Red Moscow

Sokov was also thinking about this matter in his heart. Two of his divisions were pinned down by the enemy in Compass Town of Kazakia. If another division was sent there, would it be necessary?

"Comrade Commander," Seeing Sokov's delay in speaking, Sameko made his suggestion again: "Except for the two divisions that are fighting in the compass town of Kazakhya, the closest to Jergach is the Infantry No. The 254th Division, why not send them there."

"I think it's okay." Since the plan is not as good as changes, Sokov will not go all the way to the dark, he simply agreed to Sameko's proposal: "Chief of Staff, you call Colonel Shechtman immediately. Call, let him dispatch a regiment to the forest outside Gergach to rescue the imprisoned Italian prisoners of war."

"Okay." Sameko agreed, then picked up the phone, and said into the receiver: "I'm Sameko, immediately connect me to the headquarters of the 254th Division and find Colonel Shechtman."

Shechtman, who received the call, did not understand why he sent troops to rescue the Italian prisoners of war, but more than 20 years of military career made him develop a good habit of obedience. After Sameko finished speaking, he didn't ask any questions, but said directly: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, I will immediately dispatch troops to Jergachi to rescue the Italian prisoners of war imprisoned by the Germans."

After giving the order to Shechtman, Sameko got in touch with Major General Fomenko, the commander of the 84th Division, and learned that a regiment of the division, along with two tank battalions of the Tank Corps, was heading towards Kazakhstan along the road. Starting from Qiya Compass Town, they can enter the battlefield within two hours at the latest.

After putting down the phone, Sameko immediately came over to report to Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Shechtman said that he immediately assembled troops and rushed to Dergach in the shortest time; and Major General Fomenko Report to me that one of his regiments, accompanied by two tank battalions, is heading for Kazakhya Compass Town, and it will arrive at its destination in two hours at the latest."

Sokov snorted softly after hearing this, and said: "I hope that when the troops of the 84th Division arrive at Kazakhya Compass Town, the battle will not be over, otherwise, at the post-war summary meeting, Major General Fomenko will be severely punished.”

As the chief of staff of the group army, Sameko naturally knew what Sokov meant by severe punishment. He knew very well in his heart that once Fomenko was punished for delaying the fighter plane, his future would basically come to an end. Let alone a promotion in the future, it would be good to keep his current position.

Somewhat unbearable, Sameko coughed lightly, and then said to Sokov tactfully: "Comrade Commander, the reason why General Fomenko has not sent troops to Kazakhya Compass Town is because The reason. After all, after they take down October Town, they still need to eliminate the enemies in the town and prevent possible counterattacks from the enemies..."

Sokov saw Sameko's intentions and quickly waved his hand to stop him from continuing: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't need to intercede for him. If the 188th Division cannot capture Kazakhs because the 84th Division's support is not in time Yaluopan Town, then the punishment of Major General Fomenko will be inevitable."

While the two were talking, the phone on the table rang suddenly without warning.

Sokov stared at the phone that rang suddenly, feeling an ominous premonition in his heart. He pouted at Sameko and signaled him to answer the phone.

Sameko picked up the phone and whispered to his ear, "I'm Chief of Staff Sameko, where are you?"

"What? What did you say, say it again?...Okay, I will truthfully report this matter to Comrade Commander..."

When Sokov heard what Sameko said, he immediately realized that something was wrong, and quickly asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?"

Sameko hurriedly covered the microphone with his hand and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Koida reported that the enemy who launched a counterattack used a new type of weapon to effectively suppress the firepower of our army. As a result, some streets that were originally occupied by our army fell back into the hands of the enemy."

"New weapons, what new weapons?"

Sokov didn't wait for Sameko's answer, he reached out and snatched the microphone, and asked into the microphone: "Colonel Koyda, I'm Sokov. Please report to me truthfully, what new weapons the enemy uses. "

Keida’s anxious voice came from the receiver: “Comrade Commander, according to reports from the commanders and fighters at the front, the submachine guns equipped by the enemy counterattack are similar to our assault rifles. They not only have very powerful firepower, but also have high shooting accuracy. Enough to suppress the firepower of our army."

