"The 24th Division of the Romanian Army arrived in the border town of Khmelnik on 9 September, occupied the disputed Mount Hermek on 12 September, and built fortifications on it in an attempt to create an occupation. When the officers and men of our Frontier Corps tried to prevent their illegal occupation, they were expelled by them. In order to maintain peace in the region, our border guards can only endure to withdraw. According to our intelligence, the Romanian army currently occupying the area consists of as many as one brigade. ”

Inside the Kremlin. Mainesky, head of the General Directorate of State Political Protection, is telling information about the Romanian occupation of Mount Hermec. In addition to Stalin, there were also many senior members of the Soviet military and political affairs.

After listening to Mainesky's report, Stalin took his world-famous pipe and spoke. "Comrades, let's talk about it."

When his words fell, many people turned their eyes to Voroshilov. Because this is a military matter, it is best to need this military commander to reply.

"I think that the current actions of Romania are a test of the great Soviet Union, a test of the reaction of the capitalist society to the economic crisis of our country. This is the same as the warlord Zhang in the East, which is aimed at the great Soviets. So we can't hesitate and we have to fight back with the toughest attitude. ”

Without waiting for the two military commanders to speak, Molotov, who is currently the chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, stood up and took the lead in expressing his attitude.

In addition to the fact that the Soviet Union could not back down, he also had his own thoughts on Stalin.

And after Molotov spoke, Voroshilov, who served as the People's Commissar of the Navy and Army, also spoke. "That's right, we must fight back harshly against the provocations of the warlords in the East, and we must be no exception to the provocations of the Romanians in the West, otherwise the external environment of the Soviet Union will become even worse because of this forbearance."

Others also spoke one after another after seeing the attitude expressed by two successive Stalin's cronies.

"The Soviet Union must not make any retreats, otherwise these countries that are hostile to the Soviet Union will rush to the Soviet Union and target the Soviet Union one after another."

"That's right, these Romanians must be given a taste of the power of the Soviet iron fist."

"The last time the Soviet Union made concessions to Romania for peace, they felt that they could infringe on the interests of the Soviet Union, and they were wrong to think so, and this time they must be given a taste of the Soviet Union."

Only after everyone had spoken did Stalin speak. "The matter of the provocation of the Romanians will be handed over to the Kiev Military District, and I believe that they will definitely give a satisfactory answer to the Central Committee. In addition, the five-year plan must not be affected by this matter, and every effort must be made to ensure that it is vigorously implemented. ”

As Stalin made his final decision, the Soviet Union responded to Romanian provocations.

And as the direct executor, the Kiev Military District naturally did not dare to slack off.

So when the order was issued to the Kiev Military District, the commander Timoshenko naturally did not dare to slack off.

Timoshenko has been prosperous in recent years. As the original officer of the First Cavalry Army with a special status, of course, Timoshenko knew that he could be promoted so quickly. So he did not dare to slack off in the slightest about the order from Moscow.

And when the border guards discovered Romania's moves, how could the Kyiv Military District, which controls Ukraine's military intelligence, not know about it, but it has not yet received orders from its superiors and cannot act rashly.

So after the order was given in Moscow, Timoshenko looked at the telegram sent and turned his head and ordered. "Immediately, in accordance with the predetermined plan, the divisions were ordered to rush to Mount Helmek before the 15th, and the combat command of them was under the responsibility of Comrade Solnov of the 15th Army. At the same time, the other ministries were ordered to start patrolling the border area to guard against possible provocations by the Romanians. ”

When Timoshenko said this, he thought about it and added. "In the event of a provocation by the Romanians, a harsh counterattack can be given."

Following Timoshenko's order, the troops that had been prepared in advance immediately put on their suits and marched in a line singing revolutionary songs to the reserved place. And behind them is the figure of the artillery of the god of war, as if to proclaim the greatness of the Soviet Union.

And the commander of this battle, Major General Solnov, who was accepted by Timoshenko, was also ready to go. However, as a major general, he has many colleagues, so he is making his final resignation.

"Comrade Solnov, I wish you a victorious start and an early return."

The people who saw him off were basically comrades from the 15th Army, and the commander and political commissar of the 15th Army were also among them.

Faced with the comrades who saw him off, Solnov, who served as deputy commander, could only speak.

"Thank you for your concern for me, and I will certainly live up to the expectations of Comrade Commander and everyone this time. Everything is for the Soviets. ”

"For the Soviets."

After saying that, Solnov turned on his horse and led the guards in the direction of Mount Hermek. He will meet the officers and men of the 24th Division and the Independent Artillery Brigade on the road to jointly complete the tasks assigned by his superiors.

And the actions of the Soviet troops were soon discovered by the Romanian side, which closely followed its movements.

Upon learning of the news of the Soviet troops, the Chief of the General Staff, Colonel-General Freyt, immediately ordered. "Send a telegram to the troops on the western Ukrainian border asking them to be more vigilant. With regard to the presence of Soviet troops around Mount Hermek, we need to take precautions and ask them to show our attitude towards possible provocations. In addition, he sent a telegram to Major General Salda, telling him that this battle was very important to Romania and to him, and hoped that he would be able to play Romanian prestige. ”

After Admiral Fereitt gave the order, he paid attention to the military map hanging behind him. The map is densely packed with military markers. These markings are all of the troops of the two countries, and the markings around Hurmec are even more dense.

"Hopefully, this battle will serve its purpose."

Admiral Fereit looked at the map and muttered to himself.

He also saw the growth of the Soviet Union's military strength in recent years, and many technical arms were established during this period. Moreover, the Soviet Union is not only chasing the technical arms established by other countries, but also exploring new types of arms that have not yet appeared, such as the paratroopers, which were first established by the Soviet Union.

Although the Soviet Union's military strength has been constantly renovated over the years, Romania is not bad, and it can even be said that it is stronger. After military cooperation with Germany and Italy (don't take me for granted), Romania is not what it used to be. And this time let the USSR once again know the strength of Romania.

And when the Soviet troops began to prepare for the offensive, the Soviet Union was not idle diplomatically, and a tough statement was handed to Romania. Romania was asked to withdraw its troops from the border within 24 hours, otherwise the necessary measures would be taken.

This statement was rejected by Romania without exception, and it was stated that Romania had not crossed the border, that Mount Hermek belonged to Romania, and that the Soviet Union's demands were vexatious.

Since neither side is convinced, then it is necessary to convince people with (physical) reason, so Hermek becomes the place where the two sides compete.