Katyusha

Chapter XVI - There the soldiers march

                  

  April 12, 1943

2 months later

The two armies at Stalingrad have combined forces to help cut recruitment costs down, and in the long run. It had worked out better then what was originally planned.

The price did drop noticeably, but the positions and munitions still did take a while to resupply fully.

It's not a concern though, as the assault battalions are up to their full strength of combat readiness.

Over the past two months, it's been pure chaos from trying to count the dead, to getting requirements filled and met for replacement officers, and troop positions.

In all of Katya's life, never had she worked so hard and for so long, from training the new Lieutenants that are joining her battalion in leadership and tactics.

To sitting behind a desk filling out transfer orders and Company documentation papers for the required qualification readiness status and progress reports.

She finally got around to meeting the other Captain of their battalion, Captain Stepan of the 1st company.

He has also generously offered his assistance in the training process, which Katyusha's eternally gratefully for.

They've teamed up and together, trained the 45 new officers that came in to help command the 350 man strong battalion.

Thankfully, the new officers caught on quickly and with two battle hardened veterans training them. They've excelled way better than they had when they were training in the academies.

Thus, once the new officers finally caught on and adjusted to their new responsibilities.

Running a 350 man strong battalion became so much easier, and less stressful for both the Captains, and their newest commander Lieutenant Colonel Koyla.

**
In Boris's office, Rokossovsky has sent a messenger down to update him about the oncoming major event.

Sitting in his chair behind the solid oak office desk, the Iron man sits with papers neatly piled and organized in front of him.

"Comrade General Rokossovsky sent this message out to all battalion commanders, and the two Brigadier Generals, including yourself that commands this army. That in four hours' time, at 14:30 all men must be lined up and look presentable in parade marching fashion." The courier says taking a moment to catch his breath from being on the move constantly for most of the morning before he hands over the sealed letter to Boris.

"They're to be dressed for combat, yet pressed and presentable for the mandatory army inspections. That's all the message order said, good day sir! The young man says saluting, and then he takes his leave.

Briefly reading over the issued order, he looks up and he calls his young assistant over.

"Go find Koyla and make sure he reads this Pasha." Boris says folding the paper in half before he gives it to his young assistant.

The eager young boy takes the paper and he races off to do as he was told.

Watching him run out, Boris leans back thinking to himself with a smile 'Just like me when I was younger, always on the move, and trying to prove yourself. Keep it up Pasha, and you'll go far in your life.' Boris says to himself as he reaches down his shirt to take out the locket necklace that rested against his chest.

He opens up the chamber and a beautiful young woman is staring back at him in a frozen black and white photo.

"Happy birthday Mina... If only you were alive today." He mumbled to himself as he sighs and closes the locket, slipping it back down his shirt so it'll rest against his heart, safely under his uniform.