"I know." After learning that Starcha had eliminated the enemies, Sokov said with a normal expression: "If there are small groups of enemies appearing in the future, there is no need to ask for instructions. After they are eliminated, they will be reported to the division headquarters. Understand?"
From the tone of Sokov's words, Starcha heard the other party's dissatisfaction, and seemed to have doubts about his own abilities. He quickly replied: "I understand, comrade division commander. There will be enemies in our rear in the future." , I will immediately organize troops to eliminate them."
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander," Sokov put down the phone, looked at Ivanov and said with some helplessness: "These old subordinates of yours are brave in fighting and have rich command experience. Unfortunately, they lack subjective initiative and did not receive orders from their superiors. Before, we didn't know how to adjust our deployment in time according to the situation on the battlefield. Fortunately, the enemy was helpless against our defense at Mamayev Heights. If we moved to other locations, the commander lacked the ability to make prompt decisions and would easily suffer a big loss. of."
If Sokov had said this when the Guards Division and the Infantry Brigade had just merged, Ivanov would have argued with him. But listening to what Sokov said now, he replied with a blushing face: "Comrade Division Commander, you are right. All my former subordinates had this problem. However, during their more than ten or twenty years in the army, , what they received was the education that they must unconditionally obey their superiors, and they suddenly changed to a superior commander with a completely different style, and they still need a process of adaptation."
"I understand, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Sokov knew that Ivanov was telling the truth. It was a taboo in the military to take unauthorized actions without receiving orders from superiors. The consequences of this phenomenon were that in the early days of the Great Patriotic War, the enemy was almost in front of them, but some troops did not take any measures. They just stayed in place and waited for orders from their superiors. As a result, the orders did not arrive, but they were killed. The enemy was annihilated. So Sokov said reasonably: "The war will continue for a long time, and I can give them time to adapt."
After chatting for a while, Ivanov suddenly remembered the small team operating behind enemy lines, and quickly asked Sidorin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there any latest news about Lieutenant Guchakov operating behind enemy lines?"
"No." Sidorin shook his head and replied: "I haven't gotten any news about them from yesterday day to now." When he said this, he paused for a moment, glanced at Sokov secretly, and said The reporter was staring at the map on the table and continued, "Since they attacked Gumlak Station, there seems to be no big results. I estimate that Lieutenant Guchakov may be looking for valuables behind enemy lines. The goal."
"Comrade Commander, I would like to ask." After Ivanov waited for Sidorin to finish speaking, he looked at Sokov and asked tentatively: "Do you need to send a telegram to Lieutenant Guchakov to urge them to take action as soon as possible? ?”
Regarding Ivanov's proposal, Sokov thought for a long time after hearing it, and finally shook his head and said: "No, Comrade Deputy Division Commander, we have no idea what the situation is behind enemy lines. If we make any rash instructions, we will interfere with the ancient times." Chakov’s command may be detrimental to their subsequent operations.”
…………
Guchakov, who was missed by Sokov and the others, led his team to wander behind enemy lines for two days before entering a small village. This place is about 20 kilometers away from the German mobile supply point. In addition to more than 40 households of villagers, there is also a German corporal and 20 soldiers under his command.
The German corporal learned that three armored vehicles had driven into the village and came to inquire in person. After saluting Tavlin who had just gotten off the bus, he asked politely: "Mr. Second Lieutenant, which section do you belong to? What's the matter here?"
"We are from the search team of the 100th Jäger Division. We were ordered to search for guerrillas operating nearby." After Tavlin answered carelessly, he raised his chin towards the soldier standing not far away and asked: "Corporal , why do your men look so lazy? How can they deal with the guerrillas like them?"
"Mr. Second Lieutenant, please forgive me." Hearing Tavlin's question, the corporal quickly blushed and explained: "Don't look at them wearing our uniforms. In fact, they are all Ukrainians from the Eastern Battalion."
"What, a Ukrainian?" Tavlin was startled and broke into a cold sweat. He never dreamed that he would meet a Ukrainian scum working as a lackey for the Germans here. He thought to himself that he would secretly remind everyone later not to reveal any flaws. He pretended to be calm and asked: "Corporal, aren't you afraid of danger when you stay with a group of Ukrainians? What if the guerrillas come over and they shoot you behind the back?"
"Don't worry, Mr. Second Lieutenant." The German corporal thought that Tavlin really cared about his safety, so he said carelessly: "These Ukrainians have been strictly screened by the Gestapo and are completely trustworthy people. What are you worried about?" , it will definitely not happen.”
"Corporal, we have to stay in the village for two days." Guchakov felt that in such cold weather, letting the team spend the night in the forest would easily cause frostbite to the soldiers, so before entering the village, he and Tav Lin agreed to settle everyone in the village without exposing their identities. Tavlin asked the corporal: "Can you find us a suitable place?"
"Mr. Second Lieutenant," the corporal replied respectfully: "There are many of you, so you can live in the barn. As for you, there is a small cabin next to it that can be used as a place for you to rest."
When Tavlin saw that except for the driver of the armored vehicle, the rest of the commanders and fighters had got out of the car, he winked at Guchakov and Samoylov, and then said to the German corporal: "Okay, corporal, take us quickly. Go over there."
The corporal did not dare to neglect, and personally acted as a guide for Tavlin and the others, leading them to the location of the barn.
Tavlin walked into the barn and took a look. It was quite spacious inside, with hay on the floor. It could accommodate forty or fifty people without any problem. Then he walked out and said to the corporal: "Okay, corporal, we will live here. Here. It's nothing for you, you can leave. If we need anything, I will send someone to find you."
Although Tavlin's move was a bit like burning bridges, the German corporal dared not speak out in anger. He even said to Tavlin with a smile: "Mr. Second Lieutenant, I am willing to serve you at any time. If you have anything, even if Just send someone to call me.”
After the German corporal left, Tavlin quickly called Guchakov and Samoilov to him and said to them with a serious expression: "Two comrades, commanders, things are a bit troublesome. The troops stationed in the village, except just now Except for the German corporal, the rest are Ukrainians."
Neither Guchakov nor Samoylov understood German. When they saw Tavlin chatting animatedly with the German corporal, they were as anxious as ants on a hot pot because they could not understand these two people at all. What is said.
"What, those enemies at the entrance of the village just now are all Ukrainians?" After listening to Tavlin's story, Guchakov and Samoylov both had a shadow on their faces.
After a long time, Samoylov asked Guchakov: "Comrade Lieutenant, in order to prevent exposure, should we kill all the enemies in the village?"
"No." Regarding Samoilov's proposal, Guchakov immediately vetoed it: "The number of enemies is about the same as ours. If we take action, not only will the team suffer casualties, but our identity will also be exposed. .”
"What should we do?"
"Let's stay here for the time being. Let the soldiers be careful when they speak and don't let those Ukrainians find out the flaws." After thinking about it, Guchakov replied: "If there is anything that needs to be done with them, let Ta Sergeant Fulin will come forward. Remember, we must not reveal our identities unless we have no choice, do you understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Lieutenant." Samoilov nodded and replied: "I will remind the soldiers to pay attention."
