When Sokov received the call from Chuvashov, he thought that the other party was preparing to report to him the capture of Novoselica, so he rushed to say: "Comrade Chuvashov, your division successfully captured Novoselica."
General Bogdanov has already reported to me about the incident. He complained that I sent other troops to attack Novoselica without even saying hello in advance, and captured the city before them.
"
Having said this, Sokov couldn't help but glance at Trofimenko and continued: "Well done, no wonder your division has become the elite of the 27th Group Army."
"Comrade Commander," Chuvasov finally waited for Sokov's words to come to an end and said quickly: "I have something very important that I want to report to you immediately."
"Speak, Comrade Chuvashov."
"The Shamrich regiment of our division has arrived near Chernivtsi. Not long ago, the commander of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Shamrich, reported to me." Chuvashov reported: "They found it on the bank of the Prut River.
We found a stone monument, and after careful identification, we can confirm that it is the boundary monument of our national border."
Chuvashov's words stunned Sokov. After a while, he raised his voice and said: "Comrade Chuvashov, what did you just say? Please repeat it again."
Chuvashov thought that the effect of the phone call was not good, so he raised his voice and repeated what he had just said: "Lieutenant Colonel Shamrih reported to me that his troops found a stone tablet on the bank of the Prut River. After repeated inspections,
It can be confirmed that that stone monument is our country’s boundary monument on the national border.”
Sokov's voice became hoarse with excitement: "Comrade Chuvashov, can you really confirm this?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, I can guarantee that." Chuvashov replied in a positive tone: "It is indeed a boundary marker on the border."
"Comrade Chuvashov, I would like to congratulate you." After confirming the authenticity of the news, Sokov raised his voice and said: "Congratulations on becoming the first unit to return to the old border. Congratulations on everything you have done today.
, will be recorded in history.”
After ending the call, Sokov said to several deputies around him: "Comrades, commanders, let me tell you some good news. The Shamrich Regiment of the 98th Guards Division has successfully reached the Pudong area south of Chernivtsi.
On the banks of the Root River, a boundary monument was found on the edge of the national border. In other words, the regiment became the first unit in the army to reach the old national border."
"They are really amazing." After Gorokhov expressed his opinion, he proposed to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I recommend reporting such important good news to the front army headquarters immediately."
"Yes, Comrade Military Commissioner is right." His words immediately aroused everyone's response: "We should report this news to the front army headquarters immediately."
Naturally, Sokov accepted everyone's suggestions and immediately said to Gorokhov: "Comrade Military Commissar, it is up to you to report this good news to the front army headquarters."
While Gorokhov was on the phone to the front army headquarters, Sokov said to several others: "The troops on the right wing are making good progress now. If nothing happens, they will be able to enter Romania tomorrow. This is the great defense force.
This is the first time our troops have set foot on the soil of another country since the outbreak of the war between China and the United States."
"Does there need to be any ceremony?" Smirnov asked tentatively: "After all, this is a very important historical event. Should we set up a pontoon bridge on the river and arrange a military band on the shore to see him off?
Our troops cross the river?"
"I don't think it's necessary." Trofimenko shook his head and said, "If we cross the river with great fanfare, we may be shelled or bombed by the enemy. If this causes huge casualties to the troops and affects the morale and morale of the troops,
Then the gains outweigh the losses.”
Sokov felt that what Trofimenko said was reasonable, so he agreed: "I agree with the deputy commander's opinion. When crossing the river and entering Romania, we should not do any cosmetic projects to avoid unnecessary losses to the troops.
.”
While they were still chatting, Gorokhov, who had just finished calling the front army headquarters, hurried over and said to Sokov excitedly: "Comrade Commander, good news, good news."
Sokov was stunned: "What good news?"
"I just brought the Shamrih Regiment to the old border and discovered our boundary marker, and gave a detailed report to Marshal Konev." Gorokhov said with some excitement: "After hearing this, Comrade Marshal
I was very happy and made the decision on the spot to announce that in recognition of the merits of the Shamrih regiment, I was going to award the regiment the Order of the Red Flag. At the same time, the regiment commander Shamrih was officially promoted to colonel."
