Red Moscow

It was a happy thing that the troops were going to be reorganized into an army group. Sokov quickly ordered Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, inform the commanders of all divisions and brigades to come to the headquarters for a meeting."

The troops stationed in the Red Army Village were not scattered enough, so after receiving Vitkov's notice, all division commanders, brigade commanders, their chiefs of staff and political commissars came to Sokov's headquarters.

Seeing that everyone was here, Vitkov stood up and said to the commanders who were still talking: "Comrades, please be quiet, we will start the meeting now."

Hearing what Witkov said, everyone shut their mouths and looked at Witkov standing in front of him, trying to figure out what happened to him in such a hurry to recruit him.

"Comrades, I have good news for you." Vitkov held up a telegram and said excitedly to everyone: "We have just received an order from our superiors that our Sokov combat group will be reorganized into the Sixth Army... "

Hearing this, Sivakov couldn't help asking: "Isn't there already a Sixth Army, why are we reorganized into the Sixth Army?"

"General Kharitonov's Sixth Army was attacked by the German Skeleton Division, Banner Guard Division and Imperial Division in the previous battle. The troops suffered heavy losses, and even the commander Kharidonov was injured. "Vitkov explained to everyone: "Now the superiors have announced the abolition of the original Sixth Army's headquarters, and our combat group and some of the original Sixth Army's troops will form a new Sixth Army."

On behalf of everyone, Sivakov asked the question in his heart: "After the formation of the new Sixth Army, who will be the commander?"

"The base camp has decided to appoint Major General Sokov as the commander of the Sixth Army, and I will be the chief of staff of the Army." Witkov said here, pointing to Lunev who was sitting behind, and continued: "Let me introduce to you, This is Lieutenant General Lunev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, who will serve as the military commissar of our army group."

Everyone heard that Sokov was still the commander, and they were quite happy at first, but when they heard that a deputy minister of the Ministry of the Interior was appointed as the military commissar, they suddenly became silent.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Sokov understood what they were worried about. But since the superior had sent Lunev here, it was obviously impossible for him to go back. The only way is to find a way to make everyone have a good relationship with him, so that they can coexist peacefully in the years to come.

Sokov stood up and said to the commanders present: "Comrades, the Sixth Army is a unit with a glorious history. They have fought tenaciously against the enemy on different battlefields. Now we have all become this army. If you are a member of the glorious army, then you must continue to carry forward the glorious tradition of this army..."

In fact, when the commanders present heard that the military commissioner was the deputy minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they couldn’t help feeling worried about Sokov. After all, many of his tactics were useless. If the deputy minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs fought against him, I'm afraid that in the days to come, it will be simply impossible to defeat the enemy as easily as before.

Lunev came here to serve as a military commissar, but he was actually very disturbed. Although he is the deputy minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he is the kind of deputy minister who ranks low, and there are only two squads of soldiers escorting him this time. He is very worried that he will be excluded after he arrives here.

But judging from the current situation, not only did Sokov not intend to exclude him in the slightest, but he also respected him very much. In the face of Sokov's goodwill, Lunev felt that he should also show something. After Sukov finished speaking, he stood up and said: "Comrades, when I learned that I could join you as a heroic unit and fight against the invaders with you, I was very excited. Since I have never I haven't been on the battlefield, and I don't have any combat experience. In order not to affect Commander Sokov's combat decision, Commander Sokov will have the final say on military affairs in the future..."

Sokov never dreamed that Lunev would say these words. He looked at Lunev in some surprise, wondering what the other party's purpose was for saying these words? Is it really intended to cooperate with me, or is it a deliberate irony.

Before he could come up with a reason, Lunev had finished what he wanted to say, and sat back in his seat again. Witkov asked the commanders in front of him: "Anyone have any questions?"

Colonel Sheyko, political commissar of the 67th Guards Division, stood up and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, I would like to ask, which units are the headquarters planning to incorporate into the newly formed Sixth Army?"

"We don't know exactly which troops will join." Witkov replied: "But I can tell you that the superiors must supplement us with at least two infantry divisions, as well as several tank brigades and artillery regiments. We When appropriate, an Army Artillery Headquarters should also be set up, with dedicated personnel to command all the artillery.”

"Then what is our next task?" Major General Merkulov asked.

"As before, continue to stick to the existing position." Witkov said: "Prepare to resist the German attack."

Seeing that everyone seemed dissatisfied with Vitkov's answer, Sokov stood up and said: "Commanders, the defense is only temporary. When the time is right, we will still take the initiative to attack the enemy. Just like we did earlier time, the three SS divisions of the German army were huddled in Barvenkovo ​​and dared not move."

Several division commanders of the Guards were envious of the achievements of the 41st Guards Division in the early stage. Hearing what Sokov said, they stood up one after another and asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, if you want to attack the enemy next time, you must hand over this glorious and arduous task to our division. .”

"Comrades, sit down first." Sokov raised his hand and pressed down, and after calling everyone to sit down, he continued: "Don't look at our designation, which will soon become the Sixth Army. At that time, we The current strength and equipment have not changed in the slightest from before. Before we get new supplements and reinforcements, we can only continue to stick to the existing defensive positions and prepare for the enemy's attack as before."

Lunev frowned slightly when he heard Sokov say that he was going to continue to stick to the Red Army Village. He thought to himself that there are four guard divisions here, plus three tank brigades and an artillery division. Offensive, and will not be at a disadvantage. When he was about to speak, he remembered what Beria had said to him when he left Moscow, so he obediently shut his mouth.

