When Sokov left the division command, the troops involved in attacking the villages and towns of Popkovo had been retreated one after another. He quickly ordered people to gather the company commanders of each company and deploy new combat missions to them.
"Comrade Battalion Commander," Andrey came to the command post and the first thing he said when he saw Sokov was asked: "I wonder what tasks his superiors have assigned us?"
When Sokov heard Andrei's question, he smiled at Belkin, who was standing beside him, and then said, "Captain Andrei, you are so difficult. Before I could speak, you guessed that there was a new combat mission."
Andrey asked casually, and saw Sokov giving him a positive answer, and his face showed a sad look: "The troops arrived here overnight yesterday, and after a little rest, they launched an attack on the village and town of Popkovo. He thought that his superiors would ask us to rest for two days and then assign tasks, but who knew that there would be a new task so soon."
"Captain," said Belkin and Andre, after he finished speaking, he immediately reminded him: "As a commander, don't say such complaints casually, otherwise the soldiers will hear them and will have a bad impact."
Seeing that the company commanders of each company had arrived, Sokov announced, "Since everyone has arrived, we will hold a meeting immediately."
After he finished explaining the new tasks assigned by the division headquarters, he asked briefly: "Who has any questions?"
"Comrade Battalion Commander," the first question was Sergeyev, the commander of the cannon company, who was worried about the war in the battle to attack Popkovo today, because of the help of the group of artillery, their company did not get a war. At this moment, he heard that he was going to attack the village of Marklaki, so he stood up and asked: "I wonder what the deployment and firepower distribution of the German army in Marklaki Town is. Do we need artillery preparations before the attack?"
For Sokov, the town of Marklaki is a code name on the map. The task he received was to arrive there before dawn and build an offensive starting position. As for the terrain there and the enemy's defense deployment, he knew nothing. Therefore, when he asked Sergeyev's question, he could only smile and answered with a wry smile: "I'm sorry, comrade Lieutenant, I can't answer your question because I know nothing about the situation there."
Seeing Sergeyev's face showing disappointment, Sokov turned to Christopher sitting in the corner and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant, immediately take the reconnaissance platoon to the town of Marklaki first, to find out the enemy's troops distribution and firepower deployment there, so that the battalion can formulate a combat plan based on the specific situation."
The soldiers of the reconnaissance platoon did not participate in today's attack and were on standby in the shelter near the battalion command post. Christopher, who received Sokov's order, set off with a squad of scouts less than five minutes after he came out of the battalion command post. The remaining scouts will also follow the deputy platoon leader in half an hour.
After Sokov had deployed the mission, he asked the company commanders of each company to go back and gather the team and prepare to set off at any time. When he announced the end of the meeting, the company commanders of each company stood up and left the command post one by one. Only the company commander Vanya was still sitting in the same place without moving.
Seeing Wanya's depressed look, Sokov immediately understood that the other party was feeling depressed because of the failure to fight today's war. He was very understanding of Wanya's mood: according to the combat plan, Wanya should lead the commanders and fighters of the first company to intercept the enemies who attempted to escape from the village and town of Popkovo near the cemetery. Who knew that because the road was too far and difficult to move, the commanders and fighters of the first company took about an hour to reach the blocking site in the northeast, and as a result, most of the enemies escaped.
Sokov walked to Vanya's side, raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder. When the other party raised his head, he smiled and said, "Captain Vanya, are you still sad for letting the Germans go?" Seeing the other party nodding to show his affirmation, he continued, "Remember the lesson this time, don't make similar mistakes again next time."
"I understand, comrade battalion commander." Seeing that Sokov did not criticize himself because he let the enemy go, but encouraged him. He quickly stood up and replied, "I promise you that you will never make similar mistakes again in the future."
Sokov raised his hand and looked at his watch, urging: "Captain, please go back to the army quickly. We will set off before dark. You can gather the troops first and prepare for departure."
Wanya didn't say anything else, raised his hand and saluted Sokov and Belkin, turned around and strode out of the command post.
Looking at Wannia's back as she left, Belkin smiled and said to Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, I thought you would criticize Captain Wannia severely at today's meeting. But you not only did not criticize him, but also encouraged him. It was a bit beyond my expectations."
"Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander," Sokov looked at Belkin and explained, "I feel very uncomfortable when the enemy fled. But not only Captain Vanya is responsible for this matter, but I am also responsible. It is precisely because my deployment is not perfect that the German army has the opportunity to escape. Simply blaming his subordinates, no matter what it is useless, will make him become timid in the subsequent battle, which will have a negative impact on the troops."
After hearing this, Belkin smiled and said, "Comrade Battalion Commander, I think you not only have a set of military command, but also have your own unique insights in political work. I think even if you are a political worker now, your achievements will not be worse than being a military chief."
While Sokov and Belkin were chatting, Rokosovsky said to the artillery commander Kazakov, who had just arrived in Chernesov's division commander: "Comrade Artillery Commander, we will launch an attack on the town of Marklaki tomorrow. You can transfer two to three artillery regiments and the same number of rocket artillery battalions as soon as possible to rush to that direction and cooperate with the attack launched by the infantry."
"Comrade Commander," Kazakov and others said with some embarrassment after saying this: "We have three artillery regiments near the town of Marklaki, but there are not many shells. I'm afraid there are problems if we want to provide artillery cover for the infantry."
Chapter completed!