Sokov did not speak, but turned to look at Samyko and winked at him.
Samyko nodded with understanding, then coughed slightly, and said to Guchakov seriously: "Comrade Major, since the battalion you command has now become an empty number, this means that you
I can no longer hold the position of battalion commander, do you understand?"
Although Guchakov had already guessed this outcome, when he heard Samyko say this, he still felt extremely heavy. He replied in a low voice: "Understood."
"We will adjust your duties. Do you have any objections?"
Hearing what Samyko said, Major Bunch and Seryosha standing aside had expressions of surprise on their faces. They thought that Sokov would find a way to replenish the troops for the first battalion, but unexpectedly he directly announced
Guchakov was no longer allowed to serve as battalion commander, and there was no mention of whether to restore the first battalion.
Guchakov replied without changing his expression: "I resolutely obey the arrangements of my superiors. As long as I can stay in the combat unit, I can be a company commander or even a platoon leader."
Seeing that Samyko was still teasing Guchakov, Sokov quickly waved his hand to stop him: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, stop teasing Major Guchakov, let's get down to business."
Guchakov couldn't help but be stunned. The chief of staff is making fun of me? But what is going on? What can I do to make fun of me?
"Major Guchakov," Sokov did not immediately explain to Guchakov what was going on, but asked instead: "Do you remember what the unit number was when we entered Stalingrad?"
Guchakov grinned, "Comrade Commander, how can we forget this? You know, when we were in Stalingrad, we were an invincible force that terrified the enemy. Even in the later stages of the defense war, our brigade was integrated into the
The 41st Guards Division, but I will always remember this glorious title - the 73rd Infantry Brigade."
"You are right, Comrade Major." Thinking back to the glorious days of the past, a sense of pride arose in Sokov's heart: "The 73rd Infantry Brigade is indeed a heroic unit that has achieved brilliant results.
The disappearance is indeed a regrettable thing.”
"It's strange that Comrade Commander suddenly told me what the 73rd Infantry Brigade does?" Guchakov muttered in his heart: "Does the superior plan to rebuild this unit?"
Just as he thought of this, he heard Sokov say: "Comrade Major, let me tell you good news. I have just been notified by Commander Konev that he intends to rebuild the 73rd Infantry Brigade and place it under the command of our army group.
"
"Comrade Commander, this is great." As the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, Guchakov couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard such news, and took the initiative to ask Sokov: "If the superiors reestablish the Infantry Brigade,
73rd Brigade, can you send me to this unit? I still say the same thing, even if I am a company commander or even a platoon leader."
"No." Sokov waited for the other party to finish, then said with a smile: "If you are transferred to the 73rd Infantry Brigade, I will definitely not let you be the company commander or platoon commander. That would be too unfair."
Before Guchakov could recover, Seryosha rushed to the side and asked: "Comrade Commander, do you plan to let Major Guchakov continue to be the battalion commander?"
"No, Captain Seryosha." Sokov shook his head at Seryosha and replied: "I will not let him be the battalion commander."
Seryosha thought with a confused look on his face: Let Guchakov join the rebuilt 73rd Infantry Brigade. Not only will he not be allowed to be the battalion commander, he will not even be given the position of platoon commander. Then what else will he be asked to do?
You can't let a major become an ordinary soldier, right?
Guchakov was also stunned, wondering if it was because he had destroyed all the troops this time. In order to punish him, Comrade Commander deliberately sent him to the rebuilt 73rd Infantry Brigade as a soldier?
"Comrade Guchakov, on behalf of the Army Headquarters, I now formally inform you that from now on, you will become the commander of the re-established 73rd Infantry Brigade." Sokov said solemnly: "Your formal appointment letter,
Will arrive at our base with the troops."
For a moment, no sound could be heard except for the beep beep of the telegraph operator on the other side of the room. Not long after, Guchakov's heavy breathing like an ox could be heard in the room.
Apparently he was stunned by the unexpected news.
