Red Moscow

Khrushchev put the microphone on the table, scanned the room with his eyes, and found that the chief of staff, Major General Varennikov, was standing behind a radio operator, reading a telegram he had just received. , hurriedly strode towards him. After arriving at Varennikov's side, he stopped and asked in a low voice, "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there any news about the Stalingrad Front Army?"

Varennikov heard someone asking himself, and when he saw that it was Khrushchev, he shook his head and replied: "Sorry, Comrade Military Commissar, we haven't contacted the Stalingrad Front yet."

"Then find a way to contact the friendly army immediately." Knowing that there is no news of the Stalingrad Front Army, Khrushchev's face was a little uncomfortable, and he said to Varennikov in a stern tone: "Whether it is Call or send a telegram, I need to know the progress of the Stalingrad Front in the shortest possible time."

Regardless of the fact that Major General Varennikov is the chief of staff of the Front Army, he still felt terrified when he saw Khrushchev get angry. Regarding Khrushchev's failure to explain to him why he was eager to know the situation of the friendly forces, he did not dare to ask, but hurriedly replied: "Okay, Comrade Military Commissioner, I will contact the friendly forces immediately."

Khrushchev walked back to the table, picked up the microphone on the table, and said apologetically in his ear: "Comrade Chuikov, I'm really sorry, I just asked, we haven't got Stalingrad yet." The front army's battle report, I don't know how they are progressing now."

Perhaps aware of Chuikov's disappointment, he quickly added: "But don't worry, I have ordered Major General Varennikov to contact the friendly forces immediately. Once there is news, I will inform you immediately."

Not long after the conversation with Chuikov ended, Yeremenko limped in from the outside leaning on a cane. Khrushchev hurried over to him, helped him to the table and sat down, and then said with concern: Comrade Liaomenko, your leg is injured, there is nothing serious, so don't go out casually."

"You can't go, my Comrade Military Commissar." Yeremenko sat down at the table, moved his injured leg, which had not yet healed, and said to Khrushchev with a wry smile: "We promise to give Chuikov three Infantry divisions, participate in the offensive that started today. However, due to the enemy's blockade and transportation, only two infantry divisions reached the designated positions before the offensive, so that each division had to widen the offensive front. If it is really because of our Inadequate preparations led to the failure of this counterattack, and I, as the commander, cannot escape the blame."

"Comrade Commander, you are worrying too much." Khrushchev waited for Yeremenko to finish speaking, and said with a smile: "You must know that not only Rokossovsky's troops are attacking the enemy, but also Zhukov's troops are attacking the enemy to the north." The 1st Guards Army, the 24th and 66th Army under the command contain a considerable number of enemy forces. Therefore, I think our offensive operations this time will definitely achieve the effect originally envisioned.”

"I hope so." Yeremenko nodded, and then asked Khrushchev with concern: "What progress has Rokossovsky's troops made?"

Khrushchev looked at the chief of staff who was busy not far away, and replied: "Just now Chuikov called to ask about the situation of the Stalingrad Front Army. I have asked the chief of staff and Rokossovsky Command to get in touch with the latest battle reports."

Hearing that Khrushchev repeatedly mentioned the Stalingrad Front Army, Yeremenko couldn't help but said with emotion: "Comrade Military Commissar, in my opinion, we should make a suggestion to the headquarters to change the designation of the troops."

"Change the number of the army?" Yelymenko's words made Khrushchev a little stunned: "Didn't the army just change the number in August? What new designation do you plan to give the army?"

"Comrade Military Commissar, don't you think the current designation is awkward?" Yeremenko looked at Khrushchev and said, "Rokossovsky's Stalingrad Front is now at a distance. Dozens of kilometers away from the city, we are fighting the enemy; while our army that sticks to the city uses the designation of the Southeast Front Army..."

Yeremenko's words resonated with Khrushchev: "Comrade Commander, what you said is very reasonable. The numbers used by the troops are indeed inappropriate. I will propose to the headquarters to modify the numbers of the troops at the right time." proposal."

While the two were talking, Varennikov came over, and he reported to the two: "Comrade Commander, Comrade Military Commissar, according to the telegram from the Stalingrad Front, their troops are at Akatovka and Kuz Mitch Lot has launched an attack southward, and is now engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy.  …”

"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, we all understand what you said." Yeremenko interrupted Varennikov before he finished speaking, and asked impatiently: "You just Tell us, where is Rokossovsky's troops now?"

"Still fighting," Varennikov replied with some embarrassment. "Because the enemy's resistance is very tenacious, so far they have not broken through the enemy's line of defense."

…………

Although Chuikov did not get accurate information about the Stalingrad Front Army from Khrushchev, after four o'clock in the afternoon, he knew that the attack of Rokossovsky's troops had been contained by the German army. Because the German planes that had disappeared once again reappeared over the city, bombing and strafing the attacking troops, causing considerable casualties to the 95th and 112th Infantry Divisions.

After learning about the situation at the front, Krylov frowned and said to Chuikov: "Comrade commander, the enemy has already mastered the air supremacy on the battlefield. With our current strength and technical equipment, it is impossible to continue to attack. .”

Chuikov agreed with Krylov's statement. He did not blindly order the troops to attack regardless of the actual situation, but said to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in today's battle, we have achieved good results: not only occupied the 30.5 and 135.4 heights, but even The orchard to the southwest of the village of 'Red October' has been completely occupied. Since we can no longer attack forward, then order the troops to immediately switch to defense, consolidate these occupied areas, and wait for the time is right to use these places as the starting point of the attack. Launch a new attack on the enemy."

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Krylov nodded and replied, "I'll call the forward commander and pass on your order."

