When he saw the German army retreating, Saviev couldn't wait to ask Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, are we going to fight back?"
But Sokov refused his request without mercy: "No, comrade Lieutenant, we cannot counterattack." He pointed his hand at the German artillery position in the distance and said, "The snow on the hillside is too deep. If we launch a counterattack, the soldiers will not be able to move quickly. In this way, the German artillery can use artillery fire to destroy our offensive team like shooting a target."
Sokov stood up from the crater and waved his hand at Saviev: "Comrade Lieutenant, the Germans may launch a new attack soon, and you immediately organize people to repair the fortifications. By the way, remember to count the number of casualties in the company."
Shortly after Saviev left, the company instructor Stepan came over. From the moment he discovered that the German army appeared, he had been with the soldiers in the company, and at this moment he came specifically to report the situation in the company to Saviev.
Sokov was very happy to see Stepan's appearance: "Comrade Instructor, you are still alive, this is amazing. Also, I have also seen the battle just now, and the soldiers all acted very bravely."
"Yes, comrade battalion commander, I am still alive." Stepan raised his voice and said to Sokov: "When we were shelled by the enemy, our soldiers were calm and no one was panicked; in the battle, facing the rushing enemy, none of the soldiers fled, and they stubbornly repelled the enemy's attack."
"I have seen all of this, comrade instructor." Sokov knew very well that Stepan had to speak to him in such a loud voice, not because he was afraid that his ear would be deafened by the shells, but to let the nearby soldiers hear what he said. Therefore, he also cooperated with him: "The soldiers of the Third Company are all good, and they have made their own contributions to defending the Soviet motherland."
Not only Stepan heard Sokov's words, but also several soldiers standing nearby heard them, and everyone's faces were covered with smiles.
After almost half an hour, Saviev returned to Sokov. He frowned and said, "Comrade Battalion Commander, the casualties have been counted. In the battle that just ended, we suffered 39 casualties, including 24 and 5 seriously injured. Most of these casualties appeared during German artillery bombardment. The anti-aircraft shelves and covers on the positions were not strong, and several were collapsed by the shells that hit directly."
When Sokov heard Saviev say this, he couldn't help but frown. He didn't expect that the artillery bombardment carried out by several howitzers in the German army would cause such a large casualty. If the German army had another dozen or twenty heavy artillery, as long as it took half an hour to hit, there would probably be few living people on the position.
Stepan sighed and said, "Comrade Battalion Commander, even if we want to build a new anti-aircraft hole now, it is too late to go. Can the Germans start a new artillery bombardment at any time?"
Stepan's complaints made Sokov have new ideas. His brows stretched out and he said to the two with a smile: "Lieutenant Saviev, Instructor Stepan, since we don't have time to repair the anti-aircraft holes and cover, we don't need to repair it."
"No need to repair it?" Hearing Sokov said this, Saviev and Stepan couldn't help but look at each other, and both saw a surprised expression in each other's eyes. Saviev asked in confusion: "Comrade Battalion Commander, our existing anti-aircraft shelter and cover-up department cannot withstand the new round of German artillery bombardment. If they are all blown up, our soldiers will be exposed to the enemy's artillery fire, and there will be heavy casualties at that time."
"If the Germans start shelling again, you can take the soldiers to retreat to the north slope temporarily." Sokov pointed to the north slope behind him and said, "The German artillery positions are on the south side of the highlands. I think no matter how many shells they have, it is not easy to hit the north slope."
"It makes sense, it makes sense." Sokov's words made Saviev and Stepan's thoughts suddenly clear. After hearing this, they nodded repeatedly and said in unison: "Comrade Battalion Commander, this is a good idea. When the enemy's shelling, we will lead the troops to retreat to the north slope first; after the shelling is over, we will return to the position and eliminate the enemies rushing up."
Seeing that the two of them understood their intentions, Sokov nodded with satisfaction. Then he said, "There are no health workers on the position. You can send someone to send the seriously injured. When you come back, you will ask the assistant military doctor to send you a few health workers to you, so that they can treat the injured soldiers in time during the battle."
Sokov's order was faithfully executed by two people. Two squads of soldiers carried five seriously injured people away from the high ground and headed to the health team at the foot of the mountain.
When the soldiers returned, there were two male health workers returning with them. Sokov, standing in the trenches, looked at the health workers walking among the soldiers, and couldn't help but think in his heart: If he didn't let Asia escort the seriously injured person back to Suxinic, then with her personality, she would definitely be one of the two health workers.
Two health workers came to Sokov and reported to him, saying that they were ordered to come to the highland to treat the wounded. Sokov called Stepan and said to him: "Comrade Instructor, these two are the health workers sent by Pavlov. Take him quickly to bandage the wounds to the wounded."
Stepan agreed readily, and then politely said to the health officer: "Comrade Health officer, please come with me, I will take you to the wounded."
After Stepan left with the sanitation officers and the soldiers who carried the seriously injured down the mountain, Saviev walked to Sokov and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Battalion Commander, my company has now suffered one-quarter of its casualties. I guess there will be no one left in a few more battles. Look, when will we be able to replenish our company's troops?"
Sokov looked at Saviev and said bluntly: "Comrade Lieutenant, your company's current task is to defend the high ground. As for the soldiers who have been lost in the battle, I will supplement you when it is appropriate. But if you think your company cannot defend its position, you can ask me and I will immediately change to another company to take over you."
Chapter completed!