Sokov originally wanted to take the 237th Division to the open-pit mine in person, but before he could set out, he received a call from Marshal Konev. The other person asked straight to the point: "Comrade Sokov, what are you doing?"
"Comrade Marshal." After hearing Konev's voice, Sokov replied respectfully: "Comrade Marshal, my subordinates reported to me that they have found the open-pit mine and rescued the prisoners of war inside. I
I am planning to take you to my 237th Division under my command and rush there to receive prisoners of war."
"Comrade Sokov, just leave this kind of thing to your subordinates. You have more important work to do."
"Comrade Marshal, do you have any new instructions?"
"According to the air force's reconnaissance report," Konev said on the other end of the phone: "There are signs of evacuation of the defenders in Heysin and Jeplik."
"What, the defenders in Hesin and Jeplik are evacuating?" Sokov was shocked when he heard the news: "Comrade Marshal, is this true?"
"After receiving this information, I specifically asked the Air Force to verify it and confirm the reliability of the information." Konev said: "Comrade Sokov, you should rush to the above-mentioned area immediately and command your troops to establish a new
Depart the position and wait for the arrival of the main force of the front army."
"The main force?" Sokov asked tentatively: "Are they the 27th and 52nd armies?"
"That's right, it's them." Konev nodded and said, "When your three armies join forces, they will form a huge force. Your task then is to cut off the German 8th Army and the 1st
The Tank Army retreated to the road across the Dniester River and cooperated with the troops of the Third Ukrainian Front to defeat it."
It has been almost half a year since the troops on all fronts changed their designations on October 20, 1943. This is the first time Sokov heard the designation of the Third Ukrainian Front. Because the history books describe the battle to liberate Ukraine.
, all focused on introducing the great achievements of the First and Second Front armies, while the Third and Fourth Front armies became a little transparent. Even Sokov, who came from later generations, did not know the role of these two front armies in the later stages of the Patriotic War.
, what achievements have you accomplished?
Precisely because he did not understand the situation of this unit, Sokov could not help but feel a little uneasy when he heard Konev say this: "Comrade Marshal, in the Uman Battle launched this time, we are not just fighting with the first side.
Are the troops of the army cooperating? Why did a third front army appear again?"
From the tone of Sokov's words, Konev could hear that he was not interested in the friendly forces of the Third Front, so he took the initiative and said: "Comrade Sokov, your eyes may have been staring at the liberation of the First and Second Fronts.
In the battle in Ukraine, a series of achievements were achieved. However, the troops of the 3rd and 4th Fronts who were also fighting here were ignored.
The troops commanded by General Malinovsky are attacking Odessa from the Nikolayev area, preparing to regain the sea entrance occupied by the enemy."
Sokov was not interested at all in where the troops of the Third and Fourth Fronts would attack and what results they could achieve. He listened to Konev's story absently, and when the other party stopped, he immediately
Asked: "Comrade Marshal, can I set off to the South Bug River now and direct the battle there?"
"Yes, Comrade Sokov." Konev warned him on the phone: "There may be remnants of the German army along the way. You should be more careful on the way."
"Understood, Comrade Marshal." Sokov nodded and said, "I will pay attention to safety."
After putting down the phone, he called a staff officer and told the other person: "Ask Lieutenant Koshkin if his body can allow him to travel far away?" Sokov asked this question because Koshkin
When Jin entered the city yesterday, he was unfortunately hit by a stray bullet. Although the injury was not serious, his movements were somewhat affected.
After a short effort, Koshkin walked in from outside. His face was pale, his steps were a little staggering when he walked, and he covered the wound under his arm with one hand.
"Lieutenant Koshkin, how are your injuries?"
"Thank you, Comrade Commander, for your concern. It's just a skin injury. Just rest for two days and it will be fine." Koshkin knew that Sokov must have called him here because he must have an important task, so he asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander, may I ask?
Is there any task that you want me to complete?"
"Lieutenant Koshkin," Sokov asked tentatively, not knowing whether Koshkin's injury was suitable for him to travel long distances with him: "I am going to rush to the Hessin and Jeplik areas immediately to command the troops there.
.Do you think your body can withstand the long journey?"
