Red Moscow

"That's right, Colonel Sokov." Golikov, who had just finished calling Yeremenko, happened to hear what Sokov said to Belkin, and added next to him: "According to your The division's performance in the battle to defend Stalingrad, we will give priority to supplementing your troops and technical equipment."

Although the Front Army Command made an exception a few days ago to add four reinforced battalions to its troops, the shortage of troops in the whole division still exists. Hearing Golikov's statement at this moment, Sokov seemed to have taken a reassurance. He raised his voice and said into the microphone: "Comrade Political Commissar, did you hear what the Deputy Commander of the Front Army said? He will prioritize for us. As for the replenishment of soldiers and technical equipment, you can do it with confidence and boldness.”

After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Golikov with a relaxed face: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, Commander Belkin and the others will take active actions tonight to seize some independent positions from the enemy. As a fire support point, it will contain the enemy's main force in the factory area."

"Is there any difficulty?" Golikov asked casually after Sokov finished speaking. His question was just a polite remark. According to his thoughts, since he had already promised to replenish Sokov's troops first, the other party might not put forward any conditions, so he didn't have any scruples in speaking: "Some If you don't mind, just mention it, as long as it is within my ability, I will solve it for you."

Sokov heard from Golikov's question that the other party was just asking politely, not necessarily trying to solve the problem for himself. But he didn't want to let go of such a good opportunity, so he said without hesitation: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, the two tank battalions that the superior promised to support me must arrive at Mamayev Post before noon tomorrow." The reason why he emphasized the problem of the tank battalion was that he hadn't seen the shadow of the tank battalion all day. He was worried that the night would be long and dreamy, so he specially reminded Golikov.

"No problem." Golikov had no objection to this matter. After all, it was the Front Army Command who proposed to add two tank battalions to Sokov's division. position, but sooner or later they still have to be sent over. In order to prevent Sokov from having any thoughts, he also specifically explained: "The tank battalion was not in place in time today. It may be that there is something wrong with the fuel or ammunition. Don't worry, I will personally intervene at this time, before noon tomorrow. , two tank battalions will be able to cross the river to Mamayev Kurgan.”

Seeing that Golikov made a promise to himself, Sokov continued to talk about his thoughts: "Also, can you add a batch of flamethrowers to us."

"Flame thrower?!" Golikov had a surprised expression on his face when he heard what Sokov wanted, and he asked with some surprise: "Colonel Sokov, I don't understand, you want a flamethrower to do it?" What?"

Not only Golikov didn't understand, even Sidolin and Ivanov were confused and couldn't figure out the situation. Everyone turned their attention to Sokov, hoping to hear him give a reasonable explanation .

"In the next battle, street fighting will be the main battle." Seeing that everyone was confused, Sokov explained to them: "Take the barricade factory as an example, although the enemy has already blocked the road leading to them. The sewers in the occupied area were blown up, but the sewers in the buildings they occupied can still be used normally. If the enemy escapes into the sewers after losing their surface position, with the equipment of our soldiers, we will kill them all. If you take it out, you will definitely pay a huge price."

When Sidolin heard this, he immediately understood Sokov's intentions, and quickly interjected: "As long as we find the sewer pipes or fortifications where the enemy is hiding, our soldiers can use flamethrowers to deal with the enemy. Even if we can't burn them to death , the flames will also deplete the oxygen in the sewer, suffocating the enemy alive in it."

"It seems that the flamethrower is quite useful." Golikov took out a pen and paper, wrote the matter down in his notebook, and then asked without raising his head, "Is there any more?"

"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, you must know Colonel Bely, commander of the 84th Tank Brigade."

Hearing this question from Sokov, Golikov glanced in surprise, and then said, "I've heard of this person, but I've never seen him. Why did you suddenly mention him?"

