In less than five minutes, Greissa's call came back.
After reading the contents of the telegram, Cydollin frowned and reported to Sokov: "Lieutenant Grissa reported that they now have two radio stations, 21 combatants, and no wounded. There is probably a German military advisor's force between their location and Mamayev's gang. If they want to return forcibly, casualties will inevitably be inevitable."
"There are no wounded?" Sokov asked with some confusion after listening to Cidolin's report: "Gerisa's troops are so severely reduced, how could there be no wounded?"
"I think there are two possibilities," Cidolin explained: "One is that they placed the wounded in local villages on the spot, so that after the wounded recovered, there is still a chance to return to the army..." Speaking of this, Cidolin suddenly stopped without warning. He did not continue to speak, but just sighed softly.
Seeing that Cidolin was halfway through his words, he stopped for no reason and kept sighing. Sokov asked in confusion: "Chief of Staff, why don't you continue to say it?"
"There is another possibility." Cidolin said with a painful expression: "In order to cover the retreat of the troops, the wounded comrades stayed to take on the task of severing the rear, and they all died heroically in the end."
Regarding the two possibilities mentioned by Sidolin, Sokov prefers the second one. After all, the land between the Don and the Volga River is now under the control of the Germans. In order to cut off the connection between the local residents and the guerrillas, the damn SS often roamed in villages and towns everywhere. Once they find where there are wounded Red Army soldiers, they may kill all the people there. In this case, how can anyone dare to take in the injured soldiers of our army?
Sidolin and Belkin knew what Sokov knew. After seeing Sidolin analyzed the situation, Sokov remained silent. He guessed that he must be in a dilemma, so he said tentatively: "Comrade Brigade Commander, you must know that the villages and towns near Karachi are all Germans, and it is not safe for Grissa and the others to stay there. Otherwise, let them find a way to return to Mamayev. Even if there are sacrifices along the way, it is better than staying there and destroying the entire army."
Sokov knew very well why Belkin said that. Grissa and his team were in the middle of the enemy. If they were not careful, they would end up with the destruction of the entire army. When returning to Mamayev, although there would be certain dangers along the way, they would not be able to come back alone, right?
"The political commissar is right," Cydollin replied: "While there will be some casualties when Grissa and the others withdraw, it is better than letting them stay in Karachi and the whole army is destroyed."
Sokov could remember Karachi because this place became the German escape route two months later. As the Soviet army occupied Karachi, more than 300,000 German troops were surrounded in the Stalingrad area. He thought to himself: "Since there will be danger in Grissa and their return, if not, let them stay in Karachi. When the major counterattack begins, they can still help friendly forces cut off the enemy's retreat."
After making up his mind, Sokov said to Cydolin: "Chief of Staff, call Grissa back so that they don't have to return to Mamayev's hill and find a way to hide in Karachi."
"What, let them stay in Karachi?" Hearing Sokov's order, Cidolin was stunned: "Comrade Brigade Commander, if Grissa and the others continue to stay in Karachi, there will be a danger of the entire army being destroyed."
"Will there be no danger of the entire army being destroyed if they return to Mamayev at this time?" After Sokov said these two sentences, he realized that he was too strict and was worried that Cydolin could not stand it. He quickly coughed gently and tried his best to explain to the other party in a stable tone: "Karach is an important transportation hub, and the Germans have heavy troops there to defend, which is indeed a very dangerous thing for Grissa and the others. However, as long as Grissa and the others do not have any major actions and stimulate the enemy, it is not so easy for the enemy to find more than twenty people lurking in their defense zone."
Speaking of this, Sokov held the teacup on the table, took a sip of water, and continued, "Also, I let Grissa and the others lurk in Karachi, considering that after the start of our army's large counterattack, it might become the only way for the German army to retreat. At that time, Grissa can help friendly forces occupy the place and cut off the enemy's escape passage."
