Sokov, who was staying in the command center, did not know that Krelov and his friends met German snipers on the way, and were still discussing with Bere where the tank brigade should be deployed.
The phone ringing on the table rang, and Cidolin picked up the phone casually: "I am Cidolin, where are you?...what, say it again?"
After answering the phone, Sidolin said to Sokov with a pale face: "Comrade Commander, something happened."
Seeing Sidolin's expression, Sokov's heart skipped a beat. He knew that something must have happened, so he asked, "What's the matter?"
"General Krelov's convoy was sniped by German snipers on the road, and the entourage suffered a lot of casualties."
The originally relaxed atmosphere inside was swept away. Sokov's facial muscles twitched violently for a few times, and tried his best to ask in a steady tone: "Is there nothing wrong with General Krelov?"
"General Krelov is nothing," Cidolin continued to report, "but his military commissioner General Vasiliev died."
"What the hell is going on?" Bie Lei asked with a confused look on his face: "Didn't General Krelov's convoy pass through our defense zone at two o'clock? It's just one o'clock now."
"Lieutenant Colonel Starcha reported to me that General Krelov said they passed through our defense zone at twelve noon." Cidolin explained to Bere: "Maybe the Army Command made the mistake of the time when it informed us."
"Nonsense is simply nonsense. How can you make a mistake such an important thing?" Anisimov said angrily: "We should report this matter to the Army Command immediately, otherwise we will not be able to explain it clearly if our superiors hold it accountable."
"Yes, this matter should be reported to the Army Command immediately." Bere also agreed with Anisimov's opinion. He also reminded him specifically: "Misha, Comrade Commander not long ago, he called you to remind you that you must protect the safety of the two generals Krelov and Vasiliev. As a result, General Vasiliev has died now. If you do not report it in time, the consequences will be very serious."
"Chief of Staff," Sokov, who was in good spirits, immediately instructed Cydolin: "Contact Lieutenant Colonel Starcha immediately and let him arrive at the site of the accident immediately and figure out the whole story. I will call Commander Choikov and report this unfortunate incident to him."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov reported to Cuikov, who was answering the phone: "What happened? General Krelov's convoy was attacked by German snipers."
When Cui Kefu heard this, he couldn't help but feel shocked and asked quickly: "General Krelov is okay?"
"General Krelov is fine." Before Cuikov could breathe a sigh of relief, Sokov added in time: "But General Vasiliev and more than 20 soldiers who were accompanying him died unfortunately."
When he learned that Krelov was safe and sound, Cuikov was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Sokov's words, and couldn't help but shout at the microphone in anger: "What's going on? Colonel Sokov, am I not telling you that Krelov and Vasilyev are going to pass through your defense zone and let you protect their safety?
How did you promise me at the beginning? You would arrange the troops to guard them and ensure that they will not be hurt at all. Now that General Vasiliev has died, tell me, how should this be resolved?"
General Vasiliev was killed by German snipers in his defense zone. Sokov must have a certain responsibility, but not the main responsibility. In order not to make Cuikov vent his anger, he decided to explain the matter clearly: "Comrade Commander, tell me that the convoys of the two generals Krelov and Vasiliev will pass through the defense zone of our division at two o'clock. After receiving your order, I immediately arranged the troops to rush to that area for vigilance. The troops set out before they could reach the place, but before they could reach the place, the tragedy had already happened."
In a rage, Cuikov couldn't help but raise his hand and look at his watch when he heard Sokov say this, and found that it was not yet two o'clock, and it was very inappropriate to realize that he was angry with Sokov. He turned his head and looked at Major General Vladimirov, the new chief of staff: "Chief of Staff, according to the plan, at what time will Krelov and General Vasiliev pass through the defense zone of the 41st Division of the Guards?"
Vladimirov opened the record book and looked at it, raised his head and reported to Cuikov: "The time to pass through the defense zone should be between 12 noon and 2pm."
After hearing this, Cui Kefu raised his hand and slapped hard on the forehead. He realized that it was his negligence and mistakenly made the time when his old partner passed through the defense zone of the 41st Division of the Guards, which led to the tragedy.
After taking two deep breaths, Cuikov apologized to the microphone: "I'm sorry, Colonel Sokov, I'm wrong. General Krelov and his team passed through your division's defense zone should be from 12 noon to 2 pm. But I ask you, General Krelov can't have any more trouble, you must ensure his safety."