Krylov's work efficiency was very high. It took less than five minutes to call the commander at the front and convey Chuikov's latest order. After he put down the phone, he suddenly remembered the small unit that was still on standby at Mamayev Post, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, if we switch to defense on the spot, what about the squadron of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov?" What about the troops? Tell them to cancel the operation?"

Chuikov did not answer Krylov's question immediately. After walking around the room a few times with his hands behind his back, he stopped and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't look at our current offensive being temporarily blocked. A new attack can be launched again. In my opinion, let Sokov continue to stand by, his small army will be useful sooner or later."

Sidolin soon learned of the news that the counter-assault troops had switched to defense on the spot through his special channels. After answering the phone, he said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, the situation on the battlefield has changed, and your plan to go north may change."

"What changed?" Sokov asked curiously, "Is the commander planning to cancel the mission for us?"

"It's very possible." Sidolin analyzed to Sokov: "The troops that carried out the counter-assault were bombed and strafed by German bombers not long ago, and suffered considerable losses. Comrade Commander has ordered The troops stopped attacking and went on the defensive on the spot."

"What, the attacking force has turned to the defensive on the spot?" Belkin couldn't help being surprised when he heard the news. He fixed his eyes on Sokov and continued to ask Sidolin: "So, not only our counterattack The attack of the troops was frustrated, and even the attack launched by the Stalingrad Front outside the city was contained by the Germans?"

"Comrade Political Commissar, the situation is likely to be just as you have analyzed. The German army contained the attack of General Rokossovsky's troops before they could use enough troops to contain the counterattack forces in our city." Sidolin introduced. After finishing the situation, he said cautiously: "Therefore, I think that Comrade Commander may cancel the task of ordering the brigade commander to lead the troops northward and join the friendly forces."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation you mentioned is indeed possible." Sokov stared at the map on the desktop and said, "But as long as Comrade Commander doesn't call us and announce the cancellation of the order, then we may still go north." It exists. Therefore, the 192nd Battalion of Captain Goria must also be on standby, and once the order to start is issued, we can start immediately.”

Regarding Sokov's self-confidence, Sidolin said disapprovingly: "Comrade Brigadier, at such a time, do you still think that Comrade Commander will order you to go north?"

"I think it will." Although the attack of the counterattack troops in the city is frustrated at this moment, Sukov does not think that this counterattack will end so hastily. After all, there is still Batyuk's 284th Infantry Division. What about fighting? Once this new force enters the battlefield, what will happen is still unknown, so he said in a positive tone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I can make a bet with you that it only takes two days at most, and our small army will go north." of."

Seeing Sokov's high interest, Sidolin couldn't bear to dampen his interest, so he nodded and said insincerely, "Since Comrade Brigadier Commander said so, the northbound operation will definitely be carried out as planned."

At two o'clock in the middle of the night, the harsh telephone rang suddenly in the silent headquarters. Sidolin, who was sleeping on the table, didn't even open his eyes, so he grabbed the microphone and put it against his ear and said weakly: " I am Chief of Staff Sidolin, where are you?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin, I'm Krylov." Krylov's voice came from the receiver, "Where is Sokov, Comrade Commander has an important task to be entrusted to him."

Hearing the call from Krylov, Sidolin immediately became sober. He quickly sat up straight and said into the microphone: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff. The brigade commander is still sleeping. I Then order someone to call him." After speaking, he covered the microphone with his hand, and ordered a staff officer standing not far away, "Go and invite the brigade commander, and tell him that Comrade Commander will assign him a task."

After the sleeping Sokov was awakened by the staff officer, he was very dissatisfied at first, but when he heard that Cuikov was looking for him, he immediately realized that the other party planned to let him lead the troops northward, so he hurried to answer the phone. Krylov heard Sokov's voice and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, wait a moment, the commander wants to speak to you."

After a while, Chuikov's voice came from the receiver: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I just received a call from Commander Yeremenko, who said that a tank brigade of the Stalingrad Front had rushed through from the north. The enemy's position is rushing towards the Orlovka area. You immediately lead the troops to set off overnight, and must join the friendly tank brigade after dawn."

"Comrade Commander," Sokov knew the terrain near Stalingrad very well. As soon as Chuikov finished talking about the ground, he found the place where he planned to join forces on the map. After quickly testing the distance with his hands, he said to Chuikov with a bitter face: "It is more than 30 kilometers from our garrison to the meeting point. Since the troops on the move lack transportation means, even if there is no enemy blocking along the way, we have to It is also very difficult to drive such a long distance in one day and night. I think we may not be able to join the friendly tank brigade at the designated location at dawn."

After listening to Sokov's answer, Chuikov immediately frowned: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, when do you think your small troops will arrive at the designated meeting place?"

Sokov silently calculated the marching speed of the troops and the time that might be delayed by some accidents on the road, and said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, I think we will have to wait until noon at the earliest before arriving at Orlov. card area."

Although Chuikov was dissatisfied with Sokov's answer in his heart, he did not get angry. Instead, he covered the microphone with his hand and said to Krylov: "Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov said that his troops will have to wait until noon. Only then can we rush to the Orlovka area. In this way, it won’t delay our rendezvous, right?”

"No, Comrade Commander." Krylov quickly replied, "It's only about 30 kilometers from Mamayev Gang to Orlovka, but Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and the others are going to pass through the German army." Even if there is no fighting along the way, their marching speed will not be fast. I estimate that the time they will lose on the road will take at least ten hours."

After listening to Krylov's reply, Chuikov nodded slightly, then let go of his hand covering the microphone, and gave Sokov a straightforward order: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, since you said that you can't arrive at the meeting place until noon , then stop dawdling, and immediately lead the troops northward, trying to join up with the friendly forces that broke through the German defense line as soon as possible, and completely break the enemy's siege of the city."