"Absurd, this is simply ridiculous, my comrade chief of staff." Sokov confirmed that the information provided by the director of the reconnaissance department was correct, and said to Samyko in an unbelievable tone: "It takes more than 10,000 people to
Everyone is drunk, how much vodka is needed, this is ridiculous."
When Samek heard Sokov used three "ridiculous" words in succession to describe the two lost troops, the muscles on his face twitched violently. "Comrade Commander, you are right,
This thing is so ridiculous. If the scouts sent out were not proven warriors, I would really think it was a rumor spread by the Germans."
Sokov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, our offensive will begin soon. You will stay at the headquarters to direct the operation. I will go to the Fesky Collective Farm in person."
Look, what's going on."
"Comrade Commander, you can't take risks." Upon learning that Sokov planned to go to the Fesky Collective Farm, Samyko hurriedly stopped him and said, "I think it's better to send a commander to investigate the matter."
"Tell me, who can complete this task?"
Samyko said without hesitation: "Since we have sent a battalion of the 73rd Infantry Brigade to the area, why not let Major Guchakov be responsible for investigating the matter?"
"No, Comrade Chief of Staff, I feel that Major Guchakov's ability is not enough to handle this matter." Sokov said resolutely: "I still have to go there myself."
After speaking, Sokov shouted to the other side of the hall: "Lieutenant Samoilov, Lieutenant Samoilov!"
Following Sokov's shout, Lieutenant Samoilov quickly ran up to Sokov, straightened his back and asked: "Comrade Commander, what are your instructions?"
"It's dark outside now, and Comrade Military Commissar must have returned to his temporary residence." Sokov told the other party: "Go and invite him here immediately, saying that I have something important and need him to accompany me.
go."
Samoilov agreed, turned around and ran out of the church.
After Samoylov left, Sokov did not bother to talk to Samyko, but picked up the phone again and asked the communications soldier to connect to the brigade headquarters of the 73rd Infantry Brigade.
After Guchakov heard that the caller was Sokov, he thought the other party was asking if the troops had set off, so he quickly said: "Report to Comrade Commander, the battalion led by Captain Mikhailev has set off a quarter of an hour ago.
Already."
"Comrade Major, I was on the bell tower of the church and saw them setting off." Sokov said into the phone: "I'm calling you for another matter."
Guchakov, who was confused, quickly asked: "Comrade Commander, what else is going on?"
"There was an accident at the Fisky collective farm. I need to rush there immediately to deal with it." Sokov said: "Ask your deputy brigade commander, Colonel Weisbach, to come to my place."
Although Guchakov could not figure out Sokov's intention, as soon as he put down the phone, he asked his deputy brigade commander, Colonel Weisbach, to report to the headquarters.
After Sokov finished calling the infantry brigade, he dialed the number of the 4th Guards Tank Corps. He said to General Polubyarov who answered the phone: "Comrade General, I need to rush to the Fisky Collective immediately.
Farmer, I want Major Bunch to accompany me, please ask him to come to my headquarters immediately."
Samek's face was filled with questions as he listened to the two phone calls made by Sokov. After finally putting down the phone, Sokov asked in surprise: "Comrade Commander, will you bring Colonel Weisbach and Bunch?"
What is the major doing at the Fesky collective farm?"
Sokov turned to look at Samyko and said solemnly: "I feel that neither the commander of the 300th Infantry Division nor the commander of the tank brigade can fulfill their responsibilities. I need to find someone to replace them. This way
Only then can we have friendly forces we can fight alongside, instead of pig teammates holding us back."
Hearing Sokov say the word "pig teammates", Samek felt very strange. After thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was very vivid. No matter how drunk the two friendly forces were, but based on their performance, they might not
On the battlefield, you will really become a pig teammate that drags you down.
But then he thought about it. Although Sokov was now the commander of the group army, it might still be inappropriate to arbitrarily change the commanders of friendly forces at the division and brigade level. He quickly persuaded him: "Comrade Commander, the commander of the 300th Division and the tanks
The brigade commanders all belong to friendly forces, so it’s inappropriate for you to change commanders at will, isn’t it?”
"There is nothing inappropriate," Sokov said carelessly: "I feel that these two division and brigade commanders are not suitable to stay in their current positions. I will temporarily find someone to replace them. After the battle is over, if the superiors want to hold them accountable
, let me bear all the responsibilities."
