Red Moscow

  Chapter 96 Sudden shelling

   While the commanders and fighters were cheering for victory, Sokov was a little depressed. For the first time, he found that he was not suitable to be a soldier. Even though he is now a battalion commander of a reinforced battalion, if he didn't understand some historical processes, he might not even be as good as an ordinary squad leader. Moreover, the reason why all the battles I participated in recently was able to win was that on the one hand, the Germans were in chaos due to the counterattack of the Soviet army, making them unable to exert their normal combat effectiveness; on the other hand, there was some luck. ingredients included.

In his heart, he began to reflect on the series of mistakes he made in command: 1. He sent a small unit to sneak attack on the German artillery positions, but he didn't think of sending troops to respond; There is no communication equipment. If Vasily, Belkin and others hadn't taken the initiative to take action, perhaps the operation to seize the artillery position tonight would have ended in failure, and Pavel's squad would have been completely wiped out. Even so, the original squad of thirty-one people now only has eight people left, including two wounded.

After returning to the battalion command post, Sokov immediately reported to Chernyshov, the commander of the 11th Guards Division in Sukhinich, through the intercom, telling him that he had successfully captured the German artillery position and seized the Five 150mm howitzers.

  After listening to the report, Chernyshev couldn't help saying happily: "Lieutenant Sokov, you are really great. You actually captured five artillery pieces from the German army. You know, we need such artillery pieces right now."

After praising Sokov, Chernyshov paused for a moment, and then ordered: "By the way, Captain Sokov, there is no artillery in your battalion anyway, and you will send someone to bring the artillery to the ground at dawn." Bring it to town."

  After putting down the phone, Sokov said bitterly to Belkin who was sitting opposite: "Comrade deputy battalion commander, the division commander ordered that after dawn, send someone to send the captured cannons to the city."

When Belkin heard that the cannon was going to be sent away, he also showed a surprised expression on his face, but he quickly returned to normal. He nodded and said, "Comrade battalion commander, I think the higher-ups must have their consideration in making such an arrangement. .I don't know who you plan to send to send the artillery to the city?"

  Sokov originally wanted Belkin to go, but then he thought about it. Assia was in the field hospital in the city. If he escorted the artillery into the city by himself, he could still find a chance to meet her. After making up his mind, he said, "Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, I think it's better for me to go there myself. I still need to report to Chernyshov about the situation in the battalion."

  Belkin nodded after hearing Sokov's high-sounding reason, and said, "Okay, Comrade Battalion Commander, you can go at ease. I'm the one to do things in the battalion."

  ...

  Early the next morning, Sokov returned to Susinich in a German truck towing artillery. As soon as he entered the city, he was stopped by a motorcycle. A second lieutenant officer walked out of the sidecar, walked to the door on the side of the co-pilot, raised his hand to salute Sokov and said: "Commander commander, I was ordered to be your guide. Please let the convoy follow I come!"

Sokov nodded slightly, and was about to order the driver to follow the second lieutenant's motorcycle, when he suddenly saw a young female health worker wearing a short padded overcoat, a padded military cap, and a medicine box on the side of the road, hurrying along the street. step forward. Seeing that the back was somewhat familiar, he poked his head out of the car window and called out tentatively, "Asiya~!"

  The female hygienist seemed to hear Sokov's shout, so she slowed down, as if she was going to turn around to confirm who was calling her. Seeing her performance, Sokov was sure that this person must be Assia, so he opened the car door and raised his voice and shouted: "Assia!"

   Following the shout, the female hygienist turned her head. Seeing that it was indeed Asiya, Sokov jumped out of the car and walked towards her quickly. Assia saw clearly that the person who called her was actually Sokov, she exclaimed, and trotted over.

The second lieutenant, who had just gotten into the sidecar and was about to let the motorcyclists go, saw Sokov hugging a female health worker on the side of the street. People walk by. He stopped two or three steps away, first coughed to remind the other party of his existence, and then called Sokov: "Comrade Captain!"

   When Sokov heard the second lieutenant's shout, he remembered that he was sending artillery into the city with the convoy. But already in the city, there is no need to follow the convoy, so he said to the second lieutenant: "Comrade second lieutenant, my convoy is right there, take them away." After speaking, he turned and slapped the truck driver. He gestured for them to follow the second lieutenant's motorcycle.

  After the convoy left, Assia asked curiously: "Misha, why are you thinking of going into town today?"

Afraid that Assia would be worried, Sokov deliberately said lightly: "Yesterday we fought two battles with the Germans and captured five howitzers. The superior ordered me to send the artillery to the city. I thought you were in the city, so Came here specially with the convoy.”

  Hearing that Sokov made a special trip to the city to see her, Assia couldn't help but secretly delighted. But she knew very well in her heart that now is the time of war, not the time when two people are flirting with each other, so she quickly regained her composure and asked carefully, "Where do you plan to go next?"

   "I want to visit the division headquarters." Sokov looked at Asiya and asked, "Would you like to go with me?"

  Asiya nodded after hearing this: "I happen to have time now, so I will accompany you to the division headquarters, and I will wait for you outside later."

  The two walked forward along the street. A T-34 tank was parked on the side of the road ahead. Several tank soldiers wearing helmets and short cotton coats were standing next to the tank and smoking. Seeing Asiya approaching, several people stared at her intently, and directly regarded Sokov as a transparent person.

When the two passed by them, a tank soldier shouted from Assia: "Hey, Comrade Sanitary, can you give me your military postal number? We are going to fight the Germans soon, and when the Germans are defeated man, I will write to you."

  Seeing someone actually seducing Asiya in front of his face, Sokov couldn't help the blood rushing to his head. Just as he was about to have a seizure, he suddenly heard a strange whistling sound from far to near in the air. Sokov, who had been shelled on the high ground yesterday, turned pale when he heard the voice.

  He yelled suddenly: "Bombardment, lie down!" He hugged Asia and pushed her down to the ground.

  (end of this chapter)