Red Moscow

"General Tsarev," Sokov is not the kind of person who only listens to empty promises: "How far is your artillery unit from the nearest river?"

Tsarev thought for a while, and then replied: "The artillery division closest to the Transnistria is about fifteen kilometers away."

"No, they are too far away from the river." Sokov frowned immediately after hearing this. "If the Germans launched a crossing operation at this time, there is no way to provide artillery support for the defenders by the river."

"Comrade commander, you also know that our artillery can only be towed by trucks. Once the road conditions are not ideal, the speed of action will be affected." Tsarev said with a bitter face: "The current advance speed, It's pretty fast."

"Chief of Staff," Sokov turned around and told Smirnov instead of talking to Litsarev, "Immediately notify the Chief of Engineers, and ask him to arrange for manpower to cut down trees and lay roads for tanks and artillery to pass through."

"Okay, Comrade Commander, I'll contact the Chief of Engineering Corps." Smirnov nodded and said, "This road really needs to be repaired. We were delayed a lot of time because of this bad road."

"And you, Colonel Burgos." Taking advantage of the time when Smirnov called the director of the engineering corps, Sokov sold it to the director of the installation class: "If the Germans really carry out the crossing operation, what is the distance from Transnistria?" How long will it take for the nearest tank brigade to reach the river?"

"Report to Comrade Commander," Burgos replied, "one of our independent tank regiments has already entered the city, with 21 tanks, and if they need to support the defenders of Transnistria, they can arrive at their destination within a quarter of an hour." land."

"Well, not bad." Although the number of a tank regiment is a little small, but being able to reach the destination within a quarter of an hour is already the best support for the defenders. "If the defenders can firmly hold the left bank of the Transnistria with the help of the tank troops, after the battle is over, I will personally award the tank troops."

When Burgos heard that he could be awarded the honor, his face flushed with excitement, "Comrade commander, on behalf of the commanders and fighters of the tank regiment, I would like to express my gratitude to you. Don't worry, the tank regiment will definitely not live up to your expectations."

Seeing Sokov's appreciation for Burgos, Tsarev couldn't help but feel jealous. He wondered if he should say hello to the artillery commander below, and first try to find a way to mobilize a unit to deploy nearby. It is best to be closer to the Transnistria, so that once the German army crosses the river, it can provide artillery support for the defenders and prevent the German army from crossing the river.

Thinking of this, Tsarev stepped forward and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I suddenly remembered that there is a 122mm artillery regiment, which is not more than three kilometers away from the city. I can call the commander of the regiment. , let them rush to the city overnight."

"How many cannons do they have?" Sokov is concerned about the number of cannons. If there are only two or three cannons, it can only be said that it is better than nothing, and it will have little effect on the overall battle situation.

"There are nine artillery pieces in total, each equipped with two base shells."

"Very good." Sokov was very satisfied with Tsarev's answer. After nodding his head, he said, "General Tsarev, please contact the artillery commander immediately and ask him to take the artillery regiment in as soon as possible." Inside the city of Otac. You know, although the Germans may carry out crossing operations, we will suffer a lot if we don’t have artillery.”

Facts quickly proved that Sokov was right to be worried.

At about ten o'clock in the evening, Ponedelin called Sokov and reported directly: "Comrade Commander, I just received a call from Colonel Papchenko, who said that the Germans are gathering on the right bank, and there seems to be someone crossing the river." Attempt. I feel that the matter is so important that it is necessary to report it to him immediately."

"How big is the enemy?" Sokov asked.

"I don't know the specific situation." When Ponejielin received the call from Papchenko, he only wanted to call Sokov earlier to warn him, so he didn't ask for some details. Hearing Sokov's question at this moment, he replied in a panic: "Comrade Commander, if you want to know, I will call Colonel Papchenko immediately."

"No need." Sokov stopped Ponejielin, he felt that if he called Papchenko directly, he should get the news faster: "I'd better call Colonel Papchenko myself. "

After connecting with the command post of the 122nd regiment, Sokov said straight to the point: "I am Sokov, report to me the situation on the right bank of the Transnistria immediately."

