Red Moscow

"Wrong, wrong, Misha." Yakov realized that Sokov had misunderstood, and quickly explained to him: "You made a mistake, I didn't call you to ask about the attack on Cherkasy. , but I have something else to tell you."

"Anything else?" Sokov couldn't help being slightly taken aback when he heard what the other party said. He thought to himself, what is it that can make Yakov make this long-distance call to himself after three o'clock in the morning? He tentatively asked: "What, won't it have something to do with the unsealing of the hovercraft?"

"You guessed right." Yakov said with a smile on the other end of the phone, "I'm calling you because it is indeed related to the unsealed hovercraft."

"Great, this is really great." Knowing that the hovercraft can be used again, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed, because this kind of transportation tool can not only transport supplies, but also be used to carry assault troops when crossing the river. Can't wait to ask: "Yasha, when will the hovercraft be available?"

"I'll arrange this as soon as the sun rises."

"Yasha, this is really great." Sokov was so excited that he didn't know what to say for a while, so he could only express his thanks to Yakov: "On behalf of the commanders and fighters of the entire army, I would like to express my thanks to you." !"

"Misha, you and I are friends, so there is no need to be so polite." Yakov said politely, "I called you because I have something more important to inform you."

"More important things?" Sokov heard this, and asked tentatively: "What is it? Is it more important than the unsealing of the hovercraft?" Before Yakov could answer, he automatically made up his mind. The anti-aircraft gun has been successfully manufactured? But it is impossible, you have only been back to Moscow for a few hours, how could it be successfully manufactured in such a short period of time?"

"Misha, it's not about self-propelled anti-aircraft guns." Sokov's self-righteousness left Yakov speechless. After the other party finished talking, he said, "It's about weapons and equipment. I've already got them." Clear instructions to furnish your troops with any weaponry."

"Any weapons and equipment?" Sokov heard Yakov's words, showing a stunned expression on his face: "Yasha, I don't quite understand what you mean, what do you mean by any weapons? Do I ask you for new rockets, Bazooka, will you provide it to me too?"

"Not only new rockets and rockets, even if you want to equip all your personnel with assault rifles and equip the tank brigade with the latest T-34/85 tanks, we will supply them to you."

However, Yakov made the promise, Sokov was not only not happy, but became uneasy: "Yasha, you just said that we are friends, right?"

"Yes, we are friends." Yakov added: "Still friends who live and die together, like brothers."

"Since we're friends, don't joke about this kind of thing. Okay, Yasha?" Sokov said a little bit dumbfounded, "Just take it as me begging you."

"Misha, do you think I'm joking with you?"

"Is not it?"

"of course not."

This time it was Sokov's turn to be puzzled: "When you were still at my headquarters last night, I asked you to replenish weapons and equipment, but you said that your ability is limited and it is difficult to meet my needs." Request. It’s only been a few hours, and your attitude has taken a 180-degree turn, which makes me feel that this matter is not real.”

"Misha, I understand how you feel. If it were me, I'm afraid I would have doubts when I encountered such a thing." Yakov paused for a moment, and then continued: "I reported to my father that your group army especially mentioned the serious shortage of your weapons and equipment."

"What did Comrade Stalin say?"

"He said, how can we let the troops commanded by our heroes not have enough weapons and equipment? If so, how can we compete with the Germans." Yakov imitated Stalin's tone and said: "So we must try our best to Provide all conveniences for Xiao Xiaosha, as long as his request is not excessive, all can be satisfied. When he was the commander of the 27th Army, how the Weapons and Equipment Department distributed weapons to him is now handled according to the same regulations."

After listening to Yakov, Sokov finally realized that he was not dreaming, and that he could really easily obtain the weapons and equipment he wanted from the Weapons and Equipment Department like when he was the commander of the 27th Army.

Seeing Sokov not speaking for a long time, Yakov guessed that the other party was excited and didn't know what to say for a while, so he coughed heavily, cleared his throat, and continued: "Misha, I haven't said anything yet. Finished."

