The Istrian Battalion left the garrison and advanced towards the Dym area. According to the prior plan, they should arrive at the Dym area within two days to cooperate with the upcoming attack by the Front troops.
Before departure, the commanders and soldiers of the battalion were full of confidence in rushing to the Dym area on time. After all, before that, they had marching more than 200 kilometers in three days. But after they entered the forest and swamp areas, both Sokov and the ordinary soldiers below felt a headache. They marched in the gloomy forest and swamp, not only were they lost and accidentally swallowed by the swamp, but they also had to be wary of snakes, insects, rats and ants that were in danger at any time. In this case, not to mention walking more than 100 kilometers in two days, even if they had twice the time, it would be difficult to reach their destination on time.
Therefore, on the first day of camping, Sokov sent someone to inform Berkin and the three company commanders to have a meeting in the command post set up in the hut in the forest, and to study how to speed up the march.
Since the first company was the vanguard, Sokov first asked Wanya: "Captain Wanya, can you find a better way to walk? The roads I took today cannot go twenty kilometers a day. If we continue like this, we will not be able to reach the designated location without four or five days."
"There is no way, Comrade Battalion Commander." Wanya spread his hands and said helplessly: "The guide took us on the fastest and safest road. It is impossible to increase the speed. After all, the soldiers carry thirty or forty kilograms of ammunition and supplies, and even if they want to, they can't get up."
"Comrade Battalion Commander," Andrei and others said, immediately asked Sokov: "Do you see if you can order the soldiers of the First Company to keep the supplies and continue to move forward in a lightweight manner. The supplies they left behind can be carried by the soldiers of our Third Company."
Andrei's proposal made Sokov feel a little moved. He quickly turned his head and looked at Wanya and asked, "Captain Wanya, do you think this method is OK?"
Wanya remained silent. To be honest, if he reduced the burden on his soldiers, it would indeed speed up their marching speed, but at the same time it also brought a new problem. If he carried less materials, it would weaken the troops' ability to attack. If he encountered a location that needed to attack, he might not be able to conquer at all.
Just as everyone was focusing on Vanya and waiting for his reply, an officer suddenly broke in from outside and reported loudly: "Report, there were signs of troops operating from these three kilometers away."
"Is there any troops moving nearby?" Everyone was shocked when they heard this hour. Sokov asked quickly: "How many of them are there? Are they ours or enemies?"
However, in the face of Sokov's series of questions, the officer shook his head blankly and replied: "Comrade Major, I heard from the comrades who were behind that they discovered this army a few kilometers away. If they hadn't seen the signs left by us, they would have almost thought that those people were us."
"Call Christopher over!" As soon as Sokov and other officers finished speaking, they immediately ordered him, "I will arrange important tasks for him."
Although the reconnaissance platoon had been incorporated into the first company, the troops commanded by Lieutenant Christopher often had to perform some special tasks. Not long after, the officer brought Christopher in. Seeing that the company-level commanders were all meeting here, Sokov personally sent someone to call him. There must be something important, so he asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, do you have any instructions?"
"That's right, Comrade Lieutenant." Sokov said to Christopher: "We got the information and found a mysterious army a few kilometers away from here. The task I give you is to find out who they are, how many troops they have, and where they are hiding in the shortest time. Is there any problem?"
"No problem." Christopher agreed loudly, then asked back: "Comrade Major, are you allowed to go back to the army to arrange reconnaissance missions?"
"Go, lieutenant." Sokov nodded at Christopher: "I'm waiting for your good news here."
Christopher left for the front feet, and Sokov immediately said to the company commanders present: "Since we don't know whether the troops appearing nearby are friendly forces or enemies, we must prepare for battle immediately. The three company commanders immediately return to their respective companies and set up defenses around the camp."
The three company commanders agreed, stood up and saluted Sokov, and turned around and left the battalion command post. After seeing that he was the only one left in the house, Belkin asked tentatively: "Comrade Major, do you think the troops that are active in the vicinity are our people or enemies?"
"It's hard to say," Sokov said hesitantly: "Maybe it's a friendly army or a German airborne team. People come!" Seeing this, Sokov suddenly shouted at the door.
Soon, Selyosha appeared at the door, looked at Sokov and asked, "Comrade Major, do you have any instructions?"
"According to the report, there may be a small group of enemies near us." Although we have not yet figured out the troops operating nearby, whether they are enemies or friends, Sokov was unwilling to take risks, so he ordered Selyosha: "Comrade Lieutenant, immediately order the soldiers of the police platoon to arrange circular defenses near the command post to avoid being attacked by the enemy."
"Don't worry, Major." When Selyosha heard Sokov say this, he immediately replied expressionlessly: "I will immediately ask the soldiers to dig out individual bunkers around the command post and establish a circular defense."
Seryosha had just led the soldiers of the police platoon to establish a circular defense around the command post. He personally led a team to carry out reconnaissance missions. Christopher, who had sent a telegram, wrote: "We have contacted the troops operating in the forest. They are soldiers of the 297th Division of the Infantry Division of the 21st Army. During the Battle of Kharkov, they were disbanded by the German army. Because they found themselves surrounded by the German army, they did not blindly take breakthrough actions, but stayed nearby to fight guerrillas."
When he learned that the troops operating nearby were friendly forces that were disbanded by the German army in the Battle of Kharkov, the stone hanging in his heart finally fell into the map. He immediately ordered the radio operator to call back and asked Christopher to take all the people back to the camp, and he wanted to have a good talk with them.
After waiting for almost an hour, Christopher, covered in mud and water, walked into the command post with a captain. Christopher introduced to the other party, "This is Major Sokov."
Chapter completed!