Sokov did not immediately answer Ponedelin's question, but turned his gaze to Aku and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, you can only ask this Comrade Aku. He is the last person you saw."
To the people under your command."
Ponijelin, who was eager to know the news about his subordinates, quickly stepped forward, came to Aku, and asked respectfully: "Comrade Aku, can you tell me where my reconnaissance staff is now?"
"
Although Sokov introduced Aku to Ponedelin, he forgot to introduce to Aku who Ponedelin was. Therefore, Aku looked at Sokov with some embarrassment, wanting to hear what the other party meant.
Tell the lieutenant colonel in front of you the truth.
Sokov saw Aku's doubts and quickly explained to him: "Comrade Aku, I just forgot to introduce this commander to you. This is Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, commander of the 41st Guards Division. War
When the outbreak first broke out, he was the commander of the 12th Group Army, and the reconnaissance staff officer you mentioned was his subordinate."
After figuring out Ponejelin's identity, Aku immediately stood in awe. He straightened his body and reported to the other party: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, Corporal Aku reports to you. The last time I was in the defense fortification area of Vinnitsa
Meeting him..." He repeated what he had just said to Sokov in detail.
After learning that the reconnaissance staff member had died, Ponejelin seemed to have lost all his strength. He slumped down in a chair and stared at the wall in front of him in a daze.
Sokov raised his hand and patted him twice on the shoulder, comforting him and saying: "Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin, since it is a war, there will definitely be sacrifices. After the war is over, we will send people to look for him.
His remains were buried properly..."
Ponedelin, whose eyes were originally unfocused, sat up straight again when he heard what Sokov said. He took the initiative to ask Sokov: "Comrade Commander, now that I know that the reconnaissance staff member died in Vinny
I wonder if we can send people to find his remains now and bury him properly in the area of the national defense fortifications that are being inspected?”
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin," Sokov understood Ponedelin's mood, but considering that Vinnitsa is still in the hands of the Germans, he said euphemistically: "I understand your feelings, but now the timing
It’s not mature yet. You must know that the Germans still occupy Vinnitsa, and it may be dangerous if someone is sent to search for the remains of the reconnaissance staff.”
"Comrade Commander," Ponedelin stood up and said to Sokov with a serious expression: "I think the search for remains should be done as early as possible. If we have to wait until the end of the war to search for remains, I'm worried.
If there is anything wrong with the insider, I'm afraid we will never find the remains of our hero."
When Ponejelin said this, his eyes intentionally turned to Aku, which was tantamount to telling Sokov in disguise: "If we don't find the remains of the reconnaissance staff as soon as possible, once something unexpected happens to this insider, he may never be seen again."
No remains were found.”
Sokov stared at Ponejelin, wondering whether he should agree to the other party's proposal and send people to the Vinnitsa area to search for the remains of the staff officer.
"Comrade Commander," Ponejelin saw that Sokov was still silent and couldn't guess what he was thinking, so he couldn't help but feel a little anxious: "I implore you to send a small team as soon as possible to find the reconnaissance staff officer.
his remains and place him properly."
"Okay," Sokov saw Ponedelin's resolute attitude and couldn't refuse him anymore, so he nodded in agreement: "I will send people to find the remains of the reconnaissance staff. If possible, bring them back.
Find a cemetery for burial; if you can't bring it back, bury it locally and mark it, and it won't be too late to move the grave after the war is over."
"Thank you, Comrade Commander, thank you so much." Although Ponedelin had long forgotten the name of the reconnaissance staff, he still expressed his gratitude to Sokov on behalf of the other party: "On behalf of the sacrificed reconnaissance staff,
My sincere thanks to you!”
Now that it had been decided to send people to the Vinnitsa area to search for the remains of the fallen reconnaissance staff, Sokov began to give orders: "Lieutenant Koshkin!"
"Here!" Lieutenant Koshkin replied, but he was muttering to himself: "You won't let me lead the team to search for the remains, will you? That way, you won't have anyone reliable to protect you."
But the order Sokov then issued was beyond his expectation: "Immediately select one of the most elite squads from your guard company, and then hand it over to Second Lieutenant Herus. He will lead the guard squad and escort them.
Comrade Aku went to find the remains of the unknown hero who died."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." After Koshkin agreed, he turned to Khrus and said: "Comrade Second Lieutenant, I will gather the whole company together later, and you can go and choose the people in person. Choose whoever you like.
I will always let you go."
When Koshkin left with Khrus and Aku, Sokov asked Ponedelin: "General Ponedelin, are there any new developments among the Germans in Transnistria?"
"No." Ponejelin shook his head and said: "At least so far, there has been no movement at all. I guess they will not launch an attack before dawn."
"Oh?!" Sokov said with some surprise: "Are you so sure?"
"Yes." Ponejelin nodded and said: "From various indications, the Germans did not notice the adjustment of our troop deployment, and thought that the defenders on the left bank lacked heavy weapons such as artillery and tanks. They tonight
I will definitely sleep peacefully and recharge my batteries before launching an attack on our defense area tomorrow morning."
After Ponedelin and Sokov chatted for a while, seeing each other's face looking tired, they took the initiative to stand up and say goodbye: "Comrade Commander, it's getting late. You should rest early. You will have to command operations tomorrow."
Unexpectedly, after seeing off Ponedelin, Sokov heard someone knocking on the door as soon as he was lying on the bed. He didn't even get to put on his boots, so he quickly walked to the door, stretched out his hand and opened the door.
Standing outside the door was Koshkin. Seeing Sokov appear, he quickly straightened his body and reported: "Comrade Commander, the search team heading to Vinnitsa is ready and ready to go at any time."
"How many people are there in the search team?"
"With Second Lieutenant Herus and Aku, there are 12 people in total."
"What means of transportation have been prepared for them?"
Koshkin was stunned and then replied: "No, no transportation has been prepared for them. They plan to walk to Vinnitsa in two to three days."
"It's nonsense, it's nonsense." As soon as Koshkin finished speaking, Sokov scolded him and said: "It's almost 140 kilometers from here to Vinnitsa. If you ask them to march on foot, even the fastest it will take three days.
Time. If the remains of the reconnaissance staff are found, how will they be brought back?"
"Comrade Commander, what do you think we should do?"
"Aren't there 12 of them?" Sokov said: "Just prepare 4 three-wheeled motorcycles for them. This will not only increase their marching speed, but also make it easier to bring back the remains of the reconnaissance staff after they are found."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Koshkin quickly replied: "I will prepare transportation for them right away."
This chapter has been completed!