The German artillerymen who were shelling Ponejelin's position never dreamed that the Soviet army would respond in such a short period of time, mobilizing a similar number of artillery pieces to fire at them.
In an instant, the German artillery position came under fierce shelling. Although the distance between the artillery was strictly deployed in accordance with the regulations, the Soviet army's intensive artillery fire still turned their position into a sea of fire.
On Ponejelin's side, he suddenly felt that the German artillery had become sparse. He did not know that this was because the German artillery positions were bombarded and a large number of artillery were destroyed. He thought that the enemy was about to launch an attack, so he quickly moved to the front-line positions. Harlem, commander of the 126th Regiment, called.
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," he said straight to the point as soon as he heard Dukhalin's voice: "Has the enemy's shelling of your regiment's position become sparse?"
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." Duhalin replied: "The enemy's artillery fire is indeed much weaker than just now."
"This means that the enemy's attack is about to begin." Ponejelin reminded the other party: "Let your soldiers be prepared and enter their respective positions as soon as the enemy's bombardment stops."
"Don't worry, comrade division commander." Duhalin said carelessly: "Our commanders and fighters all have rich combat experience. They know when to enter the position and resist the German attack."
Ponyjelin felt that Dukhalin had some thoughts of underestimating the enemy, so he reminded him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I think it is necessary to remind you that when our army launched attacks on enemy positions in the past, we always took advantage of them to be shelled. , when they were unable to observe the battlefield situation, they quietly approached their positions. Then, as soon as the shelling stopped, they immediately launched a charge.
Since the Germans were usually still in the second-line position, they had no time to return to the front through the communication trenches. As a result, our army easily occupied the empty forward position. Nowadays, the Germans, who have suffered many losses, have also mastered this tactic. If they suddenly attack you like this, do you think they can still hold their position? "
Ponejelin's words made Dukhalin realize that he had underestimated the enemy too much, and he quickly replied: "Comrade division commander, I understand what you mean. I will send out an observation post to closely monitor the enemy's movements. Once I find that a large force is approaching, As the position approaches, the soldiers are ordered to immediately enter the trenches and prepare for battle."
After calling Dukhalin, Ponedelin called the two division commanders Chuvashov and Shechtman respectively. On the phone, he told the other party that if the German army launched an attack on the position held by the 126th Regiment, the two divisions should allocate one regiment of troops each to detour to the two wings of the German army and cut off their connection with the rear.
After he finished a series of phone calls, Chief of Staff Sidorin reminded him: "Comrade division commander, now that the three divisions are cooperating on the battlefield, should we report it to the headquarters so that the commander can be aware of it?" "
Sokov received a call from Ponedelin. After patiently listening to his report, Sokov said: "Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, I haven't had time to inform you that not long ago, the artillery of the group army attacked the artillery of the German army. The position has implemented fire suppression. The weakening of artillery fire on the forward position may be related to this. As for the enemy's attack, I think they will not dare to act rashly after losing the cover of artillery fire."
When Ponijelin heard this, he felt like this. No wonder the intensity of the German artillery suddenly weakened. It turned out that the group army's artillery destroyed their nest. After thinking for a while, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, even if the Germans do not attack us temporarily because they have lost artillery support, I think we should be more vigilant to prevent being caught off guard by the Germans."
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin, you are very thoughtful." Sokov nodded after hearing this and said: "Since that area is under the responsibility of your troops, then it is up to you to decide what to do. If If there is any problem that cannot be solved, it is not too late to call me."
Sokov put down the phone and said to Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, there were omissions in our work. The order for the group army artillery to suppress German artillery fire was not reported to Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin in time. So much so. He also thought that the weakening of German artillery fire was a precursor to preparations for an attack."
After hearing what Sokov said, Smirnov suddenly blushed and took the initiative to admit his mistake and said: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, it was my negligence and I forgot to inform Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin of such an important matter. This led to a huge deviation in his judgment of the situation."
"Okay, okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, there's no need to blame yourself." Sokov said generously: "Just don't make similar mistakes in the future."
