The collective promotion of the commanders and fighters of the anti-aircraft artillery battalion to the first rank is completely within the authority of the army headquarters. Lunev quickly drafted the promotion order and handed it to Sokov for signature: "Comrade Commander, the order has been drafted.
, please sign.”
Sokov received the promotion order from Lunev and did not sign his name immediately. Instead, he carefully checked the list to avoid any mistakes.
"Comrade Commander," Samyko came over and suggested to Sokov: "Since you want to promote the ranks of the commanders and fighters of the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion, why not promote the rank of Major Guchakov as well. No matter what
He is the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, with the rank of major, and he always seems a bit nondescript."
Before Sokov could speak, Lunev agreed: "Yes, every time the headquarters holds a military meeting, Guchakov squeezes in among a group of colonels or generals, and I'm afraid he feels very awkward. I think since the headquarters has
The right to be promoted to military rank, why not just promote him as well."
According to Lunev's idea, Sokov and Guchakov had a good personal relationship and would definitely not reject his proposal. Unexpectedly, Sokov's answer surprised him a moment later: "Comrade Military Commissar, you can say
Yes, our headquarters does have the right to be promoted to military rank. But according to my authority, he can only be promoted to lieutenant colonel at most, and based on his military exploits, just being promoted to lieutenant colonel is far from enough."
Samyko understood what Sokov meant, and planned to wait for a while, and when the time was right, he would ask his superiors to directly promote Guchakov to colonel. Thinking of this, he nodded and said: "Comrade Commander, listen
When you say this, I also think we should wait. If Guchakov is promoted to lieutenant colonel at this time, then when our army breaks through the German Dnieper River defense line and prepares to reward him based on his merits, he will not be qualified to serve again.
He has been promoted to military rank. As a result, I don’t know how long it will take before he can be promoted to the rank of colonel again.”
Samyko's words set the tone for the whole matter. If Guchakov is promoted to a certain title now, he will not be able to do these things when he is awarded a title in the near future. Lunev said helplessly
Said: "Well, since that's the case, let's just discuss the promotion and decoration of the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion today. By the way, I haven't informed Colonel Chuvasov yet, so I'll call him now.
"
After saying that, Lunev dragged the telephone in front of him, cranked the crank on the base a few times, picked up the microphone and put it to his ear and said: "I am Lunev, help me pick up the 98th Guards."
Division Division."
When the operator heard that it was Lunev on the phone, he didn't dare to neglect and immediately connected him to the headquarters of the 98th Guards Division in the shortest possible time.
As soon as the phone call came through, the person who answered the phone was not the division commander, Colonel Chuvashov, but the chief of staff, Uzhakov: "Hello, Comrade Military Commissar, I am the chief of staff, Uzhakov. What instructions do you have?"
"An hour ago, four German bombers broke into the sky over the city." Lunev said into the microphone: "The women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion of your division successfully shot down two bombers. This is an amazing victory.
You must report to your superiors in time."
Hearing Lunev's praise, Uzakov couldn't help but beam with joy: "Comrade Military Commissar, I will convey your praise to the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion as soon as possible."
"No need to tell you, Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov." Unexpectedly, Lunev interrupted his thoughts: "Soon, Comrade Commander and I will go to the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion. If you have any questions, I will
I will tell them face to face."
Hearing that Luniev and Sokov were going to the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion, Uzakov couldn't help but panic. He asked nervously: "Comrade Military Commissar, I wonder what you are doing in the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion?"
"I just said that they achieved good results in today's air defense operations." Lunev said with a smile: "Comrade Commander and I went there to commend them, so you don't have to worry about this.
.”
When Uzakov heard what Lunev said, he felt much more at ease. Even though Lunev was the military commissar of the group army, because he came from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the commanders at all levels below were still very afraid of him. Nowadays,
He said that he wanted to go to commend the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion in person. He must not be kidding himself. But to be on the safe side, he still asked tentatively: "Comrade Military Commissar, I don't know when you will go to the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion. The division commander and I can
I’ll wait for you there in advance.”
