The restlessness caused by a light plane broke the tranquility of Gomel.
The officers and soldiers of the German 722nd Infantry Division stationed here looked for the noise and saw the aircraft. Although the majority of infantrymen did not know the specific model of the aircraft, the huge black cross painting on its fuselage indicated that it was an aircraft.
A German aircraft.
However, this plane is like an old eagle. It keeps trembling when flying, and its dilapidated fuselage is simply crumbling.
Paul, who was flying the plane, finally breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the city.
Before arriving in Gomel, the contact with the airport was inexplicably connected again. Without thinking much, he immediately reported his tragic situation!
In his narrative, the condition of the plane was described as very bad, which made Koch a little doubtful. Until he stood at the airport in person and watched the plane that was almost crashing from a distance and landing abnormally.
The so-called landing means that shortly after the landing gear that could not be retracted hit the ground, it suddenly broke. The aircraft fell directly over. Fortunately, the auxiliary fuel tank was abandoned during the escape, and there was not much fuel left.
The upside-down plane had been scrapped. Paul staggered out and faced his comrades and his superiors who greeted him.
"What the hell! What happened to you?! It's just like what was reported on the radio, this plane is really doomed! If this is a white stork, then it must be a bald white stork!"
The impact just now caused Paul's own ribs to break. He endured the pain in his lungs and groaned softly: "Yes... the plane is over now! Compared to this, I have made a surprising discovery!"
"It must be some kind of Russian mine! You already said it!" Koch couldn't bear to look at the embarrassment of his subordinates, and was secretly happy for this madman. He comforted: "Don't worry about the intelligence in advance. You go to the hospital first.
Rest for a while and report back when you feel comfortable!"
Paul really wanted to rest, and it was great to have his legs rubbed by the young nurse at the airport hospital!
After he was quickly taken away, Koch and several pilots under his command were left, and they began to study the aircraft with infinite curiosity.
I saw that although the plane was upside down, the numerous injuries on its fuselage and wings were definitely not caused by the moment it fell! Especially the aluminum alloy wings were actually covered with large and small bullet holes. Science
He counted it himself and found that there were forty-five places.
"Alas! Our wing main beam should be made strong enough, otherwise this lucky guy would have died today!"
Koch had to wake up for Paul, especially when he saw that the passenger seat in the middle had been punched in half, the glass was long gone, and the seats were shattered.
After all, this German commander had driven a three-winged Ford into air combat with the British Army during World War I. He boasted of his rich experience in air combat. What weapon caused the scars on the White Stork reconnaissance plane? All he could think of was
They were hit by anti-aircraft machine guns, and they even had larger-caliber weapons!
He couldn't help but take a breath: "These Russians, their combat effectiveness has become like this? This Paul, he is so lucky!"
Regardless of what he can get from this investigation, Koch now has to re-evaluate the air defense capabilities of the Russians in the swamp. After all, the mission of his aviation group is to coordinate and station here in future battles.
707th Division and 722nd Division.
A large number of Russians are indeed in the swamps. The current situation is that if the bomber formation attacks, will it encounter strong ground fire? The aviation group can no longer suffer setbacks, such as the loss of today's reconnaissance aircraft. Koch has already defended himself.
Booked a scolding from the boss!
Of course, he will not shrink back because of this small loss. It is all because of the tragedy of almost annihilating the entire army, which has become his eternal heartache, and he is more afraid of the swamp. He has reason to take revenge. If revenge is based on a major
In terms of losses, he still needs to carefully weigh it.
Regardless of whether Paul would have a good rest today or whether he would report in detail today, Koch immediately convened a military meeting based on the existing investigation intelligence.
A group of pilots gathered together and everyone learned two terrible facts: first, the enemy had strong anti-aircraft firepower and should not be careless; second, the enemy was using a mine, which was an important military target.
The military meeting did not produce any substantive results. After all, except for Paul's detailed report, no one knew the detailed location of the so-called mine or some other valuable targets. Furthermore, Koch also analyzed that the enemy's powerful air defense
The place of fire must be the enemy's core area, which may be the enemy's barracks. Bombing these areas can also achieve great results!
A risky idea brewed in Koch's mind: "Maybe we have to do another reconnaissance."
…
This field airport of the German army was opened by the local garrison and forced the citizens of Gomel. Only a small number of Soviet citizens had the courage to directly confront the enemies in the occupied areas. The vast majority of them were facing the Germans.
Intimidated by machine guns and bayonets, people chose to retreat.
The officers and soldiers of the German 722nd Division vented their hatred of defeat on these civilians. When they forced the citizens to work, they shot and killed the resisters with almost partial justification.
It was against this background that the airport was established.
The airport is very well-equipped, with bars, clubs, and even gyms. The doctors and nurses in the field hospital located at the airport are also German. There are a large number of young female nurses with blond hair and blue eyes who have just turned 20 years old.
Wearing the badges of the "League of German Girls" and with the enthusiasm to build a new Germany, they came to the Soviet Union.
These girls are just like Greta back then. They are full of disdain and contempt for non-Germans, and believe that the strong should have the power of life and death. Of course, they also have a disdain for these young and handsome German pilots who are soaring in the sky.
Full of admiration and even love.
Therefore, in the hospital, Paul not only bandaged his wounds and performed a physical examination, but even boasted to the nurses. He fell in love with a girl and wanted to develop the relationship. However, the battlefield Gestapo had already set up an office here.
, the army also has gendarmerie stationed there. The management here is extremely strict in terms of military discipline. For no other reason than the last disastrous defeat of the Koch Air Group, the senior management believed that these soldiers had a really close relationship with those Ukrainian women, and they were addicted to this kind of sugar-coated bullets.
The army's discipline was lax, so the defense was in a mess and the enemy could easily infiltrate.
Paul told the girls how he broke through the Russian fire blockade and discovered their mine.
The people hospitalized here are all garrison soldiers who are recovering here due to colds, fevers and other diseases. Almost all of them are young people only 21 years old, and they even just arrived here by truck two weeks ago (
Because the railway was blown up again). They were happy to hear the real battle, so they naturally gathered around and listened to Paul's nonsense.
That night, Paul had a sumptuous meal, including bread, sausages, and even red wine. These high-quality meals were exclusive to pilots. Ordinary soldiers in the garrison only ate black bread and potatoes. In this regard, the soldiers in the garrison did the same.
There were complaints. They were not envious of the pilots' good life, but they were very dissatisfied with their situation.
Why can other troops go to fight on the front line?! Why must the 722nd Division to which he belongs have to stay and watch out for the Russians in the swamps?!
These new recruits only learned about the strength of the enemy in the swamps from the veterans. Of course, they dismissed the veterans' excessive descriptions before they personally participated in the battle.
When Paul was full and full, he questioned leaving. Naturally, this move was not allowed by his full-time nurse.
"Don't stop me! Maria! I have to report to the captain. Information is more important than my life!"
These righteous words easily convinced the young nurse who had a crush on him. Accompanied by the nurse named Maria, Paul went straight to the captain's office.