—— The Snipers’ Rally ——117double the official rations for each of us. All this was neatly set out
and superbly served.
When we had all taken our seats, it turned out that I was sitting
at one of the corners – I could see not only our entire team, but
also those who were sitting at the table which formed the base
of the trident: the Front command, our new heroes and Klavdia
Ivanovna Shulzhenko. Almost side by side with Shulzhenko sat an
embarrassed Vladimir Pchelintsev, who was still adjusting to his
new title as Hero of the Soviet Union.
When complete silence had descended in the hall, the officer in
command rose from his seat.
Comrades! Today we have a double celebration: we are
marking the anniversary of the Red Army with the
whole country and we are honouring our heroes – our
Nazi exterminators. And I can appreciate your surprise
when you look at these festively covered tables. This is
a gift to you, defenders of Leningrad, from unoccupied
territory. The homeland is not forgetting us! So let us
raise our glasses and drink to our beloved homeland,
to the Communist Party, our heroic people and to the
victory which is bound to come.
Everyone rose to their feet and a harmonious ‘Hurrah!’ rang
out. And then there were more toasts, more speeches, and then
toasts again, although everything had long been drunk and the
plates were now empty.
Choosing a convenient moment, Vladimir Pchelintsev rose
from his seat, turned to Shulzhenko and said: ‘Klavdia Ivanovna,
you promised to sing for us. If, of course, you are not too tired.. .’
‘How can one not sing for heroes? Let’s have some music, Vlad!’
Klavdia Ivanovna immediately responded.
The band began to play and the singer sang her celebrated
number ‘The Blue Headscarf ’. And then there were more and more
songs. She sang as we had never heard before.
Emboldened, I also made a request of Shulzhenko.