Red Moscow

Half an hour after Vitkov left, Sokov received a call from Chuikov. Chuikov hurriedly said on the phone: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, why didn't you report to me such a big thing happened?"

Facing Chuikov's questioning, Sokov said hesitantly: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I think this matter, I...we...should be able...to handle it...properly."

"It's nonsense, it's nonsense." Chuikov said sternly on the other end of the phone: "Do you really think that Vitkov can handle this matter? Let me tell you, although he is the deputy chief of staff of the group army, he is only A colonel, if Moskalenko sends a general to pick up the goods, do you think he can stop it?"

Sokov was still full of confidence in going out to Witkov to understand the batch of rockets, but after hearing what Chuikov said, he suddenly lost confidence, and he asked with some lack of confidence: "Comrade Commander, what should we do?" manage?"

Chuikov snorted heavily, and then said: "I just called Yeremenko and Khrushchev and reported this matter to them. They also take this matter very seriously. Khrushchev Comrade Fu said that he would wait for Colonel Vitkov at the ferry on the east bank of the Volga River, and then the two of them will go to Kamysin together to help you get back this batch of munitions."

Sokov thought that what Chuikov said would make it impossible to get back the rockets, and he was desperate, but when he heard that Khrushchev wanted to go out in person, his eyes lit up and he said repeatedly: "That's great!" Yes, this is really great. Comrade Khrushchev has come forward, I believe there is no problem that cannot be solved."

Chuikov was silent for a moment, and continued: "I understand how important this batch of munitions is to you. Therefore, after listening to Colonel Vitkov's report, I immediately contacted General Yeremenko and Heru Comrade Xiaofu, please say hello to the higher-ups first, and ask the people of the First Guards Army not to go to Kamysin to pick up this batch of munitions. After getting through with the other party, Khrushchev will accompany Vitkov Go to Kamisin to get back the munitions."

"Thank you, Comrade Commander." After listening to Chuikov's words, Sokov thanked him repeatedly: "On behalf of the commanders and fighters of the whole brigade, I would like to express my gratitude to you for everything you have done for us."

"Okay, don't say these things are useless." Chuikov heard Sokov thanking him, and said impatiently: "You guard the Mamayev Post well, don't let the Germans split our defense line, It’s better than anything else. Okay, I’m still busy, let’s talk another day..."

Hearing that Chuikov was going to hang up the phone, Sokov suddenly thought that the German army would launch a new offensive soon, and quickly raised his voice and shouted: "Comrade Commander, please wait a moment, I have something to say."

"What else can I say?"

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Sokov said to Chuikov while organizing words in his mind, "I want to ask, is the German army's recent attack on the factory area getting weaker and weaker?"

"That's right, the Germans only launched an attack at the Dzerzhinsky factory today." Hearing Sokov's question, Chuikov asked, "Why are you asking this?"

Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade commander, have you ever thought about why the enemy only attacked the Dzerzhinsky factory and not other factories?"

Regarding Sokov's question, Cuikov thought for a while, and then replied: "I think the German army may have consumed a lot of vitality in the early offensive, so the attack on us will become weaker and weaker."

"Comrade Commander, what do you think..."

As soon as Sokov asked a new question, he was interrupted by Chuikov. He asked with some displeasure: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, you keep asking all kinds of things, what exactly do you want to ask?"

"Comrade Commander," Sokov was afraid that Chuikov would interrupt him again, and quickly said, "I feel that the German army's offensive momentum has weakened. After the replenishment of technical equipment is completed, they will launch another fierce attack on Stalingrad. According to my analysis, their next offensive focus should be the factory area where you are located."

"That's right, the Germans have already occupied most of the city center. If they want to attack again, the factory area with many factories will definitely become the focus of their attack." Chuikov asked again after speaking. Said: "Do you have any ideas? Let's hear it."

"I think the defenses in the factory area are too weak," Sokov said because he had been lying on the hospital bed for too long and didn't know much about the changes in the strength of the factory area. He could only say based on his memory of history: "Even if there are a few There is an infantry division, but it is scattered to various factories, and the strength is still a bit small. If it is attacked by the German army, it will be difficult to defend the factory."

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I want to hear. Can you conjure up more pawns for me?" Cuikov said bluntly, "If you can do this, you will be recommended to your superiors later. You have the rank of general."

When Sokov first came to this era, he dreamed of becoming a general, but after being on the battlefield for a long time, this idea faded away. He felt that his current rank of lieutenant colonel was enough. Therefore, he was not at all excited about the big pie that Chuikov drew. Instead, he said in a normal tone: "Comrade Commander, as far as I know, there are tens of thousands of workers in each factory, plus their families. At least there are more than 100,000 people. Even if you only have 20,000 to 30,000 people armed, it is still a force that cannot be underestimated. Facing the onslaught of the German army, they can play a role in deciding the outcome of the battle."

Chuikov thought about Sokov's proposal for a long time, and finally said: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, your proposal is very constructive. I will discuss it with the Chief of Staff to see how to proceed. Alright, I still have a lot of things to talk about today, I wish you good luck!"

After putting down the phone, Sokov breathed out a foul breath and said to Sidolin with a relaxed expression: "Comrade Chief of Staff, just now the commander told me on the phone that Khrushchev will personally accompany Colonel Vitkov to the Kazakhstan. Misin, in this way, even if General Moskarenko goes out in person, he won’t be able to take away our rockets.”

Don't look at the relaxed expression on Sokov's face, but his heart is still uneasy, because he knows that the First Guards Army and the other two armies stationed north of Stalingrad are commanded by General Zhukov. If Khrushchev and Witkov were there and Zhukov appeared, there might be unexpected changes.

While Sokov was waiting anxiously, the time passed by every minute. At around three o'clock in the afternoon, the operator sent a telegram to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, this is a telegram from Colonel Vitkov."

Sokov took the telegram from the operator, opened it tremblingly, and held his breath to read the contents. I saw the words on the telegram: "After negotiating with the other party, I was fortunate enough to live up to my fate. Now the rocket is on its way to Mamayev Gang."