Chapter 53 Meeting with the Army Commander (Part 2)

In the field headquarters of the 9th Mechanized Army under the 5th Army of the Soviet Southwest Front, Commander Rokossovsky, who has been commanding the battle for a whole day with the rank of major general, is explaining the follow-up arrangements to a division commander in front of him. .

"Let's arrange the defense arrangements like this for now, Kropov. Once the Germans start attacking tomorrow, I will mobilize artillery support for your division to the best of my ability, but it will only be artillery support. This is the only thing I have on hand. The remaining forces directly under the military headquarters, I hope you can understand and continue to carry forward the spirit of our Red Army to face difficulties and teach those German invaders a profound lesson! "

After hearing the relatively tactful order from Rokossovsky, the division commander, who had a plaster on his arm and a bandage hanging around his neck, immediately raised his hand toward Rokossovsky and gave him a military salute without saying a word. .

"Comrade Commander, please rest assured! I will definitely carry forward the spirit of our Red Army to face difficulties and not be afraid of dangers, and give those Germans some color in tomorrow's battle! The losses we suffered today, I will show in our battle tomorrow Give those damn intruders double the reward in front of our position!”

Rokossovsky, who has always been familiar with this fierce general under his command, seemed very satisfied with the assurance given by the commander of the 131st Motorized Infantry Division under his Ninth Mechanized Corps.

"Well, get some rest early when you get back. The body is the capital of the revolution, not to mention you are injured now. You should pay more attention to rest so that you can have the energy to continue commanding the battle during the day tomorrow."

"Yes! Comrade Commander, I also wish you good health!"

Watching the division commander who had almost lost his arm due to a fragment of a German aerial bomb during the day's battle leave, he noticed the two Rokossovs standing at the entrance of his command post. Only then did Sky turn around.

"Ah, Peter, you're here, tell me how your division is doing today? I heard that your division fought very tenaciously during the day's battle today."

After hearing the question from Army Commander Rokossovsky, he immediately responded with a wry smile. Political Commissar Petrov, who shook his head slowly, simply did not want to mention the losses of his 20th Tank Division.

"Comrade Commander, to tell you the truth, our 20th Tank Division is basically crippled right now."

Regarding the casualties of his troops, Petrov, who knew that there was no need to hide it from Rokossovsky and that it was impossible to hide it, pondered for a while and then continued to speak.

"The two armored regiments lost more than half of their heavy technical equipment, and the infantry regiment that followed the attack suffered heavy losses due to heavy air strikes by the Germans. The number of missing and killed so far has exceeded that of a complete formation. Half of them, Division Commander Chernyayev was visiting the wounded in the field hospital at the division headquarters.”

"In addition, the divisional artillery regiment of our division was also taken care of by German aircraft in today's battle. The light and heavy howitzer battalion was completely destroyed, and the air defense battalion only had one company left to continue fighting. Although in general The losses are not small, but the morale and fighting spirit of the soldiers are still there, and they can still face tomorrow's battle with high morale, Comrade Commander."

After hearing the assurance from Commissar Petrov, Rokossovsky, who knew that the war situation was not optimistic, still forced himself on and showed a smile that tried to comfort his subordinates. Even the smell of victory seemed to be there. His smile was radiant.

"You did a good job, Peter. Political work and mobilizing morale to appease the morale of the military are the responsibilities and tasks of your political commissar. The fact that the 20th Tank Division can do so well today is inseparable from your dedication. I would like to commend you on behalf of the military headquarters for this.”

As Rokossovsky explains now.

Although Commissar Petrov, who survived the Great Purge, can be said to have experienced the most terrifying nightmare since the birth of the Soviet Union, this communist fighter with firm faith has always believed that all this will only happen to him. Comrade Stalin's correct leadership of the entire Soviet Union is unquestionable in his view.

It is precisely because of such firm belief and ideal support that political commissar Petrov, who has never forgotten his original intention, still maintains the abundant and high-spirited positive motivation like a young Red Army soldier even though he is over 40 years old. There is also a political commissar in the 20th Tank Division who is well respected and loved by his subordinates.

After finishing the pleasantries and chatting with Political Commissar Petrov, Rokossovsky turned his attention further to the young man beside him and then continued to ask.

"Peter, this is"

Seeing that one of the three most famous generals of the Soviet Army in World War II, who was famous in history, turned his eyes towards himself, Malashenko, who was both excited and anxious, had no time to speak. Petrov heard this. The political commissar took the lead and hurriedly introduced.

"Comrade Commander, this is the Captain Malashenko whom our division mentioned to you in the previous report. So far, he has destroyed more than 20 German tanks of various types and more than a dozen anti-tank guns. They even took down several German machine gun positions."

"There is no doubt, Comrade Commander, Captain Malashenko is a well-deserved combat hero of our 20th Tank Division!"

"Oh, that's how it is"

After hearing the rhetorical praise description from Political Commissar Petrov, Rokossovsky himself rarely saw Political Commissar Petrov, who always upheld the principle of fairness and low-key to his subordinates, speak so highly of praise.

Curious about the young captain who was wearing more than 20 German tanks, he glanced around and read Rokossovs' perseverance and strength from the upright Malashenko. Ji couldn't help but nodded slowly and spoke slowly.

"Very good. Just looking at this look is enough to make people believe that he is a brave grassroots commander and fighter of the Red Army. The performance of you and your crew deserves recognition and praise! Captain Malashenko. After the anxious battle on the front line has come to an end, I I will personally report your military exploits to your superiors and apply for a medal for you!”

Hearing that one of the three most famous generals of the Soviet Army in World War II, who has gone down in history, praised himself loudly right now, it was impossible for Malashenko, a future time traveler, not to be excited at this moment. .

"Calm down brother, it's not a big deal, calm down and talk!"

After forcibly calming down the ripples in his heart, Malashenko, who finally calmed down his excitement, then raised his head and saluted Rokossovsky, who was waiting for him to speak. .