether the army can reach the designated position in time and quickly Ground deployment is related to whether the supply of reserve and offensive troops can move in time during the battle. …"

When Starikov said this, military commissioner Zaporozhec raised his hand to interrupt him and asked abruptly: "Comrade Starikov, I have a question to ask you."

Although his report was abruptly interrupted, Starikov showed an unhappy expression on his face, but he still showed due politeness to the questions of the military committee members of the front: "Comrades of the military committee, what do you have? Question? Excuse me."

Zaporozhec pointed to the map and said: "When I went to the temporary headquarters of the 8th Army the day before yesterday, the car passed a section of road paved with logs. But I did not hear the squeak of the log road in the car. Squeak. What is going on?"

"Yes. Comrade Starikov." Zaporozhet's question aroused Meletkov's interest. He also curiously asked: "What ideas did you think of on the road? The vehicle is on the log. When driving, the road is not loud at all?"

"It's more than not!" General Starikov replied with a smile: "Comrades of the Military Commission, haven't you noticed it? The log road is quite solid besides not sounding. Maybe in two days, you will find that He won’t shake at all. My engineers have adopted an effortless but practical method to prevent shaking.”

With a surprised expression on his face, Meletskov asked with interest: "What can be done?"

"Spread the picture under the pad." Starikov gesticulated and said, "The crossbar will not vibrate again if it is spread on it. Now if it is sprinkled with a thin layer of sand, it will not shake. It can also greatly increase the speed of the vehicle."

Meretskov hit the table with a punch in excitement, and asked enthusiastically: "Awesome! General Starikov, whose idea is this? I want to credit him!"

"The Chief of Engineers of the Group Army, Colonel Gelmanovich. He and his chief of staff Sofronov worked out a plan to build a road network, which is currently under construction." The achievements he made took his own body, but truthfully reported to Meletskov.

"By the way, I want to ask." Zaporozec asked again: "I was near your temporary headquarters and I saw a 30-meter-high watchtower towering in the forest. This is also the engineer's. Idea? Can you observe far?"

"It's not the engineer's idea. It's the idea of ​​the combat staff and artillery, which of course was designed and built by the engineers. When the weather is good. Signavino can always be seen from above. We intend to use it to observe the battlefield." , Correction of artillery shooting and aviation assaults. Whether it will work or not. It’s hard to say. I’m afraid of forest fires. You know that once the battle starts, it is possible to cause forest fires. The smoke from the fire will greatly limit the observer’s vision."

Feijuninsky, who had not spoken all the time, spoke, and he asked, "General Starikov, I would like to ask, how do you plan to command the troops when the troops are assembled in the forest and marched towards the starting point of the offensive?"

Starikov smiled at Fejuninsky and replied: "Comrade General, this is easy to do. My chief of staff, Colonel Golovchiner, has appointed a unique command. Method. He hits whistles of various tones, and each company commander has a whistle with a different tone from others. When the command is issued with a predetermined signal, the commanders can recognize it based on the whistle. "

After listening to Starikov’s introduction, Feijuninsky nodded in satisfaction, patted his shoulder and praised: “Good job! General Starikov, it seems that your army’s battle preparations have been done. Not bad."

Starikov stared at the map in front of him, and said to the triumphant Eighth Army commander: "General Starikov, tell everyone about your offensive plan."

Starikov agreed again and began to report to everyone: "Yesterday, the artillery commander of the Front Army, Admiral Djegdaryev, deployed the artillery unit to our army. After studying with me and the commander of the army, Major General Bezruk Later, it was decided to distribute the artillery units equally among the divisions so that we could provide necessary artillery support to the troops that seized the enemy's forward support points in a timely manner."

"What is the density of artillery in the offensive direction?" Meletskov asked.

"Because all the artillery is evenly distributed to the divisions, the density of artillery on the front per kilometer can reach 70 to 100."

"How do you plan to attack?"

"I plan to launch a two-hour saturated artillery bombardment on the enemy's position on the day of the campaign, which is the morning of the 17th, and then send out infantry to launch an offensive."

"Then what about the heavy tanks attached to your group army? What role should they play in the offensive."

"Similarly, I will distribute the tanks evenly among the divisions to provide fire support for the offensive infantry."

Meretskov nodded in satisfaction and praised: "The plan is good." After speaking, he raised his head and asked the people present: "Do you have any different opinions?"

