Soon after I left the station, I began to regret it in my heart. Although there was moonlight illumination, the visibility was not bad, but along the railroad tracks, I was still a big girl on the sedan chair, and if it weren't for the two soldiers of the third company next to me to carry me, I don't know how many falls I had.

The night was as cold as water, but my sweat kept pouring out from under the steel helmet, not only was my whole body soaked with sweat, but even my palms were sweaty. If it weren't for the fear of shaking the morale of the army, I guess I would have turned around and gone back alone and stayed in my headquarters to sleep.

I didn't know how long I had been walking, and suddenly a familiar voice sounded next to me: "Comrade division commander, you can't go any further." Further on, there is a series of lurking spots, so let's take cover on the hillside on the right. ”

I didn't have to look back, I knew that it was Mihayev who spoke, so I quickly nodded desperately and said: "Okay, Second Lieutenant Mihayev, you go and inform the commander of the third company, order the troops to stop advancing, and hide on the hillside on the right." ”

"Okay, Comrade Division Commander," I was startled by the sudden sound on my left, and when I turned my head, I saw that the person who was supporting me on the left was actually the commander of the third company, "I immediately gave an order to the troops, telling them to stop advancing and go to the hillside to hide." ”

When the commander of the third company went to the front to give the order, I broke free from the support of the soldier on the right, and said stiffly: "Okay, comrade soldier, you don't need to help me anymore, thank you!" With that, I wiped the sweat from my face with my sleeve, wiped my hands on my military uniform, and walked briskly up the hillside.

As soon as I reached the top of the hillside, the soldiers of the third company also ran up quickly, and quickly found their own positions to hide. Looking at Mihayev and Grams, who were standing next to me. I said to them, "Both." Let's not stand here stupidly. Find a place to hide and observe the enemy by the way. ”

"Your Excellency, please follow me." Grams politely said, "I found an excellent hidden spot when I was going uphill, and I'm going to take you there." ”

Gramms took me and Mihayev to a pit, made a gesture of invitation, and said, "Your Excellency, this is it, and you can hide in the pit. It was a nice location to be able to observe the camp in the distance. ”

Without hesitation, I jumped into the pit first, followed by Mihayev and Grahms. The pit was more than half a man deep, and it was, as Grams said, that the Azerbaijani camp could be observed in the distance by lying on the edge of the pit. looked at the brightly lit camp in the distance, and turned the camera to the side of the railway, only to see that there were many people busy next to the tracks, it should be Oleg leading the troops to destroy the tracks.

Seeing this, I couldn't help but secretly curse the Germans for being a bunch of stupid pigs, and there was a hillside next to the railway. But the camp was set up on unobstructed open ground. If they had camped in the mountains, they would have been under their surveillance for several kilometers around. Then there will be no hiding from the sabotage that is now being carried out by the successive companies. But it is precisely because of the stupidity and negligence of the enemy that we have a chance.

I looked at the camp in Azerbaijan and cursed in a low voice: "What a bunch of fools." ”

The voice was small, but it was heard by Grahms, who, after asking Mihayev to translate, explained to me: "Your Excellency, division commander, perhaps you wonder why the camps of the German army and the Eastern battalion are stationed in the open field? ”

Hearing him say this piqued my curiosity, so I nodded desperately, and then urged him: "Captain disappears, you tell me why their camp is arranged like this?" ”

Grams patiently introduced to me: "Hort's tank army is a mechanized army, and it is only on the plains that they can maximize their superiority. If you camp in the open field, even if you are attacked by the enemy, the mechanized troops in the camp can attack in time to defeat or destroy the attacking enemy. ”

After listening to Grams's words, I nodded in understanding, this is the first time I have heard of this statement.

