During the transfer process, the German armored forces were attacked by the Soviet Air Force. The news soon reached Mamayev Heights. After Chuikov read the telegram sent by Rokossovsky, he originally wanted to hand it directly to Solskjaer.
But when he saw Yereomenko and Khrushchev sitting aside, he thought that although they were no longer his immediate superiors, they still needed the necessary respect, so he handed the telegram to them.
While the two of them were reading the telegram, he said to Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, the moving German armored forces were violently attacked by our air force and suffered considerable losses. When do you plan to attack the enemy?"
The enemy from the front launches an attack to regain the lost position?"
The reason why Sokov did not let the troops launch an attack, but continued to launch leaflets, was firstly to worry about the German armored forces, and secondly to undermine the morale of the defenders. Now the German armored forces were being blown up by Soviet bombers, making them howl like ghosts.
, then there is nothing to worry about launching an attack on the lost position.
Sokov said to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, get in touch with the commanders of each regiment immediately. I want to issue combat orders to them."
Five minutes later, Sidorin reported to Sokov: "Comrade division commander, the commanders of each regiment are at the walkie-talkie, waiting for your combat orders."
Sokov walked to the walkie-talkie, picked up the transmitter and earphones, and when he was about to speak, he suddenly saw Yeremenko and others sitting next to him, and stopped what he was doing. Yeremenko and He
The two of them were now spectators, and they could ignore them. But Chuikov was his immediate superior, and it seemed inappropriate to give orders to the forward troops before getting his permission. So Sokov hesitated and asked Chuikov
: "Comrade Commander, why don't you come and issue combat orders to the troops."
Unexpectedly, Chuikov waved his hand after hearing this and said: "It is your troops who want to attack the enemy. It is more appropriate for you to issue this order."
Since Chuikov was unwilling to leapfrog the command, Sokov wanted it in his heart. He quickly raised the microphone to his mouth and said loudly: "Attention, commanders of all regiments, I am Sokov."
After hearing the voices of the commanders of each regiment coming from the earphones, he continued: "I order that each regiment immediately launch an attack on the enemy occupying our forward position under the cover of the tank battalion, and must start from the enemy's
Hands, take back the position that belongs to us."
After hearing the resounding answers from the commanders of each regiment, Sokov returned the microphone and earphones to the operator. After returning to the table, he straightened up and said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, I
I have another request that I hope you can convey to your superiors."
"Do you have a request to convey to your superiors?" When Chuikov heard what Sokov said, he couldn't help but hesitated for a moment and asked: "What is your request? Can you tell me?"
"Comrade Commander, I feel that our division should immediately stop its offensive operations against the German army after regaining its lost position." Sokov said: "Not only is our division unable to attack the enemy for the time being, but at the same time, the troops that were originally planned to join us will
, also ask them to slow down their advance and try to postpone the time of rendezvous."
As soon as Sokov's words came out, everyone present was stunned. After a while, Yeremenko asked in confusion: "Colonel Sokov, I want to ask, why do you do this? Don't you?
Do you know that the earlier we join forces with friendly forces, the earlier we can destroy the besieged enemy?"
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, please listen to my explanation." Although Yereomenko no longer holds the position of Commander of the Front Army, Sokov still used the honorific title for him: "At present, our army's strength in the city is still too weak.
If they forcibly join forces with the friendly forces coming from the west and cut the enemy's defense area into two pieces, the enemy, unwilling to be wiped out, will definitely mount a frantic resistance. If they concentrate all their troops and continue to attack the defenders in the city, then the newly stabilized
The lower front line is in danger of being broken through by the enemy, and it will become very difficult to encircle and annihilate this enemy force."
Yeremenko could not refute Sokov's statement. It has been more than a month since the major counterattack on November 20. In addition to giving Sokov's guards the first opportunity before the counterattack,
Except for the 41st Division's four full infantry battalions and two tank battalions, not a single soldier entered the city. The recruitment of other troops under Chuikov's command relied entirely on those wounded soldiers who had recovered from their injuries and some who did not have much.
