When I saw Travkin's plan, I couldn't help but be amazed. After reading it, he casually handed it to Danilov next to him, and at the same time said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, look at Captain Travkin's plan, it's amazing!" Using this method against the German army, it may be possible to solve this enemy without injuring a single soldier. ”

Danilov also had a look of surprise on his face when he heard me say this. But after he finished reading it, his brows couldn't help frowning, and he said in a suspicious tone: "Comrade commander, Captain Travkin wants our men to pretend to be Germans and rush into the village at dawn to capture those German officers and soldiers disguised as our army, do you think this plan is really feasible?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander, I think this method is very effective." I was afraid that Danilov did not understand Travkin's telegram, and I went out of my way to explain to him: "Since the Germans can disguise themselves as our soldiers and hide in the homes of the villagers, then our men can also disguise themselves as Germans and take them out of the village." ”

"But have you ever thought about it," said Danilov unwillingly, "if the Germans see through our camouflage, then they can use the villagers as a shield to make our men have a scruple in their actions." ”

Kirillov took the telegram from Danilov's hand, read it carefully, and said slowly: "Let me say a few words, the reason why Captain Travkin chose the time of his operation after dawn is probably to let the Germans in the village see their dress clearly, so that the enemy can not find out the details of us, so that we can act boldly with confidence." ”

I added: "In order to make the enemy think that the team that stormed the village was their own, the reconnaissance battalion, in addition to wearing German uniforms, felt that Grams, Gretka, and they should be sent to assist Travkin." Grahms: They were German officers and soldiers who had surrendered. If they are involved in this operation. I'm sure the Germans in the village must not see a flaw. "Speaking of which. I wanted to explain the significance of this operation with the idiom "give back to the other", but I found that the Russian vocabulary was so poor that I had to awkwardly say, "We will use their methods against them." ”

After Kirillov waited for me to finish, he turned his gaze to Akhromeyev, who was standing aside and did not speak: "I suggest that Major Akhromeyev assist Captain Travkin in this task." ”

"Agreed!" As soon as he finished speaking, I immediately agreed, adding: "The Major and Gramms are very familiar, and he is on the line." I believe that these German officers and men who have defected will fully cooperate. ”

After Akhromeyev left, I asked Bezikov again: "Chief of Staff, apart from the 52nd Guards Division, have any new battle reports from other units?" ”

Bezikov shook his head and replied: "Not for the time being, I estimate that the defensive zone of the 52nd Guards Division is the main direction of the German attack, so I will gather troops overnight to prepare for the attack." The rest of the neglected areas are safe for the time being. ”

I looked up at my watch, and it was three o'clock in the morning. Thinking that before the shelling began, there should not be anything important. He stood up straight and said to several colleagues: "Comrade commander, we have stayed up all night, while there is still some time, everyone should hurry up and rest, otherwise as soon as the battle starts, you will have no time to rest even if you want to." ”

Perhaps in order to cooperate with me, Kirillov stretched his waist and echoed: "Yes, it's not early, let's rest for a while, in half an hour, our shelling of the Germans will begin, let you rest at that time, it is estimated that everyone will not be able to sleep." I slept first. With that, he got up and walked to the wall, lay down on a camp bed, and began to close his eyes.

With Kirillov taking the lead, Danilov and they also found a place to rest. And I was not worried about the artillery bombardment that was about to begin, and the attack on the village by the reconnaissance battalion, so I lay down on the table and took a nap in order to get the news in time.

Not long after I fell asleep, the phone rang suddenly, and I was suddenly awakened from my sleep. I looked up and was about to reach for the microphone, but the responsive Bezikov grabbed the phone first. He said into the microphone: "Hey, I'm the chief of staff of the army group, Bezkov, where are you?" ”

He listened for a while, and then said decisively: "I know, I will report to Comrade Commander immediately." ”

As soon as he put down the phone, I immediately asked: "Is it Colonel Nekrasov's phone?" ”

He waved his hand and replied: "No, Comrade Commander." The call came from Colonel Bere, who said that, according to reconnaissance, the German tank units were massing near Yakovlevo and that it seemed that there would be some big moves. ”

"Hell," I whispered, staring at the map and muttering to myself, "what does this German want to do, was beaten by us yesterday, and wants to take revenge today?" ”

The phone rang and everyone woke up. Povsky walked over, raised his hand and looked at his watch, and asked me respectfully: "Comrade commander, the time is almost up, can you order the artillery to open fire?" ”

I didn't say anything to his request, just nodded silently.

With my permission, he picked up the phone on the table, dialed it, and said loudly into the microphone: "Comrade commander, order, aim at the assembly areas of the German troops." Fire! The last word, he uttered almost in a roaring voice.

Although we could not hear the rumbling of the artillery here, nor could we see the results of the shelling, I had high hopes in my heart that they would be able to defeat the German troops assembled in the area.

After listening to Povsky's order to shell the artillery, Danilov said to me in a consultative tone: "Comrade commander, do you think it is possible to wait for the artillery to complete this shelling, and then turn the guns and cover the German troops assembled near Yakovlevo with firepower, so as to reduce the defensive pressure of our troops as much as possible?" ”

His formulation is good, but it doesn't make much sense. I sighed and said regretfully: "Comrade Deputy Commander, at the moment we only know about the German army's build-up near Yakovlevo, but we do not know where they are massing and when they will attack. Even if you let the artillery bombard this area. And it's just a waste of shells. ”

"yes. Comrade Deputy Commander. "At present, the transportation situation of our army is not ideal, since before the outbreak of the battle, our army's artillery shell storage was limited, and after two days of consumption, the ammunition base should be lower," said Bezikov. I don't think it's necessary to use precious shells for pointless shelling. ”

While we were talking, the Chief of Intelligence, Lieutenant Colonel Rasmikhin, ran in and handed me a telegram. At the same time, he said solemnly: "Comrade commander, the situation is a little bad. The commander of the 375th Infantry Division, Colonel Govorinenko, called to say that signs of German build-up had been found near their defense area. ”

The news that followed me made me feel crazy in an instant. Obviously, a few hours ago, except for the German build-up in front of the position of the 52nd Guards Division, the rest of the sections were quiet. I didn't expect that now the German army is being found everywhere, where did they come from?

