Outside the village, a long line of trucks and several motorcycles were parked on the side of the road, and Captain Gusev, Captain Burda, and Captain Chumak boarded the vehicles one by one with their troops.

Captain Boroda, who came to see him off, handed over a Bobosha submachine gun and joked with me in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, when you are fighting, you must not hold a pistol without bullets and lead the commanders and fighters to charge!" Bring this submachine gun, it will come in handy. ”

I knew that the pistol he said had no bullets was the one he gave me last time, and I couldn't help but blush, and while taking the submachine gun, I asked a little embarrassedly: "Do you have pistol bullets there?" ”

"Yes," he agreed, pulling out a cardboard box from the briefcase he was carrying, and lifted the lid to show me, only to see dozens of yellow-orange pistol bullets neatly stacked inside. He probably thought that I had never used a submachine gun, and when he handed me the cardboard box, he specifically advised: "The drum capacity of this submachine gun is 71 rounds, and the bullets are pistol rounds, which can be used on both pistols and submachine guns." ”

I replied lightly: "I know it." Then I tried to put the carton in my trouser pocket. But this action was stopped by Boroda in time, and he handed over a brand-new briefcase and said, "Comrade Division Commander, this is the briefcase I have prepared for you, please put the bullet here." ”

When I broke through the breakout, my original briefcase was thrown away by me because it was too cumbersome, but now seeing that Boroda has thought so carefully about me, I didn't shirk it, and generously took the briefcase, carried it on my shoulder, and put the bullet in the bag.

At this time, the chief of staff, Major Antonov, came over. Raise your hand and salute me. The report said: "Comrade division commander. The troops have all boarded the bus, please instruct if you can set off! ”

I returned the salute and did not answer immediately, but asked him: "Comrade Major, which car did you take when the troops departed?" ”

Antonov pointed to the armored car in the distance and said: "I'll sit in that armored car." Acted as a guide for the troops at the front. ”

I saw several three-wheeled motorcycles full of soldiers parked next to the armored car, so I pointed there and asked him: "Comrade Major, what is the matter with those motorcycles?" ”

Antonov glanced back and replied: "That's a company of scouts sent by Captain Burda, who will follow me and take up the task of opening the way and reconnaissance." ”

After listening to his answer, I nodded with satisfaction, and then said, "Since the troops have boarded the train, let's go." ”

Major Antonov, having saluted me, turned around and ran towards the armored car at the front of the convoy. I turned around. He stretched out his hand to Boroda, who was standing aside, and said with a smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff." I'll hand over all the command of the division to you, and we'll meet later. ”

Boroda held my hand tightly, "Comrade Division Commander, I hope we can meet again soon, good luck!" ”

"I will." With that, I let go of his hand and strode towards the truck at the back of the line. I came to the co-pilot's side and pulled the car door, and sat in the cab with the help of the driver.

This path in the woods, perhaps no one has repaired it since the outbreak of the war, coupled with the German air raids and shelling, there are large and small craters everywhere. In order to prevent the truck from accidentally tipping into the crater while traveling, the driver had to carefully navigate one black crater after another, and as a result, the speed of the car was not much faster than walking.

The car drove forward for two hours, and just as I was about to lose my patience, the car stopped. The driver of the car turned his head to me and said, "Comrade division commander, we have arrived at the place." ”

Almost at the same time, the shouts of the commanders came from the front: "Get out of the car!" ”

"Get out of the car!"

After a while, a sergeant jumped out of the car in front of me, and he stood under the car and shouted to the soldiers in the car: "Listen to my command, all get out of the car!" With his command, the fighters climbed over the baffle and jumped out of the car.

When the fighters who got off the bus began to form a team, I also got out of the car and walked along the dirt road towards the front of the convoy.

In a short time, I was at the front of the convoy. At this moment, Major Antonov, Captain Gusev, Captain Burda, Captain Chumak and others were here, and when they saw me walking over, several of them hurriedly raised their hands and saluted, and reported: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, the troops have arrived at the designated position, please instruct!" ”

I returned the salute, walked up to Antonov and asked: "Comrade Major, how far is the Oledezh region from here?" ”

Antonov replied without hesitation: "Report to Comrade Division Commander, from here into the forest, walk about three kilometers north, and you will reach the station of the partisans. ”

I turned my head to Captain Gusev and instructed him: "Comrade Captain, you stay with the second company to guard the cars and build improvised fortifications, and I and the first company of Captain Burda will go to the partisan garrison in Olejezh to pick up the general's return." ”

Gusev said with a look of embarrassment: "Comrade division commander, it is better for me to go with the 1st Company, and you and the 2nd Company will stay." ”

After listening to Gusev's words, the company commander Burda also helped him persuade me: "Yes, comrade division commander. It's too dangerous in the forest, so you better stay here and let Comrade Battalion Commander act with our company. I assure you that I will definitely take the comrades of the generals out. ”

I waved my hand at the two of them and said resolutely, "This is an order, carry it out!" ”

The two glanced at each other, and could only reply with a wry smile: "Yes!" ”

Our unit was divided into three parts, and the deputy company commander led a platoon to open the way in front and advance deep into the forest. Major Antonov and I walked to the middle with the soldiers of the second platoon, and Captain Burda led three platoons behind, each one hundred and fifty meters apart, so that even if one platoon was attacked, it could be quickly supported by the other two.