"Yasha, if you have anything else to say, just say it."

"That's right." Yakov organized the vocabulary in his mind and continued: "Although the 53rd Army under your command achieved good results in the Battle of Cherkasy that ended not long ago. But my father I am not very satisfied with your performance, and feel that you have regressed greatly compared to before. He hopes that after acquiring new weapons and equipment, your troops will be able to explode into super fighting power. Don't let him down. expect."

Sokov knew very well that in the battle that ended not long ago, there were many reasons why his troops did not perform well, but the low quality of soldiers and serious shortage of weapons and equipment were the main factors. If you can get more weapons and equipment, then your troops will be able to exert greater energy in the next battle.

"Yasha, please tell Comrade Stalin." Sokov said decisively: "In the next battle, I will never disappoint his expectations. In the next battle, I will definitely achieve greater results."

"I will arrange the transportation of weapons and ammunition for you as soon as possible, at most one week." Yakov assured Sokov, "You can get the weapons and equipment you want."

Next, Sokov discussed with Yakov on the phone what weapons and how many weapons should be transported to his defense area as soon as possible, so as to arm the soldiers as soon as possible and familiarize them with the use of new equipment.

When Sokov put down the phone, he found that it was already four o'clock in the morning. He looked at the energetic Smirnov across the table and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there any news from the direction of Cherkasy?"

"Not yet." Smirnov shook his head and said, "Our defense zone is too far away from Cherkasy, and the observation post can't see the situation there. In addition, unless the Front Army Command takes the initiative to report, otherwise we can't In the shortest possible time, I learned what happened in the direction of Cherkasy."

Now that Smirnov has said so, Sokov also temporarily lost interest in Cherkasy, so he waved at the other party and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, while there are still a few hours before dawn, you should rest first." .”

For the convenience of command, several camp beds were placed in the corner of the headquarters. Sokov walked to one of the beds, lay down on it, covered himself with a blanket, and began to rest with his eyes closed.

After an unknown amount of time, Sokov was awakened by the phone ringing. He was about to get up to answer the phone, but Smirnov's movements were more agile than him, and he rushed to the phone in one stride, raised his hand and grabbed the phone: "I'm Smirnov, what's the matter?"

The next moment, Sokov saw Smirnov straighten his body, and said respectfully into the microphone: "I understand, Comrade Marshal, Commander Sokov and I will arrive at your headquarters at ten o'clock in the morning. .”

"Comrade Chief of Staff." Seeing that Smirnov put down the phone, Sokov quickly asked, "Is the call from Marshal Konev?" Seeing that Smirnov nodded, he continued to ask: " What did he say on the phone?"

"He told us to have a meeting at the Front Army Command at ten o'clock."

"Anything else?" Sokov felt that any staff member could notify such a thing as a meeting, but Konev himself appeared on the scene, so he must have said more important things to go back, so he continued to ask: "Besides that , what else did he say?"

"He said that thanks to our early warning, the antiaircraft artillery deployed outside Cherkasy successfully shot down most of the V1 missiles of the German army, avoiding greater damage to the city, so he specifically called us Express thankfulness."

Although Sokov knew that even if he set up an air defense position outside the city to intercept, it would be impossible to shoot down all the V1 missiles of the German army. He sighed softly and said, "Although we don't know the casualties in the city, they must be far lower than the Germans expected."

"Comrade Marshal did not mention the specific casualties." Smirnov said, "I think that this matter may be specifically mentioned at the meeting in the morning."

"Well, it's possible." Sokov felt that what Smirnov said made sense. Since Konev called himself to thank him, he would definitely announce it in public when he went to a meeting later, and All units are reminded to guard against German V1 missiles to avoid unnecessary losses.

"Comrade Commander," Smirnov asked with concern after Sokov walked to the table and sat down, "Come and analyze, what is the theme of the meeting called by Comrade Marshal today?"