"Don't worry, comrade Commander." Sokov had been uneasy since he heard the news of General Vasiliev's death. At this moment, when he heard Cuikov mentioning Krelov's safety again, he took the initiative to say: "I will personally escort General Krelov to his headquarters."
After finishing the call with Cuikov, Sokov brought a guard platoon and rushed to the suburbs to meet Krelov.
Seeing Sokov coming in a hurry, Krelov didn't give him a good look: "Col. Sokov, what are you doing here? The Germans have achieved their goals. Even if you come here, you can't change what has happened."
"Sorry, General Krelov." Sokov considered that the situation worsened in the future and he might have somewhere to ask for help from Krelov, so it is necessary to explain the misunderstanding clearly: "I am also very sad about General Vasiliev's sacrifice. But Commander Cuikov notified me that you will pass through this area at 2:00 pm, and as soon as I received the order, I immediately sent troops here to serve as a warning."
"What, Cui Kefu tells you, we will pass here at two o'clock?"
"Yes, General Krelov."
"What the hell is going on?" Krelov also showed a confused expression on his face when he heard Sokov say this.
"Comrade General, I'll explain to you." Berev was angry and thought Sokov was quibbling, so he quickly stood up to smooth things over and said, "Comrade Commander informed us at 2 pm. Just now, Commander Sokov called to verify and found out the time you passed, which should be between 12 noon and 2 pm."
After explaining the misunderstanding clearly, Krelov's anger gradually subsided. He held Sokov's hand and said embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, Colonel Sokov, I misunderstood you, please forgive me."
Sokov quickly glanced at the body of the warrior placed on the roadside and said to Krelov: "Comrade General, I have made a guarantee to the commander to escort you to take office safely. As for the remains of these comrades, my subordinates will be properly buried."
Krelov was in a hurry to take office, so he did not object to Sokov's proposal. He stepped forward and held the hand of Bere, who was responsible for handling the aftermath, and said gratefully: "Col. Borelo, I'll ask you for everything here."
On the way to the 21st Army Command, Sokov, who was eager to get help from friendly forces, said to Krelov directly: "Comrade General, I think the German army may launch a counterattack on our army in the near future. After a long battle, the troops of the Southwest Front lacked troops and ammunition, and it may be difficult to withstand the German attack..."
"Col. Sokov," Krelov interrupted before Sokov finished speaking: "Are you a little nervous? The enemy has long been defeated by our army's repeated attacks. I don't think they have the ability to organize a decent counterattack. You should just stick to Lugansk honestly."
Seeing that Krelov did not trust his statement, Sokov was not upset. He asked tentatively: "Comrade General, I want to ask, if Lugansk is in danger, can I ask you for help?"
Before leaving, Krelov carefully studied the defense zone of the 21st Army and found that Lugansk was on the edge of the defense zone of the army. Therefore, he pondered for a moment about Sokov's request, and nodded and said, "No problem, the colonel I have reported, we are all friendly forces. As long as there is danger in your place, we will definitely support you."
When the convoy arrived at the 21st Army Command, Chisdakov, the commander of the army who had not had time to transfer his post, brought a group of members of the headquarters to greet the incoming Krelov at the door. When he saw Sokov getting off the car behind Krelov, he was stunned for a moment, but soon returned to his peace and walked up to shake hands with Krelov and greeted him.
When Chisdakov led Krelov into the inside, he asked curiously: "General Krelov, why did Colonel Sokov come too? Is he also the commander of the 21st Army now?"
"No, General Chisdakov. He was just ordered to escort me here to take office." Krelov waved his hand and replied, "Since I have arrived at the place, his mission has naturally been completed. By the way, how is the situation in the defense zone?"
"It's a little bit bad, Comrade Krelov." Chisdakov said with a serious expression: "I just received a report from the troops below that the enemies opposite them were gathering, and seemed to be preparing for a big operation."
"The enemy intends to take a big action?" Krelov repeated Chisdakov's words and asked in confusion: "General Chisdakov, what does this mean?"
Seeing that Krelov did not understand his meaning, Chisdakov sighed softly and said, "Judging from the current situation, the Germans are likely to launch a large-scale counterattack. The defense zone of our army may be attacked first. General Krelov, you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders."
"What, the enemy may launch a large-scale counterattack?" Krelov was stunned by Chisdakov's words: "General Chisdakov, are you not wrong? Under the powerful offensive of our army, the enemy has long been unable to organize decent resistance. How could it launch a counterattack? I think you must have made it wrong."