red moscow

Chapter 3111

While Yefim led the first battalion of soldiers to reinforce the defensive fortifications, and while the chief of staff was in the rear coordinating firepower with the artillery units, Sokov, along with Bobrikov and several soldiers from the guard platoon, quietly approached the outskirts of the village where the attack was about to begin.

The village was nestled in the dense forests typical of the outskirts of Moscow, surrounded by tall pines and birches. A single dirt road wound its way through the woods, connecting the village to the outside world. Sokov and his group were discreetly positioned on the eastern edge of the forest, using the trees and snow as cover to lie in wait.

Sokov raised his binoculars and carefully examined the activity inside the village.

After observing for a considerable period, apart from the sloping-roofed wooden houses covered in thick snow and the occasional snow dust blown by the wind, the entire village was deathly silent, showing no signs of human activity or fortifications. Just as Sokov adjusted his focus, trying to investigate the details of the village further, Bobrikov beside him lowered his voice and said, "Comrade Brigadier, this village is eerily quiet; it's not normal at all."

“You’re right, Captain.” Sokov put down his binoculars and nodded slightly in agreement. “These wooden huts, built of heavy logs, are inherently very defensive. By simply setting up firing positions inside and concealing machine gun emplacements in the snowdrifts outside, a fairly complete defensive system can be formed. Only inexperienced commanders would waste their forces on isolated positions on the outskirts of the village.”

Upon hearing Sokov's analysis, Bobrikov couldn't help but add, "Yes, Comrade Brigadier. If the German commanders had been smart enough, they shouldn't have let the outer positions open fire so early. They should have let our troops into the village and then attacked us from both sides with the village's firing positions. In that case, we would have been in an extremely passive situation, and might even have been completely annihilated."

Sokov raised his binoculars again, gazing at the unsettlingly silent village, and mused, “But the enemy in the village is behaving unusually calmly. We have cleared the outer positions, yet they have not reacted at all. If it weren’t for the scouts’ repeated confirmations that there were German troops stationed here, I would almost think that this was an abandoned, empty village.”

“Perhaps we can launch a barrage of artillery fire on the village first,” Bobrikov suggested. “Once these wooden houses are destroyed, the Germans will lose their defensive positions, and the resistance we face during our attack will be greatly reduced.”

To be fair, Bobrikov's proposal did have tactical value. Destroying all the wooden houses that might serve as German cover through concentrated artillery fire could significantly reduce the resistance and casualties that infantry might encounter during the offensive phase.

As the two were discussing, a series of hurried footsteps and heavy breathing suddenly came from afar. Supported by a young soldier, Yefim stumbled towards Sokov. His face was pale, and although his voice was weak, it was very clear: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I've come!"

Sokov frowned slightly when he saw that Yefim was having difficulty even standing. He reached out and supported Yefim's arm, his tone serious yet concerned: "Comrade Captain, you are injured and shouldn't force yourself to go to the front lines." He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the distant village outlines, and continued, "Once the attack begins, you can't lead the charge anymore. That's an order, understand?"

“I understand, Comrade Brigade Commander,” Yefim said with a wry smile, his voice tinged with helplessness. “Given my current physical condition, let alone engaging the Germans in bayonet fighting, it’s questionable whether I can even successfully cross that open area.” He took a deep breath, trying to make his tone sound more resolute. “Don’t worry, I will stay behind to command this time. Company Commander Vasily will lead the assault team in my place.” Yefim paused briefly, as if suddenly remembering something, and then added, “By the way, Comrade Brigade Commander, the Third Battalion is closing in on us!”

"The Third Battalion is here?!" Sokov's spirits lifted immediately. He looked at the small village occupied by the Germans. Yefim's battalion could have taken it on its own, and now with the Third Battalion on its way, the two battalions totaled over a thousand men. Taking this village would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut; it would be an easy task. He hurriedly asked, "Where is Captain Nazorov?"

“I haven’t met Captain Nazorov yet,” Yefim shook his head. “Only one advance company has arrived so far, and the main force of the 3rd Battalion will probably have to wait a while longer to arrive.” He seemed worried that Sokov might change his original attack plan because of the arrival of reinforcements, so he quickly added, “Comrade Brigade Commander, you promised before that our battalion would launch the attack first. You can’t change your mind at the last minute.”

“Don’t worry, Captain Yefim.” Sokov noticed his hesitation and softened his tone. “I won’t take back what I said. Your battalion will lead the charge, but remember: the enemy in the village has strong firepower, and they will definitely put up a fierce resistance against your attack.” He looked at Yefim with a stern gaze, his voice low but clear, “You must arrange the fire support and assault routes in advance, come up with feasible tactical plans, and strive to achieve victory with minimal losses.”

"Don't worry, Comrade Brigade Commander." Yefim looked at the distant village, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said confidently, "I'll finish this in half an hour at most. Those Germans have definitely lost the will to resist, and our assault will be as smooth as a red-hot knife cutting through butter."

“Comrade Captain!” Hearing Yefim’s words, Sokov’s expression turned serious again. His brows furrowed, his eyes blazed, and his voice carried an undeniable sternness: “I just criticized you not long ago. Even though the Germans have been retreating under our attacks, their strength hasn’t diminished much. Their fortifications may be very strong. If we underestimate them, we will certainly suffer losses in the next offensive. Remember, pride is the prelude to defeat.”

At this point, Sokov glanced at his watch and continued, "Captain Yefim, have your men hand over the work of reinforcing the fortifications to the officers and soldiers of the Third Battalion. I'll give you fifteen minutes to prepare. Once that time is up, launch an attack on the village immediately."

Fifteen minutes later, several hundred soldiers from the First Battalion, led by their respective commanders, launched an attack on the small village occupied by the enemy. Footsteps were punctuated by light panting; the entire column advanced in silence, the atmosphere tense and heavy. As they approached the village, the enemy remained silent—no gunshots, no movement, only the whistling of the wind through the ruins.

Seeing this, Bobrikov couldn't help but ask Sokov with some surprise, his voice filled with obvious doubt and unease: "Comrade Brigade Commander, why is there no sign of the enemy in the village? Could it be that we've made a mistake and there are no enemies in the village at all? Or have they set some kind of trap, waiting for us to walk right into it?"

"Keep calm, Captain." Sokov, considering that Bobrikov had not participated in many battles and lacked the necessary combat experience, explained to him: "The Germans are cunning. They have been keeping silent all along, firstly to make our commanders and soldiers think that they are underestimating the enemy, and secondly to wait for our commanders and soldiers to get closer before opening fire, so as to increase our casualties."

(End of this chapter)