Chapter 735

When Karpov battalion contacted us at first, it put forward four conditions. After I asked for instructions and reported to the leaders at higher levels, I eliminated the third most difficult condition and agreed to his other three conditions, that is, to ensure the personal safety of all officers and soldiers in the battalion; Do not disturb the existing organizational structure of the battalion and take them out of danger at the right time.

With the success of the battalion, it's time for us to deliver. As this matter is most relevant, a large number of people came to the meeting. In addition to the four regiment leaders, there were also several battalion commanders and political workers of the main battalion. Captain Karpov and his two company commanders also attended the meeting.

There are too many people to sit around the table. Kirilov was in charge, and the leaders of our four divisions and regiments sat at the table, while the rest of us sat on the wooden benches temporarily made nearby.

After everyone was seated and quiet, kirilov stood up with a cough and a smile on his face. Looking around, he said in a loud voice, "Hello, dear comrades!" Perhaps because of excitement and nervousness, he was silent after saying this. No one spoke in the room. Everyone looked at kirilov standing at the table.

"I'm very glad, comrades of the independent division, that we finally have a chance to get together today." After a short silence, kirilov went on to say, "from the time the independent division arrived at mamayev post to now, maybe our battalion commanders have gathered in the same room for the first time."

I very much agree with kirilov's remark. Because of the fierce fighting, the combat tasks of each regiment are not easy, so I have never called them together for a meeting. If it was not for the purpose of introducing the new Karpov and his subordinates to them, it is estimated that today's meeting would not have been held temporarily.

After a simple greeting, kirilov quickly turned the topic to the main topic: "today, I call you here for a meeting to introduce a new comrade in arms." At this point, he paused, then waved in the direction of the crowd and called out, "Captain Karpov, come to the front."

As he called, Karpov rose from the bench in the last row. Today, instead of wearing a German uniform, he was wearing a brand-new Soviet style army coat. He walked up to kirilov, saluted cleanly, and then stood at attention.

Kirilov nodded at him with a smile and began to look slowly around the officers and men at the meeting. Seeing his action, I think he is considering how to introduce Karpov to you. After all, he knows that there are only a few people planning to do so anyway. Kirilov took his eyes away from everyone, pointed to Karpov beside him, and said, "I'll introduce you. This is captain Karpov. He used to be an artillery company commander under general Petrov. He was captured by the German army in the battle to defend Odessa. "

When kirilov said this, there was an uproar in the room. As we all know, Stalin once said that all captured officers and men, regardless of whether they had resisted in advance, would be sent to the disciplinary camp or to the military court after they came back. Therefore, they were puzzled by kirilov's candid introduction of an officer who had been captured.

Seeing that the scene was in danger of losing control, I quickly patted the table and cried out, "be quiet, be quiet, comrades, please be quiet. Don't you know to keep quiet in a meeting? " Seeing that the room gradually quieted down, I added, "continue to listen to the political commissar."

Kirilov nodded to me gratefully and continued to introduce Karpov: "not long ago, Captain Karpov used to be the commander of an Eastern battalion in the German army. With our efforts, he resolutely led his troops, broke away from the German army's fighting sequence and returned to our side."

The following commander did not say anything. Instead, Gaidar, who was sitting next to me, complained. Because his troops paid a great price in yesterday's reception battle, he muttered: "isn't it a white bandit army? I don't want to think about how many casualties we have just escaped to meet them? 278 people were killed and 191 injured, and more than 200 people were exchanged. Is it worth it? "

Gedar's complaint was not only heard by me, but also by kirilov. His brow wrinkled and he yelled at gedar: "commander gedar, what are you talking about? Are you still the regimental commander of the independent division? Captain Karpov's troops are no longer our own comrades and comrades. You have no right to insult them like this. "

Kirilov reproached Gaidar, and everyone in the room heard him. I looked nervously at Karpov for fear that he would be embarrassed. Fortunately, Karpov remained at attention in the same place, his face as usual, as if he was talking about others rather than himself.

Kirilov was obviously afraid of what Karpov would think, and he specially comforted him: "Comrade Karpov, lieutenant commander Gaidar said this because his troops paid a great price in yesterday's battle, and almost all of them were veterans with rich combat experience. He felt sad, so he just talked nonsense like before. I hope you don't take these irresponsible words he said in an uncool state to heart

With a cool smile, Karpov said, "Comrade political commissar, please rest assured that I won't be careless. I understand Col. Gaidar's feelings. In order to cover our retreat, not only the fourth regiment made great sacrifices, but also more than half of the officers and soldiers of the first regiment were killed. If he can complain to me, I will feel less guilty. "

Not only kirilov, but also I looked at Karpov by accident. I didn't expect him to be such a man of general knowledge. Kirilov said, "Comrade Karpov, lieutenant commander Gaidar is a mature and excellent commander. He just can't accept the fact that his subordinates are seriously injured and killed. That's why he complains. But we are all comrades in the trenches. When he is calm, he will take the initiative to apologize to you for the wrong words he said today. "

Karpov said in a very reasonable way: "please rest assured the political commissar. I personally believe that in time, I will be able to become good comrades in arms with lieutenant colonel Gaidar."

