When Khrushchev and Lopatin went to visit the hospital, Vanya rushed over after handling the checkpoint. As soon as he saw Sokov and Belkin, he took the initiative to admit his mistake to both of them: "Brig Commander, Comrade Political Commissar, I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I'll cause you trouble."
"Captain Vanya, what did you make a mistake?" Sokov looked at Vanya and said, "If you came to apologize to us for what happened there. I can tell you that there is no need for this. The soldiers are performing their duties and they did nothing wrong."
"But, Comrade Brigade Commander." Wanya said with lingering fear: "Is that a general?"
"So what about the general? The general must be reasonable, and the matter is wrong with their side." After comforting Wanya, Sokov asked curiously: "Comrade Captain, I want to ask, what are the conflicts between our soldiers and General Lopatin's men at that time?"
"There are eight soldiers on duty at the checkpoint. They asked General Lopatin to show their ID. Unexpectedly, the other party not only ignored them, but also had a very bad attitude. As they were arguing, they didn't know who started fighting first." Wanya heard Sokov ask about the conflict between the soldiers at the checkpoint and General Lopatin's subordinates, so he naturally had to report in detail: "Although they were twice as many people, our soldiers were never at a disadvantage."
Regarding the conflict between the checkpoints, he also planned to have seven guards under Lopatin. Sokov thought that the number of people on both sides was roughly equal. After listening to Wanya's explanation, he realized that the number of people on the other side was twice as high as his subordinates. In such a huge gap, his subordinates could still win, which made Lopatin so angry that he was so embarrassed that Sokov felt that it was an amazing thing.
As soon as Wanya finished speaking, Sokov smiled and said, "It's amazing. Our soldiers are so great. It's amazing to be able to beat the other party to the point of complaining when the number of people is at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, I don't have the right to give them medals, otherwise I will definitely award one medal to each of the soldiers on the checkpoint for this matter."
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Sokov just finished his statement, and Belkin, who was beside him, whispered to him: "If this is not conducive to unity, I think it's better not to say anything, so as not to spread it and affect the relationship with friendly forces."
Next, Sokov asked Wanya about the situation where the troops entered the tunnel: "Captain Wanya, which company did you all enter the tunnel?"
"Each company has drawn two platoons to enter the tunnel to adapt to the environment." Wanya replied: "Although many soldiers reacted that they felt an inexplicable sense of depression when they stayed in it, I believe that as long as they were allowed to stay for a few more days, they could still adapt to this kind of tunnel life."
"Captain Vanya, I think it is necessary to say hello to you in advance." Sokov said with a serious expression: "If the battle starts near Mamayev's hill, our commanders and fighters will stay in the tunnel not for a few days or even a week, but for a month, two months or even longer. We must stay in the tunnel. Therefore, we must make all commanders and fighters mentally prepared, do you understand?"
"I understand, comrade comrade commander." Wanya nodded with embarrassment and agreed.
"Comrade Captain," Belkin said to Vanya with a smile: "Actually, don't think so seriously about staying in the tunnel. You can tell the soldiers that they just stay in the subway. You will definitely feel uncomfortable at the beginning, but over time, you will become accustomed to it."
The three of them were talking outside the tent. Khrushchev and Lopatin, who had visited Cuikov, had already returned with them. Seeing Cuikov also in the crowd, Sokov couldn't help but look surprised on his face.
Khrushchev came to Sokov and said with a smile: "Lieutenant Colonel, General Cuikov said he had nothing to do, so when I was about to go back, I would send him back to the 64th Army Command."
Sokov did not answer his words, but just glanced at Cuikov quickly. Seeing that his expression was much better than when he came back just now, it should be no big deal for his health when he returned to the army at this time.
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I just checked. Your brigade is still in the Bryansk Front." Khrushchev asked after walking to him, "I think since you have all arrived in Stalingrad, it will be a matter of time to be incorporated into our Front. Now the commanders of the 62nd and 64th Army are in front of you. Tell me, which army do you want your troops to be incorporated into."
As soon as Sokov and Khrushchev finished speaking, he replied without hesitation: "Report to the military committee members, and analyze from the current situation of the war, if the war is going on in the city, the location of our brigade is exactly within the combat area of ​​the 62nd Army. Therefore, I hope that my troops will be incorporated into the army commanded by General Lopatin."
After hearing Sokov's decision, Lopatin showed a surprised expression on his face. He did not expect that the other party would choose his own troops. When Cuikov heard Sokov say this, he showed a hint of disappointment on his face. Although he had never seen the combat effectiveness of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, a unit that could upgrade from a company-level unit to an infantry brigade must have many impressive results. He dreamed of putting this troops under his command, so after Khrushchev proposed to send him back to the Army Command, he also specifically proposed to come here to meet Sokov.
Khrushchev was also surprised by Sokov's decision. He turned his head and looked at Cui Kov beside him, and couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He understood very well that Cui Kov was a very excellent senior commander, but his command lacked troops that could conquer and fight. If the 73rd Infantry Brigade could be assigned to his command, he would definitely shine on the battlefield. Unexpectedly, Sokov chose the 62nd Army of Lopatin without hesitation, which was a pity.
