When I heard that someone had stopped the car, my first reaction was that the Germans, who had been scattered by our troops, held the pistol in their hands as fast as the cowboy drew their guns in a duel, and at the same time secretly prayed that Basmanov, who was following behind, would come up quickly to eliminate the enemy.

However, it soon became clear to me that the people who came from outside were all wearing the uniforms of our army, and they were supposed to be Baksov's subordinates. Seeing the group of fighters walking to the side of the car, I pushed open the door and asked loudly, "Hey, comrade soldiers, what part are you from?" ”

"Who are you?" An ensign asked loudly in a stern voice, while aiming his submachine gun at us.

"I'm Army Commander Oshanina," I slowly inserted the pistol back into the nest in front of the muzzle pointed at me, and then asked in a dissatisfied tone: "Are you General Baksov's subordinates, what are you doing here?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The second lieutenant lowered his gun and timidly replied: "We have been ordered here to search for the scattered stragglers of the German army. I was just doing a routine check, and I didn't expect you to be sitting in the car. ”

"Okay, Comrade Second Lieutenant, since it was a misunderstanding, there is no need to mention this matter again." I interrupted him impatiently and asked, "Where is General Baksov?" ”

The second lieutenant pointed into the distance and said respectfully: "Comrade commander, your car will drive forward another kilometer or so, there is a defensive line that has just been occupied by us, and the division headquarters is located in the enemy's original headquarters. ”

"Thank you, Comrade Second Lieutenant." After saying that, I nodded to the second lieutenant, closed the door casually, and instructed the driver: "Driver." Drive! We went to the division headquarters of General Baksov. ”

A few minutes later. The jeep stopped not far from the division headquarters in Baksov. Get out of the car. I heard the movement of sapper shovels and shovels digging fortifications all around, and I could still clearly hear the chatter of the soldiers. Figures could be seen swaying in the darkness all around, as warriors were building fortifications.

Chistyakov came up to me and whispered: "Comrade commander, it seems that General Baksov's troops are building fortifications." ”

I looked left and right to see two heavily armed fighters standing in front of a nearby lighted concealment unit, which I guessed might be Baksov's division headquarters. And he strode towards it.

The sentry, who was standing at the door, saw us walking over and took a few steps towards us with the submachine gun he carried on his chest. When he could see us clearly by the dim light of the room, he immediately stopped, raised his hand in place and saluted us, and said politely: "Hello, comrades generals! ”

I walked up to him and stopped, pointed inside, and asked, "Comrade soldier, is the division command here?" ”

"Yes. Comrade Commander. The sentry recognized me at once, and hurriedly replied respectfully: "The division commander and several regiment commanders are inside. ”

Chistyakov and I walked into the division headquarters. I saw a group of commanders sitting around the table, and there was a heated discussion. As soon as we entered the door, before we could speak, we were seen by Baksov, who was sitting facing the door, and he hurriedly shouted: "Stand up!" After shouting, he stood up first.

Seeing that his division commander suddenly stood up, the commander in the room immediately understood that there was a person with a higher rank than the division commander, and he also stood up in a panic, and at the same time turned to look at us.

Ignoring the glances of the commanders at me, I walked straight towards Baksov and asked, "Comrade division commander, how is your situation here, when will you take Dergach?" ”

The commanders around the table hurriedly made way for me and Chistyakov and stood aside quietly waiting for their division commander to answer my questions.

"Comrade Commander, it's very difficult to take Dergach tonight." After beckoning us to sit down, Baksov said with a sad face: "The front of the German defensive position outside the city is too narrow, as long as it is less than three hundred meters, and it is difficult for our troops to be fully deployed on both sides. The tank brigade lost four tanks, all destroyed in front of the anti-tank trench......"

"What is the difference in the strength of the enemy?" I then asked.

"Since it was getting late when we arrived here, we couldn't figure out the enemy's defenses." After reporting on the situation, Baksov asked me for instructions and said: "Comrade commander, it is not realistic to take Dergach tonight, can we wait until after dawn tomorrow to attack the enemy?" ”

Hearing this request from Baksov, Chistyakov, after thinking for a moment, also said good things for him: "That's right, Comrade Commander. It is unwise to let the troops fight at night in a strange place, I suggest or postpone the offensive until tomorrow? ”

I have never been a self-righteous person, and since I know that it is unwise to fight at night in a strange place, I certainly will not force my troops to go into battle. This will do nothing but increase casualties. So I said cheerfully: "Well, since Comrade Deputy Commander and Division Commander Baksov are on the same page, then the attack will be postponed until tomorrow daytime." As soon as the words came out, I felt that the commanders and fighters around me were visibly relieved, and it seemed that they were not optimistic about night battles at all.

Seeing that I had agreed to postpone the attack, Baksov waved at his men and ordered: "Commanders, go back to your respective units first." Remember, send more scouts to infiltrate German positions to reconnoiter and find out the enemy's troop deployment. Do you understand? ”

"Got it!" Several commanders replied in unison, and then, after raising their hands to salute me and Chistyakov, they left the headquarters in an orderly manner.

When there were only three of us left in the command, Chistyakov said to Baksov with a smile: "Comrade division commander, your division has performed well today, and in more than two hours, it has broken through the four lines of defense of the German army in a row. ”

Hearing Chistyakov's compliment, a smile appeared on Baksov's face. After glancing at me, he said modestly: "Comrade Deputy Commander, in fact, the reason why we have been able to progress so smoothly is due to the Commander. Although the Germans had several lines of defense, they were fortified on the plains, and they lacked sufficient anti-tank weapons, so our tanks could tear their lines through them by leading the infantry forward, and the battle would be much easier. ”

After I waited for Baksov to finish speaking, I immediately continued: "Okay, comrade division commander, stop complimenting me. If the warriors are not brave in battle, even the best tactics I propose will be of no use. By the way, before dawn, I think the regiments will be able to complete their reconnaissance missions, and then we will gather the commanders and study how to attack according to the disposition of the German forces that we have in our possession. (To be continued.) )