Red Moscow

The German artillery who were bombarding Ponegerin's position never dreamed that the Soviet army would respond in such a short period of time and mobilize artillery with the same number as them to counter-shoot them.

In an instant, the artillery positions of the German army were severely shelled. Although the distance between the artillery was strictly deployed in accordance with the regulations, the intensive artillery fire of the Soviet army turned their positions into a sea of ​​​​flames.

On the other hand, Ponegerin suddenly felt that the German artillery had become sparse. He didn't know that it was because the German artillery positions were bombarded and a large number of artillery were destroyed. The commander of the 126th regiment Harlem called.

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," as soon as he heard Du Haring's voice, he said straight to the point: "Has the enemy's shelling of your regiment's position become sparse?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Duharin replied, "The enemy's artillery fire has indeed weakened a lot compared to just now."

"This shows that the enemy's offensive is about to begin." Pornejelin reminded the other party: "Get your soldiers ready and enter their respective positions as soon as the enemy's shelling stops."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Duharin said carelessly: "Our commanders and fighters all have rich combat experience. They know when to enter the position and resist the German attack."

Pornegelin felt that Duharin was underestimating the enemy, so he reminded him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I think it is necessary to remind you that when our army attacked the enemy's positions in the past, we took advantage of the shelling , when unable to observe the situation on the battlefield, approach their positions quietly, and then charge as soon as the shelling stops.

Since the Germans are usually still in the second-line positions, it is too late to return to the front through the traffic trenches. As a result, our army easily occupied the empty forward positions. Now the Germans, who have been suffering repeatedly, have also mastered this tactic. If they suddenly give you such a hand, do you think they can still hold their ground? "

Ponegelin's words made Duharin realize that he had underestimated the enemy, and quickly replied: "Comrade commander, I understand what you mean. I will send out observation posts to closely monitor the enemy's movements. Once a large force is found When the position is approaching, order the soldiers to immediately enter the trenches and prepare for battle."

After calling Duharin, Ponejielin called the two division commanders Chuvashov and Shechtman respectively. On the phone, he told the other party that if the German army launched an attack on the position held by the 126th regiment, the two divisions should each draw a regiment of troops to detour to the two wings of the German army and cut off their connection with the rear.

After he finished making a series of phone calls, Chief of Staff Sidolin reminded him: "Comrade Commander, now that the three divisions are working together on the battlefield, should we report to the headquarters so that the commander can know what's going on. "

Sokov received a call from Ponegerin, and after patiently listening to his report, he said, "Lieutenant Colonel Ponegerin, I haven't had time to inform you that not long ago, the artillery of the group army attacked the artillery of the German army. The position has been suppressed by firepower. The weakening of the artillery fire on the forward position may be related to this. As for the enemy's attack, I think they dare not act rashly after losing the cover of artillery fire."

When Pornegelin heard this, his feelings were like this. No wonder the German shelling suddenly weakened. It turned out that the artillery of the group army destroyed their lair. After thinking for a while, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, even if the Germans don't attack us for the time being due to the loss of artillery support, I think we should be more vigilant to prevent being caught off guard by the Germans."

"Lieutenant Colonel Ponegelin, you are very thoughtful." Sokov nodded after hearing this, and said, "Since that area is in charge of your troops, it is up to you to decide what to do. If If there's anything you can't handle, it's not too late to call me."

Sokov put down the phone and said to Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, there has been an omission in our work. The ordering of the army artillery to suppress the German artillery fire was not reported to Lieutenant Colonel Ponejielin in time. So that He also thought that the weakening of German artillery fire was a precursor to an attack."

After hearing what Sokov said, Smirnov blushed immediately, and took the initiative to admit his mistake, saying: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, it was my negligence. I forgot to report such an important matter to Lieutenant Colonel Ponegerin. This led to a huge deviation in his judgment of the situation."

"All right, all right, Comrade Chief of Staff, don't blame yourself." Sokov said generously, "Just don't make similar mistakes in the future."

