Victor took Yegor and a dozen soldiers to the water tower in the center of the reservoir area.
Yegor looked up at the red water tower more than thirty meters high in front of him, and asked Victor casually: "Comrade Victor, what kind of structure is this water tower? Is it brick and concrete, or reinforced concrete?"
"It's made of reinforced concrete, covered with a layer of red bricks." When talking about this water tower, Victor seemed particularly proud: "When I built this water tower, I came to participate in voluntary labor every day after work. It's not just me.
, all the employees and their families in the reservoir area, in order to build the water tower as soon as possible, will come to participate in voluntary labor whenever they can. In this way, the water tower was originally planned to be built in half a year, but it took us less than a month to complete it.
The construction work is completed.”
"It only took one month to build this water tower?" Yegor was quite happy when he heard that the water tower was made of reinforced concrete structure, but he heard that such a high water tower only took one month to build.
The construction was completed in a matter of seconds, and he couldn't help but start to worry that the building was a shoddy project: "Then if we set up a firepower point inside, can it withstand the bombardment of German artillery fire?"
"No problem, Comrade Captain." In response to Yegor's question, Victor said confidently: "After the city fell, a Soviet squad of more than 20 people withdrew into the water tower and set up operations in the water tower.
They held on inside for half a month, until they finally ran out of ammunition and food and sacrificed themselves, and the Germans completely occupied the water tower."
Victor grabbed Yegor's arm and pulled him half a circle around the water tower. Then he pointed upward with his hand and said, "Comrade Captain, look at the wall above."
Looking in the direction of Victor's finger, Yegor saw clearly visible bullet holes on the wall, including bullet holes made by various bullets and deep craters made by artillery shells. From where the red bricks fell off,
You can clearly see the reinforced concrete inside. It seems that Victor did not lie. This water tower can indeed withstand German artillery fire.
Since the wall here can withstand the German artillery fire, choosing this place as the fire support point is undoubtedly the most suitable location. Thinking of this, Yegor shook his head at Victor and said: "Comrade Victor,
Take us in and take a look, if it's suitable, I'll set up a few firepower points here."
Everyone followed Victor and followed the spiral staircase to the upper part of the water tower. Looking down from the window here, they could indeed have a bird's-eye view of the entire reservoir area, especially the two entrances and exits of the reservoir area, which were clearly visible.
After Yegor looked at the terrain, he turned to one of his platoon leaders and said: "Second platoon leader, your platoon is stationed in the water tower. I think we can set up two more machine guns at the window. Even if the Germans break into the warehouse,
District, you can also use firepower to kill them from a high position."
After Victor waited for Yegor to finish speaking, he immediately smiled and said to the second platoon leader: "Comrade Lieutenant, there are a lot of machine guns and matching bullets stored in a warehouse next to the water tower. You see, if you need me to send
Can someone help you bring more ammunition?"
"This is really great." Yegor was originally worried that the troops stationed in the water tower might be short of ammunition. Victor's words reminded him that there are a large number of weapons and ammunition stored in the warehouse here, which is completely OK.
To meet the needs of the troops. He hurriedly said: "Second Platoon Commander, you immediately send someone with Comrade Victor to the nearby warehouse to transport as much ammunition as possible and store it in the water tower. Do you understand?"
"Understood, comrade company commander." the second platoon commander replied quickly and loudly.
After coming out of the water tower, Victor and Yegor parted ways and went to find workers nearby to use trolleys to carry the weapons and ammunition needed by the second platoon from the warehouse to the water tower.
Yegor returned to the warehouse office alone to report the situation to Mikhailev.
Seeing Yegor return to the office, Mikhailev smiled and asked: "Captain Yegor, how is the situation?"
"Comrade Victor has arranged enough manpower to pretend to be German warehouse personnel to greet the incoming German convoy." Yegor reported to Mikhailev: "For safety reasons, I sent a platoon of commanders and fighters
To assist them in their work, and at the same time prevent them from being discovered by the enemy, thus ensuring their safety."
Mikhailev then asked: "How is your company's defense situation?"
"With the help of Comrade Victor, I asked the second platoon to establish a fire support point on the water tower in the center of the reservoir area." Yegor saw a map of the reservoir area in front of Mikhailev.