"Comrade Commander," Lunev, who was found by Samoilov, quickly walked through the church hall, came to the two of them, and asked Sokov curiously: "Is there anything urgent you want to see me for?
?”
"Comrade Military Commissar, something big happened." Sokov explained to Lunev: "The 300th Infantry Division of the 5th Assault Army and the 37th Tank Brigade of the 7th Tank Army, which are affiliated to the Voronezh Front, are in Fei
Contact with superiors was lost near the collective farm."
"What, lost contact with the superiors?" Lunev heard this and asked in surprise: "Are there any German troops stationed there?"
Samek quickly added: "It turned out that the German 3rd Armored Division was stationed there, but it was evacuated at some point."
"Since we evacuated, why did our troops lose contact with their superiors?"
Sokov smiled bitterly and said: "Comrade Military Commissar, you may never have imagined that the reason why our troops lost contact with their superiors was not because they were annihilated by the enemy, but because everyone was drunk."
When Lunev heard this, his jaw almost hit the ground: "Everyone is drunk? The two armies combined, if not tens of thousands, there must be seven or eight thousand people, how could they be drunk?
"
"Comrade Military Commissar, this is not a random fabrication by me, but the truth." Sokov said to Lunev: "I asked Lieutenant Samoilov to invite you back just because I want you to come with me.
Fisky Kolkhoz, find out what is going on and why is everyone drunk?"
When Samyko heard what Sokov said, he immediately understood why he called Lunev. No matter that Lunev had a higher military rank than Sokov, more importantly, he could bypass the head of the front army in many matters and directly report to him.
Report from Moscow: This time when we went to Fesky Collective Farm, with Lunev by his side, even if the two incompetent division and brigade commanders were removed from their posts, I'm afraid Vatutin wouldn't be able to say anything.
"Okay, Comrade Commander." After listening to Sokov's introduction, Luniev realized the seriousness of the problem and couldn't help but said with a serious expression: "I will accompany you to Fesky Collective Farm, and we will set off now.
.”
"Wait a minute, Comrade Military Commissar." But Sokov stood still and said to Lunev: "I'm still waiting for two people. One is Colonel Weisbach, the deputy commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade.
, the other one is Major Bunch of the 4th Guards Tank Corps."
"Comrade Commander," Luniev heard that Sokov was going to take two people with him to the Fisky collective farm, and couldn't help but curiously asked: "What are you taking them for?"
"It turns out that the two commanders of the friendly forces are very incompetent." Sokov said: "I took Colonel Weisbach and Major Bunch with me to take over their duties."
Lunev did not raise any objections to Sokov's decision to change the commander of the friendly forces. On the contrary, he was extremely supportive: "Comrade Commander, I support you in changing the commander of the friendly forces. If the superiors want to pursue this matter in the future, I will definitely
Help you take responsibility."
Now that Luniev has expressed his position, Samyko had to echo: "Comrade Commander, the Military Commissioner is right. If the superiors want to pursue this matter in the future, I am also willing to help you share the responsibility."
Not long after, Weisbach appeared in front of Sokov.
Sokov stepped forward and shook hands with him, and asked with a smile: "Comrade Colonel, is it too unfair for you to accept the command of a major now?"
As a colonel, Weisbach felt aggrieved that he had to accept the command of a major. However, considering that Guchakov was a direct descendant of Commander Sokov, he dared not speak out.
At this moment, when Sokov asked about this matter, he hurriedly expressed his position: "Comrade Commander, I think Major Guchakov's commanding ability is better than mine. I think it is most suitable for him to serve as the brigade commander."
But it’s too late.”
After Sokov waited for him to finish speaking, he patted his arm hard twice with both hands, and then said to him with a smile: "Comrade Colonel, after all, you are very qualified as deputy brigade commander. But now
I have appointed a new deputy brigade commander, and you will definitely not be able to continue to hold this position in the future."
Hearing what Sokov said, Weisbach's face turned livid, but he pretended to be calm and said: "Comrade Commander, I resolutely obey your orders, and I will take up whatever position you assign me to take."
Even if I were asked to serve as a company commander in a grassroots company, I would not have any complaints."
