Red Moscow

Sokov originally thought that Ozor, who was a military engineer, would definitely have a verbal argument with him when he made an objection, but the other party's cooperative attitude greatly exceeded his expectations.

"Comrade Major," said Sokov, stomping his feet, "I think that even if trenches and reinforced concrete bunkers were built on the surface of Mamayev Kurgan, it would only take a few days for the shelling and bombing of the German army to take place." will be completely destroyed. You should understand that it is unrealistic to expect the ammunition of the German army to be consumed through Mamayev. If they can rush to the city of Stalingrad, then their weapons, ammunition and various supplies can be It keeps coming in.”

Regarding Sokov's statement, Ozor did not think it was alarmist. Based on his experience, even if the hill was covered with various reinforced concrete fortifications, it would be destroyed sooner or later under the heavy artillery fire and bombing of the German army. Razed. However, he still held the last luck and asked: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, do you really think that the Germans will rush to the city of Stalingrad?"

When Sokov heard Ozor's question, he didn't answer immediately, but smiled lightly, and then asked, "What do you think?"

"I don't think so." Ozor said in an uncertain tone: "You know, to the west of Stalingrad, we still have two armies with hundreds of thousands of people fighting tenaciously with the enemy. In addition to them, I believe the Supreme Command will continue to send new troops over, with such a force, can't we stop the enemy?"

"It's unstoppable, Comrade Major." Belkin answered his question. He not only learned a lot of inside stories from Antonov, but also listened to Sokov's "analysis" when he was in the military ranks. The next situation, so at this moment, he is convinced that the German army will rush into Stalingrad. He looked at Ozor and said: "Our strength is not as strong as the enemy for the time being. Those troops deployed west of Stalingrad can delay the enemy's advancing speed, but they cannot prevent the enemy from rushing towards Stalingrad. It is even possible , In the coming days, the battle between us and the enemy will start in the city."

Belkin's words silenced Ozor. After a long time, he asked with difficulty: "Comrade deputy battalion-level political commissar, is everything you said true?"

Belkin turned his head and looked at Sokov, hoping to get some kind of permission from him. Seeing him nodding slightly, he said decisively to Ozor: "Yes, Comrade Major. Judging from the current situation, if you want to It is very difficult to stop them, so we must do the necessary defensive work in advance."

After hearing these words, Ozor decided to ask Sokov how the fortifications on Mamayev Kurgan should be repaired: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what kind of fortifications do you think should be built to stop the Germans from attacking?" What about attacking?"

Seeing that Ozor and Belkin looked at him, Sokov smiled faintly, and then said: "If we want to block the German attack, our fortifications should be built underground, not on the ground. If we The interior of the tunnel fortifications is reinforced with reinforced concrete, so even if the German artillery fire is fierce, it will not be able to destroy our underground fortifications."

"But, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Hearing that Sokov planned to build the fortifications underground, the muscles on Ozor's face twitched, and he said with some embarrassment: "Did you forget that there is a tower under our feet?" The graves of the Tartars. Is it proper to build a fortification in the graves?"

"No, Comrade Brigadier, this idea of ​​yours is really crazy." Although Sokov had told Belkin long ago that he planned to dig a tunnel on Mamayev Hill and hide his troops in the tunnel In order to improve the survival rate of commanders and fighters during enemy shelling and bombing. But at this moment, when he learned that there was a grave under his feet, he couldn't help shivering, and hurriedly interjected: "You know, the air in the tunnel is not circulated, and there is a danger of collapse at any time. The soldiers may not be able to adapt to it. If you know that you are still Staying in a tomb, it is estimated that many soldiers will have mental breakdowns in a short time. I think it is better to study the construction of tunnel fortifications."

Sokov ignored Belkin, but continued to say to Ozor: "There is no need to study any more, I have made the final decision. In addition to the tunnel fortifications to be built on the south slope, the north slope must also be built. Between the slopes, use two to three tunnels to connect, so that our troop mobilization can be completed underground."

Ozor originally wanted to speak up to object, but seeing Belkin's objections were all overruled by Sokov, he knew very well in his heart that even if he raised an objection, it would be futile. Anyway, the order given to him by his superiors was to assist Sokov in building fortifications on Mamayev Gang. Whatever plan they proposed, they would implement it according to the plan.

Thinking of this, Ozor looked at Sokov and asked, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I would like to ask, what kind of tunnel do you plan to build? And where should you choose the exit of the tunnel?"

Sokov squatted down, picked up a small wooden stick on the ground, and began to draw a sketch on the ground, while making a sketch to Ozor: "On the surface of the hill, we will still build conventional trenches, or some civil fire points The underground fortifications are crossed by two tunnels left and right, making it an 'X' shape, the exterior is connected by trenches around, and various launch positions are placed on both sides of the hill, so that it can spread firepower within 300 meters around ..."

When Sokov first started talking, Ozor was still a little absent-minded. But after listening to his narration for a while, the expression on his face changed. He quickly took out his small notebook and began to record what Sokov said, thinking about how to build this novel fortification based on these sketches. .

It took Sokov more than half an hour before he finished introducing this kind of tunnel fortification that played a great role after several years. As soon as his words fell, Ozor frowned and asked: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, although the tunnel fortifications you mentioned sound very good, after all, they have not been tested on the battlefield. Do you really think that you rely on Can this kind of fortification smash the enemy's attempt to seize Mamayev Post?"

"I think it should be possible." Sokov nodded and replied, "When the enemy shelled and bombed our positions, our commanders and fighters would hide in the tunnels. Come out of the tunnel and enter the trench outside to block the enemy's attack."

"Okay, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Seeing Sokov's firm attitude, Ozor did not raise any objections, but got up and said: "I will go back and design a detailed fortification drawing according to your proposal. Then arrange the construction team to carry out the construction according to the drawings.”

"It couldn't be better to do this." Sukov nodded at Ozor, and added: "However, our time is tight, and the Germans may rush to Stalingrad at any time, so the construction of fortifications is best It starts tomorrow."