War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 403 Target Freight Station

At the same time that Shula, Ivan and others drove the horse-drawn sledge back to the camp, Wei Ran also finished eating the black bread soaked in broth while chatting with everyone.

For Slava and the others, this dinner with wine and meat is as rich as Chinese New Year, but for Wei Ran, it smells strongly of fishy smell, but tastes only a little salty The broth was not really tasty.

But even so, he still ate all the broth in the wooden bowl, the plant roots, and the slices of bread distributed to him without any waste.

After drinking the last sip of wine in the glass, Wei Ran and Slava made an appointment to go out on patrol the next morning, and then they walked towards their own shack in the dark.

Adding more firewood to the small fireplace, Wei Ran lay on the fairly soft animal skin blanket and soon fell asleep.

It was midnight, and Ivan and others drove the horse-drawn sledge back to the camp quietly.

"How's the situation over there?" Teacher Jaina, who had been waiting for them, asked in a low voice.

"There seem to be more wounded." While speaking, Ivan also took out the pack of cigarettes and handed it to the other party.

"Good boy, go back to sleep." Teacher Jaina took the cigarette case and put it in her pocket and urged.

Ivan opened his mouth, and finally turned around honestly and walked towards the shack where he and Sergey shared.

Until this time, Jaina greeted Shura who was standing aside and Uncle Slava walked into her shack together and closed the wooden door, sitting around a table made of ammunition boxes.

With the faint light from the kerosene lamp, Jaina first took out three cigarettes from the cigarette case and distributed them to the other two, and then took out a stacked note from the cigarette case.

Looking at the medicines and medical equipment listed on the note, Jaina couldn't help but frowned, "I'm afraid these things can only be found on Germans."

"Or shall we try again on the railway line?"

Shula lit a cigarette and suggested in a low voice, "Last time Alisa sent a box full of explosives, this time it should be enough for us to keep the German train behind."

"It's useless even if you stay"

Slava shook his head, "We can blow up the German locomotives and their railway lines. But we may not be able to find urgently needed medicines from their trains."

"Or let Alisa think of a way?"

Shula quickly had a second thought, "If I remember correctly, Alisa will come to deliver supplies to us the night after tomorrow. Maybe other guerrillas have urgently needed medicines for the hospital?"

"Those wounded in the hospital can't wait so long."

Gianna reminded, "It will take at least a week for her to find the medicine from other guerrillas and send it over."

"We can think about the freight train station outside the forest." Slava said as he stubbed out his cigarette, "but we can't do it alone."

Hearing this, Shura immediately reminded, "It's no easier to snatch that freight station than the next train. It is said that there is an armored train parked there, and more than two hundred Germans are stationed there."

"Armored trains are a real problem"

Slava expressed his plan confidently, "But we just need to find a way to divert the armored train away."

"How do we do it?" Teacher Jaina asked as she also stubbed out her cigarette.

"This matter requires us to split up"

Slava first set the major premise, and then continued, "I remember Alisa sent a box full of explosives last time, we can find an opportunity to help the Germans remove some rails, and wait for their freight train After being stopped, as long as the noise is big enough, the armored train at the freight station and the German soldiers stationed there will definitely come to support. We just need to take advantage of this time to move the rails between the armored train and the freight station. Hands and feet, it will be much easier to take down the freight station."

"Only by us?"

Shura reminded distressedly, "Even if we add Ivan and his fellows, and those near the hospital, we can't make up 50 people. At least half of the people are needed to stop the German train, and the rest There's no way the other half will take the cargo terminal."

"We really don't have enough people"

Uncle Slava said with a smile, "But our guerrillas are not the only ones in this forest. If I remember correctly, there are two 45mm anti-tank units in Aufjay not far from us. In addition, in Antip, which is a little further away, their guerrilla fighters are almost over a hundred.

So as long as they can help together, not only are we likely to take down the freight station, but we can also stockpile enough supplies before winter comes. "

Shula licked her lips and muttered to herself, "This is a big move! But it's really like what you said, even if it wasn't because of the lack of medicines in the hospital, the freight train station alone would be enough to tempt everyone."

"And it needs to be done as soon as possible"

Having said that, Slava tapped on the table lightly, "Shura, you go now to contact Ofjay and Antip and ask them if they are willing to help. If they have no objection, ask them to go tomorrow night Discuss the backup camp."

"Do you want to send some people from the hospital to help?" Jaina asked.

