Lemusev looked the sergeant up and down and saw that his head and arms were wrapped in bandages with blood oozing from them, so he asked with concern: "Comrade Sergeant, are you injured?"
The sergeant grinned and tried to put a smile on his face: "Comrade Captain, haven't you seen that all of us are more or less injured? My injuries are relatively minor compared to theirs.
of."
Hearing what the sergeant said, Lemusev glanced at the other soldiers and saw that everyone was injured. Judging from the expressions on everyone's faces, the injuries on their bodies were not fake. Lemusev
The husband thought to himself: No matter how stupid the Germans are, they will not send a group of wounded soldiers to sneak in as internal responses. Once a fight breaks out, his subordinates can easily eliminate all the wounded soldiers.
Lemusev already believed in his heart that these were his own people, so he waved his hands and asked his men to lower their guns. However, just to be on the safe side, he turned to face the sergeant and continued to cross-examine: "Comrade Sergeant, you said you are
The 42nd Guards Regiment, but as far as I know, the regiment withdrew from this area after the failure to attack the station. Since the troops have withdrawn, why are you still here?"
"Comrade Captain, you are right, the main force of the 42nd Guards Regiment has indeed retreated." Seeing Lemusev doubting himself, the sergeant quickly stepped forward and said: "But only the seriously wounded were withdrawn. We
After losing contact with the main force, one person or a group of two or three people will continue to hold on in the guard box of the railway plank house, in the basement of the station, behind the platform line, or even under the carriage.
The fighting prevented the Germans from completely capturing the entire station."
Although by now, he was certain that the soldiers standing in front of him were all his own, Lemusev still continued to question: "Why did you suddenly appear here?"
"We heard gunshots and explosions coming from the station building," the sergeant replied: "We guessed that our people must have launched another attack on the station, so we rushed over immediately. Unfortunately, we were still a step too late.
The enemy has been repulsed by you."
"Captain Lemusev," just as Lemusev was about to find a health worker to re-bandage the wounds of the Guards soldiers, he heard the voice of the second battalion commander: "I suspect that they are spies sent by the Germans. They should immediately
Capture them and hand them over to the comrades of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for screening." After saying that, he shook his head at his subordinates behind him and motioned for them to capture all these soldiers.
"Comrade Major," Lemusev saw that the second battalion commander was indiscriminately detaining these soldiers who had just escaped from the enemy's siege. He quickly stretched out his hand to stop the sailors of the second battalion and spoke harshly to the second battalion commander.
Said: "Can't you see that they are our own comrades?"
"Captain Lemusev," seeing Lemusev blocking his way, the second battalion commander said angrily: "Any Guards soldier is a liar. Think about it carefully. From our perspective,
After crossing the river and entering Soviet Street and Lenin Street, did you find any traces of the Guards? A Guards division with tens of thousands of people just disappeared? I suspect that they have surrendered to the Germans and become shameful traitors...
…”
The hurtful words of the second battalion commander angered the Guards soldiers who had just escaped. The sergeant picked up the submachine gun in his hand, aimed at the second battalion commander who was making nonsense, and said sternly: "Shut up, I will not allow you to insult.
The honor of our Guards. Even if we fight to the last man, we will never surrender to the Germans."
Seeing the sergeant raising his gun, the rest of the Guards soldiers did not dare to show weakness and pointed their weapons at the second battalion commander. The sailors beside the second battalion commander also hurriedly raised their guns and aimed at the guards.
The soldiers of the army. The sailors of the first battalion, because they did not receive Lemusev's order, just stood aside and stared at the tense two sides.
The words of the second battalion commander caused Lemusev to think deeply. He thought to himself: What the second battalion commander said makes sense. Before crossing the river, the brigade commander told us that there was a gap between the Tsaritsa River and the Mamayev Hills.
, the Guards Division of tens of thousands of people commanded by General Rodimtsev will fight alongside him. Then troops have entered the city continuously, but no news of the Guards Division has been heard, and they seem to have disappeared from the world.
