Khrushchev put the microphone on the table and glanced around the room with his eyes. He found that Chief of Staff Major General Valenikov was standing behind a radio operator, looking at a telegram he had just received, and quickly strode towards him. After coming to Valenikov, he stopped and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there any news about the Stalingrad Front?"
After hearing someone asking him, seeing it clearly was Khrushchev, Varenikov shook his head and replied: "I'm sorry, comrade of the Military Commission, we have not yet contacted the Stalingrad Front."
"Then find a way to contact friendly forces immediately." Khrushchev's face was a little unhappy when he learned that there was no news about the Stalingrad Front. He said to Valennikov in a stern tone: "Whether it is to make a phone call or send a telegram, I need to understand the progress of the Stalingrad Front in the shortest time."
Although Major General Valenikov was the chief of staff of the front army, he felt a little nervous when he saw Khrushchev getting angry. He did not dare to ask about the reasons why he was eager to understand the situation of friendly forces, but hurriedly replied: "Okay, comrade Military Commissioner, I will contact friendly forces immediately."
Khrushchev walked back to the table, picked up the microphone on the table, and put it in his ear and said apologetically: "Comrade Cuikov, I'm so embarrassed. I just asked. We haven't received the battle report from the Stalingrad Front here yet, and I don't know how they are doing now."
Perhaps he noticed Cuikov's disappointment, he quickly added: "But don't worry, I have ordered Major General Valenikov to contact friendly forces immediately. Once there is any news, I will inform you immediately."
Shortly after the call with Cuikov, Yeliaumek limped in from outside with a cane. Khrushchev hurriedly met him, helped him sit down at the table, and then said with concern: "Comrade Yeliaumek, you have an injury on your leg and there is nothing important, so don't go out casually."
"It's not okay if you don't go, my military committee member." Yeliaumko sat down at the table, moved his injured leg, which had not yet healed, and said to Khrushchev with a wry smile: "We promised to give Trikov three infantry divisions to participate in the attack that began today. However, due to the enemy's blockade and transportation, only two infantry divisions arrived at the designated position before the attack, so that each division had to widen the front of the attack. If we really failed this counterattack due to our insufficient preparation, I, as the commander, would be to blame."
"Comrade Commander, you're overconfident." Khrushchev said with a smile after he finished speaking, "You must know that not only Rokosovsky's troops are launching an attack on the enemy, but also Zhukov's 1st Guards Army, the 24th and 66th Army, which contain a considerable number of troops from the enemy. Therefore, I think the offensive operation we carried out this time will definitely achieve the original expected effect."
"I hope so." Yelemenko nodded, and then asked Khrushchev with concern: "What is the progress of Rokosovsky's troops at present?"
Khrushchev looked at the busy Chief of Staff not far away and replied: "Just just called Trikov to ask about the situation of the Stalingrad Front. I have asked the Chief of Staff to contact Rokosovsky's headquarters to get the latest battle report."
Hearing Khrushchev repeatedly mentioning the Stalingrad Front, Yelemenko couldn't help but sigh: "Military Comrade, in my opinion, we should make suggestions to the base camp and change the number of troops."
"Change the number of the troops?" Yelyemko's words made Khrushchev feel a little stunned: "Didn't the troops just change the number in August? What new number are you going to ask the troops to change?"
"Comrade Military Commissioner, don't you think the number of the current one makes people feel very unscrupulous?" Yelemenko looked at Khrushchev and said, "Rokosovsky's Stalingrad Front is now fighting against the enemy dozens of kilometers away from the city; while our army that is sticking to the city uses the number of the Southeast Front..."
Yelemenko's words resonated with Khrushchev: "Comrade Commander, you make sense. The number used by the troops is indeed inappropriate. I will propose to the base camp to modify the number of the troops at the right time."
While the two were talking, Varennikov came over and reported to them: "Comrade Commander and Military Commissioner, according to the call from the Stalingrad Front, their troops launched an attack south in the Akatovka and Kuzmic areas, and are now fighting fiercely with the enemy..."
"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, we understand all of what you said." Yelemenko interrupted Varenikov before he could finish his words and asked impatiently: "You just need to tell us where Rokosovsky's troops have arrived now?"
"It's still in fierce battle," Varennikov replied awkwardly: "Because the enemy's resistance is very tenacious, they have not broken through the enemy's defense so far."
…………
Although Cuikov did not get accurate information about the Stalingrad Front from Khrushchev, he knew after four o'clock in the afternoon that the attack of Rokosovsky's troops was curbed by the German army. Because the German plane that had disappeared once appeared again over the city, bombing and strafing the offensive troops, causing considerable casualties to the 95th and 112th infantry divisions.
After learning about the frontline situation, Krelov frowned and said to Cuikov: "Comrade Commander, the enemy has mastered the air supremacy on the battlefield. With our existing troops and technical equipment, it is impossible to continue the attack."
Cuikov agreed with Krelov. He did not ignore the actual situation and ordered the troops to attack, but said to Krelov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in today's battle, we have achieved good results: not only occupied 30.5 highlands and 135.4 highlands, but also completely occupied the orchards southwest of the village of Red October. Since we can no longer attack, we will order the troops to immediately turn into defense, consolidate these occupied areas, and wait for the time to ripe, and then use these places as the starting point for the attack to launch a new round of attacks on the enemy."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Krelov nodded and replied, "I'll call the frontier commander and convey your orders."
