"It's not necessary." Sokov simply rejected Weisbach's proposal: "There are only a few hundred enemies on the high ground now. If you three thousand people can't eat them, then you shouldn't be a division commander, or...
Go back and be your deputy brigade commander honestly."
Sokov's words stimulated Weisbach, who said aggrievedly: "I just asked Colonel Atakuz, and he said that one-third of the commanders and fighters in the army are unarmed. In other words, they are ready to participate in the battle.
Of the 3,000 men, I am afraid that one-third or a higher proportion of the commanders and combatants will be unarmed. If we have more people participating in the battle, the chance of victory will be greater."
What Weisbach said was beyond Sokov's expectation. He asked Atakuz sideways: "Comrade Colonel, is this true?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Atakuz replied truthfully: "My division was reorganized after the Battle of Kursk. Although it has as many as 8,000 people, one-third of it is
The commanders and fighters were unarmed.”
"So many people don't have weapons, what should we do in battle?" Lunev was used to the well-equipped Sokov troops. Suddenly he heard that the 300th Division would be short of weapons. He thought it was incredible: "We can't let this happen.
When our soldiers fight, do they charge at the enemy with bare hands?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, the situation is similar to what you said." Atakuz looked at Lunev and replied with some embarrassment: "Due to the lack of weapons, our grassroots companies are all configured according to the standard of three people and two guns.
, that is, two veterans lead one recruit. When one of the two veterans dies, the recruit is qualified to pick up the weapons of his sacrificed comrades and continue fighting."
"Nonsense, this is simply nonsense." After hearing what the other party said, Lunev said angrily: "If those two veterans are never sacrificed in the battle, that doesn't mean that the new recruits can only squat in the trenches.
, watching helplessly as one’s comrades fight against the enemy?”
"That's pretty much it."
"Colonel Atakuz, let me ask you a question." Sokov felt that the lack of weapons in the troops was not a problem. He could solve the problem by seizing them or asking his superiors to allocate them. What needs to be clarified now is the weapons of the 300th Division.
Will all commanders and soldiers use weapons: "Will all soldiers use our army's weapons?"
"That's for sure, Comrade Commander." Atakuz replied: "Although the number of weapons distributed to us by our superiors is insufficient, every soldier has undergone military training and knows how to use weapons."
"Since the soldiers all know how to use weapons, it will be easy to handle." After Sokov said this, he ordered Weisbach: "Colonel Weisbach, immediately order people to collect the weapons of the drunken commanders and soldiers and put them away
Weapons are given to commanders and soldiers who are ready to fight."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Weisbach replied loudly: "I will arrange manpower to handle this matter."
"You go back and make preparations. When the time comes, you can set off."
After sending away the two division commanders, Sokov asked Samoilov to move the radio station into the room, and then said to the radio operator: "Comrade radio operator, immediately send a telegram to the Army Headquarters, saying that we are at Fesky Collective Farm.
We found the enemy building fortifications on the high ground to the west, and asked them to immediately monitor the area to see if they could figure out the enemy's number."
The operator agreed and immediately started sending telegrams to the army headquarters.
While the radio operator was sending the report, Lunev walked up to Sokov and asked: "Comrade Commander, what do you think the number of this enemy group is?"
"I don't know, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov said expressionlessly: "Although I haven't figured out their numbers yet, I think they are not simple and we must not take them lightly."
"Why not simple?"
Sokov saw a map on the table. After looking down for a while, he found the location of Fesky's collective farm. Then he pointed at the map and explained to Luniev: "Comrade Military Commissar, look.
The location where the enemy built fortifications was to the west of the Fesky collective farm. In other words, their connection with the Kharkov garrison was cut off by us.
In this case, not only did they not retreat, but they also built fortifications to the west of our army. They did this for two purposes: First, when our army launched an attack on Kharkov, they could attack our flank.
The rear prevents us from attacking the city with all our strength; secondly, if our army attacks smoothly, when the defenders in Kharkov are desperate, they can also support the defenders to break through..."
After listening to Sokov's analysis, Luniev couldn't help but nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, Comrade Commander, what you said makes perfect sense. It seems that it is completely necessary to eliminate this group of enemies."
