Chapter 119 The correct way to use anti-aircraft machine guns
The German army was about to attack in a large scale, so Sokov would not sit still and quickly called a meeting with all cadres above the platoon. Since the space of the battalion command post was too small to accommodate so many people, he arranged the meeting location in a nearby shelter.
.
Seeing that all the company and platoon commanders had arrived, Sokov nodded to Belkin and signaled that the meeting could begin. Belkin stood up, pasted a hand-drawn map on the wall, turned to face the crowd and said:
"Comrades, the reason why we informed everyone to come here for a meeting is because not long ago, we received a report from a reconnaissance team behind enemy lines: the enemy dispatched two artillery companies, an infantry battalion and a tank company to try to seize our
Unnamed Highlands..."
Knowing that the enemy was about to launch an attack, before Belkin could finish his words, the commanders below began to whisper to each other. Although their voices were very low, the whole room was still filled with a buzzing sound.
noise.
"Quiet, please be quiet!" Seeing this situation, Sokov slammed the table and said angrily: "Look at how you look now, do you still look like a Red Army commander? You are just a dishonest person.
Vendors selling vegetables in the market. If you have any questions, it’s not too late to ask them after Comrade Political Deputy Battalion Commander has finished speaking.”
Seeing Sokov getting angry, the commander sitting below quickly closed his mouth. Several female commanders, including Liuba, stuck out their tongues in embarrassment. Seeing that the room was calm again, Sokov
Cov turned to Belkin and said: "Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, please continue talking!"
Belkin nodded, pointed at the map and continued: "Our nameless highland is far away from the main highways and railway lines, but because it is the only commanding height in the south of the city, it will inevitably become a target for the German army... It was originally intended to provide
The troops who controlled this commanding heights provided material supplies, and the Germans built a simple road to connect their base with the unknown high ground..."
After Sokov waited for Belkin to finish speaking, he stood up and continued: "Comrades, through the deputy battalion commander's narration, everyone must understand that if the Germans want to reach Sushinich from this simple road, they will have to
We were killed by fire from the high ground. In other words, as long as we hold the unknown high ground, the enemy will never be able to pass through here...Okay, now is the time for questions. Anyone who has any questions can ask it!"
The first person to stand up and ask questions was Third Company Commander Saviev, who had been holding on to the high ground. He looked at Sokov and asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, although the position on the top of the mountain has been reinforced, it is not a permanent stand of reinforced concrete after all.
Fortifications, how can our company reduce casualties when it is bombarded?"
Hearing Saviev's question, Sokov felt very uncomfortable. He pointed at the map behind him and said to Saviev angrily: "Comrade Lieutenant, I remind you that the reason why I ordered you
The company built fortifications on the northern slope of the highland because the fortifications on the top of the mountain could not withstand the German heavy artillery bombardment. When the German army started shelling, what you had to do was to leave two observation posts on the position and the rest.
The soldiers all retreated to the fortifications on the north slope to hide, and then re-entered the position after the enemy's shelling ended."
After saying this in one breath, Sokov thought about the air defense issue of the position. According to his understanding of the Germans, in order to destroy the Soviet defenses before attacking, the enemy would not only use heavy artillery bombardment, but also dispatch the air force.
bombing, so he said in the direction where Lyuba was sitting: "Lieutenant Lyuba!"
"Here!" Liuba, who was sitting upright, heard Sokov call her name and quickly stood up from her seat, waiting for the other party to give her an order.
"Comrade Lieutenant, if the enemy wants to seize our unnamed high ground, they will not only carry out artillery bombardment, but also dispatch air force bombing." Sokov stared at Liuba and said: "Therefore, I will leave the important task of air defense to you."
"Comrade Battalion Commander, please rest assured!" Since she had shot down a German reconnaissance plane after being stationed here, when Liuba heard Sokov's order, she confidently replied: "We
As long as there is an anti-aircraft machine gun, the German planes will not be allowed to bomb our positions without restraint."
"And!" Seeing Liuba about to sit down, Sokov hesitated for a moment, but decided to stop her: "If the German army breaks through the third company's position and rushes down from the high ground, I hope you can use
Machine gun fire suppressed them."
"What, let us use machine guns to shoot enemy infantry?" Liuba thought Sokov's words were really ridiculous. Anti-aircraft machine guns are used for air defense, so how can they be used to shoot infantry? It was just a joke. But considering that the other party was her superior
, she still patiently explained: "And saying this is also against the regulations..."
"Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov intercepted her next words before she could finish her sentence: "Our current primary task is to defeat the Germans. Even if there are any practices that conflict with the regulations, the regulations should be temporarily put aside.
.An anti-aircraft machine gun can not only fight aircraft, but can also be used to deal with enemy infantry, passenger cars and even armored vehicles. It is also a very effective weapon. Do you understand?"
Seeing Sokov acting so stubborn, the muscles on Liuba's face twitched violently a few times, and she wanted to refute, but considering the other party's status, she opened her mouth, but what she wanted to say was not uttered, so she could only bite the bullet
Said: "I understand, comrade battalion commander, I will resolutely obey your orders."
After the meeting, Liuba returned to the company with the three platoon commanders. Seeing that they had returned to their own territory, the platoon leader, Sergeant Kaja, saw Liuba's depressed look and asked with concern: "Comrade Lieutenant, what are you doing?"
What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
"It's not that I'm not feeling well," Liuba shook her head and said with a wry smile: "Didn't you hear in the meeting just now that the battalion commander actually asked us to use anti-aircraft machine guns to attack the enemy's infantry, and even trucks and armored vehicles?
You know, doing this is against the regulations. If the superiors blame it in the future, who will bear the responsibility?"
"Comrade Company Commander," as soon as Liuba finished speaking, Third Platoon Commander Lida said, "I think the battalion commander must have his reasons for making this arrangement. We should follow his orders."
"Lida, what are you talking about?" As soon as Lida finished speaking, Kajia retorted: "We can't do anything that violates the regulations. If the superiors investigate the responsibility, Captain Sokov does not admit it, and he will be punished when the time comes.
It is not our company commander who is criticizing. Comrade company commander, am I right?" Her next words were directed at Liuba.
Liuba did not answer her words, but asked Yunia, the second platoon leader who had been silent, "Yonia, what do you think?"
"I listen to everyone." Regarding the question Liuba asked her, Yunia answered ambiguously: "I will do whatever everyone says."
After soliciting everyone's opinions, Liuba finally made the final decision. She said to the three platoon leaders: "I am the top commander of the anti-aircraft machine gun company. I should have the final say on how to use the anti-aircraft machine gun.
I now declare that machine guns will never be used to attack enemy infantry without my order."