red moscow

Chapter 3079

Half an hour later, a soldier from the scout team sent back hastily to report an emergency to Battalion Commander Yefim. According to the report, several German tanks were parked in the open snow a few hundred meters from their current position. Lacking effective anti-tank weapons, the scout team had to temporarily halt their advance and requested further instructions from higher command.

Upon hearing the soldier's report, Yefim was shocked, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He immediately asked Sokov for instructions: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the forward reconnaissance troops have spotted German tanks. What measures should we take now? You know, infantry has almost no chance of winning against tanks without heavy firepower support."

Upon hearing the news of German tanks appearing ahead, Sokov felt a pang of tension, but he quickly regained his composure and calmly told Yefim, "Don't panic. Your battalion is equipped with rocket launchers, isn't it? These weapons are the bane of German tanks." He paused briefly, then continued, "However, the most urgent task at hand is to ascertain the exact number of enemy tanks so that we can determine whether we have the capability to deal with them."

After saying that, Sokov decisively waved his hand: "Let's go, let's go see for ourselves. Only by understanding the actual situation can we formulate an effective battle plan."

Guided by the messenger, Sokov and Yefim quickly reached the position where the vanguard team was concealed. It was a birch forest near the road, with deep snow in the woods, providing excellent cover.

Upon seeing the brigade commander and battalion commander arrive, the sergeant leading the team immediately stepped forward and reported: "Comrade brigade commander, comrade battalion commander, the German tanks are parked in the snow by the roadside ahead. In order to avoid exposing our position, we have not continued to advance, but have chosen to hide on the spot, and have sent someone to report to you immediately."

Sokov raised his binoculars and looked in the direction the sergeant had indicated. Several hundred meters away, by the snow-covered roadside, were indeed five German tanks, their bodies covered in thick snow, clearly having been there for some time. Further away, there were three military trucks, loaded with fuel drums, seemingly resupply vehicles to the tanks; their bodies and fuel drums were also covered in snow.

"Comrade Brigade Commander!" When Yefim saw the number of German tanks, his heart sank and he couldn't help but gasp. He leaned close to Sokov and said in a low voice, "The enemy has far too many tanks. With our current rocket launcher equipment, it will be difficult to deal with them effectively."

After listening to his words, Sokov did not respond immediately. Instead, he slowly put down his binoculars, turned his head, stared sharply at Yefim, and asked in a calm but somewhat questioning tone, "First Battalion Commander, I would like to hear your analysis. On what basis did you make this judgment that we cannot deal with these enemy tanks?"

“Comrade Brigade Commander, the situation is indeed not optimistic.” Yefim looked troubled, his tone filled with obvious worry. “Due to the limited number of rocket launchers sent by the Weapons and Equipment Department, our battalion is currently only equipped with three rocket launchers. Even if we manage to win against five German tanks with these three rocket launchers, we will probably suffer extremely heavy casualties.”

Sokov pursed his lips slightly, a hint of displeasure on his face. He shook his head and said, "First Battalion Commander, under normal circumstances, using three rocket launchers to destroy five enemy tanks is indeed a very risky operation. But you must see clearly that the five tanks in front of us are actually no longer capable of fighting. Even without rocket launchers, we can easily deal with them."

Yefim was completely confused by Sokov's words. He asked, bewildered, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I still don't quite understand what you mean. Could you explain it more clearly?" "Look closely at how thick the snow is covering those tanks and trucks," Sokov patiently explained. "This is clearly equipment that has been abandoned by the enemy for a long time. Don't you have any confidence in dealing with a few tanks abandoned by the enemy?"

"What? These tanks were abandoned by the Germans?" Upon hearing Sokov's explanation, Yefim was stunned, his face filled with disbelief. "Is everything you're saying true?"

Sokov solemnly handed the binoculars to Yefim, and said in a calm and firm tone, "Comrade Yefim, now you need to carefully observe the snow around the tanks and trucks and carefully check whether there are any suspicious footprints or traces left there."

Yefim took the binoculars, held them up to his eyes, and began to observe intently. He scanned every corner of the snowfield and found that what Sokov had said was indeed completely true. There were no human or vehicle footprints left in the snow around the tanks or trucks, and the entire snowfield was so flat that it was hard to believe.

“It’s unbelievable! These tanks and trucks were indeed abandoned here by the Germans.” Yefim slowly lowered his binoculars, his emotions somewhat agitated. He turned to Sokov, his tone filled with confusion and bewilderment: “Comrade Brigade Commander, what on earth are the Germans doing? Why would they abandon these precious tanks and trucks for no reason? This makes no sense at all.”

"Based on my judgment, it's probably because of a lack of fuel," Sokov calmly analyzed. At the same time, he recalled the scattered ammunition boxes he had just seen by the roadside. He specifically reminded Yefim, "First Battalion Commander, the Germans have most likely planted mines or other explosive devices around the tanks and trucks. Your men must be extremely careful when they go to check. Don't be careless, or you could cause unnecessary casualties."

Yefim nodded solemnly, then turned and called over the sergeant of the vanguard team, instructing him, "Sergeant, you immediately take two soldiers to carefully inspect those tanks and trucks. Remember, be extremely cautious and do not step on any landmines planted by the Germans."

"Understood, Battalion Commander." The sergeant nodded vigorously and replied firmly, "Please rest assured, I will be extra careful." After saying that, he quickly called over two soldiers, and the three of them walked briskly towards the location of the tanks and trucks.

A few minutes later, the sergeant who had climbed onto the tanks and trucks to inspect them signaled to Sokov and Yefim that no enemy traces had been found in the tanks and trucks.

"First Battalion Commander." After confirming that there were no enemies in the tanks and trucks, Sokov instructed Yefim: "Have your troops continue on their way. If you're lucky, you might catch up with the retreating enemy in another hour or two."

(End of this chapter)