Sokov chuckled and said, "I guess it might have something to do with the V1 missiles of the German army. Although we just finished the Battle of Cherkasy, we urgently need to replenish soldiers and weapons, and the commanders and fighters who have been exhausted in the battle also need to rest, but This new weapon of the enemy poses too great a threat to us, and if their firing positions are not destroyed as soon as possible, no one will be able to sleep soundly."

Smirnov agrees with Sokov's statement. First, the headquarters used by Marshal Konev were all hit by V1 missiles; then a few hours ago, the German army used V1 missiles to attack Cherkasy. If the German launch positions are not destroyed as soon as possible, then they can freely choose the time to launch long-range attacks on any target within range.

Smirnov looked down at the map in front of him. After a while, he picked up the red and blue pencils on the table and tapped on the map, saying: "After we wiped out the enemies in the Cherkasy salient, the next The target is Uman."

"Yes," Sokov said, nodding his head, "General Pornedelin finally has a chance to take revenge."

"Why have a chance to take revenge?" Ponegerin, who had just walked in from the door, happened to hear what Sukov said, and couldn't help asking: "Comrade Commander, what are you talking about? "

"Lieutenant Colonel Ponegerin," don't look at the fact that Sokov called Pornegerin a general when he was chatting with Smirnov just now, but it is a formal conversation at this moment, and he is still referring to his current rank: "I am talking to the chief of staff. Comrade research, the next attack target of our army is Uman. At that time, you will have the opportunity to avenge your hatred and wash away the shame you suffered here."

Hearing Sokov mention Uman, Ponegerin's expression suddenly became serious: "Comrade Commander, when will we launch an attack on Uman?"

"Soon," Sokov didn't know whether Konev would discuss the attack on Uman at today's meeting, so he could only say vaguely: "Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin, although I don't know the specifics. The date of the attack, but I can tell you that our attack on Uman will definitely be launched before the end of March."

"Is this true, Comrade Commander?" Ponegerin burst into tears, knowing that his chance for revenge had come.

"Yes, I can assure you that the attack on Uman can be launched by the end of the month at the latest." When Sokov said this, he looked at the agitated Ponejelin and asked tentatively: "Ponejelin Lieutenant Colonel Jaylin, there is one thing I want to ask for your opinion."

"whats the matter?"

"After the battle of Uman began, do you want to stay in the headquarters, or, like Lieutenant Colonel Kirillov, go directly to command a division?"

Ponegerin thought for a long time about Sukov's question, but did not immediately give his answer. Instead, he asked: "Comrade Commander, I am now the leader of the advisory team. I don't know if you want me to Stay at the headquarters, or let me go out to command the troops?"

In Sukov's mind, Ponejielin was an experienced commander, and it was very helpful for him to keep him by his side for advice. But in this way, the other party lost the opportunity to avenge their hatred and wash away their shame. He felt that he could not be so selfish, and should give the other party the right to choose: "Lieutenant Colonel Bornejelin, now I am asking you, not you asking me. No matter what decision you make, I will support you of."

"Although I have been in a prisoner-of-war camp for two years, my command level should not have regressed." After receiving Sokov's promise, Ponegerin boldly expressed his thoughts: "I think Like Lieutenant Colonel Kirillov, go outside to command a division, face-to-face with the Germans, and let them taste what it feels like to be defeated by me."

Hearing what Ponegelin said, Sokov couldn't help but frowned slightly: "Do you want to be a teacher?"

Seeing Sokov frowning, Ponegerin couldn't help being startled, thinking that the other party felt that he was not worthy of the post of division commander, and quickly added: "Comrade commander, if you think my ability is not enough to command a division, let It’s fine for me to be a regimental commander. In a word, as long as it allows me to go to the front line, I can take up any position.”

"Lieutenant Colonel Ponegelin, you misunderstood." Sokov looked at the other party and said: "You may think that I think you are not capable enough, and I don't want you to be the division commander. But the fact is the opposite. I think it is better to let you serve as the division commander. It’s a bit inferior, I’ll consider letting you take up the post of army commander.”