Shatilov, who was deploying an offensive mission, immediately drove to the temporary headquarters of the Army Group Headquarters after receiving the call.
"Comrade Commander," Shatilov quickly came to Kuznetsov and raised his hand to salute him: "Major General Shatilov, commander of the 150th Infantry Division, has been ordered to come. I am waiting for your order. Please give me your instructions.
!”
"Please rest a moment, Comrade Commander." Kuznetsov waved his hand to Shatilov and said to him: "I called you here today. There is indeed an important task for you. I hope your performance will not be...
it disappointed me."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Shatilov saw that Kuznetsov had surpassed the army commander and was preparing to assign combat tasks to himself. He immediately realized that it might be related to the capture of the Capitol Building, and quickly assured the other party: "Our division will definitely
We will take down the Capitol and eliminate the enemies hiding inside."
"Comrade Military Commissar," Kuznetsov turned to the Military Commissar and said, "Bring the things here."
The military commissar nodded, took a cloth-covered flag leaning against the wall, and handed it to Kuznetsov: "Comrade Commander, this is what you want."
After Kuznetsov expressed his gratitude to the military commissar, he faced Shatilov and said: "Comrade division commander, this is the assault flag we made before entering Berlin. It is the fifth flag among the nine flags. I hope you can
In the shortest possible time, plant this flag on the roof of the Capitol."
Shatilov stepped forward and took the flag from Kuznetsov's hand. Then he said loudly: "Comrade Commander and Comrade Military Commissar, please rest assured that we will definitely plant this bright flag in the Congress."
The top floor of the building.”
"Comrade Division Commander, how long do you think it will take you to take over the Capitol Building?" the Military Commissioner asked.
"It's hard to say, Comrade Military Commissar." Faced with the question raised by the Military Commissar, Shatilov said with some embarrassment: "The Capitol building is well fortified, and the enemy's stubbornness far exceeds our imagination. This is a fierce battle.
Ah, I think the most conservative approach is three days."
"No, not three days." But after hearing this, Kuznetsov shook his head and said: "Comrade Commander, I can only give you thirty hours at most, do you understand?"
Although Shatilov felt that it would be impossible to capture the Capitol within thirty hours, but since Kuznetsov issued such an order, he could only bite the bullet and reply: "Understood, Comrade Commander. We will definitely be there."
Within thirty hours, take over the Capitol Building."
"Wait a minute, Comrade Commander." At this time, Comrade Military Commissioner suddenly interrupted: "When you talk about thirty hours, do you mean to occupy the Capitol Building or to control the Capitol Building?"
Shatilov, who was still worried at first, felt relieved when he heard what the military commissar said. Yes, the commander ordered him to take down the Capitol Building within thirty hours, but he did not say whether to occupy or completely control it. You know
, according to the military tradition passed down from the Tsarist Russia era, in siege operations, as long as the flag is planted on the commanding heights of the city, it means that the city is occupied by the attacking party. When it comes to control, it refers to the annihilation of those who are stubbornly resisting.
The defenders occupied the entire city.
"Comrade Military Commissar," Kuznetsov said with a serious expression, facing his Military Commissar: "If we just occupy it, it is an easy thing. After the troops storm into the Capitol, we only need to send out
A commando team can brave the enemy's bullets and rush to the roof of the building and plant the flag at the highest position. But I need not just to occupy, but to control the entire Capitol Building. Do you understand, Comrade Division Commander?" He said the next sentence
The words were spoken to Shatilov.
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Shatilov replied: "We will not only plant the flag on the dome of the Capitol, but also annihilate the defenders inside until we control the entire Capitol."
Kuznetsov was very satisfied with Shatilov's statement. He nodded and continued: "I also know that the German army in the Capitol has very strong firepower. If we only rely on infantry to attack, we will definitely pay a heavy price.
Therefore, I entrust the 23rd Tank Brigade to your command and hope that the tank crews can provide you with artillery support in a more timely manner."
After Shatilov said goodbye to Kuznetsov, he took the flag and walked out of the headquarters.
