The explosion was deafening, and air waves swept across the forest. Natasha was also blown down by the strong wind while walking under the woods.
The girl climbed up from the snowdrift, took off her helmet, and patted her head, which was shaken by the ringing in her ears. This made her feel better.
She raised her head and saw that the fire was burning in the direction of the airport. "It's history repeating itself. I remember what happened a few months ago again."
"Is it Kuta town?" Igor asked.
"Yes. At that time, we also attacked and retreated in the forest."
"But this time, ours was negligible. That was indeed the bloodiest battle." Igor said. In fact, of the ninety-nine people who participated in the attack, ninety came back. In other words, the entire attack on the airport
In the battle, the Soviet army completely destroyed the German air brigade at the cost of only nine sacrifices.
So how heavy were the German losses?
Captain Koch of the Second Group of the Zemelmann Aviation Company was very lucky to escape the attack and explosion. Many of his pilots and ground crew also managed to escape. There were more than 100 of them, so the evacuation
Early in the morning, when the explosion occurred, the shock wave did very little damage to these people. It was just that everyone was thrown into the mud, and the airport was like a purgatory. After recovering, they said nothing and gasped at the disaster scene.
No one doubted that the entire airport was in ruins. All the planes must have been completely burned. The explosion was so powerful that pilots with a little common sense knew that it was an ammunition depot that exploded. Their aerial bombs destroyed all their planes.
.
The most important dive bombers, fighters, reconnaissance aircraft and transport aircraft, a total of forty aircraft, some were bombed by the Soviet army early, and some were destroyed in the subsequent big explosion.
The shock wave of the explosion also spread to the oil depot. The iron barrels were crushed by the strong pressure, and the fuel sprayed out and ignited. The burning of gasoline made the fire even more amazing, and even under the moonlight, its dense smoke was still faintly visible.
Koch was stunned for a long time and finally said: "Brothers, we are really lucky. The report of the 715th Division is completely correct. The fighting power of these enemies is really too strong. They are not gangsters or stragglers at all. We were attacked by them in a sneak attack
, everything has been lost.”
"But, we are still alive." One pilot comforted.
"Alive?" Koch looked up at the sky and couldn't help but giggle. "Yes, still alive. This is my failure. How can I continue to live?" After that, in grief and anger, he simply pulled out his pistol and pointed the gun directly at it.
Put it on your chin.
He was about to commit suicide, but Adler, with quick eyesight and quick hands, immediately pushed away Koch's hand. The gunshot rang out and the bullet hit the tree.
"Captain! You're crazy!" At this time, Adler could no longer estimate that much, and simply slapped Koch. This slap finally woke him up.
Adler yelled: "Your behavior is cowardly. We are still in the danger zone. If you die, what will we do? Are we made to be prisoners of the Soviets? Are we to be tortured and killed by them? Don't do it with death."
escape."
At this critical moment, Koch finally came to his senses. Yes, the commander committed suicide, and the entire team was finished.
He threw away the pistol and sat on the ground dejectedly. Everyone, including him, was really confused and confused.
If everyone continues to sink, once they are attacked by the enemy, it will be all over.
At this time, Adler, nicknamed Hawkeye, stood up, holding a Mauser rifle like a scepter. "Brothers, we must cheer up. Now everyone listens to my command. Everyone who has everything they can fight
Arms men, stand up! We have to get out of here and find our reinforcements!"
In the chaos, some people were able to step forward and make seemingly reliable decisions, including Koch himself, who now simply authorized Adler to be his adjutant. He ordered: "Now is the most important time for our flying group."
At this tragic moment, you have the wisdom to lead us out of the predicament, so you will temporarily serve as the commander."
Adler was ordered to do so at the critical moment. He and his comrades lost their plane and now they could only serve as infantry with poor equipment. Half of them were unarmed and could only use thick branches and daggers as weapons, and some of them held pistols with few bullets.
Among the more than a hundred people, there were only ten long guns and one mg34 with only 300 bullets.
Everyone knows that four infantry battalions of the 715th Division are approaching the airport. They are advancing hard in the forest and marching very slowly. Moreover, the enemy's attack was too sudden. They came and went like the wind and now they have disappeared without a trace.
As dawn was approaching, Adler made a decision - all the living people would go south in the hope of meeting reinforcements. Before taking action, they rushed to the burning airport to collect anything that could be used. After all, this was
There were more than a hundred people, most of whom were disheveled. There were even some unlucky ones who just wore white underwear, wrapped themselves in a coat and ran outside.
The original airport had been changed beyond recognition, and all those who had not had time to escape had lost their lives. Human wailing could be heard in the forest. The surviving soldiers, workers, and family members, and even the dancing girl in the tavern, staggered back to the airport.
Airport.
In the forest, there is only coldness and helplessness. It is better to warm up by the fire at the airport.
What Adler saw was devastation. The Air Force headquarters was razed to the ground, and all the dormitories were burned to rubble. The wreckage of the planes that ran up were blown away, including those in the hangar. Those planes had been exposed.
The wings were broken one after another.
Koch's spirit was broken. He knelt on the ground and choked speechlessly. A good airport turned into a tragic battlefield in just a few hours.
The living people came back one after another, mostly workers. After all, they were the first to flee after hearing the news. In addition, there were only a few soldiers. This infantry battalion was responsible for guarding the airport, and most of them died.
The Soviet attack had unexpected and disastrous results due to the explosion of the ammunition depot.
The helpless Koch completely lost his former vigor, and the baton was handed over to Adler. He immediately ordered the living people to pack up useful things. Of course, he only ordered the soldiers. Under the disaster, those civilian workers no longer mattered.
Already.
As the sun rose, Adler ordered the soldiers and his pilots to go south to meet reinforcements. The workers had no choice but to follow the soldiers.
Lumberjacks, blacksmiths, carpenters, and even showgirls, they were left here only to die. In this way, a very slovenly team began to travel through the forest, praying for help.
Balzen's reconnaissance company chose to go north. There was no other reason. It was already clear that the enemy was reinforcing the airport. Their reinforcements were at least the size of a regiment. Going south would be like hitting a stone with an egg.
The mission has been completed. Balzen needs to make a tactical turn and make a big circle before heading south.
In the process, they finally met their friendly forces. (To be continued.) 8