Lunev had no objection to Uzakov's proposal. He said into the microphone: "Okay. But before you go to the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion, there is one thing that needs to be done."
"whats the matter?"
"The women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion shot down two German bombers today. They have achieved such good results, and we must reward them." Lunev said: "But before that, you must first take advantage of their achievements.
Only by submitting the application can we arrange awards for them based on your award application form."
"So that's it." After Uzhakov figured out what was going on, he quickly said, "I will prepare the award application form as soon as possible."
"how much time is required?"
According to past practice, it would take at least three days to fill out such an award application form, so Uzhakov tentatively replied: "Two days, okay?"
"No, it's too long!" Lunev rejected him without hesitation.
Seeing that Luniev refused the time he mentioned, Uzakov thought for a long time, and finally gritted his teeth and stamped his feet and said: "One day. Comrade Military Commissar, this is our limit."
Lunev laughed after hearing this, and then retorted: "Comrade Commander and I happen to be free today. If you can send in the commendation application form before dark, we can go over as soon as possible to teach the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion."
Xun."
After saying this, he picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of tea, then continued: "By the way, there is one more thing I forgot to tell you. If we go to the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion today, not only will we have to
The girls who have made outstanding achievements will be awarded medals and their military ranks will be promoted at the same time."
"What, they want to be promoted to their military ranks?" Hearing what Lunev said, Uzakov could no longer keep calm. He quickly expressed his position and said: "Comrade Military Commissar, I will immediately count the results of the battle and the personnel who participated in the battle.
, and then within three hours... no, two hours... no, within one hour, send someone to deliver the commendation application form to the Army Group Headquarters."
"Okay, the commander and I are waiting for your commendation application form at the headquarters."
After putting down the phone, Lunev smiled and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, have you seen it? For the commanders below, sometimes they can complete the work that can be completed in a few hours without urging them.
It will take a few days."
Sokov has long experienced the old man's procrastination in doing things. He once tried to change this bad habit of the other party, but with little effect. Seeing that Lunev's method was so effective at this moment, he couldn't help but start to think about what he would do when he encounters him in the future.
Shouldn't all difficult problems like this be left to Lunev to solve?
Lunev did not know Sokov's wishful thinking and continued: "The size of the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion is too small. Do you think we can use this opportunity to expand?"
"Expansion?" Sokov couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he heard what Luniev said, and then asked: "What kind of expansion method?"
Lunev was just on a whim, how could he tell how to expand the troops. When he was hesitating, he saw Samyko standing at the table and quickly threw this problem to Samyko: "I think this matter is still
Let the chief of staff speak for himself, he can explain it more clearly than I can."
Sokov knew in his heart that when he was away from the headquarters a few days ago, Runev and Samyko must have discussed many things, and expanding the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion of the 98th Guards Division should be one of them.
Turning to Sameko, he asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, tell me, how do you consider the expansion of the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion?"
"Comrade Commander, the situation is like this." Samyko introduced to Sokov: "The 98th Guards Division is composed of two Marine Corps brigades and an infantry brigade, and there is a 239th Guards Artillery Regiment.
.However, since none of the three brigades at that time had artillery, the artillery regiment was almost empty, with only one artillery company equipped with a 76.2 mm caliber cannon. In order to enrich the artillery regiment, we incorporated Captain Lida's anti-aircraft artillery battalion into the regiment.
.”
"Yes, that is indeed the case." Sokov nodded and continued to ask: "Then how do you plan to expand the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion?"
"Today's 239th Guards Artillery Regiment has three complete artillery battalions. It would be a bit redundant to retain the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion." Samyko said this and looked at Luniev who was sitting next to him.
After taking a look, he continued: "After consultation between myself and Comrade Military Commissar, it was decided to withdraw the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion from the 98th Guards Division, place it under the direct command of the group army, and expand it into the women's anti-aircraft artillery regiment."
When the 98th Guards Division was first formed, Sokov felt that the division's artillery force was too weak, so he took the initiative to assign the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion commanded by the group army to the division's artillery regiment. Now that the division's artillery regiment is fully staffed
, it is only natural for the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion to be restored.
