Burning Moscow

The joint investigation team's investigation on me, with the sudden appearance of Zhukov, had to be cancelled. Zhukov then ordered Piksin to immediately return to Stalingrad with soldiers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, leaving only Kirilov, director of the Political Department of the 62nd Army.

After Pickin and the officers and men of the Ministry of Internal Affairs left, Zhukov glanced at me, frowned dissatisfiedly, and said, "Lida, since the investigative team has left, you are lying in ambush on the road leading to Stalingrad. Can the troops on board withdraw back? You must know that to the south of you, there are also several divisions of the 4th Army of the Hot Tank, staring at your division’s defensive position. You can’t It’s a small loss."

"Ambush the troops on the road to Stalingrad?" I said, a little confused: "Comrade General, I don't understand what you mean."

Zhukov snorted, and said with a gloomy face: "Do you think I am blind? At least one battalion of troops is ambushed by the roadside, even equipped with mortars and heavy machine guns. I guess if the convoy escorting you passes through this section. , Will definitely be violently blocked by them, and there may be no more survivors except you.” Having said that, he turned his head and said to Kirillov sitting on the left: “Comrade regiment-level political comrade, Your luck is good. If I come here a little bit later, I guess you will go to see God. And Comrade Oshanina, you can completely push your murder to the Germans. Anyway, this situation is in front of you. No matter what kind of situation can happen."

Zhukov's words made me startled in a cold sweat, and I quickly stood up. Walked to the door and shouted outside: "Come on. Come on!"

With my shout. Outside the house, Basmanov, Godunov, and Razumeeva all ran in. Seeing that I was safe and sound, the faces of all of them showed joy.

I didn't care about reminiscing with them, and asked straightforwardly, "Who can tell me what happened to the ambush on the road to Stalingrad?"

Godunov took a cautious look at Zhukov, Kirilov, and Krylov who were sitting at the table, and couldn't help but stop talking. I quickly comforted him and said: "It's okay, just say anything, no one will blame you."

Godunov boldly replied: "Report to Comrade Commander. After the investigation team came just now, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov felt that something was wrong, so he ordered me and Basmanov to take the guard battalion. The fighters of the army are on guard near the headquarters and try not to let the investigating team take you away."

In fact, as soon as I heard Godunov speak, I understood what was going on, but I still need to confirm it again, so I asked: "If you didn't stop them, what plans does Sederikov have?"

"If we fail to prevent the investigative team from taking you away, then Lieutenant Colonel Sergeikov will lead his troops to ambush them on the road, kill them and rescue you."

"Naughty. It's just nonsense!" Although I scolded them, I felt a warmth in my heart. Fortunately, Zhukov appeared in time, otherwise today's bloodshed would really be unavoidable. I commanded Razumeyeva loudly: "I said, Comrade Ensign, what are you still waiting for? Don’t contact Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov as soon as possible and ask him to withdraw the troops. If you talk to Stalinger It is not good for the comrades of the Le City Party Committee to misunderstand."

Razumeyeva agreed and ran to the radio to contact Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov. And I was still asking Basmanov and Godunov: "Have all the soldiers outside evacuated?"

The two nodded and replied, "Except for the four soldiers standing guard at the door, the rest have been evacuated."

Hearing that the soldiers outside the door had withdrawn, I felt more at ease, so I waved to the two of them and said, "You go out first, and I will call you if something happens."

When I sat down at the table again, I heard Kirilov briefing Zhukov on yesterday’s fighting situation: "...The troops that Colonel Oshanina went to rescue were trapped by the Germans in a small village 40 kilometers west of Stalingrad. In the Rosostki area, the besieged troops belonged to fighters from the 1379th Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division of the 62nd Army. They were led by political instructor Yevtifeev, deputy instructor and member of the Communist Youth League Leonid. Kovalev. Although they were under heavy siege, they stayed on the ground and did not take a step back. The soldiers ate their food. The weather was so hot, but they didn’t even have a drop of water. The Germans used 70 tanks to attack the heroes many times. However, they did not waver at all. In the two days of battle, they destroyed 27 enemy tanks and killed nearly 200 enemies. After Colonel Oshanina’s troops arrived, they had 33 fighters. Successfully jumped out of the encirclement of the Germans...."

