The tank company passed through this section without danger and came to the vicinity of a town. They found a large number of refugees on both sides of the road, and after a long journey, they planned to rest here for a while before entering the town.

The deputy company commander asked Diachenko for instructions: "Comrade company commander, a town has been found ahead, and a large number of refugees have gathered outside the town. Do we drive straight into town, or do we go around from outside town? ”

Diachenko did not want to waste time in such a small town, and he did not know much about the situation in the town, so he decisively ordered: "Deputy company commander, do not stop here, immediately find a way to bypass the town and continue to rush forward." ”

The tank company slowly made its way through the refugee ranks, bypassing the town along a road that was relatively sparsely populated by refugees. After passing through the town, Diachenko radioed to the deputy company commander: "Deputy company commander, we have advanced thirty kilometers in a row, and we need to stop and check the condition of the tank so as not to break down halfway." You see if there's a suitable place outside the town. ”

"Understood." The deputy company commander replied decisively: "Two hundred meters ahead, there is an open field where we can stop for overhaul and replacement of parts. ”

Soon, the tanks of the tank company stopped in an open space on the side of the road, and the tank crews opened their roofs and got out of the turrets, standing next to their tanks, silently watching the ranks of refugees marching slowly on the dirt road, and their hearts could not help but have mixed feelings.

"Comrade company commander," a young tank soldier asked Diachenko curiously, "where are they going to flee?" ”

To this question of the tank crew, Diachenko shook his head and said with a wry smile: "I don't know. I don't think the refugees who fled know where they end up. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, before the young tankman could ask again, the whistling of shells piercing the air was heard in the air. As soon as he heard this voice, Diachenko immediately shouted at the top of his voice: "Hide, hurry up and hide." ”

As soon as Diachenko's words fell, the shell landed twenty or thirty meters away from the tank and exploded. Some of the tank crews lay on the ground, while others got into the tank from the bottom of the tank, ready to drive the tank away from the area where the shelling was held.

The refugees, who were on the move, were frightened by the sudden shelling, and they fled in all directions with shouts and shouts. The unlucky man rushed to the area of the explosion site and was immediately cut down by the flying shrapnel. Some of the refugees who fell by the bullet died instantly, while others had their arms or legs broken and fell to the ground screaming loudly.

However, the German shelling lasted only a moment, and it is not known whether the gunners were worried about accidentally injuring civilians, or whether they thought that the tanks parked here belonged to their own unit. More than 20 shells were fired, causing more than 100 civilian casualties, of which 60 or 70 died on the spot, and the lives of many of the wounded who fell to the ground also entered the countdown because there was no one to help them and there was a lack of medicine.

Seeing this tragic situation in front of him, Diachenko was also powerless, and just as he was about to order the transfer of tanks, he unexpectedly found that two tanks were missing. He hurriedly ordered the operator to call the two missing tanks on the radio to find out where they had gone.

But the operator called for a long time, and the other two tanks did not hear back. Seeing that Diachenko had not given the order to set off for a long time, the deputy company commander hurriedly asked by radio: "Comrade company commander, why haven't you set off yet?" ”

"We have two tanks missing, one of which is Sergeant Shura's crew." Diachenko said to the deputy company commander with a serious expression: "I have ordered the operator to call them, but so far, there has been no response. ”

"Comrade company commander, it's clear that they're blocked by refugees south of town." The deputy company commander said in the microphone: "I suggest that the troops continue to move forward so as not to be shelled by the Germans again." As for the two tanks that are lagging behind, I am sure that they will catch up as soon as possible after getting rid of the refugees. ”

"Alright, let's move on."

But when the tank company moved forward along the road again, the operator asked with some concern: "Comrade company commander, we still can't get in touch with Sergeant Shura's crew, do you think we need to report this matter to our superiors?" ”

In response to the operator's proposal, Diachenko thought for a long time, nodded, and said to the operator: "Send a telegram to the battalion headquarters saying that in the process of advancing our company in depth to the enemy, Sergeant Shura's car crew has lost contact with another car group, and please follow the troops to help find it." ”

The telegram sent by Diachenko's company was transferred from the battalion headquarters to the brigade headquarters and from the brigade headquarters to the corps commander, General Kirichchenko. It stands to reason that it is not uncommon for one or two tank crews to lose contact during a battle, but one of the crews was commanded by Sergeant Shura, so the situation was different.

Kirichenko hurriedly instructed his chief of staff: "Immediately send a telegram to the front headquarters saying that Sergeant Shura's tank crew has lost contact on the way to Elbin, and ask the higher authorities to send planes to search for it as soon as possible." ”

The telegram sent by Kirichenko was quickly placed in front of Rokossovsky, and after reading the telegram, he asked Bogolyubov with a frown: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what is going on, why are two tank groups missing, and planes are being sent to search for them?" If we had to send planes to search for every missing tank group, then our air force would become a search team. ”

Seeing that Rokossovsky was firing, Bogolyubov said with a wry smile: "Comrade Marshal, one of the two missing tank crews was commanded by Sergeant Shura. ”

"Sergeant Shura?" After repeating the name, Rokossovsky asked with some disdain: "What is his origin, is it the child of a senior commander?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, let me explain it to you." Su Bojing saw Bogolyubov's crying and laughing expression, and hurriedly came out to relieve him: "Shura, it's Zoya's younger brother. ”

"Zoya?!" Hearing the name, Rokossovsky jumped up from his seat and asked in surprise: "Is that the heroine Zoya?" Shura is her younger brother? ”

"That's right, Comrade Marshal, it's him." Subotin kindly reminded Rokossovsky: "After the death of Zoya, Comrade Stalin personally approved his enlistment in the army, and told him to take good care of him." ……”

"Okay, Comrade Military Commissar, don't say it, I understand." After figuring out Shura's identity, Rokossovsky felt that even if Stalin did not specifically explain it, he could not sit idly by and ignore the matter, and hurriedly instructed Bogolyubov: "Chief of Staff, call General Vershinin of the Air Force and order him to immediately send two reconnaissance planes to search for the missing tank crew." ”