While the two were talking, the phone on the table rang.
Sokov picked up the phone and received a call from Colonel Konev, commander of the 3rd Guards Airborne Division. He reported to Sokov on the phone: "Comrade Commander, I just received a call from the 8th Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Chang Pingkov reported that a guerrilla group of more than thirty people appeared in their regiment’s defense area.”
"Guerrillas?!" After hearing this, Sokov asked in surprise: "Where did they come from?"
"According to the guerrilla leader, their guerrillas have been active in Ukraine and Moldavia." Konev reported: "If the German army's encirclement and suppression in Ukraine becomes severe, they will retreat to Moldavia. They continue to fight there; if the suppression of Moldavia becomes serious, they will withdraw back to Ukraine and launch guerrilla warfare against the enemy."
Konev's words made Sokov full of curiosity about the guerrilla captain: "Comrade Colonel, this guerrilla captain knows how to fight guerrillas. Do you know what kind of job he was doing before the war?"
"I've already asked." Konev replied: "When the war broke out, he was a lieutenant in the border guard. Because the enemy was too strong and his unit was defeated in the battle, he took ten soldiers with him. Several soldiers withdrew to the nearby forest and continued to carry out guerrilla warfare."
Since Sokov learned that the guerrilla group was operating in Ukraine and Moldavia, he felt that if he could get their help, the next strategy would become easier. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "Colonel Konev, send someone to send all the guerrillas to me immediately."
Smirnov waited for Sokov to put down the phone and immediately asked: "Comrade Commander, do you plan to use the guerrillas to learn about the situation in the Dniester River Basin?"
"That's right." Sokov nodded, confirming Smirnov's guess: "They have been fighting guerrillas in this area for three years, and they must be very familiar with the terrain and environment. If we get their help, we can It will help us eliminate the remaining German forces here in a short period of time."
Half an hour later, the guerrillas sent by Konev appeared in Sokov's headquarters. But there were not more than thirty people, only two people, a man and a woman.
When Sokov saw this, he couldn't help but frowned, thinking that with just two people, he might not be able to understand much of what he wanted to know. However, out of politeness, he still greeted the two of them with a smile: "Comrades, you are welcome to my headquarters."
The man stepped forward and held Sokov's hand, and said emotionally: "Hello, General Sokov, I have heard of your name a long time ago. It is really an honor to see you here today."
"Comrade Captain," Sokov asked the other party with a smile: "How should I call you?"
"My name is Brass. I was originally a lieutenant in the border guard force. Later, after the force was dispersed by the Germans, I retreated to the forest area with a dozen soldiers and formed a guerrilla group named after me. .”
"Lieutenant Blass," Sokov called the other party by his original military rank and asked tentatively: "How come your guerrillas only have more than thirty people?"
"Comrade General, in fact, I have more than thirty troops." Blas explained to Sokov: "If I directly bring the troops to your defense area, I am afraid there will be a misunderstanding with the defenders. So in the end I only brought I have recruited more than 30 people to contact your subordinates. In fact, I command more than 700 troops."
"Lieutenant Brass," Sokov's eyes stayed on the female guerrilla wearing a headscarf, and he asked tentatively: "I wonder if this lesbian is...?"
"Comrade General, let me introduce you." Blas hesitated for a moment and said to Sokov: "Her name is Merme, she is a health worker in the guerrillas. The reason why she is here today is that she It says that there are important matters that need to be reported to the highest commander in the army.”
"Comrade Merme," Sokov said to the female guerrilla: "I am the supreme commander here. If you have anything, you can tell me."
Melme looked Sokov up and down, and asked with confusion on her face: "Are you really the supreme commander here?"
"That's right." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "I am the supreme commander."
After learning that Sokov was the supreme commander here, Merme immediately stood at attention, raised her hand and saluted Sokov with a solemn military salute, and said loudly: "Comrade General, I am the pilot Lyuba Shevdrova." Sir, I have something very important to report to you immediately!"
