toward Stalingrad.
- Comrade Commander in chief?
- With your permission?
Get me Division Commander Deyev.
Yes!
Where's our air support,
Lieutenant Colonel?
- Comrade General...
- Where're our fighter planes?
They've just taken off.
That kind of protection is worthless.
One should answer for it
with one's Life.
I'm sorry.
Counterintelligence Chief?
Yes, Comrade Commander.
Colonel Osin, you're responsible for
the safe arrival of the next echelons.
- Take any measures.
- Yes.
Go and do your job.
Yes, Comrade General.
So, on the Germans' path there is
Only a river, the Myshkova.
And then the flat
steppe to Stalingrad.
When do you suppose
they might reach the river?
Our army on that flank is falling
back, fighting them all the way.
It's not impossible that the Germans
may reach the river tonight.
What’ll be the result?
Should they cut our forces in two,
Manstein's tanks could cover
45 kilometers in 24 hours
and Link up
with Von Paulus’s grouping.
And what then?
It would change the situation
completely in the Germans' favor.
If the Germans pierce our defenses on
the Myshkova before we get there,
and deploy their forces on its right
bank, they're going to trample us.
That's obvious, too.
What do they have in the 1st echelon?
The first echelon includes
the 57th Tank Corps
composed of four divisions,
two of them tank divisions.
By our estimation,
400 or 450 tanks.
Four hundred and fifty tanks!
Comrade Commander?
We've finished unloading.
ALL right, Colonel, now Listen.
By tonight, your division
is to take up defensive positions
on the Myshkova.
You must be dug in before nightfall.
Before nightfall?
But, Comrade Commander...
- Is the order clear?
- It's clear.
Look at the map. Here's
the position of the Germans.
There's Only one obstacle
in their way -
the Myshkova river.
Beyond lies the flat steppe
all the way to Stalingrad.
That's why your division must take up
defensive positions along the river
before the Germans
get there.
We must forestall them.
If we don't, we're dead.
Is that clear?
Yes, it is.
Have all the artillery
that's not reserve artillery
placed in infantry combat positions,
point them at the enemy tanks.
Destroy their tanks.
That's the main threat that
the Germans have.
As for our tanks, we’ll use them
Only at the critical juncture.
Before that, we have to save them
Like the apple of our eye.
I understand, Comrade Commander.
What do you think,
artillery commander?
Aren't we going to remain without
artillery after the first battle?
I know about that risk.
I'd rather Lose every gun than allow
the Germans Link up with Paulus.
I repeat, the destruction of tanks
is our main task in the first phase.
Any more questions?
So we're going to the front, are we?
Are the Germans far?
What's your hurry?
There's always time enough to die.
Here he goes Like a broken record.
It's cold, huh?
I bet tonight will be freezing.
Tonight we’ll give it hot to Germans,
It’ll keep you warm.
How far is the front Line?
We won't have to Look for it,
It’ll find us.
Straighten out those ranks!
Straighten your ranks, guys!
Damn this ice cream cone!
Burned my throat all the way down.
You Love ice cream? Watch out, or
you’ll end up in the field hospital.
Field hospital? Never.
To hell with it!
Comrade Lieutenant!
You'd better ride
in the medical vehicle.
ALL right, I’LL go over there now.
Goodbye, boys.
Don't you miss me.
- Hop on the gun carriage.
- What?
Lieutenant, can the medical corps
catch a ride with us?
We can make an exception
for the medic, sure.
If you're tired, you can hop
on the carriage of the second gun.
Who told you that I was tired?
I'm just thirsty.
Want a swig for your morale?
Ukhanov, what are you offering her?
Put your flask away.
Suppose I want it?
Why do you worry about me anyhow?
You jealous by any chance?
I can't be jealous of you.
You've got a husband, haven't you?
What husband?
It's none