After dark, Sidorin sent five reconnaissance groups to cross the river in small boats from different locations, preparing to use the cover of night to board the other side to perform reconnaissance missions.
About half an hour after the reconnaissance team set off, Sokov heard the rumble of artillery outside. Judging from his experience, there should be two or three artillery pieces that were constantly bombarding the river.
Sokov quickly linked the sudden German shelling with the dispatch of a reconnaissance team. He quickly called Potapov and asked directly: "Comrade Artillery Director, where are the enemy's artillery shelling?"
"Report to Comrade Commander." Potapov replied: "According to our observation post report, the enemy is shelling the river, and may have discovered some target."
Hearing what Potapov said, Sokov couldn't help but feel a little bit in his heart. The Germans definitely wouldn't bombard the river for no apparent reason in the middle of the night. It must be that a certain reconnaissance group was launched by the enemy, which led to such bombardment. Thinking of this, he warned
Potapov: "Comrade Director of Artillery, ask your observation post to observe carefully to see what targets the Germans are shelling. Once you have any information, report it to me immediately."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Potapov answered simply: "I will let the observation post observe carefully. If I find anything, I will report to you in time."
Sokov put down the phone and said to Sidorin with a serious expression: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have an ominous premonition. The shelling outside should be caused by the German army shelling our reconnaissance group. It should be that the sentries on the West Bank discovered the people crossing the river.
boat."
Sidorin was convinced of Sokov's statement, and he said helplessly: "Hey, there is no way, who made this river too wide. It is five kilometers wide, even if our scouts borrow
Under the cover of darkness, no matter how quiet the sound of rowing is, it may be difficult to avoid being discovered by the enemy."
Half an hour later, the director of the reconnaissance department came in and reported to Sokov and Sidorin: "Comrade Commander, Comrade Chief of Staff, the reconnaissance team we sent to the West Bank has returned."
"What, you're back now?" Sokov knew very well that in this short time, it was impossible to reach the other side. The reason why the reconnaissance team came back must be because it was intercepted by German artillery fire. In order to avoid unnecessary sacrifices, they only
Able to abandon the original mission and return to report to himself. He tentatively asked the director of the reconnaissance department: "How is it? Are there any casualties?"
"We sent a total of five reconnaissance groups, and three of them have returned. Because they were intercepted by German artillery fire when they were crossing the river, two of the eight members of one of the groups died and three were injured."
"What about the remaining two?" Sidorin asked impatiently.
"One of the boats was directly hit by artillery fire, and none of the scouts on board survived."
"What about another group?" Sidorin continued to ask.
"I don't know," the director of the reconnaissance department shook his head and said, "I asked the teams that came back, but no one saw them. It may be that the ship they were on was sunk by German artillery fire, and all the personnel unfortunately died."
At this time, Potapov called and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, my observation post told me that the German artillery seemed to be shelling the ships in the river. One of the small boats was directly hit, and there were also
Several of them withdrew because they could not break through the blockade of German artillery fire."
"Yes, I understand, Comrade Artillery Director." Sokov politely said to Potapov: "Continue to observe and report to me any new situations in a timely manner."
"Comrade Director of the Reconnaissance Division," Sokov said to the Director of the Reconnaissance Division standing in front of him: "Send people along the river to search for the remains of the scouts. We must find them. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." The director of the reconnaissance department replied resoundingly: "I will send people to search immediately."
"Comrade Commander, what should we do next?" Sidorin asked tentatively after waiting for the reconnaissance director to leave: "The enemy blocked the river so tightly at night that our scouts could not cross the river to the other side."
"Yeah, that's a problem." Sokov frowned and said, "How could our scouts sneak into the West Bank without anyone noticing?"
"Otherwise, we can send out several groups of scouts to cross the river at multiple locations." Sidorin suggested to Sokov: "As long as one group can cross the river, it will be a victory."
But in response to Sidorin's proposal, Sokov shook his head and refused without thinking: "Our actions tonight have been discovered by the enemy. They may strengthen their surveillance of the river. If we want to secretly send scouts across the river again, I'm afraid
It's not that easy."
