Sokov did not expect that as soon as he met Rokossovsky, the other party would ask him such a difficult question. After a long silence, he cautiously replied: "Comrade General, please forgive me, although the position
The terrain on the south side is flat and not conducive to defense, but if we just block the enemy, it won't be a big problem. If we want to launch an attack from here, I think it is unlikely to succeed."
After Rokossovsky finished listening, he first turned to look at Malinin. When he saw that the other party was smiling and said nothing, he turned back to Sokov and asked: "Misha, tell me your analysis and judgment.
Let us understand why it cannot succeed."
"Our offensive troops can only enter the position from the north side of the hillside. It is very difficult to transport tanks and artillery up the steep hillside because they have to cross a river first," Sokov said.
: "Without the support of tanks and artillery, if you only use infantry to attack, if you want to break through the enemy's defense line, you will inevitably pay a huge price..."
"Suppose we accumulate a large number of troops here and launch a surprise attack on the enemy's defense line." After listening to Sokov's analysis, Malinin asked tentatively: "Then the possibility of success is greater?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said looking at Malinin: "I do not deny that concentrating superior forces in a certain area and launching an assault on the enemy's defense line will definitely achieve huge results. But I think it is not possible here. It is too much.
The narrow offensive front cannot deploy too many troops. If our commanders and soldiers attack in a crowded formation, once they are intercepted by enemy artillery fire, it will cause extremely heavy casualties."
Everyone originally thought that they could carry out an assault deep into the enemy's defense from the position occupied by Sokov and his team. However, after Sokov's analysis, they found that this position was just a useless piece of food and it was a pity to abandon it. "Comrade Commander,
," Malinen sighed softly and asked Rokossovsky: "What should we do? Just hold on to that position, or use it as a starting point for the attack?"
"Anyway, this is the shortest road to Orlovka." Rokossovsky also agreed with Sokov's analysis in his heart. However, as the commander of the Don Front, he, out of the overall situation,
Thinking about it, even if he knew that it would be difficult to achieve the desired results by launching an attack from this direction, he still had to try. Therefore, he said decisively: "We must try to launch an attack from here to see if we can advance to Orlov."
Ka. As long as we can reach that transportation hub, it will become possible for us to join forces with the city's defenders."
Sokov knew very well in his heart that Rokossovsky and himself had different identities and considered the problem from different angles. In his opinion, launching an active attack on the enemy from that position would not only result in the loss of troops, but would also be very harmful.
It was difficult to achieve any results. And Rokossovsky knew that he couldn't do it, because at that time he was the only hope to break the German encirclement. Therefore, he did not continue to struggle with this issue, but diverted it in time.
Microphone: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, what should we do next?"
"The wounded you are carrying can be placed in our field hospital." Rokossovsky took the initiative to arrange the wounded in the field hospital, firstly to reduce the burden on Sokov and others, and secondly because he thought that after these wounded recovered, they could
He replenished his combat troops nearby. However, he could not make any arbitrary decisions regarding Sokov's arrangements. He could only say cautiously: "I will immediately send someone to send a telegram to General Yereomenko and Comrade Khrushchev.
Inform them of your situation and let them arrange your stay."
Maximenko, the director of the communications corps, was standing not far away. When he heard what Rokossovsky said, he quickly said: "Comrade Commander, I will arrange for a radio operator to send a report to the headquarters of the Stalingrad Front.
Report the news of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's arrival here to General Yeremenko and Comrade Khrushchev."
While Maximenko went to send the report, Rokossovsky looked at Sokov and said jokingly: "Misha, remember when I first met you, you were still guarding the town of Khimki.
Commander of the garrison platoon, I once sent you an invitation to join my unit and I could make you the company commander, but you refused."
Rokossovsky's words reminded Sokov of the past, and he was muttering to himself: If he had agreed to Rokossovsky's recruitment, would his current position and military rank be higher?
While he was thinking wildly, he heard Rokossovsky continue: "Well, it's not too late to come to my unit. I can make you a division commander, and I can also apply to your superiors for promotion to major general.
"
The position of division commander is not very attractive to Sokov. Although he is only a brigade commander now, he commands several divisions and regiment-level combat units. However, the proposal to be promoted to major general makes Sokov
My husband's heart was pounding. Even though his military rank was only two levels different from that of a major general, for many people, it was a huge hurdle that was difficult to overcome.
Seeing Sokov's silence, Rokossovsky realized that he was already a little tempted by his proposal, so he struck while the iron was hot and said: "You may have to stay here for a few days anyway, so you might as well think about it carefully, and then
Give me an answer."
As Sokov's friend, Yakov, who had been silent until now, finally couldn't help but interrupt and said: "Misha, you might as well consider the proposal General Rokossovsky gave you."
Sokov knew very well that if he returned to the city, his military rank and position would not change in any way. On the contrary, there was a possibility of sacrifice at any time. If he agreed to Rokossovsky's invitation, he would soon become a division commander.
He was even promoted to major general.
Many staff officers and communications soldiers in the headquarters looked at Sokov with envy. Everyone knew in their hearts that as long as Sokov nodded, within a few days, the Don Front Army would have a distinguished soldier.
As a young general, his future will be limitless.
However, after a long wait, everyone saw Sokov slowly shaking his head and saying resolutely: "Comrade Commander, thank you for your kindness. I am the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade of the 62nd Group Army.
The troops are still fighting tenaciously against the enemy on the Mamayev Hills. I cannot abandon them at this time, so I cannot accept your invitation. I need to return to the city and fight with my soldiers."
Although Rokossovsky had long guessed that Sokov would reject him again, when he actually heard Sokov express his attitude, he still felt a deep sense of loss in his heart. He sighed,
Regretfully said: "Misha, it seems we have no chance to fight side by side."