The generals at the scene looked at each other. Then neatly answered: "No!"

Meletskov saw no objection. Just want to talk. I frowned when I heard it next to me and immediately summoned the courage to speak: "Comrade General, can I say a few words?"

As soon as I uttered my words, the room suddenly became silent. Everyone looked at me with surprise, wondering what shocking words I would say when I jumped out. I was afraid that Meletskov would not let me speak, and quickly added: "I have a slightly different view of the deployment of General Starikov."

"Different views?" Meletskov looked at me puzzledly, then turned to look at Starikov, and hesitated. Finally, I was given a chance to speak: "Comrade Major, I have heard Comrade Zhukov say that you are a commander with a very strategic vision and can often make some ingenious suggestions on the deployment of battles. If so, then you should Let’s talk about it, we’re all listening."

I didn’t look at anyone, but stared at the map and expressed my opinion: “I think the principle of concentrating artillery in the main offensive direction should be followed, and the command of artillery should be handed over to General Djegdaryev of the front army. Guarantee the density of 150 to 180 guns on the front of each square kilometer in the main direction of the assault.

After the two-hour preparation for artillery fire is over, the artillery should be based on the advancement speed of the 8th Army. Quickly shift positions to implement maneuvers and continue to provide artillery support for battles in the depths.

If we are after the shelling is over. The infantry was dispatched to attack. From the map, our offensive position was almost three kilometers away from the enemy's front. It would take our infantry about half an hour to reach an effective attack range. In such a long period of time, the German army has recovered from the initial panic of being shelled, and our army is bound to be madly blocked by them, causing heavy casualties. …"

"Comrade Major," Starikov interrupted me with some dissatisfaction, and said angrily: "In order to defend the motherland and Leningrad, our officers and soldiers are not afraid of sacrifice."

"General Starikov, please be quiet, and listen to Major Oshanina finish." As soon as Meletskov spoke, Starikov closed his mouth honestly. Meletskov looked at me with a smile and encouraged me to continue and say: "Major Oshanina, if you are the commander of the 8th Army, how would you direct this battle?"

Hearing his question, I couldn’t help but stunned for a while, but I quickly recovered, and proceeded according to my own thinking: “Before the attack, the Germans’ positions were first saturated with shelling for two hours. This, just now Commander Starikov also mentioned it, and I agree with this. But after the shelling lasted for an hour and a half, I will order the heavy tanks to attack and advance to a stop 50 meters from the German position.... "

"Comrade Major, I would like to ask," General Gagan, commander of the 4th Guards, interrupted me this time. "If our tanks are parked so close to the shelling area, will they not be accidentally injured by our artillery fire?"

"No, General Gargan." I replied very positively: "Our army's KV heavy tank, even the German 88mm anti-tank gun can't be damaged, let alone shrapnel flying from dozens of meters away. "Speaking of which, I asked Meretskov politely: "Comrade General, can I continue talking?" Because this is not a formal combat meeting, let alone me. Anyone who speaks may be Someone interrupted suddenly, so I asked this question.

"Of course, of course I have to continue talking." Meretskov obviously understood what I said, and reminded the people present: "Let Major Oshanina go on, and no one will interrupt her. "

After I thanked Meletskov, I went on to say: “The reason why I wanted the tank to reach 50 meters in front of the German position before the end of the shelling had two purposes: one was to clear out our subsequent infantry units. The landmines in front of the position were laid by the Germans that would kill a large number of infantry and would not cause any damage to the tank. Second, after the artillery ended the shelling, the tank troops could quickly rush to the position and tear the enemy's defense line. Opening an opening and covering the infantry who followed immediately can widen this breakthrough.

As for the offensive infantry unit, it should advance to the enemy's front ten minutes after the tank attack. "

Having said this, I saw Starikov opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but when I saw Meletkov's rapturous expression, I closed my mouth obediently. I knew what he wanted to ask, and hurriedly raised this question: "Maybe a comrade commander will ask. Why not let infantry and tanks attack at the same time? You know. Tanks are faster than infantry. Even if they start at the same time, they It will also reach the designated position first. Let me explain here that if the infantry and tanks attack at the same time, there will inevitably be a problem of fighting for the passage, which will easily lead to unnecessary chaos in the offensive troops.