"This is good news." Sokov did not expect Konev's reaction to be so fast, and quickly ordered Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call General Chuvashov immediately and tell him the good news.
.”
"Comrade Commander, just calling General Chuvashov is not enough." Samyko said with a smile: "This is a great happy event after all. I suggest that while calling, you should also call Shameko.
Lieutenant Colonel Mlih, no, he is now a colonel. I would like to express my sincere congratulations to him."
When Samyko went to make arrangements for making phone calls and sending reports, Smirnov on the side said with emotion: "I thought General Kravchenko's Tank Army, or General Afnin's 18th Guards Army, was here.
After crossing the river north of Wingene, they were able to become the first force to enter Romania, but judging from the current situation, no matter how quickly they move, they can only become the second force to enter. What a pity."
"Yes, it is indeed a pity." Sokov said: "But this is the case on the battlefield. There are always various uncertain factors that cannot be controlled by anyone."
Not long after, Shamrih received a telegram from the front army headquarters, telling him that in recognition of their being the first unit to reach the old border, the entire regiment would receive the Order of the Red Flag; at the same time, he himself also received the Order of the Red Flag.
Was promoted to colonel.
After Shapovalenko saw the telegram, he immediately reached out to Shamrih and said with envy: "Comrade commander, I congratulate you. Congratulations on obtaining a higher military rank."
"Comrade Political Commissar," Shamrih said with some embarrassment after hearing Shapovarenko congratulating him: "I have been promoted, and as my deputy, you should also receive the same honor. I think my superiors may have been negligent.
I will promptly report this to my superiors and ask them to promote you to the military rank."
"No, no need." Shapovalenko waved his hands and said, "You deserve to be promoted to colonel. As your deputy, I usually don't play a big role at all and I didn't get promoted.
It’s also reasonable.”
"Here comes someone!" Shamrih called a staff officer, handed him the telegram he had just received, and ordered: "Immediately convey the contents of this telegram to the entire regiment's commanders and fighters."
The staff officer agreed loudly, took the telegram from Shamrih's hand, turned around and walked out of the temporary headquarters.
After the staff left, Shamrih discussed with Shapovarenko: "Comrade political commissar, according to the original plan, our regiment will complete the mission when it reaches near Chernivtsi. But the superiors gave us such a great honor.
, we can’t betray the trust of our superiors.”
Shamrih had a reason for saying this. Although everyone knew that based on the performance of the 98th Guards Division in the battle, after the battle, the superiors would definitely reward them based on their merits. But he never dreamed that his
Less than half an hour after the troops arrived at the old border and found the boundary monument, the superiors received the commendation. This was an unprecedented thing. This alone made him feel flattered, and he naturally wanted to perform well.
Shapovarenko and Shamrih had a strict division of labor. He was only responsible for the propaganda and agitation work in the regiment. As for military affairs, all matters were done at Shamrih's direction: "Comrade commander, just tell us.
What should we do next?”
"Now there are only more than a thousand people in the whole regiment. No matter how small the defenders are in Chernivtsi, it will be very difficult for us to take it down." Shamrih said: "So I plan to move the troops to different places.
On the outskirts of the city, attack the enemy's outer positions. It is naturally a good thing to capture one or two areas; but if we cannot complete the task, it does not matter. We will temporarily retreat to a safe area and wait until more friendly forces arrive.
, it’s not too late for us to launch another attack.”
"This is a good idea." Shapovalenko said: "But before the attack begins, I suggest conducting a reconnaissance of the city to find out the enemy's general troop deployment and firepower distribution. As for the troops, just stay in place first.
Rest where you are."
"Okay." Shamrih agreed to Shapovarenko's proposal: "I will send scouts to conduct reconnaissance on the city."
After the scouts were dispatched, the troops rested by the Prut River. Shamrich gave the car captain an order to return immediately with the convoy to pick up more troops to join him.
After doing all this, Shamrich began to formulate a plan to attack Chernivtsi. When he first set out, he felt that his troops were sufficient, so he rejected many people who wanted to join the army. Looking back at this moment, Shamrich
Li He couldn't help but feel regretful.
"Comrade Commander," a communications staff officer came over with a telegram and saluted Sokov, "it's time to receive the telegram from the division headquarters."
