The German army was about to attack in a large scale, so Sokov naturally would not sit still and wait for death, and quickly called a meeting with all cadres above the platoon. Since the space of the battalion command post was too small to accommodate so many people, he arranged the meeting location in a shelter nearby.
Seeing that all the company and platoon commanders had arrived, Sokov nodded to Belkin and signaled that the meeting could begin. Belkin stood up, pasted a hand-drawn map on the wall, turned to face the crowd and said: "Comrades, the reason why we informed everyone to come here for a meeting is because we received a call from a reconnaissance team from behind enemy lines not long ago. Report: The enemy dispatched two artillery companies, an infantry battalion and a tank company in an attempt to capture our unnamed high ground..."
Knowing that the enemy was about to launch an attack, the commanders below began to whisper to each other before Belkin could finish his words. Although their voices were low, the whole room was still filled with humming noise.
"Quiet, please be quiet!" Seeing this situation, Sokov slammed the table and said angrily: "Look at how you look now, do you still look like a Red Army commander? You are just a dishonest person. Vendors selling vegetables in the market. If you have any questions, it’s not too late to ask them after Comrade Political Deputy Battalion Commander has finished speaking.”
Seeing Sokov getting angry, the commander sitting below quickly closed his mouth. Several female commanders, including Liuba, stuck out their tongues in embarrassment. Seeing that calm had returned to the room, Sokov turned to Belkin and said, "Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, please continue talking!"
Belkin nodded, pointed at the map and continued: "Our nameless highland is far away from the main roads and railway lines, but because it is the only commanding height in the south of the city, it will inevitably become a target for the German army. ... It was originally intended to provide The troops who controlled this commanding heights provided supplies, and the Germans built a simple road to connect their base with the unknown high ground..."
After Sokov waited for Belkin to finish speaking, he stood up and continued: "Comrades, through the deputy battalion commander's narration, everyone must understand that if the Germans want to reach Sushinich from this simple road, they will have to We were killed by fire from the high ground. In other words, as long as we hold the unknown high ground, the enemy will never be able to pass through here...Okay, now is the time for questions. Anyone who has any questions can ask it!"
The first person to stand up and ask questions was Saviev, the third company commander who had been holding on to the high ground. He looked at Sokov and asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, although the position on the top of the mountain has been reinforced, it is not permanently prepared with reinforced concrete." Fortifications, how can our company reduce casualties when it is bombarded?"
Hearing Saviev's question, Sokov felt very uncomfortable. He pointed at the map behind him and said angrily to Saviev: "Comrade Lieutenant, I would like to remind you that the reason why I ordered your company to build fortifications on the northern slope of the highland is because the fortifications on the top of the mountain cannot be carried at all. You can't stand the German heavy artillery bombardment. When the German army starts bombarding, what you have to do is to leave two observation posts on the position, and the rest of the soldiers have withdrawn to the fortifications on the north slope to hide, waiting for the enemy's bombardment to end. , and then re-enter the position."
After saying this in one breath, Sokov thought about the air defense issue of the position. According to his understanding of the Germans, in order to destroy the Soviet defenses before attacking, the enemy would not only use heavy artillery bombardment, but also dispatch air force bombings. Therefore, he said towards the direction where Liuba was sitting: "Lieutenant Liuba!"
"Here!" Liuba, who was sitting upright, heard Sokov call her name and quickly stood up from her seat, waiting for the other party to give her an order.
"Comrade Lieutenant, if the enemy wants to seize our unnamed high ground, they will not only carry out artillery bombardment, but also dispatch air force bombing." Sokov stared at Liuba and said: "Therefore, I will leave the important task of air defense to you."
"Comrade Battalion Commander, please rest assured!" Since she had shot down a German reconnaissance plane after being stationed here, when Liuba heard Sokov's order, she confidently replied: "We As long as there is an anti-aircraft machine gun, the German planes will not be allowed to bomb our positions without restraint."
"And!" Seeing Liuba about to sit down, Sokov hesitated for a moment, but decided to stop her: "If the German army breaks through the third company's position and rushes down from the high ground, I hope you can use Machine gun fire suppressed them."
"What, let us use machine guns to shoot enemy infantry?" Liuba thought Sokov's words were really ridiculous. Anti-aircraft machine guns are used for air defense, so how can they be used to shoot infantry? It's just a joke. But considering that the other party was her superior, she patiently explained: "And saying this is also against the regulations..."
"Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov stopped her before she finished speaking: "Our current top priority is to defeat the Germans. Even if there are any practices that conflict with the regulations, the regulations should be put aside for the time being. .An anti-aircraft machine gun can not only shoot down aircraft, but can also be used to deal with enemy infantry, passenger cars and even armored vehicles. It is also a very effective weapon. Do you understand?"
Seeing Sokov acting so stubborn, the muscles on Liuba's face twitched violently a few times, and she wanted to refute, but considering the other party's status, she opened her mouth, but what she wanted to say was not uttered, so she could only bite the bullet. Said: "I understand, comrade battalion commander, I will resolutely obey your orders."
After the meeting, Liuba returned to the company with the three platoon commanders. Seeing that they had returned to their own territory, the platoon leader, Sergeant Katja, saw Liuba's depressed look and asked with concern: "Comrade Lieutenant, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
"It's not that I'm not feeling well," Liuba shook her head and said with a wry smile: "Didn't you hear in the meeting just now that the battalion commander actually asked us to use anti-aircraft machine guns to attack enemy infantry, and even trucks and armored vehicles? You know, doing this is against the regulations. If the superiors blame you in the future, who will bear the responsibility? "
"Comrade Company Commander," as soon as Liuba finished speaking, Third Platoon Commander Lida said, "I think the battalion commander must have his reasons for arranging this. We should follow his orders."
"Lida, what are you talking about?" As soon as Lida finished speaking, Kajia retorted: "We can't do anything that violates the regulations. If Captain Sokov doesn't admit it when his superiors hold him accountable, he will be punished when the time comes. It is not our company commander who is criticizing. Comrade company commander, am I right?" Her next words were directed at Liuba.
Liuba did not answer her words, but asked Yunia, the second platoon leader who had been silent, "Yonia, what do you think?"
"I listen to everyone." Regarding the question Liuba asked her, Yunia answered ambiguously: "I will do whatever everyone says."
After soliciting everyone's opinions, Liuba finally made the final decision. She said to the three platoon leaders: "I am the top commander of the anti-aircraft machine gun company. I should have the final say on how to use the anti-aircraft machine gun. I now declare that machine guns will never be used against enemy infantry without my order."
