Chapter 1655

  Victor brought Yegor and a dozen soldiers to the water tower in the middle of the reservoir area.

  Egor looked up at the red water tower more than 30 meters high in front of him, and asked Victor casually: "Comrade Victor, what kind of structure is this water tower? Is it brick-concrete or reinforced concrete?"

"It's made of reinforced concrete, with a layer of red bricks on the outside." When talking about the water tower, Victor was very proud: "When the water tower was built, I would come to participate in voluntary labor after get off work every day. Not only me , all the employees and family members in the reservoir area, in order to build the water tower as soon as possible, will come to participate in voluntary labor whenever they have time. In this way, the water tower was originally planned to be built in half a year, and we only need less than a month. Construction work is complete."

"It took only one month to build this water tower?" Yegor was rather happy when he heard that the water tower was made of reinforced concrete, but he heard that such a tall water tower took only one month. The construction was completed in time, and he couldn't help but start beating drums in his heart, worrying that the building was a tofu project: "Then we set up a firepower point inside, can it withstand the bombardment of German artillery fire?"

"No problem, Comrade Captain." Regarding Yegor's question, Victor said confidently: "After the city fell, a Soviet army team of more than 20 people withdrew into this water tower and It lasted for half a month, until the ammunition and food were exhausted and all sacrifices were made before the Germans completely occupied the water tower."

  Victor grabbed Yegor's arm, pulled him half a circle around the water tower, then pointed upward with his hand, and said, "Comrade Captain, look at the wall above."

  Looking in the direction of Victor's finger, Egor saw clearly visible bullet holes on the wall, including bullet holes made by various bullets, and deep pits blasted by shells. From the position where the red brick fell off, the reinforced concrete inside can be clearly seen. It seems that Victor did not lie, this water tower could indeed withstand German artillery fire.

  Since the wall here can withstand the German artillery fire, it is undoubtedly the most suitable location to choose this place as the fire support point. Thinking of this, Yegor shook his head at Victor and said, "Comrade Victor, take us in and have a look. If it's appropriate, I'll set up a few firepower points here."

  The crowd followed behind Victor and walked up the spiral staircase to the upper part of the water tower. Looking down from the window here, you can see the entire reservoir area, especially the two entrances and exits of the reservoir area, and you can see clearly.

After seeing the terrain, Yegor turned his head and said to one of his platoon leaders: "Second platoon leader, your platoon is stationed in the water tower. I think you can set up two more machine guns at the window. Even if the German army breaks into the warehouse In other areas, you can also condescend to use firepower to kill them."

After waiting for Yegor to finish speaking, Victor immediately said to the second platoon leader with a smile: "Comrade lieutenant, there are quite a few machine guns and matching bullets stockpiled in a warehouse next to the water tower. Look, I need to send Can someone bring more ammunition for you?"

   "This is really great." Yegor was worried that the troops stationed in the water tower might run out of ammunition. Victor's words reminded him that there are a large number of weapons and ammunition stored in the warehouse here, which can fully meet the needs of the troops. He hastily said, "Second platoon leader, immediately send someone to a nearby warehouse with Comrade Victor to move as much ammunition as possible and store it in the water tower. Do you understand?"

   "Understood, Comrade Company Commander." The second platoon leader quickly and loudly replied.

  After coming out of the water tower, Victor and Yegor parted ways, went to find workers nearby, and used a small cart to move the weapons and ammunition needed by the second row from the warehouse to the water tower.

  Yegor returned to the warehouse office alone to report the situation to Mikhaiev.

   Seeing Yegor return to the office, Mikhaiev asked with a smile: "Captain Yegor, how is the situation?"

"Comrade Victor has arranged enough manpower to meet the incoming German convoy by pretending to be German warehouse personnel." Yegor reported to Mikhaiev: "For safety reasons, I will send a row of commanders and fighters. To assist their work, and at the same time prevent them from being seen through by the enemy, it can ensure their safety."

  Mikhaiev then asked: "How is your company's defense situation?"

"With the help of Comrade Victor, I let the second platoon set up a fire support point on the water tower in the center of the reservoir area." Yegor saw a map of the reservoir area in front of Mikhaiev. , and pointed out the location of the water tower with his finger: "The water tower is here. As long as we set up a few machine guns on high places, we can block the two entrances and exits of the reservoir area. Even if the worst happens, the enemy rushes in In the reservoir area, our fire support points can also cause great casualties to them."

