Burning Moscow

I made the decision to leave the severely wounded and the wounded who would be left with disabilities. It was also compelling, because within a few days, our troops would be transferred. The presence of a large number of wounded is bound to reduce the speed of the troops, so it is difficult for us to stand out from the heavy encirclement of the German army.

When returning to the headquarters of the 308th Division, there were only Romanov and a few staff officers, as well as a few communicators, including Razumeyeva. Seeing my return, Romanov immediately asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, is everything done?"

I nodded and replied: "Yes, the wounded have returned, and the remains of General Khalitonov have also been replaced. I have specifically asked soldiers who know the general to identify it. It is indeed the general himself. At present, I have arranged for someone. Store the coffin in the church. If we want to move it, find a suitable place to bury him first."

"How is the situation of the wounded?" Romanov then asked: "If the troops are to be transferred urgently, the presence of so many wounded will not affect our marching speed."

"It's a pity, Comrade Deputy Commander." Regarding his question, I can only reply with regret: "Of the two hundred wounded, the severely wounded without mobility and the wounded with disabilities accounted for three-thirds. 1. I have ordered Lieutenant Yushchenko to treat the wounded, except for those who must stay in the sanitation rescue, and temporarily relocate the rest to residents' homes. This way, after we evacuate, someone can take care of them."

When Romanov heard my arrangement, he was taken aback for a moment, and then asked in surprise: "Comrade Commander, you left these wounded in the city. If the Germans come, what will be our fate waiting for them? They were just rescued today, so did they retreat into the fire pit like this?"

"No way. Comrade deputy commander." I spread my hands, shrugged my shoulders, and said helplessly: "Do you think I don't want to take them with me? But we are now behind enemy lines. No one knows what we will encounter in the future. What kind of nasty situation. They still have hope of alive, if they follow our transfer. Most of the seriously injured will die because of lack of medical care and medicine, and no good treatment environment..."

Before I could finish speaking, Razumeyeva, who was busy on the side, suddenly walked up to me, handed me a telegram, and said: "Comrade commander, it's a telegram from the front army headquarters."

When I heard Razumeyeva say this in the telegram of the front army headquarters, I couldn't help but stunned for a moment. Xin said that Vatutin sent me a telegram at this time. What will happen? Thinking of this, I took the telegram to my eyes and looked at it carefully.

I saw it read: "According to the German intelligence intercepted by the Front Intelligence Unit: General Ike, the commander of the German Skeleton Division, was unfortunately killed by a plane failure when he inspected the front lines of Kharkov on February 26. A grand funeral will be held for him. Your ministry reported earlier that Ike was captured alive. Why did he visit the front lines of Kharkov? I hope Major General Oshanina will call back to the headquarters immediately after receiving the telegram. Happening."

After I saw the telegram, I handed it to Romanov. I began to think about how to respond to the command. Romanov, who was already a little gloomy, put the telegram on the table and asked, "Comrade Commander. How do you plan to reply to your superiors?" Although there was no change in his expression, his eyes showed concern. But it couldn't hide it.

"How else can I report?" I shrugged my shoulders and said slowly: "Naturally, I explain the actual situation to the commander of the front. Even if we don't report, the superior will know about it through other channels. Instead of waiting for that time to become passive, it is better to take the initiative and report truthfully to them."

After hearing what I said, the expression on Romanov's face suddenly became determined. He straightened his body and said to me: "Comrade Commander, as the deputy commander of the 79th Infantry Corps. I ask you to sign my name when you send a telegram. Even if the superior is to blame, I should be with you. Get up and share this responsibility."

Romanov's words made my nose sore, and tears almost came to my eyes. Although this is the case, Kirilov has said many times, but after all, I have been working with me constantly, and I have a very thorough understanding of me, knowing that the decisions I make have their own reasons. And Romanov, a war-fighting general who has known me for a few days, can give me such trust and is willing to advance and retreat with me. How can this not move me.

After finishing speaking, he turned to Razumeyeva and said, "Comrade Lieutenant, please record the content of the message. The German SS General Ike, who was captured by the Front Army Headquarters, died of serious injuries on the evening of February 26. Killed. After learning of this information, the German army took the initiative to send personnel to request an exchange with our army. As the enemy proposed to use the body of General Khalitonov who was killed in battle with our army, as well as the two hundred captured our wounded, the exchange was exchanged. Ike’s body, so we accepted each other’s terms and exchanged them."

Listening to Romanov’s dictated telegram, I couldn’t help but interject: “Lieutenant Razumeeva, I will add the exchange ceremony afterwards. I am personally responsible.” Seeing her record the order, I Received the message from her, signed her name on the back, and then Romanov signed her name on the back of the message.

After the telegram was sent ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Romanov and I were sitting at the conference table. No one spoke. Everyone was anxiously waiting for Vatutin's call back and waiting for his sentence on his own destiny.

Perhaps seeing my overly nervous expression, Romanov also kindly suggested to me: "Comrade Commander, if the superior is to blame, you can push this matter to my head and say that I am not in the mood. When you asked for instructions, you agreed to the transaction with the Germans without authorization."

"Mischief, comrade deputy commander, are you not fooling me?" His words touched my heart a little, but on the surface, I still put on the look of blaming him: "I am the commander of the army, what can I do? The responsibility is my responsibility.” When I said this, I opened a small abacus in my heart, thinking that the situation was not right, and I asked Razumeyeva to send a telegram to Zhukov and report what had happened to him. Maybe after he knew the actual situation, he was not only innocent but also meritorious.

Thinking of this, I suddenly saw Razumeyeva jump up from her seat, and then trot all the way to me, smiling, and handed me a telegram.

Judging from Razumeyeva’s expression, I know that this time it must have been done again. I immediately took the telegram and looked at it impatiently. I saw only one word above: "Got it!" (to be continued)