, pointed out the location of the water tower with his hand: "The water tower is right here. As long as we set up a few machine guns at high altitudes, we can block the two entrances and exits of the reservoir area. Even if the worst happens, the enemy rushes in
In the reservoir area, our fire support points can also cause huge casualties to them."
After learning that Yegor's men had established a powerful fire support point on the water tower in the reservoir area, Mikhailev raised his eyebrows and then said: "If you really use the water tower as the main defensive fire point, you will definitely be attacked.
With the focus of the German army, once it is violently bombarded, I wonder how long it can last?"
"Comrade Battalion Commander, you can rest assured on this." Yegor explained to Mikhailev: "This water tower is made of reinforced concrete and can withstand German artillery bombardment." Perhaps because he was worried that the other party would not believe it, he
He added, "Early after the city fell, a small detachment of our army withdrew into the water tower and persisted there for half a month. It was not until the end that all the members died because they ran out of ammunition and food, and the Germans
Captured the water tower."
"Well, it's a good thing that the water tower is strong." After listening to Yegor's explanation, Mikhailov nodded slightly and said, "This way, even if the Germans rush into the reservoir area, we can hold on for a longer time.
, to wait for the arrival of the main force."
Yegor heard something amiss from Mikhailev's words, and quickly asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, has something happened?"
Mikhailev glanced at Yegor, shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Captain Yegor, I really can't hide anything from you. Yes, there are indeed some deviations from the original plan. The main force launched
The time of attack may be delayed."
Hearing what Mikhailev said, Yegor couldn't help but become anxious: "Comrade Battalion Commander, why is this?"
"The brigade headquarters did not say anything about the specific situation." Mikhailev said thoughtfully: "But since our battalion was not noticed by the Germans after occupying the Kurdistan area, it is reasonable to postpone the attack. After all, this time
The preparations for the attack are not sufficient. If we launch the attack in a hurry, even if we reluctantly come over to join us, we will probably pay a heavy price."
"That's true." Yegor agreed with Mikhailev's statement: "If the main force suffers too many casualties, then the next battle will basically have nothing to do with us."
After saying this, Yegor asked tentatively: "Comrade Battalion Commander, do you know how long this attack will be postponed?"
"I don't know." Mikhailov shook his head and said, "Maybe a day or two, maybe a week, it depends on the troops' offensive preparations."
"If it is postponed for a day or two, there won't be much of a problem." Yegor said cautiously: "But if it is postponed for a week or longer, we may be completely exposed, and a battle with the German army will be inevitable.
of."
While the two were talking, a German convoy arrived at the south gate. After negotiating with the temporary warehouse manager at the gate, it continued to drive into the warehouse area.
When the German convoy began to enter the reservoir area, a second lieutenant on duty in the guard room immediately called and reported the situation to Mikhailev: "Comrade Battalion Commander, 35 German trucks are entering the reservoir area one after another."
"35 trucks?!" Hearing the data reported by the second lieutenant, Mikhailev showed an expression of surprise on his face. He then asked: "What is loaded on the truck? How many German soldiers are escorting the truck?"
"I took a look at the list. It said machine guns, rifles and submachine guns, as well as supporting ammunition." The second lieutenant replied: "In addition, each vehicle has a driver and two soldiers escorting the vehicle, with a total number of 105 people."
"Well, there are 105 people, which is quite a lot of people." After Mikhailev said this, he ordered the second lieutenant: "Comrade second lieutenant, pay close attention to the movements outside the reservoir area. If there are any changes, remember to report to me in time.
report."
Mikhailev put down the phone, raised his head and said to Yegor who was standing aside: "Captain Yegor, the enemy's convoy has entered the storage area and will then drive to the warehouse where weapons and ammunition are stored. Your troops are now
We are transporting ammunition to the water tower. If we are discovered by the Germans, I am afraid there will be some trouble."
"I understand, comrade battalion commander." Yegor understood what Mikhailev wanted to express and said quickly: "I will make arrangements right away so that the enemy will not notice anything strange."
Before Yegor left, Mikhailev also told him: "When the workers in the reservoir area are unloading, you'd better bring someone to guard the scene. If an accident occurs, you can deal with it as soon as possible."
