Were the Germans secretly clearing mines in the dark, only to blow themselves up?

Despite his myriad calculations and meticulous planning, Malashenko had never foreseen such an outcome. He had, in fact, prepared for scenarios such as an accidental ammunition depot explosion. Yet, the notion that the Germans would be so utterly foolish as to detonate themselves was something Malashenko truly had not anticipated.

Indeed, mine-clearing is inherently a perilous task, and upon careful consideration, blowing oneself up in the process is not entirely beyond the realm of possibility. However, this particular turn of events makes the situation rather intriguing.

Muttering inwardly, Malashenko clearly discerned a hidden truth. The Germans clearing mines under the cover of darkness in the dead of night was, in itself, an extraordinary circumstance sufficient to raise questions.

To suggest that the Germans had no particular ulterior motive, and would undertake such an act purely for the sake of mine-clearing in the darkest hours, only to do nothing exceptional the following day—Malashenko believed that even a devil would not be swayed by such an absurd proposition. Establishing a minefield breach, whether in the context of World War II or future modern warfare, remains an undertaking of extreme peril. Even with the most advanced mine-clearing equipment in a future world, combat engineers frequently face death or grievous injury while defusing or clearing mines. To embark on such a highly dangerous and easily exposed endeavor in the dead of night, there must invariably be a commensurate reward at stake, one that would fuel the Germans' desire to achieve it and willingly brave this perilous gamble.

From a comprehensive analysis of the prevailing situation and current circumstances, Malashenko concluded there could be only one reason for the Germans' actions: to prepare for an attack slated to commence just a few hours hence. This preparation could be to open a minefield path for armored forces, or perhaps, after opening the path prematurely, to send in a small reconnaissance team to ascertain the layout and true strength of the Red Army's defensive positions, or even to provide adjusted coordinates for an impending artillery bombardment. Regardless of the specific reason, Malashenko was certain that the Germans clearing mines in the depths of such a dark night harbored sinister intentions, plotting malevolence. Moreover, this incident further confirmed that the Germans were poised to launch an attack at dawn. At the very least, such was their initial plan. As for the notion that they would abandon their entire offensive plan due to a failed mine-clearing operation and exposed objective, Malashenko considered it highly improbable. The Germans had mobilized over eight hundred thousand, nearly nine hundred thousand troops for this strategic group offensive, a venture demanding an exceedingly high expenditure of manpower and material resources. To cancel an entire strategic operation over a minor tactical setback, Malashenko deemed it an uncharacteristically foolish decision. Now that such a blunder had occurred, based on his extensive past experience of back-and-forth engagements with the Germans, Comrade Old Ma believed the Germans would, in all likelihood, persist with their audacious assault. Mine-clearing failed, surprise attack thwarted? Then they would simply revert to their contingency plan, resorting to a 'Steel-Head Charge'. During the Kursk campaign, the Germans frequently engaged in such 'iron-headed' breakthroughs; massed armored formations forcefully penetrating minefields was a familiar, almost routine, affair for them.

With the situation now largely comprehended and the preceding analysis yielding a clear prognosis, Malashenko's subsequent course of action was self-evident. "Alert the troops to prepare for battle," he commanded. "Now that they've been exposed, the Germans might just unleash their fury! A premature assault is not beyond possibility. They have now forfeited the element of surprise, and covert sabotage or intelligence gathering is utterly out of the question. They are undoubtedly aware that we can deduce much from this incident, and I am confident that these Germans will also understand what measures to take once their cover is blown." Strategically disdain the enemy, tactically revere the enemy. Malashenko had never been one to entrust his fate or the outcome of battle to the presumption that his adversaries were exceptionally weak or utterly incompetent—circumstances beyond his personal control. Malashenko profoundly detested the feeling of powerlessness, of destiny and victory being beyond his grasp. Hence, he invariably formulated his operational plans by envisioning the enemy at their strongest, presenting the most dire possible scenario for his own forces on the battlefield. He cherished the sensation of everything proceeding as anticipated, allowing him to respond with effortless composure. Such had always been his custom, and it remained unaltered this day. To rely on the enemy's complacency and ineptitude to win a battle was nothing short of imbecilic command. Malashenko had never engaged in such folly in the past, nor would he do so today, or ever in the future. The order Kurbalov received from Malashenko was to immediately elevate the state of combat readiness to 'Enemy can surge forth at any moment'. This was not merely a precaution for a *potential* engagement, but a preparation for a battle that was *certain* to commence imminently.

As seconds ticked into minutes, Malashenko raised a hand, pushed up his sleeve, and consulted his wristwatch, estimating that little time remained. Having finalized all arrangements, he promptly departed Kurbalov's brigade headquarters and set off on his return journey. "To divisional headquarters!" he commanded. "Once we arrive and disembark, immediately inform Varosha to ready the engine. I shall give a few brief instructions at headquarters and then join you at once. Thereafter, we shall proceed directly to dispatch those fascist mongrels to their demise!" With his hands firmly on the steering wheel, Ioshkin had guided the vehicle onto the road leading back to divisional headquarters. Navigating off-road through the bitter cold and accumulated snow in the dead of night demanded meticulous caution from Ioshkin. Moreover, this 'Happy Walker' was, confound it, a convertible! If it were to overturn into a ditch, it would truly become 'Malashenko's Happy Car'—no jest intended. "Dispatch those fascists to their demise? Hey, hold on a moment!" Ioshkin interjected. "I still don't even know what's happening. What was that explosion just now? Have the Germans already attacked?" Despite his hands gripping the steering wheel and his attention fixed on driving, Ioshkin's mouth remained incessantly active. Knowing the young man's boisterous nature, Malashenko did not deign to rebuke him for his excessive chatter. A concise, icy command from Malashenko swiftly and thoroughly silenced Ioshkin's, shall we say, 'aptly timed' remarks. "Drive your vehicle properly," Malashenko curtly replied. "I will explain everything in detail once we are aboard the tank. For now, hold your tongue and concentrate your attention on the road."

True to Malashenko's words, no sooner had the vehicle come to a halt than he immediately disembarked and hurried into the divisional headquarters tent. Ioshkin, for his part, similarly parked the car swiftly, then took off at a run directly toward the 'Avenger IS7' heavy tank parked nearby. He understood the implications when Malashenko seldom indulged his 'chatter'. "Quick, quick, quick!" Ioshkin urged. "Start her up, Selesha, quickly get us moving! Artyom, Sergei, both of you board the vehicle at once; Comrade Commander will arrive any moment. We have vital work to do! Everyone, make haste!"

This chapter, now rendered for your contemplation, emerges solely from the dedicated studios of truyen.free.