Red Moscow

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, tell me." Chuikov asked angrily, "In the factory area, where is the main defensive area, and where is the secondary defensive area?"

"Comrade Commander," Sokov could hear Chuikov's anger from his tone of voice, and quickly said respectfully, "Give me two minutes, and I will briefly explain to you."

"I'll just give you two minutes." Chuikov said angrily, "Please explain clearly to me."

"According to the information I have," in order to convince Chuikov, Sokov decided to tell what he knew, lest the Germans take advantage of the factory area because of the other party's negligence, and his right wing would then Dangerous: "The enemy's troops used to attack the factory area include the 100th Jager Division, the 389th Infantry Division, the 16th Armored Division, and the 60th Motorized Infantry Division. Among them, the first two divisions are located on the west side of the factory area ; while the latter two divisions were deployed to the north of the factory area."

Hearing that Sokov made the numbers of the German army so clear, Chuikov snorted and said angrily, "That's right, you're right, these four divisions were the troops that the German army used to attack the factory area. "

"The two divisions to the west are infantry divisions. They have a limited number of tanks, and the front of the attack is too wide. Even if the terrain outside the factory area is suitable for the deployment of armored troops, our army sticking to this direction is also can resist their attack." Sokov stared at the map spread out on the table, and said into the microphone: "The two divisions in the north have a large number of tanks and artillery, and their offensive front is not wide, probably It's only three or four kilometers, and if they launch a fierce attack on Linock to the north, I'm afraid our troops won't be able to hold it."

When Sokov said this, he deliberately paused for a moment to observe Chuikov's reaction before deciding whether to continue talking. Chuikov heard that Sokov stopped talking halfway through, and urged impatiently: "Why didn't you say it? Keep talking, I want to hear what you think."

"Once the German army occupies Linock, it means that they have an offensive starting point in the factory area." Sokov continued: "If they launch an attack from here, they can divide the defense lines in the factory area."

"It's like this. Linock is the key to whether we can hold the north of the factory area." Chuikov agreed with Sokov's statement: "But we don't have many troops now, and we can't strengthen that area at all. garrison."

"Comrade Commander," Sokov heard what Chuikov said, and knowing that his statement was recognized by the other party, he went on to say: "I suggest that the troops west of the factory area be transferred to strengthen the defense of Linock and ensure that the enemy There is no way to break through that area."

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, since the enemy launched an attack from the north, will their troops in the west sit still?" Chuikov said helplessly, "They will definitely cooperate with the 16th Armored Division and the 60th Motorized Division in the north." The infantry division launched an attack on the factory area."

"This is how I think about it, Comrade Commander," Sokov said to Chuikov confidently: "You can consider transferring the 42nd Guards Regiment of the 13th Guards Division to Linock to strengthen the defense there."

"Colonel Tiaoyelin's 42nd Guards Regiment, go to reinforce Linock?" After hearing Sokov's suggestion, Chuikov frowned: "If they are transferred away, the defense of that area will become weak. , the enemy may regard it as a breach. If there is a breakthrough, what is the difference between Linock being occupied? The enemy can still divide our defense lines."

"Comrade Commander, have you forgotten that the defense zone of the 42nd Guards Regiment borders our Beigang." Seeing that Cuikov was a little hesitant, Sokov reminded him: "If the Yelin Regiment is transferred, the enemy will attack you." If there is an attack there, I can send troops from Beigang to reinforce it."

"How many troops do you have now?" When Chuikov first heard Sokov's proposal, he couldn't help but feel happy, but he soon realized that something was wrong, because he knew that the infantry brigade suffered three thousand casualties within half a month. There are many people, so he became hesitant again: "Can you stop the enemy's attack?"

"According to intelligence, there are still about 1,500 defenders in our brigade on Mamayev Hill." Sokov said into the microphone: "There are more than 300 people in the third battalion stationed in the city. Our existing strength, if used for offense, is definitely not sufficient in numbers; but for defense, or to temporarily support friendly forces, these troops are still more than enough."

Hearing Sokov speak so confidently, Cuikov felt relieved. In his mind, Sokov is a great commander. If the opponent is allowed to hold on to a place, he will never let the enemy occupy it. Out of trust in Sokov, Cuikov nodded and said, "Okay, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I will accept your suggestion and immediately transfer Colonel Yelin's 42nd Guards Regiment to the factory area. North, reinforce Linock."

When Sokov put down the phone, he said to Sidolin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately call the Commander of the Fourth Battalion and the Commander of the 192nd Battalion and ask them to switch defenses."

"Switch?" Sidolin's eyes widened in surprise, and he asked in puzzlement, "Okay, why do you want the two battalions to switch?"

"Yes, Comrade Brigadier." Not only was Sidolin confused, but Vitkov was also confused about the situation, "Why did you suddenly think of changing the defense of the two battalions?"

"It's like this," Sokov explained to them seeing that both of them looked confused, "Deputy Brigadier Commander, Comrade Chief of Staff, the reason why I want the troops of the two battalions to switch defenses is because the four There are more fighters left in the battalion than in the 192nd battalion."

"That's right, there are still more than 300 soldiers in the fourth battalion." After confirming Sukov's statement, Sidolin asked in a daze, "But does this have anything to do with the change of defense between the two battalions?"

"You must have heard some of the conversation I had with Comrade Commander just now." Sokov pointed to the right side of Mamayev Gang, and said to the two: "I suggest that the Commander send the guards on our right wing The 42nd regiment, transferred to the Linock area to strengthen the defense there. With the transfer of the Yelin regiment, there is a gap on our right wing, and the German army is likely to choose this as a breakthrough..."

