Red Moscow

The day of the counterattack has finally arrived.

In the early morning of November 19th, before dawn, the division political commissar Anisimov, who hadn’t shown up for a long time, appeared at the division headquarters and asked Sukov excitedly: “Comrade commander, is our big counter-offensive today?” ?”

"That's right." Considering that Anisimov has rarely been in the division headquarters recently and doesn't know much about many things, Sokov introduced the plan of this big counterattack to him in detail. Considering that the big counter-offensive would not be immediate and the troops in the city would have to go through a difficult time, he specifically reminded Anisimov: "Comrade Commissar, when the German troops in the Don River Basin were attacked by our army, they should stay in the city." The German army may continue to attack us, so we must not underestimate the enemy and take it lightly just because the counteroffensive is about to begin."

Anisimov's smile gradually disappeared on his face, and he asked in puzzlement: "Why, Comrade Commander, do you think that the Germans will still have the strength to continue fighting in the city when they are attacked by our three front armies?" Attack?"

"They have such strength." Sokov raised his voice and continued, no matter what he was saying to Anisimov, he also hoped that Sidolin, Ivanov, and everyone in the headquarters They all heard their own words: "The enemy's defense lines are distributed between the Don River and the Volga River. Even if they are attacked by our army on a large scale, I am afraid that they will not pose any threat to them in a short period of time."

Regarding Sokov's prediction, Ivanov, who had been silent all this time, widened his eyes in surprise: "No way, Comrade Commander. You must know that our troops deployed in the direction of the Don River, but two front armies, several One hundred thousand people, how could it not pose a threat to the enemy's defense line?"

"No matter how large-scale our army's counterattack is this time, as long as the Stalingrad Front Army in the south of the city does not move, Paulus will think that our counterattack, like the previous failed counterattacks, is A diversionary action taken to prevent him from taking the city." Sokov said in a contemptuous tone: "In this case, Paulus will definitely continue to attack the factory area north of the city according to his original plan. , launch a new attack."

Sidolin and Sokov have been together for a long time, so it is clear that Sokov's foresight ability is very strong. It seems that no one thought that the enemy would attack Stalingrad at the beginning, but he offered to transfer troops to Stalingrad to garrison and build fortifications and tunnels on Mamayev Hill. If he hadn't planned ahead and repaired the tunnel in advance, Mamayev Gang might have been occupied by the Germans long ago.

It was based on this consideration that Sidolin took the initiative to side with Sokov and reminded him: "Comrade Commander, since you speculate that when the enemy is attacked by friendly forces on the Don River, they will still be killed by the factories in the north of the city." Should we report this situation to the commander and ask him to remind the troops standing in the factory area not to relax their vigilance just because our army's counter-offensive is about to begin."

"Chief of Staff, you are right, we should remind comrade commander to make all troops ready for battle." Sokov said: "Even if the Germans attack our army recklessly, they must not be allowed to succeed. "

But before Sokov could call, Cuikov's call came in first. He said to Sokov emotionally: "Colonel Sokov, in a few hours, our friendly forces will launch a full-scale counterattack against Paulus' troops in the Don River basin. How about it, have you Consider advancing the counterattack in the Mamayev Gang area to today?"

Sokov knew very well that in the original history, when the Soviet army counterattacked, the reason why Cuikov's 62nd Army did not participate in the counterattack was due to the lack of troops; more importantly, the 25-kilometer frontal line of defense, The depth is less than one kilometer. In such a narrow area, it is impossible to gather counterattack troops. Now, because I have held on to the Mamayev Post, the enemy cannot intercept the troops guarding the city, ensuring that the defense depth of the entire 62nd Army has increased to five kilometers. Cuikov was eager to let his troops launch a counterattack because there was enough ground to gather counterattack troops.

But Sokov knew very well that the German army would launch its last fierce attack on the Soviet army north of the city today. If you rashly launch a counterattack when the enemy is attacking, the final result will be to hit a stone with a pebble. It was precisely because of this consideration that he said firmly: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I don't think the conditions are ripe for a counteroffensive today."

"Why, Colonel Sokov?" Chuikov, who was rejected, gritted his teeth and asked, "Does the enemy on the other side scare you?"

"Comrade Commander, I was about to call you just now, but your call came first."

Chuikov, who was a little surprised, asked, "What's the matter?"

"According to my analysis, even if our army launches a fierce attack on the German army in the Don River Basin, Paulus will still think that this is just a diversionary action taken to prevent him from seizing the city." Sokov said neither humble nor humble. The microphone said: "In this case, he will not send any troops to reinforce the area under attack. On the contrary, he will continue to concentrate his forces and launch an attack on the factory area in the north of the city. Destroy our troops in these regions..."

After listening to Sokov's analysis, Chuikov was silent again for a long time. After repeated deliberation, he then asked: "Colonel Sokov, do you really think that the enemy will continue to attack the factory area in the north of the city while the Don River defense line is fully attacked by our army?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." In order to persuade Chuikov, Sokov decided to take a risk. He said into the microphone: "If you want, I am willing to make a bet with you."

Perhaps Sokov's statement was relatively novel, which aroused Chuikov's curiosity: "Colonel Sokov, what do you want to bet with me? What is the bet?"

"Comrade Commander, I said that the Germans will continue to attack the factory area today." Sokov said calmly: "If they attack, when will my troops launch a counterattack? I will decide according to the changes in the battlefield situation." decision, you must not interfere."

"I can promise you this." Cui Kefu asked a little unconvinced: "But what should you do if you lose?"

Sokov held his breath and thought about the Marquis for a moment, then gritted his molars and said: "Comrade Commander, if the enemy does not launch an attack on the factory area before noon, I will be considered a loser. I will immediately command the troops. The enemy on the front of Mayev Kurgan launched an attack. Are you satisfied with this bet?"

"Very well, that's the decision." Chuikov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and said straightforwardly: "If the enemy really launched an attack on the factory area, then when will your division launch a counterattack against the enemy? I will ask again. But if the enemy does not launch an attack on the factory area before noon today, then your division will launch a counterattack against the enemy today."

"It's a deal." Sokov replied without hesitation.