Red Moscow

When seeing the retreat of the German army, Savyev couldn't wait to ask Sokov: "Comrade battalion commander, shall we launch a counterattack?"

But Sokov mercilessly rejected his request: "No, Comrade Lieutenant, we can't launch a counterattack." He pointed to the German artillery position in the distance with his hand and said, "The snow on the hillside is too deep. , If we launch a counterattack, the soldiers cannot move quickly. In this way, the German artillery can use artillery fire to destroy our attacking team like a target."

Sokov stood up straight from the crater, and waved at Saviev: "Comrade Lieutenant, the Germans may launch a new attack soon. You should immediately organize personnel to repair the fortifications. By the way, remember to count the number of soldiers in the company." Casualties."

Shortly after Savyev left, Stepan, the company instructor, came over. From the moment he discovered the appearance of the German army, he had been staying with the soldiers in the company. At this moment, he came here to report the situation in the company to Savyev.

Seeing Stepan's appearance, Sokov seemed very happy: "Comrade instructor, it's great that you are still alive. Also, I also saw the battle just now. The soldiers all acted very bravely."

"Yes, Comrade Battalion Commander, I'm still alive," Stepan said to Sokov, raising his voice: "When the enemy fired, the soldiers of our company behaved calmly, and no one panicked; In the middle of the battle, none of the soldiers fled in the face of the rushing enemy, and they stubbornly repelled the enemy's attack."

"I've seen all of this, Comrade Instructor." Sokov knew very well that the reason why Stepan had to speak to himself in such a loud voice was not because he was afraid that his ears would be deafened by the shells, but because he wanted to make him feel deaf. The soldiers nearby heard what he said, so he said very cooperatively: "The soldiers of the third company are all good. They have made their own contributions to defending the Soviet motherland."

Not only Stepan heard Sokov's words, but also several soldiers standing nearby, all of them smiled on their faces blackened by the gunpowder smoke.

After almost half an hour, Savyev returned to Sokov. He frowned and said, "Comrade battalion commander, the casualties have been counted. In the battle that just ended, we suffered 39 casualties." Among them, 24 were sacrificed and 5 were seriously injured. Most of these casualties occurred during the German shelling.

Hearing what Savyev said, Sokov couldn't help frowning. He didn't expect that the shelling of several German howitzers would cause such heavy casualties to himself. If the German army sent in more than ten or twenty heavy artillery , as long as the bombardment lasts for half an hour, there are probably not many living people on the battlefield.

Stepan sighed and said, "Comrade Battalion Commander, even if we want to build new bomb defense holes now, it's too late. The Germans may start a new bombardment at any time?"

Stepan's complaints gave Sokov a new idea instead. He stretched his brows and said to the two with a smile: "Lieutenant Saveyev, Instructor Stepan, since we don't have time to repair the artillery If there are holes and shelters, then there is no need to repair them."

"No need to fix it?" Hearing what Sokov said, Savyev and Stepan couldn't help but glance at each other, and they both saw the surprised expression in each other's eyes. Savyev asked puzzledly: "Comrade Battalion Commander, our existing artillery holes and shelters cannot withstand a new round of German shelling at all. If they are all blown down, our soldiers will be exposed to the enemy. Under heavy artillery fire, there will inevitably be heavy casualties."

"If the Germans start shelling again, you can temporarily retreat to the north slope with the soldiers." Sukov pointed to the north slope behind him and said, "The German artillery positions are on the south side of the highland. I think they No matter how many shells there are, it is not easy to hit the North Slope."

"It makes sense, it makes sense." Sokov's words made Savyev and Stepan's thoughts suddenly clear. After hearing this, they nodded repeatedly and said in unison: "Comrade battalion commander, this is a good idea." When the enemy bombards us, we will take the lead in withdrawing our troops to the north slope; after the bombardment is over, we will return to the position and destroy the enemies who rushed up."

Seeing that the two had understood his intentions, Sokov nodded in satisfaction. Afterwards, he said again: "There are no health workers on the battlefield. You should send someone to send the seriously wounded down first. When you come back, ask the assistant military doctor to send you a few health workers so that they can treat the wounded soldiers in time during the battle." cure."

Sokov's order was faithfully carried out by the two. Soldiers from two squads carried five seriously wounded people, left the high ground, and went to the health team at the foot of the mountain.

When the soldiers returned, they were accompanied by two male health workers. Sokov, who was standing in the trench, looked at the health workers walking among the soldiers, and couldn't help thinking to himself: If he didn't let Asya escort the seriously wounded back to Susinich, then with her character, she would definitely be One of the two hygienists.

Two health workers came to Sokov, straightened their bodies and reported to him that they were ordered to come to the highland to treat the wounded. Sokov called Stepan and said to him: "Comrade instructor, these two are the health workers sent by Pavlov. Take him to bandage the wounds of the wounded."

Stepan readily agreed, and then politely said to the health worker: "Comrade health worker, please follow me, and I will take you to the wounded."

After Stepan left with the health workers and the soldiers carrying the seriously wounded down the mountain, Savyev walked up to Sokov and asked in a low voice: "Comrade battalion commander, our company has already lost a quarter of its casualties. 1. It is estimated that after a few more battles, there will be no one left, so when will we be able to replenish our company?"

Sokov looked at Savyev, and said somewhat unceremoniously: "Comrade Lieutenant, the current mission of your company is to defend the high ground. As for the soldiers lost in the battle, I will make up for you when the time is right. But if you feel that you can't hold the position, you can ask me, and I will immediately replace you with another company."

Hearing what Sokov said, Savyev panicked a little. He waved his hands desperately: "Comrade Battalion Commander, we can even hold the position, even if there is only one person left. Please, don't Replace us in succession, and we will never let down your trust."