When Kirilov wanted to continue speaking, Zhukov interrupted him. He asked inexplicably: "Since Comrade Oshanina led the troops, 33 commanders and fighters were rescued from the German encirclement , Then why does the Political Department of your group army and the Stalingrad Municipal Committee form a joint investigation team to investigate Comrade Oshaninna?"

Kirilov blushed and said embarrassedly: "Because the troops that broke out, when they met with the rescue troops of the Independent Division, they did not tell them in time that there was a railway behind the high ground. Station and the communication relay station of our group army. So that when Colonel Oshanina got the news, a new round of German offensive began." At this point, he stopped, looked at me, and waited for me to tell Zhukov. Things that happened.

I smiled at him, and then he said to Zhukov on the subject: "Comrade General, when I got the news, it was too late. The Germans launched a new attack on the highlands. Not only did they have more infantry than us, but even tanks. We are several times stronger. If we attack rashly, not only will we not be able to save the troops that are besieged in the retreat, but we may even get them all in. So I can only order the troops to stand by and wait for the fighters."

"How long did the troops staying at the concession stand?" Zhukov asked.

I lowered my head and pondered for a moment, silently calculating the approximate time. As soon as I worked out an accurate answer, I immediately replied: "I lasted for about ten minutes before and after."

"Ten minutes?!" Zhukov frowned again. Then asked: "How far are your troops from the high ground?"

"Two kilometers." I replied clearly: "Even if there are no Germans blocking it. It will take about a quarter of an hour for my troops to get to the handoff station."

After listening to Zhukov, he stared at the map on the table, as if lost in thought. After a long time, he slowly said: "Lida, your approach is correct. If it is me, I think I will make the same decision as you."

Zhukov's words made me let go of the big stone in my heart. When he was about to say a few more words to him, Zhukov turned his head and spoke to Krylov: "Comrade Krylov, how is General Korpacchi's injury?"

Kolpakic, the acting commander of the 62nd Army, was injured? This news surprised me. Regardless of when the senior commander was speaking, I was not suitable for interrupting. I could only sit by the side and listen quietly to the conversation between the two.

Krylov sighed and said: "It was only a leg injury, but now it is getting more serious because it was not treated in time. Even walking is a bit difficult."

Zhukov put an arm on the table and said to Krylov sideways: "Since his injury is so serious. Then he can't be allowed to stay on the front line anymore, he should be immediately transferred to the right bank of the Volga River. Find a good military hospital in a safe place for treatment."

"But, if he leaves, Comrade General," Krylov said embarrassedly. "Then who will command our army?"

"Cui Kefu, Comrade Cui Kefu is a suitable candidate." Zhu Kefu took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to him. At the same time, he added: "This is also what the Supreme Commander himself meant. If it weren't for Comrade Cui Kefu who had disappeared on the grassland some time ago. For a while, then he will be the commander of the 62nd Army."

Hearing the decision announced by Zhukov, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Cuikov is finally about to become the commander of the 62nd Army. It seems that my life will be much better in the future.

After just two minutes of being proud, another problem was suddenly discovered. Cui Kefu is the commander of the 62nd Army, and my independent division is the organization of the 64th Army and is not under his jurisdiction.

Zhukov finished talking with Krylov at this time, then turned his head and said to me: "Lida, Comrade Cuikov needs a powerful commander to help him complete the task of defending Stalingrad. So, you insist on two more here. God, when Comrade Cui Kefu takes office in the 62nd Army, you should also go with him. As for the new defensive location of your division," he looked at the map for a while and declared decisively, "I see. Mamayev Hill, maybe it will become a key area of ​​contention between the enemy and us."