"I have fought side by side with Colonel Bely before, and together we protruded from the enemy's encirclement from the north of Orlovka." Sokov grinned and explained the relationship between himself and Bely to Golikov: "After returning to the city, we were responsible for the defense of the Red October factory together until his troops were transferred to the Barricade Factory and the Dzerzhinsky Factory for mobile defense. I heard a few days ago that his tanks had all Lost, and all the tank soldiers under him have become infantry. Therefore, I would like to make another request to you, let him return to Mamayev Post to participate in our counterattack operation in the near future."

For Golikov, Sokov's request was not too much. The tank brigade commanded by Bely had already lost all its tanks. If it wanted to resume fighting, it had to retreat to the rear for replenishment. However, Golikov considered that the tank brigade was now being used as infantry in Chuikov's hands. If he transferred them away rashly, it would cause Chuikov's dissatisfaction. This is a troublesome matter.

So he thought for a long time, and finally sighed and said: "Colonel Sokov, this matter is of great importance, I must report to Commander Yeremenko, and I can only bring this matter up with Chuikov after obtaining his consent. "

Golikov's words somewhat disappointed Sokov. He didn't expect that Golikov was also a foresight character, and he was not decisive at all in his actions. No wonder he was quickly overtaken by a group of commanders with lower positions than him. Although he was somewhat slandering Golikov in his heart, Sokov still said with a smile on his face: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I think the transfer of Colonel Bely should not disturb Commander Yeremenko. I think as long as you call Commander Chuikov, maybe he will follow your order and let Colonel Bely lead the remaining troops to Mamayev Post."

"I'll call Chuikov directly." After listening to Sokov's suggestion, Golikov showed a puzzled expression on his face: "Is this appropriate?"

"It's nothing inappropriate." Sokov planned to take a chance, so he went all out: "You are the deputy commander of the front army, and you have given orders to the commander of the army group. Will they still not carry out?"

However, after listening to Golikov, he shook his head very simply and said: "Colonel Sokov, after a long and brutal battle, the troops of the 62nd Army have been greatly reduced in number, so every commander and fighter is very valuable. Yes. Even if Colonel Bely's tank brigade has only a few dozen or even a dozen people left, moving them away from the existing defense zone will still have a certain degree of impact on the overall defense."

Seeing that Golikov was still looking forward and backward, Sokov couldn't help but feel anxious, but on the surface, he tried his best to maintain calm, trying to persuade Golikov: "Why don't you call Commander Chuikov first and ask?" Ask, if he disagrees, it’s not too late for you to report to the Front Command.”

Sidolin had been in contact with Bely before, and he had great trust in his ability. Seeing that Sokov was trying to get Bely's tank brigade to join his battle order, he stood up and said, "Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army. , you’d better call Commander Chuikov and talk about it first. If he agrees, of course everyone will be happy; if he disagrees, it’s not too late to report to the superior.”

"Well, since you are all so persistent, then I will try." Seeing that Sokov and Sidolin insisted on their point of view, Golikov decided to help them. But before making the phone call, he pointed at Sokov with his hand and said helplessly, "Colonel Sokov, are you the superior or am I the superior? Why do I feel like I have to obey your orders in everything?" ?”

"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, you are joking. Of course you are our superior." Sokov said with a smile, "Didn't you just say that if you have any requests, just ask you. I think there is something else. With the cooperation of Colonel Lei, he will have more confidence in the counterattack."

After the call was connected, Golikov identified himself to the officer who answered the call, and asked the other party to notify Chuikov to answer the call. After a while, Cuikov's voice came from the receiver: "Hello, I'm Cuikov, the deputy commander of the front army, what instructions do you have?"

"General Chuikov!" Golikov said politely, "I have been staying at the command post on Mamayev Hill since last night, you know that?"

"I know, I know." Chuikov was able to keep abreast of the fighting on the south side of the city because Golikov was on Mamayev Hill, but he didn't know when the other party was going to say it, and whether he was on Mamayev Hill If there is any relationship, he asked inexplicably: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask, is what you want to say related to this?"