Krelov was very efficient in his work. In less than five minutes, he called the frontline commander and conveyed Cuikov's latest order. After he put down the phone, he suddenly remembered the small army that was still on standby at Mamayev's post, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, what if we turn to defense on the spot, what will happen to Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops? Will they cancel the operation?"
Trikov did not immediately answer Krelov's question. After walking back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, he stopped and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't look at our current attack being temporarily blocked, maybe we can launch a new attack again. In my opinion, let Sokov continue to stand by. His small troops will be used sooner or later."
The anti-assault troops had already moved into defense on the spot, and Cidolin soon learned through his special channels. After answering the phone, he said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the situation on the battlefield has changed now, and your plan to go north may change."
"What has changed?" Sokov asked curiously: "Does the commander plan to cancel the mission we are given?"
"It's very possible." Sidolin analyzed to Sokov: "The troops that carried out the counter-assault were bombed and strafed by German bombers not long ago, and suffered considerable losses. The commander had ordered the troops to stop the attack and switched to defense on the spot."
"What, the offensive troops have moved into defense on the spot?" Belkin was shocked when he heard the news. He stared at Sokov and continued to ask Cidolin: "So, not only our counterattack troops were defeated, but even the attack launched by the Stalingrad Front outside the city was also curbed by the Germans?"
"Comrade Political Commissar, the situation is likely to be as you analyzed. The German army has curbed the attack of General Rokosovsky's troops so that they can use enough troops to curb the counterattack forces in our city." After introducing the situation, Cidolin said carefully: "So I think that Comrade Commander may cancel the task of ordering the brigade commander to lead troops north and joining with friendly forces."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, what you said is indeed possible." Sokov said, staring at the map on the table: "But as long as the commander did not call us and announced the cancellation of the order in person, then we may still go north. Therefore, Captain Goria's 192nd Battalion must still be on standby. Once the order to set off is issued, we can set off immediately."
Regarding Sokov's confidence, Cidolin said disapprovingly: "Comrade Brigade Commander, at this time, do you still think the commander will order you to go north?"
"I think it will definitely be." Although the attack of the counterattack troops in the city was frustrated at this moment, Sokov did not think that this counterattack would end so hastily. After all, there is still a Baqiuk's 284th Infantry Division that has not yet entered the battle. Once this new force is put into the battlefield, what will happen is still unknown, so he said in a positive tone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I can make a bet with you. At most, our small army will go north."
Seeing Sokov's interest was so high, Sidolin couldn't bear to discourage his enthusiasm, so he nodded and said insincerely: "Since the brigade commander said that, the action to go north will definitely be carried out as planned."
At two o'clock in the middle of the night, a harsh phone ring suddenly rang in the silent command center. Cidolin, who was sleeping on the table, didn't even open his eyes, grabbed the microphone and put it in his ear and said weakly: "I am Chief of Staff Cidolin, where are you?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin, I am Krelov." Krelov's voice came from the receiver. "Where is Sokov? The commander has important tasks to him."
When he heard that it was Krelov's call, Cidolin immediately became awake. He quickly sat upright and said to the microphone: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff. The Brigade Commander is still sleeping now, so I will order someone to call him." After that, he covered the microphone with his hands and ordered a staff officer standing not far away, "Go and invite the brigade commander, and then he said that the commander would assign tasks to him."
After being awakened by the staff, Sokov was very dissatisfied, but when he heard that it was Cuikov who was looking for him, he immediately realized that the other party was planning to lead his troops north, so he hurried to answer the phone. Krelov heard Sokov's voice and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, wait a moment, the commander is going to talk to you."
A moment later, Trekov's voice came from the receiver: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I just received a call from Commander Yelemenko. He said that a tank brigade of the Stalingrad Front had rushed through the enemy's position from the north and was rushing towards the Orlovka area. You should immediately lead the troops to set off overnight, and be sure to meet with the tank brigade of friendly forces after dawn."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov was now very familiar with the terrain near Stalingrad. As soon as Cui Kov finished speaking, he found the place where he planned to meet on the map. After quickly testing the distance with his hands, he said to Cui Kov with a bitter face: "There are more than 30 kilometers from our station to the meeting place. Due to the lack of transportation for the troops operating, even if there is no enemy blocking along the way, it is very difficult for us to travel so far in a day and night. I think we may not be able to meet with friendly tank brigades at the designated location at dawn."
After hearing Sokov's answer, Cuikov immediately frowned: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, when do you think your small army will arrive at the designated meeting place?"
After calculating the speed of the troops in his mind, and the time that some accidents might be delayed on the road, Sokov said to Cuikov: "Comrade Commander, I think you have to wait until noon as soon as possible to reach the Orlovka area."
Although Cuikov was not satisfied with Sokov's reply, he did not get angry. Instead, he covered the microphone with his hands and said to Krelov: "Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov said that his troops would not arrive at the Orlovka area at noon. In this way, we will not delay our meeting, right?"
"No, Comrade Commander." Krelov quickly replied: "Although it is only about thirty kilometers from Mamayevgang to Orlovka, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and others have to cross several German defense lines. Even if there is no fighting along the way, their marching speed will not be fast. I estimate that the time they have to waste on the road will take at least ten hours."
Chapter completed!