Red Moscow

Sokov frowned and thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "Judging from the sound of the artillery outside, the enemy is using heavy artillery, and the distance from us must be very far. In this way, our army deployed on the opposite bank The artillery can't hit the enemy's artillery positions at all."

He walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back for a while, then stopped, and said to the radio operator who followed: "Radio operator, immediately send a report to Lieutenant Grisa and ask him where he is, and the rocket bombs in his hand are still left." How much do you want?"

The operator agreed and immediately began telegraphing Griza. Bely was joined by Sokov after he arrived at the Red October factory. Naturally, he didn't know who Griza was, so he asked curiously, "Comrade Brigadier, who is Lieutenant Griza?"

Remembering that Bely did not know Griza, Sokov explained to him: "Comrade Colonel, it is like this. I sent a small force to the enemy's rear half a month ago to destroy the German transport lines and communications. Lines, attacking enemy warehouses, depots, and barracks, so that they cannot attack us with all their strength. The commander of this small force is Lieutenant Grisa."

"So that's the case." Bieley nodded, and said thoughtfully, "Could it be that you want to use him to contain the enemy's attack when you contact him at this time?"

"That's right, that's how I thought about it." Seeing that Bely had guessed his mind, Sokov didn't hide it, but said truthfully: "Some time ago, they successfully attacked the Red October Factory. The 24th Armored Division made it impossible for the enemy to rush to the designated place to attack our army within the stipulated time."

"Comrade Brigadier," Sokov's words aroused Bely's great curiosity: "I would like to ask, a small unit operating in the enemy's rear is at best equivalent to a guerrilla. How did they give the German armored division , causing huge losses?"

Sokov was taken aback by Bely's question, but he quickly remembered that the other party didn't know about the small troops he sent to the enemy's rear, and also didn't know about the powerful rockets. After all, these things were still kept secret, so he explained to him Said: "Comrade Colonel, we have a new type of rocket ..."

"A new type of rocket?" Bely asked in surprise, "Is it the kind of rocket used by rocket launchers?"

"almost."

Hearing what Sokov said, Bely immediately made up his mind about the soldiers marching through the forest and grassland carrying rockets that were about the same height as him, and couldn't help but shudder. He shook his head and said: "Comrade Brigadier, if you let the soldiers carry such heavy rockets and operate behind the enemy's rear, it will affect the mobility of the troops. Moreover, at least one rocket launcher is needed to transport these The rockets are shot out. But in this way, our actions in the enemy's rear will not be easily detected by the enemy."

When Sokov heard this, he realized that Bely knew nothing about the new rocket, so he briefly introduced him to the new rocket and the results he had achieved. He finally said: "Comrade Colonel, this This new type of rocket is not only portable, but also not complicated to launch, and even if the launch tube is damaged, the rocket can be placed on the ground and fired by battery ignition."

Because Belei's level is not high, he naturally has no way of knowing about this new type of rocket with high secrecy. After listening to Sokov's explanation at this moment, he couldn't help saying in surprise: "Comrade Brigadier, if this kind of rocket is really so powerful, why don't we produce more and use it to equip troops in large quantities, so that they can be used in battle?" , to inflict greater damage on the enemy."

Why does Sokov want the arsenal to produce more rockets, but due to production capacity issues, it is destined that such rockets will only be used by specific troops for a long time to come. He explained to Sokov: "Due to the limitation of production capacity, the output of this rocket is limited. However, Yakov has assured me that the finished product will be provided to my troops first."

As soon as Sokov mentioned Yakov, Bely remembered that the other party disappeared after leaving the command post with him, so he couldn't help asking Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, what is Major Yakov going to do?" Is there a place? Why didn't he come together?"

"Colonel, you should know Yakov's real identity, right?" Sokov saw Bely nod his head in affirmation after saying this, and continued: "He came to Stalingrad this time to improve our Instead of taking up guns and fighting the enemy like we did, I would never put him in danger unless it was absolutely necessary."

"I can ask," he was particularly interested when he mentioned Bely's specialty: "How do they plan to improve our existing T-34 tanks?"

Sokov had proposed an improvement plan to Yakov and Kalashnikov some time ago, but Bely was not there at the time, so he had to tell the plan again at this moment: "According to our vision: the existing T-34 The tank has only four members, namely the commander, driver, gunner and loader. Usually the commander also serves as the gunner, which leads to the low combat efficiency of our tank. Therefore, it is necessary to change the two-person turret into a three-person turret , adding a gunner to increase combat effectiveness.

Secondly, in order to deal with our tanks, the German army is bound to continuously launch new tanks. At that time, our 76mm tank guns may not be able to penetrate the enemy's frontal armor. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to increase the caliber of the tank gun..."

When Beley heard this, he couldn't help asking: "Comrade Brigadier, what caliber of artillery do you think should be changed?"

"I think 85 mm is more suitable." Sokov replied: "We have 85 mm anti-aircraft guns that can destroy German tanks at a long distance. It should be more appropriate to transplant them to tanks."

Bie Lei thought to himself: Although the brigade commander has only a half-knowledge about tanks, some of the ideas he said are worth learning by then. If our tanks are really improved in the way he said, then the combat effectiveness will be greatly improved. He said thoughtfully: "Comrade Brigadier, I think your idea is very good. If the higher-ups can listen to your opinion, the newly launched tank will be a nightmare for the Germans on the battlefield..."

Before he finished speaking, he heard the radio operator calling Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, Lieutenant Griza has called back."

Sokov was overjoyed when he heard what the operator said, and quickly asked, "What did Griza say in the telegram?"

After the operator translated the contents of the telegram, he said to Sokov with a sad face: "Lieutenant Grisa's telegram said that the rockets he carried have been exhausted. The troops encountered the superior force of the enemy the day before yesterday. After the fierce battle, more than half of the casualties, he asked you for instructions, what should we do next?"