"Comrade Commander," the person who asked the question this time was Colonel Sidolin, Chief of Staff of the 41st Guards Division. He stood up and asked, "Now that you have assumed the position of commander of the group army, who will take over the position of division commander?" Woolen cloth?"

Sokov really couldn't answer Sidolin's question. He shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands: "Comrade Colonel, please forgive me for not being able to answer your question. I think the superior may send someone to take over." My job."

It would be a pity for Sokov if he no longer served as the commander of the 41st Guards Division. In any case, he and this unit had become inseparable in the battle to defend Stalingrad. of a whole. Even though the division is still under his command now, who knows if it will be suddenly transferred by the superior one day in the future and placed under the command of other army units. As long as he thought of this, he felt extremely lost in his heart.

After the meeting, when Lunev saw that there were only himself, Sokov, and Vitkov in the room, he asked the question in his heart: "Comrade Commander, I don't understand. With our current strength, we can completely Launch an attack on the enemy, why do you choose to stand still?"

"Comrade Military Commissar," Sukov no longer referred to him as Deputy Minister because the other party is now the Military Commissar of the Army Group: "Yes, our troops seem to be quite large, and there are tank brigades and artillery divisions. But because Now it is the thaw season, the roads have become muddy, and the maneuverability of our tanks is restricted. If we attack the enemy under such conditions, our tanks will be stuck in the quagmire and cannot move, and then they will become German aircraft. and the target of artillery bombardment."

Regarding Sokov's statement, Lunev expressed doubts: "Comrade commander, if what you said is true, how did the enemy attack us?"

"Comrade Military Commissar, if you are interested, you can check the weather during the time when the enemy is most active and see what the temperature is?" Sokov did not get angry, but replied with a smile: "It was cold at that time, and the land was The freezing was so severe that enemy tanks and armored vehicles were able to move freely."

"Comrade Military Commissar, the commander is right." Seeing that Lunev seemed to have misunderstood Sokov, Vitkov hurried out to smooth things over: "A few days ago, the German 6th Armored Division dispatched an infantry battalion and An armored battalion was going to attack the Red Army Village, but they were halfway there, and they couldn't move forward because the road was muddy. At that time, we sent a company to use the new rockets and bazookas they carried to destroy the armor of the German army battalion, and severely damaged the accompanying infantry battalion."

"Oh, why didn't I see such a battle report?"

Vitkov glanced at Sokov and replied: "I think this battle report may still be in the Front Army Command, and it has not had time to report to the General Staff."

"Well, there is such a possibility." Lunev thought that his knowledge of Sokov's troops was based on the battle reports from the General Staff Headquarters. If it was some small-scale battle, the other party might not have reported it at all. He paused for a moment, then asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, when do you think it is most appropriate for us to attack the enemy?"

"After the superiors have replenished our troops, especially tanks and artillery." In response to Lunev's question, Sokov explained to him: "We have enough firepower to attack the enemy. There will not be a situation where the enemy's offensive cannot be gnawed because of insufficient firepower configuration."

Before Lunev came here, he was just a civilian officer and had no combat experience. Hearing what Sokov said, he seemed a little puzzled. Fortunately, Vitkov saw his embarrassment and explained to him: "Comrade Military Commissar, the situation is as follows. The enemy does have a strong fortification in Barvenkovo, and if we attack, we will not have enough tanks. and artillery, the attacking force was unable to break through the enemy's trenches."

"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov felt that instead of spending a long time explaining to Lunev here, it would be better for him to go to the front to see for himself, then he would understand what was going on: "To defeat the enemy, you must Relying on bravery is far from enough, it also requires reasonable tactics and sufficient firepower."

Seeing that Lunev nodded half-understanding, Sokov continued: "Comrade Military Commissar, if you are interested, how about I go to the front with you to see the next battle?"

Lunev is a civilian officer with no combat experience. He has never seen the cruelty of the battlefield. Therefore, after hearing Sokov's proposal, not only did he not feel the slightest fear, but he nodded seriously and replied: "No problem." Comrade Commander, remember to call me when you attack Barvenkovo ​​next time. I want to see with my own eyes what the most elite SS division of the German army looks like."

"There will be a chance."

Vitkov said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, if we want to take Barvinkovo, we need at least two thousand new rockets."

"Two thousand pieces?" After hearing the number proposed by Vitkov, Sokov couldn't help frowning, "I don't know if the military factory in the rear has such a large production capacity. I'm afraid even if I ask my superiors, I won't be able to get it." desired number."

"Necessary applications are still needed." Witkov reminded Sokov: "Now there are only more than 800 new rockets in the entire army. Such ammunition reserves may not be able to take Barvenkovo."

"Okay, I'll send a telegram to Commander Rokossovsky later, asking him to apply for us." Sokov said helplessly, "I think he will be better than us." .”

When Lunev heard this, he asked curiously: "I want to ask, what is a new type of rocket? Is it the kind fired by a rocket?"

"Comrade Military Commissar, how can I explain it to you?" Vitkov said with a wry smile: "If you are interested, I will take you to the area where the rockets are stored, and then you will know what the new rockets look like." It's gone."

"Is this weapon important?" Lunev continued.

"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar." Vitkov nodded and replied in an affirmative tone: "The reason why we have achieved so many victories is due to the contribution of this new type of rocket."