Guchakov was unexpectedly appointed brigade commander. His excitement was indescribable. He originally thought that he had defeated all the troops. After returning to the headquarters, the best outcome was that Sokov arranged for him to serve as the commander.
In the Ministry, he serves as the same guard company commander as Seryosha. It may take a long time to go to the battlefield.
But now it seems that as long as I officially take office, I will have a lot of time to go to the battlefield in the future, and there will be many opportunities to make meritorious deeds. After all, the role that a brigade can play on the battlefield is far greater than that of a battalion.
"Comrade Commander," Guchakov tentatively asked Sokov after his mood calmed down: "Did my superiors really appoint me to serve as the commander of the rebuilt 73rd Infantry Brigade?"
"Of course." Sokov nodded and said affirmatively: "Your position was personally arranged by Commander Konev. Can it be false?"
Guchakov knew Sokov's character and knew that he would not be able to deceive him about this kind of thing, so taking up the position of brigade commander was a sure thing. After confirming the news, he quickly entered the role of brigade commander.
"Comrade Commander, I would like to ask where the soldiers, weapons and ammunition of the 73rd Infantry Brigade come from?"
"You don't have to worry about the soldiers." Sokov explained to Guchakov: "Last time, our army liberated many prisoner of war camps and rescued tens of thousands of commanders and fighters. At that time, we added tens of thousands of people, but
Commander Konev still retained some of them and organized them with the new recruits as the reserve force of the front army headquarters. Now the designation of this reserve force has been changed to the 73rd Infantry Brigade. As for weapons and ammunition,
, when the reserve team was first formed, they had already been assigned, and as soon as they arrive at our station, they can basically go into battle."
Guchakov was very satisfied when he learned that the rebuilt 73rd Infantry Brigade was reorganized from a reserve team of the Front Army Headquarters, and that the commanders and fighters in the unit were composed of rescued prisoners of war and newly recruited recruits.
As long as the army is not made up of all new recruits, it can quickly form combat effectiveness and be sent to the battlefield in the shortest possible time.
"What about the commander?" Guchakov asked: "I want to know who are my deputies?"
"I don't know the specific situation." Sokov thought that when he called Konev, the other party did not tell him at all what standards the commanders at all levels in the army were arranged according to: "I only know that the deputy brigade commander
The commander is a colonel."
"What, the deputy brigade commander is a colonel?" Guchakov was shocked: "Comrade Commander, I am only a major, but I have to command a colonel. Is this appropriate?"
"There is nothing inappropriate, Major Guchakov." Seeing that Guchakov looked very worried, Sokov quickly comforted him and said: "In this world, strength will always speak. With your military exploits and
With commanding ability, I am fully qualified for the position of brigade commander. As for the issue of low military rank, you can forget about it. You must know that my military rank is not as high as that of the military commissar, but this does not affect our cooperation at all."
Sokov's words made Guchakov feel much more at ease. He nodded and said: "I understand, Comrade Commander, I will definitely have a good relationship with the deputy brigade commander."
"Comrade Major, I remember you just said that Captain Narva, the commander of the first company, and Captain Yegor, the commander of the second company, are both still alive. Am I right?"
"Yes, they are all alive." After Guchakov gave Sokov a positive answer, he asked tentatively: "Can I take them both to the new unit?"
"Of course, Comrade Major." Sokov said reasonably: "Since you are the brigade commander, you can be completely responsible for what kind of manpower you deploy in your army."
When Guchakov heard that Sokov agreed to his proposal, he couldn't help but feel happy. He looked at Seryosha who was standing aside. After thinking for a long time, he tentatively asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, thank you."
Captain Liao Sha fought alongside us today. I would like him to go with me to the new unit. Do you agree?"
Sokov looked towards Seryosha, trying to see what he thought about this matter. Seeing Seryosha looking eager to try, he seemed to really want to go to the Guchakov Brigade. He thought for a while, then shook his head.
He objected: "Major Guchakov, no, I can't give you Seryosha. Only with him in the guard force will I feel at ease."