"Comrade Colonel, are you saying that the enemy's submachine guns are similar to our assault rifles?"

"That's right."

"Is it the submachine gun you seized there?"

"The complete submachine gun has not been seized yet." Koyda continued: "However, my subordinates have interrogated several German prisoners, and they confessed that it is the MP-43 submachine gun of the newly prepared troops."

Sokov thought the MP-43 submachine gun, isn't it the famous STG-44 assault rifle? It is said that Kalashnikov was able to develop the AK-47 assault rifle, which was completely inspired by the German assault rifle. After all, in real history, the STG-44 is the world's first large-scale equipped assault rifle.

Sokov thought for a moment, and then told Koida: "Comrade Colonel, I order you, once you intercept the new German submachine gun, send someone to my headquarters immediately. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Koyda replied loudly: "Once the new German submachine gun is captured, I will send someone to your headquarters in the shortest possible time."

After reporting to Sokov, Koyda remembered Major Guchakov who went to the headquarters, and quickly added: "By the way, Comrade Commander, has Major Guchakov arrived at your headquarters? "

"It's here," Sokov replied, "he and his men arrived last night."

"Comrade Commander," Keida felt somewhat sad when he thought of Guchakov's 1st Battalion, which was almost wiped out in yesterday's battle. He cautiously said to Sokov: "Major Guchakov's troops have been wiped out. I really don't have any extra soldiers to replenish them. I wonder if you can transfer some troops to rebuild the first battalion?"

"Comrade Colonel, I don't have any extra troops in my hands, how can I replenish them for you?"

Hearing what Sokov said, Koyda was somewhat disappointed, but he said unwillingly: "Comrade Commander, according to my observation, Major Guchakov is a very good commander. Just because the troops were wiped out, it would be a bit inappropriate for him to sit on the bench at the rear."

"Colonel Koida, I want to remind you of one thing. I am the commander, and you are only a division commander. In the army, does the commander command the division commander, or does the division commander command the commander? How do we arrange Guchakov , this is my business, so I don’t need to report to you.”

Koyda, who was criticized by Sokov, was silent for a while, and then said: "Comrade Commander, I beg you, please don't let an excellent commander like Major Guchakov sit on the back bench , it's a waste."

Sokov smiled: "Colonel Koyda, you don't have to worry about Guchakov anymore. It is impossible for him to return to your 188th Division. The superiors have made new arrangements for his work."

"New arrangement?" Koyda asked in surprise after hearing what Sokov said: "Comrade Commander, can you tell me how the superior arranged his work?"

"General Konev, the commander of the Front Army, rebuilt the 73rd Infantry Brigade with a reserve not long ago." Sokov said with a smile: "Major Guchakov was favored by General Konev and he was appointed directly. Commander of an infantry brigade."

"Ah, Major Guchakov has become the brigade commander?" This shocking news made Koida very surprised. But for his subordinates to be appreciated by their superiors and entrusted with important tasks, it is still a great honor for him. After taking a deep breath, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, please represent me to congratulate Major Guchakov who was appointed as the commander of the infantry brigade."

"I will, Colonel Koida." Sokov worried that Koida would forget his business, and quickly reminded him: "Also, don't forget, find a way to capture a new submachine gun equipped by the German army, and send someone to Send it to headquarters."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Koyda assured Sokov, "I assure you that within two hours at the latest, the new submachine gun you need will be on your table intact. "

Hearing that Koyda said that the German assault rifles would be delivered in two hours, Sokov suddenly thought of the 84th Division that was rushing to the Compass Town of Kazakia, and quickly asked: "Colonel Koyda, Please tell me the truth, can you hold the town?"

