Red Moscow

Sokov felt that the enemy's sudden defense change would bring many uncertainties to the subsequent counterattack, and he had to report it to Cuikov immediately.

After receiving Chuikov's call, Sokov bluntly reported: "Comrade Commander, I have important information and I need to report it to you immediately."

Chuikov said disapprovingly: "Colonel Sokov, do you want to talk about building a bridge over the river? Our engineers and the engineering troops of the Front Army Command are working at the same time, and the bridge can be completed as soon as tomorrow morning. In order to prevent the enemy from crossing If you find this bridge early, I hope you can set up an anti-aircraft position on Mamayev Kurgan and drive away any enemy planes that try to fly over the Volga River."

"I have ordered the troops to build several anti-aircraft firepower points on the reverse slope of Mamayev Hill. As long as enemy planes are found, even if they cannot be shot down, they must be driven far away," Sokov reported. After finishing his arrangement, he continued, "Comrade Commander, what I want to report to you is another matter. According to the scout's report, the enemy in front of my defense zone is changing defenses on a large scale."

"What area?" Cui Kefu was taken aback and asked hastily.

"According to reports from the scouts, the Romanian troops stationed in front of the Mamayev Hill and the Workers' New Village are gradually withdrawing from their positions, and the German troops will take over their defense." Sokov said without waiting for Chuikov to ask further questions. The following words came out: "Since it is daytime, our scouts cannot approach the enemy, so we haven't figured out the number of the German army that was defending for the time being."

After recording what Sokov said in his notebook, Chuikov asked casually: "Colonel Sokov, what do you think is the purpose of the German army changing defense at this moment? Have you discovered our intention to counterattack?"

"Comrade Commander, with such a large-scale assembly of our army, the enemy must have guessed that we will launch a counterattack." Sokov said thoughtfully, "However, I think the enemy's defense change at this time may not be because Aware that our army has the intention to counterattack, but after preparing to readjust the deployment, launch a new attack on us again."

"Preparing to launch a new attack again?!" Hearing Sukov's analysis, Chuikov said to himself, "Yes, it should be like this. The enemy may see that our transportation line is interrupted and think there is an opportunity to take advantage of it. , then readjusted the deployment and prepared to give us another onslaught to capture the entire city."

"Thank you for your report, Colonel Sokov. After dark, I will send scouts to find out the number of the German army that is defending." Chuikov thanked Sokov, and added: "As for Bel Commander Jin’s downsizing regiment should stay in the barricade factory for the time being, it will not be so easy for the enemy to seize the factory with them.”

After Chuikov hung up the phone, Sokov was still holding the microphone from which the blind tone was coming from, and was dazed for a while. After putting down the phone, he looked at Papchenko and asked: "Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko, according to the original plan, Captain Shamrikh's marine battalion will be withdrawn to Mamayev Hill within two days. Now I ask Can you, with your remaining troops, be able to defend the workers' new village?"

Regarding Sokov's question, Papchenko was silent for a long time before he said: "Comrade commander, although after the transfer of the marine battalion, there are only more than 700 people left in the workers' new village, as long as the German army does not launch an attack above the regiment level , we have to hold the position, there should be no problem."

After listening to Papchenko's answer, Sokov did not feel relieved, but asked solemnly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please tell me the truth, with your remaining troops, you can really protect the workers." Xincun?"

Perhaps because he was worried that Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko would swell his face and pretend to be fat, he also specifically emphasized: "Our army's major counter-offensive is about to begin. If you lose your position at this time, the consequences will be very serious. Not only what you have paid in the past Your sacrifices and achievements will be written off, and you will be court-martialed yourself.”

Sokov's words made the expression on Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko's face serious. He couldn't help but turned his head and glanced at Ivanov next to him, as if he wanted to get something from his old superior. what a hint. Seeing Papchenko's reaction, Ivanov sternly said, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, as the commander of the garrison, you should be the clearest about the situation in the New Workers' Village. If you think the Marine Battalion It should not be transferred at such a time, just say it out, Comrade Commander is not unreasonable, he will readjust the deployment according to the actual situation."