Hearing that the call was from Sokov, the head of the regiment, Colonel Papchenko, said respectfully: "Comrade report, according to the scouts' observations, there should be no less than two infantry battalions gathering on the opposite bank."

"Have you seen the German engineering troops?" Sokov said to himself: "If they want to cross the river with so many troops in a short period of time, it is far from enough to rely on simple ships. , will definitely build a pontoon bridge over the river."

"No, Comrade Commander, I haven't seen any engineering units." Without waiting for Sokov to ask again, Papchenko took the initiative to say: "The Transnistria is in the area under our control. There is a road bridge .If the Germans want to cross the river, they will definitely give priority to breaking through our defenses from the bridge. And they cross the river elsewhere, just to distract us."

"What, your defensive zone has a bridge?" Sokov couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat after hearing this: "So, the Germans can use their tanks to break through your defensive position on the left bank?"

"Yes, that is indeed the case."

"Do you have anti-tank weapons?" Sokov asked.

"Yes, but not many." Papchenko replied: "I planted seven or eight anti-tank mines at the bridgehead on the left bank, and deployed two rocket launchers. As long as the German tanks are destroyed on the bridge, can block their path.”

What Sokov is most concerned about is whether all the soldiers in the regiment have weapons. If there are still several people with one gun, then this blocking battle is not easy to fight: "Are all the soldiers armed?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Papchenko replied truthfully: "Since the Romanians provided us with weapons, the commanders and fighters of the whole regiment have been armed. Moreover, we have sufficient ammunition and are fully capable of resisting the Germans. attack."

"Very good, very good." Sokov was very satisfied with Papchenko's statement, but in order to let the other party have no worries, he took the initiative to say: "Colonel Papchenko, you have to remember that you are not fighting alone. When you are attacked by the enemy, we will help you."

After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Tsarev and Burgos: "You have heard it. The difficulties facing the 122nd Regiment today are more difficult than we imagined. If there is no bridge on the Transnistria, Germany People can only cross the river by force. Even without artillery support, I believe that the 122nd Regiment can hold the river defense position.

But judging from the current situation, the Germans will definitely use the bridge on the river and use armored assaults to break through our army's defense line from the bridge. The 122nd Regiment lacked a sufficient number of anti-tank weapons. Even if it barely blocked the German tanks, it would probably make a huge sacrifice. "

Both Tsarev and Burgos understood the meaning of what Sokov said, so as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Burgos gave priority to expressing his position and said: "Comrade Commander, I think the tank regiment stationed in the city can Transfer over. Although the number of tanks in our army is a little less, only 21, they are all T-34 tanks, which can completely deal with German tanks."

"Yes," Sokov felt that if the 122nd regiment had no tank support, it would be very difficult to withstand the attack from the right bank, so he readily agreed to the other party's proposal: "Then let the tank regiment enter the 122nd regiment as soon as possible 122 Regiment's position, to fight with them against the German attack."

While Burgos was on the phone, Sokov asked Tsarev again: "Comrade Artillery Commander, I would like to ask, how many artillery pieces can be concentrated now?"

"Didn't I tell you just now that there are only nine gates?"

"There are only nine doors." After repeating the number, Sokov said with some disappointment, "It's a pity that the number is a little less."

"Comrade Commander," Tsarev asked curiously after hearing what Sokov said, "Do you have any plans?"

"I'm thinking, if we have more artillery pieces, we can take the initiative on the battlefield." Sokov looked at Tsarev and said, "If we have 20 or more artillery pieces at this moment, we can attack the German army." The massed area is covered by fire, which disrupts the rhythm of their attack."

Tsarev hesitated for a moment after hearing this, and then said: "Comrade Commander, is the rocket launcher okay?"

"Okay, of course!" Sokov said without hesitation: "The rocket launcher is perfect for dealing with the enemies who are gathering." After saying this, he realized that something was wrong, and asked back, "Commander of the Artillery, how can you do this?" What do you mean by that?"

