"This is great, Comrade Commander." Hearing Chuikov say this, Sokov knew that the results achieved by Grisa and the others must be true. "Thank you for helping us verify the results of the team."
"Who participated in this operation?" Chuikov asked on the phone: "Give me their names and I will award them with medals!"
"Lieutenant Grisa, who is commanding the squad, used to be the commander of the fourth company of the second battalion of the downsizing regiment." Sokov memorized the names of every soldier who participated in the operation. When Chuikov asked about it, he immediately said nothing.
He replied hesitantly: "In addition, there is Sergeant Yelizavita, who is a rocket launcher. He should have launched the rocket that destroyed the enemy ammunition depot this time; and there is also Corporal Aino..."
Ivanov, who was standing aside, was dumbfounded when he heard Sokov mentioning the name of each member of the team, as well as their military types and specialties. He waited for Sokov to put down the microphone and quickly raised the phone.
Thumbs up, he said approvingly: "Comrade division commander, you are really amazing. There are twenty people in the team. I didn't expect you to know all their names."
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you don't know something. The division commander has a very good memory. He remembers almost everyone he has met." Sidorin showed off to Ivanov with some pride and said: "When we were still an infantry brigade, the division commander could
Call out the names of half the commanders and fighters in the brigade."
"What, you can name half of the commanders and soldiers." Ivanov's eyes widened and he said in surprise: "That's two to three thousand people. Comrade division commander, your memory is really powerful."
Sokov knew that he had a good memory, but he didn't want to waste time with Ivanov on this matter. He continued to talk about the topic: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, the commander has already called and said to stick to the barricade factory.
The friendly forces saw with their own eyes the fire in the town of Gorodishe and the explosions coming from that direction, which proved that Lieutenant Grisa and the others had successfully completed their mission. What, do you still need to send someone to verify the results?"
"No, no need." Hearing Sokov's question, Ivanov quickly laughed and said, "Since the commander and others know the results of the battle, there is no need to verify it."
Seeing that Ivanov was no longer holding on to Grisa's victory, Sokov directly ordered Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, call Lieutenant Grisa immediately and ask them to return to Mamayev Heights as soon as possible.
He said that the headquarters would award each of them a medal for their achievements."
While Sidorin went to urge the radio operator to send the report, Sokov asked Ivanov: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, how many mobile troops do we have in hand now?"
"No more, comrade division commander." When Ivanov heard Sokov's question, he thought he was going to lead his troops to support somewhere again, so he quickly replied without hesitation: "We don't have any mobile troops at all.
"
"Is it really gone?" Don't see that Sokov has asked very little about the specific work of the division recently, but it is not surprising that he does not understand the situation in the division at all. He saw that Ivanov
He was just perfunctory, so he deliberately pretended to look regretful and said: "It's such a pity that we don't have any mobile troops at all."
Ivanov heard that there was something in Sokov's words, and couldn't help but asked curiously: "Comrade division commander, why are you asking about mobile forces?"
"Nothing, I'm just asking." Sokov said without changing his face or heartbeat: "The enemy's ammunition depot in the town of Gorodishe was blown up. The Germans will need at least two to three days.
, so that the bombed ammunition can be replenished. Before their ammunition becomes sufficient again, we have a rare opportunity."
"Opportunity, what opportunity?" Ivanov asked curiously.
"Forget it, let's not talk about it." Sokov deliberately teased Ivanov: "Since we don't have mobile troops in our hands, no matter how many opportunities are in front of us, we can only give up."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov's words aroused Ivanov's great curiosity, and he asked shamelessly: "Tell me, what opportunities do we have now? If it is possible, I can sell it even if it is possible.
You gather a battalion of mobile troops."
"That's it, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Seeing that Ivanov was already willing to provide him with a battalion of troops, Sokov continued: "According to the intelligence we have, the German combat group that originally attacked Workers' New Village
They have moved north. The territory they vacated will be taken over by the Romanian 1st Division. I want to take this opportunity to launch a local counterattack and teach the enemy a lesson."
