"Report!" Sokov stood at the entrance of the cave where the headquarters was located and shouted loudly into it.
"Come in!" As soon as he heard someone answering inside, he opened the curtain and walked in.
As soon as Sokov walked into the headquarters, he immediately saw that there were people standing inside. Before he could get used to the light in the cave and see clearly who was there, he heard a familiar voice in surprise: "Col. Sokov, when did you come back?"
Sokov heard that it was Cuikov's voice, and quickly turned around and faced the other party's questioning, and replied respectfully: "Report to Comrade Commander, I just came back from Moscow by plane."
"You are back just in time. These commanders who have fought with us will retreat to the rear with their troops to rest and replenish." Cui Kefu said in a heavy tone: "You can say goodbye to them."
"According to the order of the Supreme Command," Cuikov continued: "Yermolkin's 112th Division, Smekhotvorov's 193rd Division, Jolujev's 37th Division, Guriyev's 39th Division and 2 infantry brigades, are to withdraw from our army, transfer into the reserve team, and go to reorganize."
Sokov's eyes gradually adapted to the light in the room, and saw clearly the officers standing beside him not far away. It was Cui Kov's division commanders who mentioned the name, and quickly raised his hand to salute them a solemn military salute.
"Col. Sokov," before Sokov put down his hand, Guriev came over, reached out and pulled his hand down from his forehead, held it tightly and shook it a few times, and said, "We are all going to the rear, and Stalingrad will be handed over to you here. I hope I can hear the good news of your defeat of Paulus as soon as possible."
"Don't worry, General Guriyev." Sokov replied with a smile: "We will not let you down and will completely wipe out this surrounded enemy in the shortest time."
As soon as Sokov finished speaking, iflujeff interrupted, "I think even if we want to withdraw from the city, we should wait until tomorrow." Seeing Sokov's look surprised, he specifically added, "Today is Christmas Eve in the West. I think the Germans will definitely celebrate. We can take the opportunity to launch a night attack on them and give them a lesson that will never be forgotten."
"General Jorugeff, your thoughts are a bit wishful." Krelov retorted Jolugeff's proposal: "If our army had not encircled Paulus's troops, maybe they would have personally gone tonight's Christmas Eve. But now, they even sleep with one eye open, how could it be inconvenient for our army to attack? I think your division should follow the original order and retreat to the Volga River before dark. As for the enemies in the city, let us deal with it."
"I really can't bear to leave this city," said Colonel Yermolkin, the commander of the 112th Division, with emotion: "In order to defend this great city, we have sacrificed many good comrades. I am really unwilling to let them see us defeat the enemy with their own eyes."
"Col. Yermolkin," Sokov comforted the other party, "In order to defend this city, we sacrificed thousands of soldiers and civilians. Don't feel sorry, they will sooner or later see the day when we will destroy the invaders of the Faxi Temple. You should go to the rear with peace of mind. Maybe one day we will have the opportunity to fight side by side."
"Comrades in the division," Cui Kefu stood up and said to everyone: "We have spent many difficult days together. In order to defend the city, we fought tenaciously. Now, you are leaving the army. To be honest, I am not in good condition and I am reluctant to let you go.
But it doesn't work. The division commanders, the order is the order. Since the superiors asked you to retreat to the rear for rest, then you can only execute this order unconditionally. As for the enemies in the city, let's leave it to the remaining troops of the group army to complete it."
The time for parting is here. The division commanders who are about to return to the rear salute to Trikov and Krelov before leaving the command center, and then have a warm hug. Even Sokov, who had just arrived, said sincerely when they hugged: "Col. Sokov, take care of me, I hope we will have the opportunity to fight side by side in the future."
Seeing so many division commanders leaving, Sokov also felt his nose sour, tears rolling in his eyes, and he tended to come out of his arms at any time. He tried his best to say to each division commander in a stable tone: "I wish you peace all the way, finish your rest as soon as possible, and return to the battlefield as soon as possible. By then, we will be able to fight side by side again."
After seeing off several division commanders, Cuikov called Sokov back to the command center and asked straight to the point: "Col. Sokov, please tell me truthfully. Have you developed any new technical equipment during your month in Moscow?"
"The self-propelled artillery has begun to be produced on a large scale. In addition to the original 76mm cannon, 86mm, 100mm, 122mm and 152mm caliber artillery have also been added." Sokov felt that the matter of self-propelled artillery was not a top secret, so he said to Cuikov and Krelov with confidence and boldness: "I believe that it will not take long to be able to be equipped with troops on a large scale, thereby increasing the mobility of our artillery."
"Yes, with self-propelled artillery, the mobility of artillery is greatly improved." Krelov agreed: "They can quickly establish artillery positions anywhere, and after the attack, they can immediately transfer, making it impossible for the enemy artillery to counter them, thus greatly improving the survival rate on the battlefield."
"It is certainly a good thing to have self-propelled artillery." Cui Koff was obviously not as optimistic as Krelov. He said with a stern face: "But our army's logistics supplies are subject to road traffic conditions. In winter, the ground is frozen and the vehicle is not having much problem driving. But if the spring thaws and the road becomes muddy, logistics transportation will be greatly affected."
"Commander, Chief of Staff, I have actually developed a new type of transportation tool this time." Although Sokov felt that the development of hovercraft was still a secret, he could still disclose some appropriately to Cuikov and Krelov: "If the new type of transportation tool can be produced in large quantities and placed in the army side by side, it will be helpful to improve the poor logistics of our army."
Sokov's words aroused the curiosity of Trikov and Krelov. After they looked at each other, Trikov asked, "Col. Sokov, can you tell me what kind of transportation is it?"