Seeing Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko's hesitation to speak, Sokov hurriedly said: "The counterattack plan of our division I just mentioned is based on the fact that the frontal enemy is the Romanian army. Now that the enemy we want to attack in the area has become the Germans, the original plan needs to be adjusted. If you have any concerns, just speak out.”

Seeing that Sokov and Ivanov allowed themselves to speak freely, Papchenko finally plucked up the courage to say: "Comrade commander, to tell you the truth, during the days when the workers' new village was defended, it was the Marine Battalion, if you really transfer them away, I'm worried that the morale of the troops will fluctuate, and then I'm afraid..."

Although Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko only spoke half of what he said, Sokov had already guessed his worries, and comforted him by saying, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, since the transfer from the Marine Battalion has made you so embarrassed, then I am now I officially announce to you that Captain Shamrih’s Marine Battalion is still under your command and will not be transferred from the Workers’ New Village for the time being.”

"Great, this is really great." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko spoke excitedly, and when he realized his gaffe, he explained with a blushing face: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander! I am a little excited to hear that the Marine Battalion will not be transferred for the time being."

Sokov raised his hand and pressed down, signaling Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko to sit down, and then said: "Comrades, the German army suddenly switched defenses, and a new round of attack will definitely be launched next. The price is to stick to the existing position and not let the enemy advance. Understand?"

If it was before, Sokov would never have issued an order not to allow the troops to take a step back. But now that the counter-offensive is imminent, even if the troops and the enemy are exhausted, it will be enough to last until the day when the counter-offensive begins. When the enemy's attention is attracted to other directions, he can still piece together enough troops to counterattack the enemy.

"Understood!" The three heads replied in unison.

"Although our original counterattack was postponed due to the enemy's defense change, it will definitely not be cancelled." Sokov continued: "We will let the frontal Germans taste our power after the big counteroffensive begins. "

"Comrade Commander," I thought the enemy would switch defenses, and the counterattack plan would be cancelled. But after hearing Sokov's last words, the faces of the three regimental leaders showed gratified smiles. Stalcia also asked curiously: "How many troops do you think the superior will send us after the big counter-offensive begins?"

"It's hard to say." Don't think that the East Bank will not replenish the 62nd Army's troops and technical equipment before the counteroffensive begins, but after the counteroffensive has made great progress, the superiors will definitely send some troops to strengthen the defenders in the city : "This depends on the results achieved by friendly forces in the direction of attack."

At the end of the meeting, Ivanov watched the three regimental leaders leave, then turned to look at Sokov and asked, "Comrade commander, do you think it's time to say hello to Commander Belgin and ask him to do a good job with Germany?" Are you ready for a fierce battle?"

"Well, Comrade Deputy Division Commander, what you said makes sense. You really should talk to Commander Belgin." Sokov nodded and said, "Let him know what he knows."

After answering the phone, Sokov asked straight to the point: "Comrade my political commissar, how is the situation there?"

"The enemy launched two attacks today, but they were repulsed by us and our comrades from the 138th Division." After Belkin briefly reported the situation of the barricade factory, he asked Sokov anxiously: "Misha, we When will the regiment return to Mamayev Kurgan?"

"Comrade Political Commissar, I'm calling you because of this matter." Sokov replied with some embarrassment, "For the time being, you should stay in the barricade factory and help Colonel Lyudnikov and the others hold on to the factory."

"What, why don't you stay at the barricade factory?" Belkin asked in surprise after hearing Sokov's words: "The commander called me in the morning and said that he would send troops to take over our defense tomorrow at the latest. Let us The regiment withdrew to Mamayev Post. It has only been a few hours, and why has the situation changed?"

"It's like this, Comrade Commissar, not long ago, the Romanian army stationed in front of our division's defense area withdrew, and then two German troops came to take over their defense." Sokov explained to Belkin: " According to my judgment, the enemy may be planning a new attack. At this time, our original counterattack plan can only be cancelled, and the troops originally planned to be transferred back to Mamayev Post can only stay where they are and assist Friendly forces defend."

