Red Moscow

The morning after the new reconnaissance team set off, Sokov received a call from Chernyshov from the city. Since there was no telephone line between the unnamed highland and the city, Chernyshov had a plain language conversation with Sokov through an intercom. The noise of the radio conversation was loud, and the city was being shelled. It took Sokov a lot of effort to hear Chernyshov's order clearly.

At the end of the call, Belgin, who was inspecting on the high ground, just walked in, and Sokov repeated the order he had just received: "Comrade deputy battalion commander, the division commander just said on the phone that a member of our army The two-seater plane lost its direction during the flight and lost contact with the south of the unnamed highlands, he ordered us to immediately send people to search for the missing plane and rescue the occupants of the plane."

For this kind of mission, Belkin is obviously more familiar than Sokov. He knows very well that if it is just an ordinary plane crash, Chernyshov will never take the risk of staying in the command post to make a phone call during the German bombardment, so He deliberately asked: "Comrade battalion commander, did the division commander say whether there are important people on board, or are there any important orders on board?"

"There was an operational staff officer from the front headquarters on the plane, and he had an attack order for the left wing of the front." Sukov quickly added: "In order to prevent this document from falling into the hands of the Germans, we must Find the missing plane as soon as possible."

"Comrade Battalion Commander, leave this task to me." Belgin waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately volunteered: "I will immediately take people into the forest to search for the missing plane."

"In my opinion, I'd better take someone there myself." Although Sokov knew in his heart that searching for a missing plane in the vast forest was tantamount to finding a needle in a haystack, and there was a possibility of encountering the German army, but he still resolutely Decided to personally lead the team to complete this difficult task: "You should stay here and command the troops."

Seeing that Sokov had made up his mind, Belgin did not argue with him, but suggested to him, "Comrade Battalion Commander, the guard platoon has a good fighting capacity, why don't you take them all?"

"The combat power of the guard platoon is good, but when it comes to searching for planes in the forest, their strength is not good enough." Regarding the selection of the search team, Sukov has his own considerations: "I think it is better to select those who have been guarding the forest. Hunters or hunters, come to join the search party." With that, he went to the door and told the sentinel standing at the door to fetch the guard platoon leader Seryozha.

Seryozha was staying in the hidden department next to the command post. When he heard the sentry say that Sokov was looking for him, he rushed over immediately. When Sokov saw him come in, he ordered directly: "Seryozha, I want to lead a team out to perform a mission in person. You immediately go to each company to help me select twelve soldiers. The requirements are accurate marksmanship and experience in forest warfare." , fighters who have been forest guards or hunters are given priority.” Seeing that Sergei nodded to show that he understood, he waved to him, “You go now.”

Sergey's work efficiency was quite high. In less than an hour, according to Sokov's request, twelve qualified fighters were selected, including Sergeant Zelia, the second platoon leader of the second company. , A row of soldiers Oleg.

Seeing the soldiers lined up outside the command post, Sokov nodded with satisfaction and said, "Comrades, the superior ordered us to go to the south of the high ground to search for a missing plane. Our mission may take two or three Therefore, each comrade has to bring three days of dry food and two basic ammunition. We will set off in half an hour, everyone go back and prepare first. Disband!" After finishing speaking, Sokov turned and left After entering the command post, Seryozha stood there for a while, then followed into the house.

Seeing Sokov standing in front of the table, leaning over to look at the place spread out on the table, Seryozha leaned over and said pitifully, "Comrade battalion commander, I will go with you to carry out the mission too!"

"Sergesha, you can't go." Sokov turned his head and said to Sergesha who was standing behind him: "You are the guard platoon leader. Your task is to defend the battalion command post and ensure its safety. Do you understand?" To prevent Seryozha from pestering him any longer, he immediately assigned him a new task, "The team also needs a hygienist and a radio operator, and you can arrange the candidates."

Shortly after Seryozha left, Corporal Maxim, the communications squad leader, entered. He asked Sokov with a sad face: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I heard from Platoon Commander Sergey Sha that you asked our squad to send a radio operator to carry out the mission with you. Is that right?"

"That's right, that's exactly what I ordered." Sokov looked at the bitter face of the communication monitor and asked curiously, "Why, is there any problem?"

"Commander, I still have a few more, but I don't have any extra radio stations." Hearing Sokov's question, Maxim hurriedly said to the telegraph machine placed in the corner of the command post: "We only have three radio stations, two The reconnaissance teams each took one, and now there is only one left."

This unexpected news made Sokov embarrassed. The radio station in the command post must keep in touch with the division headquarters in the city, so it must not be taken away; the troops are about to leave, and it is too late to send people back to the city to get a new radio station. what can we do about it?

Belgin, who was sitting on the side, couldn't help laughing when he saw Sokov's helplessness: "Comrade battalion commander, you should take this radio station away first, and I will send someone to the division headquarters later, and then go to the division to get the radio station." A new station will do."

Having solved the problem with the radio station, Seryozha came in again with Assia. Seeing Asiya's appearance, Sokov immediately frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"

There was a surprised expression on Assia's face: "Don't you need a health worker to act with the squad?"

Sokov was not willing to let Asya take risks, so he waved at her and said, "This operation is a bit dangerous, so you don't have to go. Sergey, you ask the assistant military doctor to replace a male health worker." Come."

"Why?" Hearing that Sokov refused to let her join the squad, Assia's eyes turned red and she asked tearfully, "Why don't you let me go with you, is it because I'm a woman? "

Seeing that Assia was about to cry because she couldn't join the squad, Belkin next to her couldn't stand it, and hurried out to help and said, "Comrade battalion commander, Assia's ambulance skills are among the best in the medical team." , I think it’s better to let her follow you to carry out the mission.”

"That's right, that's right, the deputy battalion commander is right. Assia's ambulance skills are the best in the entire health team." Seryozha also hurriedly chimed in and said, "Comrade battalion commander, I think it's up to Assia go."

Seeing that Belkin and Seryozha were persuading him, and Assia looked pitiful again, Sokov's determination was shaken. After thinking for a while, he finally nodded and said, "Okay, since you all think that Asia is the right candidate, let her join the search team."

"Ulla!" Assia cheered when she heard that Sokov agreed to join the squad. She kissed him quickly on the cheek like a chicken pecking at rice, and then ran out of the battalion commander with a blushing face. Place.