The two were talking when the phone on the table rang.

Sokov picked up the microphone, and it turned out to be Colonel Konev, commander of the 3rd Guards Airborne Division, who reported to Sokov on the phone: "Comrade Commander, I just received a call from the 8th Regiment. According to Lieutenant Colonel Changpinkov's report, a guerrilla force of more than 30 people appeared in their regiment's defense zone."

"Guerrillas?!" Sokov asked in surprise after hearing this, "Where did they come from?"

"According to the guerrilla leader, their guerrilla has been active in both Ukraine and Moldavia." Konev reported: "If the German army's encirclement and suppression in Ukraine is severe, they will retreat to Moldavia. Fighting continues there; if Moldavia is seriously wiped out, they will retreat back to Ukraine and start a guerrilla war with the enemy."

Konev's words made Sokov full of curiosity about the guerrilla leader: "Comrade Colonel, this guerrilla leader knows how to fight guerrillas. Do you know what kind of work he was doing before the war?"

"I have already asked." Konev replied: "When the war broke out, he was a lieutenant in the frontier army. Because the enemy's strength was too strong, his troops were defeated in the battle, and he took ten soldiers with him. Several fighters withdrew to a nearby forest and continued guerrilla warfare."

Since Sokov learned that the guerrillas were active in Ukraine and Moldavia, he felt that if he could get their help, the next strategy would be easier. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "Colonel Konev, send someone to send all the guerrillas to me immediately."

Smirnov waited for Sokov to put down the phone, and immediately asked, "Comrade Commander, are you planning to learn about the situation in the Transnistria through the guerrillas?"

"That's right." Sokov nodded, affirming Smirnov's guess: "They have fought guerrillas in this area for three years, so they must be very familiar with the terrain and environment. If they help, there will be It is beneficial for us to eliminate the remaining forces of the Germans here in a short period of time."

Half an hour later, the partisans sent by Konev appeared in Sokov's headquarters. But not more than thirty people, only two people, a man and a woman.

Seeing this, Sokov couldn't help frowning, thinking that with only two people, he might not know much about what he wanted to know. However, out of politeness, he still greeted the two with a smile on his face: "Comrades, welcome to my headquarters."

The man stepped forward to hold Sokov's hand, and said emotionally: "Hello, General Sokov, I have heard of your name a long time ago, and it is my honor to meet you here today."

"Comrade Captain," Sokov asked with a smile, "How should I address you?"

"My name is Brass. I used to be a lieutenant in the border guards. Later, after the troops were dispersed by the Germans, I retreated to the forest area with a dozen soldiers and formed a guerrilla group named after me. .”

"Lieutenant Blass," Sokov called the opponent's original rank, and asked tentatively, "Why does your guerrilla only have more than 30 people?"

"Comrade General, I actually have more than 30 troops." Brass explained to Sokov, "If I bring troops directly to your defense zone, I'm afraid there will be a misunderstanding with the defenders. So in the end I only bring I have recruited more than 30 people to contact your subordinates, in fact, there are more than 700 troops under my command."

"Lieutenant Blass," Sokov asked tentatively, his eyes resting on the female guerrilla wearing a turban, "I wonder if this lesbian is...?"

"Comrade General, let me introduce you." Blass hesitated, and said to Sokov: "Her name is Melmei, and she is a health worker in the guerrilla army. The reason why she is here today is because of her." It is said that there is something important and needs to be reported to the highest commander in the army."

"Comrade Melmei," Sokov said to the female guerrillas, "I am the supreme commander here. If you have anything to do, you can tell me."

Melmei looked Sokov up and down, and asked with doubts on her face, "Are you really the supreme commander here?"

"That's right." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone, "I am the supreme commander."

Knowing that Sokov is the supreme commander here, Melme immediately stood at attention, raised her hand and saluted Sokov with a solemn military salute, and said loudly: "Comrade General, I am the pilot Liuba Shevzova. Sir, I have something very important to report to you immediately!"

