Red Moscow

"When attacking a building occupied by the German army, the platoon should be used as a combat unit." Sokov said to everyone: "The combat unit should be subdivided into a fire cover group, an assault group, and a consolidation group. What is a fire cover group? It's all clear, so I won't waste time. What I'm going to focus on today is the assault group and the consolidation group.

The assault group is the first unit to launch a charge into a building occupied by the enemy. After they enter the building, they will use submachine guns, grenades, and shovels to engage in close combat with the enemies in the building, in order to achieve the goal of destroying the enemy or driving the enemy away from the building.

The reinforcement team entered after the assault team captured the building, and their task was to clear out the remaining enemies in the building, so as to ensure that no enemy would destroy the building when attacked by the enemy..."

When Sokov introduced the new tactics, several company commanders took out their notebooks and recorded them carefully. They all knew in their hearts that the tactics taught to them by the division commander would not only achieve greater results in the next battle, but also allow more soldiers to survive.

After finally coming to an end, Sokov took a sip of water from the tea mug on the table and asked, "Does any of you have any questions?"

"Comrade Commander!" Yegor first raised his hand: "I would like to ask, after we seized the building and eliminated or drove away the enemies inside, what should we do next?"

"It's very simple, turn it into a temporary fire support point, ready to fight against possible attacks by the German army." Sokov replied: "Once the troops standing in the building find that there is a possibility of annihilation of the entire army, It is necessary to evacuate the building as soon as possible, retreat to other buildings, and rebuild a new line of defense."

"Comrades," Sokov specially emphasized in order to let everyone have a clear understanding: "You can't compare with the Germans in terms of strength and equipment. Therefore, you can only use different tactics to even out the Germans. This kind of gap. Don't care about the gain or loss of one or two buildings. Even if the enemy temporarily occupies there, as long as our soldiers are still alive, we have a chance to regain it. There is no need to sacrifice our precious vitality for one or two buildings. Consumed. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Several company commanders replied in unison.

After the meeting, Guchakov left the battalion command post and met Samoilov in the trenches outside. He pulled the other party aside, handed him a cigarette, lit it, and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Lieutenant, I want to ask, what are the plans of the commander recently?"

Samoilov, who had worked with Guchakov in the enemy's rear, immediately understood the meaning of the other party's question, looked left and right, and then said in the same low voice: "Captain Guchakov, as far as I know, the division commander We plan to organize a small team to go deep behind enemy lines to carry out sneak attacks.”

Knowing that Sokov planned to send a small unit deep into the enemy's rear, Guchakov couldn't help itching, and quickly touched Samoilov with his arm: "I said, Comrade Lieutenant, can you help me say something in front of the division commander?" A good word, this time I will be sent to carry out the mission."

Although Samoilov knew that Sokov planned to send a small team deep behind enemy lines, he didn't know which troops would be drawn from to form this small team. So after hearing Guchakov's request, he could only shake his head and say: "Comrade Captain, if you want to go, I think you should talk to the division commander yourself. You are more important than me in front of him. "

After taking a few puffs of the cigarette, Guchakov threw the cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it with his toes, and said to Samoilov: "Comrade Lieutenant, you are right, I will go to the division commander and make a request, see Does he agree with me leading the team deep behind enemy lines again?"

Guchakov couldn't stay any longer when he thought that he could go to the land and make contributions. He quickly returned to the gate of the battalion command post, and asked inside, "Comrade commander, I'm Guchakov, can I go in?"

Hearing that Guchakov was looking for him, Sokov didn't know what happened, so he hurried to the door and said, "Come in, Captain Guchakov."

After Guchakov walked in, Andrei asked in surprise: "Captain Guchakov, is there something wrong with your company's defense zone?"

"No, Comrade Battalion Commander. It's not that there is something wrong with our company's defense zone." Guchakov waved his hands and said, "I came here specifically to find the division commander."

"Looking for me?" Sokov asked a little puzzled, "What's the matter?"

"Comrade commander, I heard that you plan to send a small unit to go deep behind the enemy's rear." Guchakov knew that Sukov didn't like others talking around circles, so he said bluntly: "I request to be the commander of this small unit." member."

Don't look at Sokov's promise to Ivanov this time to select suitable personnel from the three guard regiments to form a small team that goes deep behind enemy lines. But he still hasn't decided on the candidate for the squad commander. In his mind, Guchakov is indeed a suitable candidate, and the other party has attacked the Gumrak station with rockets last time, and he also knows the terrain in that area. Action is smoother.

However, during the meeting just now, the reason why Sokov did not mention this matter to Guchakov was because he considered that the activities of the third battalion in the urban area are also very important. If Guchakov, the company commander, is transferred away, I'm afraid it will affect the combat effectiveness of that company.

Seeing that Sokov just stared at him, but kept silent, Guchakov became a little anxious: "Comrade commander, I have led a small team to the enemy's rear before, and I have command experience in this field. I strongly request you, Let me lead the team to carry out this mission this time!"

Even Andrei didn't know about Sokov's plan to send a small team deep behind enemy lines. Hearing Guchakov's sudden advance at this moment, he couldn't help asking in surprise: "Captain Guchakov, I want to ask you, where did you get this news from?"

Naturally, Guchakov would not betray Samoilov, but replied evasively: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I have my own source of information, please forgive me for not being able to tell you."

"Captain Guchakov," Sokov stood up, and said thoughtfully, "Yes, I do plan to send a small team to go deep into the Gumrak area in the near future, waiting for an opportunity to eliminate the guards who may be there. Luce Command."

"Gumrak area?!" Hearing the name of the place mentioned by Sokov, Guchakov couldn't help being overjoyed: "Comrade commander, you should remember that I once led a small team to attack the area together with Lieutenant Samoilov. Gumrak Station, destroying the supplies the Germans had stockpiled there."

