In May, it was not completely dark until 11:00 pm. However, before that, the 1139th Regiment and Tank Battalion, which reinforced Colonel Bindasov, arrived in time. With the cooperation of the artillery battalion, they successfully crushed the German counterattack, making the Bindasov regiment secure their foothold.
As the 1139th Regiment has not appointed a new leader so far, the entire regiment's work is under the responsibility of the deputy chief of staff. In order to facilitate command, Sokov called Bindasov as soon as the battle ended, and he said on the phone: "Comrade Colonel, from now on, the 1139th Regiment and the Tank Battalion are under your command. Do you understand?"
"I understand, comrade of the division commander." After hearing the news, Bindasov was so happy that he couldn't even close his mouth. He said to the microphone: "I promise you that no matter how many attacks the German army launched, our regiment will stick to the existing position and will never take a step back."
"Comrade Colonel," Bindasov's reply disappointed Sokov. He thought the other party would tell him that with these troops, he would advance many kilometers to the enemy's depth tomorrow, but he had only the plan to stick to the position. He immediately said sternly: "I give you so many troops, not to let you stay for defense. Your mission is to attack and continue to advance to the enemy's defense. Do you understand?"
"But the division commander." Bindasov, who had just been beaten up by the German army not long ago, said cautiously to the microphone: "The enemy's strength is stronger than we imagined. If we continue to attack, we will inevitably suffer huge casualties."
"Comrade Colonel, even if the price is paid, it is worth it." Sokov heard that Bindasov was a little afraid of the war and said unhappily: "If you feel that you are not competent for this job, then I will replace you with someone else."
"No, comrade, comrade, you must not change people. I think you promise to complete the task you assigned me." After explaining his attitude, Bindasov asked with a smile: "Comrade, it seems that no one in the division can be competent as a regiment-level commander except me and Pavel."
"If you can't continue to attack the enemy tomorrow," Sokov said expressionlessly after he waited for Bindasov to finish speaking: "I will take over your command at that time." Sokov felt that he had almost knocked Bindasov, so he put down the phone, picked up the map spread on his knees, and carefully studied tomorrow's attack plan.
After looking for a while, the phone at his feet suddenly rang. Sokov thought it was Bindasov and had something else to say, so he picked up the microphone and put it in his ear. He asked bluntly: "Col. What else do you want to say?"
Unexpectedly, Rokosovsky's voice came from the receiver: "It's me, Major Sokov!"
Hearing Rokosovsky refer to him by his surname and official position, Sokov knew that the other party was going to talk about the matter, so he quickly stood up from the ground and said respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Commander, do you have any instructions?"
"I heard you performed well today," Rokosovsky said coldly: "It's amazing that I actually caught a German plane by myself. For this matter, I should award you a medal."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov automatically ignored the tone of the other party's speech and said with a smile: "Actually, I can catch the enemy's plane, and I just saw the enemy plane diving towards me, and instinctively shot at the enemy plane. Unexpectedly, my luck was so good that I could knock down the enemy plane. I saw that there was no need to award the medal."
As soon as he finished speaking, Rokosovsky on the other end of the phone roared: "Nonsense, it's simply nonsense. You are the commander of the first division. Your post commands the entire division in the command center, rather than shooting enemy planes with a gun like an ordinary soldier. If you really like to masturbate, then I will transfer you to the air defense force and be an anti-aircraft machine gunner. In that case, you can masturbate every day and fight whatever you want..."
Sokov, who was scolded by Rokosovsky, had a red and white face. Although he knew in his heart that Rokosovsky scolded him like this out of concern for him, the matter soon reached the Army Command. Could it be that he was surrounded by his superiors? Thinking of this, his eyes couldn't help but wander around the several staff officers and correspondents in the command, thinking about who was the "speaker".
But Rokosovsky, on the other end of the phone, seemed to have a pair of clairvoyances. He immediately guessed Sokov's reaction and said first: "Okay, Major Sokov, don't look around. The matter of your masturbation was not told by the people of the regiment headquarters, but I learned about it through General Kazakov. The whole process of your masturbation was seen by him."
Sokov's face turned red to his ears. For him from later generations, the word "massing" means a rather dirty meaning. Hearing Rokosovsky mention it again and again without any scruples, he felt a little ashamed. As soon as Rokosovsky finished speaking, he quickly expressed his opinion: "Comrade Commander, I was wrong. Please rest assured, I will not make similar mistakes again in the future."