"Comrade Brigade Commander, please be honest." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Cidolin continued: "I know that in a few days, our army will launch a counterattack against the enemy from Mamayevgang and the Red October factory at the same time, but I think our army can at best repel the enemy for more than ten or twenty kilometers. It is almost impossible to reach Karachi on the Don River."
Hearing Cidolin say this, Sokov immediately realized that the other party misunderstood his meaning, and quickly waved his hand and said, "Chief of Staff, you are wrong. What I meant by a large counterattack does not refer to a counterattack launched one or two days later, but a large counterattack between the Don Front and the Stalingrad Front.
But Cidolin, who had seen too many failed counterattacks, was obviously not as optimistic as Sokov. He looked at Sokov and said seriously: "Comrade Brigade Commander, there are no outsiders here. I want to say something to you. Judging from the current situation, I have no hope for whether our army can defend Stalingrad..."
"Lieutenant Colonel Cidolin!" Belkin, who has always been accustomed to acting as a bystander, immediately broke out when he heard Cidolin say this: "You are a defeatist argument..."
Sokov didn't want his two deputy, and he argued for such a thing, quickly raised his hand to interrupt the two of them, saying, "Political Commissar, Chief of Staff, don't bother, listen to me."
After seeing both of them quiet, he continued: "Yes, since the enemy's troops came to the city, our army has launched many counterattacks, but without exception, ended in failure. There are many reasons for the failure, and I will not analyze them with you one by one. But I want to tell you one by one, the situation in Moscow was also so critical that the base camp had to transfer General Zhukov, who was far away in Leningrad, to command the Western Front. After countless failed counterattacks, the large counterattack launched by our army on December 6 drove the enemy far away from outside the city of Moscow? Since we were able to defeat the enemy armed to the teeth last year, why wouldn't the same history be repeated in Stalingrad?"
After Sokov finished his passionate words, an applause suddenly came from the door: "Well, it's so good!"
Everyone's attention was immediately attracted by the person talking at the door. When Sokov saw clearly the person coming, he was shocked and sweated. He hurried forward and asked respectfully: "Comrade Military Commissioner, why are you here?"
The person standing at the door talking was Khrushchev, a military committee member of the Front Army. While shook hands with Sokov, he said with a smile: "Are you going to fight back against the enemy in two days? I'm here to see if there is anything to help."
Sokov never dreamed that Khrushchev would come to his command at this time, and during the day, he risked the enemy's bombing and long-range artillery bombardment. He couldn't help but say nervously: "Comrade Military Commissioner, the enemy blockade of the Volga River very closely. If you have any instructions, just make a phone call or send a telegram. There is no need to take the risk of running in person."
"If I hadn't come here in person, how could I hear the true thoughts of the commanders and fighters with my own ears!" Khrushchev raised his right hand and patted Sokov's shoulder twice, and said in an approving tone: "I feel relieved when I see you have such confidence in defending the city."
Since Khrushchev came to inspect in person, Sokov naturally could not let him stand at the door, so he quickly let him into the room, and then poured him a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of him.
Sidolin, who was standing aside, was already frightened. He was originally just complaining in front of Sokov and Bellbin, but the military committee of the Front Army would suddenly appear. He thought pessimistically, maybe next, the guards would rush in, take him away from the command center, and then send him to the military court.
Khrushchev picked up the teacup and took a sip of hot tea, looked at Cidolin and asked, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what position do you hold in the infantry brigade?"
"Military Comrade," Sokov thought Khrushchev was going to hold Cidolin accountable, so he quickly said: "He is my chief of staff, and what he just said may be a bit inappropriate. But you also know that in the battle to defend Stalingrad, our frontier commanders were nervous after all, and sometimes they complained to relieve the pressure..."
But what happened next was obviously not as pessimistic as Sokov imagined. Khrushchev waved his hand at him and said, "Okay, Colonel Sokov, you don't need to say anything. I heard what the lieutenant colonel said, but I didn't mean to blame him. Just like what you said just now, in order to relieve stress, everyone sometimes complains."