"Sorry, comrade Commander, I will not be convenient to disclose the specific situation to you for the time being." Sokov said selectively: "But this kind of transportation can be used in various complex terrains. Even when the Spring Festival thaws and the ground becomes muddy, logistics transportation and military delivery will still be guaranteed."
"Oh, there is such a means of transportation?" Krelov asked curiously: "Col. Sokov, can you tell me what kind of transportation it is?"
"Sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov felt that he had said enough, and what he said would involve leaks, so he could only say vaguely: "This involves confidentiality, and I cannot disclose it to you casually, please forgive me. But I can tell you that this kind of transportation can also travel quickly in rivers, swamps and snow, and transport materials and soldiers to designated locations in a timely manner."
When Sokov said this, he was praying in his heart that the Weapons and Equipment Department could complete the development of hovercraft before the start of the Battle of Kharkov, so that the troops could be mass-produced and equipped to increase the mobility of the troops.
When Cui Kefu learned that the new type of transportation could actually drive quickly on rivers, swamps and snow, he was full of hope. He thought to himself that if such transportation could be developed, then the replenishment of soldiers and materials would be easy.
Cuikov was silent for a while and asked a question he was concerned about: "Col. Sokov, when do you think this new type of transportation can be equipped with troops on a large scale?"
Sokov often went to the hovercraft research and development test site during this period. He knew very well that the prototype could be produced in mid-January next year. After another month of operation and testing, mass production would be put into operation at about the end of February. The third Kharkov Battle was held from February 19 to March 15. I hope that the transportation conditions of the Soviet army could be improved by then. Even if it cannot be turned into victory, at least not lose so badly. You must know that in real history, Manstein used his inferior forces to eliminate 52 Soviet divisions, thus reversing the unfavorable situation of the German army.
Facing Cui Kov's question, he said cautiously: "Comrade Commander, according to my judgment, by about mid-to-late February, a large number of new transportation tools will appear in my home to improve the material transportation and military delivery of our army."
After chatting with Sokov for a while, he turned around and asked Krelov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it's getting late. Send a few people to escort Colonel Sokov back to Mamayev's hill."
"I have just called Mamayevgang and asked them to send someone to pick up Colonel Sokov." Krelov replied with a smile: "If I did not make any mistake in the calculation, the person who picked up Colonel Sokov should be there in a few minutes."
"When did you call?" Cui Kefu asked curiously: "Why didn't I notice it?"
"It was when Sokov first entered the headquarters," Krelov replied with a smile. "I considered that he was alone and if no one answered, he might be in danger, so I secretly called Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin and asked him to send someone to pick Sokov up."
"So that's how it is." After figuring out what happened, Cuikov nodded, and then said to Sokov: "Col. Sokov, during the month when you were not here, the German army launched at least three attacks on your division's defense zone every day. But your commanders and fighters performed extremely tenaciously. They successfully smashed every German attack without taking a step back."
Sokov was not interested in Krelov's formulaic speech. He only cared about the casualties of the troops. He clearly remembered that last time he was injured and hospitalized, in just over half a month, the acting brigade commander Colonel Vetkov almost spent all his money. After leaving for such a long time this time, I don't know if Cidolin and Ivanov also repeated the same mistakes and used up all his precious soldiers.
After waiting for a while, the soldiers who came to pick up Sokov from Mamayevgang arrived. Seeing the living Sokov, Samoilov, who led the team, said excitedly: "Comrade Commander, I am ordered to pick you up back to Mamayevgang. Don't worry, no matter what happened on the way, I will definitely escort you back to the division headquarters safely."
"Wait a minute, comrade Lieutenant." Sokov raised his hand to interrupt Samoilov's flattery and asked with a frown: "Is the situation in our place not good?"
"No, no, comrade of the division commander." Samoilov immediately shook his head like a rattle when he heard this question: "The situation in Mamayevgang is normal. Although the enemy has launched attacks on our positions many times, they have been repelled under the tenacious blockade of our soldiers."
"Where is the casualties of the troops?" Sokov asked impatiently.
"There are casualties, but they are still within a bearable range." Samoilov reported to Sokov: "The number of casualties in each regiment reached one-third, but we still have enough troops to defend our positions."
"Let's go back to the division." Sokov said goodbye to Trikov, Krelov and others, and took Samoilov and his subordinates toward Mamayev hill.
"Comrade of the Division," Samoilov said to Sokov on the way back: "You will not leave again when you come back this time, right?"
"Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov did not immediately answer Samoilov's words, but asked back, "Why do you ask that?"
"Comrade Commander, you don't know." Samoilov said aggrievedly: "You have been away for too long this time, and there are some rumors in the division, saying that you are going to be transferred, which has greatly affected the emotions of the commanders and soldiers. But now, you have returned to our troops, and I believe everyone will be very happy."
When he arrived at the entrance of the north gang of Mamayevgang, although it was already dark, Samoilov, who was responsible for escorting Sokov, established contact with the sentry through a command. When the sentry saw Sokov appearing in front of him, he couldn't help but be excited and murmured: "You will not leave again when you come back this time, right?"
"No, no." Sokov shook his head and said, "I will stay with you until the day when I completely defeat the invaders of Faxi Temple."
After the sentry waited for Sokov and his team to enter the tunnel, they immediately reported to the regiment commander Yershakov by phone: "Comrade Commander, I will tell you a good news. The division commander, the division commander is back."
"What, the division commander is back?" Hearing the sentry report, Yershakov jumped up directly from his seat. In order to avoid an oath incident, he also asked specifically: "Do you confirm that the division commander is back?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." The sentry replied respectfully: "I have read that right. Before entering the tunnel, the division commander chatted with me. In this case, it is impossible to admit the person wrong."
Chapter completed!