Militiamen, workers and residents with combat experience. With such a force, it would be difficult to hold the line of defense if they were violently attacked by the German army.
"Colonel Sokov," this time it was Chuikov who asked the question, "Tell me, what should we do?"
"Based on what I know about General Rokossovsky, he may be planning a new offensive in order to destroy the enemy faster and more thoroughly." Sokov replied: "In order to cooperate with his actions, we should still maintain
The current intensity of the attack has caused Paulus to feel that we pose no threat to them. In this way, we can seize the time to accumulate strength and finally give Paulus a severe blow at the critical moment.
"
"By the way, Colonel Sokov." After hearing Sokov's words, Chuikov did not express any opinion, but remembered an important thing: "I remember that you still have a battalion south of the city.
Residential area, right?”
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Although Sokov didn't know the purpose of Chuikov's question, he still answered truthfully: "Although their main activity area is in the residential area in the south of the city, if necessary, I plan to let them move toward the center of the city.
District movement, looking for opportunities to seize the central railway station occupied by the German army."
"With your small amount of troops, it will be very difficult for you to gain a foothold in the residential areas south of the city." Chuikov thought for a moment and said, "I think if necessary, we should bring this battalion back to strengthen Mamayev Hill.
Defend yourself."
"No, Comrade Commander." As soon as Chuikov finished speaking, Sokov blurted out: "We cannot let them withdraw."
Sokov's reaction startled Chuikov, and he asked in confusion: "Why?"
Naturally, Sokov would not tell Chuikov that soon Paulus would move his headquarters to the basement of the department store in the Central District. He would leave a force there just to capture Paulus himself.
It's useful. If you withdraw at this time, wouldn't all your previous efforts be wasted?
"Comrade Commander," in order to keep the Third Battalion at its current position so that it could be of great use in the future, Sokov could only open his eyes and tell lies: "My Third Battalion is operating in that area and can contain a considerable number of people.
The enemy. If they withdraw to Mamayev Heights, it will appear to strengthen the defense here, but in fact it will give the Germans no worries. In this way, they can concentrate their forces to attack our flanks, and then force them to
We have to mobilize more troops for defense."
Sokov's far-fetched explanation was actually believed by Yereomenko and others. He said to Chuikov: "Comrade Chuikov, although I am not your superior now and can no longer give you orders, but I feel that it is
What Colonel Koff said makes sense. In my opinion, his third battalion should remain where it is now."
After learning that his third battalion could remain at its current location, Sokov breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he could have troops operating near the department store, he might be able to capture Paulus alive in the future.
The German troops who occupied the forward positions were already panicked after seeing the leaflets launched by Sokov's troops. Then seeing that the armored units they relied on were withdrawn on a large scale, the soldiers became even more demoralized and
The morale of the soldiers was low. They saw the Soviet troops rushing towards their positions under the cover of tanks, and they fired aimlessly from a distance.
The distance was too far, and their shooting not only caused no casualties to the attacking Soviet infantry, but prematurely exposed their own firepower, allowing the tanks covering the infantry attack to stay several hundred meters away from the position, like target practice.
, calmly clearing these firepower points one by one, clearing obstacles for the attacking infantry.
The tank unit covering the attack of the 122nd Regiment on the right wing is the 1st Tank Battalion personally commanded by Colonel Bely. This battalion is equipped with the Soviet army's most advanced T-34/85 tanks and self-propelled artillery. It is very effective against the enemy's artillery positions and machine gun fire points.
Effective. They were the first to break through the German defense lines and rush into positions occupied by the enemy.
Seeing the infantry fighting for position with the enemy, Bely asked Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, your soldiers have already rushed into the position, and my tank battalion can't help much. I don't think so.
Go and reinforce the friendly forces on the left so that they can rush into the enemy's position as quickly as possible."
"Comrade Colonel," Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko replied with a smile: "Your military rank is higher than mine, so of course it is up to you to decide how to fight. Do you think it is necessary to send a company of soldiers to cooperate with your tank operations?
, to avoid encountering enemy anti-tank fighters?"
