Sokov was originally going to severely criticize Sidorin, but when he saw Vitkov taking the initiative to take responsibility, he couldn't say anything else. In any case, the other party was the deputy chief of staff of the group army, and now he was the infantry brigade.
The acting deputy brigade commander, during the period when he was not at Mamayev Heights, adjusted his deployment according to the specific situation, which is understandable.
He waved his hand at Vitkov and said feebly: "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, I have not been here at Mamayev Heights for a while. You are responsible for the defense here. How to adjust the deployment is your responsibility. This matter
That’s it for now.”
"What about the ammunition situation?" Sokov then asked.
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Sidorin said with a grimace: "You know that our brigade is equipped with almost all German-style equipment. Whether it is an MG34 general-purpose machine gun or a submachine gun, they are all big eaters of bullets. Even in a small-scale battle,
After a battle, it is common to consume tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition."
Hearing this, Sokov couldn't help but widen his eyes and asked in surprise: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't want to tell me that our ammunition is almost exhausted, do you?"
"It can be said." The person who answered this time was Vitkov. "As long as the Germans launch another attack after dawn, our people will have to fight with them with bayonets." But he quickly added:
"Fortunately, the enemies in front of us have been transferred away, which buys us more time."
"Comrade Deputy Brigadier, you are too optimistic." Sokov saw the transportation situation on the Volga River with his own eyes this time. He did not think that the rear would bring him the ammunition for the German weapons he needed. "At the moment,
Under such circumstances, except for the ammunition we used, which was captured from the Germans, there was no way we could get even a single bullet from the rear to replenish it."
"So," Vitkov suddenly turned bitter after hearing what Sokov said: "It is really possible for us to compete with the Germans on bayonets."
"If we cannot get replenishment of German ammunition, fighting the enemy with bayonets is our only option." Sokov considered that most of the commanders and fighters in the army are equipped with submachine guns. If they run out of bullets, there is nothing we can do.
Fighting with the enemy with bayonets, he ordered Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, after the meeting is over, you immediately take the battalion commanders to get the Mosin Nagant rifles from the warehouse so that they can be ready to fight with the enemy with bayonets."
"
Hearing Sokov's arrangement, Sidorin still felt very heavy. From the establishment of the infantry brigade to the present, it has always been focused on destroying the enemy with powerful firepower. Unexpectedly, it has now been reduced to fighting the enemy with bayonets.
But he knew in his heart that there was nothing he could do about it, so he nodded silently to show that he understood.
"In view of the weak strength of the defenders of Mamayev Hill and the serious shortage of ammunition." Sokov continued: "I plan to transfer 800 people from the Marine Corps Battalion to supplement the 192nd Battalion in the North Hill and the 2nd Battalion in the South Hill.
.The remaining troops and the first battalion and the guard battalion were organized into brigade reserves and went into battle when the situation was most critical."
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Sidorin heard that Sokov didn't mention the third and fourth battalions and thought he had forgotten them. He quickly reminded him: "We still have the third and fourth battalions, so we won't add troops to them.
?"
"The Third Battalion currently has sufficient troops, and the fighting in the urban direction is not too fierce, so we can temporarily not consider replenishing them." Sokov explained: "As for the Fourth Battalion stationed at the Red October Factory, in addition to being able to
In addition to the cooperation of the factory workers and mixed regiments, there are also ten tanks as fixed turrets, so there is no need to supplement them."
Sokov finally emphasized: "Defending Mamayev Heights is our top priority. As long as the Germans are not allowed to occupy this place, they will not be able to control the crossing on the Volga River and split our defense line..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw someone coming in from outside. After seeing clearly that it was Goliya, the commander of the 192nd Battalion, Sokov pointed to the empty seat next to him and said to him: "Comrade Captain,
You take a seat first, and we will have a meeting when everyone comes."
Golya agreed, but did not sit down immediately. Instead, he reported to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, I sent someone to observe the situation on the river at the top of the hill, and found that there are more troops crossing the river."
Sokov guessed that Bely and the others must have begun to cross the river, and quickly asked: "What is the situation of the enemy? Has their crossing operation been discovered?" He was worried that Bely and his group's crossing operation would also be hidden near the river bank.