Rokossovsky called at this time and asked Sokov: "Misha, how is the situation there? Have the scouts sent to the West Bank landed?"
"Comrade Marshal." Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Sokov replied with embarrassment: "The scouts we sent were discovered by the Germans on the other side when they were crossing the river, and were subsequently shelled by them. The scouts we sent were
Three of the five reconnaissance groups came back. The boat the other reconnaissance group was on was directly destroyed by German artillery fire, and all members died. There is also a group missing, and so far, there is still no news."
After listening to Sokov's report, Rokossovsky sighed softly, and then said: "It seems that the German army's defense force is very strong. Even with the cover of night, if the scouts want to row through such a wide water
, it’s not an easy thing either.”
"If we can't send scouts, I'm afraid we can only conduct aerial reconnaissance." Sokov cautiously suggested to Rokossovsky: "Or, ask the Air Force to dispatch reconnaissance planes to conduct aerial reconnaissance of the German West Bank positions.
.You know, the intelligence detected by one reconnaissance plane is equivalent to four or five reconnaissance teams sent by me."
"No matter how much intelligence the reconnaissance plane detects, it still needs to be verified by ground scouts." Rokossovsky said into the microphone: "What if the Germans use models of tanks, assault guns, armored vehicles and artillery to confuse
Our pilots, pilots at high altitudes are indistinguishable."
"However, the scouts I sent here have no way of reaching the other side."
"Yes," Rokossovsky also agreed with Sokov's difficulties. "Since we can't complete the reconnaissance across the river from you, I can only wait for the troops on your left and right wings to reach the designated position before sending out reconnaissance.
The soldiers went to the other side to conduct reconnaissance, hoping that the enemies on the other side of their defense area would not be so vigilant."
For the first time in so many years, Sokov was unable to complete the task assigned to him by Rokossovsky, and he couldn't help but feel guilty. Although Rokossovsky was not in front of him at the moment, he still blushed.
He said with a straight face: "I'm sorry, Comrade Marshal, I have betrayed your trust."
"It's okay, Misha, you don't have to blame yourself." But Rokossovsky comforted him and said, "Don't say it's you. Even if I were in your position, I probably wouldn't be able to do it without knowing what's going on.
Without realizing it, the scouts were sent to the other side.”
After Sokov ended his call with Rokossovsky, he picked up the cigarette case on the table, sat in the corner and started smoking. He was wondering whether it would be bigger for the troops to cross such a wide river than he imagined.
No, none of the five groups of scouts sent could reach the other side. Of course, I can send more reconnaissance groups and cross the river at multiple points to force a landing on the west bank of the West River, but if I really do this
, will inevitably pay heavy casualties.
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin came over and said to Sokov: "Since we cannot complete the reconnaissance mission across the river, let's leave it to friendly forces. There is nothing to be ashamed of."
Sokov hummed softly, then put out the cigarette butt in his hand, threw it into the ashtray on the table next to him, stood up and said: "It's getting late, I want to sleep for a while, if anything happens, you can
wake me up."
When Sokov was lying on the camp bed, he felt that since the troops had not started fighting yet, there would definitely be no emergencies tonight. The possibility of Sidorin waking him up would be very small, and he could sleep peacefully all night long.
But what he didn't expect was that as soon as he fell asleep, he felt someone shaking his shoulders vigorously, and at the same time shouting: "Comrade Commander, Comrade Commander, wake up quickly, I have
I have urgent matters to report to you."
Sokov recognized Sidorin's voice. Just when he opened his sleepy eyes, he heard the following words and his whole body suddenly became energetic: "Chief of Staff, what happened?"
"Good news, good news, great news." Sidorin, who was standing in front of the bed, said with joy on his face: "Comrade Commander, I want to tell you great news."
"What good news?" Sokov asked rhetorically: "Could it be that the friendly forces on the left and right wings have arrived at the designated position?"
"No." Sidorin shook his head like a rattle and said excitedly: "It's our scouts who sent a telegram back from the other side."
After hearing this, Sokov couldn't help being stunned, and then asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, after I went to bed, you secretly sent out a new reconnaissance team?"