Shamrih thought it was a combat mission assigned to him by the division headquarters, and quickly browsed it. After reading the content clearly, he couldn't help but smile; "Comrade Military Commissar, this is a telegram personally sent by the division commander. He told us
Expressed congratulations, and conveyed the army's commendation order and the decision to award the entire regiment the Order of the Red Banner."
After hearing this, Shapovarenko asked curiously: "I wonder what award the teacher received this time?"
"I don't know." Shamrih shook his head and said, "But according to my estimation, after this battle is over, a heavier medal will not be able to escape."
More than half an hour later, Shamrih suddenly received a call from the leader of the reconnaissance team: "Comrade leader, I have something important to report to you immediately."
When Shamrih heard what the leader of the reconnaissance team said, he couldn't help but be startled and thought to himself: "Aren't you on a reconnaissance mission? Are there results so soon?" He quickly asked: "Are there any results?"
"Comrade leader," said the leader of the reconnaissance team: "After our reconnaissance team entered the city, we found no sign of the defenders at all."
"What, no sign of the defenders was found?" Shamrich asked in surprise: "Have you conducted reconnaissance carefully? You know, it is already dark, and the defenders may be resting in the barracks."
"Comrade leader, I know it's already dark. According to normal circumstances, the defenders in the city should have been sleeping in their barracks." The leader of the reconnaissance team said: "But let alone patrols on the streets, even in the barricades
No one can be seen. I wonder if the defenders in the city have abandoned the city and left."
"The defenders in the city have abandoned the city and left?" Shamrich couldn't help but gasped: "So, is it possible that Chernivtsi is an empty city now?"
"Yes, Comrade Leader, I think it should be like this."
Shamrih was a little uneasy. He originally thought that if his troops launched an attack on the city, even if the attack went smoothly, they might not be able to capture much of the area. But now that all the defenders in the city have withdrawn, he has more than a thousand troops.
The No. 1 Guards regiment may be able to liberate this city with their abilities.
Thinking of this, he said to the leader of the reconnaissance team: "Continue reconnaissance and report to me any situation at any time. I will immediately send a battalion to the city to cooperate with your reconnaissance operations."
After finishing the call with the leader of the reconnaissance team, he put down the earphone and microphone, ordered the commander of the first battalion, Yakuda, to get straight to the point: "Commander of the first battalion, the scouts who just sneaked into the city to conduct reconnaissance, just gave
I called and said that no trace of the enemy was found in the city, and I initially concluded that the enemy may have abandoned the city and withdrawn."
"What, the enemies in the city have withdrawn?" Yakuda asked in surprise: "Comrade leader, what are you going to do?"
"Immediately take your first battalion into the city and launch a comprehensive search to find out whether the enemy has retreated or has set a trap for us, waiting for our people to jump into it."
"Don't worry, comrade leader." Yakuda replied resoundingly: "I will take people to the city to find out what is going on. Once I have news, I will report to you in time."
The first battalion was already on standby. Yakuda returned to the camp and conveyed the order. In just a few minutes, the commanders and soldiers set off.
The place where the troops were stationed was still two or three kilometers away from the city, but the commanders and soldiers of the first battalion were eager to know what was going on in the city. At first, they walked in unison, but walking turned into striding.
While walking, a soldier accidentally tripped over a stone and rushed forward with his whole body. His action caused the comrades marching next to him to misunderstand, thinking that his superiors were ordering to speed up, so he changed from his original stride to walking.
It became a trot. At first, there were only two or three soldiers trotting, but it soon affected the soldiers next to them, and before long, all the commanders and soldiers were running.
In less than ten minutes, the first battalion arrived at the fortifications on the outskirts and found that there were no defenders here. When they arrived at the entrance of the city, two soldiers from the reconnaissance team were waiting here.
Seeing Yakuda bringing people over, he hurriedly greeted them, "Comrade Major, we are from the reconnaissance team and we have been ordered to escort you here into the city."
Yakuda nodded at the other party and asked: "How is the situation in the city?"
"After our repeated searches, not a single enemy was found in the city." A scout replied: "It seems that they all withdrew before we arrived."