Burning Moscow

　　 Breaking through the siege of the Germans was originally a thing worthy of happiness, but I felt a little uneasy in my heart. If the Germans were so easy to deal with, it is estimated that this encirclement would have been broken by other troops. The 2nd Assault Army, which was originally strong and strong, would not be in danger of running out of ammunition and food.

　　 I talked to Lieutenant Akhromeyev for a while, and I walked up the hill with him to check the commanding heights on both sides of the passage that we had just captured.

　　 The two of us walked up the hillside on the left, passing by the bodies of the Soviet soldiers and German soldiers who had not yet cleaned up. When you come to the top of the slope, you can see criss-cross trenches everywhere, and the corpses are full of trenches. It seems that even with the fire support from our tanks, the troops attacking the position still paid huge casualties.

　　 Akhromeyev and I found a relatively clean trench and raised a telescope to observe the enemy situation in the north, because it is said that the surviving German soldiers ran in this direction. I don't know, but I was shocked when I saw it. It turned out that there was a German position in the north, and the helmet shaking in the trench could be clearly seen.

I was thinking about whether to let Akhromeyev and I join forces and open the way with tanks of the 29th Tank Brigade to launch a round of offensive against the German position. When I sent to the division headquarters to report the letter. Sergeant Simenko hurried back to his life.

　　 Sergeant Gerasimenko, led by the soldiers, came to me and reported loudly: "Comrade Major, I have been ordered to report to the division. I have completed my mission and returned safely. I am awaiting your order."

　　 I put down the binoculars in my hand, turned around to look at him, and asked, "Is there any latest order in the division?"

"Yes, Comrade Major." Sergeant Gerasimenko replied, "The commander asked me to bring you the latest order. The task is to combine the fighters of the Yevgeni regiment with the fighters of the original three battalions. Set up defenses on the high ground on both sides of the passage. Because the Germans may attempt to counterattack, they are not allowed to take a step back without an order. All troops must be nailed to the position like nails! Similarly, before further orders from the division, the troops Nor is it allowed to go any further."

After listening to the command relayed by the sergeant, I asked Akhromeyev who was still holding a telescope to observe the enemy in the distance: "Comrade Lieutenant, what do you think of this command? If we are united, facing the north A surprise attack by the Germans will definitely damage them.” I say this because I found that the German troops are in motion during the observations. If they have completed the build-up of their forces, they will counterattack in a big way. Whether the troops can stop them is still a question. Therefore, I plan to use the tank troops and infantry sent by the front army to organize an attack on the German army and to drive them as far as possible to ensure the safety of the passage.

　　 After the last battle, I think the lieutenant is an excellent commander who has the fighting spirit and knows how to grasp the opportunities. If he can agree to send troops to cooperate, we are still very sure that we will defeat the German forces ahead again.

　　 However, this time, Akhromeyev's reaction was a little bit beyond my expectations. He put down the telescope and was silent for a while, sighed, and replied clearly: "Comrade Major, I regret that although your proposal is very good, I cannot agree to it. You know, the order I received was just to follow The narrow-gauge railway assaulted from east to west to meet the breakout forces of the 2nd Assault Group. Once the two armies have joined forces, my task is to defend in situ. Before I get a new order, I will never allow retreat or attack." Having said that, he paused and reminded me kindly, "Comrade Major, I know you are a very good commander, but orders from higher authorities are not allowed to be discussed. Since the orders you have received are with me The same, they are all fortifications, then I suggest that you should immediately ask your soldiers to reinforce the existing fortifications to deal with possible counterattacks by the Germans."

Akhromeyev said so, I was so angry that I had the urge to smash the telescope in his hand directly on his face. I pretended that you are a young and promising commander, and you are still abiding by the rules and don’t know how to adapt. I don't know how to grasp such a good fighter.

Although I have the urge to beat him in my heart, I can only think about it and cannot really implement it. You must know that he is only an executor. In his education, the orders of superiors must be ignored under any circumstances. It is implemented without compromise, and no one is allowed to question or discuss it.

