As soon as night fell, Colonel Raskin unexpectedly appeared in the settlement.

Receiving a call from the sentry on duty at the southern entrance, I hurriedly stopped the ongoing meeting and went out with Shederikov, Morozov, and Perstian.

As soon as I walked a short distance, I saw a group of people coming towards me. The two men walking in front of me were very familiar, and although I couldn't really see their faces, I recognized them at a glance, the one on the left was Colonel Raskin, the chief of staff of the army group, and the commander next to him, who was slightly behind him, was Captain Gaidar, whom I had sent to escort the Italian prisoners.

I hurriedly ran a few steps, came to Raskin, raised my hand and saluted, and reported loudly: "Inform Comrade Chief of Staff of the Group Army, Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, commander of the Independent Division, to report to you and listen to your instructions!" ”

Raskin stopped in time, and after saluting back, he reached out to hold my hand and shook it, and said excitedly: "Comrade Oshanina, I finally see you again." The battle you commanded today was fought so beautifully! ”

After Raskin finished speaking, Gaidar behind him stepped forward and reported to me: "Comrade division commander, I have returned from completing my mission, and I am waiting for your instructions!" ”

I looked at the black crowd of commanders and fighters behind him, and then instructed him: "Arrange the accommodation of your soldiers first, and then come to my command post for a meeting." ”

"Command post?!" Gaidar asked with a blank expression: "What command post?" I don't know where. ”

I snorted heavily, and said angrily, "You don't know if you don't ask the patrolling soldiers, all the soldiers in the settlement know where my command post is." "Anyway. But I still asked Lieutenant Sederikov and Lieutenant Morozov to arrange a camp for them. Then I made a gesture to Raskin sideways: "Comrade Chief of Staff." Don't stand outside. Please follow me to the command post. ”

Raskin walked into my command post, looked around, and said enviously: "Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, your environment here is really good, you actually live in a brick house, and the headquarters of our army group is still in a wooden house. ”

I smiled and joked with him, "Comrade Chief of Staff, if you think it's good here." I can move out right away and let you move here to work. ”

He smiled and changed the topic in time: "Oshanina, I came this time and brought a few people with me." After speaking, he walked to the door and said outside: "Everyone is not stunned outside, come in and let your division commander take a look." ”

Before the outside people came in, I was curious to see who Ruskin had brought with me. When someone outside the house walked in, I looked. I couldn't help but be overjoyed, it turned out that he had brought not only Sergeant Razumeyeva, the head of the communications squad. I even brought my guard squad with me.

Ruskin came up to me and said to me, "How's it going?" Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, are you satisfied? I've brought your guard squad and communications squad leader here. In this way, not only will it be easier for you to communicate with the army group headquarters, but your safety in battle will also be guaranteed. ”

I immediately called Persjian: "Comrade Captain, please take my guard squad out first, and in order to facilitate the safety of the command post, I will arrange for them to live on the first floor." ”

After the fighters of the guard squad left, I said to the remaining Lazumyeva: "Comrade sergeant, from now on you will stay in my command post and be in charge of liaison with the command of the army group. Then he explained to the No. 4 operator standing nearby: "Comrade radio operator, from today onwards, you will be under the command of this sergeant, and you will absolutely obey her orders." ”

The operator No. 4 looked at Razumeyeva with some reluctance, so she had to nod helplessly in agreement.

Razumeyeva asked the fighters behind her to put the radio on another table by the wall and asked operator No. 4: "How is your communication here?" ”

Operator No. 4 replied: "Comrade Sergeant, there used to be only three walkie-talkies in the settlement, but we later repaired the telephone system left by the Germans, so that the command post could communicate with the fighters at the various duty points and keep abreast of the changes in the enemy situation outside. ”

Razumeyeva was asking the operator number four about the state of communications in the settlement, and I took the opportunity to beckon Raskin to sit down at the table and ask him what he meant: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you came to me so late, do you not know any instructions?" ”

Ruskin nodded, took out a folded map from his briefcase, spread it out on the table, and said to me: "According to the information provided by the Italian prisoners, five kilometers north of their camp, there is a separate Hungarian infantry battalion, with a total strength of about five hundred, belonging to the Hungarian Second Army. "Look," he explained to me, pointing to the map, "in the Orlovka area, where the 70th Guards Infantry Division is currently in the zone, we have annihilated a Romanian unit. Their initial task, like the Hungarian troops, was to cover the flanks of the German forces attacking our lines. And the reason why the captured Italian infantry battalion today is deployed in the middle of the two armies is that the Germans are afraid that they will start infighting, so that the Italian camp will become a buffer zone. ”

Although Ruskin's words were not finished, I had already guessed the purpose of his trip. When he finished speaking, I preemptively said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you mean is that my division will continue to attack tomorrow and clean up this group of enemies?" ”

"That's right, that's what the army headquarters meant." Ruskin affirmed.

