Burning Moscow

Khrushchev asked us to sit back at the table, while he walked back and forth in the headquarters alone with his hands behind his back.

After walking back and forth for a few laps, he stopped and said to me, "Listen to me, Comrade Oshanina, after experiencing the ceremony just now, are you thinking in your heart, my army? The military commissar of the People’s Republic of China ran over from the east bank of the Volga River. Was it just to honor you?"

Khrushchev’s words confused me, and I said in confusion: "Comrade Military Committee, I don’t quite understand. Even if the superiors want to reward us for the achievements we have achieved in the north, it is enough for the leaders of the group army to come forward. Now, why let you risk your life to enter this dangerous city from the east coast?"

"Yes, I'm here this time, besides awarding honors, there are more important things." Khrushchev didn't go around in circles, and said directly to me: "This time I am here mainly for you."

"Come for me?" He said that, making me even more confused. I don't understand what is worthy of a leader of my little commander, who risked bombing and shelling by the Germans to cross the Volga River and enter this precarious city.

"Yes, according to the wishes of the Supreme Commander himself, he intends to appoint you as the deputy commander of the 62nd Army to assist Cuikov and the others in commanding the defense of the city." Khrushchev was stunned when he saw me, he added. One sentence: "You are still serving as the head of the Hongqi Independent Division at the same time."

The deputy commander of the 62nd Army, and the supreme commander personally proposed it. I was immediately stunned by this unexpected appointment. How can I be. Actually deserves Stalin's attention?

After I stayed for a long time, I asked in confusion and excitement: "Comrade Military Commissioner, what the **** is going on, I have been confused by you."

"You'll figure it out," Khrushchev said and sat down in his position. Continued: "After a long period of investigation by the relevant departments, Comrade Stalin believes that based on your abilities, you are completely qualified for more important positions."

"Investigation, what investigation?" Khrushchev kept putting riddles after another in front of me, making me feel a little at a loss. "But. Comrade Military Commissioner, I seem to have never accepted any superior inspection. what?"

"Yes, Comrade Oshanina." Khrushchev seemed to see that he didn't explain what he said. I guess he would always be in a state of perplexity. Only then began to explain to me: "Since you were caught in January of this year, From the time the major general was demoted to major. And transferred to the lifeline on the ice, the inspection of you began." Maybe it was because I was afraid that I would interrupt him, his speech speed unknowingly speeded up, "The higher-level leader inspected a cadre. When necessary, you will place a comrade in a different environment to exercise, investigate and observe. Sometimes, you don’t even know that it is a test of your superiors, and you are punished for thinking that you have made any mistakes. . As everyone knows. In fact, your every move is under the inspection of the organization. Only after passing all the tests can you have a chance to take a step forward. Some commanders, without knowing, think that their future is over, begin to abandon themselves. So you were quickly eliminated. And you, starting from the battalion commander of the antiaircraft artillery on the ice transportation line, whether it was the battle of Liuban, the battle of Signavino Bulge, or Stalingrad. Stay on the 64th. , The 62nd Army has performed well. Especially after the command of the newly formed independent division. From Duhe River Basin to Mamayev Gang, countless illustrious military exploits have been made."

This is what Khrushchev said. I finally got the idea. When he stopped, I hurriedly interjected and asked: "Comrade Military Commissioner, but there are so many outstanding commanders in the army, why did Comrade Stalin choose me?"

Perhaps the people present are trustworthy people, so Khrushchev didn’t have too much scruples when he said, “Before the war broke out, we old Bolsheviks believed that the enemies were all paper tigers, even if they attacked us first, Our brave army will defeat them too. But in fact? From the beginning of the war, we were passively beaten, and had to retreat in the fight, which led to the fall of a large area of ​​land.

The reason for this situation is very simple. In our army, there are very few commanders who truly understand modern warfare. Most of them have outdated and rigid tactical thinking, weak logistic support capabilities of the army, and the military quality of commanders and soldiers. The cultural quality is very low. In the case of roughly equal military strength, it is still difficult to deal with the army of the slave country, and it is even worse to deal with the German army. "

When Khrushchev said this, everyone around him was silent. I understand in my heart the reason for everyone’s silence. These words are indeed too bold. If another person says it, it is estimated that he will soon be sent to a military court or imprisoned by the Ministry of the Interior.

"I have carefully studied every battle you command." Khrushchev saw that no one was speaking, and continued: "When the other troops are defending, they are hiding in trenches or fortifications. If they were Germans, If they didn’t attack, they were grateful to themselves; when the Germans attacked, even if they were the last one, they wouldn’t take a step back. But the troops you command are different. If the enemy attacks, you are certainly resisting; but the enemy When you stopped the attack, you did not passively defend and let the troops stay in the fortifications. Instead, you used night attacks to attack the enemy uninterruptedly. Your style of play has already mastered our military's routines. The Germans who played the game were not used to it, and as a result, they paid a heavy price."

"Comrade Military Commissioner, you are right." When Khrushchev stopped, Bantai Leyev interjected in time: "I went north with her this time and learned her ingenious tactics..." Having said that, he set me ambush twice at the same place, defeating the German army with a small number of troops and superior equipment, and explained it in detail to the commanders present.

After listening to Bantai Leyev’s introduction, Kirilov asked in surprise: "Damn it, comrade deputy commander, why did you not give a detailed introduction to such a case in the telegram you sent to the division, but simply report it? How many enemies have been eliminated, how many weapons and ammunition have been seized, and so on." That's it. He looked at me with admiration and said from the bottom of his heart: "If these two ambushes can be written into the textbooks of military academies, they will surely become classic battle examples in the future. Think about it, comrade commander, when every military academy When the students open the textbook and see this case, they will firmly remember your name."

