Chapter 48: Ending

In the front command post of the 20th Tank Division of the Soviet Army, which was surrounded by the rumbling of artillery, the calm-looking Division Commander Cherniayev was speaking calmly to his partner standing behind him.

"It has been quite a while since we eliminated those white bandits and drove away the petty bourgeoisie who invaded our motherland, Peter."

"How many of those old comrades who once fought against the enemy with the two of us are still alive? You know the reason without me telling you."

"Each of us has lost too much in the past, Peter, but we have also learned and changed a lot after the loss. I don't want the tragedy that happened to our old comrades to happen to you and me again. What could be more tragic than a patriotic soldier with lofty beliefs who died in vain but did not get any honor or vindication?"

After saying all, he turned his head slowly with some regrets. Cherniayev, who had already realized that what he had just said was absolutely 100% sincere and held an unshakable belief, had already realized that

"If necessary, I will take all the responsibility, old friend. So this matter has nothing to do with you, Peter. As the highest military commander, I have the right and obligation to execute the offensive combat orders issued by my superiors, that's all." After listening to the shocking words from Cherniaev in an unbelievable and astonished expression, Petrov never thought that his seemingly calm old comrade-in-arms was hiding so deeply in his heart. Knowing what Cherniaev's words just said were implying, Petrov said repeatedly. "It's been so long since that incident, why are you still brooding over it? We are all glorious Red Army soldiers who followed the great leader Comrade Stalin. We both pledged under the party flag to sacrifice our lives for the Soviet Union at any time! This is not a reason worth holding on to or even imprisoning yourself in past memories. Wake up! Cherniaev!" Listening to the loud shouting and persuasion of Political Commissar Petrov, Division Commander Cherniaev, who was hesitant to speak after twisting his lips, finally said nothing. Only his eyes, which still maintained an unwavering look, silently expressed his will at this special moment. As time passed, there was still no change of command from Division Commander Cherniayev. Knowing that his old comrade had imprisoned him in the past memories, Political Commissar Petrov could no longer endure it. He turned around without saying a word and walked quickly towards the telephone on the command table behind him that was connected to the 9th Mechanized Army Headquarters in the rear.

"What are you doing? Peter."

Political Commissar Petrov, who was striding forward without looking back, blurted out the question from behind him.

"Since I, a small political commissar, can't stop you, I don't believe Commander Rokossovsky can be as crazy as you! There must be a suitable person to stand up and stop your crazy behavior, comrade division commander!"

Without waiting for Cherniayev behind him to reply again, he strode to the wired telephone on the table. Petrov, who had just put his hand on the microphone, had not had time to lift it up, but the sudden ring of the phone interrupted Petrov's action without warning.

"This"

After a slight shock, he did not expect that the division headquarters' phone would suddenly ring at this special moment. Realizing that the situation in the war might have exceeded his expectations, Petrov immediately cast his eyes on Cherniayev standing aside. The latter, who understood, temporarily put aside the contradiction just now and then slowly nodded.

After receiving the confirmation from his old comrade-in-arms, Political Commissar Petrov, who had basically guessed where the call came from, immediately picked up the microphone tightly in his hand.

"Hello, 20th Tank Division Headquarters, please speak."

About a minute later, through the battlefield wired telephone connected to the rear army-level command, Petrov confirmed the order personally issued by Major General Rokossovsky. Feeling relieved, Petrov immediately put the receiver back on the phone as if he had put down a big stone in his heart.

"Now I don't need to report to the higher-ups, someone will stand up to stop you, comrade division commander."

The slightly plain but somewhat disappointed tone blurted out. After receiving a call from Major General Rokossovsky, the commander of the 9th Mechanized Army of the Soviet Army, the superior of the 20th Tank Division, Political Commissar Petrov, who had already confirmed the next order from his superior, immediately relayed the content he just heard in the microphone to Division Commander Cherniayev.

"I just received a call from the army commander, General Rokossovsky, comrade division commander. Not only has our offensive in Brod suffered setbacks and progress has been unfavorable, but friendly forces in other directions that attacked the German troops in the area from Lutsk to Dubno have also suffered heavy losses under the German air-to-ground three-dimensional tactics and have been forced to withdraw to their starting positions and switch to a defensive posture."

"Comrade Rokossovsky ordered our division to immediately pull back the scattered offensive troops and prepare for tactical defense to resist the German counterattack. Intelligence showed that the Germans almost occupied the entire south in order to win the battle from Lutsk to Brod. The Fourth Air Force belonging to the Army Group has all been mobilized to the front line. Without air support and air superiority, we simply cannot withstand so many German aircraft!"

After hearing the order relayed by Petrov, he was unexpectedly not too surprised or puzzled. On the contrary, Chernaya was almost always conflicted in his heart to force himself to do something. My husband also felt a sense of relief.

"Well, since this is an order from our superiors, we as subordinates should implement it. Inform Sergey and Mayakov, and immediately lead the remaining offensive troops to withdraw from the German position. We must Before the German armored forces completely separate and encircle them!"

The white deteriorating battlefield that lasted for most of the day under heavy artillery fire finally came to an end with the Soviet army's temporary retreat after exhausting its offensive power. However, it was obvious that it successfully withstood the Soviet army's first wave of offensive and gave its opponent a decisive blow. The German army, which had suffered heavy casualties, naturally refused to give up.

As the sun sets in the evening, an unstoppable counterattack storm is about to hit.