Although Karpov's statement made Gaidar unwilling to shut up, there were still some unconvinced people in the commanders sitting below. As soon as Karpov's words came to an end, he immediately stood up and said in a loud voice, "division commander, political commissar, there is no room for white bandits like Karpov in our team. They have fought with our troops in different areas. It can be said that their hands are covered with our comrade's blood donation, so I think we should shoot him and all his subordinates."

Once this was said, the whole audience was in an uproar, and even kirilov changed his mind. It was major Yaming, the deputy head of the second regiment, who was the only one who dared to be so arrogant,

I stood up with my hands at the table, gave Yaming a fierce look, and said to all the people present in a loud voice: "comrades, let the Karpov camp anyway. Our division leader asked for instructions from the superior. In addition to the fact that the two command organs of the group army and the front army knew the detailed plan, general Zhukov, deputy commander in chief, also agreed with the plan. He also said that he would report the matter to the Supreme Commander himself at an appropriate time. In other words, comrade Stalin knew about this matter anyway. He agreed to our plan without any objection. " On hearing me push out Stalin's shield, Armington was speechless, muttered a few words, and sat down obediently.

At this time, leiev, who was sitting next to me and didn't speak, stood up. He looked at Yaming, a former subordinate, and said with a gloomy face, "Comrade major, I know you are from the Ministry of internal affairs. But Captain Karpov, they have come back to our team and become our comrades in arms. What do you mean, you scream one by one? In order to instigate a rebellion against this army, our division commander, general oshanina, once personally ventured to go deep into the enemy's rear lines and personally went to talk with Comrade Karpov to strengthen his determination to return to our side. You know, it's not just about fighting for the army. It's important to shake the morale of the enemy and break down their fighting spirit. Its political significance is immeasurable. What do you mean when you call people white bandits and shoot all the people? Do you want to create chaos in the independent division? Do you want to break up this army that has been hard won over? " Bantaileiev became more and more angry and flushed with excitement.

But major Yaming, who was scolded by him, had no choice but to lower his head and wipe the sweat from his forehead without saying a word.

After bantaileiev's attack, kirilov, who was standing beside him, became calm. He looked at the crowd and said calmly, "Dear commanders, from now on, Captain Karpov and his men are members of our independent division. If I hear anyone call them white bandits again, I will remove them. Do you hear me Speaking of the last sentence, he raised his voice intentionally.

"I heard it!" he replied in a scattered way

"I can't hear you!" Cried kirilov.

"I hear you!" This time, the commanders' answers became neat and powerful.

"Next, I announce the distribution of camp Karpov." When kirilov said this, he also made it clear to you: "when he contacted captain Karpov, he once put forward four conditions to us. After asking for instructions from his superiors, he only agreed to three of them. Yesterday's response was also one of the original conditions. Now I'll read out his two remaining conditions to you He picked up his notebook from the desk, turned a few pages, and began to read: "first, we must ensure the personal safety of all officers and soldiers in the battalion. Because they were selected from the captivity camp and incorporated into the East camp, they fought with their former compatriots in different places and caused varying degrees of losses to those troops. After joining our army, we can't settle the accounts for them in the future. We must ensure that no one will be punished for the mistakes they have committed in the past. Second, the organizational structure of the eastern battalion should not be disrupted. Political workers can be dispatched, but the existing officers can not leave the troops, and the soldiers can not be dispersed into other troops. "

After kirilov finished reading it, he did not ask everyone's opinions. Instead, he turned to Karpov and said, "Comrade captain, I intend to organize your battalion into a regiment's combat sequence." In order to prevent the other party from thinking, he also patiently said: "more than half of the troops of a regiment were killed and wounded in yesterday's battle, and almost experienced veterans were killed. That's why I decided to add you to the regiment of lieutenant colonel shejerikov."

After hearing kirilov's words, Karpov immediately nodded and replied without thinking, "Comrade political commissar, I will obey your arrangement. After the meeting, I will take the troops to a regiment to report." Sitting at the table, shejerikov didn't speak, but from his expression, I still know that he was sorry for his lost troops. Now when he heard that he was going to add Karpov battalion to a regiment, his face suddenly showed a smile. He stood up, took Karpov's hand, shook it, and said friendly: "Captain Karpov, On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of my delegation, you are welcome to join us. "