"Colonel Weisbach," Sokov felt that he should communicate with Weisbach in advance to make him mentally prepared: "I called you here because I want you to come with me to the Fisky collective farm.
"
Although before Weisbach came to the headquarters, Guchakov had already told Sokov that he planned to take him to the Fisky collective farm, but when he heard Sokov say this, he couldn't help but ask:
"Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, didn't the newly appointed deputy brigade commander, Captain Mikhailev, take the first battalion to the Fesky collective farm? What should I do there?"
"What I want to do is, of course, let you take over the troops." Sokov said bluntly: "I plan to let you temporarily act as the commander of the 300th Infantry Division. I wonder if you are willing to take on this responsibility?"
Weisbach never dreamed that Sokov asked him to go to Fesky Collective Farm to let him act as commander of the 300th Infantry Division. His breathing suddenly became rapid, and it took him a long time to answer: "
Comrade Commander, I resolutely obey your orders."
If a few minutes ago, he said that he would resolutely obey Sokov's orders, it was somewhat perfunctory, but now his answer was sincere and from the bottom of his heart.
Not long after, Major Bunch also came to the headquarters.
Also confused, he came to Sokov, raised his hand in salute, and reported in accordance with the instructions: "Comrade Commander, the tank battalion commander Major Bunch is here on your order, please give instructions!"
"Comrade Major," Sokov said with a smile as he shook hands with Major Bunch: "Ever since your tank battalion was ignited in the Compass Town of Kazachya, you have been sitting in the military headquarters doing nothing. Is it in your heart?
Have you always wanted to return to the battlefield and command more tanks to charge into battle?"
Major Bunch, who was impressed by Sokov's words, replied: "Yes, Comrade Commander, I hope you can help me replenish the tank battalion as soon as possible, so that I can command the troops again to teach the Germans a lesson.
"
"Comrade Major, I think you will have no chance to serve as tank battalion commander again in the future."
Hearing what Sokov said, Major Bunch's expression suddenly changed, and he was deeply afraid that he would never have the opportunity to command a tank battle again. But several people around him, after experiencing the scene just now, knew what Sokov would say next.
Therefore, he acted very calmly, with the attitude of watching a show, patiently waiting for what would happen next.
"Comrade Commander," when Sokov called General Polubyarov, he only asked Major Bunch to accompany him to the Fesky Collective Farm, but did not say anything about it, so Bunch did not know Soko
The real purpose of her husband calling me here. At this moment, seeing that the other party did not intend to let me serve as the tank battalion commander again, thinking that he was going to hold me accountable for his visit to Kazachiya Compass Town, he defended himself in a panic and said: "The tank battalion is fighting.
I have lost the battle. I admit that this is my responsibility. You can punish me however you want, but please let me stay in the tank army, even if I can only be an ordinary soldier."
"That's right, Major Bunch, I'm just going to punish you." Sokov suppressed a smile and said, "I'm going to punish you by serving as the acting brigade commander of the 37th Tank Brigade."
After listening to Sokov's words, Major Bunch was dumbfounded. After a long time, he murmured: "Comrade Commander, you said you wanted me to act as the commander of the 37th Tank Brigade. Did I hear you right?"
?”
"You heard it right, Major Bunch." Seeing that Major Bunch was so nervous that he was sweating on his forehead, Samek explained to him with a smile: "Comrade Commander called Colonel Weisbach and you here.
I just plan to take you two to the Fiski collective farm and take over the infantry division and tank brigade there."
"Comrade Commander," after listening to Samek's explanation, Major Bunch knew that the Army Chief of Staff could not lie to him, but the pie that fell from the sky was too big, and he was knocked unconscious.
Sorry, he asked Sokov innocently: "Is what the chief of staff said true? Are you really going to appoint me as the acting brigade commander of the 37th Tank Brigade?"
"Yes, that's how I thought about it." Sokov raised his hand and looked at his watch, then suppressed the smile on his face, and said to everyone: "It's getting late, we have to rush to Fesky Collective Farm as soon as possible.
Receive the troops there." After a moment of pause, he told Sameko, "Comrade Chief of Staff, you will be responsible for commanding the next battle. If there is anything that cannot be handled, you can send me a telegram and I will bring a radio.
Action, I can keep in touch with you at any time.”
This chapter has been completed!