Chapter 190 Lake Ladoga

The railway line leading north from Yelnya to Leningrad was winding. Because the military train could not reach the shore of Lake Ladoga, Malashenko, who hurriedly got off the train, quickly commanded his troops and began to move towards The direction of the lake is quite close.

"Speed ​​up, comrades! Prioritize the technical equipment and tanks of the combat troops to be unloaded from the trucks. After the assembly is completed, immediately set off to advance towards the predetermined target, and the logistics, maintenance and supply troops will follow! Everyone, move, quickly!"

Waving his arms, he stood on the busy and noisy platform and directed the tank companies under his command to accelerate the unloading of trucks. Lavrinenko, who hurriedly ran from the side, stepped forward and interrupted Malashenko's words.

"I have searched the entire platform and the vestibule of the train station. I have also asked in the command and dispatch office. I can't find the personnel sent by the front army headquarters to meet us. What are your plans? Malashenko."

After hearing the report from Lavrinenko, he frowned. Malashenko, who was not very familiar with the specific situation in Leningrad, originally thought that Zhukov would at least send a liaison officer to pick him up at the train station, but as of now, The situation seems to be that Malashenko himself thinks too much.

"Forget it if there is no one to respond, it doesn't matter, Lavri. The first and second companies will unload and reassemble immediately. When the time comes, I will take these two companies to set off for Lake Ladoga first, and I will take Karamov with me. "

"You stay here and continue to direct the remaining troops to unload the trucks. When you are ready, you will immediately bring the troops to follow us. No matter what, you must lead the troops across the lake as soon as possible to report to the front army headquarters. There is not much time left for us. ”

After listening to the arrangements made by Malashenko, he nodded slightly. Lavrinenko, who knew that time was urgent and had to rush, naturally had no unnecessary objections. After all, it was Zhukov who ordered them to report to the front army headquarters tonight. Deadline.

Soon, after being relieved of their fixtures and chains, the first and second companies slowly drove down the military column. It didn't take long for the first and second companies to be fully prepared. Malashenko, who was anxious and worried that he would not have enough time left for him, immediately boarded. He got his battalion command vehicle and began to march towards the not far away shore of Lake Ladoga.

"I never thought I would return to this holy city again under such circumstances. The last time I came here was when I came here to study for two months after joining the Party at the Tank Corps School. I hope those damn Germans did this to her. The damage is not too serious.”

He stretched out his upper body and stood outside the turret, holding a telescope in his hand to direct the direction of the troops. After hearing the slightly lamenting words from the gunner Iushkin's mouth in the lower turret, his eyes opened in the cold wind. Malashenko, who narrowed his eyes slightly, poured cold water on Iushkin without thinking.

"Things are not what they used to be, Iushkin. I hope you have a strong stomach. Even bread and biscuits may be in short supply in the coming months."

The armored column, which was speeding along in the dust, soon arrived at the Ladoga Lakeside Pier, which was only a dozen kilometers away. When the impatient Malashenko was the first to jump off the turret of the vehicle and was ready to start work immediately, the sight in front of him This was both an unexpected and rather spectacular scene, but Malashenko couldn't help but stand stunned on the spot.

"Fuck! Why didn't I take a trip to Lake Ladoga when I was studying in Moscow? This is not a freshwater lake, this is just a fucking ocean!"

There are traces of ripples rolled up by the rough waves on the endless beach. The water of the lake, which is dark blue to slightly black, has no edge at a glance and is directly connected to the distant horizon. I wonder if it is related to the lake that just fell. After a heavy rain, waves were rising on the lake surface, and the sound of the tide continued.

If Malashenko had not followed the planned route on the war zone map to reach his final destination, and had no doubt about the accuracy of the route he personally commanded, the vast scene of sea and sky in front of him would have been real no matter what. It has nothing to do with the term freshwater lake.

This unbelievably huge and vast Lake Ladoga is showing its endless charm to Malashenko, who is meeting him for the first time. It is as majestic as the sea of ​​stars.

"Damn it, I still expected to be able to transport all the troops across the lake in one night. Judging from the situation, I don't know how long it will be delayed."

Just as Malashenko is complaining in his heart right now.

As the largest freshwater lake in Europe, Lake Ladoga is 83 kilometers apart at its widest point on the east and west shores. The deepest point of the lake is more than 230 meters deep. Even the average lake depth is more than 50 meters deep, which is enough It is no exaggeration to describe Lake Ladoga as a "vast ocean" to accommodate heavy warships sailing unimpeded on the lake.

Although Ladoga Lake is not peaceful with bursts of waves, the busy people on the pier on the shore of the lake are far worse than the waves above the lake. The noisy and busy scene is even in Mara. From the perspective of Shen Ke, a later time traveler, it is much more shocking than those seen in movies, TV dramas and documentaries.

Malashenko, who quickly walked to the checkpoint at the dock, thought that as an officer, he would be able to pass without any obstruction, but the two guards, who wore black big-brimmed hats and whose uniforms were clearly different from those of ordinary Red Army infantry units, did not. Quietly, he stretched out his hand to block Malashenko's way.

"Please show your pass or other relevant documents, comrade, no outsiders are allowed to enter the dock."

"Isolated? Damn, how did I become an outsider?"

Malachenko was choked to death by the nonsensical and heartless words of the two big-headed guards in front of him. He was so angry that he had no time and energy to bother with these details. He took out his officer's certificate from his jacket pocket and handed it to the guard in front of him.

"This is my officer's certificate. If you still think it's not enough, I have a telegram from the commander of the front, General Zhukov. Do you need me to show it to you?"

The black-clad guard who carefully looked through the officer's certificate handed over by Malachenko, and at the same time quietly observed the face and expression of the person in front of him with the corner of his eye to see if there was anything unusual. After confirming that it was correct as a routine, he returned the small major officer's certificate to Malachenko with both hands.

"The Ladoga Squadron of the Baltic Fleet welcomes you. Please pass through, Major Malashenko."