Sokov looked at Samyko and asked thoughtfully: "Comrade Chief of Staff, can the expanded women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion have so many soldiers and equipment?"
"No problem." In response to Sokov's question, Samyko confidently replied: "Due to the enemy's early bombing, many factories and enterprises in the city were destroyed, and I am afraid that they will not be able to resume work in a short period of time. We can recruit those who
Let women who are temporarily unemployed join the anti-aircraft artillery regiment so that there will be enough soldiers."
"What about the weapons?" Sokov has no doubt that as long as the conscription order is issued, there will be a steady stream of women asking to join the soon-to-be-expanded women's anti-aircraft artillery regiment. But without weapons, they are just a group of civilians in military uniforms.
Facing enemy planes in the air, we can only sit back and wait for death. "Without enough anti-aircraft weapons, what is the point of the expanded women's anti-aircraft artillery regiment?"
"You don't have to worry about this." Sameko said quickly: "I have contacted the director of the logistics department of the front army headquarters, and he is willing to provide us with 24 85mm anti-aircraft guns and 36 14.5mm quadruple anti-aircraft machine guns. Yes.
With so many anti-aircraft weapons, not to mention expanding into one regiment, even two regiments are enough."
Although Sokov thought that the more troops he had in his hands, the better, but blindly expanding the troops would inevitably lead to the troops' combat effectiveness being thinned out. Don't look at the fact that a women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion shot down two enemy planes today.
After the anti-aircraft artillery regiment, if they encounter such a situation again, not only will they be unable to improve their results, they may even lose all their gains.
"I think one women's anti-aircraft artillery regiment is enough. There is no need to blindly expand it." Sokov raised his hand to interrupt Sameko's words: "Just use the anti-aircraft weapons provided by our superiors to arm the expanded women's artillery regiment."
The artillery regiment and all excess weapons are also left to them, so that even if the weapons are damaged on the battlefield, they can be replenished in time."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." From Sokov's tone, Samek knew that the other party was not willing to recruit too many female soldiers here, so he followed suit and said, "Then we will wait until the number of applicants reaches one regiment.
Just stop conscription."
"Hmm, you can handle this matter." Sokov said to Sameko: "After completing the recruitment task, we must seize the time to train and strive to let them play their role as soon as possible..."
As soon as Sokov said this, he found that Lunev and Samyko were staring at him with strange eyes, and he couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Did I say something wrong?"
"Comrade Commander," Samek said while suppressing a smile, "aren't you going to the women's anti-aircraft artillery camp with the military commissioner later? If there is anything you need to tell me, you can tell Captain Lida directly."
"Oh, that's true." Sokov thought about it, and it seemed to be the case. He and Lunev would go to the women's anti-aircraft artillery camp soon. If there was any important matter, he could explain it to Lida in person.
Sending the message through Samek would firstly waste time, and secondly, many contents may be misinterpreted. It would be more convenient to say it directly: "Then I will tell Captain Lida personally... No, she will be a major soon. Everything
I will personally handle all the work to Major Lida."
"Also," Sameko continued: "Do I need to report the troop expansion to my superiors?"
"It's not necessary." Sokov shook his head and said, "If we report it to our superiors, they may issue a series of regulations for the expansion of the troops. I don't want my troops to be constrained by these regulations."
"Okay then." Since Sokov has stated that he does not intend to report the matter, Sameko will naturally not argue with him on this matter, and reminds the other party: "But the collective promotion of female soldiers,
The impact is very large, and I’m afraid it still needs to be reported to superiors.”
"This is what it should be." To privately expand an insignificant unit, Sokov does not need to report to the front army headquarters, but to suddenly promote hundreds of people to the same rank at the same time is not a trivial matter. The procedure for reporting to superiors is natural.
Unavoidable, he said to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I will leave it to you to write the report."
"No problem." It was Sameko's job to report battle reports to his superiors every day. Now that he heard Sokov's instructions, he replied without hesitation: "Waiting for the commendation application form from the 98th Guards Division,
I will report the application form to the Front Army Headquarters along with the orders for honors and promotions we issued."