"It is enough to draw 15 people, so that we can gather about 30 fighters here, so many people are enough."

"Where's that reporter?" Jaina asked, puffing, "Take him or leave him in the camp?"

"I'll ask him what he thinks when I'm on patrol tomorrow."

Slava said expectantly, "Perhaps this matter will not only be published in the newspapers of the Partisan Republic, but also reach the ears of Comrade Stalin. By the way, Shura, let us know about the fact that we have a reporter here." Tell Antip and Ovjay, I believe that once they hear the news, even the treasures at the bottom of the box will be used to fight a good fight.”

"I'm leaving now!" Shula got up and left the shack before she finished speaking.

"Slava" Jaina put away the cigarette case and asked hesitantly, "Will it be too risky?"

"Which day is our life not an adventure?"

Uncle Slava's attention seemed to be all on the kerosene lamp in the center of the table, and even his tone became erratic like a flame in a glass lampshade, "Jianna, we need supplies too much, whether it is Medicines, food or winter clothes and weapons for battle, there is everything we need in that freight station, so even if it is an adventure, it is absolutely necessary to try it.”

"When the time comes, let those who stay behind go to the backup camp."

After hesitating for a moment, Jaina added, "In addition, distribute some weapons to Ivan and the old people. Although they don't need to fight, but in case of accidents, they must have some self-protection power." .”

"Just do what you said." Slava stood up and walked out of Jaina's shack before he finished speaking.

When Wei Ran, who was sleeping soundly, was awakened by the knock on the door, it was already the next morning.When he opened the wooden door sleepily, Slava and the guerrilla fighters had already been preparing for a long time in the slightly thick morning fog.

"take this"

Slava said and handed Wei Ran a Bobosa submachine gun with a drum, "Don't shoot unless necessary."

"clear"

Wei Ran, who was wearing a cloak, responded bluntly, took the submachine gun and removed the drum, emptied the chamber skillfully, and after a brief inspection, reinstalled the drum with his knees.

Slava, who had been quietly looking at Wei Ran, was secretly relieved at this time. What he was most worried about was that this reporter was a rookie who could only take pictures and write articles, but seeing the almost subconscious actions just now, maybe this reporter Not much worse than the guerrillas behind him, which is undoubtedly good news for him.

"Let's go when you're ready," Slava said, then turned around and took a step.

Seeing this, Wei Ran also hung the submachine gun on his shoulder, and walked behind, while looking at the guerrilla team with only a dozen or so people.

Walking in the front of the team was an old man who seemed to be about the same age as Uncle Slava. This old man was dressed in coarse cloth with animal skins sewn on his elbows and knees. A bayonet and a knife were fixed on his waist belt A German kettle, wearing a pair of German infantry boots on his feet, and a Mauser rifle with a scope under his armpit.

Behind the old man, there was a young man in his early 20s at most.This young soldier is wearing patched clothes and a pair of felt boots, with a German MP40 submachine gun on his shoulder, and even a mottled hunting dog in his hand.

Behind the old and the young is a horse-drawn sledge with an MG34 machine gun on it. Apart from weapons and ammunition, there are not only a basket of black bread and some engineering shovels on the sledge, but also a An enameled iron pot with a wooden stopper, several neatly folded blankets, and some rusty animal traps.

Slava and the rest of the guerrilla fighters walked around the sledge.But Wei Ran was surprised that Shula was not in this team.

When he asked this doubt, Slava just smiled and said vaguely, "He has other things to do today."

Seeing that the other party didn't seem to intend to explain in detail, Wei Ran didn't ask in detail, but pointed to the things on the sledge and changed the subject and asked, "Uncle Slava, why do patrols bring these things? Weapons, ammunition, food and drink I can understand that, but what are you doing with the blanket? We're not coming back tonight?"

"Those blankets are not for us"

Slava pointed to the surrounding fog and explained, "In foggy weather, occasionally people would run over from the Germans. Those blankets, food and drink are basically prepared for them,"

"The Germans won't chase?" Wei Ran asked in pretended surprise.

"Of course I will follow"

Slava smiled and said confidently, "But most of the time they chased to the edge of the forest and gave up. At most, they just fired a few symbolic shots. If the Germans dare to come in, we will let them go back." Come to decide."

"So they won't come in easily?" Wei Ran continued to ask.

"Unless they find valuable targets, such as the location of our camp." Slava pointed at the top of his head, "More often than not, the German planes are the real trouble for us."

(End of this chapter)