The discovery of a missing team flag was a huge event, so Sokov and Belkin discussed: "Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, do you think we should report this matter to our superiors immediately?"
"Comrade Battalion Commander, please wait a moment." Belkin calmed down and said solemnly: "This matter is of great importance. I need to learn more details from Maria. After everything is clarified, I will
It’s not too late to report to your superiors.”
Sokov knew very well that for the Soviet army, which valued honor, it was self-evident what the recovery of this team flag meant. Therefore, he did not speak anymore, but sat aside and listened quietly to others.
Erkin cross-examined Maria.
After clarifying all the things that needed to be clarified, Belkin directly contacted Army Commissar Lobachev through the walkie-talkie and gave him a detailed report on this major event.
After listening to Belkin's report, Lobachev did not immediately express his position. Instead, he remained silent for a long time before solemnly asking: "Comrade Belkin, are you sure that the flag you found is that of the 24th Infantry?"
The division’s team?”
"That's right, Comrade Military Commissar." Belkin said in a positive tone: "You also know that I used to be the political commissar of the 70th Infantry Regiment. I am very familiar with several flags in the division, and I am familiar with this flag.
I have identified it repeatedly and it is absolutely correct.”
"Comrade Military Commissar, what happened?" Rokossovsky's voice suddenly came from the earphone: "Is this the call from the Istria Battalion?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, it's a call from the Istria Battalion." Lobachev quickly reported to Rokossovsky: "Political Deputy Battalion Commander Belkin reported that a missing side of the car was found.
After repeated identification of the team flag, it can be confirmed that it is the flag of the 71st Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division. What do you think should be done with it?"
Seeing that Lobachev had left the decision-making power to himself, Rokossovsky frowned and began to think. After weighing the serious relationship, he said to Lobachev: "Comrade Military Commissar, please say goodbye."
Erjin, let them keep that flag, and I will send people from the Army Group Political Department and Special Service Section to retrieve the flag tomorrow."
After the phone call between Belkin and his superiors ended, Sokov specifically sought Maria's opinion: "Maria, tomorrow people from the Political Department and the Special Service Section will come to us to take away this military flag. I want to ask
Let me ask you, what do you think about it, do you need me to send someone to escort you to Moscow?"
"I won't go to Moscow." Maria shook her head and said, "My parents were killed in German bombings shortly after the war broke out. I want to avenge them. Comrade Commander, please let me
Join the army, I can do anything, please, please keep me!"
Sokov did not expect that Maria actually wanted to stay in the army. He felt very embarrassed for a while. His army was all male soldiers, and a female soldier suddenly appeared. What was going on? When he was in trouble, Belgin
He said: "Comrade Battalion Commander, isn't the women's anti-aircraft machine gun company in our defense area now? I think it's better to let Maria become an anti-aircraft machine gunner?"
"Comrades, two battalion commanders," Asiya interjected before Sokov could express his position: "I think it's better for Maria to stay in the camp and be a health worker. If she doesn't understand anything, I can teach her."
she."
"Okay, then let Maria be a health worker." Sokov thought that Maria was just an ordinary citizen, and now he asked her to be an anti-aircraft machine gunner. She probably wouldn't be able to get used to it for a while, so he agreed with Assi.
Ya's suggestion: "Asia, you have to teach him basic nursing knowledge as soon as possible."
…………
Early the next morning, a jeep arrived from Sushinich. In addition to the driver, there were three passengers in the car. One was the deputy director of the Political Department and deputy battalion political commissar Vladimir, and the other two were from the Special Service Section.
member.
Vladimir brought two members of the Special Service Section to Sokov's battalion command post. After identifying himself, he asked bluntly: "Where is that flag?"
Belkin stood up, walked to the wall, took out a square flag from a satchel hanging on the wall, grabbed two corners, shook it vigorously, and unfolded the flag. He faced
He said to Vladimir: "Comrade Deputy Director, this is the missing flag of the 71st Infantry Regiment."
Vladimir walked over, picked up a corner of the flag, and looked at such a bright flag carefully with the help of the lights in the room. After observing for a long time, he let go of the flag in his hand and said with a smile:
"Yes, Comrade Political Deputy Battalion Commander is indeed the team flag of the 71st Infantry Regiment."
He turned to face Sokov and asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I wonder where the girl who sent the flag back is now? I want to see her, is that okay?"
"Of course, Comrade Deputy Director." Sokov said quickly: "I will call him right away. Please wait here!"
Sokov left the command post and walked along the traffic trench towards the shelter where Asiya and Maria lived. When he reached the door, he was about to lift the curtain at the door and go in, but he heard Asiya's voice coming from inside.
He heard the voice and stopped, wanting to hear what she was saying.
Just listen to Asiya inside say: "...When treating the wounded on the battlefield, because our medicines are limited, when treating the wounded, we must decide who should be treated first in the shortest possible time. For example, for minor injuries
The injured, even if he is unconscious, should be given priority in rescuing; while the seriously injured, even if he is awake and even begging you to save him, should give up decisively..."
Sokov, who was standing outside the shelter, couldn't help but feel a little surprised when he heard Asiya's theory. He didn't expect that there was such a profound knowledge in rescuing the wounded. Maria, who was confused after hearing this, was also curious.
Question: "Asia, I would like to ask, why should we give priority to rescuing the lightly injured?"
"It's very simple," Asiya explained to Maria: "They can return to the battle after simple injury treatment. As for the seriously injured, even if you treat them carefully, they will not be able to regain their combat effectiveness in a short time. On the contrary
, you may also consume all the medicine that can treat more lightly injured people by rescuing seriously injured people..."
Sokov originally wanted to stand at the door and listen to Asiya's knowledge of battlefield rescue for a while, but he was worried that Vladimir would wait too long in the battalion command post, so he coughed heavily. Asiya who was talking inside
Thea, hearing the coughing coming from outside, quickly stopped teaching Maria her experience and asked loudly at the door: "Who is outside?"
"It's me!" Sokov said, opened the door curtain and walked in. He said to Asya, who looked surprised: "A chief came from the political department of the army group and wanted to see Maria. I came here specifically to see Maria.
Ya’s.”
Hearing Sokov said that he was here to see Maria, Asia showed a disappointed expression on her face. However, she still forced herself to be calm and said: "Since it is the chief who wants to see Maria, you should take her quickly."
Go over there."
After Maria followed Sokov to the battalion command post, Vladimir immediately questioned her repeatedly: How did she get the flag? How did she hide the flag for two months under the eyes of the enemy? Why did she hide it?
This flag was sent to the army?...
Facing Vladimir's series of questions, Maria seemed extremely nervous, but she still answered them stumbledly. After Vladimir got a satisfactory answer, a smile appeared on his face, and he specifically asked Mary
Ya's opinion: "Girl, in order to thank you for all you have done for us, the Army Group Headquarters has asked me to ask for your opinion. I wonder what your next plan is? Should you go back to the village or go to Moscow and let us help you?
Arrange a satisfying job?”
"Everyone in my family is dead, so there is no point in going back." Maria said with a wry smile: "As for Moscow, I don't want to go either."
Maria's answer surprised Vladimir, and he asked nonchalantly: "Then what are your plans?"
Maria pointed at Sokov next to her and said to Vladimir with a blushing face: "This commander has agreed for me to stay in his army. I am now working hard to learn how to be a good hygienist."
."
"So that's it." After hearing Maria's answer, Vladimir nodded slightly: "Since you have made a decision, I will abide by your decision." After saying that, he turned around and talked to Sokov and Bel.
Jin shook hands and said goodbye one by one, and then returned to Susinich with two members of the special service department, carrying the recovered flag.