When Golia left with the people, he specifically told the communications soldiers in the command post: "If the political deputy commander of the fourth battalion calls again, just tell him that I took the people to the brigade headquarters, and ask him to take them too.
People come here quickly."
Unexpectedly, before he reached the brigade headquarters, he saw a group of people coming from another branch. Golia turned around and saw that the leader was actually the deputy battalion commander of the fourth battalion, so he asked in surprise: "Comrade deputy battalion commander."
, you came so quickly!" After taking a look at the soldiers behind him, he lowered his voice and asked, "Did you bring people here after receiving a call from my men?"
"What phone number?" the deputy battalion commander said with some surprise: "After I called you, I called the first and second battalions. Although they knew that the brigade commander was injured, they had no idea that their superiors had appointed
I got a new brigade commander. I felt something was wrong, so I was going to take someone to the brigade headquarters to have a look."
When Golia heard what the other party said, he couldn't help thinking: "Since the first and second battalions have also received the call, the two battalion commanders will definitely bring people over. By then, nearly a hundred people will surround the brigade headquarters. See if the superiors are still there.
Do you dare to remove the brigade commander from his position?"
In normal times, no commander would dare to gather a group of subordinates to force his superiors to change an appointment. But today's situation is different. Sokov is the backbone of the Mamayev Heights garrison. If he really
Being dismissed by superiors will inevitably affect the morale of the troops. If people's hearts are scattered, it will be difficult to lead the troops.
In order to prevent the superiors from replacing Sokov without authorization, not only the deputy battalion commander of the fourth battalion, but also Golia rushed to the brigade headquarters with a team of people. The first battalion commander Vanya and the second battalion commander Vasily connected to the phone,
They each took a squad of soldiers to the brigade headquarters. However, before departure, Vanya had an extra thought. He also called the third battalion commander Andre and told him bluntly: "The superiors have appointed a new commander."
Brigadier, it seems they are planning to remove our brigade commander. If you are still from the infantry brigade, immediately bring your subordinates to the brigade headquarters and ask for an explanation from the new brigade commander sent by your superiors."
In fact, after Chuikov appointed Vitkov as acting brigade commander, he called Sidorin to inform him. In order to maintain the stability of the army, Sidorin did not inform the battalion commanders of the new appointment, and even stayed in the operating room.
Neither Belkin nor Yakov outside the room knew about this.
Although there is only one curtain hanging at the door of the operating room, if you want to know the operation situation, you only need to lift the curtain and go in. But both Belgin and Yakov are deeply afraid that if they break in without permission, they will affect the operation.
The military doctor performed the operation and could only stand outside and wait anxiously.
Yakov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said anxiously: "Comrade Political Commissar, this operation has been going on for an hour and a half, why is it not finished yet? Tell me, Misha's life is not in danger, right?"
"I don't think so, Major Yakov." Belkin was also worried about Sokov's safety, but in the current situation, in order to prevent panic, he still tried to control his
Emotionally, he tried his best to say in a calm tone: "I had a few words with Comrade Brigade Commander before he entered the operating room. Although he was a little weak in speaking, according to my experience, his life should not be in danger."
While the two were talking, a soldier suddenly ran over in a hurry. After seeing Belkin, he did not shout loudly, but leaned close to Belkin's ear and whispered a few words.
Yakov, who was standing aside, saw a look of horror on Belkin's face after listening to what the soldier said, and he quickly asked nervously: "Comrade Political Commissar, what happened?"
"There is an urgent matter in the brigade. Chief of Staff Sidorin asked me to go back immediately." Belkin waved his hand in a panic and said: "Major Yakov, please wait here for the brigade commander to come out.
"After saying that, without waiting for Yakov to speak, he shook his head at the soldier and walked towards the brigade headquarters. The soldiers standing aside quickly followed him.
After Belkin walked a certain distance, he turned around and saw that there was no trace of Yakov here, so he asked the soldier who reported the news in a low voice: "What is going on? Why did several battalion commanders lead people to surround the brigade headquarters?"
Get up, do they want to rebel?"
