Red Moscow.

  Chapter 88 Escorting the Wounded

  When Sokov inspected the unnamed highland, he found that the area of ​​the position on the top of the mountain was not large, and at best it could only accommodate more than a hundred people. Obviously, it was impossible to place the entire battalion on it. When several company commanders learned that only one company was needed to defend the position, they all asked Sokov for help.

  The first company commander, Lieutenant Vanya, expressed his opinion with the most sufficient reasons: "Comrade Battalion Commander, this highland was taken by our company, and our company should be responsible for the defense."

"Without the fire support of our machine gun company, can you take the position?" As soon as his voice fell, Vasily retorted dissatisfiedly: "Our company has the strongest firepower, and it is very appropriate to hold on to such a position." .”

"You two company commanders, stop arguing." The second company commander Andre came out to smooth things over and said, "Let me say a few words of justice. Both of your companies have contributed a lot to our army's success in capturing this high ground." No. However, the first company suffered too many casualties, and its strength was slightly insufficient to defend such a large position. As for the machine gun company, although its firepower is strong, it is a bit too wasteful to hold the position. In my opinion, our second company should be responsible Defense mission."

"How can your second company stand firm?" Before Vanya and Vasily could speak this time, Savyev became anxious: "In the battle to seize the high ground, all three of your companies participated in the battle. Only our company stood behind to watch the excitement. I suggest that our third company should carry out the task of holding on to the high ground."

Seeing that the four company commanders were about to start an endless debate, Sokov quickly interrupted them: "Okay, stop arguing, this time the troops of the third company will be stationed on the high ground, and the rest of the companies will stay in the mountains." In the fortifications under your feet."

  Knowing that his company is responsible for guarding the high ground, Savyev couldn't help showing a smug smile on his face. Seeing the other company commanders opening their mouths to argue, Sokov quickly raised his hand to stop them, and said in a stern tone: "Comrades company commanders, maybe in a few hours, the Germans will launch a counterattack on the highlands. If we leave too many troops here, every shell of the enemy will cause us more than a dozen casualties. Do you understand?"

   "Understood." The company commanders who were criticized replied dejectedly.

"Comrade battalion commander, where is comrade battalion commander?" At this moment, Sukov suddenly heard someone calling himself in the field, and looked in the direction of the voice, and saw the assistant military doctor Pavlov standing there. In the traffic trench not far away, I looked around and shouted loudly.

"I'm here." Sukov knew that this Pavlov was going to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, so he was so anxious to find himself, there must be something important, so he hurriedly shouted at him: "Comrade assistant military doctor, I it's here."

  Pavlov ran along the traffic trench, and before Sokov asked him, he couldn't wait to say: "Comrade battalion commander, you also know that our battalion suffered more than 100 casualties in the battle to seize the high ground."

"I know." As the battalion commander, Sokov naturally knew that in the battle to seize the high ground, the Istria battalion also paid a high price, with 18 people slightly injured, 27 seriously injured, and 59 other soldiers. , sacrificed their young lives in the battle, and will be buried forever in this land of the motherland. But when he heard Pavlov mentioning this matter at this moment, he couldn't help asking in a daze: "Comrade assistant military doctor, what do you want to say?"

"That's right, Comrade Battalion Commander." Pavlov said long-windedly: "After the wounds were treated, the lightly wounded returned to their respective companies. But what about the seriously wounded? Our medical team does not have The conditions of the operation, if they continue to stay here, it will be life-threatening."

Hearing Pavlov's question, Sokov was a little dumbfounded. He said in his heart that since the health team in the battalion did not have the conditions to operate on the seriously wounded, of course they had to be sent back to the rear hospital. "Comrade assistant military doctor, You immediately arrange manpower to send the seriously wounded back to the field hospital in Susinich, where they will receive good treatment."

  Pavlov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and said with a sad face, "But, how should I send the seriously injured back to Susinich?"

   "Comrade assistant military doctor," Belkin, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly said, "I saw an ambulance convoy coming down the mountain half an hour ago. You can take the seriously wounded back to the city by ambulance."

Pavlov turned to Belkin and said, "Comrade Political Deputy Battalion Commander, but those ambulances were requisitioned by the 972nd Infantry Regiment, and they also had dozens of wounded. And after the ambulance transported the wounded back to the city , It is impossible to come back within four or five hours, and there are many seriously injured people who cannot wait for such a long time."

"Second Lieutenant Andrei, Lieutenant Vasily." Sokov knew that what Pavlov said was true. If the delay continued, many seriously injured people would die in pain because they could not receive timely treatment. So he decisively issued an order: "You two companies each draw a platoon, and together with the comrades of the health team, send the wounded back to the city as soon as possible."

   "Understood." The two company commanders whose names were called agreed at the same time, then turned around and mobilized their staff.

  After arranging the troops to **** the wounded back to the city, Sokov remembered that there might be a vicious battle to be fought next, and if Asiya stayed here, she might be in danger. Anyway, there are enough health workers in the health team now, so it's better to let her return to Susinich with the seriously injured. Thinking of this, he said to Pavlov: "Comrade assistant military doctor, there may be fierce battles in the future. You are the most skilled medical person in the medical team. This place cannot do without you, so the matter of escorting the seriously wounded back to the city, Let Asiya take care of it."

   "Understood, Comrade Battalion Commander." Pavlov nodded and said understandingly: "I'll make arrangements now!"

  Asiya, who was scrubbing the wounds of the seriously wounded, knew that it was Sokov's arrangement when she heard that Pavlov asked her to bring the seriously wounded back to the city. She quickly called a male hygienist next to her, handed him the things in her hand, and asked him to continue cleaning the wounds of the wounded, while she ran to find Sokov in a hurry.

   When Asya found Sokov, he was instructing Saviev on how to strengthen his position. Asiya walked to his side and said lightly: "Comrade Captain, can I have a chat with you?"

Savyev and the others knew that the relationship between Assia and Sokov was extraordinary. Seeing Assia came to find Sokov, they guessed that it must be to send the wounded back to the city, so they all made excuses to leave first. up.

   "Assia." Sokov looked down at Assia standing in front of him, and asked knowingly, "Is there anything important you want from me?"

   "Misha!" Assia begged Sokov, "Let me stay. You can arrange other people to do the escorting of the wounded."

"No, Assia, this is an order." Sokov didn't know how cruel the next battle would be. He didn't want the woman he liked to stay and take risks, so he said with a strong attitude: "For the orders of the superiors, You have no room for bargaining, you can only obey unconditionally. Understand?"

  Seeing that Sokov insisted on letting him return to Susinich, Assia could only nod with complicated emotions, and turned to leave. But after walking a few steps, she stopped again, turned around to look at Sokov, and said in a voice that was a little changed due to excitement: "Misha, promise me, no matter what happens, you must survive!"

   "Don't worry, Assia." Sokov looked at Assia, nodded with a smile, "I will definitely survive."

  (end of this chapter)