While he was talking, Shederikov, Oleg, Gaidar, Perstin, Morozov and several others walked in one after another. Without the permission of Ruskin and me, the five of them could only stand there honestly, and no one dared to sit down casually.

Raskin got up and walked in front of them, walked back and forth a few times with his hands behind his back, and suddenly announced an earth-shattering news: "Captain Sedelikov, Captain Oleg, Captain Gaidar, I have good news for you." In recognition of the heroic and tenacious fighting spirit shown by the three of you in today's battle, Commander Shumilov was mentioned and discussed by the Military Council of the Army Group. Promote the three of you to the rank of major. ”

As soon as Ruskin said this, he said. There was silence in the room. The three of them were stunned by the sudden good news, and their faces all showed expressions of disbelief. And I didn't speak because I was thinking that the three regiment commanders under me had been promoted to major, so should I, the lieutenant colonel, also be promoted to one level?

Seeing that no one spoke, Raskin just shrugged his shoulders, and then stepped forward, starting with Sederikov, and shook hands with the three newly promoted majors one by one. At the same time, he said: "Comrade Major, I congratulate you!" ”

Those who were shaken by him, whether it was Sederikov, Oleg or Gaidar, without exception, replied loudly: "For the service of the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

Seeing that Ruskin had already shook hands with three of my subordinates, I couldn't afford to lag behind, so I hurriedly stepped forward to shake hands with them, and like Ruskin did, calling each of them by name and congratulating them. So when the three of them shook hands with me, they also repeated what they had just said.

Wait for the procedure to be completed. Ruskin beckoned them to sit down, and repeated what he had just said to me. After all that's said. He looked up at the commanders in front of him and habitually asked, "Do you have any different opinions?" ”

"A Hungarian infantry battalion." Gaidar said excitedly: "No problem, this task has been entrusted to our regiment, and I will take two companies and tank detachments tomorrow to capture them all." ”

As soon as Gaidar finished speaking, Captain Perstian also added with great interest: "Yes, the number of Hungarian infantry battalions is much smaller than that of the Italian army, and as long as our tank detachment is out of the army, the enemy will not be crushed at the touch of a button." ”

"No, today you have made a long run to attack the Italian battalion, and the soldiers are already very tired." Sederikov stood up and objected: "I think that the task of destroying the Hungarian battalion tomorrow will be completed by me and Major Oleg leading the troops, Major Gaidar, you are still responsible for staying in the settlement." ”

"Yes, I agree with Major Sederikov." Oleg immediately stood up and echoed: "Comrade division commander, tomorrow's battle will be left to me and Major Shederikov to complete." ”

Seeing that several commanders were fighting over who would carry out tomorrow's battle, Raskin smiled with satisfaction on his face, and he whispered to me: "Comrade Oshanina, your men are eager to fight, and if you do not intervene to stop it, they may quarrel all night over this matter." ”

I was sympathetic to Ruskin's words, and I slapped the table hard. Hearing me slap the table, several of the commanders who were fighting for it suddenly fell silent. When everyone stopped talking, I said unhurriedly: "Don't fight, tomorrow's battle will be commanded by me." Major Sederikov, two infantry companies are not enough, you go and pick four companies to go with me. Captain Perstian's tank detachment was all sorted. Lieutenant Morozov's cannon battery, except for three guns left to assist in the defense of the settlement, the other seven guns followed me. ”

Some people are happy and some are worried. But since I am the final word, everyone understands that this decision cannot be changed, even if there is any dissatisfaction in the heart, I can only keep it in my heart and dare not show it casually.

