Red Moscow

"Comrade Commander, let me introduce you." Anisimov pointed to one of the middle-aged men with beards and said, "This is Comrade Ryzakov, the editor-in-chief of Izvestia; It's the reporter Avdonin." After a pause, he introduced Sokov to the two journalists, "This is our division commander, Colonel Sokov."

"Hello, Editor-in-Chief Ryzakov! Hello, Comrade Avdonin!" Sokov extended his hand to shake hands with the two journalists, and said in a friendly tone: "On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the Guards Division, I welcome you. s arrival!"

While Ryzakov and the others were shaking hands with Sidolin and Ivanov, Anisimov approached Sokov's ear and whispered, "Comrade Commander, according to reliable sources, it turns out that the headquarters is preparing to send The reporter from "Red Star" came to interview you, but before leaving, they were replaced by the editor-in-chief and reporter of "Izvestia", it seems that the superiors value you very much!"

Compared with Anisimov's face full of joy, Sokov was very calm. He couldn't figure out which newspaper "Red Star" or "Izvestia" was more famous. He thought there were only two journalists, and just as he was about to order someone to prepare tea for them, a young girl in military uniform with a camera slung around her neck suddenly broke in from outside.

Seeing the appearance of this girl, Anisimov showed a smile on his face, and he said to Sukov: "Mr. Comrade, this is photojournalist Kopalova. She risked her life today to go to the front A lot of photos were taken."

It is a great thing that a young female photojournalist can appear here. Sokov hastily extended his hand to her and said with a smile, "Hello, Comrade Kopalova, nice to meet you !"

Unexpectedly, when Kopalova heard what Sokov said, the smile on her face froze. After a while, she reached out and took Sokov's hand, and said dryly: "You Well, Comrade Colonel, nice to meet you!"

"Please, Comrade Kopalova." Anisimov stretched out his hand and made a gesture of invitation to Kopalova, and said with a smile: "You must be tired and thirsty after walking outside for hours. Sit down and have a cup of hot tea." After speaking, he took the lead and walked towards the square table where many people sat.

When Sokov and Kopalova walked towards the table side by side, they suddenly heard the female photographer next to them whisper: "Misha, I hate you!"

Hearing this almost whispered words, Sokov was dumbfounded: I seem to have never met this female photojournalist, why did she say these words? Also, why did she call herself Misha? Did he know her before?

With doubts, Sokov came to the table and sat down, smiled at Ryzakov, and said: "When I was on the phone with Comrade Commander, he also mentioned you and said that you should have met three hours ago. Arrived at the division headquarters. Seeing that you have not shown up for a long time, we are still worried about what happened, we have already arranged troops to search for your whereabouts."

After saying this, Sokov remembered that he should report to Chuikov that he was safe, and at the same time cancel the search mission for Sergei. He turned his head and said to Sidolin: "Chief of Staff, since Comrade Ryzakov and the others have safely arrived at the division headquarters, the task of asking Seryozhalian to conduct the search can be cancelled. In addition, call the commander again." A phone call to inform him of the good news of the arrival of the journalist comrades."

"Colonel Sokov," Ryzakov asked when Sidolin got up to make the phone call, "we arrived at Mamayev's post and followed Commissar Anisimov around, That's why it took so long. I have a question for you, can you give me an answer?"

Sokov looked at the expressionless Rezakov, thinking that the expression on the other side did not seem to be asking questions, but more like interrogating himself. He tried his best to maintain a smile on his face, nodded, and said, "Comrade Ryzakov, if you have any questions, just ask."

"Although this is the first time I have come to Stalingrad, I know very well that Mamayev Hill is the commanding height of the whole city. Once the enemy occupies this place, they can bombard any corner of the city with artillery fire and blockade the Volga River. transport lines." Ryzakov asked icily: "Am I right, Comrade Colonel?"

"You are right. Once the Mamayev Hill is occupied by the enemy, they can not only set up artillery on the top of the hill, bombard every corner of the city and block the Volga River route, but also use this as a starting point to attack us. The ferry behind him will cut off the connection between the city and the outside world.” To Ryzakov’s question, Sokov gave an affirmative answer: “Therefore, we are doing everything in our power to defend Mamayev Gang.”

"Really?!" Hearing Sokov's answer, Rezakov sneered and said, "But I don't think it looks like it. As far as I can see today, on the hillside facing the enemy, there are nothing but bomb craters and Outside of the corpse, there is no defensive position at all. I want to ask you, Comrade Colonel, is this how you defend Mamayev Kurgan?"

Although Rezakov didn't slap the table and stare when he spoke, his words still made Ivanov and the others look embarrassed. And Sokov just smiled lightly, and said neither humble nor humble: "Comrade Ryzakov, the German army attacking the city has powerful artillery and air force. Any fortifications we have established in the frontal positions will be destroyed under their shelling and bombing." Destroy. As a commander, I have no right to let my soldiers stay in the fortifications here to die."