　　 I snorted and stopped responding to him. Instead, I raised the binoculars again angrily and quietly observed the movements of the German troops in the distance. There were more and more swaying figures in the trenches, but no tanks or artillery were found on the enemy's position, so even if I fought, I would be sure to defend my position.

Seeing that the enemy had no sign of attacking for the time being, I put down my binoculars, called Lieutenant Kozala and Lieutenant Ugard who were standing not far away, and began to give them orders: "Lieutenant Kozala, leave a hundred here. A soldier, then you take the remaining two hundred people to the hillside over there and build fortifications there to prevent possible German attacks." Then I said to Ugarde: "Comrade Lieutenant, now Seventh Company, Eighth Company The company merged, together with a hundred people drawn from the Yevgeny regiment, were responsible for fortifying and defending on this hillside. Remember, when strengthening the fortifications, you should dig more cannon holes to reduce the soldiers' exposure to German shelling. Casualties. Do you understand?"

　　 The two agreed neatly: "Guaranteed to complete the task!" Then they each took their own troops into the designated position, and began to strengthen and improve the fortifications.

I turned my gaze to Akhromeyev who was standing aside again, and said coldly: "Comrade Lieutenant, since your task is to cooperate with us for fortifying and defending. Then take your troops to the high ground on the right to assist. Captain Kozala defend it."

Seeing that my attitude towards him suddenly became extremely cold, Akhromeyev froze for a while, and immediately understood what was going on. He smiled bitterly and saluted me, and replied loudly: "Yes, Comrade Major. I will immediately assemble the team and enter the position with Captain Kozala."

　　 After I sent Captain Kozala and Lieutenant Akhromeyev away, I again raised the telescope and looked at the surrounding environment. The east and west sides of the highland are forests and swamps. If the Germans want to cut off our communication lines, they must attack from the north. After watching for a long time, I didn't see the Germans wanting to attack at all. I couldn't help being sleepy. After yawning a few times, I found a shelter that originally belonged to the German army and went to sleep.

　　 Before going to bed, I specifically told Gerasimenko who was standing at the door: "Comrade Sergeant, I will rest for a while. If there is nothing serious, don't let anyone disturb me. Understand?"

　　 "Understood, Comrade Major. Please rest assured, I will never let anyone disturb you until you wake up."

　　 I nodded in satisfaction, got into the shelter, lay on a camp bed in the corner and started to doze off.

　　 I haven't had a good rest for a few days. As soon as I lay on the bed, I quickly fell asleep without knowing it. I don't know how long it took, I was awakened by the noise outside, I raised my hand to check the time, it was already ten o'clock in the morning. To find out why it was so noisy outside, I sat up, rubbed my face with both hands, and walked out and asked loudly, "Comrade Sergeant, what's going on outside, why is it so noisy?"

Sergeant Grasimenko, who was standing guard at the door, quickly saluted me and replied: "Report Comrade Major that the successor troops are retreating from the passage under the hillside. There are too many people to wake you up. "

　　 I climbed out of the trenches and stood on a high place to look down. The narrow-gauge passage under the **** was already full of retreating troops. Because there are no locomotives and wagons, the retreating troops can only leave on foot. At present, the troops passing from below should belong to the field hospital. In the middle is a carriage, some carrying the wounded, and some carrying medicines and medical equipment; on the left is a stretcher team composed of soldiers, who are carrying the heavily wounded who cannot move, and slowly moving forward with the team. ; The lightly injured person on the right, with a bandage on his head or with his arm hanging on his chest, can walk independently. He is moving his steps forward. If the injury is slightly more serious, he put his hand on the soldier’s shoulder and let them Helping forward.

　　 At this moment, the screaming sound of cannonballs flying in the air came. "Shelling!" This thought came to my mind. Almost at the same time, the shell exploded on the hillside, lifting the soil high. I turned my head and ran into the trenches. Within a few steps, a shell fell and exploded where I was standing. The explosion of air slammed into my back with a powerful force, brought my body forward and fell into the trench.