After he paused for a moment, he asked Sokov tentatively: "Comrade Commander, if the 300th Division has just been re-established, their combat effectiveness must not be complimented. Do you think it is possible to transfer troops from Dergach to eliminate this unit?"
Share the enemy?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, now that I have issued combat orders to the 300th Division, how can I mobilize other troops to take over their attack?" Sokov said to Lunev with a serious expression: "The consequences of doing so
, will not only damage the commander’s prestige; at the same time, it will also chill the commanders and fighters of the 300th Division.”
Sokov's words made Lunev realize that he had not considered the problem thoroughly enough, which would bring about a series of adverse consequences. He quickly changed the subject and said: "By the way, how should we solve the shortage of weapons in the 300th Division? It's a request.
Will your superiors allocate some more weapons and ammunition?"
"Our army and the German army are currently in a fierce battle, and the consumption of weapons and ammunition by each unit is astronomical." Hearing Lunev's question, Sokov couldn't help but began to worry: "Even if we apply to our superiors, under the current situation
Under such circumstances, it may take a month or two before we can be provided with the weapons we need."
"What, a month or two later?" Lunev was stunned by the time Sokov said. He knew Sokov's ability very well. Even in a difficult battle, as long as Sokov's troops participate,
It will never take more than a month: "By then our army might have liberated Kharkov and driven the enemy far away from the edge of the city."
"It seems that we can only replenish weapons and ammunition for the 300th Division through seizures..."
Before Sokov finished speaking, he heard a rush of footsteps outside the door, and then a soldier with branches tied to his head and body rushed in from the outside. After he entered the door, he came directly to Mihaye
In front of Captain Fu, he said excitedly: "Comrade Captain, good news, we found a German ammunition warehouse in the south..."
"Ammunition warehouse?!" Before Mikhailev could speak, Sokov, who was worrying about the equipment of the 300th Division, heard the soldier's report. He rushed over quickly, grabbed the other party's lapel and asked loudly: "What do you mean?
Where is the German ammunition depot?"
The soldier was caught by a stranger who rushed out from beside him. He was startled at first. When he saw clearly that the person who captured him was actually Sokov, he replied in a panic: "Comrade Commander, it's south of the farm, a few meters away."
It’s about five kilometers from here.”
Sokov let go of the opponent's shirt, took a step back, and then asked: "What weapons are there in the warehouse? How many are there? Are there any enemies nearby?..."
After listening to Sokov's series of questions, the soldier paused for a moment, and then began to report: "Comrade Commander, the warehouse mainly contains submachine guns, rifles used by infantry, and a certain number of MG42 general-purpose machine guns. Although there is no statistics on the number, but according to
In my judgment, there should be no problem in equipping two divisions... As for the enemy, not a single enemy has been discovered."
Lunev couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard this, and said to Sokov repeatedly: "Comrade Commander, did you hear that? Our scouts discovered a German arsenal south of the farm, which contained enough equipment to equip two divisions.
equipment. In this way, the problems we face can be solved."
But instead of being happy, Sokov frowned. He stared at the soldier and asked: "Comrade soldier, the two divisions you mentioned, do you mean our army's division, or the German army's division-level organization?"
The Soviet army's organic division numbered 8,000 men, while the German army's one division numbered 15,000 men, so Sokov had this question.
"Of course it is the formation of a German division!"
"you sure?!"
"OK!" the soldier explained: "After we entered the warehouse, we took a rough look at the area where the weapons were placed, and we can calculate how many weapons there are. Comrade Commander, this is the basic skill of our scouts, and we will never do it.
Incorrect."
Hearing the soldier's answer so conclusively, Sokov's face showed a smile. He raised his hand and patted the soldier's shoulder twice, and said with a smile: "Comrade soldier, you are good. Wait for this time
After the battle is over, I will definitely award you with honors."
After Sokov said these words, he shouted towards the door: "Samoylov."
Following the shouting, Samoilov ran in from outside, straightened his back and asked: "Comrade Commander, what are your instructions?"
"Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov ordered him: "Go out and invite Colonel Weisbach and Colonel Atakuz, and tell them that I have something important to inform them."