It's normal. What exactly is going on with this small Guards unit emerging from the station at this moment still needs to be carefully observed.
When Lemusev came back to his senses, he found that the two groups of people in front and behind him were actually pointing their guns at each other. It was about to break out. He quickly said sharply: "What are you doing? How can you point your guns at them?"
Where are your comrades? Put them down quickly, put down your guns."
When the Guards soldiers heard what Lemusev said, they lowered their guns one after another. The sailors of the second battalion, because they had not received the order from the second battalion commander, still felt that their guns had not been lowered, but everyone
He turned his attention to the second battalion commander and waited for his order.
After hearing what Lemusev said, the second battalion commander reluctantly waved his hand and ordered his subordinates: "Put down all your guns." After saying that, he turned around and left. The sailors were stunned for a moment.
He also walked away.
"Comrade Sergeant, you have been wronged." Lemusev waited for the second battalion commander to go away, held the sergeant's hand, and said to him: "I will ask the health worker to treat your injuries, and then eat something."
, just retreat to the back and rest.”
"Comrade Captain, thank you." The sergeant stood still and said gratefully: "If you hadn't helped us, we might have been arrested as deserters or traitors. If you don't object, we are willing to follow.
You do it!"
Regarding the statement of the Guards sergeant, Lemusev hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Comrade Sergeant, is this your opinion alone, or the opinion of all of you?"
"Does this need to be said? Of course it is the opinion of all of us." After the sergeant finished speaking, he turned to ask other comrades standing not far away: "Do you think I am right?"
"Yes, the sergeant is right, we are willing to follow you and continue to fight against the German invaders!"
"Comrade Captain, accept us!"
"..."
As soon as the sergeant finished speaking, the other Guards soldiers all echoed.
"Okay, comrades, please be quiet!" Lemusev raised his hand and pressed down, saying to the Guards soldiers: "Since you are willing to join, I welcome you on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the first battalion. But we are very
We are about to leave here, please take the time to rest and have something to eat, and then we will set off."
"Comrade Captain," the sergeant heard that the troops were about to move. He couldn't help showing a look of astonishment on his face. He asked tentatively, "I would like to ask, where will we move to next?"
Lemusev pointed towards the nail factory not far away and said: "In that building, the first company of our battalion is stationed. Later I will lead the soldiers of the second company and the third company to go there and
They meet up."
"What about here?" The sergeant asked in a panic when he learned that the troops were going to move to a nearby building: "Should we just give the station building to the Germans?"
"How could this happen? The second battalion is here to take over the defense of our battalion." Lemusev shook his head and said: "After the transfer of defense, our battalion has only two choices. One is to withdraw and rest, and the other is to transfer to the system."
In the nail factory building, we continue to fight the enemy. In order to seize this station building, many of our good comrades sacrificed their lives here. If we just withdraw like this, I guess the soldiers will not agree. Therefore, I plan to move to the new station building.
Position, keep fighting."
After the second battalion took over the defense of the station building, the commander of the second battalion immediately ordered someone to lay a telephone line to the brigade headquarters. Then he proudly reported to the brigade commander Tanasolov: "Comrade brigade commander, our battalion
We are building a defense line in the station building and are ready to crush the enemy's attack at any time."
Tanasolov has always had a good impression of the second battalion commander. When he heard what he said, he quickly said with approval: "Well done, Comrade Major. As long as you can hold the station, the Germans' attempt to divide our defense line will collapse."
.When our counterattack begins, they will be beaten to a pulp. Then I will definitely ask your superiors for credit."
For Russians who attach great importance to honor, they know that in order to get a medal, they will even sacrifice their own lives. At this moment, the second battalion commander heard Tanasolov say that he wanted to pay attention to his own situation. He couldn't help but be overjoyed. He knew very well that as long as
If you defend the station building, you will soon have a medal hanging on your chest.
The second battalion commander quickly expressed his stance to Tanasolov, who valued him highly: "Comrade Brigadier, please rest assured that even if we are all sacrificed, we will never take a step back. The enemy can only break into the station building by stepping on our bodies."