"As for whether to write the textbook or not, that will be something later." Khrushchev interrupted Kirilov and went on to say: "Comrade Oshanina, the reason why Comrade Stalin demoted you in the first place, It’s because your promotion is too fast and your foundation is not solid. Think about a recruit who has only been in the army for a few months. Suddenly you have become a general from an ordinary soldier, although it was promoted because you have achieved many victories. , But those commanders who have been in the army for more than ten or twenty years and have a lower rank than you will not think so. They will think you got promoted through nepotism. Their dissatisfaction will affect a large area. People, this will easily affect the morale of the army.

But after more than half a year of observation and testing of you, the Supreme Commander himself believes that you are fully capable of assuming a higher-level command position, so he will take the initiative to offer you the post of deputy commander of the 62nd Army. "

Although the name of the deputy commander is very big, I understand in my heart that the actual power is not as good as the commander of the independent division of mine, so I waited for Khrushchev to finish talking and asked carefully: "Comrade Military Commissioner I can serve as the deputy commander of the group army, but I have a request. I wonder if you can agree to it?"

"What request. Tell me?" Khrushchev asked curiously.

In fact, not only Khrushchev, but even Kirilov and the others looked at me curiously, waiting for me to give the final answer.

I coughed softly, cleared my throat and said, "Comrade Military Commissioner, there are many troops in the city and communication is not smooth. My appointment cannot be communicated to them in the shortest time, so let me direct them. . There may be situations where the command will not move. So I beg you, let me stay in the independent division. When appropriate, I will cooperate with Commander Cuikov to command the troops in the city."

After listening to my request, Khrushchev readily agreed: "No problem, you are still serving as the head of an independent teacher. You think it is more advantageous to stay wherever you are. Leave it now. Your nearest 13th Guards Division can be placed under your command."

I stood up, shook Khrushchev’s hand, and said gratefully: "Thank you, thank you, Comrade Military Commissioner. Please rest assured, I will not disappoint the Supreme Commander himself and your trust in me." At that time, I was full of emotions. A month ago, my independent division was under the command of the 13th Guards Division of General Rodimtsev. I did not expect it to fall over now, and I would take command of his troops.

"Major General Oshanina," Major General Valennikov, who had been silent, took out another document from his briefcase and handed it to me. At the same time, he said, "This is your appointment letter. I know when you can come back from the north, so the appointment time is November 1."

"Comrade Military Commissioner, can I ask a question?" Kirilov took Khrushchev while I was reading the document and asked in a low voice: "Can it?"

"Ask, Comrade Kirilov." Khrushchev and Kirilov should be acquaintances, and they seemed casual.

"Master Oshanina personally led his troops northward. I think you have already learned about it from Commander Cuikov's report?" Kirilov's words went to this point. Seeing Khrushchev nodded in affirmation. , He asked in a puzzled manner: "Then why did you call us every day to scold us and say that we made claims without asking for instructions?"

"Old man." From the conversation between the two of them, I heard that they were acquaintances. "Comrade Stalin personally called to ask about Oshanina's whereabouts. Do you think we can take it lightly? If she had something in the fight What accidents, how can we explain to the Supreme Commander himself?"

"It turned out to be so, I understand." Kirilov finally realized.

"Major Akhromeyev," I saw Khrushchev had said everything that should be said, and quickly told Akhromeyev: "Go and call Razumeyeva and the others in."

Seeing Akhromeyev’s departure, Khrushchev suddenly asked another question that I was least willing to answer: "By the way, Comrade Oshanina, I heard that you are married, and a child."

"Yes, Comrade Military Commissioner." I laughed and laughed and replied, "I was married before the war, and I have a son."

"Where are they now?"

I shook my head and replied in an uncertain tone: "I don't know. My husband Oshanin was seriously injured during the defense of Moscow and was sent to a military hospital, but since then, I have never gotten it again. His news. As for my son, I moved with my mother from where I lived to Leningrad, and then evacuated from the city. My mother died of illness not long after leaving the city, and only my son was left wandering around. Liuban broke through. When I met him by accident, I took him out of the encirclement. However, before the Battle of the Bulge, I handed him over to a female hygienist who was wounded and retreated. He is still missing."

After listening to my family's information in one breath, Khrushchev sighed and said helplessly: "Comrade Oshanina, this is war. UU reading www.uukanshu.com" After a moment of silence, He said to himself, "My son Leonid hasn't written to me for a long time. I don't know how he is doing?"

Kirilov heard what Khrushchev said to himself, and quickly took over and said: "Comrade Military Commissioner, you can call your son. With your current position, you have this right. "

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Khrushchev actually shook his head and said: "No, Comrade Kirilov, you also know how busy the communication lines were during the war. How could I take up this precious for my own personal affairs? Line."

I know in my heart Khrushchev's feelings for his son, otherwise he would not kneel down to beg Stalin in order to save his son's life in the future. Seeing that it was an opportunity to please him at this moment, I echoed Kirilov and said: "Comrade Military Commissar, Political Commissar Kirilo is right, you should call your son and ask him about his situation. Not as a military commissar in the front army, but as a father's destiny to call his children. I believe everyone can understand."

My words silenced Khrushchev, but I can see that he was moved by my words. After a brief period of consideration, he finally nodded and said with some difficulty: "Well, since you all said that. , Then call him when I return to the East Bank at night." (to be continued)