After arranging tonight's night attack, Sokov still felt uneasy. He once again ordered the director of the communications corps to dial the phone number of the front army headquarters.
The person who answered the phone this time was no longer Zakharov, but Konev himself. When he heard Sokov's voice, he thought that the other party was looking for the progress of the main force of the front army, so he said without thinking: "Soko
Comrade Husband, if there is any latest development, I will ask General Zakharov to inform you in time. Don’t call me casually if you have nothing to do, so as not to affect other important phone calls."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you have misunderstood." Seeing that Konev had misunderstood, Sokov quickly explained: "I am calling you because we will launch an attack on the enemy tonight and need your cooperation.
.”
"Are you going to attack the enemy tonight?" Konev heard what Sokov said, and he immediately became interested and asked repeatedly: "Where do you plan to attack the enemy, and what kind of help do you need me to provide you?"
Just say it, as long as it is within my ability, I will try my best to fulfill your request."
"The assistance I request is very simple," Sokov replied: "We plan to carry out a night force crossing attack at the middle end of the Oud River. The troops currently responsible for the assault mission are moving in this direction, in order to avoid being attacked by the enemy.
The reconnaissance plane has discovered the whereabouts, and I request you to send a few fighter planes to patrol the airspace there to disperse any German reconnaissance planes that may appear."
"If you only need the cooperation of a few fighter planes, then there won't be much of a problem." Konev knew that Sokov's troops would not attack if they did not attack. Once they did, they would definitely hit the vital points of the German army. He couldn't help but ask curiously.
: "Comrade Sokov, can you tell me where you plan to attack the enemy?"
Since he was reporting to Konev, Sokov naturally had no need to conceal it, so he truthfully reported to Konev the location where he planned to conduct a night raid.
After listening to the location mentioned by Sokov, Konev quickly walked to the wall and looked up at the map hanging on it. After he saw the location clearly, he returned to the table, picked up the phone and said: "Sokov
Comrade Cove, the map shows that the area where you are planning to carry out the raid is several hundred meters wide on the river. Even if the German defense on the other side is lax, how can you guarantee that you will not be discovered by the enemy when crossing the river?"
Sokov had already guessed that Konev would ask this. He smiled slightly and then said: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, have you forgotten the new river-crossing equipment in the hands of Colonel Yakov?"
"Oh, so you plan to take a hovercraft." After Konev figured out how Sokov planned to act, the expression on his face became relaxed: "If it is an ordinary river crossing equipment, these few hundred meters will be a
It’s a problem, but to you, it’s nothing.”
After a pause, Konev continued: "Comrade Sokov, I will immediately order the air force to dispatch fighter planes to cover your unit's movements from being detected by the enemy. I wish you good luck!"
"Comrade Commander," Samek said excitedly when Sokov put down the phone: "I was originally worried that the 384th Division might be discovered by the enemy's reconnaissance plane while marching, thus exposing our intentions. Now the front army
If the headquarters is willing to dispatch fighter planes to provide cover for our marching troops, the possibility of being detected by the enemy will be greatly reduced."
"Chief of Staff," Sokov told Samyko: "Immediately send a report to the 384th Division and tell Major General Gritsenko that the superiors will soon send fighter planes to provide them with control cover, so that they can march with confidence and boldness."
Facts have proved that Sokov's worries are completely justified. As soon as a four-plane formation of fighters sent by the 5th Army of the Air Force arrived, a German reconnaissance plane appeared.
The fighter planes that provided air cover for the 384th Division saw the appearance of the enemy planes and rushed forward like hungry wolves pouncing on their food. Before the German pilots could figure out why the Soviet planes appeared here, the reconnaissance planes had already been attacked by the fighter planes.
The cannon shot to pieces. Seeing that his plane was completely out of control, the German pilot quickly chose to parachute.
The commanders and fighters who were marching on the ground cheered when they saw an enemy plane being shot down by their own fighter plane. When the German pilot's parachute deployed in the air, the commander immediately sent soldiers to capture the parachuting pilot.
