Red Moscow

Sokov learned that the German counterattack had begun and was still on the way, so he got in touch with the division headquarters through the telephone. Although the signal is not good, he still wants to convey the information as soon as possible.

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said impatiently when he heard Sidolin's voice coming from the headset, "There is something important, and I need to inform you immediately. The Germans have begun to counterattack friendly forces."

"What, what did you say?" The radio signal was not good, and the vehicle was moving fast. Sidolin could only hear the sound of electricity coming from the headset and the roar of the car engine, but he couldn't hear Suko clearly. What did the husband say: "Mr. Comrade, the signal there is not good, I can't hear what you are saying at all?"

Sokov tried several times, but could not convey the message to Sidolin accurately. Just as he was about to order the driver to stop, the radio operator sitting in the back row suggested: "Comrade commander, you might as well draw up a telegram and let me send it to the chief of staff."

"This is a good way." Sokov quickly took out a pen and paper, quickly wrote down what he wanted to say on the satchel, and handed it to the operator: "Send it immediately."

Considering that the vehicle was too bumpy, Sokov ordered the driver to stop so that the radio operator could send the report quietly.

Seeing Sokov's car stop, Samoilov in another car hastily ordered the driver to stop. Not knowing that the soldiers set up a security circle, he walked towards Sokov quickly and asked: "Comrade Master, what happened?"

"I asked the radio operator to send a telegram to the chief of staff." Seeing Samoilov and the guards and soldiers looking like they were facing an enemy, Sokov waved at them and said, "Comrade Lieutenant, there is no need to arrange What kind of warning circle, as soon as the telegram is sent, I will leave here immediately."

After speaking, Samoilov called four or five soldiers to surround Sokov to prevent him from becoming the target of German snipers. A few big-bodied soldiers stood around Sokov and immediately blocked him tightly. Even if there were German snipers lurking nearby, there was no way to directly target Sokov.

Sokov didn't take it seriously at first, but seeing Samoilov being so conscientious, he remembered that Luhansk is a bit of a place. In just a few days, a major general and a colonel were killed by German snipers. If he was not careful, he might become the third victim.

Thinking of this, he changed his mind and told the telegraph operator: "Send the telegram quickly, and we will set off after dispatching."

Fortunately, the operator's movements were swift, and it didn't take long to send out the telegram: "Mr. Comrade, I have already sent the telegram."

More than an hour later, Sokov returned to his division headquarters.

As soon as he entered the door, he asked Sidolin: "Chief of Staff, how are you doing with the task I assigned you?"

"Reporting to Comrade Division Commander," Sidolin quickly replied, "As soon as I received your telegram, the Deputy Division Commander took two tank battalions and deployed them to the west of the city, and the remaining tank battalion stayed in the city as a Reserve team. I also transferred some new rockets and bazookas and deployed them in the 122nd Regiment's defense zone."

"You have done a good job, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sukov was very satisfied with Sidolin's deployment, but he still emphasized one point: "But under the current situation, we have to dig anti-tank trenches. It’s too late. In my opinion, it’s better to plant anti-tank mines on the main highway. In this way, even if the German armored forces break through the friendly defense lines, they will not be able to rush into Luhansk quickly.”

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin asked tentatively seeing Sukov's worried expression, "is the situation really so critical?"

"The situation is very serious, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov thought that no one would report to Sidolin about the content of the battle reports he had read anyway, so he boldly shared the history he knew and those he saw not long ago. The battle reports are mixed together: "The 4th Panzer Army of the German Army will use the strength of the SS Panzer Army to attack the right flank of the 6th Army of the Southwest Front from Krasnograd, and then attack the Papnog with the 48th and 57th Panzer Corps. Le, cut off the retreat of the friendly army. At the same time, the German First Army attacked the Popov Group of the Rapid Corps of the Southwest Front with the strength of the 40th Panzer Army, the Viking Division of the SS, and the 333rd Infantry Division.

After listening to what Sokov said, Sidolin couldn't help taking a breath, and he asked cautiously: "Comrade commander, I would like to ask, where did you get this information from?"

"I escorted General Krylov to the headquarters of the 21st Army." Sokov lied without batting an eyelid: "He showed me the information, which was provided by the Army Intelligence Department. "

Knowing that the information came from the Intelligence Department of the 21st Army, Sidolin had no doubts at all. He looked down at the map in front of him, studied the possible movements of the German army, then raised his head, and said in surprise: "Comrade commander, judging from what you said, once the German army defeats the defense forces of the friendly army, then they will be on the verge of attacking the German army." In two days, attack Luhansk."

"Chief of Staff, your analysis is correct." Sokov agreed with Sidolin's analysis. He pointed to the location of Lugansk with a pencil and said: "Lugansk is not only an important supply point for our army, but also after occupying here, we can separate the defense lines of the Southwest Front Army and the Don River Front Army, and in our army. The corps' defenses gain a salient."

After seeing through the German army's strategic intentions, Sidolin showed no joy on his face. He frowned and said to Sokov: "Comrade commander, if the enemy launches an attack on Lugansk, I'm worried that we will be With such strength, I'm afraid they won't be able to defend the city at all."

"Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff, we are not fighting alone." Sokov once again tapped the left wing of the defense zone with a pencil: "On our left is General Krylov's 21st Army. If we are in danger At that time, you can ask them for help. I think General Krylov will not just watch us being wiped out under the attack of the German army."

Hearing that Krylov's troops would come to reinforce him when he was in danger, Sidolin immediately felt relieved. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "With their support, we will be more confident in defending the city."

Sokov reminded Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, our troops have accumulated rich experience in street fighting after the Stalingrad Defense War. If the situation is not good, we can completely abandon the positions outside the city. Fight a street battle with the enemy in the city, rendering their tanks and artillery useless."