Steel Soviet Union

The day's fighting came to an end in the evening, and the drizzle that had fallen all day was really annoying.

The few remaining snows have been completely melted by the rain. The sight of puddles with water flowing all over the place is the best description of the current outdoor environment.

After the meeting, Malashenko walked out of the division headquarters, one foot deep and one foot shallow, walking in the mud on the ground. The soles of his feet were stuck with mud and it was difficult to lift his legs. It felt a bit uncomfortable. Malashenko, who didn't like wearing long boots until now, was forced to take off the short boots that he found comfortable on his feet and replace them with longer ones.

Like it or not, but the boots are waterproof anyway, and it’s better to wear them if they don’t fit your feet than to have your feet soaked in mud and water all over the shoes. It’s such a simple truth.

"How is your regiment doing? Your regiment has probably suffered the most losses in these two days of fighting. Can it still hold on?"

The person who was asked the question by Malashenko was none other than the commander of the regiment, Kulbalov, who had been left alone by Malashenko just after the meeting.

Just as Malashenko said, Kulbalov's tank regiment has always charged forward and retreated in the battles in recent days. Once you roll up your sleeves and go head-to-head with the Germans, the one at the front is designated to be Kulbalov’s tank regiment. The tank regiment with the highest proportion of veterans and the best equipment is Malashenko’s most powerful tank regiment. Handy sharp knife troops.

But as the battle progresses, even the most powerful tank regiment will inevitably suffer relatively large losses.

Malashenko remembered the IS6 heavy tanks that were damaged in the battle, but they were all vehicles owned by Kulbalov. Including the medium tank units that were lost in the previous battle, after repeated rounds, Malashenko estimated that up to now, at least twenty tanks had been destroyed by this group.

In addition, the fatigue of the soldiers is also a problem when they are continuously tasked with attacking sharp knives. Malashenko's question to Kulbalov is not meaningless. He is indeed worried about the current situation of the group. Can he still take on the main role?

"No problem, comrade division commander. Compared with other regiments, our regiment's battle damage is a bit greater, but it is not to the point of being seriously damaged."

Faced with Malashenko's inquiry, Kulbalov just smiled and spoke without thinking.

"Didn't we all arrange the combat tasks at the meeting? Comrade Division Commander. Our regiment is guarding the main defensive direction where the Germans are most likely to rush over. I have never let you down in the past, and I will not let you down this time, just like usual. Those Germans can't get past me. As long as they dare to come, I will think of how to deal with them quickly. "

Kulbalov did not often give Malashenko military orders or guarantees. He was a man who acted more than he talked. However, once Kulbalov made a guarantee, it only showed that his determination was more thorough and had no other meaning. Knowing this, Malashenko immediately reached out and patted Kulbalov on the shoulder.

"Keep the communication open and notify us as soon as possible if there is any situation. The Germans are trying their best to escape this time. Their crazy energy will only be stronger than before. We must be careful and vigilant and not underestimate the enemy. That's all I have to say. , remember this is not an easy battle to resolve.”

Kulbalov, who stood at attention and saluted, accepted the order and left. Malashenko, who stood on the ground shrouded in early darkness, looked at the horizon at the far end of the horizon. The sun setting in the west cannot be seen among the clouds that have not dispersed. Only the cold wind that is still cold and desolate after the rain is whistling past my ears. It is really uncomfortable to stay in such an environment that is not at all good. Not happy.

It is as if there is no hope for the coming storm in the dark night. At least the environment wants to give people such a state of mind and change, but Malashenko still needs to persist in his determination in the face of adversity. This is because of his body. Comrade Lao Ma, who is the teacher, must do it.

"Come on, I have experienced the most difficult battles. I am not afraid of this one, so let's make this storm more violent."

It only took a short time for night to fall and cover the land. The temperature suddenly dropped by more than ten degrees, causing many soldiers who had been soaked in the rain during the day to tremble with cold. After a while, some people even started sneezing, obviously because of being beaten. This weather has made me catch a cold.

Normally, this is the time to light a fire to keep warm.

However, the place where Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division is now located is a field environment in the wilderness. Mud and sewage are flowing across the ground, one after another. To put it bluntly, there is almost no shelter from the wind and rain. The only place that can be called an indoor environment is the civil field fortification where the division headquarters is located. This was all taken from the Germans.

Let's not talk about whether it is possible to light a fire when the ground is so wet and there is water everywhere. Even if it can be lit, it is not dared to do so now, so it can only stay dry and frozen.

Just imagine if the Germans came to break out, they would look for fireflies like fireflies in the distance in the middle of the night. Let's not say for the moment whether the Germans will follow the direction of the fire and make a surprise attack. This is not the worst thing. I am afraid that the Germans will see this situation and quietly move around from both sides.

Waiting for the rabbit and letting the rabbit escape is completely different from fighting a war but not destroying all the enemies. Malashenko will not be able to explain to Vatutin then.

So it's cold, but the current situation can only be endured. Even if you want to light a cigarette to relieve yourself and slow down, you have to bend your back and go to the trench to smoke.

The car was parked outside, and Malashenko, who was temporarily working the night shift at the division headquarters, stared wide-eyed. The cigarettes in my hand kept smoking one after another. It wasn't that I wanted to smoke so much or that I had to smoke. It was just that there was only one way to relieve fatigue without feeling sleepy.

To be honest, Malashenko was so sleepy at the moment that he could fight with his eyes while sitting in front of the table.

But in order to be on duty at the division headquarters, and also for the battle that could start at any time, Malashenko could only rely on cigarettes to stay alive no matter how sleepy or tired he was.

After smoking too much, Malashenko felt like his whole body was a little heady. He had to take a break from his cigarette, rolled up his sleeves and glanced at the time on his watch. The hour and minute hands were almost overlapping on the number 12. It was almost midnight but there was still no movement. This made Comrade Ma a little anxious.

"Damn it, if you want to fight, fight. If you don't fight, there will be no ink. How can these stupid Germans be lazier than the French who don't march when it rains!? Come here quickly and start doing it!"