Sokov did not answer Andrei's question, but only ordered the two company commanders: "Let the troops rest on the spot!"
"Yes!" The two company commanders agreed and shouted at the commanders and fighters who were parked on the road: "Stay on the spot! Stay on the spot!"
When the soldiers disbanded and were looking for a place to rest nearby, Rokosovsky took the two company commanders to a place far away from the team, found a lodged tree trunk to sit down, and then said to the two: "I am always uneasy and feel that the Germans will attack us at any time."
"Comrade Battalion Commander, since you know that the German army is going to attack, why do we still have to go to Sushinic?" Andrei asked curiously: "When we two companies left, the defense of the highlands was greatly weakened?"
"There's no way," Sokov spread his hands and said helplessly: "General Cherneshov gave me the death order. If the troops cannot appear in Suxinic at 3 pm, I will be directly removed from my position."
"What, do you want to waive your position?" Sokov said, the two company commanders were startled. Vasily raised his hand and looked at the watch, and said anxiously: "Comrade Battalion Commander, it's already half past one now. If we don't hurry up, we will not be able to arrive at Sushinic before three o'clock."
"Why are you anxious? Wait a little longer." After Sokov finished his sentence lightly, he stretched out his hand to the two of them: "Whoever has a cigarette, give me one."
The two company commanders took out a pack of seized German cigarettes from their pockets and handed them to Sokov. Sokov took out a cigarette from Vasily's cigarette box, lit it in his mouth, and took a sniffle, but he was choked and coughed loudly. He complained while coughing, "Hehe, what kind of cigarette is you? The taste feels like horse shit."
Vasily grinned and said, "Comrade Battalion Commander, this cigarette is made of Turkish tobacco leaves. It tastes a bit big and most people can't help it."
Sokov threw the cigarette in the snow, stepped on it with his toes, and said to the two company commanders: "We will stay here until three o'clock. If the German army has not yet attacked the nameless highland, we will go to Sushinic."
"But, Comrade Battalion Commander." Vasia asked uneasily: "If you can't arrive at Sucinic before three o'clock, wouldn't you be removed from your post?"
"Don't worry, Captain Vasily, the division commander will not waive my post." Sokov said to the two: "He was worried that I would disobey and would not dispatch troops to him, so he said it to scare me. If the Germans did not attack the nameless highlands before three o'clock, then we will go to Sucinic; if the Germans began to attack before this time, I could bring you back with justice."
In the following time, the two company commanders were like ants on a hot pan, circled around the trunk of Sokov sitting, looking towards the direction of the nameless highland to see if they could hear the sound of cannons or see the rising black smoke. However, the other side was always quiet and there was no movement at all, so that both of them were thinking: Maybe the battalion commander made a mistake, the Germans would not attack the nameless highland for the time being, at least they would not attack today.
Seeing that the time was half past two, Andrey couldn't hold back his breath. He quickly walked to Sokov and said loudly: "Comrade Battalion Commander, it seems that the enemy will not attack anymore. We should arrive at Sushinic as soon as possible, so as not to be blamed by the division commander."
As soon as Andre finished speaking, a dull explosion sounded from the direction of the Unknown Highlands. The sound was similar to the sound of a car's tire blowout. If you don't listen carefully, it's easy to ignore it. He quickly looked towards the direction of the Unknown Highlands and saw a wisp of black smoke rising above the highlands.
"The German artillery is testing the fire." Vasily also stopped, looked at the direction of the nameless highland, and excitedly said to Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, it seems that their attack is about to begin."
"Would a soldier accidentally fire the grenade?" Although he heard the explosion and saw the rising black smoke, Andre was still unsure whether the Germans would attack, so he cautiously opposed Sokov: "If the grenade exploded, it would be almost the movement we heard."
"Nonsense," as soon as he finished speaking, Vasily retorted him: "The soldiers of the third company were full and pulled grenades to play. The movement just now was obviously the test shot of the German army before the shelling began. I think we should return to the high ground immediately and prepare for battle."
"Two company commanders, don't be impatient." Seeing that the two were about to argue soon, Sokov stood up and said with a smile: "As for the explosion that just now, is it the German artillery being tested or the grenade explosion, wait a moment before you can see the conclusion."
Then, a series of explosions came from the direction of the high ground, and then a large area of ​​black smoke rose. Vasily saw this scene and looked at Andrei and said proudly: "How about it, Second Company Commander, have you heard it clearly this time? It's not the sound of grenade explosion, but the German heavy artillery bombarding the nameless highland."
"Get together the team." Sokov said to the two company commanders: "We are going to return to the high ground immediately."
At this moment, in the battalion command post behind the high ground, Bellkin was anxious. He walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, muttering constantly: "What should I do? Just as two companies were transferred away, the German army began to shell the high ground. It seemed that they were preparing to launch a large-scale attack."
At this moment, the radio operator sitting in front of the phone turned his head and said to him: "Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, the division headquarters sent a telegram asking when the troops we have drawn will arrive in Sucinic."
"Call back to the division commander immediately." Berkin quickly stopped and said to the radio operator: "It said that the battalion commander has led the second company and the machine gun company to Sushinic. I believe that it will arrive at the division headquarters soon. In addition, tell the division commander that the enemy has begun to shell the nameless highland, as if there are signs of attacking."
After sending the phone call, the radio operator turned his head and asked, "Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, if the German army really launches a large-scale attack, can we defend our position with our existing forces?"
Belkin, who was holding his anger, heard the radio operator ask, immediately started angering at him: "Comrade Soldier, I remind you to pay attention, you are a radio operator, not a battalion commander. Whether you can hold the position is not your turn to worry about it. Forget this time, I will put you in custody if you don't fit your identity next time. Remember?"
Chapter completed!