The Istrian battalion left its station and headed towards the Tim area. According to the prior plan, they should arrive at the Tim area within two days to cooperate with the upcoming attack by the front troops.
Before departure, the entire battalion commanders and fighters were full of confidence in arriving in the Tim area on time. After all, before this, they had marched more than 200 kilometers on foot in three days. But after they entered the forests and swamps, no matter what
Sokov and the ordinary soldiers below all felt a headache. Marching in the gloomy forests and swamps, the threats to everyone were not only getting lost and accidentally being swallowed by the swamps, but also being wary of the elusive snakes, insects, rats, and ants at any time.
In this case, let alone walking more than 100 kilometers in two days, even if it takes twice as long, it will be difficult to reach the destination on time.
Therefore, on the first day of camping, Sokov sent someone to notify Belkin and the three company commanders to have a meeting at the command post located in a cabin in the forest, and discuss with them how to speed up the march.
Since the first company was the vanguard, Sokov first asked Vanya: "Captain Vanya, can you find an easier road? The roads we took today will not cover 20 kilometers in a day. If this continues,
Without four or five days, we simply cannot reach the designated location."
"There is no way, Comrade Battalion Commander." Vanya spread out his hands and said helplessly: "The guide took us on the fastest and safest road. It is simply impossible to increase the speed. After all, soldiers
They all carry 30 to 40 kilograms of ammunition and supplies, so even if they want to, they can't move fast."
"Comrade Battalion Commander," Andrei waited for Vanya to speak and immediately asked Sokov: "Can you please order the soldiers of the first company to leave their supplies and continue to advance in a lightly-armed manner. The supplies they left behind
, it can be carried by the soldiers of our third company."
Andre's suggestion moved Sokov a little. He quickly turned to look at Vanya and asked: "Captain Vanya, do you think this method is feasible?"
Vanya was silent. To be honest, if you lighten the burden on your soldiers, it will indeed speed up their march, but it will also bring about a new problem. Carrying less supplies will weaken the troops' ability to attack difficult problems. If
When you encounter an area that needs to be attacked, you may not be able to attack it at all.
Just as everyone focused their attention on Vanya and waited for his reply, an officer suddenly broke in from outside and reported loudly: "Report, there are troop activities found three kilometers away from these places.
signs.”
"Are there troops operating nearby?" Everyone was shocked when they heard this. Sokov quickly asked: "How many are there? Are they ours or the enemy?"
However, when faced with Sokov's series of questions, the officer shook his head in confusion and replied: "Comrade Major, I heard from the comrades who fell behind that they discovered this unit a few kilometers away. If not
Seeing the signs we left, they almost thought those people were us."
"Call Christopher over here!" Sokov waited for the officer to finish speaking, then immediately ordered him: "I want to assign him an important task."
Although the reconnaissance platoon had long been integrated into the first company, the unit commanded by Second Lieutenant Christopher often had to perform some special tasks. Not long after, the officer brought Christopher in. Chris
Dov saw that the company-level commanders were having a meeting here, and Sokov personally sent someone to call him. There must be something important, so he quickly asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, what are your instructions?"
"That's it, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Sokov said to Christopher: "We got information and found a mysterious force a few kilometers away from here. The task I give you is to get there in the shortest possible time.
Within the time, find out who they are, how many troops they have, and where they are hiding. Are there any questions?"
"No problem." Christopher agreed loudly, and then asked: "Comrade Major, do you allow me to return to the army to arrange reconnaissance missions?"
"Go ahead, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Sokov nodded to Christopher: "I'm waiting for your good news here."
After Christopher left, Sokov immediately said to the company commanders present: "Since we can't figure out whether the troops appearing nearby are friendly forces or enemies, we must prepare for battle immediately. The three company commanders immediately
Return to your respective companies and set up defenses around the camp."
The three company commanders agreed, stood up and saluted Sokov, then turned and left the battalion command post. Seeing that he was the only one left in the room, Belgin asked tentatively: "Comrade Major, do you think the troops operating nearby are...
Are they our people or our enemies?"
"It's hard to say," Sokov said hesitantly: "Maybe it's friendly forces, or maybe it's a German airborne detachment. Someone's coming!" At this point, Sokov suddenly shouted out the door.
.
Soon, Seryosha appeared at the door, looked at Sokov and asked: "Comrade Major, what are your instructions?"
"According to reports, there may be a small group of enemies near us." Regardless of the troops who have not yet figured out the nearby activities, whether they are enemies or friends, Sokov was unwilling to take risks, so he ordered Seryosha:
"Comrade Lieutenant, immediately order the soldiers of the police communication platoon to set up a circular defense near the command post to avoid being attacked by the enemy."
"Don't worry, Comrade Major." Seryosha heard what Sokov said and immediately replied expressionlessly: "I will immediately ask the soldiers to dig individual bunkers around the command post and establish a ring defense."
Seryosha had just led the police platoon soldiers to establish a ring defense around the command post. Christopher, who personally led the small team to carry out the reconnaissance mission, sent a telegram, which read: "Already contacted the people who were active in the forest.
The troops got in touch and they were soldiers of the 297th Infantry Division of the 21st Group Army. During the Battle of Kharkov, they were dispersed by the Germans. Since they found themselves surrounded by the Germans, they did not blindly take breakout actions, but
Stay here and fight guerrillas."
When he learned that the troops moving nearby were actually friendly troops that were dispersed by the Germans during the Battle of Kharkov, Sokov's heart finally fell to the map. He immediately ordered the operator to call back and asked Christopher to send
Those people were brought back to the camp and he wanted to have a good talk with them.
After waiting for almost an hour, Christopher, who was covered in mud and water, walked into the command post with a captain. Christopher introduced him: "This is Major Sokov."
"Hello, Comrade Major." After the captain raised his hand and saluted Sokov, he reported in accordance with the regulations: "Captain Briski, commander of the 297th Infantry Division, reports to you. I am following your order. Please give me instructions!"