Knowing that Yegor's subordinates had established a strong firepower support point on the water tower in the reservoir area, Mikhaiev raised his eyebrows, and then said: "If you really use the water tower as the main defensive firepower point, you will definitely be attacked. The focus of attention of the German army, once it is subjected to heavy shelling, how long can it last?"

"Comrade battalion commander, you can rest assured about this." Yegor explained to Mikhaiev: "This water tower is made of reinforced concrete, which can withstand the bombardment of German artillery." Probably because he was worried that the other party would not believe it, he He added, "Early after the fall of this city, a detachment of our army withdrew into the water tower and persisted in it for half a month, until finally all died because they ran out of ammunition and food. Take that water tower."

"Well, it's a good thing that the water tower is strong." After listening to Yegor's explanation, Mikhaiev nodded slightly and said, "In this way, even if the Germans rush into the reservoir area, we can hold on for a longer time. , to wait for the arrival of the main force."

  Egor heard something wrong from Mikhaiev's words, and quickly asked, "Comrade Battalion Commander, is something wrong?"

Mikhaiev glanced at Yegor, shook his head with a wry smile, and said, "Captain Yegor, I really can't hide anything from you. Yes, there are indeed some deviations from the original plan. The main force launched The time to attack may be delayed."

  Hearing what Mikhaiev said, Yegor couldn't help being anxious: "Comrade Battalion Commander, what is the reason for this?"

"The brigade headquarters didn't say anything about the specific situation." Mikhaiev said thoughtfully: "But since our battalion was not detected by the German army after occupying the Kurdish area, it is reasonable to postpone the attack. The preparations for the attack have not been adequate. If we launch an attack hastily, even if we manage to come over and join us, I am afraid that we will pay a very high price."

   "That's true." Yegor agreed with Mikhaiev's statement: "If the main force suffers too many casualties, then the next battle will basically have nothing to do with us."

   After saying this, Yegor asked tentatively: "Comrade Battalion Commander, do you know how long this attack will be delayed?"

   "I don't know." Mikhaiev shook his head and said, "Maybe a day or two, maybe a week, it depends on the troops' offensive preparations."

"If it is postponed for a day or two, there is no big problem." Yegor said cautiously: "But if it is delayed for a week or longer, we may be completely exposed, and it will be inevitable to start a war with the German army." of."

  While the two were talking, a convoy of German troops arrived at the south gate. After negotiating with the temporary warehouse management at the gate, they drove into the warehouse area continuously.

  When the German convoy began to enter the warehouse area, a second lieutenant on duty in the guard room immediately called to report the situation to Mikhaiev: "Comrade battalion commander, 35 German trucks are entering the warehouse area one after another."

   "35 trucks?!" Hearing the data reported by the second lieutenant, Mikhaiev had an expression of surprise on his face. He then asked, "What is on the truck? How many German soldiers are there in the escort?"

   "I took a look at the list, and it said machine guns, rifles and submachine guns, as well as supporting ammunition." The second lieutenant replied: "In addition, each vehicle has a driver and two soldiers escorting the vehicle. The total number of people is 105."

"Well, there are 105 people, which is quite a lot." After Mikhaiev finished speaking, he ordered the second lieutenant: "Comrade second lieutenant, closely monitor the movement outside the warehouse area. If there is any change, remember to report to me in time. report."

Mikhaiev put down the phone, raised his head and said to Yegor who was standing aside: "Captain Yegor, the enemy convoy has entered the warehouse area, and will then drive to the warehouse where weapons and ammunition are stored. Your troops are now I am carrying ammunition into the water tower, if the Germans find out, I am afraid there will be some trouble."

   "I see, Comrade Battalion Commander." Yegor understood what Mikhaiev was trying to express, and quickly said, "I'll make arrangements right away so that the enemy won't notice anything unusual."

  Before Yegor left, Mikhaiev also told him: "When the workers in the reservoir area are unloading, you'd better bring someone to guard the scene. If there is any accident, you can deal with it as soon as possible."