Because it was still early before the time to launch the attack, I looked at it for a while, then put down my binoculars and chatted with Mihayev, who was lying next to me: "Comrade Mihayev, how do you feel after becoming the commander of the engineer company? ”

Mihayev smiled bitterly and said: "Comrade division commander, didn't you see it now? I am your royal translator, and I will follow you wherever you go. I don't even know where the sappers are now. ”

Although he said this jokingly, I still heard from his words that he had affection, and hurriedly comforted him and said: "Comrade Second Lieutenant, don't worry, the division was replenished with 6,000 recruits just a few days ago, and they, like you, are all from the Gulag concentration camp. When you return from this mission, you can personally select the right personnel to add to your engineer company. ”

"That's great." When Mihayev heard the news, he almost jumped up with excitement. He put his hand on his round-rimmed glasses, and continued: "The people who came out of the Gulag concentration camp may not have other skills, but the level of digging trenches and repairing fortifications is really unmatched by other friendly troops. ”

When I raised the telescope again, I also deliberately emphasized: "Second Lieutenant Mihayev, don't worry, I will handle this matter for you as soon as we return to the defense area of the independent division." ”

The lights were still bright in the Azerbaijani camp, but I saw a strange sight of hundreds of soldiers gathered in the open space between the tents, sitting up and down, and sitting up again. When I handed the telescope to Mihayev, I said strangely: "Comrade second lieutenant, come and see, what are these Azerbaijanis doing so late without sleeping?" ”

Mihayev took the binoculars and looked at them at them and explained to me: "Comrade Commander, Azerbaijanis believe in Islam, and they have to pray five prayers a day, which are divided into Morning Prayer, Morning Prayer, Prayer Prayer, Evening Prayer and Evening Prayer. ”

I took the telescope that Mihayev handed me back and whispered: "Let them pray in peace now, for for many of them this is the last of their lives." ”

Mihayev and I stopped talking, but Grams, who had been silent, said something in a whisper, and I instinctively turned my head to look at Mihayev next to me. Waiting for him to translate for me. Mihayev is also not ambiguous. Immediately translate for me what Gramms had just said: "Your Excellency, Commander. I have a building yì. Since you like to engage in sneak attack tactics, why not train a little sniper in the troops? Once you have a sniper, you can make them break up into groups and go to enemy camps to hunt sentries or patrols freely. ……”

I didn't wait for him to finish, but I interrupted him impatiently, and asked vigorously, "What do you say, Mr. Captain?" Sniper? I heard you right, is it the sniper? ”

"Yes, Your Excellency the Division, it's a sniper." Grams, fearing that I didn't know what a sniper was, specifically explained: "The word Sniper originated from a game played by British soldiers stationed in India around 1773, where they often hunted an agile bird called Snipe. Since this bird is very difficult to hit, people who are good at this way are called sniper. Later, Sniper became the official name for professional snipers. Snipers in the true modern sense of the word first appeared in World War I, when the Germans selected soldiers to form free-moving snipers, most of whom had a background as hunters and rangers. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the Anglo-French and Russian armies on the eastern and western fronts. ”

Soviet snipers made a name for themselves during the Battle of Stalingrad, although I had long wanted to train a group of snipers. However, since I never had a unit of my own, this desire was delayed. I had limited knowledge of snipers, and now that I had heard Grams speak to him, I humbly asked him about snipers: "Mr. Captain, what else do you know, it's still early, tell me about it." ”

Grahms didn't hide anything at all, and after hearing my question, he nodded, and then gushed out: "Generally speaking, there are two kinds of snipers: one is a regular sniper with complete formal sniper training, and the other is a shooter with accurate marksmanship who is temporarily selected in wartime. For a sniper, a strong body and an iron will are necessary prerequisites, and good marksmanship is just a basic element. For the training of snipers, in addition to implementing the sniper concept and mastering the weapon system, it also includes how to calculate the influence of wind difference and distance measurement, learn to march in stealth, choose tactical maneuver routes, construct firing positions, enter and withdraw positions covertly, observe and discover hidden targets, and so on. Snipers should also be good at observing the war zone, determining the location of suspicious sounds, being good at using artificial and natural materials for camouflage, being able to maneuver quickly, and having the ability to endure long-term lurking. In addition, snipers need the ability to accurately read maps, which often helps them enter and exit positions and battlefields quickly and safely. ”

Although Grams had surrendered to our army, according to custom, he would still be sent to a prisoner of war camp, and if he was to be retained, he had to be given a suitable position in the division. Since he was so familiar with sniper attempts, it was only fitting that he would be left as a sniper instructor. So as soon as he finished speaking, I immediately asked, "Mr. Captain, if I want to keep you in my unit as a sniper instructor and help us train a group of good snipers, would you be willing?" "As a sign of respect for him, I have used honorifics in my address to him.