When the German reconnaissance plane appeared, Major General Gritsenko could not help frowning, and quickly ordered the radio operator to call the headquarters to report the presence of the German reconnaissance plane in the sky.
Sokov learned that the troops encountered a German reconnaissance plane during the march, and he felt panicked. If the reconnaissance plane discovered the troops marching on the ground and fed back the news, then his battle plan tonight would probably change.
Make appropriate adjustments.
Therefore, the first thing he did when he put down the telegram was to tell Samyko: "Chief of Staff, call Major General Gritsenko back. If you have any latest situation, report to me in a timely manner."
Just when Samyko agreed and was about to ask the operator to send a message to Gritsenko, a communications staff officer hurried over and excitedly reported to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, this message is from the 384th Division.
According to the telegram, the enemy reconnaissance plane that appeared above the marching column has been shot down by our fighter planes." After saying that, he handed the telegram in his hand to Sameko.
While Samyko was reading the telegram, Sokov looked at his staff and asked: "Did the enemy's reconnaissance plane crash? Is the pilot on board dead or alive now?"
Fortunately, the staff officer had read the contents of the telegram and was able to answer Sokov's question: "The enemy plane was shot down by our fighter plane. The pilot has parachuted. Now the ground forces have sent out manpower and are conducting a search."
The staff had just finished reporting, and Samyko had also read the contents of the telegram. He nodded to Sokov, indicating that what the staff said was correct. Although the German reconnaissance plane had been shot down, as long as the pilot was alive and dead, no one would be seen.
, is always a huge threat. Maybe the opponent sees the marching troops on the ground. As long as he escapes back to the German defense zone and reports this information to the superiors, the enemy will know that Sokov's troops may be in a certain area.
Military action will be taken, and the defense there will be strengthened at that time, making the battle plan a failure.
It was with this in mind that Sokov told his staff with a serious expression: "Comrade staff, call back and tell Major General Gritsenko that once you find the German pilot, report it to the headquarters immediately."
"Yes!" the staff officer agreed resoundingly, turned around and returned to the communication area, preparing to send a report to the 384th Division.
"Comrade Commander, don't worry too much." After the staff left, Samyko comforted Sokov: "Although the enemy pilot parachuted, he may have an accident during landing, such as falling into a swamp.
Drowned, or directly hit a big tree and was killed. Even if he landed safely, the 384th Division has sent personnel to search where he landed. It will not be easy for him to escape."
Sokov disagreed with Samek's statement. He thought that a few days ago, his plane was shot down by an enemy plane. Shortly after the emergency landing, a large group of German troops came to search, but they were repelled by him.
.If this German pilot was as good at fighting as he was at that time, it is still unknown whether he could be caught.
When Sokov and Samyko were looking sad, Runev's voice suddenly came from the door: "Comrade Commander, are you here?"
Sokov quickly stood up and said to Lunev who had just walked in the door: "Comrade Military Commissar, I am here, what can I do?"
"It's like this, Comrade Commander." Lunev complained to Sokov: "I cooperated with local comrades and took over the management of the city, and found that there are many problems that need to be solved urgently."
"what is the problem?"
"The water and electricity in the city have been stopped." Lunev said to Sokov: "Without electricity, you can still light candles for lighting. But if there is no water, it will have an adverse impact on the lives of the residents in the city. Therefore.
, I plan to second the engineering troops to repair the pipelines damaged by the Germans so that the city's water supply can be restored as soon as possible."
"Comrade Commander, the engineering troops have more important tasks to perform. I'm afraid they won't be able to spare manpower to repair the pipelines damaged by the enemy." Samyko was a little embarrassed and Sokov said: "Look, how to solve this problem?"
What about the matter?"
"No, the engineering troops cannot be mobilized at this time." After Sokov finished saying this, he saw a puzzled expression on Lunev's face, and quickly added: "They will soon set up installations on the Oud River.
Bridges, if there are not enough manpower, the pontoon bridge cannot be erected in the shortest time."
"Floating bridge, what floating bridge?" Lunev didn't know what Sokov and Samyko meant, and asked strangely: "Hasn't the bridge on the Oud River been occupied by our army? Why are we sending engineers?
