Chapter 566 The Suspect

Although it was just a half-joking complaint, the truth was exactly as Lavrinenko said. In recent times, Lavrinenko has almost become a full-time messenger for Malashenko, and it is a job that is easy to offend people.

After sending Lavrinenko away to pass on the message to Karamov, Malashenko, who had a little spare time, finally had the opportunity to continue bragging to Lieutenant Vasily.

Lieutenant Vasily, who had just received Malashenko's instructions, was now leading people to fiddle with the weapons on the truck.

Although many of these militiamen were first exposed to these German standard weapons that they had never seen before, the basically similar operating principles of the weapons did not make it very difficult to master these unfamiliar equipment. Most of the militiamen were fiddling with the German equipment in their hands and praising it.

Lieutenant Vasily, who was fiddling with a ZB26 light machine gun in his hand, saw Malashenko coming towards him again, and spoke first with a very happy expression.

"Comrade Malashenko, these weapons are really great! Look at this machine gun, it's almost the same as a new one!"

Captain Karamov has a natural interest and extraordinary talent in the field of machinery. All the weapons that have passed through his hands are well maintained as if they were new. This is also one of the biggest advantages that Malashenko admires Karamov very much.

Looking at the silver-shining Czech ZB26 light machine gun in Lieutenant Vasily's arms, Malashenko felt mixed feelings about the special feelings for this weapon.

In the distant East, countless Chinese soldiers are using this weapon to shed their blood and bravely fight against the Japanese fascist invaders for the future of the motherland. There is almost no weapon that can better represent a passionate anti-Japanese era than the Czech ZB26 light machine gun.

Reaching out to take the Czech ZB26 light machine gun from Lieutenant Vasily, he checked the magazine and pulled the bolt. The crisp sound of the barrel hitting immediately echoed in Malashenko's ears. Malashenko, who rarely used light machine guns in combat, couldn't help but sigh.

"The guns are good guns, Comrade Vasily, I hope you can make the best use of these weapons and let those fascist running dogs see how powerful we are!"

Lieutenant Vasily, who was unaware of the words from Malashenko that were more like morale-boosting, and who did not understand the inner meaning of Malashenko and had a simple mind, immediately responded with a firm tone.

"Of course, Comrade Malashenko! I will let those fascist invaders see how powerful the Red Army is! After retreating from the Kiev front, I have been waiting for today with great enthusiasm!"

"Huh? Kiev? Have you been to the front?"

I originally thought that Lieutenant Vasily was just an ordinary junior officer of the local garrison and had never been to the battlefield, but from the current situation, it seems that Malashenko thought too simply.

Facing Malashenko's question, they smiled at each other. Lieutenant Vasily, who had no need to hide his past experience, immediately gave an affirmative and confident answer.

"Yes, Comrade Malashenko. During the Battle of Kiev, my army and I were dispersed by the Germans. The last order I received was to find a way to break through. At that time, the situation was full of artillery fire and bullets flying everywhere. The scattered Red Army troops were everywhere and we couldn't contact the people who could command us. The Germans were like omnipresent demons who could appear in front of us at any time."

"I couldn't contact my superiors, so I could only lead people to break through according to the established orders. I led a company of soldiers to kill at least hundreds of Germans along the way and escaped three pursuits! Although I only brought out a squad of soldiers in the end, we really succeeded! Those Germans didn't catch up with us in the end!"

For those who have escaped death, the experience of fighting for life is indeed just a boast. Malashenko, who has the same experience, is not surprised by Lieutenant Vasily's slight excitement.

"Didn't you return to the front afterwards? Lieutenant Vasily, the front should be in great need of experienced grassroots commanders like you."

Seeing Malashenko's slightly confused expression, Lieutenant Vasily shook his head with a helpless smile on his face.

"In fact, I really want to go back, Comrade Malashenko. But I later learned that the squad I led was the only remaining unit in our entire division. All the people from the division commander down died in Kiev or entered the German prisoner-of-war camp."

"Someone accused me of leaving the main force without permission and not obeying the superior's order to stick to the post. I don't know who stabbed me in the back, but I only know that those who came to examine my charges were genuine. I applied to return to the front-line troops many times but was rejected. Later, I didn't know why I was sent to Stalingrad inexplicably and asked to form and train the militia."

After hearing this, Malashenko basically understood what was going on.

The fact that a full 600,000 troops surrendered and became German prisoners of war was too horrifying. If there was no such historical record, Malashenko would not have believed it was true.

Political Commissar Petrov had more or less told Malashenko about the subsequent review of the troops that broke out of Kiev. Because there were too many troops that surrendered, the political review of the troops that were able to break out of Kiev was basically strengthened.

Even Political Commissar Petrov could not determine whose superior suspected that the troops that broke out were deliberately done by the Germans, and some traitors who wanted to destroy the motherland and the Red Army were mixed in, in order to allow the troops that broke out to infiltrate the Red Army to cause more damage.

Although even Political Commissar Petrov felt that this reason was too far-fetched, the order from his superiors forced Political Commissar Petrov to follow the procedures.

During the time he worked at the Lubyanka Hotel, Political Commissar Petrov, wearing a blue-rimmed hat, examined many officers who retired from the Kiev front.

Political Commissar Petrov sometimes even felt that this was an insult to the Red Army soldiers who fought bloody battles on the Kiev front. Thinking of the fact that he lost an arm in Kiev, Political Commissar Petrov could only sigh for the work during that period.

Malashenko was a little surprised that he would meet the person concerned here, but in Malashenko's opinion, Lieutenant Vasily, who looked quite simple and resolute, had nothing to do with the word traitor to the motherland.