Although Lopatin was extremely dissatisfied with Sokov because of the conflict at the checkpoint, he was extremely dissatisfied with Sokov. But it was a good thing to have such an elite force join him now. Considering this, he temporarily put aside his grudges with Sokov and pretended to be generous and asked: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, since you and your troops have been assigned to me for command of the 62nd Army, then what difficulties do you have? Even if you propose them, I will solve them for you."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov looked at Lopatin and said respectfully: "There are a large number of grassroots commanders in the infantry brigade. I wonder if you can add a batch to us?" After saying this, he saw Lopatin looking embarrassed, suppressed the smile in his heart and continued, "If you cannot add so many commanders for a while, you can arrange a brigade chief of staff for our brigade first. You must know that if the political commissar and I and the political commissar Beckin were outside, the brigade department would not even be responsible."
Khrushchev heard this and turned to Lopatin and asked, "Can you satisfy General Lopatin and Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's request?"
"This is very difficult, comrade of the military committee." Lopatin said with some amusement and silence: "You can learn more about the situation on the front line every day. The troops that are fighting bloody battles with the German army are not only lacking soldiers, but also lacking commanders. Many companies with heavy casualties, we even have to temporarily promote a group of combat backbones to serve as military chiefs of the company to ensure that the troops will not lose their combat effectiveness because of the lack of leader."
After Khrushchev finished complaining, he sighed softly and turned his head to ask Cuikov: "General Sokov, although the 73rd Infantry Brigade is not under your command, no matter what, they have saved your name. Do you see if a group of military commanders can be drawn from your troops to enrich the command system of the Infantry Brigade?"
After thinking for a moment, Cuikov nodded and said, "No problem. Although our situation is not optimistic now, I can draw thirty grassroots commanders to enrich Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops. Also, Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin, the commander of the Group Army's Operations Department, can go to the 73rd Infantry Brigade to serve as the chief of staff of the brigade."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin?" Khrushchev did not raise any objection to the candidate proposed by Cuikov, but asked Cuikov curiously: "Does he have a son who is a messenger in your army headquarters?"
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin's son, Lieutenant Colonel, just turned sixteen this year." Cuikov replied: "I think he is too thin, so he did not let him go to the combat troops below, but stayed at the Army Command."
"Little Sidolin will continue to stay in your headquarters," Khrushchev immediately told him after he finished speaking, "Ltd Colonel Sidolin comes and reports immediately. If the infantry brigade does not have a chief of staff, it is really inappropriate."
After Khrushchev took Cuikov and Lopatin away, Vanya asked anxiously: "Comrade Brigade Commander, why didn't you just choose General Cuikov's 64th Army, but chose the 62nd Army. You should know that once we become a member of the 62nd Army, those soldiers who have had conflicts with the commander may be punished by superiors."
"Didn't I just say it? The location of our brigade is in the combat area assigned to the 62nd Army." Sokov naturally would not tell the two, saying that Lopatin would be removed from office soon and sent to the military court, and the person who took over his post was Trekov who was rescued by himself. Seeing that Wanya was worried about his subordinates, he patted his chest and promised, "Comrade Captain, don't worry. As long as I, Sokov, is the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, no one can make things difficult for our soldiers."
The next morning, the soldiers on duty at the sentry called Sokov and said a car full of commanders came, asking if they could be relieved. When Sokov heard the sentry say this, he guessed that it might be the military cadres sent by Cuikov, and hurriedly ordered the sentry: "Let go, let go immediately. In addition, you are sending a person to the brigade headquarters with the car so that they will not be intercepted again on the road."
After putting down the phone, Sokov smiled and said to Belkin: "Comrade Political Commissar, if I guessed correctly, it should be the commander sent by Cuikov to us. Let's go out to greet them."
When Belkin was very happy to learn that the commanders at all levels sent by Cuikov to the brigade were arrived. He simply washed up, put on his military uniform, followed Sokov to the outside of the tent, waiting for the arrival of the truck full of commanders.
After waiting for a few minutes, a truck arrived not far from Sokov and others to stop. As soon as the car stopped, the soldier standing on the front pedal jumped out of the car, raised his hand to salute Sokov, and reported: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I have been ordered to deliver the car, please instruct!"
"Thank you, Comrade Soldier." Sokov nodded at the warrior: "There is no longer your business here, you can go back to your post."
When the soldier turned and left, the door on the side of the co-pilot was pushed open from inside, and a young and pretty lieutenant colonel got out. He stood beside the car and looked at the positions where Sokov and Berkin were, then walked over and raised his hand first to salute and said, "Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. I am Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin, the commander of the 64th Army, and I am here to report to you!"
"Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov was overjoyed to learn that the lieutenant colonel in front of him was the chief of staff sent by Cuikov. He held the other party's hand and said excitedly: "On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the Infantry Brigade, I welcome your arrival."
After Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin and Belkin shook hands, Sokov continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I will briefly introduce you to the situation of the infantry brigade. Our brigade is in the four battalions system, with three companies under each battalion, and three platoons in each company... Since we expanded the troops on a large scale in Kursk when we upgraded from infantry battalions to infantry brigades, the strength of one battalion is equivalent to a regiment of a friendly army."
"The strength of a battalion is equivalent to a regiment of a friendly army?" Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin couldn't help but interrupt and asked, "Then one of our companies is equivalent to a battalion of someone else?" Seeing Sokov nodding in affirmation, he frowned and added, "The number of troops is so bloated, I'm worried that it's difficult to command when fighting."
"Do you have any good suggestions?" Belkin asked with a smile.
"There are three platoons under each company, and one platoon is more than one hundred people." Lieutenant Colonel Citollin said thoughtfully: "I suggest that the existing one be divided into three platoons, that is, the original three platoons in each company are changed into nine platoons. As for the platoon leaders of these newly built platoons, the commanders I brought to serve as the ones."
Chapter completed!