The jeep took Shulka directly to the airport.

Before getting on the plane, Katukov shook Shulka's hand and said: "Thank you for everything you have done for the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, Comrade Shulka, and for those victories." It is no exaggeration to say that without you, we might not have been able to hold back the German attack. I, as well as the soldiers of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, will take this to heart! ”

Shulka didn't say anything, just saluted Katukov in a dignified manner, then turned around and stepped onto the plane.

The plane accelerated on the runway with a "rumbling" of motors and flew into the air.

Katukov stood below for a long time, reluctant to leave.

The staff officer was worried about Katukov's body, so he got out of the car and urged.

Katukov shook his head, sighed and said: "Oleg, do you know what we lost? He can almost be said to be the soul of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade! ”

"No, Colonel, you are!"

"You don't understand!" Katukov smiled bitterly: "We, it may take a while to recover!" ”

Katukov was right.

Although Shulka was transferred in the name of promotion, in fact, everyone knew that this was a real promotion, so it would inevitably deal a blow to the morale of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade.

To make matters worse, Katukov was soon promoted to commander of the 3rd Mechanized Army.

Two souls, Katukov and Shulka, left the 1st Guards Tank Brigade at the same time...... Although they were all promotions, among which Katukov also became the direct superior of the 1st Brigade, it was not the same after all without direct command. This depressed the 1st Guards Tank Brigade for some time. (Note: The 1st Guards Tank Brigade is a unit directly under the 3rd Mechanized Army)

Shulka sat on the plane, looking through the window at the night Cremu, with a heavy heart.

He didn't even have time to say goodbye to his comrades-in-arms, so he left his comrades-in-arms who had lived and died with him, not knowing when he would see each other again, or never have the opportunity to meet.

After a sigh, Shulka realized that he had been too careless.

At this time, the Soviet Union was taboo to support the army and respect itself, and even the marshal could not be seized of power, interrogated, or even save his life at every turn.

And he only thought about killing the enemy and fighting, but he didn't expect that his prestige was enough to influence one side and even make them fight against authority.

This was obviously not allowed by the High Command, hence this transfer.

However, Shulka doesn't think he's in any danger.

On the one hand, it was because there had been no excesses before, such as leading the troops to confront Mehris and the like.

On the other hand, because it is now a war.

The war needed people like Shulka, and the Supreme Command, although not good at commanding operations, was not stupid enough to destroy the Great Wall at this critical moment.

In this respect, Shulka should also be grateful to the Germans for this war, if it was a time of peace...... I'm afraid it's not just that.

The plane flew in the dark for several hours and landed at an airfield while Shulka was drowsy.

"Where is this?" Shulka asked the pilot.

"Ulyupinsk, sir!" The pilot replied.

Shulka knew the city, which he had to pass through on his previous trips back and forth between Moscow and Stalingrad, so he knew that it was a city more than 300 kilometers from Stalingrad, but he had never stopped here.

After getting off the plane, Shulka looked confused.

Because the entire airport was empty, there was nothing but a few busy staff and a few planes.

"Where's the barracks?" Shulka asked the pilot who was drinking from Waterga as he stepped off the plane.

"I don't know, sir!" The pilot spread his hands and replied: "I just took off on time and got here!" ”

Shulka had no choice but to wrap up his coat tightly and brave the snow towards the airport exit.

Perhaps because of the fear that the airport would be bombed by the Germans, it was pitch black and there was no light.

Shulka took out the transfer letter in his arms, hid in the corner and turned on a flashlight under the cover of a trench coat, and after reading it again, he made sure that there was no indication of the target location.

This made Shulka even more confused.

Someone should have come to pick him up at this time, that is, the 82nd Infantry Regiment, and they should have been informed that Shulka, the deputy commander, would arrive at this time.

Suspicious, Shulka walked aimlessly through the snow and wind after exiting the airport, and was confronted by a group of militiamen patrolling at night.

Shulka hurriedly stepped forward to stop them and asked: "Comrade, do you know where the 27th Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Infantry Division is?" ”

The militiamen were stunned, then took a picture at Shulka with a flashlight covered with a black cloth and asked: "Your ID, Comrade Captain!" ”

Shulka had a vague feeling that he was a "suspect" again...... However, this seems to be normal, because there are always too many German spies dressed up as Soviet troops to inquire about the news, and the Branfenburg unit is one of them.

The militia leader wore a peaked cap, he took the document and looked at it, and then immediately ordered: "Catch him, he's a spy!" ”

Several militiamen hula and surrounded Shulka and pointed their guns at Shulka.

"What's going on?" Shulka asked.

The cap raised his ID in his hand, and then said to the others: "Comrades, he said that his name is Shulka, Shulka from the 1st Guards Tank Brigade!" ”

The militiamen froze, and then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Oh, Comrade Shulka, I salute you!"

"The great 'breakout hero' actually appeared here alone in the middle of the night?"

"Won't you spies find someone who can easily get past to disguise?"

……

Shulka realized what had happened, and although their credentials were genuine, they simply didn't believe that the legendary "Breakout Hero" would appear here alone in the middle of the night.

The cap stepped forward and handed over Shulka's gun and said, "Aren't you looking for the 82nd Infantry Regiment?" We are! ”

"You're the 82nd Infantry Regiment?"

"You shouldn't have told him this, Comrade Valery!" Someone reminded of the cap.

"Why not?" Cap replied, "He's been caught by us, hasn't he?" We don't need to worry about him going to the same party anymore! ”

"Take me to your captain!" Shulka said.

Shulka's words quickly drew a burst of laughter.

"Obey, 'Breakout Hero'!" The cap replied, "Perhaps, we will take you to God too!" ”

At this moment, a carriage passed by at the shouting of the coachman, and when it saw this, it took its reins and cried: "Is it Comrade Shulka?" I'm here to pick you up, sorry for being late! ”