"Comrade Commander, although the enemy's counterattack has caused us some trouble, we are capable of defending the town." Koyda said confidently: "No matter what kind of offensive the enemy will launch next, our commanders and fighters will be like nails. Similarly, firmly nailed to the town, and will never leave the town that many commanders and fighters took with their blood and lives to the Germans again."

"Very good, Colonel Koyda." Sokov said approvingly, "I believe in you, and you will be able to crush the enemy's attack. I wish you good luck!"

Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Sameko asked with some concern: "Comrade Commander, do you really think that the 188th Division can stop the enemy's attack?"

"Why not?" Sokov asked back: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you forgotten that during the Battle of Kursk, the 188th Division stubbornly blocked the attacks of the German 6th and 19th Armored Divisions and killed and wounded the enemy in large numbers? The vital strength of the army made a huge contribution to our final annihilation of the 19th Armored Division."

After Sokov finished speaking, he saw that Sameko's brows were still clouded, so he comforted him and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry, the 84th Division of Major General Fomenko is rushing to the Kazakhya Compass Town. Could it be that the strength of our two divisions cannot defend the town?"

He paused for a moment, then continued: "If the two divisions can't stop the enemy's counterattack against the town, then I have to think carefully about whether the two division commanders are competent, and whether they should be replaced by new division commanders. Two troops."

The situation in the direction of Compass Town in Kazakhya has changed. The 84th Division only sent one regiment for reinforcements, which is obviously not enough. So Sameko called Fomenko again and said to him in a stern tone: "General Fomenko, the enemy is now madly attacking the town of Compass in Kazakhia, and Colonel Koida is in a bad situation. According to Comrade Commander and I have researched that all your divisions must rush to Kazakia Compass Town as soon as possible to assist the 188th Division in defending the town and destroying the invading enemies."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Seeing that Sameko's tone was so severe, Fomenko naturally did not dare to find excuses, but he still hesitated and said, "If our entire division heads to Kazakhya Compass Town, Then the defense of October Town became weak. You know, the enemy five kilometers to the east of the town is still stationed with enemy armor."

"Don't worry, General Fomenko." Sameko continued: "After you leave, I will send the 73rd Infantry Brigade to take over your defense. You don't have to worry about the enemy cutting off your back."

Now that Sameko has said everything to this point, Fomenko can only bite the bullet and reply: "Understood, Comrade Chief of Staff, all my troops will report to Kazakhstan in half an hour. Put down Luopan Town and set off."

After Sokov waited for Sameko to end the call, he smiled bitterly and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, although I have repeatedly emphasized to Major Guchakov that I will not assign them any combat missions within a week, this time I still broke my promise." Yes. After all, their brigade is the closest unit to October Town."

"Lieutenant Samoilov, are you outside?"

Following the shout, Samoilov trotted in from outside, straightened his body and asked Sokov, "Comrade Commander, what instructions do you have?"

Sokov took out a small book, wrote a few lines on it with a pencil, tore it off and handed it to Samoilov, and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant, you give this note to Guchakov Major, order him to follow orders from above."

Samoilov agreed loudly, took the note, turned and left.

Two and a half hours later, Sokov received a call from Koida, who reported: "Comrade Commander, with the arrival of the friendly forces of the 84th Division, the enemy's attack was crushed by us. They Losing hundreds of corpses, they fled the town in desperation and headed for Gergach."

The enemy was repulsed, which was already expected by Sokov. In any case, the commanders and fighters of the 84th and 188th divisions are elites who have experienced many battles. If they can't even defend a town, then such a It's time for the troops to withdraw and regroup.

"The enemy has been repulsed. This is indeed good news." After saying this, Sokov continued to ask: "Comrade Colonel, you once promised me the new submachine gun. I don't know when it will be delivered to me. Come?"

"Comrade Commander, we have seized more than 50 complete new submachine guns during the battle. I have already selected two of them and sent someone to send them to you. I believe that it will not be long before the new German submachine guns will appear. in front of you."