I heard that there was a way to go around to the rear of the Germans, although it was a little farther, but it was better than lining up to be a target for others. I grabbed Sotnikov by the shoulder and asked aloud: "Comrade Captain, do you have any partisans there who are familiar with the swamp?" ”

Sotnikov carefully broke free of my hand, looked at Anchufeev and asked: "Comrade Colonel, ...... is this female commander?" ”

"Comrade Sotnikov, I forgot to introduce you," I just proposed, which made Anchufeev change his attitude towards me, and he introduced me to the Humpty Dumpty man with a smile, "This is Major Oshanina, who held the position of battalion commander in the 1127th Regiment of our division, and she has participated in many battles and made a lot of achievements. ”

As soon as Anchufeev introduced me in this way, Sotnikov was in awe, and he took the initiative to extend his hand to me and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Major, it is a pleasure to meet you!" ”

Shaking his hand, I then asked: "Captain Sotnikov, you haven't answered me yet, are there anyone in your team who is familiar with the swamp?" ”

"Yes," he nodded vigorously, "there are two warriors who are quite familiar with the swamp, so to speak, and there are no swamps in this area that they cannot pass. It's a pity that the most experienced one went on a reconnaissance mission and wasn't here. I will send another warrior to be your guide. Mikelin, you come here. His last sentence was addressed to a partisan behind him.

The fighter hurriedly took two steps forward, straightened himself up in front of him, and waited for his superiors to give the order: "Mikolin, from now on, you will be under the command of Colonel Anchufeev and obey the orders he has given." ”

Mikolin's answer was simple and crisp: "Understood, Comrade Commander." ”

After explaining to his fighters, Sotnikov said to Anchufeev: "Comrade Colonel, I let this soldier go to your unit as a guide. If you have any tasks, just give him an order directly. ”

Anchufeev nodded, turned his head to look at me and asked, "Major Oshanina, what are your plans?" ”

I glanced at Lieutenant Colonel Harpy, who was standing beside him, after all, it was a bit of a taboo to go directly past the regimental commander to give operational advice to a higher-level commander. Harpy noticed that I was looking at him, and just smiled and nodded, signaling that I could do what I wanted. So, I raised my head, looked at Anchufeev in front of me, and said: "I intend to take a small force, through the swamp, around the rear of the German position, and from there hit them hard." ”

Anchufeev looked down and thought for a while and asked, "How many troops are you going to take with you?" ”

I glanced at the soldiers of the Eighth Company, who were digging fortifications, and in a short period of time, a trench had begun to take shape. It seems that it was not a bad thing for me to let them repair the fortifications every day, at least in today's situation. Since they have their own work to do, I'll take Daiomi's Seventh Company with me. So I replied: "Comrade division commander, please allow me to take the 7th Company to carry out this mission. ”

"Just bring a company, will the number of people be too small?" It was Lieutenant Colonel Harpy who said this, and he looked very worried.

"Yes, Major Oshanina, will one company be too little?" Unexpectedly, Anchufeev was also echoing him, "Do you want me to transfer the division guard battalion to you?" ”

I hurriedly waved my hand in opposition and said: "Comrade division commander, in order to ensure the concealment and suddenness of the action, the number of troops going around behind the enemy's defense line must not be too large, otherwise it will be discovered by the Germans before the attack is launched." "That being said, I had something else on my mind. I took the Seventh Company to carry out the mission alone, and I could decide everything alone. If you bring the guard battalion with you, there will be two commanders in the ranks, and you will not be so handy in commanding.

Seeing that I was unwilling to ask the guard battalion to assist in the battle, and Anchufeev did not insist, he gave me a brief order: "Major Oshanina, since you have a suitable opportunity to fight, immediately lead the team and set off." ”

"Yes!" I saluted him in agreement and went with my guide Mikelin to find the team. Not long after I walked out, Lieutenant Colonel Harpy chased after me from behind, stopped me and asked with concern: "Major Oshanina, with only one company of seven, the number is too small." Do you want me to draw another company from the other battalions and put it under your command? ”

"Thank you for your kindness, Comrade Regiment Commander." When I refused the division commander's guard camp just now, some of my words had already sealed my retreat, so now I know that I have few people, and I can't go back on my word, so I can only bite the bullet and say: "There is only one seventh company, and the number is already quite a lot." Speaking of this, I suddenly thought of a question that I had been ignoring, and hurriedly asked: "Comrade regiment commander, isn't there an artillery company in the regiment?" Why didn't you see them in this battle? "The last time the death squad assaulted a German position, they also provided artillery cover. However, as soon as the battle was over, they also withdrew with Lieutenant Colonel Harpy.

Harpy sighed and said with a wry smile: "Not to mention the regimental artillery, even the artillery regiment in the division has been lost in the cruel fighting in the past few months. The shells were gone, the artillery was completely destroyed, and the remaining artillery was changed to infantry. ”

Oh, I see, no wonder Colonel Anchufeev went crazy and let the infantry rush down the guns of the Germans in waves, without the cover of artillery fire. At present, the only one who can turn the tide of the situation may be this strange army led by me.

(Author's note: On the way back to Moscow, due to many inconveniences, there are few updates, so please forgive most of the book friends.) When we return to Moscow, we will resume the normal update. ）