Red Moscow

Since most of the buildings in the residential area were destroyed, it was difficult for Sokov to discern the direction, so he slowed down from time to time while driving the tank forward, leaned out and asked the soldiers or militiamen on the side of the road: "Comrade, you know Where is the club?" The soldiers or militiamen who were asked enthusiastically pointed out the direction for him.

Not long after, Sokov and the others came to a building more than ten meters high. After asking the passing soldiers, they realized that this was the club they were looking for. According to Sokov's experience, the so-called club is actually a movie theater or an opera house. The characteristic of this kind of building is that it is built with huge stones, which is stronger than other buildings. Here, it couldn't be better.

The one who stayed in the club was a squad of the Guards Division. When they learned that Sokov and the others were going to set up their command here, they also brought a company of two hundred people and a tank platoon with nine tanks. It is a wish. The squad leader hurriedly gave up the luxurious office he occupied, and asked Sokov and the others to set up a headquarters here.

There is a ready-made telephone in the office, not only can you talk to the assembly workshop, but you can even ask the operator to connect to Chuikov's headquarters. But Sokov felt that under the current situation, there was no need to report to Chuikov, so he called Keida and asked how the assembly workshop was going.

After the call was connected, Sokov first informed the other party of his name, and then asked, "Comrade Colonel, what's the matter with you?"

"No, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Keida had just been taught by Chuikov, so he spoke very politely to Sokov: "We are very calm here, and the enemy has not launched an attack on us. By the way, your place How's the situation?"

"We have already repelled the Germans' first attack, and I believe they will launch a new attack soon." Sokov worried that Keda would underestimate the enemy, and specifically reminded him: "Although the enemy is in the direction of the assembly workshop, there is nothing to do." movement, but don’t take it lightly, so as not to be caught off guard by the enemy.”

"Don't worry, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Koyda assured Sokov: "We will be vigilant and never let the Germans approach the assembly workshop."

After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Bely with a puzzled look on his face, "It's really strange. The tone of Colonel Keida's conversation with me seems to be different from usual. What's going on?"

"Comrade Brigadier, as long as Colonel Koida can guard the assembly workshop, you don't have to pay too much attention to his attitude when he talks to you." Bely waved his hand at him, and then suggested: "If you want to command the battle, just stay in the office. No, we need to find a suitable observation point."

"Go to the roof

Take a look," Sokov said: "The field of vision there is wide, and you should be able to see the entire battlefield clearly. "

The two brought the radio operator to the rooftop and found that the view here was really wide. The troops who stood here before also piled up several sandbag fortifications on the roof. Sokov pointed to the fortifications and said to the operator: "Comrade operator, you stay there, at least you can hide from German bullets and shrapnel."

After Sokov arranged for the radio operator, he raised his binoculars and looked around. He found that the school and the stadium were not far from where he was, with a distance of at most a few hundred meters. , and tanks parked behind defensive positions.

"Comrade Brigadier," Bely came to Sokov's side, and asked tentatively, "Do you think we have to stay here for a few days before Guriyev brings back the main force?"

Regarding this question from Bely, Sokov hesitated for a moment, and asked back: "Colonel Bely, from your tone, it seems that you are not optimistic about this counterattack?"

"That's right, that's how I see it." Bely saw where the radio operator was and couldn't hear the conversation between himself and Sokov, so he boldly said: "The preparation time for this counterattack is very short. Both the strength of the troops and the materials needed are seriously insufficient, and there is no cooperation of artillery, tanks, and air force, so I don't think it is easy to achieve the goal of the counterattack."

"Colonel Bely, I think so too." Seeing that Bely was open and honest to himself, Sokov did not go around in circles with him, but said bluntly: "After the failure of this counterattack, our situation will become even worse. Difficult. Therefore, when we stand firm here, we must do our best to greatly consume the enemy's vital strength, so as to reduce the pressure on the Guards Division in future defensive operations."

"I agree." As soon as Sukov finished speaking, Bely agreed, and he said at the same time: "However, we still have to find a way to preserve our vitality as much as possible. Because after we return to the defense zone, we still have to face If the German attack consumes too many troops, it will be difficult to fight the next battle."

The two were talking when the enemy shelling began. Seeing clusters of flames and puffs of black smoke rising from the school and the stadium, Sokov's heart began to beat faster. He was worried that the enemy's shelling would cause great casualties to his troops. But Bely didn't seem to think as much as Sokov. As soon as he saw the shelling started, he tentatively pulled Sokov away from the rooftop: "Comrade Brigadier, it's dangerous here. Let's go back to the office first."

Sokov originally planned to watch it for a while, but thought that he needed to ask Vanya about the situation, so he followed Bely back to the office. He picked up the phone and connected to Vanya's command post, and asked straight to the point: "Comrade Captain, the enemy's shelling is very heavy. Is there any problem with your command post?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Brigadier Commander." Vanya replied loudly, "The location of my command post is very difficult for German artillery to destroy."

"Pay attention to concealment." Although Vanya is his old subordinate, Sokov still told him: "Let the soldiers hide and wait for the Germans to attack before entering the position to block."

"I understand, Comrade Brigadier." After Vanya hastily agreed, he kindly reminded Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, the location of your headquarters is only a few hundred meters away from us. I am worried that the enemy may Bombard you, you have to pay attention to safety."

"Comrade Captain, you don't have to worry about this." Although Sokov hadn't had time to familiarize himself with the situation in the building, he still said confidently: "When the enemy shells us, I will move to the basement. If there is anything If you need it, you can call at any time, and I will provide you with the necessary assistance."

Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Bely asked a special question: "Comrade Brigadier, the enemy's artillery fire is very fierce. Do you think it is necessary to call in the Air Force to attack and destroy the enemy's artillery position?"

Sokov shook his head and replied: "It is not the time to use the air force, so as not to expose our strength prematurely."

"But, look at the artillery fire outside." Belyi frowned and said, "I'm worried that the casualties of the first and second companies will definitely be serious after this artillery fire."