Red Moscow

Sokov knew that the focus of defense was on the northeast, not the southwest, which was easy to attack and difficult to defend. Therefore, after inspecting the positions of the two regiments, he said to Kurishenko: "General Kurishenko, I still say the same thing. If the German army wants to attack your division's defense area, their attack direction is definitely north. rather than south."

Although Kurishenko disagreed with Sokov's statement in his heart, he still wanted to agree: "You are right, Comrade Commander, we will use the main defensive force on Height 239."

Sokov didn't notice the perfunctory in Kurishenko's tone, but continued to ask: "Where is your artillery regiment deployed?"

Kurishenko looked around, then pointed in one direction and said to Sokov: "There, Comrade Commander. Our artillery regiment is deployed in the forest over there, and the artillery positions are established in the forest. Easily spotted by enemy scouts."

"Can the artillery positions deployed there block the front of Height 239 with artillery fire?"

"Um, no."

"The artillery position needs to be re-deployed." Sokov learned that the firepower of the artillery position could not block the front of Height 239, so he told Kurishenko: "Make sure that the firepower can block the front of Height 239."

"Comrade Commander, with all due respect." Kurishenko felt that if the position of the artillery position was adjusted, the artillery support for the other two regiments would be weakened. It was difficult to provide them with the necessary artillery support, so he felt that he should remind Sokov of this: "If the artillery is deployed on the front where it can block the 239 Hill with artillery fire, then the artillery support for the other two regiments will be greatly improved. Weaken."

Sokov didn't want to talk nonsense with him, so he just said briefly: "General Kurishenko, don't you know that orders from superiors are for obedience, not for discussion?"

"I know." Kurishenko immediately realized that the young general standing in front of him was his immediate superior. Even if the order he gave was wrong, he could only execute it unconditionally. Then he bit the bullet and said: "Comrade Commander, I will order the artillery regiment to adjust the position of the artillery positions as soon as possible to ensure that the front of the 239 Heights can be blocked directly with artillery fire."

Seeing that the purpose of his trip had been achieved, Sokov nodded, bid farewell to Kurishenko, and returned to his headquarters by car.

After Sokov left, Kurishenko returned to his headquarters and said angrily: "Is Comrade Commander confused? He actually asked us to transfer the main force from a place that is easy to attack and difficult to defend to a place that is easy to defend." Height 239 is difficult to attack. Doesn't he know that once we shift our defensive focus to the northeast, the enemy may take the opportunity to give up attacking from the southwest. Then they will be able to easily break through our defense line with their powerful armored forces. Once the defense line in the southwest direction is breached, the troops standing on Height 239 will become a lone army surrounded by the German army."

Political commissar Afanasy did not express his opinion after listening. After all, he is a political cadre, not a military officer, and he has no say in military matters.

After hearing this, Chief of Staff Sidolin said cautiously: "Comrade Commander, I have worked with the commander as a partner, and I know his character very well. Since he said that the Germans may choose the northeast direction of our defense line as a breakthrough, Then there is a high probability that this matter will become true. I think the next thing we have to do is to implement the commander's instructions and make corresponding adjustments to the deployment in the defense zone."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," although Kurishenko behaved like a docile lamb in front of Sokov, but in front of Sidolin, he still put on the majesty of a division commander: "If we follow the command Have you ever thought about what kind of risks you will take if you adjust the deployment according to the orders of the military personnel and transfer the main force of the division from the southwest to the northeast?"

"Of course I have thought about it." Sidolin nodded and said, "But I think Comrade Commander's analysis is very reasonable. There are two powerful friendly armies near us. If the Germans want to attack from the southwest, they must It is possible to be cut off. I think the Germans will not fail to see this, so it is unlikely that they will take the initiative to attack us.

On the contrary, the 239 Heights held by the 126th Regiment did not want to be attacked by the German army no matter how they looked at it. But the more this is the case, the more vigilant we must be, so as not to be caught off guard by the Germans. "

And Sokov, who returned to the headquarters, always had an ominous premonition in his heart. According to his analysis, even if the 41st Guards Division has Sidolin as the chief of staff, it may still be difficult to carry out his orders.