Hearing Sokov's voluntary confession of his mistake, Rokosovsky's anger subsided most, but he still emphasized again: "Major Sokov, I warn you, if you do such a bastard, don't regard yourself as the commander of the first division, and do not take responsibility for all the commanders and soldiers of the division, I will remove you from your post and let you become an ordinary soldier. My 16th Army does not need a commander who does not understand his responsibilities."
Sokov couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. He had just criticized Bindasov, but he was scolded by Rokosovsky not long after. This retribution came so quickly!
After Rokosovsky got angry, he slowed down and asked in a slow tone: "I heard that the German army launched a counterattack against the left wing of your division. How about it? Have you blocked the enemy?"
"Yes, comrade commander." Sokov quickly replied: "When I learned that the 1135th Regiment was counterattacked by the German army, I not only ordered Colonel Bindasov to move into defense on the spot, but also drew an infantry regiment from the right wing and the division tank battalion to carry out reinforcements. At present, the German counterattack has been crushed by our army."
"What are your plans next?"
"I have given an order to Colonel Bindasov to continue to attack the German army's defense in depth tomorrow." After talking about his plan, Sokov asked back: "Comrade Commander, I wonder how our troops on the left and right wings are progressing? If we do not get their cooperation, our division is likely to be surrounded by the German army because of the lonely army."
"Don't worry, Major Sokov." Rokosovsky said lightly: "It is the infantry army commanded by General Orlov. Although their progress is not as smooth as you, they are only two or three kilometers behind. Even if you encounter any crisis, you can get their timely support."
After the two chatted for a while, Rokosovsky changed his name to Sokov: "Misha, there are two important things, I'll notify you now."
Important things?! Hearing Rokosovsky said this, Sokov couldn't help but slammed and thought to himself: Is there anything more important than the current attack? He took a deep breath and tried to say in a steady tone: "Comrade Commander, if there is anything, just say it."
"That's right. Marshal Timushin called me today and said he was going to transfer your troops to the Southwest Front to participate in the offensive battle that was about to begin." After learning that Temushin was finally thinking of himself again, Sokov felt crazy. As long as his troops participated in the Battle of Kharkov, they would be beaten up by the German army in two days. No matter how you look at this, it was a loss-making business. Fortunately, Rokosovsky's next words put his heart back in his stomach: "But I have told the Marshal that the troops you command are attacking the German army and cannot withdraw from the front line for the time being. Comrade Marshal heard what I said, and canceled the transfer order to you."
Rokosovsky's words were like the sound of nature to Sokov. He hurriedly said: "Thank you, thank you, comrade Commander!"
"Don't thank me." Rokosovsky made the words clear to Sokov on the phone: "Misha, even if you don't say hello to me, I will not let others transfer you easily. I think you can play a greater role in staying in the 16th Army. I will give you a message now. Your official appointment may be officially announced after the end of this attack. By then, you will no longer be the acting division commander, but the formal division commander, and your military rank will be raised up."
After hearing the first good news, Sokov couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Commander, what is the other good news?" He thought to himself that it is definitely not a trivial matter to be called good news by Rokosovsky. He doesn't have to go to the Southwest Front and the news that he is about to be promoted may not be as good as the second good news.
"The Supreme Command of the Base Camp has announced that in order to commend your division's merits in the great Patriotic War and a series of achievements, it is ready to formally award your division's honorary title of '31st Guard Infantry Division', the flag-giving ceremony will be held in a week." Rokosovsky said this and paused for a moment: "Major Sokov, I congratulate you on becoming the first commander of this glorious Guard Division."
As soon as Sokov waited for Rokosovsky to finish his speech, he immediately replied loudly: "Serve the Soviet motherland!"
"You answered very quickly," Rokosovsky smiled faintly, and then reminded Sokov: "Misha, remember to pass this good news to the commanders and soldiers of the entire division. This will be very effective in reminding morale. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Sokov replied loudly: "I will immediately inform all the commanders and soldiers of the division. Thank you, Comrade Commander, thank you for bringing us such good news."
Thank you to the book friend for your hopeless rewards and support!
Chapter completed!