Sokov was so frightened by the contents of the telegram that he broke into a cold sweat. If Agelina hadn't been careful and discovered this German telegram, the troops might have been caught off guard by the German reinforcements. At this moment, he saw that he had become the focus of everyone.
, then you know that they are waiting for you to make up your mind.
Sokov coughed lightly, cleared his throat and said: "Comrades, fortunately Agelina found this telegram that determines the life or death of our army among the captured telegrams. Here, on behalf of the whole battalion, I
Commanders, thank her." With that, Sokov raised his hand and saluted Agelina with a solemn military salute, and solemnly said, "Agelina, thank you!"
Seeing Sokov saluting in front of everyone, Agelina's face turned red. She hurriedly waved her hands and said repeatedly: "Comrade Battalion Commander, you are too polite. This is just a small effort."
That’s all.”
After expressing his gratitude to Agelina, Sokov began to assign tasks: "Savyev!"
Hearing Sokov call his name, Saveyev quickly stepped forward and replied loudly: "Here!"
"Your company will stay and be responsible for guarding the warehouse."
Although Saveyev was dissatisfied with the task assigned by Sokov, he did not refute it in public. He just responded "Yes!" and retreated to his seat.
After Saviev retreated, Sokov continued to call names: "Vanya, Vasily!"
Vanya and Vasily, seeing that Sokov had arranged for Saviev's third company to stay at the warehouse, they guessed that their two companies would definitely carry out the combat mission. After hearing their names, they immediately agreed in unison
Said: "Arrived!"
Sokov looked at the two men and said: "First company, machine gun company, follow me to the German reinforcements."
After hearing Sokov's simple order, Vanya asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I don't know how you plan to fight this battle?"
"Time is running out, you go and assemble the team first." Sokov didn't know what the terrain was like to the east, so he couldn't make specific combat arrangements for the time being. He just urged the two of them: "Let's go take a look at the terrain first, and then decide.
How to deal with the Germans."
Just as Vanya and Vasily were about to leave the house, he stopped them and asked: "Are there any soldiers in your company who have been tankers?" He asked because he saw the warehouse.
There are two brand-new Panzer IV tanks. If these two tanks can be put to use when attacking the German army, the probability of victory will be greater.
After Vanya and Vasily looked at each other, they both shook their heads and said: "I'm sorry, comrade battalion commander, there are no soldiers in our company who have been tank soldiers."
Just when Sokov was secretly disappointed, he suddenly heard Stepan say: "Comrade Battalion Commander, may I ask, what do you want from the tank driver?"
"There are two tanks in the warehouse," Sokov said with some lack of interest: "If I can find the tank crew, I can order the soldiers to drive the tanks to deal with the Germans."
After listening, Stepan turned to Saviev and said: "Comrade company commander, aren't there a few tankers among the newly added soldiers in our company?"
"Yes, yes," Saveyev waited for Stepan to finish, and nodded again and again: "There are indeed a few soldiers who have been tank crews before. Comrade Battalion Commander, do you need me to call them over?"<
/p>
"Since there are tankers," Sokov said in surprise, "then call them over quickly."
After Saviev and Stepan trotted out of the headquarters, Sokov saw Vanya and Vasily still standing at the door and urged them: "You are still standing here.
What, why don't you hurry up and assemble the team? In less than an hour, the enemy's reinforcements will arrive."
After Agelina waited for the two to leave, she walked to Sokov's side and asked softly: "Comrade Battalion Commander, you are going to fight again. Isn't there any danger?"
"Agelina," Sokov called Agelina by name and said to her: "I want to ask you something, okay?"
"If you have anything, please tell me."
"Agelina, my friends all call me Misha." Sokov said to Agelina with a smile, "Can you also call me that in the future?"
"Okay, Misha." Agelina asked in a low voice: "Is this what you asked me for?"
When Sokov saw Agelina's peach blossoms, he deliberately teased her: "Do you think there will be other things?"
Agelina didn't say anything, she just lightly punched Sokov on the back a few times, then turned around and walked to Maxim, the communications squad leader, to help.
Saviev moved very quickly. In just a few minutes, he returned with the soldiers who had served as tank drivers in the company. He reported to Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, our company has served as tank drivers."
The tanks and soldiers are all here."
Sokov looked at the number of people and found that there were only seven people. He couldn't help frowning because he knew very well that the German Panzer IV tank had five members. Even if he was included, there were only eight people who could use the tank to fight.
Each tank was assigned only four people. However, he was still patient and asked the seven tank crews one by one. He learned that they were: one driver, two gunners, two loaders, and two commanders.
Not a single signal soldier.
After understanding the division of labor of the tank crews, he began to arrange work for them. He asked the tank commander to take a driver, a gunner, and a loader to board one of the tanks; while he took the rest
Three people got into another tank.
The tank soldiers in the same car couldn't help being surprised when they saw Sokov driving the tank skillfully. The tank commander even asked curiously: "Comrade Battalion Commander, can you drive a tank?"
"Yes," Sokov nodded and said without blushing or heartbeat: "I learned it when I was driving a tractor on a collective farm."
Two tanks opened the way in front, taking the commanders and fighters of the first company and the machine gun company to the edge of a forest five kilometers east of the warehouse. Sokov ordered the tanks to stop, leaned out of the turret, raised his telescope and looked at
Looking ahead, a simple road passes through the forest. The forest is about 70 to 80 meters away from the road. The forest is dense, which is convenient for concealing the troops; there is no obstruction in front, and the shooting range is wide, which is convenient for the use of firepower.
Seeing that this was an ideal ambush location, Sokov called Vanya and Vasily over and said to them: "Lieutenant Vanya's company is hidden in the forest on the north side; Vasily
The lieutenant's machine gun battery is hidden in the forest on the south side; and I am parked here with two tanks. When the enemy's truck comes into range, I will fire to destroy the leading vehicle; and when you hear the sound of the cannon,
, and immediately took action to blow up the last vehicle. As long as the two ends were blocked, the Germans would be under the firepower of our army no matter which direction they fled."
After giving the order, he looked down at Vanya and Vasily and asked: "Did you understand the mission clearly?"
"Listen clearly!" the two company commanders replied in loud voices.
"Since the mission is clear," Sokov waved at the two of them: "You all go back to your respective units."
After the two company commanders raised their hands in salute, they turned around and returned to their troops, leading the soldiers towards the ambush site.