While the soldiers of the 972nd Infantry Regiment were preparing for an attack in the trenches, Sokov and several of his company commanders were staying in a temporary observation post a few hundred meters away. They crowded in front of the lookout and used binoculars to observe the German positions in the distance.
Andre looked at the bare highland a few hundred meters away and muttered softly: "Isn't it just a small highland more than a hundred meters above sea level? It's so far away from the road. Even if it is occupied by the Germans, it will have no impact on our transportation lines. It doesn't pose much of a threat. If they want to occupy it, let them occupy it. Why do they have to organize troops to occupy this place?"
Sokov, who was holding a telescope to observe the terrain, heard Andre's complaint and sighed inwardly: Your brother is now the company commander, why are you still like when you were the deputy platoon commander, refusing to accept anything? Use your brain more?
He put down the telescope, turned to look at Andre and asked: "Comrade Second Lieutenant, do you think there is any place with higher terrain than this highland in the south of Susinich?"
Andre lowered his head and thought for a while. He felt that the south of the city was full of forests. It seemed that he had never seen another highland like this, so he answered honestly: "No!"
"Comrade commanders," Sokov said to everyone in order to prevent other company commanders from having the same idea as Andrei: "This highland is the commanding heights south of Susinich. Standing on it and using a telescope, you can clearly see You can see most areas in the city. Just imagine, if the German army deployed artillery positions on this commanding height to bombard the city, what would be the consequences?"
Sokov's words shocked everyone into a cold sweat, and everyone silently considered it in their hearts. This is really what happened. If the enemy established an artillery position on the high ground, they could conduct a condescending bombardment of the city and inflict heavy damage on the residents of the city. and troops, causing huge casualties, so no matter how high the cost, this high ground must be captured.
At this moment, they saw the friendly soldiers gathered in the trenches forming a loose formation in front of the position, holding rifles with bayonets in their hands, straightening their backs, and striding towards the high ground.
Seeing this situation, Vanya, who was standing on one side, seemed to be facing Sokov or saying to himself: "It seems that this friendly attack will end in failure again."
"Comrade Lieutenant, why do you say that?" Belgin, who had never spoken, suddenly said: "Don't you see the heroism displayed by these soldiers? I believe they will be able to seize the high ground and eliminate Germans in position on top of slope."
"Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander," Sokov waited for Belkin to finish speaking, then said: "Lieutenant Vanya is right, it is difficult for the friendly forces to succeed in this attack. Look, from their starting point The position is more than two hundred meters from the foot of the mountain; from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, it is almost five hundred meters. Without artillery support, the soldiers have to brave the enemy's powerful firepower to rush to the top of the mountain across the thick snow. I estimate that there will be no By the time they saw the enemy, they were already exhausted and had suffered huge losses.”
After Sokov finished speaking, he raised his telescope and looked towards the hillside. At this time, the sky was getting brighter and brighter, and he could clearly see that the snow on the hillside was covered with the remains of soldiers. They were all killed in yesterday's battle. Those who died may be because the enemy's firepower was too fierce, and their comrades were unable to retrieve their bodies.
When the attacking soldiers approached the mountainside, the German machine guns on the top of the hillside began to fire. The soldiers walking in front were shot one after another and fell to the snow. The blood flowing from their wounds quickly dyed the surrounding snow red. But the soldiers behind were not afraid or retreated. They shot towards the top of the mountain and continued to move forward without hesitation.
Seeing the soldiers falling to the enemy's guns one after another, Sokov couldn't help but feel itching with hatred. He used his binoculars to carefully examine the exposed fire points on the top of the mountain, and shouted loudly: "Lieutenant Vasily!"
"Here!" Lieutenant Vasily, who was standing nearby, heard Sokov calling him and quickly agreed loudly.
Sokov pointed to the top of the hillside with his hand, gritted his molars and said to him: "Remember where the enemy's firepower points are. When our battalion attacks later, your machine gun company must use firepower to They suppressed it. Got it?"
"clear!"
"Lieutenant Saviev!" Sokov shouted next.
Saviev quickly stepped forward and said, "Here we come!"
Sokov looked at the other party and asked: "Comrade Lieutenant, how many sharpshooters have I asked you to select so far?" As early as when he attacked the German position on the banks of the Rama River, Sokov had considered that since there were not enough If you can't use artillery fire to suppress the German firepower, then you can only consider using snipers to deal with the German machine gunners. Of the four companies in the battalion, Saviev's company consists mainly of guerrillas. Many of them are former hunters and have good marksmanship, making them the best candidates for snipers.
After hearing Sokov's question, Saveyev quickly replied: "Reporting to Comrade Battalion Commander, the entire company has selected eleven sharpshooters. They have all been hunters before and their marksmanship is quite good."
Sokov once again pointed to the exposed fire points on the hillside and said to Saveyev: "Comrade Lieutenant, let your soldiers and the machine gun company act together. Their task is to find a way to kill the enemy's machine gunners. Eliminate their firepower."
After assigning the task, Sokov turned around and said to everyone: "Now, I announce the order of attack. Vanya's first company will be responsible for the first wave of attacks; Andrei's second company will be responsible for the second wave of attacks; Vasily's second company will be responsible for the second wave of attacks; The machine gun company provides fire support for the attacking forces. Saviev’s third company serves as the reserve for the entire battalion.”
Saveyev originally thought that Sokov would arrange for his company to be responsible for the third wave of attacks, but unexpectedly he was asked to serve as a reserve team. He couldn't help but become a little anxious: "Comrade Battalion Commander, other companies have participated in the attack. Why only leave our company as a reserve? I'm worried that the soldiers will be emotional..."
"Okay, Lieutenant Saviev." Sokov interrupted him and said firmly: "Your company has dispatched eleven sharpshooters. Their role on the battlefield is greater than that of your entire company." It's still effective after all the investment." At this point, he glanced at the several company commanders and announced loudly, "I now announce that the company commanders of each company should return to their own companies to prepare for battle. It is already dawn. , the battle of the 972nd Regiment is over, and now it’s our turn to attack.”