.”
Don't forget that what the second battalion commander said was just cliches, but Tanasolov felt particularly useful when he heard it: "Okay, Comrade Major, I will wait for your good news."
Shortly after the Second Battalion took over the defense of the First Battalion, Klimov and Vrasov returned to the brigade headquarters together. Tanasolov saw Klimov's appearance and asked in surprise: "Comrade Captain, you
Why are you here? Are there any latest instructions you want to bring to us?"
"Hello, Comrade Colonel!" Klimov raised his hand to salute Tanasolov and said dryly: "Comrade Commander sent me to the 92nd Infantry Brigade to serve as a liaison officer to understand the status of your attack.
"
"Comrade Captain, the political commissar and I are both from the army, and the sailors in the brigade don't quite obey our orders." After Tanasolov asked Klimov to sit down, he began to complain to him: "For example, the first battalion
Well, he ignored the brigade headquarters' order to establish a defensive position and secretly launched an attack on the station..."
"Comrade Colonel, I want to correct you a little." Klimov heard Tanasolov talking about Lemusev's first battalion, and quickly raised his hand to interrupt him: "The first battalion launched an attack on the station.
The attack is not a private action without permission, but an order given to them by me on behalf of the Army Headquarters."
Hearing this, Tanasolov showed an embarrassed expression on his face: "Comrade Captain, even if you can represent the army headquarters and issue combat orders to the troops below, you should also tell us so that we know what you are doing.
Comrade Political Commissar, do you think I am right?"
"Captain Klimov," Andreev, who was sitting aside, nodded, and then said: "Comrade Brigadier is right, even if you are a representative from the group army headquarters, but sending troops to attack the station is
When it comes to important matters, you should always inform us in advance so that we know what to do so that we don't misunderstand that the First Battalion is taking action without asking for permission."
This time, it was Klimov's turn to be embarrassed: "I'm sorry, Colonel Tanasolov. It was my lack of thinking. I originally wanted to communicate with you before the troops attacked. But in order to understand the attack in time,
As for the situation in the station building, I stayed there to watch the battle, so I forgot to inform you about the first battalion's attack."
Seeing that Klimov took the initiative to admit his mistake, Tanasolov could not say anything else. After all, in the Soviet army, this kind of mutual incompatibility was too common. He could only pretend to be generous and said: "Comrade Captain
, forget it this time, if a similar situation occurs next time, please be sure to notify us in time."
"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel, there won't be another time." In order to resolve the embarrassment at hand, Klimov changed the subject in time: "Colonel Tanasolov, I want to ask, after you get here,
Is there any news about the 13th Guards Division?"
"General Rodimtsev's 13th Guards Division?" After seeing Klimov nodding, Tanasolov shook his head and said: "No, after our brigade arrived here, we did not get any information about the Guards Division.
The news of the 13th Division, tens of thousands of troops, seemed to disappear in an instant."
"It's not like tens of thousands of people disappeared at the same time." Klimov explained: "The 39th Guards Regiment of the division is now stationed on the right wing of Mamaev Hill. The regiment has more than 2,000 troops.
. And General Rodimtsev led the 34th and 42nd Guards Regiments and the division-affiliated troops to be stationed in this area. However, after the enemy rushed into the city, they suddenly lost their whereabouts, as if they suddenly disappeared."
Tanasolov waited for Klimov to finish and asked tentatively: "Captain Klimov, do you think they have quietly left the city and crossed to the east bank of the Volga River?"
"This is impossible. How can it be so easy for thousands of troops to cross the river?" Klimov shook his head and said, "Not to mention anything else, even if there are ships needed to cross the river, without an order from the group army headquarters, they will not be able to cross the river."
It’s impossible to do that.”
Andreev then asked: "Can you contact General Rodimtsev?"
"Can't be contacted," Klimov still shook his head, "just like what Colonel Tanasolov just said, they seemed to have disappeared out of thin air."
"What on earth is going on?" Everyone in the headquarters was lost in thought.