toward Stalingrad. - Comrade Commander in chief? - With your permission? Get me Division Commander Deyev. Yes! Where's our air support, Lieutenant Colonel? - Comrade General... - Where're our fighter planes? They've just taken off. That kind of protection is worthless. One should answer for it with one's Life. I'm sorry. Counterintelligence Chief? Yes, Comrade Commander. Colonel Osin, you're responsible for the safe arrival of the next echelons. - Take any measures. - Yes. Go and do your job. Yes, Comrade General. So, on the Germans' path there is Only a river, the Myshkova. And then the flat steppe to Stalingrad. When do you suppose they might reach the river? Our army on that flank is falling back, fighting them all the way. It's not impossible that the Germans may reach the river tonight. What’ll be the result? Should they cut our forces in two, Manstein's tanks could cover 45 kilometers in 24 hours and Link up with Von Paulus’s grouping. And what then? It would change the situation completely in the Germans' favor. If the Germans pierce our defenses on the Myshkova before we get there, and deploy their forces on its right bank, they're going to trample us. That's obvious, too. What do they have in the 1st echelon? The first echelon includes the 57th Tank Corps composed of four divisions, two of them tank divisions. By our estimation, 400 or 450 tanks. Four hundred and fifty tanks! Comrade Commander? We've finished unloading. ALL right, Colonel, now Listen. By tonight, your division is to take up defensive positions on the Myshkova. You must be dug in before nightfall. Before nightfall? But, Comrade Commander... - Is the order clear? - It's clear. Look at the map. Here's the position of the Germans. There's Only one obstacle in their way - the Myshkova river. Beyond lies the flat steppe all the way to Stalingrad. That's why your division must take up defensive positions along the river before the Germans get there. We must forestall them. If we don't, we're dead. Is that clear? Yes, it is. Have all the artillery that's not reserve artillery placed in infantry combat positions, point them at the enemy tanks. Destroy their tanks. That's the main threat that the Germans have. As for our tanks, we’ll use them Only at the critical juncture. Before that, we have to save them Like the apple of our eye. I understand, Comrade Commander. What do you think, artillery commander? Aren't we going to remain without artillery after the first battle? I know about that risk. I'd rather Lose every gun than allow the Germans Link up with Paulus. I repeat, the destruction of tanks is our main task in the first phase. Any more questions? So we're going to the front, are we? Are the Germans far? What's your hurry? There's always time enough to die. Here he goes Like a broken record. It's cold, huh? I bet tonight will be freezing. Tonight we’ll give it hot to Germans, It’ll keep you warm. How far is the front Line? We won't have to Look for it, It’ll find us. Straighten out those ranks! Straighten your ranks, guys! Damn this ice cream cone! Burned my throat all the way down. You Love ice cream? Watch out, or you’ll end up in the field hospital. Field hospital? Never. To hell with it! Comrade Lieutenant! You'd better ride in the medical vehicle. ALL right, I’LL go over there now. Goodbye, boys. Don't you miss me. - Hop on the gun carriage. - What? Lieutenant, can the medical corps catch a ride with us? We can make an exception for the medic, sure. If you're tired, you can hop on the carriage of the second gun. Who told you that I was tired? I'm just thirsty. Want a swig for your morale? Ukhanov, what are you offering her? Put your flask away. Suppose I want it? Why do you worry about me anyhow? You jealous by any chance? I can't be jealous of you. You've got a husband, haven't you? What husband? It's none ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст Гамсун на английском - текст Неуловимые мстители на английском - текст Жидкое небо на английском - текст Новый Вавилон на английском - текст Чёрная Акула на английском |