Red Moscow

Ivanov was very efficient, and the next afternoon, he called back to Mamayev Post.

He reported to Sokov: "Comrade commander, we have arrived in Luhansk without any problems. I am calling you from the post office in the city."

Sokov asked, "How many troops are there in the city?"

"There is a company of troops belonging to the Southwest Front Army." Ivanov said, "They were going to hand over the city's houses to the police station this afternoon, but I stopped them."

"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you are doing the right thing." Sokov knew very well that it would be okay for the police to maintain order in the city. Letting them fight may not be much better than the militia. "This army cannot be let go until our troops are in Luhansk. Although they are a little smaller in number, if the enemy rushes to the city, they will be of some use."

"Understood." After Ivanov agreed loudly, he continued: "Tomorrow, I plan to go around the city to survey the terrain and choose the location for the construction of fortifications."

Although Ivanov has not surveyed the terrain yet, Sokov still asked: "Comrade deputy division commander, where do you think our defensive position should be placed in the city?"

"It doesn't matter, Comrade Commander." Ivanov replied: "The most likely directions for the enemy to appear are the west and southwest. I think it is enough to place the defensive positions in these two directions. "

"The tactic that the Germans are best at is to feint from the front and turn around from both sides." Sokov reminded Ivanov: "If the superior orders us to stick to Luhansk, then the defenses on the other sides must also not be relaxed."

Before putting down the phone, Sokov suddenly remembered another crucial matter, and hurriedly told Ivanov: "By the way, Comrade Deputy Commander, you can ask the commander of the friendly army later if there is any nearby army that has just been liberated." POW camps or something."

"A prisoner-of-war camp?" Hearing what Sokov said, Ivanov couldn't help being confused: "Why do you want to inquire about a prisoner-of-war camp?"

"Even if our superiors replenish our troops, we will only have more than 10,000 people." Sokov explained to Ivanov: "If there are prisoner-of-war camps that have just been liberated, we can recruit a large number of people from among the rescued comrades-in-arms. To enrich the troops. These commanders and fighters liberated from the prisoner-of-war camps are full of hatred for the Germans, and they all hope that through their performance on the battlefield, they can wash away their shame and pay back the blood debt from the enemy."

"I understand." When Ivanov heard Sokov say this, he immediately remembered that the other party was a person who did not play cards according to common sense. Recruited in a POW camp. He quickly stated: "I must find out in the shortest possible time whether there is a newly liberated prisoner-of-war camp nearby."

When Sokov put down the microphone, Anisimov asked curiously: "Comrade commander, why did you recruit personnel from the prisoner-of-war camp? If your superiors know about your behavior, will they criticize you?"

"Comrade Political Commissar, the commanders and fighters detained in the prisoner-of-war camp all have a certain degree of combat experience. As long as they are incorporated into the army, they will soon be able to form combat effectiveness." When the commanders and fighters had different opinions, Sokov emphasized to him: "And they have all suffered from the inhuman torture of the Germans. Once they take up arms again and go to the battlefield, they will exert more combat effectiveness than before. Hit the enemy to wash away your shame."

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin cautiously reminded Sokov, "There has been no new news from the Front Command. Could you call and ask to see if the vehicles for transporting troops are ready?"

If Sidolin asked him to call Chuikov, Sukov would definitely not say a word, and immediately ordered someone to connect to the army headquarters. But at this moment, he wanted to call the Front Army Command. Sokov couldn't help hesitating. He was worried that when he called, Rokossovsky was busy and didn't have time to answer his call. Sidolin said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry, let's wait a little longer, maybe we will get news."

After Sokov finished speaking, seeing Sidolin's expression of unwillingness, he added: "Chief of Staff, how about it, let's wait another day, and if there is still no news, I will report to Rokoso Do you think it would be alright to call General Vowski or Chief of Staff Malinin?"

Now that Sukov's words have reached this point, Sidolin knew that no matter how anxious he was, it was useless, so he nodded and agreed with his opinion: "Okay, then let's wait another day and see the front army headquarters How did you answer us."

Early the next morning, Sokov, who was sleeping soundly in his room, was awakened by the soldiers sent by Sidolin.

Seeing Sokov opened his eyes, the soldier hurriedly raised his hand to salute, and said respectfully, "Comrade Commander, Chief of Staff, please go to the headquarters immediately, something serious has happened."

Hearing that something big happened, Sokov's drowsiness was frightened and disappeared. While putting his head down to put on his shoes, he asked anxiously, "Tell me quickly, what happened?"

"I don't know very well, Comrade Commander." But the soldier who came to call him didn't know what to ask. He could only keep saying, "It was Comrade Chief of Staff who asked me to call you."

"Okay, okay, don't talk about it." Sokov quickly put on his boots, put on a military coat, and told the soldiers: "Go, let's go to the command post."

When he came to the headquarters, Sokov saw Sidolin and Anisimov standing at the table at a glance. Whether it was Sidolin holding the microphone or Anisimov standing next to him, There was an angry expression on his face.

"Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?"

Sidolin handed the microphone to Sokov, and said in a low voice, "Comrade Commander, it's Lieutenant Samoilov calling, please ask him to give you a detailed report."

"I'm Sokov." Sokov put the receiver to his ear and asked loudly, "Is it Lieutenant Samoilov?"

Samoilov's crying voice came from the receiver: "It's me, Comrade Commander, I'm Samoilov."

In Sokov's mind, Samoilov is a strong commander. Once his arm was injured, the military doctor stitched him up without anesthesia. His head was full of pain. Cold sweat, also did not hum. But today he spoke with a crying voice, something must have happened: "Comrade Lieutenant, what happened?"

"Deputy Commander, Comrade Deputy Commander, he...he died."

"What, Comrade Deputy Division Commander died?" When Sukov heard the news, his vision went dark, and he fell down limply. If it wasn't for Sidolin's quick eyesight and hands to support him, he might have fallen to the ground .

"Come on, come on, the teacher has fainted." Although Sukov was not heavy, Sidolin and Anisimov, who came to help him, could not help him because his whole body slid down like a puddle of mud. Unable to support him, he had to call the staff officers and communications soldiers in the room to help. Everyone hurriedly lifted Sokov to the wall and put him on the camp bed.