Hearing Guchakov mention Samoilov's name, Sokov immediately understood how the other party knew that he planned to send a small unit behind the enemy. It turned out that Samoilov told him. But Sokov was not angry, nor did he intend to blame Samoilov at all, but looked at Guchakov and asked: "Comrade Captain, please tell me, if you are the commander of the squad Then who should command your company?"

"I can let my deputy company commander command instead of me." Guchakov, who was eager to participate in operations behind the enemy, couldn't wait to reply: "The last time I left, he was in charge of commanding the troops."

"Comrade Commander," Andrei waited for Guchakov to finish, and added: "The deputy company commander of the Ninth Company is a sailor commander from the infantry brigade. He is brave in combat and has rich command experience. Even Guchakov Without Captain Cove, he was able to lead the troops well into battle."

Seeing that there is a suitable candidate who can take over Guchakov's command, Sokov made up his mind in his heart: "Well, since this is the case, then this time the enemy's rear squad will be handed over to you to command." He raised his hand and looked at his watch: "I'll give you half an hour to go back to the company to hand over the command, and then follow me back to Mamayev Post."

Sokov's words gave Guchakov a reassurance. He nodded vigorously, then rushed out of the battalion headquarters quickly, and rushed back to hand over the command. Sokov gave him half an hour, but in less than 20 minutes, he ran back panting and excitedly reported to Sokov: "Comrade commander, the command of the company has been handed over, can we go now? ?”

Now that Sokov's coming to the Third Battalion has been completed, there is no need to stay any longer. On the contrary, it will cause Sidolin, Ivanov and the others to worry. Seeing that Guchakov had finished his work at this moment, he took him back to Mamayev Gang.

When Ivanov saw Guchakov follow Sokov into the division headquarters, his expression became cloudy. He glanced at Guchakov standing by the door, and asked Soko a little sourly. Husband: "Comrade Commander, what are you bringing Captain Guchakov to do? You don't want to appoint him as the commander of the squadron behind the enemy's rear, do you?"

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Division Commander, that's what I'm thinking about. After all, he has led troops around Gumrak Station and knows the terrain there. It's perfect to send him as the commander." Sokov After saying this, he asked back: "How is the person you selected?"

"I selected thirty-five people together, and most of them can speak German." Ivanov replied: "The one in charge of commanding them is Lieutenant Kavin of the 124th regiment."

"Now that the squad has been selected, I will now announce the commander." Sokov said to Ivanov: "Captain Guchakov will serve as the squad leader, and Lieutenant Kavin will serve as the deputy captain." Comrade deputy division commander, what do you think of my arrangement?"

"It's reasonable." Although Guchakov replaced his subordinates and became the supreme commander of the squad, Ivanov felt somewhat uncomfortable, but considering that Guchakov's military rank was higher than that of Lieutenant Kavin Gao, who also led a team around Gumrak Station, was indeed more suitable for the post of commander than Cavin, so he nodded and said, "Comrade commander, I agree with your arrangement."

"Captain Guchakov." Sokov turned around and called Guchakov over, and said to him: "The members of the enemy's rear team have been selected, and you can meet them later to get acquainted with each other. It will also be helpful for the next battle." Guchakov agreed, asked Ivanov where the squad was assembled, and then turned and walked out of the headquarters.

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin said to Sokov after Guchakov left, "According to the analysis of the situation reported by the Army Group Command, the Germans seem to have stopped moving in the direction of the Don River and turned around towards Stalin. We're coming from the direction of Gele. It looks like we're going to have a tough fight soon."

"I guess it was Hitler who gave Paulus another order." Ivanov went on to say, "After the big counter-offensive under the city of Moscow started last year, the German army was completely defeated by us. Hitler also gave the troops a prohibition to retreat. order, but Guderian violated his order and led the troops back to avoid greater losses. In contrast, Paulus is much more obedient than Guderian."

Sokov couldn't help laughing when he heard this: "It's a good thing for us that the Germans stopped retreating. Our army can take advantage of this favorable opportunity to eat up the encircled Paulus Army bit by bit. .”

"Can this work?" Ivanov obviously did not have much confidence in the complete annihilation of the 6th Army: "You know, we have surrounded the enemy many times, but in the end not only did not destroy the enemy, but the attacking troops suffered heavy casualties. I am afraid that it will not be an easy task to wipe out the 100,000 German troops who are besieged."

Sokov muttered to himself: "Actually, the besieged German army is not 100,000 people, but 330,000 people in 22 divisions. If you know the real data, you won't be scared out of your wits." But these words Just thinking about it in his heart, he didn't say it.

"The Germans don't retreat. For them, at least the time of destruction is greatly delayed." Sokov said slowly: "The German tanks lack fuel and ammunition. If they want to retreat, they have to discard them. Once they Once you enter the Great Plains, you will be attacked by our troops from all directions, and without the support of tanks and artillery, the German army will probably collapse and be wiped out one by one just like Napoleon’s army that attacked Moscow.”

After listening to Sokov's analysis, Sidolin asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask you, do you think we can wipe out the encircled German army?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, this is impossible." Without waiting for Sokov to speak, Ivanov rushed to say: "I have just said that the German army trapped in the encirclement of our army still has strong combat effectiveness. I am worried that not only will they not be wiped out, but our troops will suffer heavy casualties, and that will not be worth the loss.”

"Comrade deputy division commander, our troops were unable to wipe out the besieged German army before because our equipment was poor and the soldiers didn't have much combat experience." Sukov felt that now he should instill the concept of annihilating the German army to his deputy, so he Confidently said: "But after more than a year of war, our commanders and fighters have grown up, and the equipment of the troops has also been further developed, so I think the possibility of encircling and annihilating the Paulus Group this time is very high."