Katyusha

Chapter XIV - Surrender

January 8th, 1943

Throughout the final sector of Stalingrad, elite sniper and counter-sniper Russian teams have set up along the perimeter of the last stronghold of German resistance.

As the Russian armies have cut off, isolated, and surrounded the battered and surviving Germans. The areas a wasteland of crumbled buildings, but there's a few standing that the German's are still using to make their final stand at.

However, the gentlemen's rule of thumb first of all before the bloodshed is in order.

A courier is sent out to deliver a message, armed only with a stick that has a white rag tied to the top of it, and he's holding up his hand high for the Germans to see the letter that he's carrying.

A unarmed German with a similar stick walks on out with hands up, he cautiously steps forward and with some hesitation takes a step closer. A small greeting of a hand wave gesture was exchanged, and then the Russian courier holds out the letter that was written out in German.

The German representer nods his head a little and carefully takes the letter from the man, and he turns around heading back while the Russian stands there patiently waiting.

After what seemed like eternity, the German returns and relays the message to the Russian.

Due to the language barriers, he simply points to his neck with his fore and middle finger and does two swipes in the air back and forth across his neck.

A known sign by all for 'negative'.

After that, there wasn't another hand signal and the turn two to go their separate ways, returning to their respective sides.

"Surrender was refused sir, just as you predicted it would." The courier says to the awaiting officer that was taking cover behind some rubble while watching. So, he gives a nod of acknowledgment and then turns to someone to relay his orders for all batteries to open fire.

**

Meanwhile in the Russian temporary F.O.B that has been set up at one of the last standing hotels within the housing districts. Katyusha and Anton finally returned along with Andrei, Kir, Fredrich, and the four other squad mates of the forward recon teams.

Their mission with defending the radio crew was a success, Katya also bagged a German general too that was trying to run away a few days back.

When they got back, a small celebration of sorts started and the company was elated to see their current and new C.O. still alive.

Then when everyone quieted down, Boris announced Katyusha's promotion to company Captain.

He also adds the news of Major Alexandrey becoming the replacement Lieutenant Colonel of their brother battalion, the 228th. As Colonel Boris is remaining in charge of the 238th, and Koyla will still be under Boris's leadership to learn more from the man on how to run and manage a battalion.

But unbeknownst to Colonel Boris himself, this technically makes him a Brigadier General, or in other words a one star General.

Because their divisional commanding officer of the 4th guard brigade, which is the division of the front vanguard for the Russian 28th's army, Brigadier General Yuri Orlov was killed in action by a German sniper a few days back on his way to the front.

As said, General Orlov was the divisional commander of the 238th, 235th, 237th, and the 239th assault division, responsible for maintaining and holding the middle of any frontline during a operation or attack.