The German agents discovered that if they were hit by another shell, there would be many casualties.
Fortunately, Golia shook his head and replied: "It's very quiet on the river bank, there is no movement at all. I personally went to the top of the hill to see it, and I can see people patrolling on the bank. If the German agents did not get close to the river, they would
It is impossible to guide their artillery in the direction of bombardment."
"That's good, that's great." Sokov said sincerely that as long as Bely and the others were not bombarded by the enemy when they crossed the river, more effective forces would be able to enter the city to strengthen the defense of Mamaev Hill.
"Since we have limited boats that can be used to cross the river, Colonel Bely and the others may need to make two more trips to cross the river."
"Do we need to send someone to pick them up?" Witkov asked tentatively after Sokov finished speaking: "It's dark outside, so don't misunderstand the defenders on the shore."
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Brigadier." Sokov waved his hand to Vitkov and said: "Before I came here, I left Second Lieutenant Samoilov and his guard platoon on the shore. They are here.
, you don’t have to worry about Colonel Bely and the others not being able to find their way or having misunderstandings with friendly forces after they land ashore.”
Seeing that Sokov had arranged everything, Vitkov said nothing more. Instead, Belkin, who had remained silent, spoke: "Comrade Brigadier, Dmitry, Director of the Brigade Political Department, told me yesterday.
I think I need to talk to you about something."
As soon as Belkin's words came out, he immediately attracted everyone's attention. Seeing everyone casting curious glances at Sokov, Belkin quickly coughed heavily and defended: "This matter has nothing to do with tonight's combat meeting."
It has nothing to do with it, it’s Comrade Brigade Commander’s private matter.”
"My private affairs?" Belkin's words confused Sokov. He looked at the other party and asked in confusion: "Comrade Political Commissar, what on earth is going on?"
"It's like this. Didn't we arrange for Asiya to go to the Red October Factory some time ago?" Belkin quickly explained: "The purpose of our sending her at that time was firstly to let her take care of the wounded, and secondly to let her
Go take care of your life. Who knows that after she went there, because of the fierce fighting there, a steady stream of wounded people were sent to the basement every day, making her so busy that she didn't even have time to rest..."
"Comrade Political Commissar, please stop talking." Sokov understood that Belkin wanted to tell him about Asya, and quickly raised his hand to stop him: "Since Asya is a health worker in the brigade, she is the one to take care of the wounded.
Comrade political commissar, you don’t have to feel guilty about this.”
"You misunderstood me." Belkin waved his hand and continued: "What I want to tell you is not about taking care of the wounded, but that her recent mental state is very bad."
"Not in a good mental state?" When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but frowned and asked strangely: "Why is this happening? Did something happen?"
Belkin looked at Sokov and nodded vigorously, and said in a positive tone: "Yes, when she heard that the troops you led were cut off by the Germans in the Orlovka area, she immediately fainted
.Although he was revived later, his mental state was in a trance. After examination, the factory doctor in the factory said that it was a mental illness and there was no effective drug treatment."
At this point, Belkin suddenly raised his voice: "Now, Comrade Brigade Commander, you have returned to Mamayev Heights again. I believe Asiya's mental state will return to normal as long as she sees you.
of."
When Belgin introduced the situation, Sokov kept scolding himself in his mind for being so preoccupied with the war that he actually forgot about Asya. In order to keep it secret, he even told Chuikov about the breakout from Orlovka to the north.
No one reported it, let alone anyone else. So much so that he returned to Mamayev Heights, and no one at the brigade headquarters knew exactly where he was.
"This is all my fault." Sokov said with some shame: "I immediately arranged for people to bring Asiya back."
"When Second Lieutenant Maxim called just now, I asked him to inform Briski that when he comes to Mamayev Heights for a meeting, remember to bring Asya with him." Belkin said to Sokov in a serious voice: "
After Asiya comes back, don't let her leave again. With you by her side, her mental state will soon return to normal."
"Comrade Comrade Political Commissar, you are right." Regarding Belkin's proposal, Sokov was in full agreement with him. He secretly made up his mind that no matter what happened in the future, he would let Asiya stay in Mamaye.
We can no longer let her run around in Mamayev Heights. "I will let Asiya stay in the health team in Mamayev Heights from now on, and I will not let her go anywhere."