Weisbach and Atakuz, who were busy gathering troops, were very puzzled when they heard Samoylov say that Sokov wanted to see them. They whispered to each other: "Comrade Commander, there will be a meeting with us if he comes to us."
What's going on?"
"Will we be asked to cancel military operations in the early morning?"
"This is impossible." Weisbach, who knew Sokov, immediately retorted: "Comrade Commander always follows his words and deeds, and the orders he gives are never canceled without reason."
"But we just came out of there, in just ten minutes, what big thing could happen?"
"My comrade, deputy division commander, please stop guessing." Weisbach said to Atakuz while dragging him towards the headquarters: "You will know what happened after you meet comrade commander.
Already."
The two walked into the headquarters and saw Sokov standing at the table, chatting and laughing with Military Commissar Lunev. They quickly took a few steps forward and saluted Sokov.
"Two comrades, colonels, you are here." Sokov smiled at them, nodded, and said, "I called you two back because I have some good news to tell you."
"Good news?" Hearing what Sokov said, the two couldn't help but look at each other, and both saw a trace of doubt in each other's eyes. Finally, Weisbach took a step forward and asked: "Comrade Commander, I don't know.
What good news?"
"This soldier is a scout sent by Captain Mikhailev to conduct reconnaissance in the south." After Sokov introduced the identity of the scout to the two of them, he returned to the subject: "They discovered a man five kilometers away from here.
A German ammunition warehouse contains a large amount of weapons and ammunition. I called you here just to ask you to send people to retrieve the weapons and equip them for the troops."
"I wonder how many weapons are in this batch?" Weisbach asked cautiously.
"Don't worry, Colonel Weisbach." Sokov said: "The equipment in the warehouse is more than enough even for your entire division."
"Great, this is really great, Comrade Commander." Weisbach suddenly became excited after hearing what Sokov said: "With this batch of weapons, all the commanders and fighters in the division can be fully armed.
stand up."
"Colonel Weisbach, I have a suggestion for you. After these weapons are retrieved, all equipment should be given to the veterans, and the weapons of the veterans should be given to the new recruits. Do you understand?"
"Comrade Commander, I don't quite understand what you mean." Weisbach asked in confusion: "Why are weapons distributed like this?"
"The reason is very simple. When recruits go to the battlefield for the first time, they will feel very nervous." Sokov explained to Weisbach and Atakuz: "If they are equipped with submachine guns, when they charge, in order to eliminate the enemy on the battlefield,
Out of fear, their fingers will keep pulling the trigger. In this way, within a few seconds, the bullets in the stretcher will be exhausted. Even if they carry more ammunition, according to their method of fighting, they will not be able to support more
long time.
But if they are equipped with a Mosin-Nagant rifle, the situation will be different. This rifle has only five rounds of ammunition, and every time it fires, the bolt must be pulled. Although the shooting speed is slowed down,
But it can reduce the ammunition consumption of recruits to the greatest extent.
Also, there is a difference between the use of German-style weapons and the use of our army's weapons. If you rashly give new recruits a weapon that they are not familiar with, I am afraid that it will be difficult to exert any kind of power in combat."
After Sokov's explanation, Weisbach finally understood what was going on, and quickly straightened his body and replied: "Comrade Commander, I understand everything now. Don't worry, after the weapons in the warehouse are moved back,
I will definitely order the soldiers to hand over their original weapons to the new recruits who have no weapons."
"Colonel Weisbach, this soldier knows where the warehouse is. The troops you will send will follow you to the warehouse area and transport all the weapons and ammunition in the warehouse back as soon as possible."
After seeing off the two colonels, the operator handed a newly received telegram to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, this is a call from the Chief of Staff from the headquarters. Please read it!"
Sokov received the telegram from Samyko and quickly read its contents.
There was a lot in the telegram: First, Major General Gritsenko's 384th Division had launched an attack on the east bank of the Ude River. The leading troops successfully occupied the German positions along the river and established a small landing site. Jako
Colonel Husband's hovercraft is non-stop transporting troops from the west bank to the east bank.
Second, the telegrams sent by the German troops on the highlands west of the Feski collective farm have been intercepted and are currently being deciphered. Once the results are available, they will be reported as soon as possible.
