According to the plan, the Istrian Battalion will set off in the direction of Popkovo at 3 a.m., and then join the main force of the 11th Guard Division there, and then launch an attack on the villages and towns occupied by the German army.
Unexpectedly, just as the troops were about to set off, the communications platoon leader Maxim hurried over and handed a telegram in his hand to Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, the telegram just arrived at the division headquarters."
"Telecome from the division headquarters?" Sokov was stunned when he heard Maxim say this, thinking that the situation had changed. When he opened the telegram and tried to see the content clearly, Belkin next to him quickly turned on the flashlight to illuminate him.
The content on the telegram was very simple, and I ordered Sokov to rush to the Army Command in Sushinic City immediately. After reading the telegram, Sokov said with some wonder: "In a few hours, the battle will begin, but I was recruited to the Army Command at this time. What's going on."
Belkin also saw the contents of the telegram clearly and urged: "Since it is the order of the superior, then go quickly. As for the troops, I will take them to the meeting place."
Sokov led Oleg and a guard squad to travel for more than three hours. When he arrived at Sushinic, it was already dawn. He was still far from the headquarters, and he saw that there were people standing outside the streets. In addition to soldiers, many of them were wearing casual clothes, but judging from their outfits, they were obviously not residents of Sushinic.
There were several soldiers on duty at the intersection. Seeing Sokov and his group coming, one of the soldiers hurriedly greeted them. After blocking their way, he said politely: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander! The ceremony is being held here and it is not accessible for the time being. Please take a detour!"
"I am Major Sokov, the battalion commander of the Istrian Battalion," Sokov quickly stated his identity to the soldiers: "I was ordered to come to the Army Command."
The soldier knew that Sokov was ordered to come, so he quickly turned his body and gave way to him. Then he waved his head and said, "Go to come, Comrade Major! But you came a little late, and the ceremony had already begun five minutes ago."
Following Sokov, Oleg heard the warrior say this and couldn't help asking curiously: "Rite, what kind of ritual?"
"What other ritual can it be?" the warrior replied with a smile: "Of course it is a flag-giving ceremony!"
"Comrade Battalion Commander," Oleg continued to ask as Sokov and his friends walked towards the commander's office, "Do you know what the flag-raising ceremony is?"
Sokov just received a telegram asking him to the Army Command. He didn't know what the matter was, so he could only answer truthfully when asked Oleg's question: "I don't know either."
When he came outside the crowd, Sokov saw Rokosovsky and the members of the headquarters standing on the steps of the building, but the speaker was not any of them, but a middle-aged man in casual clothes that Sokov had never seen before. The middle-aged man waved his fists and said passionately: "...The militia comrades in the Leningrad region are all good! Given the collective heroism, brave and tenacious fighting spirit and superb military skills they showed in the battle to defend the motherland, the Supreme Command decided to award them the title of the 11th Division of the Guards Infantry..."
When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but wonder: the superiors awarded the honorary titles of the Guard Division to the troops commanded by Cherneshov, which were all the past events a few months ago, so why are the old things being brought up again now? Thinking of this, he raised his hand and patted the shoulder of a man dressed by a worker in front, shouting: "Comrade!"
The man who was patted on the shoulder turned his head and saw clearly that the major was patting his shoulder. He asked politely: "Comrade Commander, is there anything wrong?"
Sokov asked, "Who is the speaker?"
"Besorov," said the man proudly: "Our District Soviet member of the Leningrad District and the head of our delegation. He was the one who presented the flag to the 11th Guard Division on behalf of the Supreme Command Base. Did you know that most of the commanders and fighters of the division were militias from various factories and enterprises in our district..."
Before the man could say anything, Sokov heard Besorov's last two words: "...Now, please General Cherneshov, the commander of the 11th Division of the Guard Infantry, come and receive this glorious flag!"
Amid the thunderous applause, Chernesov walked to Besorov with another lieutenant in agile footsteps, raised his hand to salute, and took the military flag with a serious expression. He saluted Besorov and handed over the flag to Besorov.
The lieutenant shook the flag of the 11th Division of the Guards, allowing the bright red flag to flutter in the morning breeze. Cherneshov knelt on the ground with one leg, held up a corner of the flag with both hands, and kissed it affectionately. The scene was silent in an instant, and all the soldiers raised their hands to salute the flag, and the members of the delegation also saluted with pious expressions.
Chernesov stood up, raised his right hand facing the military flag, and solemnly swore: "For the honor of the 11th Guard Infantry Division, we will swore!"
The commanders and fighters of the 11th Guard Division standing in the crowd, including Sokov and his group, raised their right hands at the same time and followed Chernesov and said, "Let's take a swear!"
Chernesov raised his voice: "We will certainly drive the invaders out of our territory and let Lenin's flag float over the Soviet motherland forever!"
The commanders and soldiers retold Chernesov's oath loudly: "...Let Lenin's flag float forever over the Soviet motherland!"
…………
After the simple flag-raising ceremony, Chernesov and Besorov followed Rokosovsky into the headquarters and came to the delegation to condolences to the troops, and Malining took them to the officers' cafeteria for breakfast.
Sokov found the Chief of Staff and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, the division headquarters sent me a telegram to Sushinic immediately. Is it just to attend this simple flag-raising ceremony?"
"Comrade Major." Hearing Sokov say this, the Chief of Staff immediately corrected him with a stern face and said: "This is not a simple flag-raising ceremony. Have you not seen the people participating in the flag-raising ceremony all from all walks of life from Leningrad District, Moscow? They and our soldiers are from the same place, and they are responsible for the flag-raising ceremony. In order to better encourage the morale of our division, so that the soldiers can have a full fighting spirit in today's battle..."
As soon as the Chief of Staff finished speaking, Sokov immediately asked in confusion: "Comrade Chief of Staff, since this flag-raising ceremony is a disguised oath-taking ceremony, why not be held on the front line but here?"
"Our offensive starting point is within the coverage of German artillery fire." Regarding Sokov's question, the Chief of Staff explained to him: "In order to protect the safety of the delegation's comrades, we arranged the flag-raising ceremony to be held in the city of Sushinic." Speaking of this, he raised his hand and looked at the watch, adding, "Major Sokov, now three hours before the start of the offensive, you can go to the officers' cafeteria to eat first, and then immediately rush to the front line to command the battle."
Thanks to the invincible Xiao Xixi, book friend 20171027091759733, there is no meat in the bean bag, book friend 20180415064118655, hopeless and meaningless reward support!
Chapter completed!