"Comrade Political Commissar," the soldier said anxiously: "I asked a fellow villager who participated in the siege. According to him, the battalion commanders heard that their superiors had appointed a new brigade commander to replace our brigade commander, so they
I was anxious, so I took my people to the brigade headquarters and asked the new brigade commander for an explanation."
"It's nonsense, it's nonsense." Belkin quickened his pace and said angrily: "The superiors appoint who to be the brigade commander. That is their power. Why are the battalion commanders below making such a fuss? Why should they bring someone here?
Aren't they afraid of being court-martialed by besieging the brigade headquarters?"
After hearing this, the soldier smiled bitterly and said to Belkin: "Comrade Political Commissar, do you think that if another person were to command the troops, we would be able to survive until the day of victory?"
The soldier's words made Belgin fall into deep thought. From the moment the German army approached Stalingrad, the battle was extremely cruel. Other troops would be crippled in a week or two at most. Only his own troops faced the ferocious German army.
During the offensive, he was still like a nail, firmly nailed to Mamayev Hill, without retreating even a step. The brigade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, was indispensable for this. If the brigade commander was replaced at this time
, there will definitely be some bad associations in the minds of the officers and soldiers.
Before Belkin reached the brigade headquarters, he found that the passage in front was blocked by a group of soldiers. Seeing that the front was blocked, the soldiers who reported the news quickly shouted loudly: "Comrades, please give way, political commissar
Comrade is here."
Hearing the soldiers' shouts, the soldiers blocking the passage immediately gave way to a narrow passage, allowing Belkin and his men to pass. Belkin finally squeezed in after a great deal of effort.
He arrived at the headquarters. In the room, he saw that in addition to Sidorin and the five battalion commanders, there was also a strange colonel.
Belgin guessed that the colonel should be the newly appointed brigade commander, so he walked directly in front of him, raised his hand to salute him, and said respectfully: "Hello, comrade colonel, I am from the infantry brigade.
Political Commissar Belkin, do you have any instructions when you get here?"
"Hello, Political Commissar Belkin." The colonel stretched out his hand to Belkin and said with a smile on his face: "I am Colonel Vitkov, deputy chief of staff of the group army. My superiors have appointed me to temporarily act as the commander of the infantry brigade. I
I came here to take up the post." After saying this, he turned to look at the door and said helplessly, "I found that your soldiers are very enthusiastic. When they heard that I came to act as brigade commander, they actually blocked the door.
The water is blocked."
"Chief of Staff," Belkin waited for Vitkov to finish, then turned to Sidorin and asked: "What is going on? Why are there so many soldiers outside?"
In response to Belkin's question, Sidorin shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and said helplessly: "Comrade political commissar, the five battalion commanders learned that their superiors had appointed a new brigade commander, so they each brought their own people.
Ask me for an explanation and ask me if my superiors dismissed Lieutenant Colonel Sokov."
"Comrade Political Commissar." As soon as Sidorin finished speaking, Vanya stepped forward and said to Belkin: "The commanders and fighters of the entire brigade understand that the reason why we can still hold on to Mamayev Heights is
, it all depends on the wise leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. Without him, not only would we not be able to hold the position here, but the entire army would even be destroyed. We cannot accept anyone other than him to serve as the commander of the infantry brigade.
"
"That's right," Vasily agreed as soon as Vanya finished speaking: "We will not accept anyone else to serve as our brigade commander."
Seeing that Vanya and Vasily had expressed their opinions, the other three battalion commanders also said in unison: "Only Lieutenant Colonel Sokov is the brigade commander we recognize."
The soldiers standing in the corridor outside the door heard their battalion commander's statement and shouted in unison: "Only Lieutenant Colonel Sokov is the brigade commander recognized by all of us!" Their shouts alarmed the nearby area.
Soldiers who did not know the truth came out of their resting places and rushed to the brigade headquarters, trying to find out what happened.
At this moment, Vitkov's heart was broken. He did not expect that he would be resisted by all the commanders and fighters of the infantry brigade before he officially took office. This shows how high Sokov's reputation is in the brigade.
He looked at Belkin and said, somewhat dumbfounded: "Comrade Political Commissar, do you have any good ideas?"
