Chapter 459

After kirilov released my hand, he leaned aside and introduced to me the two political workers behind him, who were about the same height and weight. He said, "Comrade oshanina, I'd like to introduce you. These two are my deputies, kokunov and rogulev. They used to be government workers in the Eastern District of Moscow, Kokunov, the infantry guard to be sent to reconstruction soon, looked like a shy man. He just gave me a polite smile and gave me a little shake.

Compared with kokunov's reticence, rogulev is obviously much more active. He took my outstretched hand in both hands and shook it vigorously. "Hello, comrade commander. I've heard about your brilliant achievements in the war of defense in Moscow. I didn't expect to see you here. It's really my honor. "

For rogulev's praise, I was a little embarrassed to laugh twice. Then I looked at kirilov and cleverly changed the topic: "Comrade kirilov, why haven't you crossed the river yet? You know, our mission is to cover you and your companions to cross the Don river safely and go to the other side of the river. "

"Comrade commander, I also want to cross the river at once." Kirilov replied, frowning discontentedly, "but do you see what's going on by the river? After the bridge on the Don river was blown up by enemy planes, only a dozen motor boats could cross the river. As a result, the enemy planes bombarded and strafed the ferry all the time during the day, sinking seven or eight boats. After another boat was hit by the bomb, the crew struggled to drive the boat back to the wharf, but as soon as they got to the shore, it sank in the water. Now we can only rely on the remaining ten motorboats to transport the river's officers and men bit by bit across the river. "

Hearing what he said, I asked curiously, "are there many casualties in the army?"

Kirilov nodded hard and said solemnly, "yes, the casualties of the troops are very large. In the two days yesterday and today, at least eight or nine thousand of our officers and men died by the river, not counting the soldiers who sank in the river with the ferry in the process of crossing the river. "

Although I had known for a long time that there were heavy casualties in the army, I was surprised to hear kirilov say so, and I couldn't help asking, "Why are there so many casualties?"

Kirilov explained bitterly: "he lost his organic troops and became a mess by the river. He became the target of enemy bombing. Especially after the bridge was blown up, the soldiers had to cross the river by ferry. As soon as they saw a boat entering the wharf, they all crowded over and rushed to the ferry. You know, the ferry must be slow. When the enemy plane found out this, it was like shooting at a target, strafing and bombing the troops who were boarding. Some of the officers and men who escaped the enemy's air attack by the river died in vain in the process of boarding the ship. "

I looked up at the sky. It was getting dark. According to the order, as long as these political workers crossed the Don river, our regiment could withdraw and cross the river. Thinking of this, I urged kirilov to say, "comrades of the political commissar of the regiment, it's dark and tired. You and your comrades should cross the river as soon as possible."

Unexpectedly, he shook his head and said, "Comrade commander, I can't cross the river yet?"

"Why?" I asked, puzzled.

"Now the officers and men along the river are all pulled down from the front. There is no unified command and their morale is very low. At such a time, my comrades and I should stay, contact with these officers and men, sit down and talk with them, boost their morale and rebuild their confidence in winning. "

I have also participated in the conversation between senior generals and junior commanders and soldiers. I know that senior generals can boost the morale of their subordinates by having heart to heart talks with their subordinates. From my heart, kirilov's action is understandable, but at the moment, I am very anxious for them to cross the river earlier, so that when our regiment finishes its task, we can go to the other side of the river together. Otherwise, as soon as dawn comes, our regiment will be in the open land with no danger to defend, and will bear the double attack of the enemy's artillery and air force, and it will not be so easy to cross the river at that time.

"Comrade political commissar of the regiment level," I suggested to him with a glimmer of hope, "you can cross the river first. As for the work of heart to heart talk with the soldiers, you can leave it to other political workers."

"No, comrade oshanina." I didn't expect kirilov to reply with a smile: "I'm a commander. At such a dangerous time, I should set an example. How can I leave my subordinates and escape to a safe place first? If I run away, will they still trust me when I do advocacy work to the soldiers in the future? " Seeing what else I wanted to say, he quickly raised his hand to stop me, and then said, "Comrade commander, I know that you are kind-hearted and for my good. But at this time, I really can't leave. Please don't mention it any more. "

After hearing what kirilov said, I couldn't continue to persuade him. After a few words, I returned to our regiment.

At this time, Lu Jin, the second battalion commander and Slaven had already dug a trench and built a simple command post in the trench. Seeing me back, Lu Jin came out with them and asked with concern, "Comrade commander, what's the situation along the river?"

With a wry smile and shaking my head, I replied, "it's not good, comrade captain. Thousands of officers and men from various forces gathered by the river, but there were only less than ten motor boats transporting on the river. The political workers we are going to cover crossing the river are all newly added to the 62nd army. They are maintaining order by the river and encouraging the soldiers to improve their morale. I proposed to Comrade kirilov, the regimental political commissar of the team leader, that he should cross the river first, but he also rejected my proposal. "

Lu Jin asked, "what is the mission of our regiment?"“ What else can I do? " I said angrily: "carry out the orders of the division, hold fast here and prevent the enemy from advancing towards the river. Remember, let the soldiers dig more holes in the trenches, so that they can reduce the casualties when they are bombarded and attacked by the enemy. " Seeing the second battalion commander and Slaven standing in the room, I suddenly thought of the first battalion commander and asked Lu Jin, "by the way, where is the first battalion commander? I haven't seen him since I came back? " Without thinking, Lu Jin replied, "I saw a battalion commander and they didn't have many people left, so I ordered him to stay in the original position and help the troops to carry ammunition to the division headquarters."“ How is his injury? "“ It's no big deal. It's just that the ears are deafened by the shells. It's estimated that it will take some time to get back to normal. "“ What about the fortifications? "“ Comrade commander, please allow me to report to you. " The second battalion commander stood up and volunteered to report to me. After I nodded my head, I said, "we have dug two trenches, and two companies are placed in each trench. When the current side is in a tight situation, the troops behind can reinforce through the movement of traffic trenches."“ Well done, comrade captain, well done“ Comrade commander, "said Slaven," what shall we do next? " I sighed and said helplessly, "what else can we do in this situation? The only thing we can do is wait. After all the troops by the river have crossed the Don river, we will also cross the river and build a new line of defense on the left bank of the Don river. "