I heard that I was going to accompany Sokov on a long trip. In fact, it was not a long trip. It was only a distance of seventy or eighty kilometers. If I drove slowly, it would only take three hours. He nodded quickly and said, "No problem, Comrade Commander."
, I am only slightly injured, so it should be no problem to ride in the car for a few hours."
"Well, since your physical condition allows it, then come with me to Helsing." Seeing Koshkin say there is no problem, Sokov shook his head at him and said: "Lieutenant Koshkin, let's leave now.
.”
After the convoy set off, the driver knew that Koshkin was injured, so he took extra care while driving and tried hard to avoid craters or other bumpy spots on the road so that Koshkin would not suffer.
Before Sokov could decide where to go, he unexpectedly received a telegram from Afnin, saying that Helsing had been captured and the troops were building fortifications to prevent possible German counterattacks.
After seeing the telegram, Sokov immediately ordered Koshkin: "Lieutenant Koshkin, inform the vehicles in front to turn to Helsing."
"Go to Helsing?" Koshkin didn't know that Hessin had been captured, and reminded Sokov cautiously: "Comrade Commander, Hessin is relatively far from Uman. I estimate that at most there is only the 18th Guards at this moment.
The vanguard of the army is there. If they are counterattacked by the defenders, we may be in danger if we rush over in such a hurry."
"Koshkin, you are worrying too much." Sokov waved his hand towards Koshkin and said: "In the telegram I just received, General Afnin told me that Hessin has been captured and the troops are being built.
Where are the fortifications?"
Koshkin was shocked to learn that Helsing had been captured. He opened the door and got out of the car, stumbled forward, and prepared to notify the vehicle leading the way to turn to Helsing.
After the convoy was back on the road, Koshkin, who was sitting in the passenger seat, half-turned around and asked Sokov curiously: "Comrade Commander, how did the troops of the 18th Guards Army liberate Helsing so quickly?"
Sokov combined Konev's intelligence with Afnin's telegram and immediately guessed the truth of the matter: "The troops stationed in Hesing now are probably just the vanguard of the 18th Guards Army. The reason why they can do this
The city was easily captured simply because the enemy chose to abandon the city and flee before they arrived."
"Abandon the city and flee?!" Koshkin asked with some confusion: "Why did the Germans take the initiative to abandon the city and retreat?"
"Uman only held on for less than a day before we occupied it." Sokov said with a sneer: "I think the German troops who held Heysing and Jeplik must have gone through a fierce ideological struggle in their hearts.
I feel that staying in the city will only lead to a devastating blow, so the best way is to abandon the city and retreat in the direction where more German troops are gathering."
After listening to Sokov's words, Koshkin still felt like he was dreaming. According to his idea, even if Helsing's defenders were panic-stricken, they would have to fight a fierce battle if they wanted to seize the city. But now it is
The city was liberated without a single blow, which is unreal no matter how you look at it.
Sokov saw Koshkin's doubts and said with a smile: "Lieutenant Koshkin, I think the commander of Helsing's garrison is a person who is very knowledgeable about current affairs. He knows that even if he relies on fortifications to hold on, he will not be able to hold on.
How long does it take? It is better to abandon the city and retreat to an area with more friendly troops, so as to ensure your own safety."
Koshkin's considerations were different from Sokov's. He asked tentatively: "Aren't you worried about being punished if he retreats without authorization?" According to his idea, if such a commander is one of his own, he dares to do it without getting the command.
If he abandons the city and retreats without permission before receiving orders from his superiors, there is only one fate waiting for him - to be shot.
"No." Sokov shook his head and said: "The Germans' way of thinking is very different from ours. It is unwise to stay even though we know that continuing to hold on will be a dead end. On the surface,
Look, the Germans seemed to have suffered a big loss when they gave up areas for a while, but looking at the overall situation, that’s not necessarily the case.”
Anyway, there are still two hours to reach Helsing, and Sokov is idle. It is better to give Koshkin some knowledge and let him learn something: "Think about it, if we want to take over the positions that the Germans gave up,
A part of the troops will inevitably be allocated for defense, which will weaken the troops used for offense.