As a senior commander, Belkin naturally understands the rapidly changing situation on the battlefield, and he understands that Sokov allowed himself to stay in the barricade factory because the enemy in front of Mamayev Post was replaced by the German army. He was silent for a moment, and then asked: "Then how long do we need to hold on?"

Sokov recalled the history he knew in his mind. The Southwest Front Army and the Don River Front Army launched an offensive in the Don River Basin on the 19th. On the same day, Paulus also ordered his troops to attack the city by the Soviet Union. Army-controlled areas launched a fierce attack. Even on the 20th, when the Stalingrad Front launched a counterattack south of the city, Paulus gave orders to the troops in the city to continue the attack.

Thinking of this, Sokov said into the microphone: "Comrade Political Commissar, the enemy has not been able to jump for a few days. When they are attacking, you can't carry out passive defense. You must attack at night and find a way to attack the enemy in the defensive area. Capture several fire support points. In this way, when the enemy finds that something is wrong, it will not be so easy to withdraw even if they want to."

"Misha, I understand what you mean." Belkin and Sokov have been partners for a long time, so they naturally understand his intentions: "In the open field, the enemy and the enemy have clear directions, and it is easier for the enemy to retreat. The enemy's and our defense lines are intertwined and uneven. It is not so easy to retreat. Don't worry, we will try our best to block the enemy first, and then hold the enemy back when our army's counterattack is successful. To reinforce dangerous areas."

Sokov ended the call with Belkin, heaved a sigh of relief, put down the microphone, and said to Sidolin and Belkin: "The chief of staff and the deputy division commander, although our counterattack plan has changed due to changes in the enemy's situation, It has to be postponed, but we can't continue passive defense. We can take advantage of the night and send a small group of troops to attack the enemy."

"Comrade commander, can I tell you what I think?" Sidolin waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately expressed his position: "Actually, if we want to keep the enemy awake at night, we don't need to send a small army."

"If you don't send troops, how can you keep the enemy awake at night?..." Sokov just said something puzzled, then suddenly thought of a possibility, and asked tentatively: "Chief of Staff, do you mean that With rockets?"

"That's right, Comrade Commander, that's exactly what I mean." Sidolin smiled on his face: "You know, there are a full hundred rockets in the warehouse on Mamayev Post. Since we can Why risk the lives of soldiers when attacking from a distance with rockets?"

"You are right. Since we have rockets, we can carry out long-range attacks on the German army. There is no need to risk the lives of soldiers." Sukov then added: "Also, our newly equipped rockets are still I have never used it before. If you find a chance, you have to try the power."

Sokov and Sidolin were studying how to deal with the enemy when the phone on the desk rang. Ivanov, who has been obedient, picked up the microphone: "I am Colonel Ivanov, where are you?"

"Comrade Commander," Ivanov stood up immediately after the other party explained his identity, handed the microphone in his hand to Sokov, and said, "It's a call from the commander."

When Sokov took the phone, he was quite puzzled, and secretly said that not long after he hung up the phone, why did Chuikov call again? Is there anything to order? He said respectfully into the microphone: "Hello, Comrade Commander, what instructions do you have?"

"Colonel Sokov," Chuikov said solemnly on the other end of the phone, "I just passed Commander Yeremenko and reported the situation here to him. After careful consideration, he intends to leave the reserve Four full infantry battalions will be drawn from the team to supplement your division. When the bridge on the ice is erected tomorrow, the troops can cross the river and rush to Mamayev Post."

Sokov originally thought that the counterattack plan could only be launched at the right time after the Soviet army's general offensive began. But at this moment when he heard that Yeremenko had added four full infantry divisions to him, he couldn't believe his ears, and hurriedly asked: "Comrade Commander, did I hear you right? The Front Army Command wants to add four more infantry divisions to us." A full infantry battalion, is that true?"

"Will I joke with you with this kind of thing?" Cuikov said jokingly: "I really envy you, you can get the reserve team from the front army directly. It makes me want to change positions with you now, let you come As the commander of the group army, I will become the commander of your division."