"Comrade Colonel, you are wrong." Ryzakov said relentlessly: "In order to defend the great Soviet motherland, no matter how high the price is, it is worth it. I think every soldier who sticks to Stalingrad, Everyone should know this."

"You are right, Comrade Ryzakov." Sokov said in a calm tone, "I believe that the soldiers are willing to sacrifice their youth, blood, and even their precious treasures to defend the motherland and Stalingrad." lives. But as commanders, we should not make the soldiers pay unnecessary prices..."

Seeing that the two men were at war with each other and that they might quarrel at any time, Anisimov hurried out to smooth things over: "Master, Comrade Ryzakov, don't get excited, and speak slowly if you have something to say."

Ivanov may not understand Ryzakov's attitude, so he came out to rescue Sokov: "Comrade Ryzakov, in order to defend Mamayev Gang, we have paid the price of tens of thousands of casualties. It’s not that the division commander’s tactics are used properly, I think the number of casualties must be doubled at least a few times.”

Ryzakov didn't expect the casualties of the defenders on Mamayev Post to be so heavy, he couldn't help but let out a "ah" in surprise, and then said with some hesitation: "I'm sorry, I didn't know the casualties of the troops would be so heavy."

Seeing that Ryzakov was no longer aggressive, Sokov said unhurriedly: "Our defensive positions on the top of the hillside and on the reverse slope are all in the dead zone of German artillery fire. In this way, even if the enemy's artillery fires again Violent, it can cause very little casualties to us. And our defenders who stick to the position on the top of the hill can give them a head-on blow when they wait for the enemy to charge up, and beat them to death."

In order to let the opponent understand his defensive intentions in more detail, Sokov also specially took out a pen and paper, and explained to them in detail while drawing pictures. Sokov knew very well in his heart that Rezakov and the others must report the whole process of interviewing him in detail to his superiors after returning. He can use them to let his superiors better understand how he sticks to the Mamayev post. .

Under Sokov's explanation, Rezakov showed a surprised expression on his face. He never dreamed that defensive warfare could be played in such a way, which completely overturned his previous cognition. After realizing that he had wronged Sokov, he secretly regretted in his heart, feeling that he should not treat him with that attitude.

After Sokov introduced the situation, seeing Sidolin walking in from the outside, he couldn't help asking curiously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, where have you been?"

"It's like this. When I called Lieutenant Seryozha, he had already set off with his men." Sidolin reported to Sokov, "I just sent someone to chase him back."

As soon as Sidolin finished speaking, Seryozha appeared at the door. He explained to Sokov with some embarrassment: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I was worried about the safety of the political commissar, so as soon as I received the order, I didn't wait for the troops to assemble. After that, we set off with Samoilov's three rows."

"Seryozha?!" Before Sokov could speak, a surprised voice suddenly came from behind him: "My God, Seryozha, is it really you?! You are still alive!!"

When Seryozha heard someone calling his name, he looked behind Sokov in some surprise, and when he saw the person who called him, his face showed an expression of disbelief. He pulled Sokov aside without thinking, and walked towards the person who called him: "Oh my God, I read it right! Kopalova, why are you here?"

Seryozha came to Kopalova and asked in surprise, "Kopalova, why did you appear here?"

"You forgot, I'm a photojournalist." Kopalova smiled sweetly at him and said, "Appearing on the battlefield is nothing more than a normal thing."

Seryozha wanted to say something at first, but accidentally saw Sokov standing next to him, and suddenly became a little flustered, and quickly said to Kopalova: "Kopalova, I'm sorry, I have something to do, another day I'll talk to you when I have time." After speaking, she hurried outside without even shaking Kopalova's outstretched hand.

From the conversation between Seryozha and Kopalova, Sokov heard that they knew each other and that they had an unusual relationship. Seeing Seryozha walk out of the division headquarters, he quickly chased after him, wanting to ask what happened.

"Seryozha!" After walking out of the division headquarters, Sokov saw Seryozha's back not far away, and quickly stopped him, "Wait a minute, I have something to ask you."

Seryozha stopped walking, turned his head and asked, "Misha, what's the matter?"

"Seryozha, I think you know Kopalova." Sokov asked tentatively, "Why, have you guys dealt with each other before?"

"What's wrong with you, Misha, there are no outsiders here, why are you pretending to be confused." After hearing this, Seryozha had a displeased expression on his face: "Even if you have registered marriage with Asiya now But anyway, Kopalova used to be your girlfriend, you can't pretend you don't know her."

"What, Kopalova is my girlfriend?" Sokov was overwhelmed by Seryozha's words. He stared at the other party for a while, and then asked with difficulty: "Seryozha Sha, is this all true?"

Seryozha touched Sokov's forehead with his hand, and said, "Misha, did you really lose your memory during the shelling, and you didn't even know your girlfriend?"

To Seryozha's question, Sokov replied embarrassingly: "It seems that I was injured so badly in that shelling that I don't remember anything." After speaking, he waved at Seryozha, He said, "Okay, it's none of your business here, go back to the company quickly."