Red Moscow

The counter-attack carried out by the Soviet army in the north of the city has become more and more weak in follow-up. Facing this unfavorable situation, Chuikov couldn't help feeling anxious. He said to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I estimate that our army's counterattack will end in failure by tomorrow at the latest."

"Yes, Comrade Commander, the current situation is very unfavorable to our army." Krylov agreed with Cuikov very much: "The organization of this counterattack is very hasty, and at the same time, we lack the necessary supplies to support our counterattack. As a result, our counterattack forces cannot conduct effective operations."

"Sokov's troops were surrounded by the Germans in Orlovka." Chuikov waited for Krylov to finish speaking, then continued with a frown: "From the current situation, the friendly forces outside the encirclement want to break through the German defenses. It is no longer realistic to rush to join forces with them. In order to prevent them from being surrounded by the enemy, it is necessary to send troops to rescue them."

"It's very difficult, Comrade Commander." Krylov sighed and said helplessly, "Because of the fierce German offensive, their retreat to the east or south has been completely cut off."

Chuikov asked: "Is there no way to rescue Sokov and the others from the enemy's encirclement?"

Krylov shook his head and said in a regretful tone: "General Guriyev's 39th Guards Division went from south to north, and Major General Ruoludev's 37th Guards Division went from east to west. It was a success. According to the reports of the two division commanders, with their current strength, they were unable to break through the German defenses and rescue Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and the others."

When Krylov said these words, Chuikov tapped the table lightly with his fingers, and did not speak for a long time. After a long time, he said with difficulty: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you should immediately call Colonel Koyda and inform him of Sokov's situation, and at the same time tell him that once our counterattack fails, the enemy may attack again." Restart the attack on the Red October factory. Order him to fully assist General Guriyev in defending the factory."

"Understood." Krylov nodded and replied, "I personally called Colonel Keida in the mixed regiment and asked him to immediately start the defensive deployment of the factory."

Besides, Koida, who stayed in the Red October factory, learned from the wounded sent back from the front that Sokov's troops broke through the four German defense lines in a row and successfully advanced to the Orlovka area. When he heard the news, Keida was still very happy. He even thought optimistically that maybe this counterattack would successfully crush the enemy's attack on the city and drive them far away.

But after receiving a call from Krylov today, he was dumbfounded. Not only was his optimistic counterattack in vain, Sokov's troops were also trapped in Orlovka, and there was even the danger of their entire army being wiped out.

Political Commissar Mashkov saw that Koyda was holding the microphone in a daze, and asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, I see that your face is not good. Is something wrong?"

Although Koyda was already the head of the mixed regiment before he came to the Red October factory, Mashkov still likes to call him the division commander. After all, he used to be the commander of the 184th Infantry Division. At first, Koyda was worried that the influence would be bad, and every time he heard Mashkov call himself that, he had to correct him a few words. But today, the news he just heard was so shocking that he forgot to correct Mashkov's title.

Seeing that Koyda was silent for a long time, Mashkov repeated the question just now, and Koyda said with a sad face: "Comrade political commissar, something happened, something big happened. Lieutenant Colonel Sokov The troops led by the German army were besieged in the Orlovka area, and according to the chief of staff, they probably won't last long."

"What, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops fell into the encirclement of the German army?" When Mashkov heard the news, he broke out in a cold sweat, but he still asked cautiously: "Comrade commander, this news is reliable. ?"

"It's absolutely true!" Koyda nodded and said, "This is what General Krylov, the chief of staff of the Army Group, said personally. The Germans cut off the retreat of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. Now they are surrounded by the German army. Without any supplies, once they run out of ammunition and food, they will face the end of annihilation of the entire army."

The Fourth Battalion Commander Briski, who had always been regarded as a little transparent, couldn't help being shocked when he heard the news that Sokov was in a desperate situation, and quickly asked: "Comrade Colonel, our brigade commander is surrounded by the German army. I don't know what the superiors have done. What measures are there?"

"The 39th Guards Division to the south of Orlovka and the 37th Guards Division to the east are constantly attacking the Germans." Koyda pointed to the map and said to Briski: "They are trying to get through A channel to cover Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and his retreat, but so far, no progress has been made."

