Sokov received a call from Porochenko and found out that the German tank squad that was trying to go around the back of the highlands had been destroyed. He thought it was a bit unbelievable. He thought it was a pity that an anti-tank gun destroyed eight German tanks and four armored vehicles.
If the Germans were really so vulnerable, they should have retreated to the border under the powerful attack of the Soviet army, instead of staying only two or three hundred kilometers away from Moscow and conducting repeated tug-of-war. Sokov was silent for a moment and asked in an incredible tone: "Lieutenant Polochenko, are you sure that the German tank squad has been wiped out by you?"
Regarding Sokov's question, Porochenko answered decisively: "Comrade Battalion Commander, some tankers and soldiers fled back, but their tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed by us. To be precise, anti-tank artillery destroyed seven tanks and three armored vehicles, and the remaining tank and armored vehicles were blown up by anti-tank mines."
Perhaps worried about Sokov asking anything else, he added: "The gunners in our platoon are not only skilled, but also have rich combat experience. It is very easy for them to destroy fixed targets within 300 to 500 meters."
After listening to Porochenko's explanation, Sokov felt that he was a little overthinking. The soldiers in the artillery platoon were rescued from the German prisoner-of-war camp not long ago. Everything they experienced made their hearts full of deep hatred for the invaders, so they would have such an excellent performance on the battlefield.
"Good job, Comrade Lieutenant." After confirming the results, Sokov said approvingly: "I will report the results you have achieved to your superiors and apply for rewards for you."
Porochenko suppressed the excitement in his heart and asked in a calm tone: "Comrade Battalion Commander, what is the next task we will schedule?"
"The mission you arranged is completed." Sokov thought that even if the German army was rich and had lost more than a dozen tanks and armored vehicles, it would be impossible to piece together the same size troops in a short time to detour the highlands. He ordered Porochenko: "You should arrange manpower immediately, dismantle the anti-tank gun, and find a suitable place to bury it."
"What, break the cannon and find a place to bury it?" Porochenko asked in confusion about Sokov's order: "Then how can we deal with the German tanks and armored vehicles in the future?"
"The anti-tank guns you used have long been discontinued, and all the shells were all exhausted, leaving a pile of scrap iron." Sokov explained to Porochenko: "I asked you to break it up and bury it in order to wait until the war is over in the future, and then dig it out and send it to the museum, so that our descendants can remember that in February 1942, the artillery platoon of the Istrian Battalion used 12 shells to destroy a German fast squad..."
"I understand, comrade battalion commander." Porochenko said readily as soon as Sokov finished speaking: "I will immediately arrange for people to remove the anti-tank guns, find a suitable location, and bury it."
As soon as the German shelling of the highlands ended, the infantry immediately launched a charge, trying to cooperate with the roundabout rapid troops to seize the highlands defended by the third company. However, not long after the attack began, the German commander received the news that the rapid troops were destroyed and hurriedly retreated the attacking troops.
Sokov received a call from Stepan and knew that the German army had retreated, he hurriedly asked: "Instructor Stepan, what are the casualties of the troops?"
"I just counted that the entire company can still fight, including the wounded, only 83 people are left."
After listening to Stepan's report, Sokov's heart sank suddenly. He knew that the third company had paid a considerable price to repel the German attacks, but unexpectedly, the number of casualties exceeded half, which was equivalent to being crippled. He asked tentatively: "Comrade Instructor, can your company continue to fight?"
Stepan heard from Sokov's tone that the other party planned to remove the Third Company, and quickly expressed his opinion: "Please rest assured that even if there is one person in the Third Company, the Germans will never be allowed to step on our position."
Thinking that he would change his defense tomorrow. If the situation was not critical, Sokov would not plan to send his company to reinforce the third company. After all, he would be transferred to a new direction soon to participate in a more cruel battle. It would be no harm to have more troops in his hands. However, before putting down the phone, he still reminded Stepan: "When you need support, remember to call me immediately."
The German army attacking the highlands suffered losses, not only losing more than 200 officers and soldiers, but also losing a rapid detachment composed of more than a dozen tanks and armored vehicles. This made the German commander mistakenly believe that on the side of the highlands, the Soviet army deployed at least one or two anti-tank companies, otherwise it would be impossible to destroy his rapid detachment so quickly. Therefore, he gave up his plan to take risks again and stopped attacking the highlands.
Early the next morning, the vanguard of the 411th Infantry Division arrived at the nameless highland. A captain walked into the battalion command post, raised his hand to salute Sokov, and said dryly: "Comrade Major, I am Captain Kochin, the battalion commander of the 1033rd Infantry Division, and I am ordered to come and take over your defense."
"Substitute the defense?!" After Sokov returned the salute to the captain, he looked at Belkin and asked Kochi in surprise: "Comrade Captain, didn't the superior say that he would change defense in the evening? Why did you come so early?"
"Yes, Major." Captain Kochi replied: "Our battalion received an order from his superior yesterday and rushed here to take over the defense before this evening. But his superior suddenly notified us again, saying that you are going to carry out important combat missions, so let us change defense in advance."
After figuring out what happened, Sokov handed over to Captain Kochi. In addition to the detailed defense map of the highlands, he even handed over the minefield distribution map where only ten anti-tank mines were buried to the other party. According to the order brought by Captain Kochi, after the defense change was over, Captain Liuba's female anti-aircraft machine gun company remained in the existing position and continued to be responsible for the air defense operations in the highlands.
Chapter completed!