Thinking of the upcoming attack, Sokov couldn't stay in the city for a minute. He declined the kindness of the chief of staff of the division and hurriedly left Sushinic with his subordinates.
Two hours later, he came to the offensive starting position not far from Popkovo and found his own troops. Seeing his return, Berkin asked curiously: "Comrade Battalion Commander, the division commander ordered you to arrive in Sushinic. Is there anything important?"
After hearing Sokov talk about the simple flag-raising ceremony, Belkin said with regret: "It's a pity, it's such a pity. I didn't even attend such a major ceremony. It's so regrettable."
"Don't worry, comrade deputy battalion commander, there will be such opportunities in the future." After comforting his deputy battalion commander, Sokov asked bluntly: "Have you figured out the terrain here?"
"Yes, Comrade Battalion Commander. The platoon leader of the reconnaissance lieutenant Christopher personally led a few people to reconnaissance the surrounding terrain." Berkin pointed to a hand-drawn map on the table and said to Sokov: "Popkovo is located above the highlands. The Germans can block the main road leading to the villages and towns with firepower in the ring fortifications. However, we found two other paths, so they were covered with heavy snow and were unable to move. The German army did not have a tight defense there."
Sokov remembered that before heading to Suxinic, he had explained to Belkin that attacking from the front would inevitably lead to huge casualties. Therefore, the best way is to see if there are any paths around, so that you can quietly touch Popkovo from the path when the German army's attention was attracted by the frontal attack. Therefore, he asked specifically: "What measures have you taken?"
"In the northeast of Popkovo, there is a cemetery where the Germans did not deploy defensive forces in that direction. I have sent a company of Vanya to infiltrate the area." Berkin pointed to the west of Popkovo with his finger and continued: "Here, there is a trail that passes through the woods and can directly enter the villages and towns. I ordered Saviev's third company to enter Popkovo from this direction. Because I was worried that the enemy might have mines buried on this road, I assigned the engineer platoon to command the third company."
Sokov was very satisfied with Belkin's arrangement. He nodded vigorously and said, "No, no, comrade of the deputy battalion commander, although you are a political worker, you always say that you are an amateur in the military, but judging from your deployment today, I am still quite organized."
Hearing Sokov's praise for him, Berkin laughed twice, then said, "I've been with you for a long time, and I know a little bit about military affairs."
Just as the two were praising each other, a lieutenant ran in from outside, raised his hand to salute them, and said, "Two commanders, the division commander, please go to the division command center."
When they heard that the division commander had invited him, the two did not dare to neglect them. They hurriedly followed the lieutenant along the traffic trench to the division command of the 11th Division of the Guards. Sokov and Belkin walked to the red Cherneshov, raised their hands to salute him: "Comrade Commander, Istria Battalion Commander (Deputy Battalion Commander) Sokov (Berkin) reported to you!"
"Come here, two battalion commanders." Cherneshov greeted the two battalion commanders to the wall, pointed to the map hanging on it and said: "The attack we launched on Popkovo yesterday was not successful; today we will continue, and your battalion will be the leading force of the entire division, taking the lead in launching an attack in the villages and towns..."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov asked immediately after Cherneshov finished assigning the mission, "I wonder what kind of support our battalion will get when attacking?" The purpose of his question was to find out whether there was artillery support before attacking; whether there were tanks with charges during attacking.
"I'll introduce you," Cherneshov pointed to a colonel next to him and introduced to Sokov and others: "Col. Washock, the commander of the 146th Tank Brigade, the tanks of the Tank Brigade will accompany you when your battalion strikes the villages and towns. And before the attack, there are two artillery regiments that will carry out artillery preparations for half an hour on the enemy's positions."
Although there were tank brigades to assist in the war, Sokov didn't know what kind of tanks the other side had, so he asked a little nervously: "Comrade Colonel, can I ask, do your tank brigade have how many tanks there?"
Faced with Sokov's reckless question, Washock smiled and replied: "Don't worry, Major, our brigade has dozens of T-34 and KB tanks, which are fully qualified for your support mission."
When KB tank heard Vashok say this, Sokov couldn't help but lit up. Although this tank has poor mobility and high failure rate, it is thick in armor and resistant to beatings. Legend has it that in the early days of the outbreak of the war, a KB tank of a tank division actually delayed a German armored division for two days. With the support of this thick-skinned tank, it should not be much of a problem to win Popkovo.
Seeing Sokov giggling, Varshok couldn't help asking, "Comrade Major, what are you laughing at?"
Sokov was shocked, then pretended to be nothing, and said, "Comrade Colonel, I'm thinking, our battalion followed your tanks and rushed into the villages and towns, and beat those Germans hard!"
"How to fight in infantry and tanks in concert, you two will discuss slowly later." Chernesov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said, "The shelling of the villages and towns will begin in two minutes."
After no movement, the people in the command center heard the rumbling sound of cannons coming from outside. The group of artillery soldiers were firing at the German positions in the villages and towns. The German army, which was not guarded, was caught off guard by artillery fire, but they soon came to their senses and used artillery fire to suppress the Soviet artillery positions.
Seeing that the high ground in the distance was covered with smoke, Sokov said to Washok: "Comrade Colonel, start all your tanks, let our soldiers sit on the tanks and charge towards Popkovo."
"But, comrade Major." Washock pointed to the village where fire and smoke were not rising in the distance, frowned and said to Sokov, "Didn't you see that our army's shelling has not stopped yet?"
"It's a bit too late to wait until the shelling stops attacking." Sokov was afraid that the fighter would be fleeting, so he hurriedly urged Washak: "I beg you, act quickly!"
Chapter completed!