After Yegor left, Mikhaiev thought that the defense work in the direction of the south gate was in charge of the third company, so he quickly picked up the phone and called the commander of the third company, telling the other party: "Commander of the third company, the Germans The convoy transporting supplies is entering the warehouse area. Since the vehicles are loaded with weapons and ammunition, they will drive to the corresponding warehouses later, you'd better send someone to rush there to assist Captain Yegor and the others as guards."

"Comrade Battalion Commander," the third company commander was a little puzzled by Mikhaiev's arrangement, "Isn't Captain Egor's second company responsible for the defense of the reservoir area? Why should we rush over there? What about support?"

"The commander of the third company, Captain Yegor, just deployed his second platoon on the water tower in the reservoir area, and now there is only one platoon of mobile troops at his disposal, and in the German convoy, there are a total of drivers and escorts." 105 people." Mikhaiev explained to the third company commander: "If something unexpected happens, the little force in the hands of Captain Yegor will not be able to deal with the enemy."

   Hearing what Mikhaiev said, the third company commander didn't say anything, but said obediently: "I see, Comrade Battalion Commander, I will take a platoon to assist Captain Yegor."

   Mikhaiev had a good starting point. He was worried about any troubles Yegor would encounter. If more troops of his own were present, the problem could be solved in time, but he did not expect that a flaw would be exposed.

  The trucks transporting the ammunition stopped at the door of the ammunition warehouse one by one. As soon as the car was stable, the temporary warehouse manager, accompanied by a soldier, went to negotiate with the German officer leading the team.

  The leader of the team was a lieutenant. Seeing that the store manager who came to pick up the goods was not the person he was familiar with, he couldn't help frowning and asked, "Why did the store manager change today?"

  The temporary cameo worker who was in charge of the warehouse did not expect the officer to ask such a question suddenly, and replied in a panic: "He...he is sick, and I...I came to work for him temporarily."

  The officer ignored him, but asked the soldiers behind the workers, "Do you have any cigarettes?"

  The soldier looked at the officer, then shook his head slowly, and said, "Sorry, Mr. Lieutenant, fireworks are strictly prohibited in the warehouse area, and none of us can smoke here."

  The officer thought about it, and it seemed that this was the case, so he stopped asking the soldier for cigarettes, but changed the topic to another direction: "I haven't seen you before, are you all new here?"

   "Yes, Mr. Lieutenant." The soldier replied neither humble nor overbearing: "We were just deployed yesterday."

Before the officer came here, he knew that the troops originally stationed in Pavlish City had been transferred to the northwest, and it was normal for the defenders in the reservoir area to change, so they did not have any suspicions. It was a casual question: "So all the troops in the warehouse have been transferred?"

   "Yes, they are all transferred."

   Before the officer could ask any more questions, Yegor appeared in front of him: "Lieutenant, can you unload the car now?"

   Seeing Yegor suddenly appearing in front of him, the officer replied in a panic: "Of course, Mr. Captain, of course the truck can be unloaded."

  Egor waved his hand at the somewhat nervous warehouse manager, and told him, "Arrange manpower to unload the truck immediately, and move all these goods into the warehouse in the shortest possible time."

After the warehouse manager and the soldiers protecting him left, Yegor said to the officer again with a straight face: "Lieutenant, this is an important place for warehouses, so many people are crowded together, it is not safe. I think you should put your Gather your people and go to the place we prepared for you to rest, and when these Russian porters finish unloading, I will send someone to call you."

The officer was naturally very happy with Yegor's order. After all, it would take an hour or two to unload the truck, and he didn't want to shiver in the cold wind, so he readily agreed: "Okay, Mr. Captain, I will send my Everyone gathers."

   After speaking, the officer began to call his subordinates to assemble, ready to go to the resting place Yegor prepared for himself. But at this moment, the third company commander arrived with a platoon of soldiers. As soon as they appeared, they immediately dispersed, as if forming a siege to the German troops who were gathering by the car.

  A German soldier saw this situation and said casually: "What happened to these garrison troops in the warehouse? Why did they surround us? It looked like they were going to disarm us."

Hearing what the soldiers said, the officer instinctively looked around and found that although the number of the new soldiers was not large, judging from where they were standing, they seemed to be surrounding him. trend. Moreover, the muzzle of the gun in the opponent's hand was also faintly pointed at his side, as if he was ready to fire at any time.

  (end of this chapter)