When he saw the German army retreating, Saviev couldn't wait to ask Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, shall we launch a counterattack?"
But Sokov rejected his request mercilessly: "No, Comrade Lieutenant, we cannot launch a counterattack." He pointed to the German artillery position in the distance with his hand and said, "The snow on the hillside is too deep. , if we launch a counterattack, the soldiers will not be able to move quickly at all. In this way, the German artillery can use artillery fire to eliminate our attacking team like target practice."
Sokov stood up straight from the crater and waved to Saviev: "Comrade Lieutenant, the Germans may launch a new attack soon. You should immediately organize manpower to repair the fortifications. By the way, remember to count the number of people in the company." Casualties."
Shortly after Saviev left, company instructor Stepan came over. From the moment he discovered the appearance of the German army, he had always stayed with the soldiers in the company. At this moment, he came specifically to report the situation in the company to Saviev.
Sokov looked very happy when he saw Stepan's appearance: "Comrade instructor, it's great that you are still alive. Also, I saw the battle just now. The soldiers all performed very bravely."
"Yes, Comrade Battalion Commander, I am still alive." Stepan raised his voice and said to Sokov: "When they were bombarded by the enemy, the soldiers of our company behaved very calmly, and no one panicked; in the battle "In the face of the charging enemy, none of the soldiers ran away, and they stubbornly repelled the enemy's attack."
"I have seen all this, Comrade Instructor." Sokov knew very well in his heart that the reason why Stepan spoke to him in such a loud voice was not because he was afraid that his ears would be deafened by the shells, but to make him deaf. The soldiers nearby heard what he said, so he also said very cooperatively: "The soldiers of the third company are all good. They have made their own contribution to defending the Soviet motherland."
Sokov's words were not only heard by Stepan, but also by several soldiers standing nearby. Everyone had smiles on their faces that were darkened by gunpowder smoke.
After almost half an hour, Saveyev returned to Sokov. He frowned and said: "Comrade Battalion Commander, the casualties have been counted. In the battle that just ended, we suffered 39 casualties. Among them, 24 people were killed and 5 were seriously injured. Most of these casualties occurred during the German artillery bombardment. The anti-gun holes and shelters on the position were not strong, and several were collapsed by direct hits of artillery shells."
Hearing what Saveyev said, Sokov couldn't help but frowned. He didn't expect that the shelling carried out by several German howitzers would cause such heavy casualties to him. If the German army fired more than ten or twenty heavy artillery pieces, , as long as the bombardment lasts for half an hour, there will probably be few living people on the position.
Stepan sighed and said: "Comrade Battalion Commander, even if we want to build new shell-proof holes now, it is too late. The Germans may start a new shelling at any time?"
Stepan's complaint gave Sokov a new idea. His brows widened and he smiled and said to the two of them: "Lieutenant Saviev, instructor Stepan, since we don't have time to repair the anti-cannon If there are holes and shelters, then there is no need to repair them.”
"No need to repair?" Hearing what Sokov said, Saveyev and Stepan couldn't help but look at each other, and they both saw surprised expressions in each other's eyes. Saviev asked in confusion: "Comrade Battalion Commander, our existing shell-proof caves and shelters cannot withstand the new round of German shelling. If they are destroyed, our soldiers will be exposed to the enemy." Under the artillery fire, there will inevitably be heavy casualties."
"If the Germans start shelling again, you can temporarily retreat to the north slope with the soldiers." Sokov pointed to the north slope behind him and said: "The German artillery positions are on the south side of the high ground. I think they No matter how many shells there are, it is not easy to hit the north slope."
"It makes sense, it makes sense." Sokov's words made Saviev and Stepan's ideas suddenly clear up. After hearing this, the two nodded repeatedly and said in unison: "Comrade Battalion Commander, this is a good idea. . When the enemy shells us, we will lead our troops to retreat to the north slope; after the shelling ends, we will return to the position and destroy the enemies who rush up."
Seeing that the two understood his intentions, Sokov nodded with satisfaction. Then, he said again: "There are no health workers on the position. You send people to send the seriously injured soldiers down first. When you come back, ask the assistant military doctor to send you several health workers up so that they can provide timely treatment to the injured soldiers during the battle." Treatment.”
Sokov's order was faithfully carried out by the two men. Two squads of soldiers carried five seriously injured people and left the high ground for the health team at the foot of the mountain.
When the soldiers returned, they were accompanied by two male health workers. Standing in the trench, Sokov looked at the health worker walking among the soldiers, and couldn't help but think to himself: If he didn't let Asiya escort the seriously injured back to Susinich, then with her character, she would definitely be One of two hygienists.
Two health workers came to Sokov, straightened their bodies and reported to him, saying that they had been ordered to come to the highlands to treat the wounded. Sokov called Stepan and said to him: "Comrade instructor, these two are the health workers sent by Pavlov. Please take him quickly to bandage the wounds of the wounded."
Stepan agreed readily, and then politely said to the health worker: "Comrade health worker, please come with me, and I will take you to the wounded."
After Stepan left with the health workers and the soldiers who carried the seriously wounded down the mountain, Saviev walked to Sokov and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Battalion Commander, our company has now suffered a quarter of its casualties. 1. It is estimated that after a few more battles, there won’t be many people left. Do you think we can replenish our company’s troops?”
Sokov looked at Saveyev and said somewhat rudely: "Comrade Lieutenant, your company's current task is to defend the high ground. As for the soldiers lost in the battle, I will replenish them for you at the appropriate time." But if you feel that your company cannot hold its position, you can mention it to me and I will immediately replace you with another company."
Hearing what Sokov said, Saveyev became a little panicked. He waved his hands desperately: "Comrade Battalion Commander, our company can hold the position even if there is only one person left. Please, don't If you continue to replace us, we will never betray your trust."
