"Comrade Chief of Staff, your idea is good." Batov said to his Chief of Staff; "But whether it can be implemented is another matter."
"Why?" the chief of staff asked puzzledly.
"First of all, it is a question whether there is a prisoner-of-war camp built by the German army near us." Bartov said: "Secondly, even if there is, how should we occupy the prisoner-of-war camp? You know, the Germans are not fools. Once they notice it,
Our intention may be to massacre the commanders and fighters held in the prisoner-of-war camp before it falls. After we occupy the prisoner-of-war camp, all we will see are corpses all over the ground."
When the chief of staff thought about it, it was indeed possible. If troops were really sent to attack the prisoner-of-war camp, the Germans would definitely kill the imprisoned commanders and soldiers when they could not keep watch. They fought hard for a long time and finally entered.
Only to find out later that all the commanders and fighters who were trying to rescue were killed, it would be too much of a loss.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask: "Comrade Commander, how did the troops of the 48th Group Army liberate the prisoner of war camp? As far as I know, there were almost no casualties when the imprisoned commanders and fighters were rescued."
Bartov shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and said helplessly: "I don't know what happened. Anyway, as far as I know, General Sokov has liberated many prisoner of war camps, and basically all the commanders and fighters detained in them are
He was rescued. When I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely ask him for advice in person."
Sokov did not know what happened in Batov's headquarters. He was asking Miresyev to learn about the situation of the rescued commanders and fighters: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you said that among the four thousand rescued commanders and fighters, those who can be immediately incorporated into the army
No more than three thousand people?”
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Miresiev nodded and replied: "Many commanders and fighters are very weak due to the torture they suffered from the Germans in the prisoner of war camps. After a long march, they need to
After a period of rest, I won’t be able to participate in any battles at all.”
When he learned that there were only 3,000 commanders and fighters left who could be incorporated into the army, Sokov couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. But it was better than nothing if he could add some troops to the two divisions and one brigade that were about to join the war.
Sokov turned to Kirillov and said: "Comrade Colonel, call the commanders of the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions and the 122nd Brigade and ask them to come over immediately. I will assign combat tasks to them."
The headquarters of the three commanders were not far from the church. After receiving the call from Kirillov, they all rushed to the temporary headquarters within ten minutes, ready to accept the combat order from Sokov.
"Comrade commanders," Sokov and others arrived and said to them: "Not long ago, our superiors gave us a special order to collect as many prisoners as possible and send them to the front army headquarters...
"
As soon as Sokov said this, Tolstikov couldn't help but interrupt and asked: "Comrade Commander, I wonder what the front army headquarters wants us to do to collect prisoners?"
"General Tolstikov," Sokov knew that not only Tolstikov wanted to know the answer, but Onuprienko and Victor also wanted to know the answer, so he simply said: "Ba
After Operation Gradion began, the Allies had doubts due to the huge results achieved by our army. In order to dispel their suspicions, the Supreme Command prepared to ask the Front Command to provide prisoners to show the Allies what we had achieved.
Result."
Hearing what Sokov said, Tolstikov showed a surprised expression on his face: "Is this true, Comrade Commander? Our superiors asked us to provide more prisoners just to show the Allies what we have
What results have been achieved?”
"Yes, it is indeed the case." Sokov nodded and said affirmatively: "Only when the Allied forces see these prisoners of war, will they believe that the results we have achieved are real."
"Comrade commanders," Ponejelin said from the side: "The more prisoners of war we provide, the Allied forces will truly believe in the results we have achieved, so in the next operations, I hope you can capture more
Many prisoners."
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander." As soon as Ponedelin finished speaking, Onupryenko said: "We will definitely not betray your trust and strive to capture more prisoners."
As Sokov's old subordinate, Victor has long been accustomed to Sokov's command style. When everyone was silent, he asked: "Comrade Commander, I don't know what kind of battle you plan to give us.
Task?"
