The task assigned by Krylov seems simple, but it is very difficult to execute. Because the clues he gave were too limited, we knew that the female scout was named Maria Vedenyeva and that she had lost contact with the headquarters in the Mallet Rososhka area. But the area of Malorososhka is not small, and it is still an enemy-occupied area. Finding a person who only knows his name there is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
However, in order to successfully complete the tasks assigned to him by the headquarters, Sokov, after careful consideration, said to Belkin and Sidorin: "Political Commissar and Chief of Staff, due to the top-secret information obtained by the female scout, we are It is very important for our army. Therefore, I decided to lead a reconnaissance team disguised as German troops and go deep into the Mallet Rososhka area to find Maria. The work of the brigade will be left to you two. "
"What, you want to personally lead the team to search for female scouts?" Sidorin heard what Sokov said and raised objections without hesitation: "Comrade Brigadier, don't forget, you are from the infantry brigade. Brigadier, your combat position is in the headquarters, how can you take risks so easily?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I have my own reasons for doing this." Seeing Sidorin's objection, Sokov quickly explained to him: "When the reconnaissance team arrives behind enemy lines, it is still unknown whether they can find the female scout. If they can, , if the team is led by an ordinary officer, then they must first send the information to the brigade headquarters, and then we will forward it to the group army headquarters. This back and forth will waste a lot of time. Chief of Staff, you must know that in Every minute in the war is precious. If I lead the team in person, I can report to Commander Chuikov immediately after getting the situation..."
After hearing what Sokov said, Sidorin thought for a moment, and it seemed that this was really the case. So he no longer insisted on his opinion, but suggested to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, if you really You decided to personally lead the team to perform the mission, then I suggest you report this matter to the headquarters so that the commander will be aware of it."
"No need." Sokov knew very well that if he really reported to Chuikov, he would definitely be rejected, so he changed the subject and said: "Comrade Commander is inspecting the defense outside, so there is no need to disturb him for such trivial matters. Alright. Chief of Staff, call Christoph and Ernst in."
Belgin, who had long been accustomed to Sokov's adventurous style, did not dissuade him when he heard what Sokov said. Instead, he took advantage of Sidorin's call to remind Sokov to pay attention to his own safety. After all, he is now the commander of a brigade. If there are any shortcomings, it will have a negative impact on the morale and morale of the infantry brigade.
After receiving the call, Christopher and Ernst quickly arrived at the brigade headquarters. Seeing the appearance of the two men, Sokov just nodded to Christopher, then stepped forward to shake Ernst's hand, patted his shoulder, and said approvingly: "Well done, Ernst. We You have contributed a lot to being able to wipe out all the German troops that came to Nangang so smoothly."
In response to Sokov's compliment, Ernst just grinned but said nothing. Although the complete annihilation of a German infantry battalion was a great victory, it was a very embarrassing thing for him as a German, not to mention that he personally led his compatriots into an irreversible trap.
Ernst knew very well that Sokov called him here at this time, not to praise himself, but because he had a more important task to entrust to him. So he straightened his body and asked: "Comrade Brigadier, did you call me here for any important task?"
Seeing that Ernst had guessed what he was thinking, Sokov did not talk in circles, but said straight to the point: "I just received an order from my superiors, asking us to send a team to the Xiaorososhka area to find a missing person. female scout, bring back the information she obtained."
"Going to the Mało Rossoshka area?" Christopher, who once led his troops to this area to raid German warehouses and snatched back a lot of supplies, couldn't help but frown when he heard that he was going to Mało Rossoshka again. He frowned: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I'm worried that after the Germans suffered a big loss from us last time, they will strengthen their vigilance there. It may not be that easy to sneak in again."
"No matter how tight the enemy's guard is, we still have to make this trip." Sokov said resolutely: "The intelligence possessed by the female scout may be directly related to whether we can hold Stalingrad, so we must do it at all costs. Find her." When Sokov said this, he saw a look of embarrassment on Christopher's face, and quickly added, "I will personally lead this mission behind enemy lines."
"What, you are leading the team yourself?!" Christopher's eyes widened in surprise when he heard what Sokov said: "Comrade Brigadier, this is not possible, it is too dangerous there, you can't take risks."
