When Sokov inspected the unknown highland, he found that the position on the top of the mountain was not large. At best, it could only accommodate more than a hundred people to garrison. It was obviously impossible to place the entire battalion on it. When several company commanders learned that only one company was needed to defend the position, they all asked Sokov for help.
The first person to express his position was Lieutenant Vanya, the commander of the first company. His reason was the most sufficient: "Comrade Battalion Commander, this high ground was captured by our company, and our company should be responsible for its defense."
"Without the fire support of our machine gun company, can you win the position?" As soon as he finished speaking, Vasily retorted dissatisfiedly: "Our company has the strongest firepower, and it is perfect to hold on to such a position. .”
"Two comrades, company commanders, please stop arguing." Andre, the second company commander, came out to smooth things over and said, "Let me say something fair. Your two companies are all responsible for our army's success in seizing this high ground." No. However, the first company suffered too many casualties and was slightly lacking in strength to defend such a large position. As for the machine gun company, although it has strong firepower, it is a bit wasteful to hold the position. In my opinion, our second company should still be in charge. Defense mission."
"How can it be left to your second company to hold the position?" This time, before Vanya and Vasily could speak, Saviev became anxious: "In the battle to seize the high ground, all three of your companies participated in the battle. Only our company stood behind and watched the excitement. I propose that our third company should carry out the task of holding on to the high ground."
Seeing that the four company commanders were about to start an endless argument again, Sokov quickly interrupted them: "Okay, let's stop arguing. This time, the troops of the third company will be stationed on the high ground, and the other companies will stay in the mountains. In the fortifications at your feet.”
Knowing that his company was responsible for holding on to the high ground, Saviev couldn't help but show a proud smile on his face. Seeing the other company commanders opening their mouths to argue, Sokov quickly raised his hand to stop them and said in a stern tone: "Comrades, company commanders, maybe in a few hours, the Germans will launch a counterattack on the high ground. If we leave too many troops here, every enemy shell will cause us more than a dozen casualties. Do you understand?"
"Understood." The criticized company commanders replied dejectedly.
"Comrade Battalion Commander, where is Comrade Battalion Commander?" At this moment, Sokov suddenly heard someone calling him on the battlefield. He looked in the direction of the voice and saw Assistant Military Doctor Pavlov standing there. In the traffic trench not far away, people were looking around and shouting loudly.
"I'm here." Sokov knew that this Pavlov would go to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, and he must be looking for him in such a hurry. There must be something important. He quickly shouted to him: "Comrade Assistant Military Medical Officer, I it's here."
Pavlov ran over along the communication trench, and before Sokov could ask him, he said impatiently: "Comrade Battalion Commander, you also know that our battalion suffered more than a hundred casualties in the battle to capture the high ground."
"I know." As the battalion commander, Sokov naturally knew that in the battle to capture the high ground, the Istrian battalion also paid a heavy price, with 18 people slightly injured, 27 people seriously injured, and 59 soldiers. , sacrificed their young lives in the battle, and will rest forever in this land of the motherland. But when he heard Pavlov mention this matter, he couldn't help but asked in confusion: "Comrade Assistant Military Doctor, what do you want to say?"
"That's it, comrade battalion commander." Pavlov said verbosely: "After treating the wounds, the lightly wounded returned to their respective companies. But what about the seriously wounded? Our health team does not have the equipment for the time being. The conditions for the operation are such that if they continue to stay here, their lives will be in danger.”
Hearing Pavlov's question, Sokov was a little dumbfounded. He said to himself that since the health team in the camp did not have the conditions to operate on the seriously injured, of course they had to be sent back to the hospital in the rear. "Comrade Assistant Military Medical Officer, You immediately arrange manpower to send all the seriously injured people back to the field hospital in Susinich, where they will receive good treatment."
Pavlov waited for Sokov to finish and then said with a sad face, "But how should I send the seriously injured people back to Sushinich?"
"Comrade Assistant Military Doctor," Belkin, who had remained silent, suddenly said, "I saw an ambulance team coming down the mountain half an hour ago. You can send the seriously injured people back to the city in the ambulance."
Pavlov turned to Belkin and said: "Comrade Political Deputy Battalion Commander, but those ambulances have been requisitioned by the 972nd Infantry Regiment, and they also have dozens of wounded. And after the ambulances transport the wounded back to the city, , it is impossible to come back within four or five hours, and there are many seriously injured people who cannot wait that long."
"Second Lieutenant Andrei, Lieutenant Vasily." Sokov knew that Pavlov was telling the truth. If it were delayed any longer, many seriously injured people would die in pain because they could not receive timely treatment. Therefore, he decisively issued an order: "Each of your two companies will detach a platoon, and together with the comrades of the health team, return the wounded to the city as soon as possible."
"Understood." The two company commanders whose names were called agreed at the same time, then turned around to mobilize their manpower.
After arranging the troops to escort the wounded back to the city, Sokov remembered that there might be a fierce battle to come, and Asiya might be in danger if she continued to stay here. Anyway, there are enough health workers in the health team now, so it is better to let her return to Susinich with the seriously injured. Thinking of this, he said to Pavlov: "Comrade Assistant Military Doctor, there may be a fierce battle next. You are the most skilled person in the health team, and we cannot do without you here, so we have to escort the seriously injured people back to the city. Let Asiya take charge."
"I understand, Comrade Battalion Commander." Pavlov nodded and said understandingly: "I'll make arrangements right away!"
Asya, who was cleaning the wounds of the seriously injured, heard that Pavlov asked him to take the seriously injured back to the city, and knew that this was an arrangement made by Sokov. She quickly called a male hygienist next to her, handed him what she was holding, and asked him to continue cleaning the wounded's wounds, while she ran off to find Sokov.
When Asiya found Sokov, he was instructing Saviev on how to strengthen his position. Asiya walked up to him and said calmly: "Comrade Captain, can I have a few words with you?"
Saveyev and others all knew that the relationship between Asiya and Sokov was extraordinary. When they saw Asiya coming to find Sokov, they guessed that it must be to send the wounded back to the city, so they all found excuses to leave first. .
"Asiya." Sokov looked down at Asiya standing in front of him, and asked knowingly: "Do you have anything important to do with me?"
"Misha!" Asiya pleaded to Sokov: "Let me stay. You can arrange for others to escort the wounded."
"No, Asya, this is an order." Sokov didn't know how cruel the next battle would be. He was unwilling to let the woman he liked stay and take risks, so he said forcefully: "Regarding the orders from superiors, You have no room for bargaining and can only obey unconditionally. Do you understand?"
Seeing that Sokov was determined to return to Sushinich, Asiya could only nodded with a complicated mood and turned to leave. But after taking a few steps, she stopped again, turned around and looked at Sokov, saying because, you must survive! "
"Don't worry, Asiya." Sokov looked at Asiya, smiled and nodded: "I will definitely survive."