Lieutenant Koshkarbaev, the adjutant waiting outside, immediately came up to him and asked with concern: "Comrade division commander, I wonder what order the commander gave you?"
"The order is very simple, that is, we have 30 hours to eliminate the defenders of the Capitol and completely control the building."
Koshkarbaev suddenly saw the flag in Shatilov's hand, and couldn't help but curiously asked: "Comrade division commander, what flag is that in your hand?" There was a reason for him to ask, because the 150th Infantry Division's
The military flag is placed in the division headquarters. The flag held by the division commander now is obviously not the military flag of the 150th Division.
"This is the fifth flag among the nine assault flags." Shadilov held the flag in both hands and handed it to Koshkarbaev, saying: "From now on, I will hand over this glorious flag to
You keep it until I hand it over to the commanders of the assault force."
"There is still me, Comrade Division Commander." When Koshkarbaev took the flag from Shatilov's hand, a voice suddenly came from next to him: "I can serve as a flag guard and go to the forefront with you.
?"
Shatilov turned around and saw that it was his guard, Private Bulatov. He nodded and smiled and said, "Okay, Bulatov. From now on, you and Lieutenant Koshkarbaev are
Flag guard, your mission is not over until I hand over the flag to the soldiers responsible for the assault mission."
After the three people got into the jeep, Shatilov said to the driver: "Comrade driver, take us to the headquarters of the 756th Regiment. They are in a building just a few hundred meters away from the Capitol at the moment. The specific location is waiting for us."
, I will point it out to you."
Ten minutes later, under the guidance of Shatilov, the jeep came to a stop next to a dilapidated four-story building.
Shatilov opened the door first and got out of the car, and Koshkarbaev and Bulatov, who were carrying flags, also got out of the car.
Shatilov turned his head and glanced at the two of them, then shook his head and said, "Follow me into the building."
After entering the building, Shatilov saw that except for a few commanders and fighters on duty with guns in hand, the rest were leaning against the wall or lying on the ground sleeping. Seeing the resting soldiers, Shatilov said nothing.
, he knew very well that from the beginning of the offensive campaign on April 16 to now, for half a month, not a single commander or soldier had slept at all. It was also a good idea to lie down here to rest between battles.
Excusable.
Shatilov grabbed the hand of a soldier on duty and asked in a low voice: "Where is your regimental commander?"
When the soldier saw that the person who asked him what he was talking about was the division commander, he first stood at attention and raised his hands in salute, then pointed to the ceiling with his hand and said: "On the second floor, comrade division commander. The regimental commander's temporary headquarters is in the barber shop on the second floor.
"
After Shatilov thanked the soldiers, he led his two subordinates up the broken stairs to the second floor.
Under the guidance of soldiers along the way, they quickly found the headquarters of the 756th Regiment located here.
"Hello, Comrade General." The regiment leader, Colonel Zinchenko, was discussing the offensive steps with several battalion commanders, but unexpectedly saw Shadilov walking in from outside. He quickly stepped forward to greet him, raised his hand and saluted: "We
The next offensive steps are being studied."
"Tell me." Shatilov asked with interest: "How do you plan to break into the Capitol?"
"Comrade Division Commander," Zinchenko said, pointing to the map: "Today the troops of the 171st Division fought with the Germans for a whole day. Although they performed very bravely and tenaciously, due to the strong fortifications and powerful firepower configuration of the German army, the troops suffered heavy casualties.
, but did not achieve the desired results..."
"Comrade Colonel, forget about friendly forces." Shatilov interrupted Zinchenko's words and said rudely: "The superior transferred our division to take over the task of attacking the Capitol Building from the 171st Division.
We have been crippled by the enemy in the battle and have lost the ability to continue fighting. What I want to hear is, how does your regiment plan to storm the Capitol?"
"Comrade Division Commander, before you came here, we were discussing this issue." Zinchenko said: "Our artillery blasted several huge holes in the wall of the Capitol. I think after the troops rushed through the square, they can
Enter the building directly through these holes to reduce casualties when seizing the gate."
"Well, that makes sense, let's continue."