As soon as the female guerrilla's words came out, not only Sokov and others were stunned, but Brass who brought her here was also dumbfounded. He didn't expect that the female health worker in the guerrilla team used a pseudonym, and she was also a former nurse. pilot.
"Wait a minute," Sokov made a gesture, interrupting the female health worker's words: "Comrade Merme, or Sergeant Lyuba Shevdrova, you have confused me, can you tell me , what went wrong?"
"Yes, Melme." Blas asked in equal surprise: "When did you, a hygienist, become the pilot Sergeant Lyuba Shevdrova? What on earth is going on?"
"Comrade General, yes, my name is indeed Lyuba Shevtsova, and I used to be a pilot of the Southwestern Front with the rank of sergeant." Lyuba Shevtsova looked at Sokov and said: "After the war broke out, I We received an important order to escort a general carrying documents to the front line to deliver combat orders. But unfortunately, the plane we were on was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire as soon as it flew near Vinnitsa.
I tried my best to land the plane in an ambush surrounded by defense fortifications. As soon as the forced landing was successful, we were attacked by the German troops who came after hearing the news. A small team of our army was hidden in a bunker in the ambush. It was their timely action that saved me and the general. "
Hearing this, Sokov couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise, because he happened to hear someone mention what Lyuba Shevdrova said a few days ago.
Liuba Shevzhuva didn't know why Sokov asked her to stop, so she stared at Sokov with two big confused eyes, wanting to hear what he would say next.
Just listen to Sokov ask: "Liuba Shevzhuva, let me tell you what happens next. If I say something wrong, you can point it out."
Seeing Liuba Shevzhuva nodding in agreement, he continued: "After you were rescued to the bunker, the general told the corporal who rescued you that he was ordered to go to the front to pass on the attack order, and asked him to ensure your safety. . But after dark, the general tried to flee to the Germans with important documents, but fortunately Corporal Aku stopped him and detained the general."
"Comrade General," Liuba Shevzhuva heard Sokov mention Aku's name, her eyes widened in surprise, "Do you know Corporal Aku?"
"Of course, of course we know each other." Sokov gave Lyuba Shevtsova an affirmative answer, and then continued: "Corporal Aku established a temporary military court and sentenced the general to death. But in preparation During the execution, the general suddenly kidnapped you and threatened Corporal Aku to drop his weapon."
"That's right." Liuba Shevzhuva nodded, and then said: "But for some reason, the general never fired, but let me go. Later in the middle of the night, he sneaked out of the bunker and tried to He fled to the Germans, only to be shot to death by soldiers in the bunker."
"How is it, Comrade Lyuba Shevtsova." Sokov asked: "What I said are true, right?"
Hearing this, Lyuba Shevdrova understood that someone must have reported to Sokov what happened at that time, otherwise he would never be able to understand it in such detail. "Comrade General, can you tell me how you knew what happened?"
"Can't you guess that these things must have been told to me by Corporal Aku." Sokov said: "When you broke out, he fell behind because he was injured and was almost captured by the Germans."
"Then he is still alive?" Lyuba Shevtsova asked with surprise.
"Of course he is still alive, otherwise how could I know what happened at that time." Sokov explained: "But I sent him to perform a mission in the defense fortification area of Vinnitsa. I'm afraid it will take a few days before he can Come back." He remembered that Aku said that the female pilot disappeared during the breakout, and asked curiously, "It is said that you disappeared during the breakout, where did you come from now?"
"Comrade General, the situation is like this." Liuba Shevzhuva explained: "When we broke out, we were dispersed by the Germans. Fortunately, an aunt from the village rescued me, put a headscarf on me and put on Dressed in common people's clothes, she pretended to be her daughter.
After I lived in the village for half a year, I heard that a guerrilla group had appeared nearby, so I said goodbye to my aunt and entered the forest area to find the whereabouts of the guerrilla group. After Captain Blas saw me, he accepted me generously and let me serve as a female health worker in the guerrillas. "