The reason why Sokov used such a lame excuse to try to keep Seryosha is very simple. The risk factor on the battlefield is very high. If Seryosha is really allowed to serve as a sergeant in the Guchakov Brigade,
As an official, based on the intensity of the current battle, Seryosha would definitely not survive more than two months. Therefore, he simply denied Guchakov's request.
Seryosha never dreamed that Sokov would reject his request to go to the new army so cleanly. For a moment, he felt particularly aggrieved. Although he and Sokov were good friends, but in front of him
In this situation, he could only choose to remain silent to avoid damaging Sokov's prestige in the army.
Seeing the disappointed look on Guchakov's face, Sokov added: "Those soldiers who came back from Kazachya Compass Town with you should be considered the backbone of the battle. I can go with you this time.
New troops, depending on their abilities, can be appointed as squad leaders or platoon leaders."
Sokov still has his reasons for this arrangement. In any case, many of the members of the rebuilt 73rd Infantry Brigade are newly recruited soldiers. It is beneficial to the army to have these experienced soldiers to lead them.
In a very short period of time, new combat effectiveness was formed.
Although his request for Seryosha to join the 73rd Infantry Brigade was rejected by Sokov without hesitation. But when he heard that the remaining soldiers under his command could be appointed as squad and platoon leaders of the new unit, he was still very happy.
satisfied.
After arranging Sokov's work, Sokov came to Major Bunch's side again, looked at the bandages on his head, arms and legs, and asked with concern: "Comrade Major, I don't think your injury is serious.
Qing, do you need me to send you to the field hospital of the Army Group for treatment?"
"Thank you, Comrade Commander, for your concern." Major Bunch straightened his body and said to Sokov: "I just had some skin injuries. Before leaving Kazachya Compass Town, the military doctors of the 188th Division treated my wounds.
As long as the dressing is changed on time every day, the injury will heal quickly."
"Comrade Major, your tank battalion has been completely destroyed in this battle." Sokov looked at the other party and asked: "What are your plans next?"
Major Bunch quickly glanced at Guchakov, who had just been promoted to infantry brigade commander, and then faced Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, I am at your disposal."
Sokov turned to Samyko and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you know where there is a vacancy where this tank major can be accommodated?"
Samyko took out his notebook and looked at it, then replied: "Comrade Commander, the commander of the 483rd Independent Tank Battalion directly under the Army Group Headquarters, died outside Prokhorovka during the Battle of Kursk.
.Now the battalion is still short of a military chief, so this major can take over the battalion commander's position."
"Comrade Major, I wonder if you are willing to serve as the battalion commander of the 483rd Independent Tank Battalion directly under the headquarters?" Having said this, before the other party could answer, he remembered a key question and said apologetically, "I'm sorry.
, Comrade Major, I don’t know your name yet.”
Seryosha quickly helped and said: "Comrade Commander, this is Major Bunch. The special tank battalion he commanded destroyed more than 30 German tanks and killed more than 200 soldiers in this battle.
.”
Hearing what Seryosha said, the smile on Sokov's face became even brighter. He turned to Samyko and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it seems that Major Bunch is the commander of the 483rd Independent Tank Battalion.
, it couldn’t be more appropriate.”
"Yes, Comrade Commander, I also think he is very suitable for this position." After expressing his attitude, Sameko paused for a moment, looked at Major Bunch carefully, and then said cautiously: "But in
Should he recover from his injuries before taking office? You know, if you continue to fight with injuries, it may cause the injuries to worsen."
Seeing that the battalion commander position he had just received was about to fly away so soon, Major Bunch couldn't help but become anxious. He quickly said to Sokov and Samyko: "Comrade Commander, Comrade Chief of Staff, don't look at the many things on my body."
I need a bandage, but my injury doesn’t matter. Really, it doesn’t matter at all and it won’t affect the next battle. Just let me return to the army as soon as possible.”
Samyko grinned and asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, what do you think?"
"Since Major Bunch is so eager to return to the army, you should immediately draft an order appointing him as the commander of the tank battalion. Later, send a staff officer to follow him to take up the post in the tank battalion."
