Before boarding the plane, Katukov held Shulka's hand and said: "Thank you for everything you have done for the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, Comrade Shulka, and for those victories. It is no exaggeration to say,
Without you, we may not be able to stop the German attack. I, and the soldiers of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade, they will keep this in mind!"
Shulka didn't say anything, he just saluted Katukov upright, then turned around and walked onto the plane.
The plane accelerated on the runway with a "rumble" of motors and then flew into the air.
Katukov stood below for a long time, unwilling to leave.
The staff officer was worried about Katukov's health and got out of the car to urge him.
Katukov shook his head, sighed, and said: "Oleg, do you know what we have lost? He can almost be said to be the soul of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade!"
"No, Colonel, you are!"
"You don't understand!" Katukov smiled bitterly: "It may take some time for us to recover!"
Katukov was right.
Although Shurka was transferred in the name of promotion, in fact everyone knew that this was a real promotion, so it would inevitably cause a blow to the morale of the 1st Guards Tank Brigade.
What's even more serious is that soon after, Katukov was promoted to commander of the 3rd Mechanized Corps.
The two soul figures Katukov and Shulka left the 1st Guards Tank Brigade at the same time... Although they were both promoted, and Katukov became the direct superior of the 1st Brigade, it is different after all without direct command. This
The 1st Guards Tank Brigade was depressed for a period of time. (Note: The 1st Guards Tank Brigade is a unit directly under the 3rd Mechanized Army)
Shulka was sitting on the plane, looking at the Crimea in the night through the window with a heavy heart.
He didn't even have time to say goodbye to his comrades, so he left his comrades who had shared life and death with him, not knowing when he would see them again, or whether they would never have the chance to meet again.
After sighing, Shulka realized that he was too careless.
At this time, the Soviet Union was taboo about supporting its troops and respecting itself. Even the marshal could easily have his power taken away, and even his life could not be saved when being interrogated.
But I only wanted to kill the enemy and fight, but I didn't expect that my reputation was big enough to influence one party's forces and even make them fight against the authority.
This was obviously not allowed by the Supreme Command, hence the transfer.
However, Shulka believed that he would not be in any danger.
On the one hand, it was because he had not performed any extreme actions before, such as leading troops to confront Mahlis.
On the other hand, it's because it's a war.
The war needs people like Shulka. Although the Supreme Command is not good at commanding operations, it is not stupid enough to destroy the Great Wall at this critical moment.
From this point of view, Shulka should also thank the German army for this war. If it were a peaceful time... I'm afraid it would not be the case.
The plane flew for several hours in the dark and landed at an airport when Shulka fell asleep.
"Where is this?" Shulka asked the pilot.
"Ulyupinsk, sir!" the pilot replied.
Shulka knew this city. He had passed through it when traveling between Moscow and Stalingrad many times before, so he knew that this was a city more than 300 kilometers away from Stalingrad, but he had never stopped here.
After getting off the plane, Shulka was confused.
Because the entire airport was empty, there was nothing except a few busy staff and a few sparse planes.
"Where is the military camp?" Shulka asked the pilot as he stepped off the plane and drank a Vodka.
"I don't know, sir!" the pilot spread his hands and replied, "I just took off on time and got here!"
Shulka had no choice but to wrap up her coat and brave the heavy snow and walk toward the airport exit.
Perhaps because they were worried that the airport would be bombed by the Germans, the surroundings were pitch dark without any light.
Shulka took out the transfer letter from his arms, hid in a corner and used a flashlight under the cover of his windbreaker. After reading it again, he confirmed that there was no indication of the target location.
This confused Shulka even more.
Someone should be coming to pick him up at this time, that is, the 82nd Infantry Regiment. They should have been notified that Shurka, the deputy commander, would arrive at this time.
Full of doubts, Shulka walked aimlessly in the wind and snow after walking out of the airport, and met a group of militiamen patrolling at night.
Shulka hurried forward to stop them and asked: "Comrade, do you know where the 82nd Infantry Regiment of the 27th Infantry Division is?"
The militiamen were stunned for a moment, then shined a flashlight on Shulka with a black cloth and asked: "What's your ID, comrade captain!"
Shulka vaguely felt that he had become a "suspect" again...but this seemed to be normal, because there were always too many German spies dressed as Soviet soldiers to inquire for information, and the Branfenburg troops were one of them.
The leader of the militia wore a peaked cap. He took the ID, looked at it, and then immediately ordered: "Catch him, he is a spy!"
Several militiamen cheered, surrounded him, and pointed their guns at Shulka.
"What's going on?" Shulka asked.
The peaked cap raised the certificate in his hand, and then said to the others: "Comrades, he said his name is Shulka, Shulka from the 1st Guards Tank Brigade!"
The militiamen were stunned for a moment, and then suddenly burst into laughter.
"Oh, Comrade Shulka, I salute you!"
"The great 'breakout hero' actually appeared here alone in the middle of the night?"
"Don't you spies find someone to disguise themselves that you can easily get past?"
…
Only then did Shulka realize what had happened. Although their documents were authentic, they simply did not believe that the legendary "breakout hero" would appear here alone in the middle of the night.
The peaked cap stepped forward and handed over Shulka's gun and said: "Aren't you looking for the 82nd Infantry Regiment? We are!"
"Are you the 82nd Infantry Regiment?"
"You shouldn't tell him this, Comrade Valery!" someone reminded the cap.
"Why not?" the peaked cap replied: "He has been caught by us, hasn't he? We no longer need to worry about him informing his comrades!"
"Take me to your captain!" Shulka said.
Shulka's words soon elicited a burst of laughter.
"Yes, 'Breakout Hero'!" The peaked hat replied: "Perhaps, we will also take you to see God!"
At this time, a carriage passed by with the driver shouting. Seeing this, he took off the reins and shouted: "Is this Comrade Shulka? I'm here to pick you up. I'm sorry for being late!"