In order to strengthen the training with the front army headquarters, Sokov urged the newly appointed director of the Army Communications Corps to set up a telephone line that could communicate with the rear. After several days of hard work, the establishment of the telephone line was finally completed.
Knowing that the telephone line had been set up, Sokov couldn't wait to order the director of the communications corps to connect the phone to the front army headquarters. Soon, the director of the communications corps told Sokov: "Comrade commander, the phone number to the front army headquarters has been opened."
Put through, General Malinin is at the phone, you can talk to him."
"Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff." After receiving the call, Sokov said respectfully: "I am Sokov."
"Hello, General Sokov, it's a pleasure to speak with you." Malinen said with a smile: "How is the repair of the fortifications there?"
"Not ideal." Sokov replied with some embarrassment: "Now as the temperature gets warmer, the snow begins to melt, and our trenches are filled with water. The soldiers cannot stay in such a place."
"Yeah, it's not easy to build defensive fortifications like this." Ma Lining said understandingly: "The water in those trenches is bone-piercing, and people can't stay in the water for a long time. Otherwise, they won't wait for the enemy to attack.
, there will be a lot of frostbite.”
Sokov was very worried that the German army would launch a desperate attack at this time. Without adequate fortifications, he would have no choice but to fight with them. He asked tentatively: "Comrade Chief of Staff, although we have changed to
The Sixth Army, but the configuration of personnel and command system is still the same as that of the original combat group. I don’t know when our superiors will be able to add new troops to us."
"General Sokov, I was about to talk to you about this. Since you asked, I will talk to you carefully." Malinin said on the phone: "Based on our coordination with friendly forces, we decided to move the former Sixth
The 45th, 99th and 226th Infantry Divisions of the Army Group are assigned to your command."
Hearing that his superiors were planning to add three infantry divisions to him, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed. He quickly asked: "When will these three infantry divisions be in place?"
"General Sokov, these three divisions were transferred to the rear for reinforcement not long ago. It is estimated that it will take a month at the earliest before they can join the combat order of your group army."
Knowing that it would take a month for the additional troops to arrive, Sokov couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. But on second thought, after these troops have completed their rest and replenishment, they can then join his own group army. It only takes one or two battles to form a formation.
Combat strength, so that you can save yourself some worries.
Sokov paused for a moment and then asked: "What about the artillery and tank troops? You know, the five most elite divisions of the German army are confronting us now. If there are not enough tanks and artillery, we must block their attack.
, which is also a very difficult thing to do.”
"Misha," Sokov had just finished speaking when Rokossovsky's voice suddenly came from the receiver: "What's the matter with you? You actually learned to bargain with your superiors like other people.
"
Sokov was trembling with fright at first, but soon discovered that Rokossovsky was not angry, so he said with a playful smile: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I asked my superiors for soldiers and equipment in order to better deal with
Enemy. Do you think so?"
Hearing Sokov talking to himself with a playful smile, Rokossovsky shook his head with a wry smile, and then said: "Misha, don't you know that after the battle some time ago, our army's tanks and artillery suffered relatively heavy losses?"
Seriously. Especially the troops of the Southwest Front, due to lack of fuel and ammunition, almost all their tanks and artillery were thrown away when they retreated. Now we simply cannot provide you with the artillery and tanks you need."
Sokov knew that Rokossovsky was telling the truth. After suffering a heavy blow from the German army, the Southwest Front Army had long been defeated. When many troops threw away their weapons and equipment, they had no time to blow them up. As a result, most of them fell.
If they fall into the hands of the Germans, it won't be long before the Germans will use these weapons to turn around and attack the Soviet army.
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov felt that the best way at the moment is to stick to the existing position and not easily provoke the Germans. Otherwise, once a hornet's nest is stirred up and the enemy comes like a tide, he may not be able to withstand it.
, so he had to figure out what Rokossovsky planned: "I want to ask, do we really only need to stick to the current area?"
Hearing Sokov's question, Rokossovsky asked: "What, the Germans make you afraid?"
"How is this possible?" Sokov replied: "I'm not afraid of the enemy. I'm just worried that my superiors will order our troops to attack the enemy in the season that is least suitable for combat. Under today's climate conditions, it is very difficult to attack the enemy.
It is very unsuitable for the enemy to launch an attack. On the contrary, it will easily consume all the reserves we have accumulated with great difficulty. In this way, in the next few months, the initiative on the battlefield will be completely eliminated.
It is in the hands of the enemy."
"Don't worry, Misha." Rokossovsky heard Sokov's worries from his words, and comforted him and said: "As long as I am the commander of the front army, I will never let your troops
, launching a meaningless attack on the enemy in a season that is not suitable for combat. But no matter what, to maintain the stability of the existing front line with the enemy, you must lay minefields, pull barbed wire, and arrange anti-tank obstacles in front of the position...
…”
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov didn't want to build a minefield in the position and arrange anti-tank and infantry obstacles. At that time, it was difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. The warehouses in the Red Army Village had long been looted by the Germans, and he had nothing to use.
So he could only say in embarrassment: "But we don't have the things you mentioned in our warehouse."
"I will arrange a convoy to send you barbed wire fences, landmines and various anti-tank obstacles as soon as possible." Rokossovsky said on the phone: "However, you must promise me that they must be sent to you in the shortest possible time."
Within time, put all these things where they should be."
"No problem, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." When he learned that Rokossovsky was willing to provide him with enough supplies to establish defensive positions, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed. He quickly assured the other party: "As long as you promise
The supplies can be shipped in time, and I assure you that they will all be put in place within 24 hours."
Before hanging up the phone, Rokossovsky said to Sokov: "If you have a plan to attack the German army, remember to tell me in advance so that I can determine whether it is necessary to implement it."
