After receiving the telegram from Sokov, Popov thought for a long time, and then said to his chief of staff: "Colonel Sokov is right. In order to get rid of the enemies around us as quickly as possible, we must throw away some cumbersome equipment. so that they can advance lightly. Blow up all the tanks that have run out of fuel on the spot, leaving none of them for the enemy. In addition, in addition to leaving a tank unit as cover, the remaining tanks that can still move should be sent to the enemy as soon as possible. Advance eastward and cover the infantry to tear apart the enemy's defense line."
"Comrade Commander," the chief of staff waited for Popov to finish speaking before asking, "Which tank unit do you plan to leave behind for cover duty?"
"Leave this glorious mission to Colonel Ruhle's 19th Independent Tank Brigade." Popov said: "Their brigade still has 20 tanks that can participate in the battle. I believe they are fully capable of crushing the enemy's Armor."
"But their ammunition and fuel are also very limited." The chief of staff reminded Popov: "I'm worried that they may not be able to support it for long."
After hearing what the Chief of Staff said, Popov was silent for a long time, and finally said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in order for our troops to break out smoothly, some people will definitely have to sacrifice. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Commander." The chief of staff knew very well that what Popov said was very reasonable. He left some troops as cover so that the main force could smoothly break through the enemy's encirclement. Therefore, such a difficult choice must be made: "I believe Colonel Ruhle will also understand your difficulties."
After receiving Popov's order, Colonel Ruhle immediately called a meeting with his commanders and conveyed to them the tasks he had just received. After conveying the content of the order, none of the six commanders present said anything and could only smoke with their heads down.
"Chief of Staff," Ruhlie saw that no one spoke, so he had no choice but to ask his brigade chief of staff: "Tell me what you think."
"Comrade Brigade Commander," since Ruhle allowed himself to speak, the brigade chief of staff did not hide his true thoughts, "think about it, how many tanks the German army has now, and how many tanks we have? What are the remaining tanks of ours?" The fuel can only support us to travel forty or fifty kilometers at best; also, there is insufficient ammunition in time, and each tank has at least less than ten rounds. I feel that the superiors giving us such an order is tantamount to asking us to die."
"The chief of staff is right." As soon as the brigade chief of staff finished speaking, a commander immediately echoed: "With just the few tanks we have left, fighting against the Germans is simply asking for death. I think it should be Immediately inform our superiors of our difficulties and ask them to allow us to retreat.”
Seeing his subordinates unanimously requesting to retreat with the main force, Ruhelie was so angry that he slapped his hands hard on the table, and then said sternly: "They have all moved with the main force, so who will cut off the rear? If our army breaks through, We have been unable to break through the enemy's defense, and because there are no troops left behind to break up the rear, the enemy comes from behind us. What should we do? Tell me, what should we do? Could it be that the entire army is destroyed when the enemy is flanked by the front and rear? ?"
The commanders present were calmed down by Colonel Ruhle. After a while, the chief of staff said cautiously: "Comrade Brigade Commander, our brigade only has so much assets left. If we wipe them all out, we may be abolished." Establishment.”
"Even if the organization is cancelled, the tasks assigned to us by our superiors must be completed unconditionally." Colonel Ruhelie paused for a moment intentionally as he said this, as if he was brewing some emotion: "This may be our last battle."
Ruhle's emotion infected the commanders. A company commander stood up and said to him: "Comrade Brigade Commander, although our company only has two tanks left, we must be resolute even if we lose them all in the battle." Complete the tasks assigned to us by our superiors.”
Someone took the lead, and the emotions of others were also aroused. They expressed their opinions one after another, saying that they would rather sacrifice their lives to resolutely complete the tasks assigned by their superiors.
Seeing that the emotions of his subordinates were aroused again, Ruhlie began to issue orders: "Half an hour later, the entire brigade will advance towards the defense area of the 15th German Armored Regiment. We must give them a lesson before they come to their senses." Dun, leaving them with memories they will never forget.”
In order to allow his men to complete the task smoothly, he continued: "I heard that Commander Popov has issued an order to blow up all the tanks that have run out of fuel and ammunition to prevent them from falling into the In the hands of the Germans. While this order has not been executed, you should immediately contact the drivers of these tanks and ask them to hand over the remaining ammunition and fuel to you."
Commanders all know that tanks that have run out of fuel and ammunition actually still have a few gallons of fuel in the tank and one or two shells in the body. Since the superiors plan to blow up these tanks, they must seize the time and collect everything that can be used, so that they can increase their chances of winning to a certain extent.
"Comrade Brigade Commander," the Chief of Staff reminded Ruhle: "You said you would set off in half an hour. I am worried that the commanders will not have enough time to collect ammunition and fuel. I wonder if you can extend the time?"
"Okay, then I'll give you one hour." Ruhle raised a finger and said, "Only one hour, this is my limit. Let's adjourn."
Ruhelie's words made the battlefield commanders feel as if they heard the clarion call to attack. Everyone stood up from their seats and quickly walked out of the headquarters to carry out the task of collecting fuel and ammunition.
An hour later, the tanks of the tank brigade assembled in an open space not far from the Ruhle command post.
The chief of staff reported to Ruhle: "Comrade Brigade Commander, after some searching, we obtained a total of one hundred and fifty gallons of fuel and thirty rounds of artillery shells."
"Very good." Although these things were a drop in the bucket for the tank brigade, Ruhlie still praised the chief of staff in an approving tone: "You have done a very good job. Although the fuel and ammunition are a little short, they are enough to support Our tanks travel further and kill more enemies."
"Comrade Brigade Commander," the Chief of Staff took the initiative to suggest to Ruhle out of concern for him: "I think you should put all these fuel and ammunition in your tank. With your combat effectiveness, I believe that you can Destroy more Germans.”
Ruhelie knew that this was not the time for courtesy. On the battlefield, whoever had more ammunition would have a greatly improved chance of survival. He nodded and ordered the chief of staff: "Add all the oil to my tanks immediately. When we attack later, my tanks will rush to the front of the entire brigade."
