Red Moscow

The tank stopped about ten meters away from Sokov. The commander opened the hatch of the turret, leaned out and asked Sokov: "Comrade soldier, which part are you in, and what are you doing here?"

Sokov didn't know the number of the unit he just joined, so he could only say vaguely: "We are a small unit that retreated from Uman. Not long ago, we blocked the German army in the bunker group in front. Armored troops and caused some losses to them, destroying two tanks and killing nearly a hundred German soldiers."

"Good job." After the commander praised Sokov, he asked curiously: "You stopped our convoy. What happened?"

Sokov came to the tank, climbed onto the tank body on hands and knees, and came face to face with the commander. After seeing the other party's military rank clearly, he said politely: "Comrade Major, there should be a German armored force not far ahead. If you just drive past without hesitation, you will definitely encounter them. With what you have now His strength should not be able to defeat them.”

In fact, on the way here, the tank major had already heard the sound of gunfire coming from here. When Sokov said this, he immediately realized the seriousness of the problem. He lowered his head and said into the tank: "Bring me the map."

Soon, the tank soldier in the tank handed over a map.

The major spread the map on the turret and browsed it carefully.

After a while, he pointed to one of the locations and said: "About three kilometers further, there is a small town. The German armored forces you mentioned should be here." At this point, he looked up at Soko The husband asked, "Comrade soldier, do you know how many tanks the Germans have?"

"The specific number of tanks is unclear." Sokov shook his head and said: "They just bombarded the bunker group where we were with artillery fire from a distance, and the last troops that entered the battle were only two tanks and about two platoons of troops. "

After hearing this, the major had a faint smile on his face: "Comrade soldier, what conclusion did you draw from this?"

Sokov looked at the major in confusion, thinking, What conclusion can I draw?

After a pause, Sokov asked cautiously: "Comrade Major, I don't quite understand what you mean. Can you explain it in more detail?"

"Comrade soldier, if what you said is true, have you ever considered why the Germans only had two tanks put into battle after the shelling?"

After the major's reminder, Sokov suddenly felt enlightened and replied with a look of enlightenment: "Comrade major, I think I understand what you mean. You mean, the Germans have so many tanks to bombard the bunker group, but In the end, only two tanks entered the battle, which can only mean that the German tanks have run out of fuel, otherwise the other tanks would not be visible until now. "

The major nodded, but there was an anxious look on his face: "Even if the German tanks have no fuel and can only be parked in the town, our way forward is blocked by them. And according to the map, the surrounding areas There’s no way around town.”

When Sokov heard this, he understood the major's worries. Although the German tanks no longer have fuel and cannot take the initiative to attack, those tanks can be placed in the town as fixed forts. If the Soviet army wanted to open a bloody road, it would definitely pay a heavy price.

"Major," Sokov looked towards the back of the convoy. Since the second half of the convoy was still in the forest, it was impossible to figure out how long the convoy was. He couldn't help but curiously asked: "Your rescue team How many vehicles are there in the fleet?”

"There are eighty ambulances, and they are all carrying seriously injured people."

Sokov calculated in his mind that for an ambulance like this, one carrying four seriously injured people, eighty vehicles would have 320 people. Just relying on two tanks and two armored vehicles to protect them, the security force is too weak, right?

Thinking of this, he asked the major tentatively: "Major, can you escort such a large convoy to the safe rear with just two tanks and two armored vehicles?"

"The battle in Kiev is imminent, and we really can't mobilize enough force." The major sighed and said: "After my repeated efforts, my superiors gave me five tanks, six armored vehicles and two infantry platoons to serve as this escort. Task."

"What, your superiors gave you five tanks?" Sokov suddenly became excited when he learned that there were tanks behind him: "I wonder what models the three tanks behind them are?"

"They are all T-34 tanks that have just been installed in the army." The major said: "I was worried that enemies might appear in the rear, so I placed them at the back of the convoy."

