Although the three of them took the fire escape of the building, the road to the roof was not smooth. Most of the enemies were attracted by the Soviet commanders and soldiers who rushed into the building, but they would still encounter sporadic German officers and soldiers from time to time. Still the three of them were
They are all equipped with assault troops, and they still have a firepower advantage against those enemies who are alone.
But even so, when they reached the top of the building, one soldier unfortunately died, and the sergeant and another soldier were also injured to varying degrees. However, the two fulfilled their mission and planted the flag of the Marine Corps brigade.
On top of the municipal building.
Chuvashov, who was staying in the bell tower on the top of the church, saw the flag of the Marine Corps raised in the municipal building. He couldn't help but cheered. He turned around and ordered a telegraph operator behind him: "Send a telegram to the army headquarters immediately, saying
The flag of our brigade is already flying over the German command headquarters."
When the radio operator sent a report to the headquarters, Dobrushin, who was standing next to Chuvashov, was unhappy: "Comrade Colonel, our two brigades launched an attack on the municipal building where the enemy's headquarters is located at the same time. Now my people
Isn't it a bit inappropriate to still be fighting the enemy in the building and only raise your military flag on the building?"
Hearing Dobrushin's complaint, Chuvashov said apologetically: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I'm really sorry. It's really my negligence. Please understand. But while the current battle is not over yet, you can also send people
Put your brigade's flag on the top floor, so that it can be announced to other troops that this municipal building, used as a headquarters by the German army, is jointly occupied by our two brigades."
"Okay, I will immediately give the order to the troops at the front." Dobrushin felt that Chuvashov's statement was somewhat reasonable, so he nodded and said: "Let them also put the military flag on the top of the municipal building.
And hold on until the end of the battle.”
Samyko received the telegram from Chuvashov and immediately reported the good news to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, good news, there is a telegram from Colonel Chuvashov saying that his troops have successfully stormed into the city hall.
The building is engaged in a final battle with the remnants of the enemy entrenched inside. At the same time, the flag of their brigade is already flying in the wind over the municipal building."
Sokov couldn't help but feel ecstatic when he learned that the commanders and fighters of the Marine Brigade had successfully rushed into the municipal building. After he took Chuvashov's telegram and read it carefully, he couldn't help but frowned. He used
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table and asked thoughtfully: "Why is it that only the flag of Chuvashov's brigade is planted on the top of the municipal building, and the flag of Dobrushin's brigade?"
After Sokov's reminder, Samyko also realized that there was something wrong with Chuvashov's telegram. The two brigades attacked the municipal building at the same time, but Chuvashov's brigade took the lead in rising on the top of the building.
Military flag, this is indeed unfair to the Dobrushin Brigade who fought side by side.
Thinking of this, he tentatively asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, how should we reply to Colonel Chuvashov?"
"Tell Colonel Chuvashov that since the municipal building was captured by two Marine Corps brigades, the flags of the two brigades should be raised on the roof." Sokov waved to Samyko: "Hurry up.
Go and send a telegram to Colonel Chuvashov and convey my wishes to him."
After Samyko turned around and left, Sokov felt that since the Marine Corps Brigade had planted its flag on the roof of the municipal building, even if 80% of the entire Belgorod area was still under German control,
According to the tradition of the Soviet army, one's own troops can be considered as occupying the city. Such a large victory must be reported to the front army headquarters immediately.
The call was quickly connected, and Konev's voice came from the receiver: "Comrade Sokov, what can I do?"
"Reporting to Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov reported to Konev with some excitement: "The flag of the Marine Corps under our army group is now flying on the roof of the Belgorod Municipal Building."
"What, what did you say?" After listening to Sokov's report, Konev couldn't believe his ears and asked loudly: "Comrade Sokov, what did you just say? Please say it again."
"Commander of the Front Army," since it is a victory report, let alone repeating it, even if it is repeated ten or eight times, Sokov will not find it troublesome: "The flag of the Marine Corps Brigade under my command is currently in Belgoro.
The roof of the German Municipal Building is fluttering."
"Comrade Sokov," although he heard clearly what Sokov said, Konev still asked uneasily: "Are you sure that the flag of the Marine Corps Brigade is on the Belgorod Municipal Building?
Is it flying on the roof?"