While I was talking, there was a voice shouting at the door, and I quickly stood up and shouted at the outside: "Come in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sergeikov, Pugachev, Koska, and Gaidar came in from outside the house one after another. After standing in front of me, raising their hands and saluting, they reported loudly: "Comrade Commander, we are instructed. Come here and wait for your instructions!"

Before I could speak, Zhukov walked over in strides, stood by my side, looked at the four regiment-level commanders, and said with interest: "Lida, this is what led the troops to ambush by the road. Commander, right?"

I don’t know why Zhukov asked this, so I told him with a wry smile: "Yes, Comrade General. Let me introduce you, Lieutenant Colonel Sergeikov, the commander of the First Regiment, and Pugaccio, the acting commander of the Second Regiment. Lieutenant Husband, Lieutenant Colonel Kosgar, the third regiment commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Gaidar, the fourth regiment commander."

Zhukov stretched out his hand and shook hands with the four heads one by one. After shaking his hand, he faced them and said, "I am very pleased to see that you love your teacher so much. However, I don't approve of the method you took...."

I was afraid that Zhukov would blame them, and quickly defended them: "Comrade General, they also take such radical actions out of concern for me."

Zhukov waved his hand to stop me from continuing, and then he said to the four regiment leaders: "Although the measures you have taken to protect your commander are wrong, I will not pursue it. I hope you will return to the army. , Deploy defenses well to counter the possible German offensive."

Hearing that Zhukov would no longer pursue the matter, not only me, but the expressions of the four heads showed joy. They replied in unison: "Please rest assured, Comrade General. We promise to complete the task."

Zhukov nodded in satisfaction. Waved to them, smiled and said: "Okay, it's okay, you all go out."

After we returned to the table and sat down, Kirilov asked curiously: "Comrade Zhukov, why did you come to Stalingrad?"

"Comrade Stalin needed his chief of staff to assist him in directing the fighting throughout the country, so he sent me to Stalingrad and returned to Moscow in exchange for Comrade Vasilevsky."

Then Kirilov asked tentatively: "Comrade Zhukov. There is a saying in the army: Where Zhukov goes, it means that the offensive is about to begin."

After hearing this statement of Kirilov, Zhukov burst into laughter, and Krylov and I also laughed. After everyone’s laughter ceased, Zhukov said with a serious face: “Although I also want to immediately launch a counterattack against the Germans, from the current point of view, our strength is not enough. Whether it is military strength or weaponry, it is the Germans who occupy it. Advantage. We still need a relatively long period of time to accumulate the strength of the counterattack. Only then can we give the Germans a final blow."

"Do you think we can hold Stalingrad?" Hearing this question from Kirilov, I couldn't help but stunned. To know these words, it shouldn't be something a commander of his level can ask casually.

"You say, Lida?" Zhukov suddenly threw the question to me.

Hearing Zhukov’s question, I quickly stood up and said in a positive tone: “It goes without saying that we will definitely be able to hold Stalingrad. We will do everything we can to block the Germans on the left bank of the Volga River. No Let them cross our Volga."

"It seems that Colonel Oshanina is very confident of our army's victory in this battle." Krylov, who was in the audience, could not help but say with emotion after hearing what I said.

"Comrade Krylov," Zhukov glanced at me and echoed my opinion in time. "Comrade Lida always judges the situation very accurately, just like when the Germans pounced on Moscow last year, many people All were frightened by the swarms of Germans, and even some high-level commanders lost confidence in whether we could hold Moscow. However, on different occasions, Lida resolutely said that we would be able to hold. Moscow. The final facts also proved that Lida's judgment was correct. I believe this time is no exception."

"Hello, dear Georgi Konstantinovich, I am glad to see you come to Stalingrad." The voice that appeared again at the door attracted all the attention.

For this familiar voice, even if I don't look back, I know that the person here is General Cui Kefu. Now that my immediate boss has arrived, I have no reason to continue sitting on the stool, so I quickly got up, turned to salute him and greet him: "Hello, Comrade Commander."

"Wrong, wrong, Comrade Lida." Zhu Kefu said jokingly, "Comrade Cui Kefu is only the deputy commander of the 64th Army, not the commander."