"So," Briski was also a guerrilla commander who once fought in the German encirclement. Hearing what Koyda said, his heart sank suddenly. He knew that Sokov's fate was worrying, so he tentatively asked Question: "Is it possible that the Brigadier and the others will not be able to come back here alive?"

"Yes, Comrade Captain, you guessed right." Keida shook his head and said, "Unless a miracle happens, the chances of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and the others returning alive are zero."

Just as Keida finished speaking, he suddenly heard a woman shouting from the door: "Assia, Assia, what's wrong with you, wake up!"

"What's going on here?" Keida couldn't help showing an angry look on his face when he heard the shout from outside the door, "Who is making noise outside, don't they know that this is the headquarters?"

Unlike Koida who got angry, Briski's face changed drastically when he heard the shout at the door. He didn't say anything, but rushed out of the room in a few strides.

Seeing Briski rushing out of the room as if his butt was on fire, Keida also felt very strange, and quickly followed Mashkov out of the room. When they came to the door, they saw a female officer squatting on the ground in the corridor outside the door, holding an unconscious female health worker in her arms, while Briski stood aside, talking to the female officer in a low voice. talking about something.

"What happened?" Keida recognized the female officer squatting on the ground, she was Lieutenant Ulanova of the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion, and looking at the female health worker lying in her arms, Keida felt a little confused. He asked displeasedly: "Comrade Ulanova, why did this female health worker faint here? Is she feeling unwell?"

"Comrade Colonel," Briski stopped talking with Ulanova, looked at Koida and replied, "This female health worker is Comrade Brigade Commander's wife Asia. Zhong heard our conversation and fainted because he was worried about the brigade commander's safety.\

,"Knowing that the female hygienist who fainted in front of him was actually Sokov's wife, Koyda blushed. In order to make up for his mistake, he quickly called Briski and Ulanova to carry Asiya into the house , placed on a bench against the wall.

After finishing all this, Ulanova first asked, "Comrade Colonel, is it true that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov won't come back?"

"That's right, Comrade Lieutenant, I guess the chances of coming back are not high." Keida didn't know what Ulanova and Asiya heard outside the door, but he still patiently explained what Sokov was facing. I told her about the dilemma, and finally emphasized: "Unless a miracle happens, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov will not come back."

Ulanova heard Koyda say this in such an affirmative tone, and felt that Sokov might not be able to come back, so she could only sigh softly and said: "There are too many wounded people sent in recently, even if With the help of doctors and nurses from the factory department and us, Asiya didn't sleep a wink for two or three days. She asked me to accompany her here to see Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, but unexpectedly heard such bad news. She fainted because she was tired and couldn't stand the stimulation."

Koyda stared at Asiya lying on the bench, thought for a moment, then turned to Mashkov and said: "Comrade Comrade Asiya's physical condition may not be suitable for staying on the front line. You see, should we say hello to the army headquarters and send her to the other side of the Volga?"

"Comrade Commander, I agree with your opinion." Mashkov nodded and said, "With Comrade Asiya's current situation, it is not suitable to stay in the city anymore, and she should be transferred out as soon as possible."

"Comrade Colonel," Briski knew that the situation in the city was very dangerous, but Sokov is still alive, if Assia is sent to the other side of the Volga hastily, once Sokov returns, he may criticize himself, so he Said cautiously: "I think we should contact the brigade commander to find out what the situation is like there. Then we can decide the next step. What do you think?"

"Comrade Commander, I think Captain Briski is right." Mashkov felt that Briski's proposal was very good, so he said to Koida: "Although Lieutenant Colonel Sokov fell into the encirclement of the German army, the From what I know about him, he has always been a person who is good at performing miracles, maybe he can lead the troops out of the encirclement of the enemy."

"Okay, Lieutenant Briski, immediately ask the radio operator to send a report to Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to find out their current situation." Koyda specifically told Briski: "In order not to worry him, Assia There is no need to mention the matter of fainting to him."

Sokov's call back came quickly. For the sake of confidentiality, Sokov did not disclose his intention to break out to Koida and others, but said briefly: "Don't worry, everything is under my control."

After reading the contents of the telegram, Briski heaved a sigh of relief, and said to Koida: "Comrade Colonel, I believe in the brigade commander. Since he said that everything is under his control, then he can definitely take it with him." The troops stand out from the enemy's encirclement."