"Comrade Commander, should we prepare the 89th Guards Division for battle, and let them go to reinforce wherever they find out that the situation is not good?" Danilov was deeply afraid that I would not agree with him. In particular, it was emphasized that "the troops in the third line of defense should also be given a combat alert so that they are ready for all battles." ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff." After I listened to Danilov's words. Looking at Bezkov with his eyes, he said: "Just do what Comrade Deputy Commander said, send a battle alert to the troops located in the third line of defense, and make them ready for all battles." ”

When everything that should be arranged was arranged, I raised my hand and looked at my watch, turned my head and asked Rasmikhin, who was still standing in the room: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, do you have a telegram from Captain Travkin there?" ”

Rasmikhin shook his head and replied in the affirmative: "No, Comrade Commander. I've been keeping a close eye on the Guard Battalion's contact band, but unfortunately so far no news has been heard from them. ”

Kirillov interjected: "Leda, don't be in a hurry. According to Travkin's plan, they will attack the German troops in the village after dawn, and it is not yet fully dawn, and even if there is news, it will take at least half an hour or more to reach us. ”

The waiting time is the hardest, and this short half hour feels longer for me than a year. When Rasmikhin hurried in again, I didn't wait for him to speak, and I couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how is the situation, is there any news?" ”

"Good news, good news, Comrade Commander." Rasmikhin handed me the telegram in his hand, and said excitedly: "Captain Travkin has called and said that they have successfully stormed the village and captured all the German troops without a fierce exchange of fire. Only two fighters of the reconnaissance battalion were slightly wounded, and only seven or eight villagers were wounded, none of which were fatal. ”

"Great, that's great." As soon as I read the telegram, I instructed Rasmikhin: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, call Captain Travkin back at once and ask them to bring back all the prisoners." ”

Kirillov said with a smile: "Lida, the reconnaissance battalion has made a great contribution this time, and all the participants must be commended." ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Surely because of the good news, Danilov echoed: "I propose to award the Order of the Commanders and Fighters of the Reconnaissance Battalion to their bravery in this operation." ”

Seeing that Danilov and Kirillov both proposed to award the medal, I readily agreed: "Since both of you think that the commanders and fighters of the reconnaissance battalion should be awarded medals, then do as you say." Comrade Military Commissar, I will leave this matter to you with full responsibility. ”

Kirillov smiled and nodded, "No problem, it's my job." ”

My gaze turned to Povsky, who was silent next to me, "Comrade Artillery Commander, the shelling of the forward artillery should be over, you can call them and ask how they have achieved results?" If the results are great, they can also receive medals. ”

If it was at the beginning of the battlefield, it was not an easy thing to get a medal. But as the war progressed, all kinds of medals and medals sprung up, not to mention commanders at all levels, even ordinary soldiers can usually hang several medals or medals on their chests. Therefore, when discussing how to commend those commanders and fighters who have shown bravery and made meritorious contributions, they are directly awarded medals or medals.

When Povsky heard that the artillerymen could also be honored, he immediately smiled, and then picked up the phone to call the front. From the moment he made the call, the smile on his face never stopped, and let the people standing next to us guess that the result must be good.

As soon as he put down the phone, he excitedly said to us: "Since we did a good reconnaissance beforehand, the shelling of this car has achieved good results." According to the reports of artillery observers, at least forty tanks were destroyed, and more than five hundred infantry were killed. ”

After listening to what he said, Kirillov was so happy that he couldn't keep his mouth shut for a long time before he said to me: "Lida, it seems that the names of these artillery commanders and fighters can also be added to the list of honors." Don't know what you mean? ”

"Comrade Military Commissar," I repeated with a smile, "I leave this matter to you with full responsibility, and you have the final say as to whom the medal should be awarded, and at what level of medal or medal to be awarded." ”

At about five o'clock in the morning, Travkin personally escorted two officers wearing our uniforms with their epaulettes torn off to the command headquarters. They were joined by Grhams and Gretteka, who were in charge of the translations.

Danilov walked up to the two captured German officers and asked in a stern tone: "What is your name, rank and position, and what is the purpose of infiltrating the rear of our troops?" ”

As soon as Greitka waited for Danilov to finish speaking, he immediately translated his words truthfully to the two officers. Unexpectedly, after hearing this, the two officers snorted heavily, raised their heads, and looked at the ceiling with their eyes and ignored him again.

Seeing that the two captives dared to show such contempt for him, Danilov's face turned red. I saw that he was showing signs of seizures, so I hurriedly stopped him, and then I walked up to the two officers and repeated Danilov's question with a straight face: "Mr. two officers, tell me your names, ranks, and positions, as well as the purpose of sneaking behind our army under the guise of our army?" ”

The two officers lowered their heads and looked me up and down, then they looked at each other as if trying to confirm something. When Gretka had finished translating my words for them, one of the officers, who was a little older, asked him in a low voice. After receiving Greitka's reply, he couldn't help but have a panicked expression on his face. (To be continued.) )