"Oh, so that's the case, I understand." Before Sukov finished speaking, Vitkov suddenly realized: "The reason why you want to change the defense of the two brigades is to prevent the enemy from attacking us. When the right wing makes a breakthrough, the fourth battalion can be moved up to stop them."

Sokov gave Witkov a thumbs up and said, "Comrade deputy brigade commander, that's how I think about it."

Before Sidolin could speak, the phone on the desk rang without warning. Sidolin thought it was Chuikov, so he grabbed the receiver and whispered to his ear, "I'm Sidolin, am I Comrade Commander?"

But what is surprising is that it was not Chuikov's voice that came out of the receiver, but Zhukov's deep and magnetic voice: "Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin, this is Zhukov. May I ask Lieutenant Colonel Sokov?" Are you there?"

"Yes, yes, Comrade General, please wait a moment, I will let him answer the phone." After Sidolin said these two words respectfully, he handed the microphone to Sokov , whispered: "It's General Zhukov calling."

"A call from General Zhukov?" Sidolin's words shocked Sokov. He didn't know how he, a small lieutenant colonel, would alarm the deputy commander in Moscow. He quickly took the phone and said nervously. : "Hello, Comrade General, I'm Sokov, what instructions do you have?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov," Zhukov did not call Sokov affectionately as Misha as before, but called him by his surname and military rank, and said in an official tone: "I heard that you asked Khrushchev to come forward yesterday." , forcibly took away a batch of new rockets that the Weapons and Equipment Department gave to the First Guards Army?"

"Comrade General," Sokov didn't expect Zhukov to call himself, and he couldn't help but nervously replied when he talked about the rocket dispute: "Comrade Khrushchev did come forward to help us get some money from the First Guards Army." Back to the new rockets sent from Moscow, but those rockets were sent to us by the Armament Department. This, Major Yakov and Captain Varman who escorted the weapons can prove..."

"It's alright, alright, Misha, you don't need to explain to me." Zhukov didn't wait for Sokov to finish explaining, and suddenly laughed: "I know that Comrade Ustinov specially issued these weapons to you. Yes, the question just now is just a procedure. How about it, I heard that after you got the rockets last night, you achieved good results?"

Sokov raised his hand to wipe off the cold sweat on his forehead, heaved a sigh of relief, and then replied: "Yes, Comrade General, after the rocket hit Mamayev Post last night, I was the one who went deep into the enemy's rear to carry out a sabotage battle. Each squad distributed fifteen rockets. Fortunately, they did not disappoint me, and they used these rockets to teach the enemy a good lesson." After speaking, he reported the results of the squad to Zhukov in detail.

Although Zhukov had seen these victories in Cuikov's report, it was a different feeling to hear Sokov personally mentioning this matter at this moment. After waiting for Sokov to finish speaking, he sighed softly and said, "Misha, I want to ask you, why did you send four small teams and spread them in different directions?"

"Comrade general," Sokov didn't know why Zhukov asked such a question, and explained to him specifically: "You know that the troops operating behind the enemy are in danger of being wiped out at any time. In order to minimize the risk, I deliberately Four detachments were sent to move in four different directions to distract the German army. If the German army wanted to dispatch troops to encircle and suppress, they had to draw troops from the front to reduce the pressure on our army's frontal defense."

"Misha, your thinking is correct." After hearing Sokov's words, Zhukov was silent for a moment, and then said again: "If the squad operating in the enemy's rear did not carry new rockets that pose a great threat to the enemy, you This arrangement is completely correct. But now, each squad carries a certain number of rockets, and their actions in the enemy's rear are not simply harassment. area to launch an attack. If you use all these troops together, how effective it can be, have you thought about it?"

To be honest, Sokov really didn't think about what Zhukov said. Hearing what Zhukov said, he couldn't help doubting his original arrangement. Did his actions disperse his own strength? Shouldn't the small units behind the enemy be assembled and attack the place where the German army is heavily concentrated, in order to contain the enemy and consume the enemy?

Hearing that Sokov remained silent, Zhukov said kindly, "Misha, do you have any new ideas? Let's hear them."

"Comrade General," Sokov said hesitantly, "You are right, maybe I should gather the four squads behind the enemy so that they can use the rockets they carry to attack more important German targets. , causing greater losses to the enemy, disrupting their offensive deployment, and reducing the pressure on the defenders in the city."

Seeing that Sokov understood his intention, Zhukov couldn't help showing a knowing smile on his face. He reminded Sokov: "Although your four teams only have 60 people, if they are integrated now, it may take a special Assign a commander to command this force. Otherwise, it is better to maintain the status quo."

Zhukov's words once again reminded Sokov that the commander of the four squads attacked this time was Second Lieutenant Fisher from the first battalion. The rest of the captains were either sergeants or sergeants. None of the officers. If the troops are integrated, Fisher, as the soldier with the highest military rank, must become the commander of the troops logically, but it is still unknown whether he has the ability to command the troops.

"I understand, Comrade General." After some consideration, Sokov felt that a large-scale operation behind the enemy must have a capable commander. His own knowledge of Second Lieutenant Fisher was limited, and the troops were entrusted to him to command. It's too risky, and I should find another suitable commander to command this force. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "I will arrange a suitable commander to command this army behind the enemy lines and deal a heavy blow to the bandits."

When Zhukov heard Sokov say this, the smile on his face became even wider. He smiled and said: "Misha, since you have an idea in your heart, I will wait to hear your good news. Good luck! "