As soon as the female guerrilla's words came out, not only Sokov and others were stunned, but even Brass who brought her over was also dumbfounded. He didn't expect that the female health worker in the guerrilla team used a pseudonym, and she used to be a pilot.

"Wait a minute," Sokov interrupted the nurse with a gesture, "Comrade Melmy, or Sergeant Liuba Shevzova, you're confusing me, can you tell me, What's the problem?"

"Yes, Melme." Blass asked in the same astonishment: "When did you, a health worker, become a pilot Sergeant Liuba Shevzova again? What happened?"

"Comrade General, yes, my name is indeed Liuba Shevzova, and I used to be a pilot of the Southwest Front with the rank of sergeant." Liuba Shevzova looked at Sokov and said: "After the war broke out, I Received an important order to escort a general carrying documents to the front line to deliver combat orders. But unfortunately, the plane we were on was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire as soon as it flew near Vinnytsia.

I tried my best to make an emergency landing in an ambush in a defense fortification. As soon as I made a successful forced landing, I was attacked by the German army who came after hearing the news. I was still in an ambush in a bunker, and a small unit of our army was still hiding. It was they who took action in time to save me and the general. "

Hearing this, Sokov couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise, because he had just heard someone mention what Liuba Shevzova said a few days ago.

Liuba Shevzova did not know why Sokov made herself stop, so she stared at Sokov with two big, bewildered eyes, hoping to hear what he would say next.

Sokov asked: "Liuba Shevzova, let me talk about the next thing. If I have something wrong, you can bring it up."

Seeing Liuba Shevzova nodded in agreement, he continued: "After you were rescued to the bunker, the general told the corporal who rescued you that he was ordered to go to the front to pass on the attack order, and asked him to ensure your safety. But after dark, the general tried to flee to the Germans with important documents, but was stopped by Corporal Aku and the general was detained."

"Comrade General," Liuba Shevzova said, her eyes widened in surprise when Sukov mentioned Aku's name, "do you know Corporal Aku?"

"Of course, of course I know." Sokov gave Liuba Shevzova an affirmative answer, and then continued: "Corporal Aku formed a temporary court-martial and sentenced the general to death. But in preparation During the execution, the general suddenly hijacked you and threatened Corporal Aku to put down his weapon."

"That's right." Liuba Shevzova nodded, and then said: "For some reason, the general never fired, but let me go. Later, in the middle of the night, he sneaked out of the bunker and tried to Fleeing to the Germans, only to be shot dead by soldiers in the bunker."

"Well, Comrade Liuba Shevzova," asked Sokov, "I'm telling the truth, right?"

Hearing this, Liuba Shevzova knew that someone must have reported to Sokov what happened at that time, otherwise he would never have known such details. "Comrade General, can you tell me how you knew what happened?"

"Can't you guess that Corporal Aku must have told me these things." Sokov said, "When you broke through, he fell behind because of injuries and was almost captured by the Germans."

"Is he still alive, then?" asked Liuba Shevzova, full of surprise.

"Of course he is still alive, otherwise how would I know what happened at that time." Sokov explained: "But I sent him to the defense fortification area in Vinnytsia to carry out a mission, and I am afraid it will take a few days before he can see what happened." Come back." He remembered that Aku said that the female pilot disappeared during the breakout, so he asked curiously, "It is said that you disappeared during the breakout, where did you come from now?"

"Comrade General, the situation is like this," Liuba Shevzova explained: "We were broken up by the Germans when we broke through. Fortunately, an old lady in the village rescued me, wrapped me in a turban, put on a Dressed in common people's clothes, pretending to be her daughter.

After I lived in the village for half a year, I heard that a guerrilla group had appeared nearby, so I said goodbye to my aunt and went into the forest area to find the whereabouts of the guerrilla group. After seeing me, Captain Blass generously accepted me and let me work as a female health worker in the guerrilla army. "