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Tsarev coughed lightly, cleared his throat and said, "Actually, there are two guard rocket artillery battalions in the city of Otac. Since the rockets are not accurate enough, they are provided for the river defense positions. During artillery support, it is easy to hit one’s own people, so I didn’t mention it just now.”

"That's really great." Knowing that there are two Guards rocket artillery battalions in the city, Sokov couldn't help being overjoyed: "How many rocket artillery do they have?"

"Each Guards Rocket Battalion has 12 rocket launchers, and two is 24 rocket launchers."

"Immediately deploy them to the rear of the 122nd Regiment," said Sokov, who was relieved when he learned that there were 24 rocket launchers. With so many rocket launchers, one only needs to fire a salvo at the area where the Germans are gathering. You can achieve good results: "As soon as you find that the Germans are starting to build up, use rockets to bombard the area where they are gathering."

"General Tsarev, hurry up and put the Guards Rocket Battalion in place." Smirnov urged Tsarev, "The Germans must think that our troops have no artillery, so they will appear unscrupulous when they assemble. If you Give them a round of artillery fire at this time, I am afraid that the Germans will pay huge casualties."

"That's right." Sokov echoed: "When the 122nd Regiment entered the river defense position, I am afraid that the Germans had already sent out scouts to conduct reconnaissance on them. Now they dare to gather troops blatantly under their noses. , is to bully them without artillery and tanks.

Had your bazookas been in position earlier to deliver a powerful artillery strike on the area where the enemy is concentrating, the enemy would surely be thrown into chaos. At this time, our tank troops lead the infantry to charge the enemy's positions, and maybe we can establish a landing field in the right bank area. "

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Tsarev understood that artillery could play a major role in the next battle, and immediately expressed his position to Sukov: "I will immediately notify the two Guards Rocket Battalions to move forward The defense zone of the 122nd regiment, and at the same time, the newly arrived artillery regiment also established firing positions as soon as possible, ready to bombard the German army at any time."

"That's right." Seeing that Tsarev understood the importance of artillery, Sokov said while the iron was hot: "Comrade Stalin once said: Artillery is the god of war. If our commanders and fighters want to defeat the enemy, there is no Artillery support is out of the question.”

Now that the artillery and tank units supporting the 122nd Regiment have been deployed here, it is natural to say hello to Division Commander Ponejerin. So Sokov called the headquarters of the 41st Guards Division again.

"I'm Sokov!" Hearing someone answer the phone, Sokov said bluntly, "Let your teacher answer the phone."

"Hello, Comrade Commander." Ponegerin's voice quickly came from the receiver: "What instructions do you have?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Pornegerin, I'm calling you because I have something to tell you." Sokov said into the microphone: "Given that the Germans have begun to gather troops on the right bank of the Transnistria, it is possible at any time to The 122nd was attacking, so I put artillery and tank units in the regiment's area, ready to help them if necessary."

"That's really great." Hearing what Sokov said, Ponegerin smiled: "The 122nd Regiment does not have heavy weapons, and it is unknown whether it will be able to defend against the fierce German attack." I'm worrying about this, I didn't expect you to give me such a big surprise."

"Although I have strengthened the artillery and tank units for him, it is the infantry that decides the final victory of the battle." Sokov said solemnly to Ponejielin: "So you should mobilize a regiment of troops as soon as possible, and do a good job. Ready for reinforcements at any time."

"Comrade Commander, I have also considered this issue." Pornegelin said on the other end of the phone: "I am worried that the German offensive is too fierce. With the strength of the 122nd Regiment, it will not be easy to defend." I have just notified the commander of the 124th Regiment, Colonel Starcha, to immediately assemble the commanders and fighters of the regiment, and prepare to transfer them to the banks of the Transnistria after the German offensive begins."

"Let Colonel Starcha assemble the troops first." Sokov said: "If the Germans attack, send them to reinforce; if the Germans don't attack, let them stay in the city and wait for orders."

"That's right, that's what I thought about it too." Pornegelin said, "After I asked them to complete the assembly, they will be on standby. If there is a battle, they will be immediately transferred to support the 122nd Regiment. If you wait until noon tomorrow, If there is no war yet, let them disband and rest on the spot."