Red Moscow

The Istrian battalion left the station and moved towards the Dim area. According to the prior plan, they should arrive in the Jim area within two days to coordinate with the upcoming offensive of the front troops.

Before departure, the commanders and fighters of the whole battalion were full of confidence in arriving at the Jim area on time. After all, before that, they had marched more than 200 kilometers on foot in three days. But after they entered the forest and swamp area, no matter whether it was Sokov or the ordinary soldiers below, they all felt headaches. Marching in the gloomy forest and swamp, what threatened everyone was not only getting lost and being swallowed by the swamp accidentally, but also Beware of the unpredictable snakes, rats and ants at any time. In this case, not to mention walking more than 100 kilometers in two days, even if the time is doubled, it will be difficult to reach the destination on time.

Therefore, when camping on the first day, Sokov sent someone to inform Belkin and the three company commanders to have a meeting at the command post in the hut in the forest, and discuss with them how to speed up the march.

Since the 1st Company was the vanguard, Sokov first asked Vanya: "Captain Vanya, can you find a better way to walk? The roads I walked today can't walk 20 kilometers a day. If this continues, Without four or five days, we simply cannot reach the designated location."

"No way, Comrade Battalion Commander." Vanya spread his hands and said helplessly: "The guide took us the fastest and safest road, and it is impossible to increase the speed. After all, soldiers They all carry 30 to 40 kilograms of ammunition and supplies, even if they want to go fast, they can’t get up quickly.”

"Comrade battalion commander," Andrei waited for Vanya to say, and immediately asked Sokov: "See if you can order the soldiers of the company to leave their supplies and move forward with light equipment. The supplies they left , can be carried by soldiers from our third company."

Andre's proposal moved Sokov a little. He quickly turned his head to look at Vanya and asked, "Captain Vanya, do you think this method will work?"

Vanya remained silent. To be honest, if he lightened the burden on his soldiers, it would indeed speed up their marching speed, but at the same time, it would also bring about a new problem. Less supplies would weaken the troop's ability to attack. If you encounter an area that needs to be attacked, you may not be able to attack at all.

Just as everyone was focusing on Vanya and waiting for his reply, an officer suddenly broke in from the outside and reported loudly: "Report, there are troops active in a place three kilometers away from here." signs."

"Are there troops operating nearby?" Hearing this hour, everyone couldn't help but turn pale with shock. Sokov quickly asked, "How many of them are there? Are they ours or the enemy?"

However, when faced with a series of questions from Sokov, the officer shook his head blankly and replied: "Comrade Major, I heard from comrades who were behind that they discovered this unit a few kilometers away. If it wasn't for Seeing the signs we left behind, they almost thought those people were us."

"Call Christopher!" Sokov waited for the officer to finish speaking, and immediately ordered him: "I want to arrange important tasks for him."

Although the reconnaissance platoon had been merged into the company long ago, the unit commanded by Second Lieutenant Christopher often had to perform some special tasks. Not long after, the officer brought Christopher in. Seeing that the company commanders were all having a meeting here, and Sokov personally sent someone to call him, it must be something important, so he quickly asked: "Comrade battalion commander, what instructions do you have? "

"That's it, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Sokov said to Christopher: "We have received information that a mysterious army has been discovered a few kilometers away from here. The task I give you is to Within a short period of time, find out who they are, how many troops they have, and where their hiding places are. Is there a problem?"

"No problem." Christopher agreed loudly, and then asked: "Comrade major, allow me to go back to the army to arrange reconnaissance missions?"

"Go, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Sokov nodded at Christopher: "I am here waiting for your good news."

Christopher left, and Sokov immediately said to the company commanders present: "Since we don't know whether the troops appearing nearby are friendly or enemy, we must immediately prepare for battle. The three company commanders immediately Return to your respective companies and set up defenses around the camp."

The three company commanders agreed, stood up and saluted Sokov, then turned and left the battalion command post. Seeing that he was the only one left in the room, Belgin asked tentatively, "Comrade Major, do you think the troops operating nearby are ours or the enemy?"

"It's hard to say," Sokov said hesitantly, "Maybe it's a friendly army, or it might be a German airborne squad. Come here!" Sokov suddenly yelled at the door. .

Soon, Seryozha appeared at the door, looked at Sokov and asked, "Comrade Major, what instructions do you have?"

"According to the report, there may be a small group of enemies near us." Don't look at the troops who have not yet figured out the activities nearby. Whether it is an enemy or a friend, but Sokov is unwilling to take risks, so he told Seryosha: "Comrade Lieutenant, immediately order the soldiers of the police platoon to set up a ring defense near the command post to avoid surprise attacks by the enemy."

"Don't worry, Comrade Major." Upon hearing Sokov's words, Seryozha immediately replied blankly, "I'll immediately ask the soldiers to dig individual bunkers around the command post and build a ring defense."

Seryozha had just led the soldiers of the police platoon, established a ring defense around the command post, personally led the squad, and Christopher, who carried out the reconnaissance mission, sent a telegram, which read: "Already communicated with the people who are active in the forest. They were soldiers of the 297th Infantry Division of the 21st Army. They were dispersed by the Germans during the Battle of Kharkov. Finding themselves surrounded by the Germans, they did not blindly take action to break out of the encirclement, but Stay around here and fight guerrillas."

Knowing that the troops moving nearby were actually friendly troops scattered by the Germans during the Battle of Kharkov, Sokov finally dropped the stone hanging in his heart on the map. He immediately ordered the telegrapher to call back and ask Christopher to send him Those people were taken back to the camp, and he wanted to have a good talk with them.

After waiting for almost an hour, Christopher, covered in mud and water, walked into the command post with a captain. Christopher introduced to the other party: "This is Major Sokov."

"Hello, Comrade Major." After the captain raised his hand to salute Sokov, he reported in accordance with the regulations: "Captain Briski, the commander of the 297th Infantry Division, is reporting to you. I follow your orders, please instruct!"