Red Moscow

When Sokov walked into the division headquarters, he saw Chernyshov standing at the table with his back behind his back, holding a cigarette in one hand, and pointing at the map on the table with the other hand, and shouting loudly at several people around him. What did the commander say.

He quickly came behind Chernyshov, raised his hand to his forehead, and said loudly: "Comrade Commander, Major Sokov, commander of the Istria Battalion, has been ordered to come, please give instructions!"

When Chernyshov heard Sokov's voice, he turned around suddenly, looked Sokov up and down, and said dissatisfiedly: "Comrade Major, the order I gave you yesterday was at three o'clock in the afternoon. In the past, two companies of troops were sent to Susinich to take my command, otherwise you will be relieved of your post. Let me ask you, where is the unit I want?"

"Comrade Commander," Sokov saw that Chernyshov seemed to be angry, and hurriedly explained to him: "I personally led the troops to Sukhinich yesterday, but when I was halfway there, I got a warning from the Germans to attack." news, so I brought the troops back again."

Seeing Sokov's flustered look, Chernyshov showed a smile on his face: "Major Sokov, what I want to tell you is that you are a good guy! Your whole battalion is a good guy." ! You successfully crushed the German attack and caused them a lot of casualties, well done!"

Sokov breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and asked, "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, what is the next combat mission of our battalion?"

Chernyshov shook his head at Sokov and said, "Come to the table, and I will give you a briefing."

Sokov stood at the table, listening to Chernyshov explaining to himself the next combat mission: "In the north of the city, there is a large village called Popkovo, which is located on a high ground overlooking the surroundings, Germany. It was from here that the human artillery regularly fired shells at Susinich.

Originally, according to the combat plan, we should attack this village together with the troops of the 61st Army. But it is regrettable that the sudden German attack pushed back the 61st Army by almost 30 kilometers. In order to prevent the flank of our army from being attacked by the enemy, the commander had to transfer the troops preparing to attack Popkovo to the right flank for defense.

According to the order of the Army Group Command, our division will launch an attack on Popkovo alone. And the task of your battalion is to clean up the nearby villages occupied by the German army, so as to relieve the worries of the main force when they attack. "

After Chernyshov finished speaking, the chief of staff of the division added: "Comrade Major, the Communists took into account the characteristics of the terrain and the winter conditions, and turned the villages and farms in the front and depths into wire fences. In the enclosed stronghold, they built shelters with circular shooting holes under many houses, and they also placed some tanks in positions where they could shoot directly, as fixed firepower points.”

After listening to the introduction of the two, Sokov stared at the map while thinking quickly in his mind: "Although we are only ordered to capture some villages occupied by the German army, in these villages, there are Germans deployed. Without the cooperation of artillery, our attack would be to hit a stone with a pebble.”

Thinking of this, he looked up at Chernyshov and said, "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, can our battalion get artillery support when we attack?"

When Chernyshov heard Sokov's question, he first turned his head and glanced at the division chief of staff next to him, and then asked, "Why, Comrade Major, can't you take down the village that the enemy is holding on to without the cooperation of the artillery?" ?”

"Comrade Commander," Sokov said with a serious expression, "Because our battalion lacks effective anti-tank weapons, if we rashly attack villages where tanks are deployed, even if we manage to take down the villages, it will be a disaster that outweighs the gains. win."

After listening to Sokov's words, Chernyshov suddenly laughed. He turned his head and said to the division chief of staff: "Comrade chief of staff, I have already said that after receiving the mission, Major Sokov will definitely ask you Without the cooperation of the artillery. How about it, am I right?"

The chief of staff of the division grinned, and then said to Sokov: "Don't worry, Major Sokov, we have already considered your concerns. The artillery that will cooperate with your attack this time will have a 76.2mm cannon Company, and a 45mm anti-tank gun company, with their cooperation, I think your attack will be much smoother."

"Great, this is really great." Knowing that his superiors will equip him with two artillery batteries, Sokov suddenly felt that the task assigned to him by Chernyshov would not be difficult to complete, so he quickly expressed his opinion. "Comrade commander, if we have these two artillery companies, we will definitely be able to wipe out the enemies entrenched in the village in the shortest possible time."

"Comrade Major, you can't take it lightly." Chernyshov felt that Sokov was underestimating the enemy, and reminded him: "The Germans are very sensitive to losing such strongholds, because this will affect the Its fire defense system has opened up gaps in its defense line. Therefore, after capturing the village, you have to be vigilant against the German counterattack.”

"I asked Comrade Commander to ask friendly troops to change defenses in advance, so that your battalion can enter the defensive position earlier." Chernyshov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and asked, "Where is your army? Sushini Qi or Nameless Highland?”

"Comrade commander, I came to the division headquarters to accept the task ahead of time." Sokov replied with a wry smile, "The troops should still be on their way to Susinich, and you know it will take some time to change defenses."

"I see." Chernyshov nodded, called a staff officer, and told him: "Comrade Lieutenant, you take Major Sokov to meet the two artillery company commanders, and let them start with each other. Get acquainted."

The staff officer brought Sokov to an office not far away. Two officers were standing in the room chatting. Seeing the staff officer walking in with a major, they immediately stopped talking and stood still to pay attention to each other.

Pointing to the two officers, the staff officer said to Sokov: "Comrade major, these two commanders are the artillery company commanders who will cooperate with you in the battle. Let's have a good talk. I'll go first." Cove saluted, turned and walked out of the office.

Sokov glanced over the collar badges of the two men, and found that they both had the rank of lieutenant, so he straightened his back, put his hands behind his back, and said to the two: "Comrade lieutenants, I am the Istrian battalion commander." Major Sokov, from now on, you are under my command!"