Ivanov stared at the map for a while, frowned and said: "Comrade division commander, your idea is good. But if we don't get the support of aircraft, tanks and artillery when we attack, it may be difficult to break through the enemy."
defense."
"There is nothing I can do about the air force and artillery for the time being." Sokov smiled lightly and said, "But I can find a few tanks to assist our attack."
"Comrade Division Commander," Sidorin walked back after arranging for the telegraph operator to send the report. He happened to hear what Sokov said and asked quickly: "Where do you plan to launch a counterattack against the enemy?"
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander, where do you plan to launch a counterattack?" The objections Sokov was worried about did not appear. On the contrary, both Sidorin and Ivanov were in favor of taking the initiative to attack the enemy.
"It's right here in Workers' New Village." Sokov pointed to the north of Mamayev Heights on the map and said to the two of them: "I plan to launch a limited attack on the enemy in this area."
After seeing clearly where Sokov was pointing, Sidorin couldn't help but shake his head and said: "Comrade division commander, according to our reconnaissance, the enemy has deployed a tank battalion here. If there is not an equal number of tanks, the attack we launched will
It is difficult to succeed in a frontal attack."
"Chief of Staff, don't worry." Seeing that Sidorin obviously lacked confidence in the attack he envisioned, Sokov said to him: "There are always more solutions than problems. Since we have discovered the problem, let's find a solution.
Solve it. Help me pick up Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko's command post, I have something to ask him."
The call was quickly connected. After hearing Papuchenko's voice, Sokov asked straight to the point: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how is the situation with the enemy?"
"Not bad," Papuchenko replied: "The enemy launched several attacks in succession during the day, but they were all repelled by our army. Because our defensive positions are connected through sewers, once we find that a certain place cannot be defended,
If you want to stay, immediately move from the sewer to another place, and when the time is right, take back the lost position."
"Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko, you did a good job!" After praising the other party, Sokov directly asked: "Is Lieutenant Agafond where you are?"
After a period of silence in the microphone, Papuchenko's voice came out again: "Yes, Comrade Division Commander, he is right next to me. Do you want to talk to him?"
"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I have something to ask him. Please hand the microphone to him."
Agafoon learned that Sokov was looking for him, and he quickly said respectfully: "Hello, comrade colonel, I am Lieutenant Agafoon. What instructions do you have?"
"Comrade Lieutenant, I want to ask you, how many tanks do you still have in your hands now?" Sokov thought that the Red October Factory would provide him with several more repaired tanks, so he asked Agavon: "I am
How many tanks can be put into battle?"
Agafoon was silent for about five or six seconds, and then replied without hesitation: "Comrade Colonel, I now have thirteen tanks in my hands, half of which are old tanks that have been returned to the factory for repair. I don't know if there are so many tanks."
enough?"
"Enough, enough." Sokov originally thought it would be great to have seven or eight cars, but he didn't expect there to be thirteen. He couldn't help but be overjoyed. But he tried hard to control his emotions and tried his best to speak calmly.
He said to Agafond in a tone of voice: "Lieutenant Agafond, fill up all the tanks with fuel and shells immediately. You will have a big battle soon."
"What big battle?" Agafen asked curiously: "Are you preparing to launch a large-scale counterattack against the Germans?"
"Comrade Lieutenant, I'm afraid the big counterattack will have to wait for a while." Sokov reminded Agafoon on the phone: "We will first teach the Germans a lesson on a small scale and leave a deep impression on them.
"
"What are the specific combat tasks?" Agafoon then asked.
"I will send a combat staff officer to convey the specific combat mission to you tomorrow." Sokov emphasized to Agafoon on the phone: "Your current mission is to fill the tank with fuel and ammunition.
I don’t want your tank detachment to be unable to continue fighting in the middle of the battle due to lack of ammunition and fuel.”