Seeing that several of my subordinates were no longer expressing their opinions, I began to make a condition to Raskin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the distance from the settlement to the Hungarian foot camp is too far, and if we let the soldiers walk, it will take several hours on the light road, and when we reach our destination, we must rest for a while, and then we can enter the battle after we have recovered." You see, do you want to help us with some of the necessary help? ”

Ruskin looked at me with a smile on his face and deliberately asked rhetorically, "I wonder how I can help you?" ”

"You also heard just now, in addition to tanks and infantry, there are also seven light cannons, at such a distance, you can't let our soldiers push the cannon by hand for ten or twenty kilometers, right? So you have to find a way to provide our division with some trucks, so that we can use them both to transport troops and to tow artillery on a fast march. ”

Raskin thought for a while, and readily agreed to my conditions: "Well, anyway, at the Guards Division station, you can still find trucks, and tomorrow morning I will ask Colonel Lyudnikov to send you a few." Speaking of this, he yawned exaggeratedly and said, "It's not early, I'm going to get ready to rest, let's all go back to rest." ”

After the meeting, I asked a few commanders to go back to their garrisons to select elite soldiers and strong generals to form troops to fight tomorrow. After everyone had left, I politely said to Raskin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it's getting late. Go back and rest. ”

Ruskin was not welcome. Nodding. Pushed open the door to the inner room and walked in.

I was worried that there would be an enemy situation at night, so I did not go to another room to rest, but Razumeyeva stayed outside on duty. First, they chatted for a while, and when they were tired, they each rested on the table.

At dawn, as soon as there was a knock on the door of the inner room, I quickly sat up straight and said politely to Raskin, who came out of it: "Comrade Chief of Staff, are you awake?" Did you sleep well last night? ”

Ruskin nodded and said, "It's been a long time since I've slept so well." Now that you are up too. Let's go out and take a look at how the troops are ready. If I don't see the troops, I will never feel at ease. ”

Seeing that he was about to walk out with his legs raised, I hurriedly reminded him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, didn't you say that today you asked Colonel Lyudnikov to send us a truck?" Why don't you give him a call before you go out? ”

Ruskin waved his hand disappetively and said, "Don't be so troublesome, before I came over last night, I agreed with Lyudnikov and asked him to send twenty trucks after dawn." ”

We walked south out of the settlement and saw five tanks parked for the battle. And the tankers were not idle, they were standing on the tank bodies. Wiped the barrel.

Seeing this, Ruskin shook his head over there and said, "Let's go, let's go and have a look." ”

The two of us walked towards the tank, and as we approached, we heard a conversation between the tank crews.

I heard an elderly sergeant who was wiping the barrel of the gun and said to the sergeant who was sitting on the turret smoking a cigarette while wiping: "Hey, I said Comrade Sergeant, I heard that we have another sortie this morning. ”

The sergeant, who was smoking, said confidently: "Yes, I heard that the target of today's assault is not the Germans, but the army of the client state. You see, yesterday our tank rushed forward and fired two shots at random, and so many Italians didn't honestly come out of their tents and surrender to us. Rest assured, today's battle is estimated to be similar to yesterday's, as soon as our tanks charge, machine guns sweep into the crowd, and two more shots, the enemy will lay down their arms and surrender. ”

"That's right, as long as everyone has such faith, the enemy will definitely be defeated by us." Persjian, who had come out of another tank, heard the sergeant's words, praised him twice, and then asked, "How are you all ready?" ”

"Report to Comrade Captain." The sergeant straightened up on the body and reported, "It's all ready." ”

Persjian laughed: "Good brothers, I am glad to see that you have such high morale, I can tell you that today's battle will be personally commanded by Division Commander Oshanina, and it is the honor of our tank detachment to be able to fight side by side with her." ”

When I saw Ruskin looking at me with a smile on his face, I couldn't help but blush a little, this Persgen was really good, he actually slapped me on the back in front of his subordinates, so that I couldn't get off the stage in front of Ruskin.

At this time, the sergeant suddenly said: "Comrade Captain, I am a little worried. ”

"Worried about what?" Not only did Persjian frown, but even Raskin's face showed a look of displeasure.

"I'm worried that by the time we arrive at camp, the enemy may have already run away, and I'm afraid that my tank won't be able to catch up with the fleeing enemy." The sergeant said very calmly.

The sergeant's words immediately caused a burst of laughter.

When the laughter subsided, Pelsjian said: "Comrade Sergeant, don't worry, even if the enemy runs away, you can bombard them with tanks." Since they don't want to be captives, to hell with them. ”

Persjian's words also caused laughter from the fighters.

"Comrade Captain," said Raskin, stepping forward, "your men are quite demoralized." ”

Only then did Pelsjian discover us, and hurriedly shouted: "All stand upright!" With his command, the tank crews, whether they were standing, sitting or lying down, stood up straight and maintained an upright posture on the tank body.

