Steel Soviet Union

Long before the Bagration operation, Malashenko had actually been thinking about one thing: whether he would be sent to the direction of Leningrad to carry out the battle to regain this great city.

However, what happened later was not like that. Malashenko was not sent to fight in the direction of Leningrad. Instead, he was transferred to the First Ukrainian Front and fought in the Chelten war that made his loving father Comrade Stalin quite happy. Kaser Steel encircled the enemy and won a great victory.

It was also from that time that Malashenko mistakenly thought that he might have to wait until the end of the war before he would have the opportunity to return to the place where he had fought and defended to the death, and of course left many unforgettable memories. Let’s go and see the city again.

However, fate played a trick on people, and Malashenko's expectations did not turn into reality. Fate drove Comrade Ma Laoshenka back to this great city just before he was about to go abroad to fight, and long after the siege of Leningrad entered a stalemate. A heroic city named after a revolutionary mentor.

After getting off the plane and leaving the airport, they followed Shashmulin directly into the convoy specially sent to pick him up, and drove straight towards the Kirov Factory, which was rebuilt on the original site.

Shashmulin, who was sitting next to Malashenko and also in the back seat of the Gas Jeep, saw that Malashenko was looking at everything outside the car window in a daze, even staggering forward on the sidewalk. Any good old woman can attract Malashenko's attention and take a second look.

Shashmulin, who could probably guess why, thought for a moment and then spoke softly to Malashenko.

"Remember what happened here in the past?"

Shashmulin did not make his words too obvious, mainly because he was afraid of bringing back some sad and bad memories of Malashenko.

After all, Shashmulin, who was sent by Kotin to preside over the reconstruction of the Kirov Factory immediately after the siege of Leningrad, remembered what a miserable state Leningrad was in at that time. Even if the claws of Fascism did not completely pollute the city, there is no doubt that it has brought eternal indelible pain to this great heroic city.

The ruins are filled with hungry civilians, and the skinny, severely malnourished Red Army soldiers are cleaning the ruins with their weakened bodies. The streets and construction areas were full of craters of various sizes left by bombs dropped by German planes and shelled by artillery. The drive that was supposed to take one hour ended up taking more than half a day to reach the destination.

During the entire siege of Leningrad, countless people died of starvation, lack of medical treatment, and diseases. Shashmulin only remembered that there were graves burying the dead every kilometer wherever he went.

Those who had even shed their tears could not temporarily care about their relatives, neighbors, friends, comrades and comrades who were buried everywhere. They themselves are in a life-and-death struggle, and they have to work hard to save their own lives, for a better tomorrow for all the survivors in this city, and to reverse the reconstruction work of this city named after the great revolutionary mentor as soon as possible. Struggle on the right track.

Hearing the words from Shashmulin's mouth, Malashenko, who was really moved by the scene, was silent for a while, but it did not last long, and then he spoke.

"Well, I remembered what I had seen here before, what happened right around me."

"That's that street. I still remember the house that was half destroyed by the bombing. It has obvious features. When I was fighting in Leningrad, it was still a small four-story building."

"Once again we were ordered to rest nearby, but there was no food. We had to carry it until the next morning before food would be delivered. This was already a priority. The comrades were very hungry at that time, and many of them were beaten One day after the battle came back from the firing line, I was almost paralyzed. I was so tired and hungry that it was difficult to fall asleep, even if I wanted to, I couldn't sleep. "

"An old woman found us when we needed it most. She said there was some food in that building specially reserved for us Red Army soldiers, and invited us there."

"But after we got there, we discovered that the building turned out to be a refugee settlement. The upstairs and downstairs were crowded with homeless civilians, most of whom were women, children, and the elderly."

"We didn't find out until after we finished eating that they had boiled their own rations, the last life-saving rations for war refugees, into a pot for us to eat. The reason for not explaining it in advance was just because they were worried that we wouldn't accept it or accept it. Willing to eat.”

Malashenko's eyes were a little wet and red after he had finished speaking. Shashmulin, who was good at observing details, could certainly notice this subtle change. At this time, he was a quiet listener and allowed Malashenko to continue speaking. the best choice.

"Many people were in tears, including me of course. Even though it was just a simple meal of beans stewed with brown rice, there were no seasonings, no vegetables, and no meat. The feeling in the mouth can only be said to be better than drinking water. Be stronger."

"But I swear, it was definitely the most unforgettable meal I have ever had in my life. No matter how delicious the food is, it cannot equal the shock and impact this meal brought to me."

"I looked at those hungry and panic-stricken people. They all looked at us, at these defenders of the motherland, the Red Army soldiers. I could find the light of hope and trust in their eyes. heavy responsibility.”

"From that time on, I knew that we had an iron will and people and soldiers who were willing to sacrifice everything for the motherland. Those Fascists were already counting down to death in my eyes, no matter how high the price was, No matter how great the sacrifice, we must completely crush this group of heartless scum! I firmly believe that victory will belong to us!"

"And now"

Malashenko, who had tears in the corners of his wet red eyes, smiled lightly, quietly changed his tone and continued to speak.

"This great city has been completely liberated from the clutches of Fascism, and we have embarked on the road to victory to bury Fascism."

"Everything promised is coming true, Comrade Shashmulin. It gives me great joy to return to this city for which I have fought, just like the victory that the city itself has experienced. Likewise, those evil fascist fanatics will eventually pay the most painful price for their folly.”

The motorcade had already arrived at its destination before the words were spoken. Shashmulin, who was deeply moved by what you said, was the first to open the door. After getting off the bus, he asked Malashenko who was still in the car after getting off the station. He spoke quietly.

"Come, Comrade General, let me take you to see something that can help you lead to victory."