Khrushchev's words made Sokov's mood suddenly feel relaxed. As long as he did not hold Cidolin responsible, it would be thankful. If Cidolin was really taken away, he would not find a suitable candidate to take over Cidolin's position.
Although Khrushchev said that he was just coming over and taking a look, Sokov knew very well that in the upcoming counterattack war, he would supervise the war as a leader, dealing with some emergencies in a timely manner, etc. However, as a participant, Sokov had no idea when the counterattack began and which troops were involved, so he asked cautiously: "Comrade Military Commissioner, can I ask, on which day our counterattack against the enemy will begin?"
"According to Commander Yelemenko's idea, we should start a counterattack against the enemy tomorrow." Khrushchev replied: "But because the troops on the east bank have not yet been assembled, our counterattack time has to be postponed. After dark today, Colonel Gurdiev's 308th Infantry Division can start crossing the river and then assemble at the Red October factory. Another infantry participating in the battle will also cross the river tomorrow night."
As soon as he heard the number of the 308th Division, Sokov remembered that after the last time he successfully broke through the nameless highland north of Orlovka, there were only a thousand men left in the division. If these forces were used to attack, it would be far from enough. He couldn't help but worry: "Military Commissioner, Colonel Gurdiev's troops have been severely reduced in the early battles, and the remaining total force is less than one regiment. Even if they participate in the counterattack, it is not enough to pose any threat to the enemy."
"The 308th Division you mentioned a few days ago." Khrushchev said with a smile: "After a few days of replenishment, the total strength of the division has reached 9,000. In this counterattack, it will be a force that cannot be underestimated."
In a few days, nearly 8,000 people were added. It seemed that the strength of the troops was strong, but Sokov knew very well that the commanders and soldiers in the troops had not had time to get to know each other, so they hurriedly entered the battle. I am afraid that the strength they played on the battlefield would be greatly reduced. But seeing that Khrushchev was so optimistic about this army, he couldn't say anything else, so he could only shut up his mouth and remain silent.
After talking about the 308th Division, Khrushchev looked at Sokov and asked, "Col. Sokov, how many troops can your brigade invest in this counterattack?"
Sokov was silent for a moment and replied awkwardly: "I'm sorry, comrade of the military committee, I'm worried that our brigade will not be able to participate in the battle in the next counterattack."
"Why!" The smile on Khrushchev's face gradually disappeared.
"Today, the Romanian army launched a large-scale attack on Beigang. Due to the lack of ammunition in the defenders, they had to fight with the enemy after they had all their bullets..." Sokov reported the battle in Beigang to Khrushchev in detail, and finally said: "There are only a thousand troops that can defend Mamayev's gate. If the troops are drawn to participate in the counterattack, then the troops will become empty. Once our counterattack fails to achieve the ideal effect and the enemy launches counterattack in the area where we attack, then Mamayev's gate is in danger of losing."
As a military member of the Front Army, Khrushchev naturally knew the importance of Mamayev's hill to defend the city. After thinking for a long time, he asked, "Col. Sokov, tell me honestly, if you want your troops to participate in the counterattack, how much force do you want your superiors to add to you?"
Sokov was eager for his superiors to add 100,800 troops to him, but this was obviously unrealistic. If he said so, Khrushchev might directly pick up the tea on the table and pour it on him. Sokov glanced at the teacup in front of Khrushchev quickly, and could vaguely see the faint white smoke coming out. He said carefully: "Five hundred is not too little, ten thousand is not too much, mainly depends on how much troops the Front Command can provide us."
After hearing what Sokov said, Khrushchev was silent for a long time. When he spoke again, he seemed a little hesitant: "The superior sent us another reserve team, but we will not arrive as soon as possible until the night after tomorrow. If we add this army to you, it means that our attack will be postponed until the day after tomorrow."
Chapter completed!