The Pripet River is not wide, and many waters are even less deep. Yang Mingzhi still remembers the scene when the army crossed the river last year, that is, everyone rolled up their trousers and waded across the river. But the river mud was thick, and the actual water depth was
Waist length.
At that time, I was wading through the water with my wife on my back, and my pants were covered in mud, but she was in good condition.
Now this kind of stupid mistake can no longer happen, a pontoon bridge has been laid on the river.
The single-person fishing boats were pieced together and connected by thick hemp ropes. The water flow washed them into a crescent shape, and thick wooden boards were laid on them. After visual inspection, the pontoon was nearly 100 meters long, and more than 2,000 people passed through it.
It is a muddy river, so there is no need to worry about wet shoes.
The militiamen guarding here have been waiting here since the pontoon bridge was completed yesterday. They camped here to eat, just to wait for the passage of the army today. After it passed, the pontoon bridge turned into small boats for the Soviet army, and the militiamen suddenly turned into small boats.
Fishermen traveling between swampy rivers.
The entire army gathered in front of the pontoon bridge. Yang Mingzhi looked at his watch and saw that it was past nine o'clock in the morning.
As an action guide, Peronisky has been following the commander. He said with some worry: "This time we are moving a little slower. If we can arrive here when the sun has just risen, we will be in the sky at the fastest speed."
Arrive at the railway before dark."
"Yes! We have to travel another fifty kilometers to cross the river! This is a huge test for everyone!" Yang Mingzhi couldn't help stroking his luggage. Because he was an officer, he didn't have to carry too many supplies, such as firearms.
Only the pistol in his waistband.
The troops can't wait any longer!
Yang Mingzhi stood at the end of the bridge, ignoring the villagers who were watching the spectacular scene, raised his right arm and pointed due west, shouting: "Comrades! Now, we are going to cross the Pripet River! The veterans all know that we are retreating into the swamp.
The route to the ground! Yes, this is the road. Let’s cross the river and fight back along the original road! Listen to my order and set off as a whole group! Paratrooper battalion! Take the lead!”
Several platoon commanders in Balzen's unit were the original soldiers of the 284th Division. Like Yang Mingzhi, they understood very well that crossing the river had great spiritual significance.
The flag bearer held the red flag high, and the team ran neatly across the pontoon bridge in two rows, and began to move towards the edge of the swamp.
…
There are a large number of river channels on both sides of the Pripet River. In winter, these branch river channels and even the main river channel are frozen by solid ice. When spring arrives, mud becomes the biggest feature of this area.
Yang Mingzhi took it for granted that he knew this area well, until he had to face the mud on the ground again.
Including himself, almost everyone's leggings were black, and people had to grope in the mud. Even if the mud in some areas was up to the knees, the march could not be stopped.
"Damn it! There wasn't so much mud here at this time last year! What happened today?" Yang Mingzhi complained.
Peronisky gave a reasonable explanation, that is, it rained for several consecutive days 20 days ago, and the environment here has changed significantly.
What he said makes sense, Yang Mingzhi thought, that is, the location of Blacksmith Village is relatively far away from the river, so the ground is quite dry.
What Yang Mingzhi is most worried about is that the mud is delaying the march of the troops. It is ironic to say that seven years ago, the Chinese Red Army faced a similar dilemma when they crossed the Molgai Meadow. Today, the Soviet Red Army led by him also faced a similar dilemma.
Tasted!
The troops were struggling in the mud until two o'clock in the afternoon. Binggui's quick plan was no longer possible! Fortunately, according to the plan, the troops should arrive at the first target on the second day after the operation at the latest, and it was only the first day.
The march will not go much further.
After leaving the mud, the army entered the forest area. A large number of woods were arranged in groups. There were large and small plains in the forest, and there were also a large number of puddles dotted here and there. Belarus is known as the country of a thousand lakes.
It is such an environmental feature.
It is precisely because of this that there is only one kettle in the soldier's bag. No one will worry about not being able to drink water. Here, drinking water is as simple as breathing.
For many soldiers, in the past, they just filled water bottles by the stream and held tons of water, without any concern about whether they would get sick.
Yang Mingzhi did not dare to take risks, so he added the order "You must drink hot water when camping in the field" to the 284th Division.
Under the setting sun, more than two thousand people went into the forest to camp. As usual, the soldiers first prepared a ring defense, with the baggage donkeys and non-combatants in the center of the circle, which is also where the headquarters is located.
A large number of bonfires have been lit in the camp. Because of the cover of a large number of broad-leaved birch forests, no one will worry about them being exposed. The soldiers are extremely tired, and even so, no one really wants to be sloppy. The pond near the camp is completely a natural raccoon.
Washing pool, where people clean their muddy shoes and pants.
After the soldiers took the time to set up their shacks, they formed a circle around the bonfire, baking their clean clothes and heating their lunch boxes by the flames.
Some of the soldiers were lazy. They mixed the milk powder and biscuit powder in their pockets, mixed it with water, and made a bowl of thick paste. It was a bit like oatmeal, and it tasted like taking people to heaven.
.This kind of eating method spread almost throughout the entire camp, so that the fragrant smell miraculously covered up the earthy smell.
Because of exhaustion and the temptation of delicious food, the soldiers cheered up and wolfed down the food.
Yang Mingzhi was not so elegant. He called all the battalion commanders to his side and held a military meeting.
"Comrades! We encountered a small setback in the operation that started today! That damn mud actually delayed us for nearly five hours, and this is not the worst. I have marked our army's march route on the map.
It took us five hours to trek five kilometers!
According to the original plan, our army will march no less than fifty kilometers today, but so far we have only completed thirty kilometers! Even if we walk at night, we will not be able to reach our destination.
Therefore, the attack was originally scheduled to be launched tomorrow morning, but it had to be delayed!
Now let’s talk about what you think.”
Reichev and Bondanov, the commanders of the paratrooper battalion, remained silent, even though they complained in their hearts.
The scene was silent for a while, and Balzen said carelessly: "According to the plan, there are only twenty kilometers left! What does this distance mean? The moonlight is enough to illuminate us. Even if we walk slower, we will definitely reach it at dawn tomorrow!"
Yang Mingzhi smiled slightly. What this guy said made sense, but it was just difficult to operate. He responded: "Balzen, I believe the reconnaissance battalion can complete such a task! But looking at our current situation, not everyone is such a superman.
In addition to our march in Novgomel, we carried 30 kilograms of load and marched 65 kilometers! In the current situation, I am afraid that most scouts cannot do it!"
"But! My soldiers are the strongest!" Barzen growled with his head raised slightly, "Even if we carry heavy equipment, we can still complete this kind of attack mission! The commander has always emphasized that the reconnaissance battalion is a sharp knife, fast and
Attacking is its mission. I know my men well, and I will definitely reach my destination before dawn tomorrow!"
"Hehe! Are you asking for a fight?" Yang Mingzhi became interested, "But I don't want my subordinates to be tired and panting. If the soldiers are exhausted, there is no chance of a fierce battle. So what can you do?
Guarantee? Balzen! The reconnaissance battalion is equipped with the largest number of large-caliber rocket launchers we have!"