Red Moscow

  Chapter 91 Defense of the Highlands (Part 2)

Sokov stood alone in the bomb crater, raised his binoculars and looked at the German artillery positions in the distance, secretly thinking, if the German army really brought in a few more heavy artillery, these simple fortifications on the top of the mountain would definitely be razed Flat land. It seems that in order to hold the position, we cannot carry out passive defense, but must take the initiative to attack.

   If you want to take the initiative to attack, obviously you cannot launch an attack directly from the high ground. The soldiers who lost the cover of the trench fortifications will be directly exposed to the firepower of the German army. They will be killed by artillery fire and machine gun fire during the charge, and suffer huge losses. As for the companies stationed at the foot of the mountain, before the third company withdrew from the position, they had no combat missions for the time being, and they could be ordered to attack the German artillery positions.

  Thinking of this, Sokov left the crater and walked towards the station down the mountain without looking back. Saviev and Stepan, who were directing the soldiers to reinforce the fortifications and treat the wounded, saw Sokov leave. After they looked at each other, Saviev said, "Instructor, you know why the battalion commander suddenly How about going down the mountain?"

Stepan looked at Sokov's back, shook his head, and said in an uncertain tone: "I think, Comrade Battalion Commander may have gone down the mountain to arrange for our defense troops. After all, the enemy's artillery fire is too fierce. After a few rounds like that just now, there are not many people left in our company."

  Belkin, who was in charge of the command post of the battalion under the mountain, heard the report from the soldiers that the battalion commander had come down from the position on the mountain alone, and hurried out of the command post to meet Sokov. Each company has an observation post to observe the direction of the top of the mountain, so the company commanders of each company also got the news that the battalion commander was going down the mountain immediately.

  When Sokov returned to his battalion command post, he found Belkin and several company commanders waiting for him at the door, and asked curiously, "Why are you all here?"

   "Comrade Battalion Commander," Andre replied first: "We saw you coming back from the top of the mountain, and guessed that you might have a combat mission to hand over to us, so we all rushed over."

  Vassily asked anxiously: "Comrade Battalion Commander, we all saw the enemy's shelling on the top of the mountain just now, and we know that the commanders and fighters of the third company suffered a lot of casualties. I request that our machine gun company be transferred up to strengthen the firepower on the high ground."

"What's the hurry, I'll let you go up when it's time for you to go up." Sokov glared at Vasily dissatisfiedly, and then ordered: "What are you all doing standing at the door, and if you have anything to say, go in and say. "

After everyone sat down in the small battalion command post, Sokov looked at the three company commanders and said: "Comrades company commanders, since the top of the mountain is not big, but the fortifications are simple, it is difficult to resist the heavy German artillery bombardment." .In order to better defend the position, I plan to send a force to attack the German artillery position in the dark."

   "Sneak attack?!" Hearing this, Belkin couldn't help interjecting and asked, "Comrade battalion commander, is this possible? If the sneak attack fails, will it have a bad effect on our army's morale?"

"Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander," Sokov turned his head to look at Belkin and said with a smile on his face, "We cannot conduct unilateral defense, we must look for fighters to take the initiative to attack. Suvorov once said: Only surprises can win! We want to hold the initiative on the battlefield in our own hands, so that the enemy cannot attack us according to the predetermined plan. Therefore, I plan to send a small force to sneak attack the German artillery positions and lighten the defense for the third company on the high ground pressure."

Hearing what Sokov said, Belgin did not raise any objections, but glanced at the three company commanders, and asked Sokov humbly: "Comrade battalion commander, which company do you plan to send to carry out this task?" what?"

"Comrade Battalion Commander," Vanya volunteered as soon as Belgin finished speaking, "Although our company suffered a lot of casualties when we captured the high ground, I am confident that we still have the strength to destroy the enemy's artillery positions." Those who are capable, please entrust the battalion commander to our company to complete this glorious task."

Seeing that the other two company commanders also looked eager to try, Sokov quickly raised his hand to stop them, and said: "In order to prevent the target from being exposed, we can only send a small force to attack. But I thought about it. Relying on one company is not enough, so I plan to draw ten soldiers from each company to form a small team, led by the deputy platoon leader of the guard platoon, Pavel, to attack the enemy's positions. Do you have any opinions?"

   Seeing that Sokov asked each company to deploy manpower to participate in this operation, who would object? Therefore, the three company commanders shook their heads neatly and said in unison: "No objection!"

"You all go back to your respective troops, and pick out the fighters who participated in the night attack as soon as possible." When the three of them left, Sokov specially told them: "Remember, the soldiers who participate in the night attack must choose elite soldiers." A strong general. If I find someone who is perfunctory, I will definitely punish him."

After the company commanders left, Sokov yelled at the door: "Come here!" With the shout, a soldier came in from outside. As soon as he entered, he immediately stood upright at the door, waiting for Sokov give an order. Sokov pointed at him with his hand and said, "Comrade soldier, go and call the deputy platoon leader, Corporal Pavel, immediately!"

  Pavel walked into the command post and asked with a smile on his face, "Comrade Battalion Commander, are you looking for me?"

   "Come here, Comrade Pavel." Seeing Pavel entered the command post, Sokov hurriedly called him to the wooden table and said to him, "I have an important task that I want to entrust to you to complete."

   Pavel came to the table and saw a sketch spread out on the table, which was a topographic map drawn by Sokov while waiting for Pavel's arrival. Pointing to the various symbols on it, he said to Pavel: "Comrade Corporal, look, this is the high ground defended by the third company, and three kilometers to the south of them, there is a temporary artillery position of the German army. I will give you The task is to destroy the enemy's artillery positions."

   "Comrade Battalion Commander," Pavel asked after Sokov finished speaking, "I don't know how many people you plan to give me to complete this task?"

"Because you are performing a sneak attack mission, in order to prevent the target from being exposed, the number of people should not be too large, so I only arranged thirty people for you." Sokov emphasized: "These people are all elites drawn from each company. I think they will cooperate with you to complete this mission."

   "I have another question, Comrade Battalion Commander." Pavel asked blankly, "How many troops does the enemy have?"

"Before attacking the high ground, they had a company of about 200 people. When they were repelled, they lost about 50 or 60 people." In order to ensure the accuracy of the information, Sokov said very slowly when introducing the situation to Pavel: "But not long ago, they arrived with new infantry units. The total strength is about 300 people."

   "More than 300 infantrymen and dozens of artillerymen, that's quite a number." Pavel murmured while staring at the map. Then he straightened his body and replied: "Comrade Battalion Commander, don't worry. Although the enemy's strength is ten times that of ours, I assure you that we will be able to wipe out the German artillery positions."

   Sokov stood up, took Pavel's hand, and said: "Comrade Corporal, since you are so confident, I will wait for your good news here. Good luck!"

  (end of this chapter)