When Grams heard my invitation to him, he couldn't help but hesitate, and after a long time, he muttered, "Your Excellency, I think I am more suitable to be a company commander than an instructor." ”

Hearing him say this, I couldn't help but sigh regretfully, it's a pity that such a talented person can't be used by me. What is even more regrettable is that perhaps after we withdraw to the division's defense area, he may be sent to a prisoner of war camp, and I do not know what fate awaits him.

Mihayev saw my disappointment and hurriedly whispered a few words to Grams. When Grams heard what he said, he was stunned, and then he talked to Mihayev in a whisper. After a few words, I saw that Grams, and then he said two words to me in a dejected manner.

Mihayev made a translation in time: "Your Excellency the division commander, I agree to your request to stay in your division as a sniper instructor. I beg you not to send me to a prisoner of war camp, knowing that I surrendered and not was captured, and there is an essential difference between the two. ”

"No problem," I replied with a big grin, "don't worry." As long as I'm in the independent division for one day. You won't be sent to a prisoner of war camp. ”

Grams, after thanking me. Another question was raised: "Your Excellency the division commander, the selection of snipers is easy to handle, but I see that you don't seem to have a special sniper rifle?" ”

Hearing him say this, I also felt a special headache, in this situation, to get the sniper rifle we urgently need from the hands of the superiors, this is simply an impossible task. I thought about it for a moment and asked Grams tentatively, "Captain." Use a normal rifle to make a sniper rifle, do you think it's okay? ”

Grams, after a moment's thought, replied, "If it's a close-range target, it's fine." But to hit distant targets, it is necessary to install a scope on the body of the gun. Don't know if there are such professionals in your division? ”

When he asked this, he really made me dumb, and I really didn't know if there were any professionals in the division who were familiar with firearms. I thought carefully about the people I knew, and none of them, except for the old engineer from the future, were really familiar with firearms. I was about to shake my head when Mihayev suddenly whispered to me: "Comrade division commander. I used to be in the Gulag and got to know an engineer in an arsenal. He is familiar with firearms, and if he is asked to install the scope, there must be no problem. ”

"Is this man in our division?" I asked curiously.

Mihayev nodded vigorously and replied: "Yes, this man is not only in our division, but is still in the station." He saw my excited look on his face and continued: "Actually, you also know this person, teacher. ”

"I know too? Who is it? When I heard him say this, I muttered to myself, you can't be mistaken, I really don't know any engineers in the arsenal except for the senior engineer in the Moscow Arsenal.

"When you arrived at the station yesterday, I saw that the man was in the same car as you, and he helped you when you got off."

My mind struggled to remember who was in the bed of the truck I was in, and for a long time it seemed that there was only a soldier named Boris, because I had made him think that the birch trees were chopping them down as guards in the Gulag, and the rest of the people had no impression at all. Thinking of this, I shook my head a little embarrassedly and said, "Comrade Ensign, I really don't remember the soldiers in the same carriage as me. Except for a warrior named Boris, who was slightly impressed......"

"Yes, that's him, Boris." Mihayev didn't wait for me to finish, and then exclaimed excitedly, "Comrade division commander, you finally remember, it's this Boris, he used to be an engineer in the arsenal. ”

"Then why was he sent to the Gulag?" Since he was an important engineer, why he was arrested in a concentration camp made me curious.

"I asked him several times, but he never told him why he was in a concentration camp. Later, I heard from a fellow refugee that he was sent to a concentration camp because a batch of weapons had malfunctioned, and that he had been sent to a concentration camp because of the failure of the weapons. ”

When I heard what happened to Boris, I couldn't help but sigh, something that seemed incredible in later generations was simply too common in this era.

Mihayev suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, comrade division commander, when you got out of the car, I also saw your guard battalion commander Captain Basmanov, but why didn't he come out with you tonight?" ”

"Captain Basmanov has been injured a little and has not yet recovered, so I did not involve him in tonight's operation." After saying this, I instructed Mihayev: "You go to the commander of the third company and ask him to contact Lieutenant Colonel Oleg to see if the communication is smooth." ”

Seeing Mihayev jump out of the pit when he got up, I quickly grabbed his hand and said to him: "You can help me translate, and let Captain Grams check his communication lines to see if the communication with his former superiors is smooth." Without hesitation, Mihayev translated my words to Grams, and then he jumped out of the pit to find the commander of the third company.

