Since Rotmistrov's position was higher than his own, Sokov gave up his headquarters after discussing with him the division of troops and defense, and prepared to move the new headquarters to the west of the city.
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The motorcade suddenly slowed down halfway through the journey, and after a while, it actually stopped on the side of the road. When Sokov saw the car stopped, he frowned and asked the driver: "Comrade driver, why did you stop?"
"Comrade Brigadier!" The driver holding the steering wheel turned and said, "There are troops coming in front and blocking the road."
Sokov looked out the car window and saw a large group of people coming towards him. There were soldiers lined up or in groups on the streets and sidewalks. There were also many three-wheeled motorcycles and armored vehicles in the queue.
"Comrade Brigadier," Belkin said, "the troops coming from the other side should be General Rotmistrov's troops."
Looking at the mud-covered soldiers and the mud-covered three-wheeled motorcycles and armored vehicles whose numbers were unclear, Sokov could imagine how arduous their long-distance march was. Hearing his farewell
Erjin's question, he nodded slowly and said: "Yes, it should be the mechanized brigade under the Tank Corps."
"You see, Comrade Brigade Commander, the soldiers all look very tired." Belkin said with some worry: "After taking over the defense of the third battalion, can they block the enemy's attack?"
"Don't worry, comrade political commissar, General Rotmistrov's troops in Kursk will definitely deal a devastating blow to the Germans, defeat the enemy and drive them far away from the city."
Watching the long team passing by his motorcade, they dispersed into alleys and headed towards the east of the city. Sokov said to Belkin: "Wait for General Rotmistrov.
After the troops took over the defense in the east of the city, Andre's troops were transferred back. Their battalion suffered a lot of casualties in the two days of fighting. Let them rest for a few days before participating in the next battle."
The new headquarters was located in a school in the west of the city. While the communications troops were laying telephone lines indoors and outdoors, Sokov called the guard company commander Seryosha over and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant, from now on, this is
Our headquarters is here. Since it is only two kilometers away from the position outside the city, you must strengthen the defense here. In addition to building sandbag fortifications equipped with machine guns at the school gate and the entrance to the teaching building, you must also build machine guns on the roof of the building.
Position, when the enemy rushes to the vicinity of the school, you can shoot from a high position."
"Understood, Comrade Brigadier." Seryozha replied respectfully: "I will immediately arrange manpower to build fortifications."
As soon as Seryosha left, Second Battalion Commander Vasily came with his company commander Grisa. Seeing the two men arriving, Sokov asked curiously: "Captain Vasily, what's the matter?"
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"Comrade Brigadier, it's like this. There is something wrong with the defense area that Lieutenant Grisa is responsible for, and he is here to report to you." When Vasily spoke, he turned his eyes to Grisa who was standing behind him:
"Let him report the specific situation to you."
Sokov remembered the defensive position of Grisa Company in the south of the city. When he heard that there was a problem, he couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Lieutenant Grisa, what's the problem?"
"This morning, some of the trenches on our position were flooded." Grisa replied: "After I learned the news, I immediately organized people to start draining water. Unexpectedly, after a few hours, the water level not only did not drop, but actually
The water has risen, and so far, all the trenches on my position have been flooded."
"What, all the trenches are flooded?" Grisa's words confused Sokov: "It hasn't rained in the past few days, where did the water come from? Could it be that when you reinforced the fortifications, there were soldiers who didn't
Did you carefully dig into the underground river, causing the fortification to be flooded?"
"No, Comrade Brigadier, it's not an underground river." Grisa shook his head quickly and said, "I took people to check carefully and found that someone opened the gate on the Tenebra River, causing water to pour in.
our trenches."
"So, there are saboteurs who are causing sabotage!" Sokov frowned and asked, "Have you closed the gate?"
"No, the gate has been damaged. It may take two or three days to be completely repaired." Grisa replied with a red face: "I have sent people to search nearby to see if any suspicious people can be found."
Sokov knew very well in his heart that this so-called search had no effect at all. Several hours had passed, and those saboteurs were still standing there stupidly, waiting for you to catch them? He was not involved in this matter.
Instead of getting entangled, he continued to ask: "How high is the water level in the trench now?"
"The water level in most trenches only reaches the ankles. In some low-lying places, the water level reaches the waist." Grisa continued: "I have organized the soldiers to drain water, and I believe the water level will drop soon.
Go down."
After Sokov waited for Grisa to finish speaking, he asked calmly: "What tools do you use to drain water?"
"Buckets, wash basins, lunch boxes, and even all utensils including military pots are used." When Grisa said this, a troubled expression suddenly appeared on his face: "Comrade Commander, you know, although now
It's summer, but the water in the Tenebra River is still biting. I'm worried that the health of the soldiers may be affected if they stay in the water for a long time."
If Sokov first arrived in Russia, he would definitely think Grisa's statement was ridiculous. After all, it is summer. No matter how cold the river water is, it will turn into water vapor when exposed to the sun. The soldiers in the trenches should
It's okay to feel hot, why would you feel cold? But Sokov, who has lived in Russia for so many years, naturally has common sense in this area of life. He knows that even in summer, the temperature of the river is still biting. It may be better during the day.
When the temperature drops at night, those soldiers soaking in the water may suffer from frostbite.
In order to solve the problem of water accumulation in the trenches as soon as possible, Sokov looked at Vasily and asked: "Captain Vasily, if I am not mistaken, you should be able to find a water pump in the warehouse you occupied, right?"
"Yes, Comrade Brigadier, there are indeed many water pumps in the warehouse." Vasily said with some embarrassment: "But without power, these water pumps cannot be used."
Sokov resisted the urge to beat someone and said to Vasily: "Captain Vasily, there is a machinery factory in the west of the city, and there should be many electricians in the factory. Let them lead two power supply lines to the position, I think it should be
No problem."
Hearing what Sokov said, Vasily was stunned for a moment, then raised his hand and slapped himself hard on the forehead, and said angrily: "Damn it, why didn't I think of finding an electrician?" After that, he
He stood up at attention, stopped and said to Sokov, "Comrade Brigade Commander, do you allow me to leave? I need to return to the warehouse immediately to prepare a water pump for drainage for the first company."
"Permission to leave." Sokov nodded to Vasily, then faced Grisa and said: "Comrade Lieutenant, since saboteurs have appeared in your defense area, you need to provide vigilance to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Do you understand?
?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Brigade Commander." Grisa assured Sokov: "I will send more manpower to strengthen patrols to avoid similar incidents from happening again."
This chapter has been completed!