Khrushchev did not let Sokov wear the medal, but asked directly: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, do you know why we called you here?"
Sokov was not a tapeworm in Khrushchev's belly. He could not guess why the other party called him here, so he shook his head and replied truthfully: "I'm sorry, Comrade Military Commissar, I don't know."
"Here!" Khrushchev took off a lamp hanging on the pillar, came to the wall, pointed at the map on the wall, and said to Sokov: "Just as you were crossing the river, the Germans were attacking Austria.
A fierce attack was launched on the unknown heights north of Erlovka."
"Unnamed heights?" When Sokov heard what Khrushchev said, he was stunned at first, then shocked, and then asked tentatively: "Comrade Military Commissar, you mean the one I occupied when I led my troops to break through.
German position."
"Yes, that's right there." Khrushchev nodded and continued to introduce Sokov: "Last night, we received a telegram from General Rokossovsky and learned that you were breaking out of the encirclement.
, and occupied an important stronghold north of Orlovka. If the troops of the two fronts moved there at the same time, it would be possible to achieve a rendezvous. After consulting the Supreme Command, the commander gave Chuikov a new order.
The combat order asked him to immediately send troops to Orlovka to prepare to join the friendly forces heading south."
When Sokov heard this, he was still confused. He felt that since the position had been handed over to friendly forces, what would happen next had nothing to do with him. His first priority at the moment was to lead his troops back to the city to strengthen it.
The defense force of Mamayev Hill was used to prevent it from being occupied by German troops.
Khrushchev did not notice Sokov's absent-mindedness, but continued: "Chuikov gathered his troops and attacked in the direction of Orlovka; while Rokossovsky also took advantage of the night to attack the unknown heights.
A large number of troops were mobilized in this direction. The enemy noticed our actions and immediately sent people to contact the troops stationed on the unknown heights. Only to find that the place had long been lost, so they mobilized heavy troops to Orlovka overnight, and after dawn, they attacked
The unknown highlands launched an attack."
From Khrushchev's narration, Sokov finally understood what happened. When he led his troops to leave the unknown highlands, he knew that sooner or later the enemy would find that his position had changed hands. He did not expect that it would be exposed so soon. He
After Khrushchev finished speaking, he cautiously asked: "Comrade Military Commissar, are the positions still in our hands now?"
"Yes, the commanders and fighters of the Don Front are still holding on to their positions." Yeremenko, who was standing aside, interjected: "In order to prevent us from joining forces with friendly forces, Paulus dispatched a large number of tanks and aircraft in an attempt to recapture Wuming.
High ground. In just one hour, thousands of artillery shells and aircraft bombs fell on the unknown high ground, turning up the soil on the entire position. The enemy thought that our defenders had been hit by their artillery shells and aircraft bombs.
After the bombs were eliminated, tanks opened the way and guided the infantry towards our position."
Although Yeremenko had told Sokov that the position was still in the hands of friendly forces, when he heard this, the thought that the unknown heights had been lost still flashed in his mind. He waited for Yeremenko to finish speaking before asking.
Said: "Comrade Commander, the casualties of the 298th Division must be quite large."
Yeremenko nodded and said with a painful expression: "The 298th Division repelled two German charges in a row, but their casualties exceeded half. Even the division commander Vasilyev was injured."
"Ah, General Vasilyev is injured?" Sokov heard that the commander he knew was injured, and quickly asked with concern: "Is his injury serious?"
"I didn't ask about this in detail." As the commander of the front army, Yeremenko naturally would not care about the injury of an ordinary division commander. He shook his head and continued: "But I didn't hear what Rokossovsky said.
If the commander of the division is to be replaced, he will probably still be able to stay on the battlefield and command the battle."
Sokov secretly murmured in his heart that it was only a matter of time before the Germans launched an attack on the unknown highlands. Since he had handed over the position to friendly forces, even if the fighting was in full swing, what did it have to do with him?
With this question in mind, he asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander, I wonder if you have informed me to come to the headquarters. Do you have any instructions?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, let me explain it to you." Seeing Sokov asking this question again, Khrushchev took the initiative and said: "Based on the German military messages we intercepted and the information fed back by the scouts,
We came to the conclusion that the German army had transferred its troops to the north that were originally intended to attack the Dzerzhinsky workers."
The German army was about to concentrate its superior forces to storm the Dzerzhinsky factory. Sokov knew a little bit about the inside story. He was still worried about what Chuikov would do if he saw that the 37th Guards Division standing there could not withstand the German attack.
