Red Moscow

After Zhukov learned that Manstein and others had gone to Berlin, he called Sokov. After briefly introducing the situation, he asked cautiously: "Misha, what do you think of Kruger and Manstein? What kind of impact will it have on the war in the Kursk region if people go to Berlin?"

When Sokov heard Zhukov's question, he immediately understood that the reason why the other party told him such a confidential matter was to listen to his own judgment and use it as a reference to make corresponding adjustments to the next combat deployment.

"Comrade Marshal," Sokov tried to recall the historical knowledge he remembered, and then said: "According to the analysis of what you just said, since General Rokossovsky launched an offensive on the northern front, threatening the If the 9th Army retreats, then the enemy on the northern front will definitely shrink their forces in order to prevent our army from capturing the Orel salient.”

"Your analysis coincides with my thoughts." After Zhukov praised Sokov, he continued: "What I am interested in now is the southern line. After all, the situation here is the most critical. What do you think? What will Stein do next?"

"If I were Manstein, I would order Hausser's 2nd SS Panzer Army and the Kenff battle group to join together, continue to attack the city of Prokhorovka, and look for a suitable opportunity to annihilate the 69th Army and the 6th Guards Tank Army. 5th Army. As for Oboyan, General Knobelsdorf's 48th Panzer Corps entangled General Katukov's 1st Tank Army, making them overwhelmed."

"Finish?" Zhukov asked a little strangely after hearing Sokov finish, "Is there nothing to add?"

"No more, Comrade Marshal." Sokov didn't want to say too much, so as not to be regarded as a magic stick by others, he could only say euphemistically: "According to the information you provided, I can only analyze so many things."

"What about the 24th Panzer Army?" Zhukov asked again: "Will Manstein let them be there as a display?"

"Comrade Field Marshal, the 24th Panzer Army of the German Army is composed of the 23rd Panzer Division and the Viking Division. Their combat effectiveness is not weaker than that of the Kenf Combat Group." Sokov replied: "If Manstein put them on the battlefield, we will The defense line of the army in Prokhorovka will become precarious. But now that Manstein has gone to Berlin, I guess this army will not only not be sent to the battlefield by him, but will be transferred from the Kursk region.”

The 24th Panzer Army of the German army has always been a thorn in Zhukov's heart. Up to now, there are no troops that can be transferred to Prokhorovka. If the enemy puts this reserve team into the battlefield again, it will finally stabilize. defense line, there is a possibility of collapse.

At this moment, when Sokov said that Manstein would not put this unit into battle, and would even transfer it away, his tone suddenly became severe: "Major General Sokov, do you know what you are talking about? Do you have any brains, as long as the enemy puts this armored army into battle, the balance of victory will completely fall to them, but you told me that the enemy will never put troops into battle, and even transfer them away."

Sokov was silent, and thought aggrievedly: If I were Manstein, under the current situation, I would definitely throw the reserve team into battle without hesitation and completely smash the Soviet defense line. But Manstein never dreamed that he would meet a superior like Mustache, and he made a wrong decision that took away his upcoming victory.

After Zhukov on the other end of the phone had a fit, he realized that Sokov was not talking here, so he asked again: "Why are you not talking, do you feel that your judgment has gone wrong?"

"No, Comrade Marshal, I believe in my own judgment." Sokov believed that the reserve team in Manstein's hand was transferred away by Mustache to reinforce the Italian front. It may not be very likely, so he decided to stick to his principles: "If you don't believe it, you can send scouts to monitor the movement of this army. I believe that within two days, you will know whether my judgment is accurate."

"I didn't expect that, you are quite stubborn." Although Zhukov was unwilling to believe Sokov's analysis, he still tried his best to control his emotions and said in a calm tone: "I will let Vatutin arrange reconnaissance as soon as possible." Soldiers, monitor the 24th Panzer Corps of the German Army to see if the situation is as you said."

Vasilevsky, who had just walked in from outside the house, saw Zhukov put down the phone, with a trace of anger on his face, and asked curiously, "Comrade Marshal, did someone make you angry on the phone?"

"Who else could it be? It's Xiao Xiaosha." Zhukov said angrily: "When I was communicating with him just now, he actually told me that it was impossible for Manstein to send the 24th Panzer Army into battle, and it was even possible Transfer this army. Tell me, if you were Manstein, would you transfer the reserve team to other regions at this critical moment?"

"Comrade Marshal," Vasilevsky said with a smile after figuring out why Zhukov was angry, "I remember that you served as the commander of the Leningrad Front in 1941."

"Yes, that was in September 1941. At that time, the Northern Army Group commanded by von Leib stormed Leningrad. The city was in danger. The high command sent me there to replace Marshal Voroshilov. Command troops to stop the German army Seize the city." After Zhukov recognized his experience, he asked in puzzlement, "How does this have anything to do with Misha's misjudgment?"

Vasilevsky nodded slightly after listening, and continued: "Shortly after you took office, part of the German army that was storming the city was suddenly transferred away. But the actual situation is that in order to capture Moscow as soon as possible, the German army has transferred troops from the northern group to strengthen the offensive in the center."

Zhukov was a smart man. Hearing Vasilevsky mention this seemingly irrelevant matter, he immediately understood what was going on: "Comrade Vasilevsky, do you mean to mention this matter? Hint me that Xiao Xiaosha's analysis is entirely possible?"

"That's right." Vasilevsky said with a smile: "Although I am not familiar with Major General Sokov, according to my observations over the past two years, his analysis of the battlefield situation is still very accurate. Last year our army launched During the Battle of Kharkov, who would have thought that Stalingrad, which was thousands of miles away, would be the next target of the Germans? However, Major General Sokov analyzed this situation based on the sporadic information he had. Possibly, and deployed defenses on Mamayev Gang in advance.