I smiled weirdly, but didn't speak.

Cui Kefu walked in front of Zhukov, raised his hand to salute him, and the two of them shook hands together. Cui Kefu said with emotion: "In the army, there is a legend that as long as Zhukov appears somewhere, it means that an offensive will begin there."

As soon as Cui Kefu's words fell, Zhu Kefu and the others burst into laughter, stunned Cui Kefu. After the laughter stopped, Zhukov patted the back of Cuikov's hand with his free left hand, and said with a smile: "Comrade Cuikov, you are too late to say this. Long before you came, Comrade Kirilov, the regiment-level political commissar, was already there. I've said it."

Cui Koff smiled and said: "Since everyone said so, it proves that we can not only defend Stalingrad, but also have the opportunity to wipe out all these invading enemies in the near future."

After Cuikov let go of Zhukov's hand, he shook hands with Chief of Staff Krylov and Director of the Political Department Kirilov one by one. Seeing the closeness of the three, Zhukov said in particular: "In two days, you will be colleagues, hurry up and get acquainted."

Cui Kefu is about to be appointed as the commander of the 62nd Army. Everyone in the command center knows that except for himself. So after listening to Zhukov’s words, except for Trikov’s blank face, Krylov and Kirilov shook hands with Trikov again, and said at the same time: “Hello, Comrade Commander, we will go under your leadership. Defeat those enemies who are trying to occupy Stalingrad."

Cui Kefu looked at Zhukov and asked puzzledly: "Comrade General, can you tell me what's going on?"

Zhukov handed the piece of paper that Krylov had just seen to Cuikov, and at the same time explained: "Comrade Cuikov, this is the appointment of the Supreme Commander himself. From September 1, you will formally serve as the 62nd. The position of commander of the group army."

After taking a few serious glances at the appointment letter, Cui Kefu quickly straightened his body and said loudly to Zhukov: "To serve the Soviet motherland, I will shed the last drop of my own blood to defend Stalingrad."

Unexpectedly, after hearing his words, Zhukov said with a displeased face: "Comrade Cuikov, I don’t need your blood, nor the blood of your subordinates. I only hope that the ones that flow under Stalingrad are all The blood of fascist bandits."

After Cuikov inquired about why Zhukov came to Stalingrad, Zhukov also asked curiously: "Comrade Cuikov, why did you come to the independent division today?"

Trikov took a look at me and replied: "I just received a call from General Kolpakchi, saying that the Stalingrad Municipal Party Committee and the Political Department of the 62nd Army have formed a joint investigation team to investigate and understand Oshanina’s presence. Yesterday’s crime of unsuccessful death in the battle. I heard that he actually used the term “crime”, and I was afraid that she would make things difficult, so I rushed over here. By the way, you, Comrade Zhukov, why did you also appear in the independent division? what?"

Cui Kefu’s question is exactly what I have always wanted to ask but did not ask~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Since he asked first at this moment, I waited quietly to listen to Zhukov’s answer.

Zhukov glanced at Krylov next to him, smiled and said: "When Chief of Staff Krylov came to meet me at the airport, he accidentally mentioned the joint investigation team. I think the same as you, afraid of Li. Da encountered any trouble that could not be solved, so he asked the team to change direction and came directly to the independent division."

After Zhukov finished speaking, I quickly stood up, saluted him and Cui Kefu respectively, and said gratefully: "Thank you, Comrade General, and Comrade Commander, thank you for your care and interest in me!"

After watching me sit down, Cui Kefu turned his head and said to Zhukov: "Comrade General, I have a request. I wonder if the independent division can also be included in the organization of the 62nd Army?"

Zhukov and Krylov looked at each other, and smiles appeared on their faces. Zhukov happily said to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it is up to you to report this matter to your future comrade commander."

Krylov agreed, stood up, and respectfully reported to Cuikov: "Comrade Commander, before your arrival, General Zhukov had already made a decision to assign the Independent Division to the 62nd Army and be in charge of Mamayev. The defense of the gang area." (To be continued.)