As for the Germans, it seems that they have lost a lot of territory, but they have concentrated their effective forces in one place and gained an advantage in some areas. When our army is unable to attack again, they can launch a surprise counterattack and completely defeat us.
offensive forces, and turned the situation in a direction favorable to the German army."
Although there were reliable people in the car, Sokov did not give any specific examples of combat. In addition to letting Koshkin figure it out on his own, he could also avoid inadvertently offending others.
"I understand, Comrade Commander, I understand." Koshkin had spent a lot of time with Sokov, and his way of thinking about the problem had unknowingly changed. He only thought about it for a very short time.
Then he understood what Sokov wanted to express: "For example, we and the German army each have one hundred people. Their one hundred people originally had to defend 10 places, and there were only ten defenders in each place; as for our army, we have
This team of one hundred people can win the final victory no matter which defensive zone they attack.
Now the Germans have abandoned nine of the positions and concentrated a hundred men on the last position; and our army has occupied the nine positions that the Germans abandoned and left ten men to defend each position, which means
, we can only use the remaining ten men to attack the area defended by a hundred Germans. In this case, our attack will definitely fail, and the Germans will take the opportunity to counterattack and eliminate our scattered defense troops one by one..."
"Yes, that's right, Lieutenant Koshkin." Seeing that Koshkin not only understood his intention, but also explained it so clearly, Sokov felt relieved: "Your analysis makes sense, even if you are arranged to go where
If you serve as a staff officer in the regiment, you can quickly gain the respect of your superiors."
But Koshkin seemed to have no interest in being a staff officer at all. He shook his head and said: "Comrade Commander, I would rather go to the front line to lead troops in the war than serve as a staff officer in any command."
Koshkin's reaction did not surprise Sokov at all. There has always been a tradition of despising staff officers in the Soviet army. For example, Malinin, the chief of staff of the Belarusian Front, has been engaged in staff work for a long time, but his presence in the army is not
Not high. Later, Rokossovsky found an opportunity and recommended him to be the commander of the army group to get rid of his staff status. However, Malinen declined Rokossovsky's kindness and continued to stay in the headquarters as chief of staff.
One position.
"Since you don't want to be a staff officer, I won't force it." Sokov felt that Lunev gave Koshkin to him out of trust, just to find a good future for this subordinate. Since he is not willing to serve as
If he has the position of staff officer, you can consider assigning him to the combat unit: "After this battle is over, I will let you go to the grassroots combat unit and become a company commander or even a battalion commander. I wonder if you have any different opinions?"
"Comrade Commander," Koshkin, who did not expect this arrangement for Sokov, still shook his head: "I still hope to stay by your side."
"Koshkin, you have to think carefully about this." Sokov reminded the other party: "If you stay by my side, you may make great achievements, which means there are very few opportunities for promotion. You can't wait until after the war is over.
When all the commanders have become majors, lieutenant colonels or even colonels, you are still holding on to the rank of lieutenant, right?"
Sokov's words made Koshkin a little shaken. If he continues to stay in the headquarters and is responsible for protecting Sokov's safety, then his room for improvement is not big. It is really possible to do what Sokov said.
, by the end of the war, he was just an ordinary lieutenant.
But then I thought about it, since Luniev sent himself to Sokov's side, I'm afraid he would have more profound considerations. If he agreed to this matter, but the grassroots troops were to serve as commanders, Luniev might have let down Luniev.
He has the trust of his husband, so the best choice is to stay with Sokov.
After making up his mind, he said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I still like to stay at the headquarters. I can learn a lot of useful knowledge by your side."
"Okay, Koshkin." Sokov saw that Koshkin was unwilling to leave. After all, some guards like him were difficult to find, so he nodded and agreed to the other party's choice: "Since you have made the final decision,
I respect your choice, just continue to stay by my side."
After the chat came to an end, Sokov leaned back, leaned his head on the back of the chair, and began to close his eyes to rest. Koshkin saw that Sokov had closed his eyes and thought he was resting, so he did not continue the topic.
In fact, Sokov did not sleep. He was just thinking about how many of the prisoners of war rescued from the open-pit mines could be incorporated into the combat troops. The shortage of soldiers was a problem that puzzled him. If the severely attrited troops could not be provided as soon as possible,
Supplement, in the next battle, they can only be spectators.
This chapter has been completed!