Almost winter... The field where the battle has just subsided... The enemy... The enemy at the doors of Moscow!
Vasya and I were driving along this glade. It was covered with white, fluffy snow. We could have forgotten and stopped the car, got out and had fun running anywhere, but it was impossible to do so... After all, this "fairy-tale" picture was decorated with corpses of people, beaten up equipment and anti-tank hedgehogs. And you were sharply transferred to the harsh reality of 1941, to the war.
The road was flat, but there were always holes from shells, which only, about an hour ago, smashed here, and they need to be bypassed constantly. It's just little things in the war and I was driving, in a relatively good mood, until I noticed a German sign. It was brand-new, it seemed to have been put up after the battle, but it reminded me that there was only a little left until the capital of the country. He gave two directions: "Berlin mitte-1750 km. Moskaw-35 km.
- Damn Germans," I could barely hear it and stopped the truck and jumped out of the cab. When I approached it, I looked again and kicked it with all my might, so the pointer fell to the ground. Then, I went to the directions and put on them all the anger and righteous anger that had accumulated over the months on the Germans. I hadn't met them live yet, but that didn't stop me from hating them in my heart and soul.
And here, behind me, I heard a noise that clearly belonged to the tank. Turned around, I noticed that the tank was German, enemy. He was slowly entering a small hill and I was not wasting my time, quickly repositioning myself in the car with all my might pressed the accelerator pedal.
In the time it took for the tank to climb to the top, our old truck with the field kitchen had made good progress, but we still stayed within range of the projectiles. And the first one didn't take long to wait, then the second one, the third one... One of the shells exploded next to us, but it was all right, no one was hurt, but the door flew away.
Yeah, they didn't want to end that unequal fight so fast. It was like they were flirting with something like "Cats and Mice". Although, maybe it just seemed? In general, that's not the point! A little more "playing", we lost them and left them far behind.
But I liked our game. But only: "Who are you?
When I got to the village of Nefedovka, where the headquarters was located, which needed provisions, I proudly declared:
- On the way to you, the field kitchen was able to repel the enemy attack! - I didn't expect a medal, but...
- We've been waiting for you like Stalin! Oh, thank you to Communism, - breathed one.
- What's your name, what's your rank? - Another chief of staff asked.
- Junior Lieutenant Ivushkin! Ivushkin! - he saluted the honor, he said.
- A tanker?
- That's right!
He took a slow breath and exhaled. And then he smiled.
- Then I have one thing to do with you...
That's how I became a tank commander, T-34. Uh, and the team is assembled.
- So, the goal is this. Tomorrow morning we will be moved by a company of tanks, enemy tanks. Our task is to repel it!
The crew looked over and looked at me as a complete idiot. Yes, I agree with you guys, but instead I said:
- Even one tank is a force!
They looked at me carefully again and I saw sparks of fire and full readiness. Way to go!
Morning. Dawn. We were hay-drawn and our tank was not visible. The Germans are coming. I can feel it.
At this time, the future SS Standartenfuhrer looked through binoculars and tried to notice at least one Russian tank, or maybe the infantry.
- Verdächtig leise. Diese Russen, haben, wahrscheinlich etwas. (Suspiciously quiet. These Russians must be up to something)
- Erinnere, dich an Wolf. Sie haben immer etwas vor. (Remember, Wolf. They're always up to something.)
- Ja, du siehst aus wie Ivan! (You look like Ivan yourself!)
They both let their ridicule run wild. They shouldn't have made a fuss, but they couldn't resist. Moreover, good mood is the key to success.
You could hear the noise. Not even the noise, but the rumble of tank caterpillars. Sometimes German speeches were heard. But you won't understand that they yawn there. But we are not talking about tactics. What are the next steps?
- So, we act on the situation! - Yushkin said loudly.
The whole team replied: "Yes, sir!
Everyone began to wait in anticipation of the battle. Thoughts and thoughts came to mind that we were crowded, which started to hurt our heads a little bit. Now the fate of the crew and the outcome of the battle depends only on Ivushkin.