Seeing Sokov frowning after returning from the 41st Guards Division, Smirnov hurriedly asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, I think you are not in a good mood, is something wrong? "

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said to Smirnov, pointing to the map: "After my on-site survey, the northeast of the defense area of ​​the 41st Guards Division is Highland 239. The terrain here is difficult and easy to defend. Put a unit here, even if the German army has a division, it is not easy to pass.

As for the southwest direction, here is a large open area, it can be said that there is no danger to defend, so the two infantry regiments of the division are deployed in this direction. At the same time, the artillery was placed in the forest behind the two regiments, ready to provide them with artillery support. "

"Comrade Commander." Smirnov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately expressed his opinion: "I think General Kurishenko's deployment is completely correct. After his plan was reported, we went through After careful study, he approved his defense plan."

"Under the circumstances at the time, your deployment may be correct." Sokov pointed to the Cherkasy encirclement with his hand, and said: "According to various indications, the German army's attempt to break through from the north of the encirclement will soon be over. To be smashed by our army. In order to avoid the fate of being annihilated, they will definitely change the direction of breaking through, and the defense area of ​​the 41st Guards Division is their first choice."

"Where is General Tsarev?" Sokov said to Smirnov in an unquestionable tone: "Send him to the headquarters immediately."

Tsarev was busy with the expansion of the artillery during this time. When he received a call from Smirnov, he did not dare to neglect and returned to the headquarters as quickly as possible.

Seeing Tsarev appear, Sokov shook hands with him, and asked politely: "General Tsarev, how is the artillery expansion of the army?"

"It's not ideal, Comrade Commander." Tsarev said bitterly: "Although the scale of our artillery has reached two divisions, the total number of artillery pieces of various calibers is only more than a hundred, and The number of shells is also very limited."

"General Tsarev, this is impossible." Sokov thought that one day not too far away, he would use artillery to build an insurmountable wall of fire in front of Height 239, relying only on a hundred artillery pieces of various calibers. , is not enough. In order to avoid being passive in the future, Sokov tentatively asked the other party: "Can you get more artillery and shells?"

"It's too easy, Comrade Commander." Regarding Sokov's question, Tsarev said embarrassingly: "Our army has been engaged in major battles since the Battle of Kursk. At the same time, it also lost a large amount of weapons and equipment including tanks and artillery. The production capacity of our military industrial enterprises is so large, and it is obviously impossible to meet the needs of so many troops in a short period of time."

From Tsarev's words, Sokov realized that he thought the problem too simply. At that time, my troops got the help of Yakov, not only the quantity of equipment can be guaranteed, but even the most advanced weapons of the whole army can be equipped, so that they can win repeatedly in the contest with the German army. Now that the 53rd Army under his command is pulled out to face the defeated generals of the past, one counts as one, and it is possible to beat him to the ground.

Since you can't count on your own strength, you can only ask the outside world for help. A few days ago, Sokov had contacted Fumin, the artillery commander of the front army, hoping that he could provide artillery support for him at a critical moment. At this moment, Sokov felt very uneasy in his heart. He was worried that when artillery support was really needed, maybe Fuming would use various reasons to shirk.

Thinking of this, Sokov decided to call Konev and send someone to stay by Fumin's side, urging him to fulfill his promise and provide artillery support for his troops at critical moments.

When Konev received a call from Sokov, he was a little surprised: "Comrade Sokov, do you have anything to report to me?"

"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov felt that as long as Konev came forward, Fumin would have no way to shirk his request. "I want to report something to you."

"Tell me, Comrade Sokov. What's the matter?"

"According to the analysis of various signs, the 239 Heights held by the 41st Guards Division may become the focus of the German army's offensive." Sokov said straight to the point: "The weather is too cold, which affects the construction of fortifications. There are no strong fortifications. The 239 Heights, I am afraid it will be difficult to stop the crazy German attack."

