Everyone remains in silence.
Retreating is a very sensitive topic in the penal units.
Most of the time, it will not be allowed.
In theory, they could only be allowed to retreat after getting permission from a higher order of command and which they normally would not get.
However, Kamarov is here. He is the division commander. As long as he approves, they can retreat.
Kamarov sighs. After getting surrounded by the Germans, seeing so much death, his resolve did waver.
"You are right, Comrade Gromov. We do need to retreat."
"I have contacted my supervisor. There are a bunch of villages after we leave this forest. We will have to defend it."
"These villages only have a few militia, with mostly a squad of our regular forces, but filled with conscripts."
Gromov felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
It is all plain there, how is he going to defend these places without sufficient armoured forces, sufficient RPG, support of artillery and air force.
It is even worse than staying in this forest.
"Not a step back."
Kamarov seems to know what Gromov was thinking about.
Gromov sighs. There is nothing he can do to resist the order.
The troops start to move in the cover of darkness.
Surprisingly, the two KV were still able to work.
Perhaps it was another change in this world.
At least in Gromov's memory, Soviet vehicles in this era were unreliable on the battlefield.
They will need to have maintenance after a period of fighting.
It is just that the maintenance can be fast and easy, which is the opposite of the German Panzer.
11th of June, midnight.
Gromov's penal battalion has reached the villages.
"Here it is, this is where we are going to defend for the next few days."
Kamarov said.
Gromov, looking at the few tens of houses in the villages, doubts.
What is the point of defending these positions?
Regardless of how he thinks, in the Soviet military system, orders from the higher command can never be doubted.
"Reporting to all comrades, I am the squad leader of this village."
"The other from other villages are coming, they will be here in another ten minutes."
A squad leader came to them when they arrived.
When Gromov sees the rest of the squad leaders, the same doubt comes again.
Except for the first squad leader they met, the other are all just militia, which means even the high command does not plan to defend these places.
"Alright, Comrade Major, they will be under your command as well. But pay attention, they are not criminals, so don't simply fill them into your battalion. Take them as an individual unit."
"And everyone, your mission is clear. Defend these villages and buy time for our friendly forces in the rear. They are guarding more important strategic places that are crucial to the survival of Kyiv."
"Those wounded will get back to Kyiv for better treatment. I am going with them, as a new order has been arranged for me."
"Necessary supplies will be sent here shortly, but don't expect much for them. All the resources will be prioritised for the strategic places that I was saying."
Kamarov announced what he knows from the radio just now.
Listened, Gromov understands their situation now.
Again, they were used as cannon fodder.
Delay the German speed and strength with their lives.
Half an hour later, two trucks arrived.
They were here to send supplies and ammunition, and bring back Kamarov and the wounded to Kyiv.
Gromov checks on it, apart from ordinary ammunition such as bullets and magazines. They also bring two more RPG launchers and two 82 mm mortars, the 82-BM-37 with its crew.
BM stands for battalion mortar, specialising in fire support for battalion level.
"Major, this is the reward for your battalion. Use it wisely, and it can cause great casualties to the enemies."
Before Kamarov goes, he tells Gromov.
After that, they bring all the wounded on the trucks.
Gromov looks at Elena, who was still unconscious, sighing.
He does not have much feeling for her for now.
Intense fighting does not give him the time and chance to think about love and romance.
Let's see if they have the chance to reunite again.
On the trucks, the doctor returns Kamarov's letters and pictures.
"I worry you might need to give it to them yourselves, Comrade commisar."
Kamarov took it and smiled slightly.
The trucks have gone away of Gromov's sight. He turns. He still has a job to do.
"Alexee, Sidorov, gather all the officers. We will discuss the upcoming battle."
Although they have already been promoted to battalion, their structure remains simple.
The original three platoons were just promoted to company level.
The battalion does not have a fire support unit, which Gromov decided to form now.
In one of the houses in the village, Kirov sits beside and decides to remain silent in the meeting.
After a few battles, he is confident and believes in Gromov.
"Alexee, what is the situation of our battalion now?"
Gromov asked.
"Reporting to Comrade Major, we have about 500 men in the battalion, excluding the militia here. It will be about 600 men if including them."
"About the RPG launcher, we have 5 in total and a few tens of rockets after resupplying. Two HMG, which are one DsHK and one Maxim gun."
"20 German MG that we have seized, but their ammunition are limited, a few battles later they will be useless."
"2 82 mm mortars, as you see just now, can now provide fire support to us."
Gromov nodded, then asked about Bodanov his KV situation.
"Our petrol was going to run out, but ammunition is still sufficient to support another few battles."
Unlike Gromov's, his KV ammo will be used up in another battle.
After a moment of thought, Gromov has a brief plan.
Yet, he will still need to ask the permission from Kirov. He does not have the right to build any unit or appoint anyone as the commander.
Kirov only nodded his head, letting him arrange as he wanted.