"Comrade Commander, let's see what you said." Sokov remembered that after the Battle of Stalingrad, the 62nd Army commanded by Chuikov was first reorganized into the 8th Guards Army, and then incorporated into Rokossov
He had no worries about not being able to become Rokossovsky's subordinate. So Sokov said with a smile: "Perhaps one day the army group commanded by General Chuikov will be placed under your command. By then,
, won’t I become your subordinate?”
"I hope so!" After Rokossovsky said this insincerely, he saw Maximenko walking towards him and quickly asked: "Comrade Communications Director, has Yereomenko called back?
?”
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Maximenko nodded and said, "I think General Yereomenko is staying up late at the moment to command, so he can call us back so quickly."
Rokossovsky took the telegram from Maximenko's hand, and without even having time to read it, he couldn't wait to ask: "What did General Yereomenko's telegram say?"
Maximenko glanced at Sokov, who was standing next to Rokossovsky, and replied: "The telegram said that the remnants of the 308th Infantry Division were sent north to Dubovka for reinforcements. The remnants of the 73rd Infantry Brigade and
The remnants of the guard battalion went to Vinryvka to receive new troops there."
Rokossovsky threw the telegram aside and leaned over to look at the map on the table. After looking at it for a while, he raised his head and asked Malinin: "Chief of Staff, I remember you told me during the day that Vinrewka was here.
Approximately 4,000 new recruits were recruited?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Malinin guessed the intention of Rokossovsky's question. After a quick glance at Sokov, he continued: "A group of soldiers did arrive in Vinryvka, but only three of them.
Two-thirds are new recruits, and the rest are sailors drawn from the Northern Fleet."
"One-third are sailors?" Hearing Malinin say this, Rokossovsky's face suddenly showed a smile. He turned to look at Sokov: "Misha, did you hear that? I will give it to you soon.
One-third of the additional troops are sailors."
"I heard it, Comrade Commander." Sokov's heart beat faster when he heard that there were thousands of sailors among the troops he was replenishing. Although the sailors' light weapons and equipment were poor, their combat effectiveness far exceeded that of the army.
With this group of sailors, there will be no problem at all in holding Mamayev Heights until the end of the battle. He said with some excitement: "I believe that with the cooperation of these sailors and soldiers, we will be able to firmly hold Mamayev Heights."
Fu Gang."
Rokossovsky looked around and found that except for Sokov, Yakov and Bely, there were no other school-level officers here, so he asked curiously: "By the way, the commander of the 308th Infantry Division Gu
Where are Colonel Erdiyev and his political commissar Comrade Sverin?"
"Comrade Commander," when Rokossovsky asked about Gurdiev, Malinin quickly replied: "The commanders and fighters of the 308th Division entered the city with Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. I sent people to resettle them.
In a vacant house in the south of the city. The division commander and political commissar of the division are assisting the staff of the headquarters in arranging accommodation for the soldiers."
After Rokossovsky learned about Gurdiev's whereabouts, he raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said to Sokov and Bely: "Misha, Colonel Bely, it's getting late, you go back and rest first.
Come on. After daybreak, I will send someone to take you to Wenrivka."
After Sokov followed Yakov to the room where he lived, he curiously asked Yakov: "Yakov, you should still be sleeping when we entered the city. I want to ask, how did you know that I arrived at the commander's office?"
department?"
"The news of your entry into the city was reported to General Rokossovsky by the officer on duty." Seeing Sokov's confused face, Yakov explained to him: "Then he sent someone to wake me up.
Let me accompany him to the headquarters to meet you."
After a pause, Yakov asked again: "Misha, I'm curious, why didn't you agree to Rokossovsky's invitation and stay on the Don Front instead of returning to the dangerous city?"
"Yakov," although from the bottom of his heart, Sokov was unwilling to return to that dangerous city, but in front of Yakov, he had to bite the bullet and sing a few high-pitched words: "The Germans have already rushed in.
There must be someone blocking them in the city. As a commander, I should stay with my soldiers at this moment and start a tenacious battle with the Germans in the city."
"Misha, you are right." Yakov raised his hand and patted Sokov twice on the shoulder, and said with envy: "If Comrade Ustinov hadn't sent a telegram, he ordered me to rush immediately.
When I return to Moscow, I also want to return to Stalingrad with you again and see with my own eyes how you have made great achievements."
When he learned that Yakov was going to return to Moscow, Sokov couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as if a huge stone had been lifted from his heart. This old man was by his side, putting too much pressure on him. If he really had any chance on the battlefield,
What an accident, I couldn't eat it and walked away.
Sokov said: "Yakov, after you return to Moscow, please find a way to send us another batch of rockets. We do not have air superiority, and the number of tanks and artillery is not as large as that of the enemy. If we want to hold our position, we must
We really can’t live without this new type of rocket.”
"Don't worry," Yakov said, patting his chest: "As soon as I return to Moscow, I will urge the arsenal to work overtime for you to produce. I must ensure that you have enough rockets for use."
After expressing his gratitude to Yakov, Sokov then asked: "When will you return to Moscow?"
"I originally planned to leave at first light, but General Rokossovsky said that he would fly back to Moscow at noon the day after tomorrow, and asked me to fly back with him."
Sokov knew that with Rokossovsky's level, if he returned to Moscow by plane, the Air Force would definitely send at least one squadron of fighter jets to escort him, and safety along the way would be absolutely guaranteed. He nodded and said, "Fly by plane
It’s pretty good. You can reach your destination in two hours at most, which is much faster than taking the train.”
"It's getting late." After the two chatted for a while, Yakov raised his hand to look at his watch and said to Sokov: "There are still more than three hours until dawn, Misha, you'd better take a break and take a break.