"Of course, when the infantry attacks, it is also necessary to provide them with some artillery support to suppress the enemy's firepower points." Zinchenko asked Shatilov tentatively: "Comrade division commander, I don't know if our regiment can provide them with firepower when they attack.
We provide artillery support?”
"No problem, it's just artillery support. I can give it to you." Shatilov said: "In order to ensure that we can successfully capture the Capitol, the Army Headquarters assigned the 23rd Tank Brigade to us. When you attack
, these tanks staying near the square can use artillery fire to bombard those firepower points that pose a huge threat to you, ensuring that you can smoothly enter the Capitol Building."
"Comrade division commander, I wonder when we will start our attack?" Zinchenko asked.
"Don't be anxious, Comrade Colonel." Shatilov raised his hand and looked at the time: "When I came in, I saw your subordinates resting. I don't think it's appropriate to wake them up at this time. It's better to wait for them.
After enough rest, it won’t be too late for us to launch an attack again.”
"Okay, Comrade Commander, it's up to you to let the soldiers rest more." Zinchenko said with a smile: "When they have regained their energy, they will be more brave and tenacious in battle."
"Comrade Colonel, I have an important task to entrust to you this time."
Upon hearing that there was an important mission, Zinchenko's expression became serious: "What mission?"
"That's it." Shatilov turned around and took the flag from Lieutenant Koshkarbaev's hand, and said to Zinchenko: "Comrade Colonel, this is the assault flag awarded to us by the group army headquarters. It is nine assault flags.
The No. 5 flag. I hope you can send someone to plant this flag on the top floor of the Capitol. How about it? Can you do it?"
"No problem, comrade division commander." Knowing that Shadilov actually handed over such an important task to his regiment, Zinchenko became excited. He quickly came to the door and shouted outside: "Here comes someone."
, someone is coming!”
Following his shout, several soldiers ran over and asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, what's the matter?"
After Zinchenko glanced at everyone's faces one by one, he then nodded to a few people with his hands: "You, Berest; and you, Yegorov; and you, Kantaria.
The three of you come in with me, and everyone else should disperse."
Zinchenko took the three of them back to the house and said to Shatilov: "Comrade Commander, I plan to send the three of them to carry out this glorious and arduous task."
Shatilov nodded after hearing this, and then handed the flag in his hand to Zinchenko: "Comrade Colonel, since you think the three of them are suitable, that would be great. I hope that in tomorrow's battle, we can see
To this bright flag flying on the roof of the Capitol."
When Zinchenko entered the door, the three commanders and soldiers learned that the task given to them was to plant the red flag on the roof of the Capitol Building, and they couldn't help showing expressions of surprise on their faces. Even if they knew everything about this kind of thing, planting the flag
The action on the roof was enough to be recorded in history. After understanding this truth, the three commanders and fighters said at the same time: "Division commander, regiment commander, please rest assured that we will overcome all difficulties and plant this flag on the Capitol Building.
On the roof.”
Shatilov stepped forward and shook hands with the three people one by one, and said: "Comrades, your task is glorious, but also very dangerous. Although I hope you can plant the flag on the roof of the Capitol as soon as possible, I also hope that
You can all come back alive."
"Comrade Commander, don't worry, we will preserve ourselves on the battlefield." Berest said on behalf of the three of them: "But as long as one of us is alive, we will definitely plant this flag on the roof of the Parliament Building."
"Very good, very good." Shadilov was very satisfied with Berest's answer. He nodded and continued: "You go down and have a good rest first. When the troops are about to start attacking, let your regiment commander send people.
Call you."
After letting the three commanders and fighters responsible for planting the flag leave, Zinchenko looked at Shatilov and asked: "Comrade division commander, when will we launch the attack?"
"Don't be anxious, Comrade Colonel." Shatilov said to Zinchenko: "Although I want to order your troops to attack now, other troops have not arrived yet, especially the 23rd Tank Brigade that cooperates with us.
Without their cooperation, we will suffer even heavier casualties in the battle." He raised his hand and looked at the time, "At two o'clock in the morning, we officially launched an attack on the Capitol Building."
