Sokov secretly felt fortunate that when he led the troops, Belkin once suggested to him that it would be better to bring the only three tanks in the brigade, saying that after receiving tank support, the chance of defeating the enemy would be higher, but he was rejected by him. If he really brought the three tanks, if Rokosovsky asked him to leave the tank behind, could he disobey the opponent's orders?
Anyone who has learned about the history of the Stalingrad defense war will feel that Cui Kov, who stayed in the city to command the troops, is in danger, but in fact, compared with Rokosovsky, it is a terrible witch. From the movie, you can see that when the enemy's vanguard approaches Cui Kov's command, he can dispatch several tanks to counterattack. What about Rokosovsky? The only two armored vehicles were sent out, but before they gained a foothold, they were directly bombarded into wreckage by the German tanks.
Rokosovsky thought that Sokov would definitely bargain with him when he heard this order, but he didn't expect that the other party would agree so readily. He couldn't help but ask with some doubt: "Misha, are you really willing to hand over these troops to me?"
"Of course I'd like to give up." Sokov replied without hesitation: "As long as the headquarters can be safe, not to mention two companies, you will agree even if you ask me for two battalions."
Rokosovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's answer. He smiled and nodded: "Misha, if your subordinates had not provided us with artillery support in time today, whether the headquarters still exists at this moment is a question. On behalf of all the members of the headquarters, I would like to express my gratitude to you." After saying that, he took a step back, stood at attention and saluted Sokov.
Sokov didn't expect Rokosovsky to suddenly salute him, and he seemed a little panicked for a moment: "Comrade Commander, don't be polite, this is what I should do." As he said that, he hurriedly returned a salute to the other party.
Lobachev came over, held Sokov's hand, and said with emotion: "Major Sokov, you don't have to be humble. It is because of everything you did that our headquarters was spared from the danger of destruction. To be honest, the German shells had already landed next to the house and exploded, shattering the window glass. I was still wondering, would you sacrifice here today? Fortunately, your subordinates called for artillery fire support in time, repelled the enemy's attack, and saved us from the brink of destruction."
"Comrade Military Commissioner, you don't have to be so polite." Seeing that Lobachev also came to thank him, Sokov smiled slightly and responded politely: "As a member of the 16th Army, when I saw the headquarters being in danger, of course I have to find ways to rescue him."
"Comrade Commander," said Malining, "It seems that our decision to form a new force was correct. Look, in just a few days, Major Sokov formed a combat-capable force."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I'm just lucky." Sokov replied with a smile: "The position of my containment of troops is exactly the only way to break through the troops, so that I can accommodate enough commanders and fighters to form my infantry brigade in a very short time."
As several people were talking, another staff officer came in outside and reported directly to Rokosovsky: "Comrade Commander, a unit came from outside, saying that General Panfirov sent to support us."
"Who is leading the team?" Rokosovsky asked.
"It's a major," replied the staff officer: "It is said to be the battalion commander of the Division Guard Battalion."
"Let him come in."
Shortly after the staff officer left, he walked in with a major: "Comrade Commander, the person you are going to meet is here."
The visitor saluted Rokosovsky: "Hello, Comrade Commander!"
"Hello, Major Comrade." Rokosovsky held the other party's hand and asked with a smile: "Are you the guard battalion commander of the 316th Infantry Division?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." The major nodded, and then said with some shame: "The division commander learned that the headquarters was attacked by the enemy, and ordered me to lead the guard battalion to support him. Since there was no means of transportation, we could only marches on foot, so the time was delayed on the road was a bit long."
"Comrade Major, on behalf of me, you will express your gratitude to your division commander for sending troops to support him in time after you learn that we are in danger."
"Ah, you want us to go back?"
"Yes. The danger we face here has been lifted, and there is no need for you to stay." Rokosovsky said to the major: "General Panfirov sent out his guard battalion. I guess he had no troops around him. If he was attacked by the enemy, it would be troublesome."
As soon as Rokosovsky finished speaking, Malinin came over with a telegram and reported to him: "Comrade Commander, I just received a telegram from the 316th Infantry Division."
"What is said in the telegram?"
"The enemy broke through the position of the 107th Infantry Regiment, broke into the city from the north of Volokoramsk, and was fighting fiercely with the 1075th Regiment that was standing in the city."
After listening to Malining's report, Rokosovsky couldn't help but frown and then asked back: "How is it, can they block the enemy?"
"It's not easy to say, Comrade Commander." Malining said with a serious expression: "They lack sufficient anti-tank gun weapons. It may not be easy for them to block the attack of the German armored forces."
Rokosovsky did not answer Malining's words, but turned to the major and said, "Comrade Major, you must have heard that the situation in the direction of Volokoramsk has become worse. You should go back as soon as possible. Based on my understanding of General Panfirov, as long as he has troops in his hands and sees dangers in some places, he will join the troops without hesitation."
"What about the headquarters?" The major was naturally anxious when he learned that the German troops had invaded the city of Volokoramsk. You must know that there were no combat troops beside Panfirov's side except staff, communications soldiers and some logistics personnel. If the enemy rushed to the nearness of the division headquarters, the consequences would be very serious. However, when he thought of his mission to come here, he couldn't help but say in embarrassment: "What should we do if the enemy launches another attack after we leave?"
"Comrade Major, you don't have to worry about this." Rokosovsky said to the major: "Did you see this Major Sokov? Before you lead the troops, the troops under his command successfully rescued the headquarters from danger. And he also left the two infantry companies he brought to the headquarters. With this force, even if the enemy launches another attack, we are sure to block them."
When the major heard Rokosovsky say this, he realized that he would definitely not be able to stay. After saying a few more scenes, he turned around and left the command center.