As I have repeatedly stressed the possibility of encountering Germans in the forest, everyone should be extremely careful when advancing. Captain Burda seemed to have a problem with my statement, and I vaguely heard him say to the deputy company commander that I was nervous, but he nevertheless conveyed my orders to the letter.

Since the troops are advancing while searching, the speed of the march will certainly not be fast. As I walked, I heard a soldier next to me muttering, "...... Marching with a woman is trouble. When have you ever seen Germans in this area? Do you need to be so cautious? And so on. It is estimated that it will not be possible to reach the destination after dark. ”

For this outrageous soldier, I just glared at him fiercely, and scolded in my heart: "This fool, if you don't be vigilant when you march in the forest, you won't be able to cry when you are ambushed by the Germans......" Before I finished scolding, I suddenly had another bad feeling, as if someone was hiding nearby to spy on us.

I hurriedly shouted, "Stop!" ”

With my password. The troops stopped advancing, and all the commanders and fighters turned their puzzled eyes to me. Major Antonov, carrying a submachine gun, ran up to me from a short distance and asked in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, why did you stop the troops from advancing?" ”

I crouched down, put the butt of the submachine gun on the ground, held the barrel with both hands, beckoned him to squat down as well, and then said: "Major Antonov, I feel as if there are Germans nearby." ”

Antonov learned me to squat on the ground. Eyes glanced around, and asked in a low voice, "Where is it?" ”

I shook my head. "I didn't see the Germans, just intuition," he said. ”

Antonov and I were squatting and talking, while the rest of the commanders and fighters were still stupidly standing there looking around.

Then I heard the grumbling warrior whispering, "Nervous! ”

I put up with him just now, but this time I don't want to put up with it anymore, and I'm about to stand up and count him down a few words.

A "pop" of gunfire sent a blood splash on the soldier's shoulder, and he fell to the ground screaming, clutching his shoulders and rolling and screaming.

As the fighter was shot and fell to the ground, Antonov hurriedly shouted: "Lie down!" ”

Almost as soon as Antonov screamed to lie down, I threw myself on the ground and raised my gun to look around for the direction where the bullets were coming.

The surrounding soldiers reacted differently, the fast ones immediately lay on the ground, and the slow ones still stood in place with their guns in a daze.

Another gunshot rang out, and the second lieutenant standing nearby fell, he was the platoon commander of this platoon, and I didn't ask what the specific name was. But he wasn't as lucky as the whining warrior he had just had, he was shot in the chest and fell straight to the ground, and then there was no movement.

From the part where the soldier was shot, I knew where the bullet flew from. I quickly turned the muzzle of the gun and pulled the trigger in that direction. Since this submachine gun has not been used for a long time, dozens of bullets were used in one go. However, my shooting also showed the direction of the other commanders and fighters, and as soon as my guns stopped, dozens of rifles and submachine guns opened fire in that direction. I threw the depleted submachine gun, rolled on the spot a few times, approached the wounded soldier, grabbed the rifle he had left aside, and aimed it in the direction where the bullet had just flew.

A hundred meters away, a figure flashed out from behind a tree and quickly ran into the distance. I slowly put his back in the crosshair and pulled the trigger. As the gunshots rang out, the figure fell to the ground.

I stood up and said to Antonov, who was still lying on the ground: "Comrade Major, you send a few people over to have a look." ”

Antonov agreed, called a few people and ran over to the side.

As soon as the major left, the deputy company commander who was opening the way in front and Burda who had broken off all hurried over. Seeing me standing there safe and sound, Burda breathed a sigh of relief, saluted and asked, "Comrade division commander, what happened just now, was it an ambush by the Germans?" ”

I shook my head and said, "It's not like an ambush by the Germans, maybe just a lost soldier." ”

While speaking, Antonov ran back with a German rifle and reported to me: "Comrade division commander, there is only one German soldier, probably lost in the forest. When he handed me the German rifle, he praised me heartily: "You just fired that shot so accurately, a headshot." ”

I took the rifle, slung it over my shoulder, and said to the men, "Go ahead." The soldiers were reminded to be on guard to avoid being attacked by the Germans again. ”

"Yes!" A few people promised to leave. I hurriedly called Burda to stop: "Comrade Captain, please wait a minute, there is a wounded man here, find someone to bandage him." There is also a second lieutenant platoon commander who died, and you send someone to send his body to the truck first. ”

The troops continued to move forward, but the march was still very slow, and because of the bloody facts just now, everyone understood that it was not a bad thing to be careful. So no more whining.

