The trenches that had been dug through great effort were filled with turbid water overnight, so that water pumps were not allowed to be used to pump water.
That day, Sokov brought two soldiers to the defense area of the 212th Infantry Division to inspect. A long distance away, he saw soldiers standing upright in the trench ahead from time to time, slapped the soil in the shovel in his hand on both sides of the trench.
He saw two soldiers sitting on tree stumps smoking, and was about to go over and say hello to them and ask where the division headquarters was. As he approached, he suddenly heard an older soldier saying to another young soldier: "Valoja, do you know? The trench today reminds me of the construction site of the cathedral back then."
After hearing this, the warrior who became Valoja asked curiously: "Uncle Gennaji, please tell me quickly why our trench reminds you of the construction site of the cathedral."
Sokov knew that the cathedral they mentioned should refer to the Cathedral of Christ and the Savior by the Moscow River. It was originally built to commemorate the victory of Russia's Napoleonic Wars in 1812. The design was completed in 1831 and the foundation was laid eight years later. It is a monumental building that combines religious and historical characteristics. It is the largest Orthodox church in Russia and can accommodate 10,000 people at the same time.
This precious ancient building was blown up in 1931. The relevant departments planned to build a 200-meter-high Soviet palace on site, with the plan to build a 40-meter-high statue of Lenin on the top. However, due to the design problems, the construction was stopped shortly after the start of construction. It was known that a heated swimming pool was built in the 1960s.
Uncle Gennaji continued: "After the cathedral was blown up, the relevant departments were preparing to build a 200-meter-high Soviet palace on site, and the construction team where I was also involved in the construction. When we dug the foundation that was 300 meters long, 200 meters wide and 15 meters deep, a collapse accident suddenly occurred, and more than a dozen workers were buried in the soil. After rescue, most of them were rescued, but two workers still died unfortunately.
When an accident occurred, the construction could only be temporarily stopped. We were originally going to wait for the next day to continue the construction, but early the next morning, we came to the pit to take a look. My God, the pit was all full of water. At that time, someone found more than a dozen water pumps to start pumping water. However, after three days and three nights, the water level still did not drop at all.
After discussion and decision by superiors, the construction of the Soviet Palace was temporarily stopped. It was announced to the public that it was because there was a problem with the design, so the construction could only be suspended. After the design plan was revised, the construction would resume."
"I went there before the war broke out," Valoja said, "There is a barbed wire outside, and there is a sign hanging on it, saying 'Construction site, please do not get close to it!'"
"Some people said," Gennadi continued: "When the cathedral was blown up, someone in the crowd heard a voice telling him that this place could only be built in a church and no other building would work."
Although what Gennadi said sounds a bit far-fetched, Sokov didn't care. After all, some legendary things will naturally change as they spread more people.
I heard Valoja continue to ask: "Uncle Gennaji, the three trenches we dug yesterday were all flooded with water today. Does this mean anything?"
"Nothing can be said." Before Gennaji could speak, a stern voice came from a distance: "Gennaji, Valoja, other comrades are working, but you two are lazy here, hurry up and go back to work for me!"
Hearing the man's voice, Gennaji and Valoja both stood up in a hurry, raised their hands to salute each other, and walked towards the trenches that were being dug with tools.
The man stood there with his hands behind his back, looking around, and unexpectedly found Sokov standing not far away and the two soldiers behind him, and rushed over. He came to Sokov and stood attentively, raised his hand to salute, and reported: "Hello, Comrade Commander, I am Lieutenant Colonel Kunsakov, the political commissar of the 212th Infantry Division. The troops are digging trenches, please instruct!"
"Continue digging the trenches." Sokov raised his hand and returned the favor, and asked casually: "How about it, are the trenches here also flooded with water?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Kunsakov replied respectfully: "It is the season of spring snow melting. The melted snow seeps into the trenches, and water accumulation will naturally occur."
Sokov has been having trouble with the water accumulation in the trenches recently. He knew very well that the temperature of the water formed by melted snow was very low. If soldiers stayed in such water for a long time, they would easily suffer from non-combat attributable conditions such as frostbite. At this moment, he heard Kunsakov say this, and he asked casually: "Do you have any good solutions?"
"There is still a solution," Kunsakov replied, "We can build wooden stakes in the trenches and lay logs or boards on them. In this way, even if water accumulates in the trenches, our soldiers don't have to stay in the water."
Sokov also discussed the method proposed by Kunsakov with the new engineer's chief a few days ago. He felt that in order to do so, the trench must be dug two meters deep on the existing foundation, and thousands of wood are required. After some discussion, the plan to lay logs in the trench was rejected.
"Ltd Colonel," Sokov said to Kunsakov: "Your plan is good, but it was very difficult to implement it at that time. Have you ever thought about how big a project it would be to lay logs in so many trenches? Even if our officers and soldiers worked day and night, they would probably not be able to complete the construction by July. When the enemy's large-scale attack begins, we..."
Sokov said this and realized that he had let it go, so he stopped quickly. But Kunsakov was still asking: "Comrade Commander, how do you know that the Germans will launch a large-scale attack on us in July?"
"This is normal," Sokov said perfunctorily: "The enemy likes to attack us in the end of June and July. For example, the great Patriotic War broke out on June 22, 1941. Okay, keep busy, I'll go to another army to see it."
After wandering around the divisions and returning to the headquarters, Sokov called Vitkov and Lunev over and said to the two worriedly: "Comrade Military Commissioner and Chief of Staff, the situation is not good now. Due to the melting of snow, our newly built fortifications will accumulate water overnight, and even the old fortifications will seep water from time to time."
