Red Moscow

  Chapter 248 A misunderstanding

  Sokov returned to the Istria Battalion station with a detailed battle plan, and called the company and platoon commanders for a meeting. After introducing the mission, he said to the people here with some concerns: "Commanders, this mission is very difficult. We will march for more than 100 kilometers after receiving the required ammunition and supplies tomorrow morning. Rush to the Tim area west of Voronezh to disrupt the German communication lines. Since the battalion has recently replenished a large number of wounded and discharged from hospitals, and our marching route is full of forests and swamps, they may not be able to adapt to such difficult conditions , so I intend to keep them. Do you disagree?"

  After these three days of marching on foot, some wounded were too tired and their injuries would relapse. It is undoubtedly the most correct decision to keep them here. All commanders agreed with Sokov's proposal. "No comment."

However, when Sokov asked everyone what their opinions were on the mission to be carried out this time, Captain Andrei, the deputy company commander of the second company, got up and asked: "Comrade major, such a mission as destroying the German army's communication lines is considered an ordinary guerrilla." It can be done, so why send our battalion there? You know, we are a regular army.”

  Andre’s words immediately aroused the response of the commanders present, and everyone also had the same idea: Why should the Istria battalion be responsible for the tasks that the guerrillas can clearly complete? You must know that although it is only more than 100 kilometers from here to the destination, marching in forests and swamps is different from marching on peaceful ground, and the commanders and fighters will spend several times more physical strength. It is precisely for this reason that everyone agrees with Sokov's opinion to keep those weak commanders and fighters.

"That's right, comrades in command, you are quite right. Any guerrilla operating behind the enemy lines can destroy the communication lines of the German army." As soon as Sokov said, the room fell silent again. All the commanders present turned their eyes to Sokov, wanting to hear what he said next. Sokov paused for a moment, then continued: "From the analysis of the current situation, the enemy's attack on our army is their long-planned summer offensive, so their consumption of ammunition and supplies will be very huge. In order to ensure traffic If the line is not destroyed, they will definitely deploy heavy troops to protect the transportation line. Tell me, in this case, can the guerrillas destroy the German army's communication line be effective?"

  When the commanders heard what Sokov said, they all carefully considered what he said in their hearts, and felt that what he said was very reasonable. Due to factors such as size, equipment, and combat effectiveness, guerrillas can ambush one or two small transport convoys, but if you encounter a convoy escorted by the German army with armored vehicles, would you let them try again? It's too late to hide, how dare you hit a rock with an egg.

Seeing that everyone seemed to be convinced by himself, Sokov went on to say: "Although our battalion is a regular army, it has experience in both attacking fortified positions and fighting guerrillas in the enemy's rear. The superior must have thought carefully and felt that Only our battalion was able to pose a threat to the German lines of communication, and this important task was entrusted to us."

Sokov's words made all the commanders feel a sense of honor in their hearts. Everyone couldn't help raising their chins when they thought that their superiors entrusted them with such a difficult and glorious task because they trusted them. High.

  After the meeting, the commanders all went back to their respective troops. But less than half an hour later, the battalion command post was surrounded by nearly a hundred soldiers. Seeing so many soldiers coming from different directions, Sergesha didn't know what happened, so he quickly ordered the soldiers in the police platoon to be alert, and he rushed into the command post to report to Sokov.

Knowing that the command post was surrounded by soldiers, Belkin suddenly turned pale with shock: "What, the soldiers surrounded the command post?" His first reaction was that the soldiers in the battalion had mutinied. Among the soldiers, in addition to the wounded who were recovered and discharged from the hospital, there were also many rescued prisoners of war. Maybe there were German spies among them, and now they are inciting them to rebel. Thinking of this, he quickly said to Sokov: "Comrade Major, it seems that the situation is not good. Maybe it is a soldier who doesn't know the truth. He was bewitched by the German secret agents and mutinied. You should jump out of the window first. I'll handle it."

  Although Sokov didn't know what was going on outside, it was absolutely impossible for him to leave his comrades in the command post and run away alone. And even if he escapes alone, but loses his troops, it is enough to send him to a military court, or even lose his head. So he had to stay and talk to the warriors outside to find out what happened. So he shook his head and said firmly: "No, Comrade Belkin, I can't go, I want to go out and talk to the soldiers."

  Seeing Sokov was about to go out, Belkin and Seryosha grabbed him from left to right, and tried to persuade him: "You can't go, it's too dangerous outside, if you go out rashly, your life will be in danger."