Calculated according to the advance speed of the infantry, when they reach the enemy's position, our army's tank unit should have torn open the enemy's line of defense, and then they can cooperate with the tank. Eliminate the remnants of the enemy in the trenches, consolidate the position and continue to attack. My words are over. "

After hearing this, Meletskov nodded with satisfaction again, and said, "Major Oshanina’s style of play is quite novel. Although our army has not tried it before, but based on my experience, the infantry unit is in The casualties when attacking enemy positions will be greatly reduced."

"I agree with Comrade Commander. Since you also think that this style of play can effectively reduce troop casualties, I think it should be promoted in this battle." The first person who stood up to support me was the old acquaintance Feijuninsky. General.

Then the Chief of Staff of the Front Army Stelimach and the CMC member Zaporozhec also expressed their views. Supported Feijuninsky's opinion and suggested that this method of tactics should be promoted in the army.

I saw several heavyweights who supported me. Starikov couldn't say anything against it, so he had to bite the bullet and agreed.

At this moment of joy, a few people walked in from the door. Meretskov looked up, suddenly changed his color, and asked angrily: "We are holding an important combat meeting, who allowed you to come in without authorization?"

I took a closer look at the people who came in, and I was taken aback. One of them was actually Lieutenant Turchinov, the chief of the Secret Service who almost shot me, but this time he was standing behind a lieutenant. Obviously this person The rank in the Ministry of Internal Affairs is higher than him. My heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and my heart said that this matter was not settled by Feijuninsky on behalf of Zhukov. Why did Turchinov come out sullenly? Could it be that he came to me?

The captain walked up to Meretskov, glanced at everyone present, and then said arrogantly: "Comrades, I am Captain Yevgenli of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to our understanding, Major Oshanina, she is a Vlasovist, and we were ordered to arrest her."

When I heard that it was another arrest, I took a step back unconsciously and only escaped a few hours ago. Wouldn't the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs refuse to let me go? However, thinking that there are general-level figures around me, I should be able to quell these little shrimps from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Thinking of this, I set my sights on Fejuninsky.

Feijuninsky nodded slightly when he saw my help-seeking gaze, and then pushed away Starikov, who was blocking him, went out, went straight to the front of Captain Yevgenli, and said coldly. "Comrade Lieutenant, I tell you that Major Oshanina is an excellent commander in the Red Army. She has been awarded many honors and promotions for her brave command in combat. I guarantee her with my rank and honor. , She is definitely not a Vlasovist."

"Who are you? Comrade General." Captain Yevgeni asked politely and indifferently.

"I'm Major Fejuninsky, the commander of the 54th Army. Why, are you planning to arrest me as a Vlasovite? Also, Comrade Lieutenant, I want to remind you that everyone present All commanders have higher ranks than you. According to the regulations, you should salute us."

Facing Feyjuninsky's accusation, Captain Yevgeny had to raise his hand and salute the people present.

When Feyjuninsky was talking to the captain of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I never heard Meretskov's voice. I couldn't help but turn my head to look at him, and unexpectedly found that his body was trembling slightly with his hands clenched fists. Seeing this scene, I couldn't help whispering in my heart, could it be that Meretskov was also arrested by someone from the Ministry of the Interior, and at this moment, seeing the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs stand in front of him, he would be so ghoulish.

At this time Feizuninsky turned around and looked at Meletskov and said, "Comrade commander of the front army, this is your headquarters. Can you allow these people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to arrest our commanders at will?"

Feyzhuninsky asked such a question. In the face of everyone's gaze, he could no longer remain silent, as long as he bit the bullet and walked to Yevgeni and asked nervously: "Comrade Captain, Are you going to forcibly take Major Oshanina away from me?"

"This is my duty. Comrade General." Yevgenli replied coldly.

"No! I don't agree." Meletskov was exasperated by the captain's arrogant expression. He raised his voice and said: "Major Oshanina was arrested by Secret Services yesterday. I was still in Moscow. After I got the news, I specifically reported the matter to the Deputy Commander-in-chief General Zhukov and Comrade Stalin. They all said Major Oshanina would not be a Vlasovist, and asked General Fejuninsky to come forward and rescue her."

"Is that so? Comrade Lieutenant." Yevgeny heard Meretskov say so and quickly turned to ask Turchinov who was standing behind him.