"I went to Mamayev Post on the orders of Commander General Yeremenko and Comrade Khrushchev, Military Commissar, to supervise the counterattack of the 41st Guards Division." Golikov said into the microphone The official said: "Now they have encountered a little difficulty, I hope you can help them solve it."

Although Chuikov didn't know what Golikov would say next, he still replied respectfully: "Deputy Commander of the Front Army, as long as it is within my ability, I will try my best to solve it for them."

"Colonel Sokov told me that he hoped that Colonel Bely of the 84th Tank Brigade would return to Mamayev Hill with the remaining troops to assist them in their counterattack against the Germans." Golikov asked tentatively. : "I wonder if there is a problem?"

Chuikov never dreamed that Golikov called himself because of this matter, and he couldn't help saying in surprise: "What, let Bely's tank brigade go to Mamayev Post?"

"Yes," replied Golikov curtly, "is there any difficulty?"

"Deputy Commander of the Front Army," Cuikov said with some embarrassment, "Although all the tanks in the tank brigade have been lost, and there are only a hundred commanders and fighters left in the brigade, they are still an important combat unit for me. Once they are transferred away, I am afraid that there will be loopholes in our defense in the factory area. Once the enemy seizes these loopholes and launches a fierce attack on us, I am worried..."

"There is nothing to worry about, General Chuikov." After knowing that Bely's tank brigade had only a hundred people left, Golikov made up his mind that he could not treat the precious tank soldiers as ordinary infantry. Transferring them all to Mamayev Post might be able to play a greater role. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "From the current situation, the enemy will soon turn from offense to defense. In other words, they will not launch an active attack on you. You can draw strength from other places. Instead, take over the defense of the tank brigade, and then send them to Mamayev Kurgan as soon as possible."

"I understand, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Since Golikov had issued an order, Chuikov naturally could not disobey it, so he could only bite the bullet and replied: "I will immediately notify Colonel Bely and let him rush to Mama. Yevgang, accept a new combat mission."

"How is it, Colonel Sokov." After putting down the phone, Golikov turned to look at Sokov and asked, "I have the cheek to get Colonel Bely back from Chuikov. I hope that in the next battle Just don't let me down."

"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Knowing that Colonel Bely and the remaining commanders and fighters of the tank brigade would soon return to Mamayev Post, Sokov couldn't help being overjoyed. They have already lost everything, but with my own ability, it is not a big problem to get a batch of tanks for them. He stated to Golikov: "I will definitely let the tank brigade make immortal feats in this counterattack."

"Colonel Sokov," Golikov obviously didn't believe Sokov's promise, he asked back: "Just now you heard that all the tanks of the tank brigade are in the battle to defend the factory Lost. Are you going to use these tank soldiers as ordinary infantry?"

"How can that be, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Hearing Golikov's worries, Sokov replied with a smile: "I still have a batch of tanks in my hand, which can be handed over to Colonel Bely. A batch of tank soldiers can play their role."

"Colonel Sokov, what are you talking about, tank?!" Golikov couldn't help frowning when he heard this: "I want to ask, where did you get the tank?"

"I got it from the warehouse of the Red October factory, and now these tanks are parked in the Workers' New Village." Sokov did not hide Golikov, and said truthfully: "But the soldiers who drive and use the tanks are not So these tanks can only be used as fixed turrets and cannot be used for offensive purposes. But as long as Colonel Bely returns with his men, I can hand over these tanks to them for offensive missions. "

After finding out the origin of the tank, Golikov nodded slightly and said, "Colonel Sokov, I feel relieved when you say that. I believe that after getting the new tank, Colonel Bely and his subordinates will They must be able to give full play to the role of these tanks, severely strike the enemy, and establish immortal feats. When he arrives at Mamayev Post, let him come to see me, and I want to have a good talk with him."

"yes!"