Katyusha

Chapter - XVII

When Boris broke the news to everyone about passing the parade inspections, there was immediate relief that washed over all who are gathered around.

Now with less of a burden weighing everyone down, the tension eases off. He caught up by means of a lorry truck that was driven up to the marching soldiers that have stopped for a break from their marching.

"Now then, you'll deserve some rest. Break rank and make camp in the fields there, I want all battalion commanders including Company officers to report here to me immediately while the camp is being set up!" Boris yells out, wanting to be heard by as many as possible.

Boris's order is then quickly relayed and followed down the regiment columns, as everyone breaks rank.

There on the back of the lorry truck, Boris watches the masses of troops wander into the field to break camp, there's even a small, proud smile on Boris's face as he watches the men that's under his command.

From his vantage point, he can also see how exhausted a lot of the new recruits are, and the grateful looks that are showing on everyone's tired faces.

Then, focusing his attention back at the officers that've gathered around the lorry truck, including Katya and Koyla. There's 10 all, including Boris.

These 10 officers are the top dogs of this regimental division that run and command these infantrymen milling about in the fields.

Thus it's of the utmost importance that Boris keeps these 9 officers informed about any current events that pass through him.

"As my suspicions were confirmed. They want all of us to finish training the conscripts, and complete the advanced training for the shock troops amongst us as well before we march to Kursk." Boris says standing on the bed of the lorry truck, enjoying the view of everyone out in the fields.

"We've also been ordered to wait here for a tank reserve that's going to review the drill standards and training alongside these men and they're going to Kursk with us. They're going to be a detachment from the 5th Guard Tank army... Any questions?" Boris asks looking down at them from his vantage point, and when he sees there's none he speaks.

"None? Good. Training continues tomorrow morning, for now they earned a rest for marching 23 miles." Boris says stepping down onto the step before he reaches the earth and stands with his fellow officers.

Everyone salutes and they turn off, heading to the camp ground where cooking fires are being started for the evening ration meals.

**

Kursk 1943, the marsh.

South-west of Kursk's defenses.

Slowly and with extra care, Katyusha moves at a hunters paces through the woods that she was ordered to recon and patrol.

She's joined by two other forward scouts in need of experience training, so they sent the two young boys in the light infantry frontal vanguard out with Katyusha. Their current orders are to investigate reports of German light infantry in this area, and silence them.

The forest is alive and well around the three, with the thick, gagging those who aren't used to it from the smell of the marshy swamp strong in the air. The sound of the birds chirping back and forth are nice to listen to as well, it's actually peaceful for once.

Suddenly there's a loud, spine numbing click of a mine being stepped on, and the three freeze with goose bumps running up their backs.

The sound of panic has filled the voices of the German light infantrymen out in the swampy, ankle deep crossing that Katya and the two young men failed to even notice.