"No, Comrade Commander." Sidorin shook his head again and explained: "I did not send a new reconnaissance team, but the original reconnaissance team." When he said this, he saw Sokov's confused face.
, instead of going around in circles, we went straight to the point: "We sent out five reconnaissance groups, and three came back. The boat in one group was sunk by German artillery fire, and another group is missing..."
Upon hearing this, Sokov immediately guessed a possibility and interrupted Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, you mean that the missing reconnaissance team successfully landed on the West Bank and sent us a
telegraph?"
"Yes, that's exactly it." Sidorin nodded and said in a positive tone: "When they were bombarded by the Germans, their boat was overturned by the water column generated by the explosion, and then everyone fell into it.
In the water, half of the people grabbed the capsized boat and floated down the current. After floating for about an hour, they reached a shoal, where they gathered everyone together, and then capsized the boat.
Come here and continue rowing to the other side."
When Sokov heard this, he didn't even bother to put on his boots. He rushed to the table and looked at the map on the table. He pointed with his hand at the lower reaches of the East and West Oder River and said: "According to their
In other words, their current location is far away from our planned reconnaissance area, right?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sidorin nodded and said: "If they still go according to the original plan, they must go back along the river bank and rush to the designated area to conduct reconnaissance of the German troops there.
"
"Forget it, let them stay at the landing site for reconnaissance first." Sokov felt that it would be dawn soon. Walking along the bare riverside, it would be easy for the Germans to spot him. For the sake of safety, it was better to stay at the existing location first.
Conduct reconnaissance in the area. Wait until dark before conducting reconnaissance at the originally scheduled location: "Wait until dark, then find a suitable time to go up the river and conduct reconnaissance in the area we designated for them."
"I understand." Sidorin nodded vigorously and said, "I will inform them right away and let them conduct reconnaissance near the landing site first."
After dawn, Sokov received another call from Rokossovsky: "Misha, I have asked the Air Force to send reconnaissance planes to the west bank of the West Oder River to conduct reconnaissance of the German defense deployment. But I
Again, the efficiency of air force reconnaissance is indeed very high, but the targets they detect still need ground reconnaissance for final confirmation, so as not to be confused by the enemy's disguise. Before the friendly forces on your left and right wings arrive, I still
I hope you can send out a reconnaissance team to try again to see if there is a chance to successfully cross the river?"
"Comrade Marshal, there is something I am preparing to report to you." Sokov waited for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, and then immediately continued: "Among the five reconnaissance teams we sent last night, that one was identified as
The missing group has now successfully landed on the West Bank and is conducting detailed reconnaissance of the German troop deployment and equipment near the landing site in accordance with my orders."
When he learned that one of the reconnaissance teams sent by Sokov successfully landed, Rokossovsky couldn't help but be overjoyed: "Misha, is this true?" Before Sokov could answer, he continued: "
It seems that you are very lucky. Even when being shelled by the Germans, a reconnaissance team was able to successfully land ashore. After the Air Force submits the reconnaissance report, I will send a copy to you, and then let your reconnaissance team carry out the reconnaissance report.
Verify and see if there is any discrepancy between the Air Force’s reconnaissance and the actual situation.”
"Comrade Marshal, you can rest assured of this." Sokov replied without hesitation: "After receiving the air force reconnaissance report from you, my reconnaissance team will immediately go to the area to collect the reconnaissance information of the air force brothers.
Check to make sure you are not fooled by the false pretenses of the Germans."
"Very good, very good." Rokossovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's answer. After saying "very good" twice in a row, he finally said: "I'm waiting for your good news."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said to Sidorin after hanging up the phone: "After Comrade Marshal sends the reconnaissance information of the Air Force, you immediately arrange for the Director of the Reconnaissance Division to send it to the scouts ahead and let them sneak into the Air Force.
In the reconnaissance area, continue to carefully verify the detected intelligence to avoid falling into a trap by the Germans."
"No problem." Sidorin nodded and said, "Our scouts all have rich reconnaissance experience. No matter how clever the German army's disguise is, they can still see through it."