After Yegor left, Mikhailov thought that the defense work in the direction of the south gate was the responsibility of the third company. He quickly picked up the phone and called the third company commander and told the other party: "Third company commander, the Germans
The convoy transporting supplies is entering the warehouse area. Since the vehicles are loaded with weapons and ammunition, they will drive to the corresponding warehouses later, so you'd better send someone over there to assist Captain Yegor and others on guard duty."
"Comrade Battalion Commander," the third company commander felt a little puzzled by Mikhailev's arrangement: "Captain Yegor's second company is responsible for the internal defense work in the Kurdish area. Why should we rush over?
Where’s the support?”
"Third company commander, Captain Yegor has just deployed his second platoon on the water tower in the reservoir area. Now he only has one platoon of mobile troops at his disposal. In the German convoy, there are total drivers and escorts.
105 people." Mikhailov explained to the third company commander: "If an accident occurs, the few troops in Captain Yegor's hands cannot deal with the enemy."
After hearing what Mikhailev said, the third company commander stopped saying anything and said obediently: "I understand, comrade battalion commander, I will take a platoon over to assist Captain Yegor."
Mikhailev's starting point was good. He was worried about what kind of trouble Yegor would encounter. If more of his troops were present, he could solve the problem in time, but he did not expect that a flaw was exposed.
The trucks transporting ammunition stopped at the entrance of the ammunition warehouse. As soon as the trucks stabilized, the temporary warehouse manager, accompanied by a soldier, went to negotiate with the German officer leading the team.
The team was led by a lieutenant. He saw that the warehouse manager who came to pick up the goods was not the person he was usually familiar with. He couldn't help frowning and asked: "Why did the warehouse manager change today?"
The worker who was temporarily in charge of the warehouse did not expect that the officer would suddenly ask such a question, and replied in a panic: "He...he is sick, and I...I came to work for him temporarily."
The officer ignored him and asked the soldier behind the worker: "Do you have any cigarettes?"
The soldier looked at the officer, then slowly shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Lieutenant, fireworks are strictly prohibited in the reservoir area, and we can't smoke here."
When the officer thought that this was really the case, he stopped asking the soldiers for cigarettes, but changed the topic to other directions: "I haven't seen you before, are you all new here?"
"Yes, Mr. Lieutenant." The soldier replied in a humble tone: "We just transferred here yesterday."
Before the officer came here, he knew that the troops originally stationed in Pavlish City had been transferred to the northwest. It was normal for the garrison in the Kurdistan area to change, so he did not raise any suspicions.
He asked casually: "Have all the troops in the warehouse been transferred?"
"Yes, they have all been transferred."
Before the officer could ask any more questions, Yegor appeared in front of him: "Lieutenant, can you unload the truck now?"
Seeing Yegor suddenly appearing in front of him, the officer replied in a panic: "Of course, Mr. Captain, of course you can unload the truck."
Yegor waved his hand at the nervous warehouse manager and ordered him: "Immediately arrange for manpower to unload the trucks and move all these goods into the warehouse in the shortest possible time."
After the warehouse manager and the soldiers who protected him left, Yegor said to the officer with a straight face: "Lieutenant, this is a warehouse area. So many people are crowded together, which is an unsafe factor. I think you should put your
Gather the people and go to the place we have prepared for you to rest. When these Russian porters finish unloading the goods, I will send someone to call you."
The officer was naturally very happy with Yegor's instructions. After all, it would take an hour or two to unload the truck. He didn't want to shiver in the cold wind, so he readily agreed: "Okay, Mr. Captain, I'll take my truck immediately."
Everyone gathers together."
After saying that, the officer began to call his men to gather and prepare to go to the resting place Yegor had prepared for him. But at this moment, the third company commander arrived with a platoon of soldiers. As soon as they appeared, they immediately dispersed
, as if forming a siege on the German troops who were gathering beside the car.
Seeing this situation, a German soldier said casually: "What's wrong with these garrison troops in the warehouse? Why are they surrounding us? It looks like they are preparing to disarm us."
The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was intentional. When the officer heard what the soldier said, he instinctively looked around and found that although the number of new soldiers was not large, judging from the position where they stood, they seemed to be surrounding themselves.
Moreover, the muzzle of the gun in the opponent's hand was also pointed towards him, as if he was ready to fire at any time.