While Lindemann was silent, Cole whispered, "Mr. Commander, your reserves have not only not decreased, but have increased considerably. General Clark's 41st Motorized Rifle Division and Major General Kent's 22nd Tank Division were transferred from the besieging forces to your command. I have just received a coded telegram from the commander of Army Group 'North', General Qu Hillel. The telegram said that the mechanized 26th Division, transferred from France, was under your command. Cole took the coded telegram from the thick paper clip and placed it in front of Lindemann. After reading the message, the commander signed it, and said as he returned it: "Cole, even with these troops, we don't have many reserves for the time being. It is important to take into account that the closer we are to Petersburg, the more stubborn and fierce the resistance of the Russians will be. What unexpected offensive they will launch against us in the near future, none of us knows, not even the Führer himself. Therefore, in order to ensure that we are protected from all kinds of accidental and unforeseen dangers, you and I, esteemed Cole, should have a strong reserve and be adept at deploying them according to the operational situation that has formed in the offensive zone. Reserve army - this is the magic weapon of our war against the Russians. ”

After listening attentively to Lindemann's words, Cole said: "Mr. Commander: Even according to the materials available to our General Staff, it shows that Army Group 'North' is strong and well equipped. Although I am a small strategist, I think that in order to take Petersburg and make the Russians surrender, our troops and weapons are probably enough. ”

Lindeman narrowed his eyes, looked at him scrutinically, and said slowly, "Yes, Cole, you are a bird that can't fly high, and you will never become the commander of the legion, let alone the commander of the army group." You are overconfident, and you are not good at analyzing the situation and do not know your opponent very well. Have you read Russian history? You should think: who are we fighting against! ”

Cole blushed and replied, "If I had to study all the history of the countries we conquered, then I would have no time for war." I am a soldier who studied military art at the academy and now use it on the field. It is an honor to be with you in battle, to learn from you, Mr. Commander. ”

The general's last few words struck Lindemann's mind, and he smiled.

"During the war with Russia, you already know something, but you have to remember that Russia is such an adversary that even after the fall of Petersburg, it will not sue for peace. Recall the Russian-Napoleonic war. I am sure that the Soviets will fight with us to the last soldier. Only by destroying its entire inhabitants will we be able to conquer this vast and rich country. Lindemann pondered, pacing back and forth in the office. Then he suddenly stood in front of General Kohl and asked calmly: "By the way, did you convey to the unit commander Mr. Himmler's order to destroy all the prisoners in the attack on Petersburg?" Except, of course, those who are useful to our espionage work. ”

"Mr. Commander. The orders of the party leaders have been communicated to all units and brigade commanders. ”

Lindemann continued: "Once you have communicated this order to the commander of the troops, return it to Berlin, otherwise it will cause an international incident if the Russians get hold of it." ”

"I understand, Mr. Commander. This will all be handled in the best possible way. Cole replied. He picked up a thick paper clip and, accompanied by an adjutant and two automatic gunners, drove in a car towards the army staff.

Leaving Lindemann alone, he relayed the telephone to Adjutant Herbert, set up the little alarm clock, set it on the table in front of him, and then unbuttoned the military eye, covered his legs with a woolen carpet that his wife had brought from Berlin, and lazily sat down. Fall into an easy chair and take a nap.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the alarm went off. Lindemann woke up. He stretched out in his easy chair and stood up; He walked to the dresser in the corner of the room, wiped his face with a specially prepared lotion, picked up a snow-white handkerchief, wiped his eyes, and put on his glasses. He carefully looked at the topographical map on the wall, found the location of Lake Ladoga, measured its distance from the front line with a ruler, sat down at the table, and pressed the button.

When the adjutant came to the door, Lindemann said, "Herbert, SS Brigade Commander Frans, please?" Major General Heinz is here with me at five o'clock this afternoon. ”

"Yes, Mr. Commander," the adjutant replied, and walked out the door.

Lindemann took out from a large yellow-skinned briefcase a reconnaissance report on the distribution of Soviet troops on the Western Front sent to him by the intelligence services, read it, and marked it on the operational map with a black pencil.

At this time. Brigadier Heinz came to Hollen's office. Seeing the commander, he stood up straight, immediately raised his right arm, and shouted: "Hi! Hitler! ”

"Hey!" Lindemann replied calmly, walked up to Brigadier Heinz, shook his hand, stared at him, and said in a low voice, "Frans, what's new for you there?" How's the situation in my rear? ”

Frans changed his feet and replied from his standing: "Mr. Commander, we haven't seen each other for a week, and besides, you don't complain about me, you are rectifying the left flank of our army, you are too busy, I don't dare to call you at this time." ”

Lindemann's face turned blue: "There is order everywhere in my army, and the left flank is all restored. And you, the brigade commander of the special brigade, as a regular army officer, should understand: not every battle is guaranteed to be won, and sometimes you will lose the battle, and taste the pain of losing troops and temporary defeat. Unfortunately, this is on my left. The Russians unwittingly redeployed their troops, gathered reserves, and suddenly counterattacked my troops, besides, the abominable 'KV' tank also helped them a lot. As soon as he remembered the huge losses caused by the "521" crew and the passivity of the German army, he could not help but be angry.

Hearing the other party mention the "521" crew, Brigadier Heinz's face also turned a little pale.

"Not only some of my commanders, but above all your department are responsible for the defeat of the left flank of my troops. Dear Frans, you did not find out the intentions of the Russian command in time. ”

"Mr. Commander, I don't want to shirk my responsibility, reconnaissance of the enemy - scouts eat this bowl of rice, this is their duty, what responsibility do we have? We don't do reconnaissance. The task entrusted to me is to eradicate all Bolshevists in the occupied territories, in the areas where your troops are attacking. In a word, consolidate your rear. ”

"But, as far as I know, whose fault is it that the members of the odious tank crew, a man and four women, crossed our positions from our rear and entered Leningrad to assist in the battle?" Lindemann asked coldly.