"Since you can all go, why can't I go?" Sokov did not argue with Christopher on this issue, but said bluntly: "Apart from you, me and Ernst, find two more Fighters with high technical and tactical skills, so that even if we are discovered by the enemy, we will still have a chance to break out of the encirclement."
Seeing that Sokov had made up his mind, Christopher knew that persuasion was of no use, so he asked directly: "When should we set off?"
"Time is tight, we will set off as soon as it gets dark." Sokov said: "Is the armored vehicle captured last time still in the underground garage?"
"Yes, there are two left in the underground garage. The remaining armored vehicles and trucks have been handed over to the troops at the dock." Christopher quickly replied: "We are going deep behind enemy lines this time. If we take armored vehicles, we can Dramatically shorten the time required on the road.”
"Lieutenant Christoph, you go back to the company immediately and select the soldiers who will go on the mission tonight. In addition, when preparing the German military uniforms, remember to choose a suitable captain's uniform for Ernst." Sokov finished. After a few words, he waved to the two of them, "You all go back and make preparations."
After Christoph and Ernst left, Belkin suddenly said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, although I don't object to you personally leading the team behind enemy lines, but before leaving, should you go see A. Thea? No matter what, she is your wife now. I think it is necessary to meet her before setting off. "
"Comrade Political Commissar, you are right." Regarding Belkin's proposal, Sokov felt that it was very correct, so he stood up and walked out the door, leaving a sentence to the two of them, "I will go to the health team to sit here now." Sit down, if anything happens in the brigade, it will be handled by the two of you."
When Sokov came to the health team on the next floor, he saw that the spacious room was filled with stretchers. Several health workers were squatting next to the stretchers, changing dressings or feeding the seriously injured. Sokov looked around for a long time, but did not see Asiya's shadow, so he stopped a female health worker passing by: "Comrade health worker, have you seen Asiya?"
The female health worker recognized the person who asked her question as brigade commander Sokov, and quickly straightened up and said: "Comrade brigade commander, Asya is a little uncomfortable and is resting in the room. Do you need me to take you there?"
"No, no, no, I know the way." Sokov waved his hand and said, "You continue working, I will go find her myself."
Sokov left the room full of wounded people and found the room where the health workers rested by a familiar route. There are more than a dozen bunks on the ground here, and the health workers usually sleep on the ground here after taking care of the wounded. After he walked into the room, with the help of weak candlelight, he saw a person lying on the floor not far from the door, and walked over quietly.
After seeing clearly that the person lying there was the Asiya he was looking for, he squatted down, put his hand on Asiya's shoulder, and shook it gently: "Asiya, wake up. Asia!"
Asiya, who was drowsily sleeping, heard someone calling her and opened her eyes drowsily. But when he saw clearly that the person squatting in front of him was Sokov, he couldn't help but exclaimed: "Misha, why are you here?"
Sokov noticed that Asiya was a little depressed, and quickly asked with concern: "Asiya, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Asiya shook her head, tried her best to put a smile on her face and said: "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired. When all the entrances were closed, the air in the tunnel became hot and dirty, and some of the wounded showed symptoms of suffocation, so I We and several health workers carried them to the tunnel connecting Beigang so that they could breathe freely..."
Asiya's seemingly unintentional words made Sokov feel deep self-blame. He felt that he had done something wrong in sealing the entrance to the tunnel. If there were not three tunnels connecting Nangang to Beigang, , providing the oxygen necessary for survival here. Maybe more than two thousand people in the tunnel will suffocate to death before the attack begins.
Before Sokov could finish speaking, he heard Asiya ask again: "Dear, why are you free to come to my place today?"
"Asia," Sokov hesitated after hearing Asya's question. In order to prevent her from worrying about him, he did not tell her that he was about to personally lead a reconnaissance team deep into the enemy's rear. Said: "I have to go on a mission and will be away for a while. During my absence, you should pay more attention to your body and don't get exhausted."
"I will, Misha." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Asya had already snuggled up. She put her hands around Sokov's waist, put her head on his shoulder and rubbed it, whispering: "Now The battle is getting more and more intense, so you should also pay attention to your safety. I will stay here and wait for you to come back."
