10611. The Snipers’ Rally
On 22 February 1942, with my invitation in my pocket, I managed
to walk by myself from the hospital to the Smolny. Our Lena had
been ordered to escort me there on this occasion.
‘You’re still weak, and you could go astray on your own, and
arrive late for all I know. And I know the city well and I’ll take
you there by the shortest route,’ she said in a tone that brooked
no protests. Lena’s arguments were convincing, and her course of
action was approved by our hospital ward and, the main thing,
by the senior sister of the department, her mother, Alexandra
Ivanovna.
Lena really did know the city very well. There was little time
left till 1500 hours. We were hurrying; we had nothing to rely on
but our own feet. Along the way we encountered trolley buses
standing by the sides of the city’s wide streets. Public transport in
Leningrad was not operating; the electricity which powered the
trolleybuses and trams before the war was no longer available.
However much we hurried, we only just got to the Smolny in
time. Brave Lena wished me luck and immediately turned back;
she had a long way to go. It was with a sinking feeling that I showed
my invitation to the official on duty at the Smolny.
‘Why are you late and why are you on your own?’ he asked