At that time, Shulka was advancing in coordination with the 158th Independent Tank Regiment... The 8th Motorized Rifle Brigade was responsible for cooperating with this tank regiment.
The word "coordination" is definitely hard work for the infantry, especially in this muddy field. If the tank gets stuck in a hole, the infantry has to toss it out, and it will be covered in mud and water.
Fortunately, Shulka had been in the 1st Guards Tank Brigade before and was familiar with the use of self-rescue bars.
The problem is that the roads in the Soviet Union have never been easy, so they have to repeatedly rescue tanks and sink them all the way.
This is not a pleasant thing to see, especially since the muddy water carries the stench of summer rot, and soon attracts a lot of flies and mosquitoes to "buzz" around them.
While Shulka was waving away these annoying things, Trufanov walked up to Shulka and whispered: "Commissar Bartov has been transferred, and a new political commissar has arrived!"
Shulka soon understood what this meant.
Political Commissar Batov is Trufanov's old subordinate. He and Trufanov get along very well. The two of them command the troops together often through consultation. This is why the 51st Army has been able to maintain its combat effectiveness until today.
One of the reasons.
But now, Political Commissar Bartov said that he should be transferred and replaced by a god who needs to be supported. Everyone knows what this means.
Shulka whispered: "If you meet a German..."
At this point Shulka stopped talking and only raised his eyebrows at Trufanov.
Trufanov nodded slightly and replied: "I'm worried about this too!"
There is no need to say more about what you are worried about.
Shulka and Trufanov had agreed before that after encountering the German army, they would pretend that they could not defeat or break through the enemy's defenses, and the situation ended in a stalemate.
This was no problem at first, but now... when the political commissar comes up, he pulls out his pistol, puts it on the table, and orders: "Charge them all, and I will kill anyone who doesn't charge!"
So can this play continue?
At that time, the 51st Group Army will either break through the enemy's defense line, or, under the order of the political commissar, rush forward team by team and die under the enemy's gunfire.
"Do you think he looks like that?" Shulka asked.
"It's not like that!" Trufanov replied helplessly: "He is! Sent by the Supreme Commander!"
There's trouble now.
While Shulka was worrying about this matter, there was a sudden "boom" and a tank in front rolled over an anti-tank mine.
Shulka, Trufanov and others immediately fell to the ground like a conditioned reflex, even though the ground was covered with mud.
Initially Shurka thought it was just an undischarged mine that was accidentally rolled over, but he soon discovered that this was not the case, because the whistling sound of artillery shells rang out in the air.
"Enemy attack!" Shulka shouted, pulling Trufano and rolling him into the mud pit nearby.
Explosions that followed each other soon rang out all around. Blood, stumps, screams and stinking mud were flying everywhere. The tanks in front were turned into fireballs on the spot.
There were burning people running and struggling all around.
The battlefield is like this. You never know when a sudden danger will come around you. What you were marching just now will immediately turn into a hell on earth.
After more than ten minutes, the artillery fire stopped, leaving only the injured Soviet soldiers wailing and shouting for help.
Shulka crawled out of the muddy water, spit out the mud in his mouth, and then said to the guilty Trufanov next to him: "It seems that we have met the enemy we hoped to meet!"
"Germans?" Trufanov asked.
Shulka raised his head towards the destroyed tanks and replied: "The Germans' 88mm anti-aircraft guns are only used by the Germans. They can destroy our tanks from a distance and from the front!"
Trufanov said "Oh" with a bit of embarrassment on his face.
It’s no wonder that Trufanov didn’t know that he was the commander of the group army. He was only commanding from the headquarters from the beginning of the war to now.
Moreover, judging from the frightened expression on his face, this was probably the first time he had encountered such a scene.
What Shulka didn't know was that at this time Trufanov was so impressed with Shulka.
Because Trufanov is indeed, as Shulka guessed, a young general who grew up in a peaceful society.
Trufanov still has some longevity. He learned some strategies and tactics in the military academy and used them on the battlefield.
Generals who grow up in this way have a shortcoming. They have no or rarely seen real battlefields and dangers.
There is a saying that "peers are jealous of each other." Trufanov was dissatisfied with Shulka before. On the one hand, he was Shulka's superior, and on the other hand, Trufanov was conceited and talented, so he naturally
Shulka, who was more talented than him, was his enemy and rival.
But now, when Trufanov was shocked by the shells fired at him, he found that Shulka seemed to be a perfectly fine person. He immediately realized the gap between himself and Shulka... Shulka
Not only is he a commander who can command battles, he is also an outstanding warrior who can fight on the battlefield.
In other words, Shulka is proficient in every aspect of war and has considerable experience, which Trufanov will never be able to match.
In other words, if Trufanov wants to "compete", he must risk his life.
Seeing Trufanov in a daze, Shulka asked doubtfully: "Comrade Trufanov, are you not injured?"
"No, I'm fine!" Trufanov composed himself and said, "I think... I think I should go back! The Germans may be not far ahead!"
"Yes!" Shulka replied, then stopped Trufanov who was about to leave, lowered his voice and said: "Think of a way, Comrade Trufanov, don't let him give random orders!"
"Yes, I know!" Trufanov nodded.
He here, of course, refers to the new political commissar.
However, Shulka also understands that if such a thing can be delayed once or twice, it is not a long-term solution, and the problem will not be solved in the end.
Shurka's guess was correct. After advancing one kilometer in a trial-controlled manner, he soon discovered that the enemy had built a line of defense in front.
"Sulovkino!" Andrianka reported while checking the map: "They are Germans, their strength and firepower are unknown!"
Shulka took a look at the map and found that the Germans in the secret passage would choose a place, and they were stuck at the turning point of the river. The river could be used as a barrier to cover their flanks, making it difficult for the Soviet army to deploy its forces on the front.
However, this seems to be a good thing for the 51st Army. (To be continued)