"Comrade Major, I have a bold idea." Sokov said, "I wonder if you are interested."

"Let me know what you think."

"Comrade Major, can you bring over the three tanks at the back?" Sokov looked at the major and said sincerely: "Maybe we can use these four tanks to break through the German blockade."

But when the major heard what Sokov said, he showed a vigilant expression on his face. Although Sokov was wearing a Soviet military uniform and there were a group of Soviet bunkers stationed not far away, the major who was responsible for the escort did not dare to take it lightly. He was worried that Sokov might be a spy sent by the Germans. Everything he just said was just a way to confuse him and defraud him of his trust. The purpose was to remove the escort force of his convoy. Introduce the ambush circle they set up in advance.

If the escort force is really wiped out by the German army, then the convoy transporting the wounded will become a lamb to be slaughtered. He waved his hands and said: "We didn't know the strength of the Germans, so we rushed into the town. That would be too risky."

Seeing that the major did not believe in him, Sokov felt very dissatisfied. But then I thought about it, if I were in the position of a major and met a strange soldier and told myself that there was a way to eliminate the German armored forces in the town, I would also suspect that the other party had some evil intentions.

After figuring this out, Sokov settled for the next best thing: "Major, since you think it's a bit too risky to put all your troops into battle, can you give me two tanks? Preferably both are T-34 tanks. , I am sure to open up a channel for your convoy."

After the major heard Sokov's request, he stared at him for a long time, and then said: "Okay, I will immediately transfer a tank from behind, and together with my tank, we will go to the small town in front to attack the enemy. Deployment of troops for reconnaissance.”

Seeing that the major agreed to his request, Sokov showed a satisfied smile on his face. But before leaving the tank, Sokov asked again: "Comrade Major, I would like to ask, do you have anti-tank grenades?"

"Of course there are anti-tank grenades," the major said awkwardly, "but the soldiers don't like to use them."

"Why?" Sokov asked puzzled.

"This kind of grenade is a bit too heavy and can only be thrown within a range of ten meters." The major explained to Sokov: "But the killing radius of the grenade is fifteen meters. In other words, the person who throws the grenade, throws the grenade After that, there was little chance of survival."

After saying this, the major stared at Sokov and asked: "Comrade soldier, do you really want an anti-tank grenade?"

"Of course, Comrade Major." Sokov thought that the rocket launcher has not yet come out. If he wants to destroy the enemy's tanks at close range, he can only risk using anti-tank grenades: "I need this kind of anti-tank grenade to help me complete it." Mission.       A few minutes later, a T-34 tank rumbled over from behind the convoy. It stopped steadily next to the road-opening tank. The hatch on the top of the turret opened, revealing half of a tank crew lieutenant. After he raised his hand and saluted the major, he asked: "Major, what are your instructions?"

The major pointed at Sokov and said: "This comrade soldier told me that there are German armored units in the small town ahead. Your tanks will go with me to conduct reconnaissance to see if we can guide the convoy through the town smoothly. "

Although the lieutenant felt that this mission was risky, since it was the order given by the major, he still chose to obey unconditionally: "Yes, comrade major, I obey your order."

"Comrade soldier," the major turned to Sokov and said, "We are ready to go. Can you open the way for us in front?"

"No problem." Sokov agreed readily. Holding an anti-tank grenade he had just obtained, he jumped off the tank and ran towards the bunker group.

After returning to the bunker, Sokov pointed at Alexei with his hand and said: "Alexei, I remember that you can drive a motorcycle. Now come with me."

Alexey was stunned after hearing this and asked: "Comrade Sokov, where are we going?"

"Based on what we know so far, the armored forces shelling us may have no fuel at this moment and can only stay in the town waiting for subsequent supplies." Sokov said to Alexei: "We are going to the town now. Conduct reconnaissance to find out the enemy's troop deployment to see if a channel can be opened for the ambulance team."