Seeing that there was no war at the headquarters, Sokov continued to stay and had no intention of much, he asked Rokosovsky tentatively: "Comrade Commander, are you allowed to return to my own troops?"
"Wait a moment." Rokosovsky said this and turned his head to ask Malining next to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you think the infantry brigade is better to stay in its current position, or to move to other defensive areas?"
"Comrade Commander, I'm thinking about this issue just now." Malining said with some embarrassment: "If they are allowed to stay in place, they can form a siege with the 316th Infantry Division. If there is any problem, they can provide timely rescue. But now our left-wing 5th Army has been fighting hard with the German army for a few days in the Borodino area, and it is difficult to support it, and there is a possibility of retreat at any time."
When Rokosovsky heard this, he immediately understood what Malinin, who had been speaking hesitantly, wanted to express, and said bluntly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, are you worried that the infantry brigade will continue to stay where it is. With the retreat of the 5th Army, their flanks will be exposed to the enemy?"
Rokosovsky did not express his opinion, but looked at Sokov and said, "I think this matter should be decided by Misha himself."
"Major Sokov, I wonder what you thought about?" Since Rokosovsky had spoken, Malinin asked Sokov according to the procedure: "Are you planning to stay in place or transfer to a new location?"
Sokov's eyes turned and he immediately had his own idea. If the 5th Army troops were repelled by the Germans, then his flank would be exposed to the enemy. But if he continued to stay in place, he could still accommodate many defeated soldiers and strengthen his team. Therefore, he said seriously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think it's better for my troops to stay in place. If we retreat rashly, the flanks of the 316th Infantry Division would be exposed to the enemy, so that their pressure to stick to Volokoramsk would be greater."
After listening to Sokov's reasons, Malining whispered a few words to Rokosovsky, then stood up straight and said to Sokov: "Major Sokov, after research, I decided to agree to your decision and let the infantry brigade stay in place to carry out the defense mission. But I would like to remind you, once you find that you can't hold on and need to transfer, remember to say hello to the headquarters in advance so that we can know what we know. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov replied: "If I really plan to transfer the position, I will definitely report it to the headquarters in advance."
"Very good, very good." After Malining said two good things in a row, he turned to look at Rokosovsky to see if he had anything to say. Seeing Rokosovsky shook his head, he said to Sokov: "Major Sokov, it's getting late, you go back to the defense zone first. Remember to keep in touch with us at any time."
After saluting several people, Sokov turned around and walked out of the command center.
When they arrived outside the command center, the two company commanders and the guard platoon commander immediately came up and asked with concern: "Comrade Brigade Commander, are we going back to the defense zone now?"
"You two, stay with the troops." Sokov pointed at the two company commanders with his hand and said to them: "From the future you will be under the command of the headquarters."
Hearing Sokov say this, the two company commanders couldn't help looking at each other, and then asked aggrievedly: "Comrade Brigade Commander, do you want us?"
"It's not that you don't want you, but you need you more here." Sokov was worried that the two company commanders would be emotional, so he explained to them: "Now the headquarters is weak, and if they are attacked by the German army, their strength will not be able to stop the enemy at all. And leaving you here is to support them for a longer time when the enemy attacks, so as to gain valuable time for reinforcements. Do you understand?"
Although the two company commanders were unwilling to give up, Sokov had already issued an order, and they could only obey unconditionally: "Okay, comrade brigade commander, we obey your order!"
At this time, a captain walked out of the command center. After he came to Sokov, he asked politely: "Comrade Major, where are the troops you left for the command? Comrade Chief of Staff ordered me to come and accept them."
Sokov pointed his hand at the two company commanders in front of him, "They are the company commanders of the two companies. If you have any problems, just negotiate with them directly."
The captain nodded at Sokov, and then said to the two company commanders: "Comrades, please come with me, I will take you to see the defensive zone you are responsible for."
Seeing the two company commanders leave, the guard platoon commander was a little anxious. He leaned close to Sokov and asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, what about me? How do you plan to resettle me?"
"You are my guard platoon leader, of course you will follow me back to the infantry brigade." Sokov saw the guard platoon leader's anxious look, and said teasingly: "I have left all the two companies I brought. You can't go back alone, right? If I encounter a German, wouldn't I become their captive?"
The guard platoon commander grinned and said, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I'll gather the guard platoon now."
An hour later, Sokov returned to the infantry brigade's station with the guard platoon.
When Sokov walked into the tent, Belkin immediately asked impatiently: "Comrade Brigade Commander, you are back. How is the situation in the headquarters? Have the attacking enemy been repelled?"
"Of course." Sokov nodded: "Before I led the troops to arrive, the enemy attacking the headquarters suffered a very heavy casualties because of the precise attack from our army's artillery fire. They were forced to retreat and retreat near the headquarters."
Karsokov looked outside the tent and asked in surprise: "Comrade Brigade Commander, why are there only guard platoons outside? Are you taking the two companies of the rescue headquarters? Where have they been?"
"I left those two companies in the headquarters." Sokov explained to the two: "The headquarters' troops are weak. If they encounter German attacks again, they will not have the ability to protect themselves, so they will leave those two companies behind."
Fortunately, the infantry brigade was receiving officers and fighters entering the defense zone every day, so there were two fewer than 300 people in a company. For Belkin and Karsokov, it was nothing at all. Therefore, the two just said "oh" and did not express any unnecessary opinions.
"Did something happen in the brigade during the time I left?" Sokov was worried that he would not ask his questions clearly enough, and he also emphasized specifically: "Have the enemy launched an attack on the positions of the three battalions?"
"No, there has been no battle since you left." Karsokov replied: "Although fighting was taking place on both our left and right wings, somehow our defense zone was calm. Except for the German scouts nearby, there was no sign of the enemy's attack."