"That's right." Regarding Sokov's statement, Belkin nodded with satisfaction. When he was about to say something more, the phone on the table rang without warning.
Sidorin picked up the phone and listened for a moment, then handed it directly to Sokov and said: "Comrade Brigadier, this is Commander Chuikov's phone number."
"Hello, Comrade Commander!" Sokov took the phone, put it to his ear, and asked respectfully: "Do you have any instructions?"
"Sokov, I heard that you have returned to Mamayev Heights, so I called to confirm." Chuikov said on the phone: "When are you free? Come to my headquarters immediately!"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander. I can't go to your place right now." If Belgin hadn't mentioned Asya's matter, maybe Sokov would have agreed to Chuikov and rushed to the headquarters to see him immediately. As for the combat meeting,
It wouldn't be too late to wait until he came back from the headquarters. But now he was eager to see Asiya, so he said tactfully: "I just returned to Mamayev Heights and I want to convene a meeting with the battalion commanders to discuss it again."
Arrange the defense here. After all this is done, I will go to your place, okay?"
"Okay." Hearing that Sokov seemed to have a lot of things waiting to be dealt with, Chuikov couldn't force him. He could only sigh and said helplessly: "Then after you have finished dealing with your matters, rush to the headquarters immediately.
Come."
"Understood, Comrade Commander."
Just when Sokov was about to put down the microphone, he suddenly heard Chuikov say again: "By the way, Comrade Sokov, there is something I almost forgot. Congratulations on winning the Order of the Red Banner and a higher military rank."
"Thank you, thank you!"
When Sokov put down the phone, he found that everyone in the room looked at him strangely, and asked in confusion: "What are you looking at me for?"
"Comrade Brigade Commander, you are really well hidden." Vitkov, who was sitting next to him, first stretched out his hand to him and said with a smile: "If the commander hadn't called you, we wouldn't have known about you.
You have been awarded the Order of the Red Banner and promoted to military rank. Please accept my sincere congratulations to you."
After hearing what Vitkov said, Sokov remembered that the phone was leaking sound. Every time he called, the people sitting next to him could almost understand the content of the call. While shaking hands with Vitkov, he said sheepishly:
"I haven't had time to tell you yet. Unexpectedly, the call from Comrade Commander came first..."
After Sokov shook hands with everyone who congratulated him, Vitkov asked again: "Comrade Brigadier, since the commander asked you to go to the headquarters, when do you plan to go?"
Naturally, Sokov would not tell the other party that he planned to go to the army headquarters after meeting Asiya. Instead, he put on a serious look and said: "I just returned to Mamayev Heights.
Meet with my subordinates, understand the situation of each battalion, and redeploy defense matters. After doing all this, it will not be too late for me to go to the headquarters."
Vitkov had read countless people, and there was no way to tell that Sokov’s words were untrue. However, he did not expose him. Instead, he was very cooperative and said: “That’s right, Comrade Brigade Commander, you leave Mamayev Hill.”
It’s been a long time, the situation here has changed a lot, and many of the original deployments do need to be adjusted.”
After another half an hour, someone came in and reported to Sokov, saying: "Comrade Brigade Commander, Colonel Bely is here!"
Hearing that Bely was coming, Sokov felt inexplicably relieved. Since the other party appeared, it proved that he did not encounter any danger when crossing the river. Sokov stood up and was about to walk out, when Bely
Already stepped through the door first.
"Colonel Bely, you are here!" Sokov walked towards Bely with a smile on his face and asked at the same time: "When you were crossing the river, you didn't encounter enemy shelling, right?"
"No." Belei shook his head and said: "With your deployment on the shore, the enemy's agents have no way to send signals, so we can cross the river smoothly." At this point, Belei suddenly lowered his voice and said
Sokov said, "Misha, I have a surprise for you."
"Surprise?!" Sokov asked in confusion: "Colonel Bely, what surprise are you talking about?!"
Belei smiled and said nothing, but turned his body to one side to reveal a person who was originally blocked behind him. After Sokov saw the person clearly, his smile suddenly froze on his face. He stared at the person for a long time.
Then he said with some difficulty: "Asia, it's you! Why are you here?"
This chapter has been completed!