Knowing that he was going to a nearby town, Alexey was trembling with fear. He said tremblingly: "Sokov, you are crazy. You know that the town is full of Germans, and you want to break in to conduct reconnaissance. That's not true." Do you want to die? If you want to die, you can do it yourself, I won’t do it.”

Sokov didn't expect Alexei to be so timid and wanted to slap him directly. But when I thought about it, this mission was a narrow escape. The other party was just a new recruit, so it was understandable to be scared.

So he strapped on his submachine gun, shook his head at Alexei and said, "Forget it, Alexei, since you don't dare to go, then I won't force you."

After coming out of the bunker, he went directly to find Andrei. When he told Andrei what he thought, the other party was also shocked: "Sokov, you are really crazy. Just one or two people dare to break into the town. Don’t you know that doing this is going to kill you?”

"Andre, I know this operation is a narrow escape." Sokov has made up his mind at this moment. If Andre doesn't want to, he won't force him. At worst, he will ride a motorcycle to the town alone. As for whether there would be any danger to his life, he didn't care at all. Maybe after death, he might be able to return to his own era. "I won't force you. If you want to go, just go; if you don't want to, forget it."

Andre thought for a long time and then made his decision: "Sokov, I will go with you."

"That's great." Sokov raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder and said, "Andre, you are responsible for driving the motorcycle and taking me into the town. After I get off the car, you can Leaving." In order to reassure the other party, he specifically added, "Don't worry, we are not alone. There are two state-of-the-art tanks behind us. With their assistance, we still have a high chance of returning successfully. "High."

The two pushed the sidecar motorcycle they had seized last time out of their hiding place.

After the motorcycle started, Sokov, who was sitting in the sidecar, gestured to the major on the tank behind them, indicating that they could set off.

The closer they got to the town, the more nervous Sokov became. He was worried that a well-armed German soldier was hiding behind the window of a building, and would shoot decisively after seeing his motorcycle.

But what he didn't expect was that after the motorcycle entered the town, he didn't see any enemies.

Andrei, who was driving a motorcycle, slowed down and turned to ask Sokov: "Sokov, are we mistaken? There are no Germans in the town at all."

"That shouldn't be the case." Sokov said hesitantly: "An hour ago, many German tanks fired at the group of bunkers we defended. How come the enemies disappeared in the blink of an eye? This is incredible."

"Could it be that the Germans suffered a loss in front of our position and felt that our position could not be conquered, so they withdrew?"

"That's impossible." Sokov shook his head and said: "For the Germans, the group of bunkers we defended posed a limited threat to them. Especially their armored forces. With the 45mm anti-tank gun you are using, you can't stop their advance at all. "

When the motorcycle arrived near the church in the middle of the town, Sokov asked Andre to stop the motorcycle, got out of the sidecar, and said to Andre: "You find a place to hide, I'll go around and see what's going on."

"Okay." Andre nodded in agreement, and maliciously reminded Sokov: "Sokov, pay more attention to safety."

"Don't worry, I will pay attention." Sokov held the MP40 submachine gun, his finger on the trigger, and searched carefully along the street. If an enemy appeared, he would shoot without hesitation.

There was no enemy on the whole street.

The further Sokov walked forward, the more uncertain he felt. He wondered if he had made a wrong judgment. The German armored forces that had bombarded the bunkers had completely evacuated the area after seeing that their vanguard's attack failed?

Just thinking about this, he came to a crossroads. When he turned a corner, he was stunned by the scene in front of him.

In front of him were several German Type 3 tanks and assault guns. The tankmen stood next to the tanks or assault guns, smoking and chatting.

When Sokov was in a daze, a German tank soldier also saw him and immediately shouted loudly: "Russians, Russians!" He reached for his waist and tried to pull out a pistol to shoot Sokov.

In a flash, Sokov immediately pulled the trigger and shot at the tank soldier. After hitting him and making him spin twice in place and fall directly to the ground, Sokov turned around and ran back.