"Comrades, come and see." Sokov called a few people to the map, pointed to the position where they were going to attack, and said: "According to the scout's report, the German army has an infantry regiment and an incomplete formation here.
Motorized regiment, your mission is to annihilate them all."
After Tolstikov carefully looked at the situation of the enemy and ourselves near the attack site, he said to Sokov carelessly: "Comrade Commander, don't worry. Our two divisions and one brigade will eat up the German army."
These two groups are not a problem at all."
Seeing that Tolstikov was underestimating the enemy, Sokov couldn't help but frowned slightly, and then said: "General Tolstikov, although the German army has suffered repeated defeats in Belarus, their strength cannot be underestimated.
Look at it. You can’t take it lightly because you think they have suffered heavy losses, otherwise you will suffer a loss. Sometimes the bite of a wounded beast will be more painful."
As Sokov expected, Tolstikov was dazzled by the recent series of victories, and he was full of contempt for the German army that was about to attack. He felt that as long as his two divisions and one brigade troops took action, they could
Completely destroy the enemy, and unknowingly, you have the idea of underestimating the enemy.
Hearing what Sokov said at this moment, he immediately realized that his idea was too dangerous, and he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He blushed and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, you are right, I do underestimate the enemy."
Thoughts. But please rest assured that I have realized my problem and I will pay more attention to it."
Sokov raised his hand and looked at the time and said: "Comrade commanders, now that the mission has been clarified, you should return to your respective troops as soon as possible. You will lead the troops to the starting point of the attack in an hour."
"Comrade Commander," Onupryenko asked tentatively: "I think the Germans should have fortifications in this area. I wonder if our attack can get artillery support?"
"There is no artillery support." Sokov shook his head and said: "The Germans are very cunning. Every time our army's artillery preparations begin, they retreat from the first line of defense through the communication trenches to the second line of defense, resulting in
Our army's artillery shells all hit the open ground, causing a waste of time."
"However," Onupryenko said hesitantly: "Without artillery fire preparations to destroy the enemy's fortifications, we will inevitably pay heavy casualties when we launch an attack."
"General Onupryenko, you don't have to worry about this." Sokov comforted the other party and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Victor's 122nd Brigade just received a batch of new rockets today to deal with German fortifications.
, the effect is far better than artillery preparation."
"New rocket?!" Hearing the term Sokov said, Onupriyenko was stunned for a moment, and then said with a look of shock: "Is it the kind of rocket that can be launched at any venue?"
"Yes, it's that kind of rocket." Sokov added: "It's perfect for hitting German fortifications and firepower points at close range."
"Since there are such powerful weapons, why weren't they used in the battle to liberate Minsk?" Onupryenko asked curiously.
"The reason is very simple." The person who stood up to speak this time was Ponedelin: "Because this new type of rocket was just delivered yesterday by a hovercraft. When we attacked Minsk, we did not have this kind of weapon, so naturally we did not use it.
Already."
"I wonder how many there are?" Onupryenko continued to ask.
"There are seventy new rockets delivered this time." Sokov said to Onupryenko: "Although the number is a bit small, I think it is more than enough to deal with the two German regiments.
.”
Onupriyenko wanted to say that it was impossible to destroy two regiments of German troops with seventy rockets, but then he thought, maybe the commander meant that destroying the German fortifications was enough, so he did not say anything more.
What.
After everyone left, Kirillov said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, we have all seen the power of new rockets. Why not give the troops more equipment? You know, if every army has
With the new rockets, whether attacking German field fortifications or solid city defenses, our army's casualties can be greatly reduced."
"Comrade Colonel, it's not that I don't want to equip every unit, but I am unable to do so." Sokov explained to Kirillov with a wry smile: "Nowadays, due to the lack of some materials, the production capacity of this new rocket has been greatly reduced.
"Come on, if it weren't for my friendship with Colonel Belkin, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get these seventy pieces."