"No, no, no," Bely said, shaking his head: "Our tank soldiers are very experienced in dealing with enemy anti-tank fighters. Even without the cooperation of infantry, we can destroy those anti-tank fighters who try to blow up tanks."
The Germans never dreamed that as soon as their left wing was lost, Soviet tanks and self-propelled artillery rumbled over. If their armored forces were still there, these twenty or so tanks and self-propelled artillery were simply seeking death.
Road. But without armored troops and only a small number of anti-tank guns, it is impossible to block attacks from the north and east at the same time.
Therefore, the German resistance only lasted for more than ten minutes before it collapsed. Most of the German troops saw that the situation was not good, abandoned their positions and fled to the west, leaving only a few wounded soldiers with limited mobility in the fortifications. As soon as the Soviet infantry rushed into the position,
The wounded immediately stopped resisting and surrendered to the Soviet army with their hands raised.
In this way, in less than an hour, the three Guards regiments successfully regained the forward positions occupied by the Germans. While the commanders of each regiment ordered people to repair the fortifications, rescue the wounded, and evacuate the prisoners, they also called for help.
Cove reports on the results achieved.
"Comrade Commander," after hearing the battle reports coming from the three regiments one after another, Sokov's heart dropped. Chuikov would be very satisfied with such a clean capture of the enemy-occupied positions. "We will."
The division has successfully regained its lost positions."
After Chuikov saw the battle report, he nodded slightly and said: "Well done, Colonel Sokov. But don't be proud. You know, the enemy is cunning. Although they were driven out of their position by us, they will never give in.
If you fail, it is very likely that we will attack your position again. This time, you must hold on, do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Since there is no armored force that gives him a headache, Sokov has nothing to worry about. He assured Chuikov: "We will definitely hold our position and will never hand it over to the enemy again.
."
"It's getting late, I should go back to the headquarters." Chuikov raised his hand and looked at his watch. He felt that it was almost time to return to his headquarters, so he casually asked Yereomenko and Hru who were sitting next to them drinking tea.
Xiaofu: "Two chiefs, are you willing to come to my headquarters and have a look?"
"Of course I want to go." Khrushchev replied first: "Since our front headquarters was moved to the left bank, this is the first time we have met. I must go to your headquarters to see what kind of situation you are in.
, commanded the troops to defend this city named after the supreme commander himself."
After sending away Yeremenko, Khrushchev and Chuikov, Sokov slumped in his seat and thought to himself: Thank God, they have finally been sent away. These big shots stay here, and their own psychology
The burden is too heavy. If anything happens to them, their small shoulders cannot bear such a big responsibility.
"Comrade Commander, I have a question for you." Seeing that Yeremenko and other important figures had left, Ivanov asked the question in his heart: "We are all our own people here. I hope you can understand me."
be honest."
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, do you have any questions?" Sokov was curious about what Ivanov wanted to ask, so he nodded: "Just ask."
"Why don't you ask the third battalion to withdraw?" Ivanov asked with a serious expression: "I know it is definitely not the reason you told the commander. What is the reason? I hope you can tell the truth to me."
Seeing that his little plan was noticed by Ivanov, Sokov smiled sheepishly and said, "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, do you really want to know?"
"Yes, I want to know." Ivanov nodded and turned his attention to Sidorin and Anisimov: "I think you also want to know the answer."
"Yes, we also want to know the answer." Anisimov nodded in agreement and said, "I hope you can tell us the real answer."
"Well, since you all want to know, I will tell you." In order to prevent the news from leaking, Sokov also warned the three of them: "But this matter is only known to the four of us, and we must not let others know.
Understand?"
"Don't worry," Comrade Commander." Ivanov expressed his position on behalf of everyone: "We will keep it secret, so please tell us quickly."
"Look at the map." Sokov stood up, pointed at the map in front of him, and said to the three of them: "As the encirclement shrinks, the enemy will definitely shrink into the city, and Paulus' headquarters will also shrink.
It will be moved to the city. Tell me, where will he locate his headquarters?"
"It's hard to say." Sidorin shook his head and said with a blank look on his face: "The city is so big. It's hard to say where Paulus will locate his headquarters."