"I am absolutely certain that this is true." Sokov said in a positive tone: "Colonel Chuvashov, who was responsible for commanding the troops to attack the municipal building, personally sent me a telegram to report the result of the battle to me.
"
"It's great, it's simply great." After Konev confirmed that Sokov's statement was true, he slapped his hands on the table and said excitedly: "This is really an amazing result. I want to top it immediately."
The high command reports the results of this battle."
After the other party fell silent again, Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask, how is the progress of our left-wing friendly troops?"
"Oh, don't mention it." Konev heard Sokov's question, shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "Due to the tenacious resistance of the Germans, the 241st Infantry Division, which was the first to attack, was crippled by the enemy. Later he added
The infantry divisions that went up also suffered heavy casualties. As the battle continues, they have only barely captured one street and cannot continue to expand the results."
Sokov has his own intelligence channels to keep abreast of the progress of friendly forces. He knows very well that the reason why friendly forces have been unable to achieve great results is entirely because the commander's tactical guidance is too outdated and does not know how to adapt to the battlefield situation.
Instead of adjusting their tactics, they just continued to attack fiercely. As a result, the commanders and soldiers suffered heavy casualties under the enemy's intensive firepower.
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov couldn't bear to see so many commanders and soldiers sacrificed in vain, so he asked Konev tentatively: "Do they need us to support them?"
"I don't care anymore." Konev simply rejected Sokov's request: "Your army group is responsible for the attack on the west side of the city. The task is already very heavy. There is no need to add trouble to you. I think, with the 53rd Army
With the strength, we can completely complete the attack on the northwest direction of the city."
From Konev's words, Sokov realized that his question just now was a bit too rash. In any case, the troops attacking from the northwest were the main force of the front army. Whether it was troops or technical equipment, they were several of his own.
Times, if you offered to help yourself, wouldn't you be slapping the commander of the friendly forces in the face?
After understanding this, Sokov no longer offered to reinforce friendly forces. After chatting with Konev for a few words, he put down the phone. Seeing Samyko walking over, he casually asked: "Send the telegram."
Yet?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, the telegram to Colonel Chuvashov has been sent." Samyko asked Sokov with some worry: "When we write a report to our superiors, we still have to write which brigade put the military flag first.
At the municipal building, I'm afraid there will still be conflicts between the two brigades. Comrade Commander, do you have any good ways to resolve this crisis?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I have an idea." When Sokov called Konev, he was thinking about how to deal with the two Marine Corps brigades. Now that Samyko asked, he told the truth.
expressed his thoughts: "After Belgorod and Kharkov are liberated, the superiors will definitely grant honorary titles to some troops and transform some ordinary infantry divisions into Guards divisions. We can learn from this
Make some fuss about it."
Sameko thought of a possibility, but he was not sure, so he asked cautiously: "Can you be more detailed?"
"After this battle, neither Chuvashov's brigade nor Dobrushin's brigade will exist as a complete organization." Sokov said: "In order to avoid the situation of competing for credit, I will report to
The superiors submitted an application to merge the two Marine Corps brigades and the infantry brigades and reorganize them into a new Guards Division. In this way, wouldn't the contradiction we are worried about be solved?"
After listening to Sokov's plan, Samek suddenly felt his eyes light up. I have to say that Sokov's plan is really wonderful. If the Marine Corps Brigade and the Infantry Brigade merge, what they will gain is the collective
The issues of honor and merit were naturally solved. He nodded vigorously and gave Sokov a thumbs up: "Comrade Commander, your idea is really wonderful. In this way, we don't have to worry about the end of the battle."
I got a headache after the first achievement was attributed to me.”
Sokov recalled the current establishment of the Soviet Army's Guards Division in his mind, and then said: "The current establishment of the Guards Division has reached the 97th Guards Division. That is to say, if we are lucky, we can replace the Marine Corps
After the brigade and the infantry brigade are merged, they can obtain the designation of the 98th Guards Division."
"Then when should we report it?" Samyko reminded Sokov: "I'm worried that if we wait until the battle is over and report it, this number will be awarded to other troops by superiors, and our troops will only be able to obtain the 100th or higher number.
’s number.”
"I'll send a telegram to Marshal Zhukov." Sokov said thoughtfully: "Let's see what he means."