The operator's words were like a bucket of ice water for three or nine days, which poured down on Sokov's head, making him completely cold. Sokov never dreamed that the small army he had placed high hopes on would suffer heavy losses. Let alone keeping them in check against the enemy, even if they were allowed to stay behind the enemy for a longer time, the entire army might be wiped out Danger.

Seeing Sokov's brow furrowed, Bely guessed his thoughts immediately, and said cautiously: "Comrade Brigadier, why don't you let Grisa's troops withdraw first? They won't be able to do much if they stay in the enemy's rear." Instead, unnecessary sacrifices will be made.”

"You're right, Comrade Colonel." Sokov had also thought about Bely's proposal in his heart, but after hearing what Bely said, he finally made his final decision. He turned to the radio operator and said, "Call Lieutenant Grisa back. Since you can no longer survive behind enemy lines, in order to preserve the vitality of our army, immediately find a way to withdraw to Mamayev Post."

Before the operator sent the telegram, the phone on the desk rang. Hearing that the sound of the cannon outside seemed to have stopped, Sokov guessed that the call might be from Vanya, so he hurried over and picked up the receiver. : "I'm Sokov!"

Sure enough, Vanya's voice came out of the receiver, probably the explosion of shells, which made his ears a little hard to use. When he spoke, he roared at the top of his lungs: "Comrade Brigadier, I am Wanya!" Nia, the enemy is attacking."

"How many troops does the enemy have?"

"There are about two companies and five tanks in the direction of the school." Vanya replied, "And here we have eight tanks and almost a battalion of infantry."

After listening to Vanya's report, Sokov did not simply order them to stand firm and not to retreat a single step, but said tactfully: "Comrade Captain, I authorize you to use new rockets, and do everything possible to fight back. enemy attack."

"Don't worry, Comrade Brigadier." Knowing that Sokov allowed him to use the new rockets, Vanya grinned almost to his ears, and said triumphantly, "I will let the Germans have a good taste." The power of the rockets left a lasting impression on them."

"Also, Comrade Captain." Sokov emphasized before Vanya put down the phone: "Remember, use your wisdom more, and don't let the soldiers bleed too much. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" Vanya agreed loudly, and hung up the phone.

After putting down the phone, Sokov said to himself, "I don't know when General Guriyev's troops will be able to withdraw?"

"Comrade Brigadier," Bely heard something in Sokov's words, and quickly asked, "Are you worried that they won't be able to withdraw?"

"It's entirely possible." Sokov said with a wry smile, "You also know that this counterattack we have launched cannot last long due to the lack of soldiers, equipment and supplies; in addition, there are not enough cannons. With the cover of the tanks and the air force's failure to control the air, it is basically impossible to achieve the desired results. Therefore, I only hope that the Guards Division can return some more people after this counterattack is over."

Speaking of this, he deliberately paused for a moment, and said in a voice that only he could hear: "If the guards are exhausted, then we will have to stay here and fight cruel positional warfare with the enemy."

When the German tanks approached the school and the stadium, the Soviet tanks concealed in two places opened fire one after another, blowing up the German tanks rushing to the front; Kill them piece by piece around the burning tank.

Don’t look at those who watched the battle with Sokov on the rooftop. After seeing this situation, they couldn’t help saying with emotion: “Comrade Brigadier, I really didn’t expect that the troops under your command could block the German attack so easily.” , and the casualties are still within the acceptable range."

"Colonel Bely," Sokov replied with a smile when he heard Bely's praise, "Fortunately, you have the assistance of the tank platoon under your command, otherwise we would have to pay a lot for just blowing up those German tanks." price."

After the German offensive lasted for more than ten minutes, after dropping seven or eight burning tanks and more than two hundred corpses, they returned to the starting position of the offensive in despair.

Seeing that the German army began to retreat, Bely felt a little itchy in his heart. He tentatively asked Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, the enemy has begun to retreat. Should we send out the reserve team to pursue it?"

"Pursuit, why do you want to pursue?" Sokov looked at Bely and asked strangely: "Comrade Colonel, don't you know that the enemy's artillery is waiting for us, and as soon as our infantry leaves the fortifications, they will be immediately attacked." Covered by artillery fire, our soldiers will suffer heavy losses at that time."

As if to prove that what Sokov said was correct, the German artillery fired at them, and the shells they fired blasted a wall of fire in front of the Soviet positions. In this case, not to mention that the flesh and blood of the soldiers will be blown to pieces; even if the T-34 tanks rush up, it is estimated that they will become piles of burning wreckage.

Seeing this situation, Belei couldn't help wiping the sweat from his forehead with his hand, and said with some fear: "It's really dangerous, Comrade Brigadier Commander. Fortunately, you didn't give the order to attack, otherwise the commanders and fighters of the company and the company would have suffered heavy casualties. "

The enemy's attack was repelled. For Sokov, it was just a common thing. What he was concerned about now was when the ball tank would arrive. It has been so long, but he didn't even see the shadow . He raised his hand and looked at his watch, then turned to Bely: "Comrade Colonel, when will the ball tank arrive?"

If it hadn't been for Sokov's reminder, Bely would have really forgotten that there was a ball tank going to participate in today's battle. He quickly replied, "I'll contact Lieutenant Valenra to see where they are?"

Bely came to the radio operator, knelt down and said to him: "Comrade radio operator, immediately call Lieutenant Valenra and ask where the tank he is driving is currently?"

Although Bely didn't say anything about tanks, as a radio operator who was always with the commander, he couldn't understand what he meant, so he quickly picked up the microphone and started calling Lieutenant Valenra.