"I think I should send a telegram to my superiors." Lunev said first: "Report our situation to them and ask them to send special engineering troops to help us build strong fortifications."
"Comrades of the Military Commission, it is obviously unrealistic to ask superiors to send engineer troops to help us." Before Sokov could speak, Vitkov retorted: "You know, our precious engineer troops are now repairing the roads and bridges that were destroyed by the enemy in our rear. They cannot withdraw troops at all and come to assist us in building defensive fortifications."
When Lunev learned that the engineers were repairing roads and bridges in the rear, he stopped talking. He knew very well that if the damaged roads and bridges were not repaired, the logistics department in the rear would not be able to transport ammunition, fuel and various military supplies to the front line in time.
"Chief of Staff," Sokov couldn't help asking when he heard Vitkov mention the transportation issue: "How long can the materials we stockpile now support the battle?"
"About seven days." After a brief thought, Witkov gave an answer: "In seven days, our troops will face the situation of running out of ammunition and food."
When Lunev heard Sokov suddenly asked about the material situation, he couldn't help but feel moved and asked quickly: "Comrade Commander, what are you doing? Are you planning to attack the enemy?"
"What, Comrade Commander, are you going to take the initiative to attack the enemy?" Vitkov was startled by Lunev's words, and he quickly asked: "When, where, and where, and what kind of troops are you going to attack the enemy?"
"Yes, I do want to attack the enemy's defensive positions." Sokov frowned and said, "From the current situation, the construction of fortifications has encountered great difficulties. Instead of waiting for the enemy to attack us and break through our army's defense line, we should take the initiative and launch a limited attack on the enemy."
Sokov walked to the map and looked, and then said, "I plan to break through the defense line between the Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division, approach Balvinkovo, and disrupt the enemy's deployment. If all the supplies are only enough for the troops to use for seven days, then we should try to reduce the number of troops participating in the war."
Lunev was confused by Sokov's words, and he asked in confusion: "Comrade Commander, I don't understand. If you want to attack the enemy, the more troops, the better? Why not only do you not ask for reinforcements from your superiors, but also reduce the number of troops participating in the war?"
"Comrade Military Commissioner, the reason is very simple. We have insufficient supplies." Sokov explained to Lunev: "If we use eight divisions and all artillery and tank brigades, the supplies consumed every day are very amazing. After seven days, after these supplies are exhausted, once the enemy launches a counterattack, our remaining troops will only be wiped out by the Germans. But if we only use half or even less troops, the consumption of supplies can be reduced. In this way, the time for us to fight with the Germans will increase, so that our superiors will have more time to provide us with supplies."
Witkov felt that Sokov seemed to have mature ideas for a long time, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, I want to ask, which day do you plan to choose the attacking day?"
"Send reconnaissance personnel to conduct reconnaissance on the German defensive positions." Sokov ordered Vetkov: "I plan to use the forces of two to three divisions and a tank brigade to attack the enemy. In order for this attack to be successful, it is necessary to understand the distribution of the enemy's troops."
"Don't worry, comrade Commander." Witkov said to Sokov: "I will urge the Reconnaissance Office to obtain the latest German troops distribution map as soon as possible."
Sokov continued: "Chief of Staff, you must instruct the scouts to carefully and accurately reconnaissance of the enemy, so as to reduce the casualties of our army during the attack."
When Sokov said this, he accidentally glanced at Lunev next to him. Seeing the latter's excited look, his heart skipped a beat. He quickly said to Lunev: "Comrade Military Commissioner, this is just an idea of me and the Chief of Staff. Whether an offensive action will be taken at that time is still an unknown. Don't report to your superiors casually, as we will become very passive at that time."
When Lunev heard Sokov say this, his face turned red. He thought that after hearing Sokov and Vitkov's combat plan last time, he immediately reported to Belia, who was far away in Moscow through his own special radio station. Later, he realized that there was a misunderstanding. Everything he heard was just a deduction performed by Sokov and Vitkov on the map. For this reason, he was severely criticized by Belia.
At this moment, when Sokov said hello to himself, he quickly replied: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I didn't understand the state last time. This time I will never act recklessly. I will definitely wait until you report the combat plan to the Front Command before reporting it to Moscow."
Sokov knew very well that the other party had a special way to report the situation of the troops to his superiors, and he felt very understanding of this. After all, this was the other party's responsibility. He nodded slightly and said, "Comrade Military Commissioner, after I and the Chief of Staff determine the attack time, I will give you a detailed combat plan and you will continue to report to Moscow."
Lunev did not expect that Sokov was so reasonable. After the combat plan was determined, he would give himself a plan and report to Moscow. He quickly said gratefully: "Thank you, comrade Commander, thank you for your trust in me."
Sokov waved his hand and said with a smile: "Comrade Military Commissioner, we are now partners. If you want to make achievements, you need to work together. Are you right?"
"Yes, what you said is really right." Lunev nodded and expressed his opinion to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, don't worry. As long as I am still a military member of the army, I will fully cooperate with your work and fight the enemy on the battlefield in the future and establish great merits."
Sokov talked to Lunev, and Vetkov had finished calling the reconnaissance department. He reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I have called the reconnaissance department. They promised that after dark, they would immediately send five reconnaissance teams to go deep into the enemy's rear to conduct reconnaissance, and in the shortest time, feedback the accurate intelligence back."