Hearing my question, Chisdakov on the other end of the microphone answered me in an excited tone: "Report to the division commander! Our army has seized the two settlements of Sverchikovo and Sherysevo. At present, General Katukov's tank brigade is advancing towards the settlement of Maltenowo. I also sent Major Durov's first battalion to follow."

From his tone, I could not hear any false elements. I wanted to ask directly whether the war report he reported was true, but I was afraid that it would hurt his self-esteem, so I asked in a different way: "Comrade Colonel, where did you call me now?" I was quite skillful in asking this question. You should know that the communication with him is using a wired phone, not a walkie-talkie. I can call the phone back at any time and check where it is.

"I just met with the 354th Infantry Division in the Sherysewo settlement. I called you in their command." Hearing him report the number of another unit, I knew that he did not lie about military information, but I still felt a little incredible that they could recover the two settlements so quickly, so I asked curiously: "Comrade Colonel, I want to know how you recovered the two settlements in a short period of time?"

"Comrade Commander, the German army is the remaining remnants of the battle, with a small number of people, and there are more than 100 people in each of the two settlements. They were unable to hold on to the fierce attack of the 354th Infantry Division. After seeing General Katukov's tank brigade rushed into the settlement, they fired a few shots, and gave up resistance and surrendered to our army...."

"Well, I understand!" I responded and then gave him an order: "You should immediately arrive at the Martenowo settlement and cooperate with General Katukov's attack. Remember, after seizing the settlement, immediately hand over the defense to friendly forces, and then you lead the troops back to Sun Mountain City to strengthen the city's defense. Do you understand?"

"Yes, please ensure that the task is completed!" Colonel Chisdakov promised me loudly on the other end of the phone.

Putting down the phone, I explained to the political commissar and to Leviakin next to me: "I have verified that Colonel Chisdakov's report is accurate. Our troops have seized the two settlements of Sverchikovo and Shelishevo. Currently, the Tank Brigade and a Battalion of Infantry are attacking the last settlement."

Although I heard me say this, the political commissar asked in a suspicious tone: "But this time is too fast. It wouldn't be that the Germans surrendered just after two shots, right?"

I smiled and replied, "My political commissar, don't believe it. This is the case. The colonel reported that the German troops in the settlement were already left after yesterday's battle. They were already hardly attacked by the 354th Infantry Division. Seeing our division's attacking troops attacked under the cover of the tank brigade, they knew that the situation was hopeless. After the weak resistance, the enemy who was resisting was forced to surrender to our army. It was for this reason that Colonel Chisdakov's troops took back the settlement so quickly."

"So that's how it is!" After hearing my explanation, General Leviakin nodded thoughtfully, but the political commissar did not say anything, and still frowned and looked down at the map in front of him.

At this moment, the communication soldier sitting next to the walkie-talkie suddenly called me: "Comrade Commander! The commander of the group army is going to talk to you!"

I took the headset and the microphone, and as soon as I reported my name, I heard Rokosovsky in the distance laughing and said, "Lida, congratulations! I just received a special notice from the Supreme Commander to the various armies, saying that the troops you command had recovered the Sun Mountain City occupied by the enemy after tenacious battles. In order to commend you for the bravery and tenacity you showed in the Battle of Moscow and the great achievements you achieved, you were specially promoted to the rank of Major General."

I was still a little embarrassed to hear Rokosovsky say this. After all, he commanded the troops and the German army for a day yesterday, severely damaging and consuming a large amount of enemy troops. The night attack I commanded could be so easy to win. Although he was congratulating me, I was still afraid that he would have any ideas and quickly explained: "Comrade Commander, don't say that. If the troops you commanded attacked the three settlements, restrained the main force of the German army there, severely damaging and eliminating most of the enemies, I think it is still a question whether the night attack I organized last night will be successful. I think this honor should belong to you, and I am worthy of it."

"Our female hero is actually shy, it's really rare!" Rokosovsky heard me and joked with me. Then he continued: "Although we fought for a day to seize Sun Mountain City yesterday, because the enemy had the advantage of technical equipment, our troops were finally forced to retreat to the starting point of the attack. If you hadn't led the troops to attack and slashed from the back of the enemy, maybe our troops were still tug-of-war with the enemy on the periphery of the city, let alone regaining the city. By the way, how are the situations in the three settlements now?"

"Comrade Commander, I am just about to report to you. The assault troops I sent have taken back Sverchkovo and the two settlements of Shelishevo from the enemy. At present, General Katukov's tank brigade and a battalion of infantry are attacking the remaining Maltenowo."

"Well, it's a good job!" Rokosovsky praised me and then asked, "When will the battle end?"

I replied without thinking: "At least half an hour." I said this without any target. After all, Chisdakov's troops had two or three thousand men and tanks to attack residential areas with only one or two hundred enemy defenses. If he couldn't even fight, he, as a colonel, would not do it and report to the military court by himself.

"How do you plan to deploy troops after seizing the settlement?" Rokosovsky continued.

"After the troops recover all the settlements, the defense will be handed over to the 354th Infantry Division, and all the troops will return to Sun Mountain City to strengthen their defenses to cope with possible attacks by the enemy."

"Well, I'll leave Sun Mountain City to you. You must stick to the city."

"Please rest assured that the commander is in the position. As long as there is a soldier in the Eighth Guards Division, Sun Mountain City will not be occupied by the Germans."

"Good luck!" After saying that, he interrupted the communication.

After I handed back the microphone headset to the communications trooper, I turned to Yegorov and Leviakin and said, "Comrade Political Commissar, Comrade General, from the current situation, the settlement will be recaptured soon. I will set off to meet Comrade Zhukov at the Front Command. During the period when I left, the affairs of all and big in the division were handed over to both of them."

After hearing this, both nodded and expressed their understanding. Leviagin asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, how many guard forces do you need to bring to the Front Command this time?"

"I can't take many people," I said disapprovingly: "Just let Grissa drive, and then let the guard commander take two soldiers."

"The division headquarters now has two guard company commanders, Captain Yushenko and Lieutenant Ramis. Which one do you choose to accompany you?"

I compared the two in my heart. Although I trust Ramis more, if you want to say abilities, Yushenko is slightly better. This time I went to the Front Army Command, I didn’t know what kind of situation would happen on the way, so I would rather find someone with experienced people to walk with them. At least they are safe and secure. So I said without hesitation: "Let Yushenko go with me. Ramis stayed to be in charge of the guards of the division headquarters. You are familiar with him and use them as a means of using them."

;
Chapter completed!