After ending the call with Sokov, Krylov called his chief of staff and said seriously: "Comrade chief of staff, the enemy has occupied the town of Bile. Colonel Sokov plans to command the troops at two o'clock in the afternoon.
To launch a counterattack against the enemy who occupied the town. I would like to ask, which of our troops is closest to the town of Bile?"
"The 379th Infantry Division stationed in Lutukhern," the chief of staff reported to Krylov, pointing to the map: "Their defense area is 20 kilometers away from Lugansk and 18 kilometers away from the town of Bile."
"How long will it take for the division to complete its assembly and go into battle?"
"I estimate it will take about three hours."
After listening to the time mentioned by the chief of staff, Krylov secretly calculated in his mind: it would take three hours to assemble the troops, and another hour to rush there. By the time they entered the combat area, it was almost four o'clock in the afternoon, and there was no way to make it in time.
Cooperate with the troops of the 41st Guards Division.
"No, Comrade Chief of Staff, we can't wait that long." Krylov said to the Chief of Staff: "I will give the troops one hour to assemble and ask them to rush to the designated combat area around two o'clock.
"
"Comrade Commander," the chief of staff said with a troubled expression on his face after hearing this order: "The division's troops are very scattered and it will take a long time to assemble. Three hours is already the most conservative estimate.
"
"Now the Germans have occupied the town of Bile. The longer we delay, the more German troops will be in the town and the stronger the defense will become." Krylov said: "If it is true.
If we wait four hours before sending our troops into battle, I'm afraid we will pay an even heavier price."
"Then what should we do?" the chief of staff asked at a loss: "You know, it is absolutely impossible to complete the troop assembly in one hour."
"Chief of Staff, I know that it is unrealistic for a division to assemble within an hour." Seeing the helpless look on the Chief of Staff's face, Krylov said to him: "But we can continue as a regiment.
Assemble and march to the combat area one regiment at a time."
"Only one regiment at a time?" the chief of staff asked with some surprise: "Will our military strength become too weak?"
"No, you know, we are not fighting alone." Krylov continued: "Sokov's Guards Division will launch an attack on the town of Bile at two o'clock in the afternoon. Even if we only spend an hour to complete the assembly,
It will take another hour to rush to the battlefield. By the time we reach our destination, I'm afraid it will exceed the agreed time."
After Krylov's explanation, the chief of staff immediately understood: "Comrade Commander, if Colonel Sokov's troops have already launched an attack on the German army before our troops enter the battle, then the enemy's attention will definitely be lost.
Put it on their side. In this way, even if we invest less troops, I'm afraid it won't become the focus of the German attack."
"You are right." Seeing that the chief of staff understood his intention, Krylov nodded with satisfaction, "I have dealt with Colonel Sokov for a long time and know that his troops are very powerful.
If we enter the battlefield later than them, I am afraid that the German army will have been beaten back steadily by them. By then, our troops may be able to pick up the pieces and completely destroy or drive away the enemies occupying the town."
…………
After putting down the phone, Sokov excitedly said to his colleagues standing around: "Comrades, I have some good news for you. General Krylov has agreed to send an infantry division to assist our attack."
"Comrade Division Commander," Sidorin was naturally very happy when he learned that the 21st Group Army would send a division to participate in the war, but he also raised his concerns: "Two divisions fighting together should have a unified command. Otherwise, each division should have a unified command.
If we fight, it may be difficult to repel the enemy in a short time."
"Chief of Staff, what you said makes sense." Sokov had already thought of the problem that Sidorin was worried about: "If we want to drive the enemy out as soon as possible, the two cooperating troops must have a unified command.
.Otherwise, once a fight breaks out, it will turn into chaos and give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage. Therefore, I plan to personally direct this battle."
"Comrade Division Commander, the frontier is too dangerous." Hearing that Sokov wanted to go to the front again, Sidorin quickly dissuaded him and said, "You should stay at the division headquarters."
"Yes, Misha." Bely continued: "The front is too dangerous. As the commander of a division, you should stay at the division headquarters to command the battle." After saying this, he volunteered, "Anyway, I
I plan to personally lead two tank battalions into battle, so I think it’s better for me to take command.”
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, don't argue with me." Sokov waved his hands and said: "The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly. How can you command the overall situation while you are in the tank? I think this battle should be led by me.
"
"But, comrade division commander," Sidorin reminded Sokov again: "Maybe the division commander who comes is a general. By then, his military rank will be higher than yours, and you will have no choice but to obey his command."
"Even if you are a general, there is nothing to worry about." Sokov waved his hand and said confidently: "You know, there were several generals in the combat group established in the late stage of the Stalingrad Defense War, and they were also old.
Listen to my command honestly. Don't worry, General Krylov will make arrangements in advance and will not let us fight together instead of fighting independently."
Sokov spoke confidently, but in his heart he had no confidence at all. He knew that chaotic command and fighting independently on the battlefield were the shortcomings of the Soviet army. However, in order not to affect the morale of the troops, he could only bite the bullet
After saying these words, he raised his hand and looked at his watch and said: "It's getting late, get ready to go."
At 1:55 p.m., Sokov received a call from Bely from the tank: "Misha, my two tank battalions have all entered the attack position."
"When I saw three red flares rising in the sky, the tank troops under your command launched a charge and led the infantry towards the town of Bile." Sokov was worried that Belly would charge too hard and rushed in front of all the tanks, and specifically warned him.
He said: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you are the commander. Don't rush to the front like ordinary tank soldiers. Do you understand? If anything happens to you, the entire tank unit will fall into chaos because of the loss of unified command."
If Sokov hadn't said anything, Bely really wanted to be the first to rush into Bile Town. But after listening to Sokov's words, he changed his mind: "I understand, Misha, I will pay attention."
It’s safe. You should also pay attention to safety and don’t just go to the front line to avoid any accidents.”
This chapter has been completed!