I looked up at my watch, and the time was already pointing to ten o'clock, which meant that in half an hour the eighteen fighters would launch a feint attack on the German camp and draw them to the Azerbaijani camp.

I raised my binoculars and looked at the Azerbaijani camp and saw that the open space between the tents had become empty, and it seemed that the prayer people had almost gone back to their tents. Let's hope they can rest sooner, and by the time they sleep drowsy our attack will cause them even more chaos.

Mihayev jumped back into the pit and reported to me: "Report to the division commander, the commander of the third company has already been tested, and communication with Lieutenant Colonel Oleg is in a smooth state. ”

Without looking back, I asked, "What are they doing, three company commanders?" ”

"The third company has already dug dozens of individual bunkers on the hillside, and even if the Germans attack the hillside, we will be able to hold out for a while."

I put down my binoculars, asked where the commander of the third company was, and then instructed Mihayev: "Comrade second lieutenant, you and Captain Grams stay here, and I will go to the commander of the third company to have a look." "By the time Mihayev answered me, I had already climbed out of the pit and walked towards the position of the commander of the third company.

The temporary command post of the commander of the third company was set up in a newly dug bunker, and in addition to him, there was a soldier with a walkie-talkie on his back. Seeing me walking over, the two of them hurriedly raised their hands and saluted. The commander of the third company lowered his voice and reported: "Report to the division commander, the third company is resting in the bunker and is on standby, please instruct!" ”

"Continue to rest and wait for new orders!" I said in an official tone.

The captain quickly replied: "Yes, I ordered the troops to continue to rest and stand by." ”

I walked up to the operator and instructed him: "Comrade soldier, immediately contact Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, I have something to say to him." ”

The operator agreed, and immediately called, and after a while, he handed me the headset and microphone, and whispered: "Division commander, I have been contacted, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel is waiting for you online." ”

"Hey, hey, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, I'm Oshanina, can you hear me?"

"Can I hear you, comrade division commander, what instructions do you have?"

"How's the railroad track breaking?"

"We've removed all the spikes from the rails at the turn, so we can get the Germans to have a good drink this time."

"Well done!" After complimenting him, I asked a new question: "If the German train had not overturned after the derailment, what were you going to do?" ”

Unexpectedly, Oleg said confidently: "Please rest assured, the division commander, I have buried at least twenty anti-tank mines on the side of the track without road spikes, and even if the train is not overturned, these mines can blow them to pieces." ”

I was taken aback by his words, I didn't expect him to even use anti-tank mines, it seems that he had no intention of leaving the German soldiers on the train alive. But I remember that the division never seemed to be equipped with anti-tank mines, and where did he get them? Thinking of this, I asked directly: "I remember that there are no anti-tank mines in the division, where did you get these good things?" ”

"Where else could it be?" Oleg said lightly: "In the warehouse of the station, of course. I estimate that these were left in the warehouses by our troops, because they retreated in a hurry, and these mines were captured by the Germans without dealing with them in time. However, the Germans never dreamed that not long after they occupied the station, we would actually kill back the carbines, come out with a night attack, and turn the supplies in the warehouse back into ours. ”

"Is there any movement on the German troop train?"

"Not yet, but I've put out a guard post, as soon as the enemy train appears, our sentry will send back a signal, then we can be ready to attack." As soon as he said this, Oleg's voice suddenly became excited, "Division commander, the sentries have signaled us, they should have heard the movement on the tracks, and the German train is coming in our direction." ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Oleg, since this is the case, what are you hesitating about, immediately raise the battle alarm and make all the fighters ready for battle."

After finishing the call with Oleg, I looked up at my watch again and saw that it was half past ten in five minutes. At this moment, my heartbeat increased inexplicably, and I kept thinking in my heart, can those eighteen warriors succeed in luring the enemy? Will the German train be able to reach our ambush area on time? (To be continued......)