He would not let himself be a firefighter and lead troops to reinforce. At this moment, when I heard Khrushchev said that the enemy's troops would be transferred northward, an expression of surprise immediately appeared on his face: "Comrade Military Commissar, if the enemy's troops are really transferred northward,
Doesn't it mean that the number of enemies in the factory area will be reduced, and the pressure on our troops will be greatly reduced?"
"You are right, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov." Yeremenko said with a smile: "The enemy's forces moved northward, and the strength they used to attack several factory areas was weakened. We considered that we could use this
Give the Germans another chance to counterattack."
"What, we still need to fight back?" Sokov was so surprised when he heard Yereomenko say this that his jaw almost dropped to the ground. He thought to himself that the scars were so healed that he forgot about the pain. The counterattack he had carried out a few days ago was so shocking
He was beaten to a pulp by the Germans, and before he could take a breath, he couldn't wait to launch a new counterattack. He immediately realized that Yereomenko and the others would definitely have something to do with this new counterattack by allowing him to come here.
Sokov's guess was soon confirmed. Khrushchev put a hand on his shoulder and said kindly: "Misha, after repeated research, we feel that if we want to
The most suitable place to launch another counterattack against the Germans is the area around the Mamayev Hills and the Red October Factory where your infantry brigade is holding fast."
Knowing that his superiors were indeed preparing to launch a counterattack against the Germans in the area under his responsibility, Sokov felt his scalp numb and thought that without air support or tank cover, he would just rely on his own troops.
If thousands of infantrymen wanted to counterattack the German army, it would be like hitting a stone with an egg.
After Khrushchev finished speaking, seeing that Sokov had not expressed his position for a long time, he smiled and asked: "How about it, Misha, do you have confidence in this counterattack? I think if your father is still alive, he will definitely be able to
Complete all tasks assigned by superiors satisfactorily."
Sokov was planning to put forward an objection plan, telling Khrushchev that they did not yet have the conditions for a counterattack. Unexpectedly, he heard that the other party had carried out his "father" whom he had never met, in order not to give his "father"
"Father" was so embarrassed that when the words came to his lips, he could only swallow them.
He coughed lightly and said euphemistically: "Comrade Military Commissar, to launch such a counterattack, we need at least tens of thousands of troops, and we also need the cooperation of artillery, tanks and air force. But now, I only have two men."
Three thousand people, and there is no cooperation from the air force and tanks..."
"Don't worry, Misha. We won't let you fight alone." Khrushchev comforted Sokov: "After being replenished, Colonel Gurdiev's 308th Infantry Division will join forces with Lyudnik
Colonel Husband's 138th Infantry Division will enter the city together to participate in your counterattack. Moreover, the troops attacking from the direction of the Red October Factory will be supported by tanks."
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov asked respectfully after Khrushchev finished speaking: "Since there are several troops involved in this counterattack, who do you plan to put in command?"
Khrushchev pointed at Sokov and said: "No matter what, that is your territory. Before the German army attacked Stalingrad, your troops have been stationed there, and you are most familiar with the terrain. So this
I think it is most appropriate for you to direct this counterattack."
Seeing that Khrushchev had indeed entrusted him with such an important task, Sokov said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Military Commissar, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for me to command the troops. The other commanders of the troops participating in the war are all colonels, and
I am just a lieutenant colonel, and I am asked to command a group of commanders with higher military ranks than myself. I have no experience in this area."
"Don't think I don't know what's inappropriate. Several of your commanders have the rank of colonel." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Khrushchev exposed his lie:
"Since you think your military rank is too low, let's adjust it for you."
When Khrushchev said this, he winked at Yeremenko who returned to the table. The latter nodded after seeing it and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, since you are fighting against the invaders of Faxi Temple.
In the battle, you have shown bravery and heroism, as well as achieved great results. In addition to awarding you the Order of the Red Banner, you will be officially promoted to the rank of colonel."
Unexpectedly, Sokov had just received the Order of the Red Banner, and before it was warm in his arms, he would be promoted to colonel. Things happened so fast that he felt as if he was in a dream.
Seeing Sokov standing there in a daze like a goose after hearing the news of his promotion to the military rank, Khrushchev and Yeremenko looked at each other and smiled, then stretched out their hands to him and said sincerely: "
Misha, I congratulate you on obtaining a higher military rank."
Khrushchev's words made Sokov wake up from his shock. He quickly held the other person's hand and said excitedly: "Thank you, thank you, Comrade Military Commissar."
This chapter has been completed!