Tatiana and Alexander: A Novel(67)

"We have been made aware numerous times of his record, Colonel Stepanov," Mekhlis said, painfully rubbing his forehead. "Now we need to decide how to dispose of him."

"I suggest sending him to Sverdlovsk," said Stepanov.

"We cannot do that."

"Then reinstate him."

"We cannot do that either."

Mekhlis was silent for a while, thinking. After a heavy sigh, he said, "Major Belov, near Volkhov in the valley between Lake Ladoga and the Sinyavino Heights there is a railroad that is getting bombed by the Germans from their hilltop positions several times a day. Are you familiar with it?"

"Yes, sir. My wife helped build that railroad after we broke the blockade."

"Please don't bring up your wife, Major, it's a sore subject. In any case, that railroad is vital for getting food and fuel to the city of Leningrad. I've decided to sentence you to a penal unit in charge of rebuilding the railroad along a ten-kilometer stretch between Sinyavino and Lake Ladoga. Do you know what a penal battalion is?"

Alexander was silent. He knew. The army was filled with thousands of men sent to storm bridges without cover, to cross rivers without cover, to build railroads under fire, to go first into battle without artillery support, without tanks or rifles for each man. In penal battalions, the men were given alternating Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

rifles. When the man next to you fell, you picked up his rifle, unless it was you who fell. Penal battalions were Soviet walls of men sent before Hitler's firing squads.

Mekhlis was silent. "Anything to add, Major? Oh, and you are formally relieved of your rank."

"That's fine. I'm being asked to be part of a battalion, not to command the men, correct?"

"Incorrect. You are being ordered to command the men."

"In that case, I have to keep my rank."

"You cannot keep your rank."

"Sir, with all due respect, I cannot command a squirrel, much less hardened and fearless men in a penal battalion constantly under threat of death without authority bestowed on me by the Red Army. If you want me to be in charge, you have to give me the tools required to command men. Otherwise I will be no good to the Red Army, no good to the war effort and no good to you. The men will not obey a single order from me, the railroad will remain unbuilt, and supply people and soldiers will perish. You cannot ask me to remain in the army--"

"I'm not asking you, I'm ordering you."

"Sir, put me in a penal battalion, certainly, but do not ask me to be in charge. I will be an NCO, a sergeant, a corporal, whatever you decide is fine with me. But if you actually want to use me to the army's advantage, I must keep my bars." Alexander was unflinching when he said, "Certainly you as a general understand that better than anyone. Have you forgotten General Meretskov? He sat in the dungeons of Moscow waiting for his execution. The powers-that-be decided he should command the Volkhov front instead. So he was promoted to general and given an army instead of just a division. How do you think he would have fared commanding his army as the peasant he actually was? How many men do you think he would have been able to send to their deaths if he had been a non-commissioned corporal instead of a commissioned general? Do you want to get the Germans out of Sinyavino Heights? I will get them out for you. But I must keep my rank."

Mekhlis was staring at Alexander with frank, resigned understanding. "You have worn me out, Major Belov. You will be sent to Sinyavino in one hour. The guard will escort you back to your cell to collect your things. I will demote you and allow you to keep the rank of captain, but that is all. Where are your medals?"

Alexander wanted to smile but didn't. "Taken from me before the interrogation. I'm missing theHero of the Soviet Union medal."

"That's unfortunate," Mekhlis said.

"Yes, sir, it is. I also need new BDUs, new weapons, and new supplies. I need a knife, and a tent--I need new gear, sir. My old gear has disappeared."

"Have to keep better track of your equipment, Major Belov."

Alexander saluted him. "I'll keep that in mind. And it's Captain Belov, sir." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Running into Ouspensky, 1943

ALEXANDER WAS ESCORTED TOthe rear of the current front, where he resupplied himself, dressed appropriately and rode in a truck to the barracks that housed a penal battalion of hundreds of used-up men, men who were either criminals or political survivors. They were on the wet ground resting, smoking, playing cards. Three of them were engaged in a fight which Alexander broke up. One of the men in the struggle was Nikolai Ouspensky.

"Oh, no, not you," said Ouspensky.

"What the hell are you doing here, soldier?" Alexander said, shaking his hand. "You have only one lung."

"What areyou doing here? I was sure you were dead," Ouspensky said cheerfully. "I thought they shot you. Certainly after the interrogation I got on your behalf I thought nothing would be left ofyou. "

Alexander offered Nikolai a cigarette and led him away. "What's your rank here? Are you a corporal?"

"I'm still a lieutenant," Ouspensky said indignantly and then quieter, "demoted from first to second lieutenant."