"Then what do you think about it?"

"I hope that the superior can provide strong enough artillery support for the defenders of Height 239 at the critical moment." Sokov said into the microphone with a solemn expression: "As long as the artillery fire can form an insurmountable barrier in front of our army's position." Firewall, no matter how powerful the enemy's offensive is, they will be crushed by us."

"Comrade Sokov," Konev said casually after listening, "It's not that you don't know the artillery commander, General Fumin. If you need artillery support, you can just call him, and you don't need to go through I'll pass it on."

"That's right, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I do know General Fumin." Sokov did not deny Konev's statement, but said in embarrassment: "However, I am worried that at the critical moment, he will not be able to provide me with all the necessary information. Artillery support needed."

"So that's how it is." Konev is also a smart person. From Sokov's words, he realized that the other party was worried that Fuming would lose the chain at a critical moment. After a little thought, he said solemnly: "Comrade Sokov, I think so, let me say hello to General Fomin, the artillery support needed for your army is a priority, how long will it take?" Shelling, as long as the shelling is carried out."

Sokov called Konev, what he needed was such an effect, and he said repeatedly: "Great, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, this is really great."

"Don't worry, I haven't finished my sentence yet."

Sukov's heart sank suddenly, and he asked with some lack of confidence: "What is it?"

"Comrade Sokov, although I will greet General Fomin, there may be some unexpected things that will prevent him from carrying out my orders seriously." Konev said cautiously: "In order to avoid such When the situation arises, you'd better send someone to his side to play a role of supervision and supervision."

"This is a good idea." Konev's words made Sokov's eyes light up, and he said quickly: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, please say hello to General Fumin first, I will send someone to General Fumin as soon as possible of."

After finishing the call, Sokov said to Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have already made an agreement with the Comrade Commander of the Front Army. He will first say hello to General Fumin, and then I will send someone to General Fumin. There, he is responsible for supervision and supervision, ensuring that he can provide our troops with powerful artillery support at critical moments."

Like Kurishenko, Smirnov felt that Sokov was a little nervous, and felt that even if the Germans barely reached the bottom of Height 239, they would not have the strength to carry out a strong attack. So he asked somewhat perfunctorily: "Comrade Commander, who do you plan to send to General Fumin?"

Sokov thought about it carefully. He had just arrived, and apart from the students who followed him, there was only Ponegerin's three-member advisory group. Although the trainees are all regiment-level commanders now, they probably won't be of much use to General Fuming. The only ones who can count on are Bone Gelin and others. After all, he was a general before the war and has connections that he couldn't imagine.

"I would like to send General Pornedelin." Sokov said to Smirnov, "I think he is the right candidate."

"I agree." Smirnov felt that Ponegerin was indeed a suitable candidate. The other party had served in many positions, and most of the people he met were now generals. It was very appropriate to send him to Fuming's place. : "I also think that Comrade Bornegelin is the best candidate."

Seeing that Smirnov had no objection, Sokov immediately called Ponejielin to come in.

After the other party came in, Sokov didn't go around in circles, and said straight to the point: "General Pornegerin, I plan to let you go to General Fumin as a representative of the group army."

"What is my mission?"

"The task is very simple." Sokov said: "At the critical moment, I need the artillery of the front army to carry out fierce shelling on the front of the 239 Heights to smash the German attack. And your task is to supervise and supervise General Fumin Keep this promise." Perhaps seeing that Ponegerin had scruples, he added: "I have already reported this matter to the commander of the front army, and you will not be troubled if you go to General Fuming."

In order to help Sokov relieve his worries, Ponegerin, as a representative of the army group, readily went to General Fumin's headquarters to perform his duties there.

On the night of the third day after Pornejelin arrived at General Fumin's place, a low-pitched explosion sound suddenly came from the northeast of the 239 highland, and a dark red fire ball rose amidst the explosion sound.