Pelsjian jumped out of the tank and ran briskly towards us. When he came to us, he was about to raise his hand and salute, but was stopped by Ruskin. Ruskin asked: "Comrade Captain, are your troops ready?" ”

Hearing Ruskin's question, Persgen hurriedly nodded vigorously and replied loudly: "Report to Comrade Chief of Staff, the tank detachment is ready for battle." ”

"Good!" Raskin, perhaps out of the sake of morale, gave Perstian a promise: "Comrade Captain, if you come back this time with a successful mission." Then I will personally promote you to the rank of captain. ”

Ruskin's words. Caused a whisper among the tank crews. I heard them say, "Hey, did you hear that?" The colonel said that if we successfully completed the mission, he would be promoted to the rank of captain. ”

"Hey, you say, if the captain becomes a captain, will our military rank also be raised by one level?"

As I was talking, I heard the roar of a car motor in the distance, and I looked in the direction from which the sound came. We saw a long line of trucks coming towards us, and it seemed that a convoy sent by Colonel Lyudnikov had arrived.

I divided the troops into three echelons: the first echelon consisted of a tank and an infantry company, who were responsible for finding the way ahead; And I and Captain Sedjerikov followed with two tanks and two companies of infantry; The third echelon consisted of two tanks, an infantry company and a cannon battery.

The jeep in which Captain Shederikov and I were sitting walked to the very front of the second echelon. On the way, Sederikov cautiously said to me: "Comrade division commander, in fact, you don't need to go out in person at all, this battle will be with me." ”

I waved my hand, interrupted him later, and said openly: "Major Sederikov, in the battle ahead. We will also have the opportunity to deal with the armies of other client states of the fascist bandits, so we need to know them thoroughly. Only by fighting in this way can we be invincible. ”

My words, apparently, did not convince Shederikov, who muttered: "I have heard before that the equipment of the Hungarian army is the worst of the German servants. Since the weapons and equipment are not good, it is estimated that the combat effectiveness is not much stronger, maybe it is the same as yesterday's fight against the Italian army, as long as a few shots are fired, and then the tank guides the fighters to rush forward, and the battle is over. ”

Hearing Sederikov speak so confidently, I suddenly had a feeling of unsteadiness in my heart, I always felt that something was wrong, but I couldn't think of it.

And just like that, unknowingly, our troops approached the Hungarian camp. As soon as the driver stopped the car, the commander of the company that was driving the road in front of him ran over and reported: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, four hundred meters further forward is the camp of the Hungarian troops. ”

Shederikov and I pushed the car door, got out of the car from both sides of the car, and walked forward. I asked the company commander, "Is there any movement from the enemy?" ”

The company commander hurriedly reported: "The enemy camp was set up on a small hillside, and they dug a trench around the camp. When we saw our troops appear just now, it was clear that the enemy had raised the battle alarm, and quite a few Hungarian soldiers had already entered the trenches. ”

Sederikov looked at the Hungarian barracks in front with a telescope, and then asked: "Comrade division commander, do you need to wait for our artillery battery to arrive and prepare for artillery fire before attacking?" ”

I took the binoculars from his hand and looked ahead. I saw that the trenches outside the camp were crowded with Hungarian soldiers. After observing for a while, I learned how to distinguish between their officers and soldiers. Those with barrels, flat caps, and pistols in their hands were officers. And those who wear beanie naval hats or German-style steel helmets, and grass-green military uniforms, are undoubtedly soldiers. I took a closer look at the guns they had mounted in the trenches, almost all of them rifles, not even submachine guns, let alone light and heavy machine guns.

I put down my binoculars and said to the company commander standing in front of me: "Comrade company commander, take your troops and follow the back of the tank to rush the enemy's camp once and test the enemy's reaction." The company commander agreed, turned around and ran away quickly.

There was not much time, and the tank that stopped at the front, the motor let out a roar, and a puff of black smoke erupted from its tail, and then it quickly rushed up the hillside. Behind it, a company of infantry fighters scattered in formation, bent over with weapons in hand, and rushed forward.

Three hundred, two hundred, one hundred and fifty meters, and one hundred meters, seeing that our troops were getting closer and closer to the enemy's position, the enemy still did not fire on the position, and I wonder if he was frightened by our offensive formation. (To be continued......)

PS: Thanks to the book friend wzzhnag68 and Marshal Linlin for their votes, thanks to the book friend jamestf for voting two votes for support, thanks to the book friend for the cabbage boiled cucumber reward, and thanks to the book friend Yuan: -D point for the reward of 588