When Sokov said this, he secretly lamented that it would be great if Yakov was still in the weapons and equipment department, so that he could get more weapons he wanted. Although Belgin has now taken over Yakov's position
, but since he had just arrived and was still a low-key person, he simply didn't have the ability to get many of the weapons he wanted.
"Comrade Commander," Ponejelin continued: "I think if possible, it is best to equip the troops with assault rifles. Having good equipment will also be very helpful in improving the combat effectiveness of the troops."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, you also know that Colonel Belgin has just joined the weapons and equipment department not long ago and has not yet established himself." In order to prevent Ponedelin from misunderstanding, Sokov specifically explained to him: "If you want him
It may take a long time to provide us with weapons in large quantities like Yakov did."
Upon hearing this, Ponedelin felt that what Sokov said was very reasonable, "Yes, Colonel Belkin just went to the Weapons and Equipment Department. He has no say in many things at all. Even if he wants to give us weapons and equipment, I'm afraid he won't be able to do it."
.”
As he was talking, he suddenly heard someone outside asking loudly: "Comrades, is this the headquarters of the 48th Group Army?"
"Hey, it's the chief of staff who's here!" When Ponejelin heard the voice, a look of surprise appeared on his face: "So, the rest of our troops are here too."
The next moment, Sidorin strode in from outside.
Seeing Sokov and Ponedelin, he raised his hand in salute and said: "Commander, Comrade Deputy Commander, I have brought all the troops."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov extended his hand to the other party and said enthusiastically: "We warmly welcome you!"
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin shook hands with Sokov and Ponedelin respectively, and asked curiously: "I just saw troops gathering outside. Is there any new combat mission?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, there are indeed new combat missions." Sokov brought Sidorin to the table, pointed to the map spread out on it, and explained to him: "Not far from here, we are stationed
There was an infantry regiment and an incomplete motorized infantry regiment of the German army. I gave combat orders to the commanders of the two divisions and one brigade, asking them to annihilate this enemy group and capture as many prisoners as possible."
When it came to capturing prisoners, Sidorin thought of the order from his superiors and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, when you say you want to capture more prisoners, are you planning to send them to the front army headquarters?"
Sokov nodded and gave Sidorin an affirmative reply: "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, that's what I'm thinking about. I'm trying to find a way to provide more prisoners to the front army headquarters."
"By the way, Comrade Commander, I've always had a question in my mind that I can't figure out." Since Sidorin received a call from the front army headquarters, asking each unit to provide a large number of prisoners, he was full of doubts. At this moment, he saw the clues
Cove actually sent two divisions and one brigade to attack the nearby German army, just to capture more prisoners. He couldn't help but ask the question in his heart: "I want to ask, do you know why your superiors asked us to provide prisoners?"
Hearing Sidorin's question, Sokov first turned to Ponedelin and smiled, and then said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you should explain it to the Chief of Staff."
Sokov had said the same thing many times, and he really didn't want to say it anymore, so he left the matter to Ponejelin for explanation.
"Comrade Chief of Staff, according to our analysis, the situation is like this." Since Sokov entrusted himself with the task of explanation, Ponedelin did not refuse and recounted what Sokov said to everyone.
He repeated it again and finally said: "...the purpose of the front army headquarters to collect a large number of prisoners is probably to show our allies the results we have achieved. Because of this, Comrade Commander decided to send two divisions and one brigade.
Annihilate this group of enemies near us, capture more prisoners as soon as possible, and hand them over to the front army headquarters."
After listening to Ponejelin's explanation, Sidorin looked astonished: "So that's it. I finally understand why the superiors issued such an order."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin looked at Sokov and said: "Although we have deployed two divisions and one brigade in the battle that is about to begin, the enemy's strength is two regiments after all. Do you want to see if the troops I brought
Here, allocate more troops to participate?"
"There is no need." Sokov simply rejected Sidorin's proposal: "If two Guards divisions and an infantry brigade cannot eat two German regiments, then their combat effectiveness will be too poor.
I have to consider whether to change them into a reserve team and leave the opportunity to make achievements to other troops."