Facing Fejuninsky's angry eyes. Turchinov lowered his head and replied in a low voice, "Yes, Comrade Captain. When we were executing the Vlasovs in the morning, General Fejuninsky suddenly appeared and stopped us, saying that he had served him. The deputy commander ordered us to stop the execution and let go of all the suspects."

Hearing Turchinov's words, Yevgeni seemed a little embarrassed. Perhaps it would be easy for him to arrest an officer of my level, but a commander in an important position like Fejuninsky. He didn't dare to offend him easily, not to mention that there was such a general as Meletkov here. He even dare not act rashly.

After hesitating again and again, he finally made a difficult decision. After he raised his hand to salute Meretskov, he asked in a deliberate tone: "Comrade General, we are here to ask Major Oshanina some questions. Let’s go when you’re done, can you think that’s okay?"

Meletskov did not answer his question immediately, but turned to look at me and consulted me with his eyes. Seeing this, I nodded vigorously and agreed. So he said, "Well, Comrade Captain, you can ask here!"

After getting permission, Yevgeny walked to me and asked with a cold expression: "Major Oshanina, have you ever been a subordinate of Vlasov?"

"Yes," there is nothing to conceal about this question. I answered truthfully: "In the great counterattack under Moscow, he was the commander of the 20th Army and I was the chief of staff of the Army."

"I heard that your relationship is very close?"

"The relationship is very close?" When I heard this question, I shrugged and asked, "Comrade Captain, I don't know how close a relationship is based on your understanding?"

"I heard that when he usually calls you, he always calls you Lida instead of Oshanina's last name."

Hearing what he said, I really couldn't laugh or cry. A slightly more intimate name also became the basis for me to be a Vlasovist. I said bitterly, "There are too many people calling me by my nickname, and Vlasov is not the only one."

"There are some people calling your nickname, let's hear it." Yevgenli said, turning around and instructing a soldier behind him: "You make a record." The soldier agreed and took it out of his bag. Paper and pen, ready to record.

"When I participated in the siege of Moscow, there were people who called me a nickname," I thought for a while, and decided to start with the low rank: "Instructor Krichkov of the 315th Infantry Division..."

"It's the one who said: Although Russia is big, we have nowhere to go, because behind us is the hero of Moscow, right?" Starikov couldn't help his eyes glowing when I said the name of the first person. Hurriedly asked.

"Take it down!" Yevgenli ordered the soldier. "Go on, Major."

"General Panfilov, commander of the 315th Infantry Division." "Make a note!"

"General Lelyushenko, commander of the 1st Guards Infantry Corps." "Make a note!"

"General Katukov, commander of the First Guards Tank Brigade." "Make a note!"

Every time I said a name, Yevgeni asked the soldier to write it down, but his face became more and more ugly.

"General Rokosowski, commander of the 16th Army." "Make a note!"

"General Zhukov, commander of the Western Front!" "Make a note of it!" When he said this, Yevgeni clearly seemed to be lacking in confidence. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, gritted his teeth and said: Who is there?"

"Lida." Feijuninsky also called my nickname intimately: "Tell him who else is." Then he asked Yevgeny in a joking tone: "Comrade Captain, my name is Ou, too. Major Xia Ningna’s nickname, do you also want to write down my name?"

"There is a more important person, UU reading www.uukanshu.com, he never calls my surname or military rank, whether it is meeting or calling, he always calls my nickname."

"Who is he? Speak out." Yevgeni grabbed the pen and paper in the soldier's hand, waiting to write down the name of the last person.

"Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin." When I said the name word by word, Yevgeni threw the pen and paper on the ground and shouted loudly: "You lied, Comrade Stalin. How could it be possible to know a little person like you and still use such an intimate name for you?"

"Comrade Captain," it was Meretskov who spoke this time, and he said in a positive tone: "I can testify about this. When I talked to Comrade Stalin about Major Oshanina, he always used Li. If you don’t believe it, I can call Comrade Stalin right away and ask him to explain this to you himself.” After speaking, he raised his leg and walked to the high-frequency phone, posing as he wanted to go. The look on the phone.

Jevgenli suddenly became flustered. He waved his hands desperately and said, "No, Comrade General, I believe what you said is true." Then he gave me a fierce look and said something unwillingly. : "Let's go!" After speaking, he walked out of the headquarters with a few of his men. (To be continued...)