"Comrade Colonel, please rest assured." Agafoon waited for Sokov to finish and assured him: "I will immediately arrange for manpower to add fuel and ammunition to the tank. I assure you that in tomorrow's battle, our
Tanks will never hold back friendly forces."
After Sidorin waited for Sokov to put down the phone, he felt that he should fulfill the responsibilities of a chief of staff. He said: "Comrade division commander, the enemy has deployed a tank battalion in the direction of Workers' New Village, and now it has been transferred to the Romanian 3rd Battalion.
As a division, if we only dispatch thirteen tanks and one battalion of infantry, we may be in danger of annihilating the entire army."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, what you say makes sense. Judging from the current situation, the enemy's military strength and technical equipment are stronger than our army." Sokov said confidently: "Although we are at a disadvantage, it does not mean that we are at a disadvantage.
We cannot win. On the battlefield, as long as we seize the opportunity, we have the possibility of victory."
"What do you think about it, Comrade Commander?" Sidorin asked curiously.
Seeing that there were only Sidorin, Ivanov and division political commissar Anisimov around him, Sokov confidently and boldly expressed his inner thoughts: "Every evening, after the enemy stops attacking, he will take the responsibility.
The offensive troops and technical equipment have all been withdrawn to their starting positions far away from the city. We can then choose a favorable opportunity when the enemy is retreating, attack them decisively, and catch them off guard."
"Launch a sudden attack on the enemy on the eve of their retreat to their starting position?" Ivanov was skeptical of Sokov's plan: "Comrade division commander, is it really possible?"
"Comrade Division Commander, don't our troops need to provide artillery support to the enemy's positions before attacking?" Sidorin reminded Sokov: "Our artillery can at least destroy some of the German fortifications and reduce the pressure on our attack.
.”
"Our attack does not require artillery preparations." Sokov shook his head and said: "Before the attack, shelling or bombing the enemy's defensive positions can indeed destroy some fortifications, but it also tells us the direction of our attack.
Enemy, so that the enemy can prepare in advance to attack us."
Seeing the confused looks of the two men, Sokov continued: "If we do not carry out artillery preparations before attacking, we can catch the enemy by surprise. As long as they fall into chaos, our counterattack will be successful."
Now that Sokov has set the tone, the next work is simple. Everyone only needs to find out the imperfections in the plan and make improvements. After more than an hour of discussion and additions, a fresh
A counterattack plan was drawn up.
After seeing the counterattack plan, Sidorin looked up at Sokov and asked: "Comrade division commander, do you need to report this counterattack plan to the headquarters?"
"Okay." After thinking for a while, Sokov nodded and replied: "But for the sake of confidentiality, you don't need to write down the specific attack time. You only need to tell the commander and chief of staff that we are planning a counterattack.
If possible, I hope they can provide us with the necessary support."
"I think this may not be realistic." After hearing what Sokov said, Ivanov couldn't help but shook his head and said: "Now the headquarters has a serious shortage of troops. I'm afraid we don't have the strength to strengthen our counterattack force."
"Even if the headquarters cannot strengthen our troops for us, we can still find ways to solve this problem ourselves." When Sokov said this, his eyes were fixed on Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, you will give it to Belgin later.
The regiment leader made a phone call and told them that there would be a combat mission tomorrow and asked them to prepare in advance."
"Comrade Division Commander, I thought you had forgotten about the drawdown regiment." Sidorin showed a surprised expression on his face: "Commander Belkin called me today and asked me when I would assign combat missions to them. I
Just when I was worried about how to bring this up to you, you actually planned to send them to carry out an important counterattack mission."
Sokov sighed softly and said: "In any case, the drawdown regiment is my old foundation. How could I let them remain on the bench? As long as there are important combat tasks, I will definitely leave them to them."
." He waved his hand to Sidorin, "Hurry up and call Commander Belkin. He is probably as restless as an ant on a hot pot at the moment."
"Okay, comrade division commander." Sidorin quickly replied with a smile: "I will call Commander Belkin right away."