That's it. It took us three hours. Only then approached the station of the Sazanov partisans. Looking at the forest cabin a few dozen meters away, Antonov volunteered: "Comrade division commander, leave the task of contacting the partisan comrades to me." I have been to this place several times before, and not only Comrade Sazanov knows me, but also many of his fighters. ”

"Okay!" I nodded and said, "When you see Comrade Sazanov, tell him that we have come specifically to pick up General Afanasyev, and ask him to send him out as soon as possible." ”

Antonov agreed. He threw his submachine gun over his shoulder and trotted towards the guerrilla station.

Watching him go away, I turned my head and called Bulda: "Comrade Captain." ”

Captain Burda, who was standing on the side, heard me call him, and hurriedly ran over, stood up straight in front of me, and asked, "Comrade division commander, what instructions do you have?" ”

"Let the fighters disperse and hide, and at the same time release guard posts in four directions."

When Burda heard my order, he couldn't help but be stunned. Then he asked rhetorically: "Comrade division commander, why do you need to set up a guard." You must know that in front of the road is the guerrilla station. ”

I didn't explain it to him, but said coldly: "This is an order, carry it out." ”

Burda saluted reluctantly, honestly scattered the warriors, and released a guard post.

I crouched next to a tree and raised my binoculars to observe the partisan station. Soon I saw a number of people pouring out of the station, they were divided into two groups, and there were seven or eight people at the front, including Major Antonov, who had just gone to be in charge of liaison. A few dozen meters behind, followed by a group of soldiers, because their faces were blocked by trees from time to time, and I couldn't see if there was General Afanasyev who I wanted to answer.

Major Antonov and the partisans in civilian clothes walked to a distance of more than ten meters from us, and because he could not see anyone, he looked around a little strangely and shouted: "Comrade division commander, where are you, why can't I see you?" ”

I stood up from the tree and replied to him in a loud voice: "Comrade Major, here I am." ”

Antonov smiled when he saw me, looked down and said a few words to a black-haired Humpty Dumpty next to him, and then ran towards me. In front of me, he raised his hand and saluted, and reported: "Comrade division commander, I have brought General Afanasyev, and Comrade Sazanov of the partisans has also come, and he wants to meet you." ”

Humpty Dumpty quickly walked up to me, stretched out his hand to me, and offered to introduce: "Hello, Division Commander Oshanina, I am the captain of the partisan detachment Sazanov, and it is a pleasure to meet you here. ”

While holding his hand, I said amicably: "Hello, Comrade Sazanov, I am also very happy to meet you. Thank you for protecting General Afanasyev, and on behalf of the commander of the Volkhov Front, General Meretskov, I thank you. ”

As he spoke, General Afanasyev and a dozen fighters had already arrived not far from me, and I quickly let go of Sazanov's hand and ran towards the general. Running in front of him, I solemnly saluted him and reported loudly: "Report to Comrade Military Commissar, Major Oshanina, Acting Commander of the 378th Division, report to you that we have come to receive you on the orders of the commander of the Front, General Meretskov. Now for your instructions! ”

General Afanasyev looked me up and down and said strangely: "Aren't you the commander of an infantry battalion in the 2nd Division of our 327th Shock Army?" When did you go to the 59th Army again, and how did you become the acting commander of the 378th Division? ”

I smiled at him and politely replied, "Comrade General, this is a long story. There are Germans in the vicinity here, and it's not very safe, so let's go back to the division headquarters first, and I'll tell you in detail. ”

General Afanasyev nodded, walked up to Sazanov again, held his hand tightly, and said gratefully: "Thank you, Comrade Sazanov, I will never forget your kindness to me." ”

Sazanov said modestly: "Comrade General, look at what you said, we are all comrades-in-arms, and it is right to help you." Moreover, it was Comrade Vaskov who met you in the forest first, and with his help you were able to reach our station safely. ”

When the general heard him say this, he nodded again and again, and said, "Yes, yes, if it weren't for the fact that we met Comrade Vaskov in the forest, my soldiers and I would still be wandering around the forest now." Where is Comrade Vaskov? ”

Vaskov, when I heard this name, I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows, and I said in my heart that it wouldn't be such a coincidence, and I met Uncle Warrant Officer here?

I didn't expect such a coincidence in the world, Vaskov, who was called by Sazanov, was really the warrant officer uncle who saved me a few days ago. He was brave on the battlefield, but at this moment he looked a little restrained in the face of the general who thanked him.

I took a step forward and said loudly to Sazanov: "Comrade partisan leader, can you give me Vaskov?" ”

As soon as my words came out, everyone was stunned, and everyone's eyes turned to me. Vaskov saw me standing in front of him with an irrepressible smile on his face.

Sazanov asked curiously: "Comrade division commander, do you know Vaskov?" ”

I nodded vigorously and said with a smile: "Yes, Warrant Officer Vaskov was my superior before he became a partisan. He once led me to stubborn battles with the Germans. ”

When I said this, everyone suddenly realized. General Affanasyev asked: "Major Oshanina, where are you going to put Comrade Vaskov to work?" ”

I pointed to the guard company standing behind me and said, "On the way here just now, a platoon commander was killed by a sneak attack by the Germans, and I plan to let Comrade Vaskov take up the post of platoon commander in the guard company." (To be continued......)