What about building another floating bridge?”
"Comrade Military Commissar, in addition to several infantry divisions, our group army also has tank corps and artillery divisions. With so many troops, if we only cross the river through one bridge, it will definitely cause congestion on the bridge." Sokov explained: "
Once the enemy discovers that our army is crossing the bridge and launches intensive artillery fire attacks, it may cause huge casualties to our army."
When Sokov explained this, Lunev immediately understood what he meant. However, he still asked reluctantly: "Comrade Commander, if the engineering troops cannot be used, who will repair the damaged water pipes in the city and restore the control of the city?"
What about the water supply for residents here? You know, not everyone can find a way to find a water source."
"Don't worry, Comrade Military Commissar." Seeing Lunev's anxious look, Sokov quickly comforted him and said: "Although our engineering troops cannot be used, you can mobilize the residents of the city. I believe there must be some among them.
There are a large number of plumbers, and they may be more suitable to repair damaged water pipes than our engineering troops."
"Comrade Commander," Lunev stubbornly said to Sokov after listening to this: "I think it is very difficult to recruit plumbers and electricians in the city now. It is better to let our engineers do it."
Let's resolve this matter." He was worried that Sokov would bring up the old matter again, saying that deploying engineers to repair pipelines would affect the erection of pontoon bridges. He also specifically added: "We just liberated the city, and the residents in the city still have feelings for us.
There is a certain amount of resistance, and if we recruit workers at this time, I’m afraid it won’t have much effect.”
A look of astonishment appeared on Sokov's face: "Comrade Military Commissar, isn't this our land? Why do the residents of the city resist us when we liberated this city?"
Lunev sighed and said with a wry smile: "Our army captured Kharkov at the beginning of the year. At that time, many residents came out to assist our army, such as setting up militia and medical teams to help our army maintain the city."
order, and rescue the soldiers and civilians at hand."
"Isn't this great? Why is there resistance to us now?"
"After the city fell at the beginning of the year, the enemy not only massacred the sick and wounded of our army in the city, but also mercilessly killed those who had helped us." Lunev said: "The enemy's brutality,
It frightened many people, and they were worried that if they came out to help us again, they would suffer the same fate when the Germans came back."
Sokov was silent, thinking to himself, if he were an ordinary resident and saw so many residents being murdered by the Germans because they helped the Soviet army, and the Soviet army came to recruit him for a certain job, he would
They will definitely choose to escape. Unless someone can make a promise to them and let them understand that the Germans will never come back, even if they help the Soviet army do anything, they will not bring any danger to themselves.
"Comrade Military Commissioner, how many people can you recruit now?"
"With the help of local comrades, recruiting fifty or sixty people should not be a big problem."
"It would be good to have fifty or sixty people." Sokov volunteered, "Can you gather a few more people? I want to talk to them. Maybe after the talk, I can change their minds."
"Is it possible?" Lunev asked with some lack of confidence.
"No problem." Sokov said confidently: "I assure you, I am absolutely sure to convince these people and make them willing to work for us."
Lunev has been partnering with Sokov for more than half a year. He knows his character very well and knows that since he said it, he can definitely fulfill it. He nodded vigorously: "Comrade Commander, I believe you have such ability."
.Then I will go find the local comrades now and ask them to summon more people to listen to your speech."
"Go on, go on." Sokov urged: "While I'm still free now, I can do some ideological work for them. If I wait until I get busy, I won't be able to get out even if I want to."
Lunev took a few steps towards the door, suddenly stopped, turned to Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, can you see if you can allocate another unit to my use, which will be more conducive to my development in the city."
Work."
There was no reason for Sokov not to agree to Lunev's request. He immediately thought that the weakest among the group army's security forces was Lieutenant Serelkov's security company. Although their performance on the battlefield was
It may be worse, but it should still be more than enough to maintain order in the city. "Comrade Military Commissar, I will hand over Lieutenant Serelkov's guard company to you. If anything happens, just give them orders."