Comrade Zhukov, since the two of us are representatives of the headquarters, we are responsible for the safety of the Kursk defense line. I think it is better to send the necessary reconnaissance force to monitor the German armored army. Once they have any movement, we can know it as soon as possible. "

"Comrade Vatutin," Zhukov sat at the table and thought about Vasilevsky's words, and felt that what he said was very reasonable, so he ordered Vatutin: "Immediately send capable scouts to the German 24th. The garrison of the Armored Army is monitoring, and if they find any changes, report to me immediately."

Sokov didn't know what happened in the headquarters of the Voronezh Front, and as soon as he put down the phone, he said to Koida: "Comrade Colonel, I'm going back to the headquarters tonight, and you will be responsible for the defense here. "

"When will you come back?" Keida was used to Sokov commanding the troops by his side, and when he learned that he was leaving, he couldn't help feeling a little panicked: "I'm worried that my ability is limited and I can't command so many troops."

"I guess I won't be back for a long time." Sokov plans to stay there to command the troops after returning to his headquarters. After all, no matter how good this place is, it is only a division-level headquarters. Reposted by Sameko at the command, it is easy to delay the fighter: "You know, I have more important work to do in the command."

Knowing that Sokov would not be coming back for the time being, Koyda felt very disappointed, but he was helpless. Who told Sokov to be the commander of the group army? After he returned to the headquarters, he must have endless work. It is reasonable to come here again when time comes to know my work.

While lamenting, Koyda asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, when do you plan to leave and how many people will you bring with you?"

"I will take Samoilov's guard platoon together."

"No, Comrade Commander, you can't go like this." Keida immediately objected.

"Why?" Sokov asked puzzled.

"Although the area you want to pass is under the control of our army." Koyda explained: "But if you bring a guard platoon, you need at least one truck and a few jeeps. Such a small convoy Marching at night is also very dangerous, once discovered by enemy scouts, it may be dangerous.”

"Comrade Colonel, what you said makes sense." Sokov knew that Samoilov's guard platoon had a relatively large number of people. If he really left by car, he would need at least two trucks and five jeeps. Driving at night may also be dangerous. So he made a decision after a brief consideration: "Then I will take Lieutenant Samoilov and a few soldiers and return to the Army Group Headquarters in two jeeps."

When leaving the headquarters of the 188th Division, Samoilov, who was in the car with Sokov, asked: "Comrade Commander, do we really only need two jeeps when we go back to the Army Group Headquarters?"

"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant." Sokov nodded and replied, "There are too many cars, and the target is easily exposed." Seeing the other party's worried expression, he comforted him, "Don't worry, this place is only a short distance from the Army Group Headquarters." More than 20 kilometers. If the car drives fast, it will take half an hour at most."

On the way back, although everything went well, but because the road was too damaged, there were big craters blown out by planes and cannons everywhere. Some craters were even filled with water, so that the driver had to slow down and carefully bypass one after another craters of different sizes.

After tossing on the road for almost two hours, the jeep in which Sokov was riding finally arrived at the gate of the headquarters. The sentinel standing guard at the gate was taken aback when he saw Sokov, then raised his hand to salute, and said in surprise, "Comrade Commander, you are back!"

"Yes, I'm back." Sokov saw that the sentinel who greeted him looked familiar, but he couldn't remember the name of the other party in a hurry, so he just nodded casually and asked: "The chief of staff and the military Is Comrade Comrade at the headquarters?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The sentinel quickly replied, "They have set up two camp beds in the headquarters, and they sleep in the headquarters at night, so they can deal with anything in time."

Although Sokov had deliberately lightened his steps when he entered the headquarters, when he entered the door, he still heard a familiar voice asking, "What's the matter?"

Recognizing Sameko's voice, Sokov stopped and replied, "It's me, Comrade Chief of Staff!"

Sameko, who was lying on the camp bed, had his eyes closed at first, but when he heard Sokov's voice, he sat up abruptly, without even bothering to put on his boots, and jumped out of bed to greet him: "Comrade Commander, How did you come back?"

Sokov caught a glimpse of a person lying on the camp bed not far away. It should be Lunev, the military commissar. He was trying to tell Sameko to soften his voice so as not to wake Lunev from his dream. But he was still a step too late. Lunev, who was lying on the bed, sat up, rubbed his eyes, looked at Sukov and said politely: "Comrade commander, why are you back at this time? It really surprises us." gone."

"I'm really sorry for disturbing your rest." Sokov felt very sorry for disturbing their sleep: "I should say hello to you before I come back."

Sameko poured Sokov a cup of tea, and when he handed it to him, he said: "Comrade Commander, you didn't disturb our rest. You know, since we entered the defense line of the Pusol River, I have been sleeping very hard. There are very few. When you came in just now, I was lying down not long ago, and when I heard footsteps, I thought it was some staff officer who came to report the situation."

Sokov sat at the table with a teacup in his hand, took a sip of the tea, and asked, "Is there any movement on the defense line of the Pushol River?"

"No." Sameko replied bluntly: "Because your defensive battle was fought so loudly and attracted the attention of the enemy, they had no time to attack us. I am afraid that if this continues, before the end of the battle, we will The troops stationed here will not be able to win battles."

"It's not easy to fight," Sokov said with a smile: "When the enemy's attack on Prokhorovka is completely defeated, all our troops can launch a full-scale counterattack. At that time, every division will have a battle. .”

Lunev walked up to Sokov, stared into his eyes for a while, and said with concern: "Comrade Commander, it seems that you haven't had a good rest recently. Since you have nothing to do tonight, you lie down." After a good rest, you can better command the troops to fight when you have enough energy."