Zhukov once left the radio code to Sokov, so Sokov successfully ordered the operator to send a telegram to Zhukov, reporting to the other party that he hoped to obtain the number of the 98th Guards Division.
After seeing the telegraph operator finish sending the telegram, Samek asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, how do you think Comrade Marshal will reply to our telegram? Do you agree or disagree?"
Although Sokov and Zhukov have good personal trainers, it is still unknown whether the other party will agree to his booking of the 98th Guards Division. Therefore, after hearing Samyko's question, he grinned silently, and then
Said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, unfortunately, I don't know how Marshal Zhukov will answer me. Now we can only gamble on luck."
After saying that, the two stopped talking. Instead, they each lit a cigarette and waited anxiously for Zhukov's reply while smoking. However, when the telegram did not arrive, Zhukov's phone call came.
Zhukov's angry voice came from the microphone: "Major General Sokov, what are you doing?"
Hearing that Zhukov did not call him by his nickname affectionately, but instead called himself by his surname and job title, Sokov realized that Zhukov was angry, but he did not know what the other person was angry about, so he asked tentatively: "Marshal
Comrade, is something wrong?"
"Our commanders and fighters are fighting hard to capture Belgorod, but you sent me a telegram saying that you want to apply for the designation of the 98th Guards Division for your troops. Tell me, is this a bit too much?
Already?"
Sokov realized that in the telegram he sent to Zhukov, he did not clearly explain the problems faced by the two Marine Corps brigades, and quickly said: "Comrade Marshal, please don't be angry, let me explain it to you.
"
"Then tell me." Zhukov said displeasedly: "I want to hear how you defend yourself."
"Comrade Marshal, the situation is like this. Not long ago, two of my marine brigades rushed into the municipal building where the German headquarters is located..."
"What, what did you say?" Zhukov on the other end of the phone suddenly raised his voice: "Your troops have rushed into the municipal building. Did I hear you correctly?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal, you heard that right." Sokov replied: "My two Marine Corps brigades have rushed into the municipal building and are engaged in a fierce battle with the enemies entrenched in the building. Although the battle is still
It’s not completely over, but one of the brigades has planted its flag on the roof of the municipal building.”
"The military flag has been planted on the top of the municipal building. This is great." Zhukov suddenly became happy when he heard such good news: "I congratulate you. Misha, please pay tribute to those who invaded."
The commanders and fighters at the municipal building convey my gratitude for their contribution to the liberation of this city."
"I will, Comrade Marshal." Sokov continued: "The reason why I want to ask you for a new designation is related to these two troops."
"Is the new unit number related to these two units?" Zhukov asked curiously: "What on earth is going on?"
Sokov quickly attacked the municipal building with two marine brigades at the same time, but Chuvashov's brigade planted its flag on the roof first, which led to the possibility of competing for credit after the battle. The reason why he
The reason for rushing to ask Zhukov for the unit number was to avoid conflicts in the future.
After Zhukov figured out what was going on, he nodded and said, "Misha, I have some inside information to tell you. Someone in the Supreme Command suggested that the number of our Guards Divisions is too large and should not continue to increase. Therefore, starting from May this year
On March 4, after the reorganization of the 96th, 96th and 97th Guards Divisions was completed, in principle no new Guards divisions will be added."
If other people heard Zhukov say this, they would definitely give up without hesitation, but as a person from the future, Sokov naturally knew that the 98th, 99th and 100th Guards were added on December 23.
Division, then continued: "According to the tradition of the army, planting the military flag on the roof of the city's municipal hall means the occupation of the city. The two Marine Corps brigades have established such great achievements, should they be given
Even the number of a Guards Division is not enough?"
If it were another time, Sokov made such an unreasonable request, Zhukov would definitely reject him. Although he is a member of the Supreme Command, his ability alone cannot change the decision made by the entire collective.
.But now the progress of both the Steppe Front and the Voronezh Front is extremely difficult, and the results achieved by Sokov's 27th Army are extremely dazzling. Zhukov feels that he is fully capable of helping them win this designation.
After some thought, Zhukov said decisively into the microphone: "Misha, don't worry. I will personally report to the supreme commander himself about reserving numbers for you. I believe that based on your military exploits, he will definitely make an exception."
