Cuikov is a person who keeps his word. He said he would report Grov's proposal to the Front Command. After Wei'inrub left, he personally called Yelemenko on the east bank of the Volga River and said respectfully: "Hello, comrade Commander, I am Cuikov, I have important things to report to you."
Yeliaomko was secretly shocked, thinking that something was wrong with the Barrier Factory and Derrensky Factory? He couldn't help but ask nervously: "Comrade Cuikov, it's the Barrier Factory, and Derrensky Factory has been lost?"
"No, Comrade Commander. Both factories are still in our hands." Seeing that Yeliaumko misunderstood his meaning, Cuikov quickly explained to him: "I called you for something else."
Knowing that the two factories he had been thinking about had not been lost, Yeliaomenko put down the huge rock in his heart, and he casually said, "General Cui Kefu, what are you going to report to me?"
"Comrade Commander, you should be very clear that the enemy has been madly attacking the Barrier Factory and the Derrensky Factory these days, trying to capture the two factories." Cui Kefu said carefully: "In order to alleviate this situation, the leaders of our army have been thinking of ways. Today, Comrade Gurov, the political commissar of the division, suddenly proposed that it seems that a combat cluster can be formed in Mamayevgang and the south of the city to restrain the enemy and reduce the defense pressure of the two factories."
"This suggestion is very good, Comrade Cuikov." Yelyemko only thought about the plan proposed by Gurov for a moment, and then replied decisively: "If another battle group is established, the enemy will have to fight in two directions, which will greatly reduce the pressure on the factory direction. By the way, who do you plan to serve as the commander of the combat cluster?"
"Col. Sokov," replied Trekov, "Comrade Gurov and I believe that if we want to set up a combat cluster, Colonel Sokov, the commander of the 41st Division of the Guards, is the best candidate."
"Well, Colonel Sokov is indeed very good at fighting." Yelemenko said with concern: "But he is too young. I am worried that many people will not be convinced by a young man in his twenties."
"Age doesn't matter. As long as you can lead the troops to win battles. As long as you fight a few battles, those unruly subordinates will be convinced by him." After refuting Yeliaumko's issue of age, Cuikov explained: "But Comrade Gurov and I just mentioned this to him, but he refused."
"He refused?!" Yeliaumko didn't expect such a good promotion opportunity to be rejected by Sokov. It felt so incredible. He asked quickly: "Comrade Cui Kefu, can you tell me the reason for his rejection?"
"He thought it was inappropriate to rashly establish a new combat cluster under the current circumstances." Cuikov repeated the reasons Sokov said at the time to Yeliumenko, and mentioned that at the military meeting of the group army, everyone collectively opposed the establishment of a new combat cluster, and finally said: "The reasons for everyone to object are very sufficient, such as whether the superiors can send us new troops, and if they can be dispatched, will the equipment and logistics supply of these troops be guaranteed..."
Yeliaumko patiently listened to Cui Kov's words and said with a smile: "Comrade Cui Kov, you really have a problem for me. If you don't agree to you to form a new combat cluster, the pressure we have to bear in our factory area will not be relieved; if you agree to the combat cluster in the city, you will send you more troops and supporting supplies."
He paused for a moment, and suddenly thought of a question that he had ignored: "By the way, if we can send you enough troops to form a new combat cluster, can Sokov and others bear the pressure of the enemy?"
Although Cuikov did not clearly express his support for the establishment of combat clusters in public places. However, as the commander of the defender who was standing in Stalingrad, he certainly hoped that he could have more troops so that he could take the initiative on the battlefield. As for the issues that Sokov was worried about, it was not a problem for him. Therefore, in the face of Yelemenko's doubts, he said without vaguely: "Comrade Commander, once a new combat cluster is established, he will definitely face a strong enemy offensive, but I believe that Colonel Sokov's ability can completely resolve these crises."
"I understand, Comrade Cui Khov." After hearing what Cui Khov said, Yeliaumek said thoughtfully: "This matter is of great importance. Although I am the commander of the front army, I can also make a hasty decision. I want to discuss with Comrade Khrushchev. When the result is achieved, I will reply you again, how about it?"
"Okay!" Seeing that Yeliaomenko agreed to study this matter, Cui Kefu felt that there was a way out, so he agreed readily: "I'll wait for your news."
After Yeliaumek put down the phone, he picked up the cane that was placed aside and tried to get up to find Khrushchev. But after just two steps of getting up, his injured leg hurt so much. He quickly sat down again, picked up the phone and dialed a number, and said to the microphone: "I am Yeliaumek, where is Comrade Khrushchev?"
"Report to Comrade Commander," the officer who answered the phone quickly replied: "He is still sleeping."
Yeliaomenko raised his hand and looked at his watch. Seeing that it was already five o'clock in the morning, he ordered the other party without hesitation: "Wake him up and say I have something urgent to look for him."
Khrushchev was woken up from his sleep, but he was not angry at all, because it was during the war, and he was called up to attend the meeting halfway through sleep, which was already common for him. When he heard that Yeliaumek had something urgent to ask for him, he quickly put on his clothes and hurried to the room where Yeliaumek was staying.
As soon as he pushed open the door and saw Yeliaumenko sitting behind the table, he couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Commander, is there something wrong with the city?"
"Tuekov just called me," Yelemenko called Khrushchev and said to him after he sat down: "He said he wanted to set up a combat cluster to fight in the old city south of the city with the Mamayevgang area, and to restrain the enemy's forces to reduce the pressure on the direction of the factory area. I called you here just to discuss this."
"Set up a new combat cluster?" Khrushchev said with a frown: "This means that we will send more troops to the troops in the short term and provide them with more supplies. But judging from the current situation, we cannot do this at all."
"Comrade Khrushchev, you're right." Yelemenko agreed with what Khrushchev said: "It is precisely because of this that I can wake you up from your sleep and discuss what to do with this matter?"
"Comrade Commander, I want to ask first." Khrushchev did not express his opinion rashly, but asked cautiously: "How large does this combat cluster need? Who will Cui Kev arrange for as commander?"
Chapter completed!