The morning after the new reconnaissance team set off, Sokov received a call from Chernyshev in the city. Since there were no telephone lines between the unknown highlands and the city, Chernyshev communicated with Sokov in plain language through a walkie-talkie. The noise of the radio call was already loud, and the city was under shelling. It took a lot of effort for Sokov to understand the orders given by Chernyshev.
At the end of the call, Belkin, who was inspecting on the high ground, happened to walk in. Sokov repeated the order he had just received: "Comrade deputy battalion commander, the division commander just said on the phone that one of our army's A two-seater plane lost its way during the flight and lost contact south of the unknown highland. He ordered us to immediately send manpower to search for the missing plane and rescue its occupants."
Belkin was obviously more familiar with this kind of mission than Sokov. He knew very well that if it was just an ordinary plane crash, Chernyshev would never take the risk of staying in the headquarters to make a phone call during the German shelling. Therefore, He specifically asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, did the division commander say whether there were important people on the plane or whether it carried any important orders?"
"There is a combat staff officer from the Front Army Headquarters on the plane, and he has an offensive order for the Front's left wing troops." Sokov quickly added: "In order to prevent this document from falling into the hands of the Germans, we must Find this missing plane as soon as possible."
"Comrade Battalion Commander, leave this task to me." Belkin waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately volunteered: "I will immediately take people to the forest to search for the missing plane."
"I think it's better for me to take the people there myself." Although Sokov knew in his heart that searching for a missing plane in the vast forest was tantamount to finding a needle in a haystack, and there was also the possibility of encountering the German army, he still resolutely Decided to personally lead the team to complete this arduous task: "You should stay here and command the troops."
Seeing that Sokov had made up his mind, Belkin did not argue with him, but took the initiative to suggest to him: "Comrade Battalion Commander, the guard platoon has a good fighting capacity. How about you take them all?"
"The combat effectiveness of the guard platoon is good, but when it comes to searching for aircraft in the forest, their strength is still a little bit behind." When selecting candidates for the search team, Sokov has his own considerations: "I think it is better to select those who have served as forest guards. Members or soldiers who are hunters, come and join the search team." After that, he walked to the door and ordered the sentry standing at the door to find the guard platoon leader Seryosha.
Seryosha stayed in the hidden unit next to the command post. When he heard the sentry saying that Sokov was looking for him, he rushed over immediately. When Sokov saw him coming in, he gave a straightforward order: "Seryozha, I want to personally lead a team to perform a mission. You should go to each company immediately to help me select twelve soldiers. The requirement is that they have accurate marksmanship and experience in forest warfare." , Priority will be given to soldiers who have served as forest rangers or hunters." Seeing Seryozha nodding to show that he understood, he waved to him, "You go now."
Seryosha's work efficiency is quite high. It only took less than an hour to select twelve qualified soldiers according to Sokov's requirements, including Sergeant Zheliya, commander of the second platoon of the second company. , a platoon of warriors Oleg.
Seeing the soldiers lined up outside the command post, Sokov nodded with satisfaction and said: "Comrades, our superiors ordered us to go to the south of the highland to search for a missing plane. Our mission may take two or three days. Days' time. Therefore, each comrade must bring three days' worth of dry food and two basic amounts of ammunition. We will set off in half an hour. Let's go back and make preparations first. Disband!" After saying that, Sokov turned and walked away. After entering the command post, Seryosha stood there in a daze for a moment, then followed him into the room.
Seeing Sokov standing in front of the table and looking at the place spread out on the table, Seryosha leaned over and said pitifully: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I will follow you to perform the mission!"
"Seryozha, you can't go." Sokov turned to Seryosha who was standing behind him and said: "You are the guard platoon leader, and your task is to protect the battalion command post and ensure its safety. Do you understand?" To prevent Seryozha from being entangled again, he immediately assigned him a new task, "The team also needs a health worker and a telegraph operator. You can arrange the candidates."
Shortly after Seryosha left, Corporal Maxim, the communications squad leader, walked in. He asked Sokov with a sad face: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I heard from Platoon Commander Seryosha that you asked our squad to send a radio operator to go with you to perform the mission. Is that right?"
"Yes, that's what I ordered." Sokov looked at the bitter face of the communications squad leader and asked curiously: "What, is there any problem?"
"Operator, I still have a few, but there are no extra radio stations." Hearing Sokov's question, Maxim quickly said to the intercom placed in the corner of the command post: "We only have three radio stations, two Each reconnaissance team took one away, and now this is the only one left."
This unexpected news made Sokov embarrassed. The radio station in the command post needs to be in contact with the division headquarters in the city and must not be taken away; the troops are about to set off, and it is too late to send people back to the city to get a new radio station at this moment. what can we do about it?
Belkin, who was sitting aside, couldn't help laughing when he saw Sokov's helpless appearance: "Comrade Battalion Commander, please take this radio station away first. I will send someone to the division headquarters later to pick it up." A new radio will do.”
After solving the problem of the radio station, Seryosha brought Asya in again. Seeing Asiya's appearance, Sokov immediately frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"
A look of surprise appeared on Asiya's face: "Don't you need a health worker to go with the team?"
Sokov was not willing to let Asya take risks, so he waved his hand to her and said: "This operation is a bit dangerous, so you don't have to go. Seryosha, ask the assistant military doctor to replace him with a male hygienist." Come."
"Why?" When Asya heard that Sokov would not let her join the team, Asiya's eyes turned red and she asked with tears in her eyes: "Why don't you let me go with you? Is it because I am a woman? "
Seeing that Asiya was about to cry because she couldn't join the team, Belkin couldn't bear it. He quickly came out to help and said: "Comrade Battalion Commander, Asiya's rescue skills are among the best in the health team." , I think it’s better to let her follow you on your mission.”
"That's right, the deputy battalion commander is right. Asiya's rescue skills are the best in the entire health team." Seryosha also hurriedly said: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I think Asiya Go ahead."
Seeing that Belgin and Seryosha were trying to persuade him, and Asya looked pitiful and pathetic, Sokov's determination was shaken. After thinking for a while, he finally nodded and said, "Okay, since you all think Asiya is a suitable candidate, let her join the search team."
"Ula!" Asya cheered when she heard that Sokov agreed to join the squad. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek like a chicken pecking at rice, and then ran out of the battalion command with a blushing face. Place.
