"Yes, Misha." Seryosha also echoed: "Don't forget how Comrade Deputy Division Commander died."
Seryosha's words reminded everyone that just a few days ago, the deputy division commander, Colonel Ivanov, was killed by a German sniper nearby and unfortunately died.
When he thought of this, Captain Vasily couldn't help but become nervous: "Comrade Division Commander, I think you should take away the entire guard company. Only if there are more people around you can your safety be guaranteed."
Sokov thought that when Seryosha reported the number of survivors to Vasily just now, he had included himself. In other words, he had taken away all the people in the guard company, and only 21 people had left. Therefore, he did not hesitate, nodded and said: "Okay, then I will take away the guard company."
The way back was safe, with no enemy stragglers or snipers encountered. Sokov and others returned to the city smoothly. The third platoon leader who stayed in the city was shocked when he saw Sokov and others returning with their faces full of gunfire. He asked Seryozha in surprise: "Comrade company commander, are there only so many people left in our company?"
"Yes." Seryozha nodded and said with a bitter look on his face: "If the reinforcements arrive later, we will probably be wiped out."
"Third Platoon Commander," Sokov waited for Seryosha to finish speaking and then immediately asked the Third Platoon Commander: "Are you sure that the garrison company has withdrawn from the city?"
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." The third platoon leader nodded vigorously and said in a positive tone: "I personally went to the company headquarters of the garrison company and there was no one inside."
This matter was of great importance, and Sokov naturally could not conclude that the garrison company had escaped due to the third platoon leader's remarks. Then he said to the third platoon leader: "Take me to see it."
The third platoon leader personally drove a jeep and took Sokov to the headquarters of the garrison company. As expected, the place was deserted, and the ground was in a mess. Anyone with a discerning eye would know that the original owner had left in a hurry.
After confirming that the guard company had indeed abandoned the city and left, Sokov sneered, turned around and ordered the telegraph operator following behind him: "Send a telegram to the front army headquarters, saying that the guard company I am leading is to the west of Luhansk. We exchanged fire with a German force of 400 men. Fortunately, the leading troops of the 122nd Guards Regiment provided timely reinforcements and we have completely annihilated this invading enemy.
However, during the battle, the garrison company originally responsible for holding Lugansk not only did not send a single soldier to support us, but did not even see the shadow of the Germans, so they abandoned the city and ran away. Please ask the commander of the front army to contact the commander of the friendly army and severely punish the commander who abandons his position and escapes without authorization. "
While the radio operator was sending the report, Seryosha asked curiously: "Misha, do you think the friendly commanders will deal with these guys who escape from the battle?"
"Yes, Seryosha, it will definitely happen." Sokov said in a positive tone: "Don't forget Order No. 227, which specifically mentioned: Officers and political workers who retreat without authorization before receiving the order to retreat. Personnel will be considered 'cowards' and 'traitors' and will be dealt with under military law. The company commander who escaped without authorization today will certainly not escape his punishment."
As soon as Sokov finished speaking, he heard the roar of a car motor outside. Seryosha listened for a moment and said excitedly: "Misha, listen, the sound of car motors coming from the street outside should be the arrival of our large troops."
Sokov turned and walked out of the room, stood on the roadside, and sure enough saw a long motorcade in the distance, driving down the street towards his location.
The convoy stopped when it approached Sokov's position. The door on the passenger side of the first car opened and an officer jumped out of the driver's seat. He jogged up to Sokov and straightened his body. The report said: "Comrade Division Commander, Captain Vanya, Chief of Staff of the 122nd Guards Regiment, is reporting to you that our regiment has been ordered to take over the defense of Luhansk. Please give us your instructions!"
Sokov stepped forward to shake hands with him and asked curiously: "Captain Vanya, where is Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko?"
"Comrade division commander," Vanya saw her old superior safe and sound, with a smile on her face: "The regiment commander leads the third battalion and the troops directly under the regiment, and I'm afraid it will take another hour to arrive. I'm worried that you are in any danger, Then I led the first battalion, first battalion and second battalion to rush here to reinforce."
"Comrade Captain, you don't know how dangerous the battle just was." Seryosha was familiar with Vanya, so he spoke casually: "If Vasily's battalion hadn't arrived in time, they would have gone around behind the enemy and struck hard. Beat them on the ground and disrupt their offensive rhythm. I guess you can only go to the position to collect our corpses at this moment."
"Captain Vanya," Sokov said to Vanya, thinking that today's Luhansk is an undefended city, "there are more than a dozen military warehouses in the city, you should take people to protect them immediately. At the same time, we will find ways to arm the residents of the city to strengthen our strength."
"But, Comrade Commander, we have just arrived here and are not familiar with the situation in the city." After hearing Sokov's order, Vanya said with some embarrassment: "See if you can arrange a guide for us."
"No problem, the guides are all ready." Sokov said, turned around and called the third platoon leader over, and then said to Vanya: "This is the third platoon leader of the guard company. His troops have been stationed in the city. , knows the situation in the city very well, let him be your guide."
"Comrade division commander," Vanya couldn't help but curiously asked when Sokov asked the third platoon leader to be his guide: "Isn't there a garrison in the city? Logically speaking, they are more familiar with the city, so why not invite them? Will you be our guide?"
"Comrade Captain, don't mention it." Hearing Vanya ask about the garrison company, Seryosha became very angry. "When we were fighting desperately against the enemy at the front, the garrison company responsible for the defense of the city even saw the enemy's shadow. I didn’t even see him, but he actually ran away with his tail between his legs.”
"What, you actually dare to be a deserter? This is too outrageous." Vanya said righteously: "I think that for such panicked elements, they should all be sent to a military court."
"Comrade Captain, you don't have to worry about this." Seryozha interrupted again: "The division commander has reported the matter to the front army headquarters. The superiors will handle the matter properly. I believe that the commanders of friendly forces will not bypass this panic. The confused company commander."
"Okay, stop chatting." Sokov knew that Seryosha and Vanya had a good relationship. He was worried that the two of them would forget about the business while chatting here, so he urged: "Captain Vanya, hurry up and take the Your subordinates, go and complete the mission I gave you.”
"Yes!" Vanya raised her hand and saluted, answered resoundingly, then turned and ran back to the truck, grabbed the open door, and climbed into the driver's seat. In a short time, the stopped convoy continued to move forward.
