I took the trouble to tell Captain Slavin, still fearing that he would mess things up, after all, I had sent my troops out without asking for instructions. If they could win, everyone would be happy, and the division commander Biliukov would not say anything; If I unfortunately fail, then I will have a great responsibility, and what awaits me is the fate of being removed from my post and investigated.

Seeing me rambling on and out of his tongue to Slavin, Lukin, who was standing next to me, couldn't help but laugh, perhaps thinking I was being too cautious. But for this kind of thing, I can't be cautious, the success or failure of this operation is related to my future and destiny.

When I put down the phone, Lukin smiled and comforted me: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, don't be nervous, according to what I know about Captain Slavin, he will definitely be able to complete this mission successfully." ”

I admire Lukin very much for this old subordinate. He fought not only bravely, but also with a good mind. In the original ambush battle, the plan was to attack the troops lying in ambush on the south side of the road, and after driving the enemy to the north of the road, he led his troops to attack from the rear of the enemy. As a result, I did not expect that those Germans did not retreat in a hurry after encountering our surprise attack, but stayed on the road, relying on trucks to continue to resist stubbornly. Seeing that the enemy situation had changed, Lukin did not be indecisive, but decisively led his troops to attack, and attacked us in front and rear, completely annihilating the ambushed Germans. In view of this, I have a lot of trust in him, and since he said that the night raid mission can be completed smoothly, then the mission will be successfully completed nine times out of ten.

Remembering that Chuikov had just told me on the phone to report this operation to the division headquarters, I picked up the phone again and prepared to send troops to attack. Report to the division commander, General Biryukov. When the call is connected. When General Bilyukov's voice came out of the microphone. I covered the microphone with my hand and asked Lukin again: "Comrade Captain, are you sure that tonight's operation will be successful?" ”

The reason why I asked again was because I was concerned about the chaos, and I really didn't know whether tonight's night attack would achieve the desired effect. Seeing Lukin nodding resolutely, I removed my hand from the microphone and politely said into the microphone, "Hello." Comrade division commander. I am Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, acting commander of the 678th Regiment. ”

"Hello, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. Call me at this time, is there anything going on? Bilyukov didn't say anything polite to me either, and asked straight to the point.

"Comrade division commander, I would like to report to you a situation. After I arrived in the regiment, I found that there were still many soldiers who were not equipped with weapons. ……”

"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. I understand what you said, you must know that our division has just been reorganized from the reserve army. It is quite normal to run out of weapons. "Bilyukov interrupted me without waiting for me to finish. He said to himself: "When the weapons and equipment that the logistics and military supplies are replenished to our division arrive, I will give priority to replenishing your regiment." ”

"But, Comrade Divisional Commander. If the warriors are unarmed, they will not be able to fight an enemy armed to the teeth. ”

Perhaps dissatisfied with my complaints, Biryukov said with some displeasure: "Commander Oshanina, what are you going to do?" I don't have any extra weapons in my hands right now, so I can't replenish them. ”

I hesitated for a moment, and finally honestly told him about the plan for tonight's night attack: "Comrade division commander, I plan to send a company to attack the enemy's baggage camp and take weapons from the enemy to arm our fighters. ”

After listening to this, Biryukov was stunned for a moment, and then said in surprise: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, what did you say?" You're going to send troops to attack the enemy's baggage camp? Did you make a reckless decision? You must know that the German army has always been heavily defended against the baggage camps where weapons and ammunition are stored, and it is simply impossible for you to capture the enemy's camp and seize their weapons with just one company. No, I don't agree with your plan, and immediately cancel the attack after dark. ”

"Comrade division commander," Originally, I was a little unsure about tonight's night attack, but when I heard Byliukov say this, my attitude became more resolute. But without his consent, no matter what the final result is, I will leave an impression in his mind that I am superior, so I patiently explained to him: "According to the report of the scouts dispatched, the enemy does not attach much importance to the baggage camp, and the position set up is far from the main force, and the number of guards is not large, only about a hundred, which gives us an opportunity. As long as our army does not make much movement during the sneak attack, annihilate the defenders guarding the baggage camp without alarming the enemy's main force, and quietly bring back the enemy's weapons and ammunition to arm our commanders and fighters, I think it should still be possible. ”

"I'm glad you thought of that." After complimenting me, Biryukov went on to state the reasons for his opposition: "But have you thought about it, even if the baggage camp is far away from the main force of the enemy, but you can think of a sneak attack, can't the Germans think of it?" In addition to the garrison in the camp, it is estimated that there are observation posts nearby. If we fail to eliminate the defenders in the camp in a short period of time and expose the target, reinforcements from the vicinity of the German army will arrive in time. At that time, let alone seizing the enemy's weapons, it will be the sneak attack of our army, and if you are not careful, you will end up with the total annihilation. ”

Hearing Biliukov say this, I couldn't help but nod my head secretly, his thoughtfulness made me look up at him. I was about to continue arguing when I suddenly saw Lukin gesturing to me, as if he had something to say, I quickly covered the microphone again and asked in a low voice, "Is there something wrong?" Comrade Captain. ”

Lukin also replied in a low voice: "Comrade regiment commander, is it the division commander who does not agree with our night raid?" ”

I didn't speak, just nodded slightly.

"Could you please tell the division commander that it is Captain Slavin who is on the mission, and that he and his company have a lot of experience in night raids." Speaking of this, Lukin lowered his voice again and said in an almost inaudible voice: "There are more than a dozen fighters in the company, they are from the independent battalion, and they have rich combat experience. ”

I was about to ask a few questions, but then Bilyukov's impatient voice came from the microphone: "Hey! Feed! Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what are you doing? Why don't you speak? Did you hear what I just said? I now order you to cancel tonight's operation immediately. ”

I pondered for a while, and felt that it was necessary to gamble now, so I said slowly: "Comrade division commander, the night attack troops have already set off, and if they are allowed to withdraw now, it will deal a fatal blow to the already low morale of the regiment. Believe me, I have a lot of combat experience, and based on my feelings, tonight's operation will be a success. Speaking of this, I looked at Lukin in front of me with an anxious look, suddenly remembered what he had just said, and hurriedly added: "Tonight's operation is commanded by Captain Slavin, the commander of the seventh company. ”

Hearing me talk about Slavin, Biryukoff was silent before he said, "Well, I agree with your plan for a night attack, but I still think it's too risky." Well, to be sure, you'll need to send troops to meet them and make sure they return safely after completing their night raid plans. ”

"Yes!" Hearing that he finally agreed to my plan, I happily agreed, "Please rest assured, I will arrange this matter immediately, and you will wait to hear our good news." ”

After hanging up the phone, I breathed a sigh of relief, sat down on the stool, raised my hand to wipe the sweat from my forehead, took the tea handed over by Lukin and took a sip before saying, "Comrade Captain, the division commander agreed to our night attack plan. However, he put forward one condition: in order to ensure the safety of the night raiding troops, we will also send a force to meet them, and we must ensure that they can return safely after completing their mission. ”

Lukin nodded slightly and said, "No problem, I'll call the company commanders of the first and second companies and ask them to set off on the road to pick up Captain Slavin and them immediately after the explosion in the enemy's baggage camp." ”

When Lukin picked up the phone and was about to call the two company commanders, I suddenly thought that it was so strange that the division commander had changed his mind and agreed to our plan after hearing Slavin's name, so I asked curiously: "Lukin, why did you ask me to tell the division commander that tonight's night attack was commanded by Captain Slavin?" ”

Lukin smiled at me and said, "Because Captain Slavin is the son of the division commander." (To be continued......)