  Sokov turned his head to look at Belkin and said: "Comrade Belkin, do you think I will be safe if I leave the troops and leave?"

  Belkin gradually calmed down after hearing what Sokov said, and felt that what he had just said to persuade Sokov to escape was inappropriate. Even if he was lucky enough to escape with his life, his superiors would not spare him. Thinking of this, he let go of Sokov's arm, adjusted his military appearance, and said to Sokov: "Comrade Major, I will go out with you." open."

  Sokov and Belkin walked out of the command post and saw more than a hundred soldiers gathered outside the door, but they were standing outside the cordon set up by the soldiers of the police platoon. Seeing Sokov coming out, someone immediately shouted: "The major is coming out!"

   All kinds of shouts suddenly sounded outside the house: "Battle Commander!" "Major Sokov!"...

Sokov thought that once he went out, he would face countless black guns, but at this moment, seeing that the soldiers were just calling him, but did not take any drastic actions, he quickly raised his hand and pressed down, and waited for the scene to become quiet. , He said: "Hello, comrades, I am Major Sokov. What are you doing here?"

  As soon as he finished speaking, the scene became chaotic. Countless people were talking at the same time, but no one could hear what they were saying. Sokov could only raise his voice and shout: "Quiet, comrades, please be quiet!" After the soldiers were quiet again, he said a little bit dumbfounded, "Comrades, if you have any opinions on me, you can say it one by one. Don't yell like that, I can't hear what you're saying at all."

"Comrade Battalion Commander." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, a sergeant who was not wearing a military cap and had a bandage on his head squeezed out of the crowd and came to Sokov and said loudly: "I'm sorry. You have an opinion."

"You are Yegor from the Second Company. You have participated in many battles with me since Khimki." Seeing that the soldier who spoke first was Sergeant Yegor whom he was familiar with, Sokov felt at ease. Many, he nodded at the other party, and said with a smile: "If you have any opinions on me, just promote me. After all, we are old comrades who have gone through life and death."

"Comrade Battalion Commander, I heard that the troops are going to perform important combat missions soon." Sergeant Yegor still referred to Sokov's previous position: "But why did you keep us? Could it be that if we are wounded, we are not injured?" Are you qualified to participate in the battle?"

  After listening to Egor's question, Sokov immediately realized that something had happened. It wasn't the mutiny that Belkin was worried about. The soldiers surrounding the battalion command post must be those who were to be left behind. However, just to be on the safe side, he still asked tentatively: "Yegor, did your commander arrange for you to stay?" After seeing Yegor nodding in affirmation, he turned his eyes to the other soldiers and asked loudly : "Are you going to be left here like Sergeant Yegor?"

   "Yes, Comrade Battalion Commander." "Comrade Battalion Commander, please, let us go to the battle, we will not hold back the troops!" "Comrade Battalion Commander..." "Comrade Major..."

When Sokov listened to the soldiers shouting and excitedly expressing their attitudes, he suddenly realized that he had made a low-level mistake. He only considered that these soldiers were not fit for long-distance marches, but ignored their respect for the motherland and the country. The love of the people, in order to defeat the Japanese invaders, they will not hesitate to dedicate their blood and life, a little physical pain, what is it to them?

Seeing that Sokov was silent, Yegor quickly grabbed his arm and said excitedly: "Comrade battalion commander, take us with you. I assure you, all of us present will climb even if they are crawling." to the destination."

  Belkin, who was standing aside, could not help being proud of his troops and his brave fighters after listening to the soldiers' statements. Originally, he still had some doubts about going deep into the enemy's rear to fight, but at this moment, seeing the enthusiasm of the soldiers, a strong self-confidence surged in his heart. He walked up to Sokov, leaned close to his ear, and said in a low voice: "Comrade Major, if you don't revoke the order at the meeting, I don't think these soldiers will leave."

   "You are right, Comrade Belkin, we cannot dampen the enthusiasm of the commanders and fighters." After Sokov finished speaking, he raised his right hand high above his head, signaling the soldiers present to be quiet. When the soldiers saw Sokov raised his hand, they knew that he was going to speak, so they all shut their mouths.

"Comrades soldiers, I am the one who considered that your bodies might not be able to withstand such an intense march." Looking at the soldiers in front of him, Sokov said a little excitedly: "But seeing your reactions now, I realize that I was wrong. You are all doing well, I am proud of you!" After speaking, he raised his hand and saluted the soldiers with a solemn military salute.

  (end of this chapter)