"Quiet, comrades, please be quiet!" Belkin walked to the door and shouted loudly outside: "I just came back from the health team, and Comrade Brigade Commander is still performing operations. If you make such noise, it will affect the military doctors' operation.
Surgical."
After learning that Sokov was still undergoing surgery, the soldiers shouting outside gradually became quiet. Those soldiers who were unclear about the situation were still cautiously asking others what had happened and why the brigade commander was in the operating room.
, and why did the superiors send a new brigade commander?
After it became quiet again outside, Belkin walked back to Sidorin and asked with a straight face: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think you should have received the news that Colonel Vitkov will serve as acting brigade commander, right?"
Seeing Xi Duolin nodding, he asked in a more serious tone, "Then why don't you inform the commanders of each battalion so that they can be aware of it?"
"I'm sorry, comrade political commissar." Seeing what happened in front of him, Sidorin realized that he had made a huge mistake. He did not promptly notify the battalion commanders of the latest appointments from his superiors, which inevitably led to
A misunderstanding occurred. Faced with Belkin's criticism, he could only admit his mistake with a blushing face and said: "It's all my fault, and I am willing to take all responsibilities."
Belkin could not care less about arguing with him, but turned his attention to Vitkov again and asked politely: "Comrade Colonel, can I ask what happened to your appointment by your superiors?"
"That's it, Comrade Belkin." At this moment, Vitkov realized that the situation was getting out of control. If he didn't explain the matter clearly in front of several battalion commanders, the consequences would be disastrous, so he faced other battalion commanders.
Erkin told the truth: "After learning that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov was injured, Comrade Commander was particularly anxious, so he discussed with the Chief of Staff General Krylov to send a suitable candidate to temporarily replace Lieutenant Colonel Sokov.
General Krylov’s initial candidate was Rodimtsev, commander of the 13th Guards Division, but he was rejected by the comrade commander..."
When Belkin heard this, he raised his hand and interrupted what Vitkov was saying. He grabbed one of the key points and asked: "Comrade Colonel, you just said that your superiors only asked you to take command instead of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov.
Are you officially taking over the Infantry Brigade?"
"Yes, I am only temporarily acting as the brigade commander." Vitkov nodded and replied affirmatively: "As soon as Lieutenant Colonel Sokov recovers his health, he will regain command."
After listening to Vitkov's explanation, the commanders present all breathed a sigh of relief. After working for a long time, it turned out that the superior appointed the new brigade commander not to replace Sokov, but to temporarily replace Sokov while he was recovering from his injuries.
He was just giving orders. After Belkin figured out what was going on, he looked at the five battalion commanders standing aside: "Have you figured out what's going on?"
"Yes, it's all figured out." Several battalion commanders replied in unison.
"Now that everything is clear, what are you still doing here?" Belkin pointed to the door with his hand and said rudely: "Let your people return to their respective units immediately, don't block the door and go to the headquarters.
of normal work.”
After the five battalion commanders learned that they had made an mistake, they were a little ashamed. After hearing Belkin's instructions, they did not dare to neglect. They rushed out the door and gave orders to their subordinates, asking them to return immediately.
respective troops.
While the battalion commanders were busy outside, Vitkov gratefully said to Belkin: "Comrade Political Commissar, fortunately you are here, otherwise I don't know how today's affairs will end!"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel." Belkin said apologetically to Vitkov: "It was our commander who surrounded you without understanding the situation. Regarding their reckless behavior, I apologize to you on their behalf.
I apologize and please don’t argue with them.”
Sidorin felt that at this time, he should say a few words: "Comrade Acting Brigade Commander, now that it is clear that it was a misunderstanding, please do not send these commanders to a military court, because in the next battle,
, and they are still needed to direct the battle."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin." Witkov looked at Sidorin and said magnanimously: "Since you also said it was a misunderstanding, then there is no need to hold anyone responsible. Look, should you give
Let me introduce the situation in Mamayev Heights so that I can be well aware of it."
"Yes, yes," after hearing what Vitkov said, Sidorin nodded quickly and said: "Comrade Acting Brigade Commander, I will give you a detailed report on the current situation at Mamayev Heights.
