Sidorin knew the situation of the troops best. As soon as Sokov finished speaking, he took the initiative to say: "Comrade division commander, the only one with the easiest combat mission now is Comrade Belkin's reduced regiment. Except for the third battalion in the city, the Navy
Apart from the Marine Battalion fighting the enemy in Workers' New Village, the remaining two battalions have been staying in the tunnel. If we want to send troops to reinforce friendly forces, I think they are the most suitable."
"Chief of Staff, call Comrade Belkin and ask him to come to the headquarters immediately." Sokov felt that the downsizing regiment had been in the tunnel for such a long time, and they should be allowed to go out for activities. "We also
We should assign some combat missions to them."
In less than five minutes, after receiving the notice, Belkin trotted all the way to the headquarters. Although he and Sokov were partners before, they are now superiors and subordinates, so he first raised his hand to salute Sokov, and then
He asked respectfully: "Comrade division commander, Belgin, the leader of the downsizing regiment, has been ordered to come. Please give me instructions!"
"Come to the map, Commander Belkin." Sokov called Belkin to the table and said to him: "Today the enemy dispatched a large number of bombers and carried out intensive attacks on our division's defense areas and friendly forces' defense areas.
Bombing. According to my estimation, the casualties of the friendly forces may be very heavy, so the superiors may transfer troops from our division to strengthen the defense of the friendly forces. After our research, we feel that the place where the superiors are most likely to send us is the 308th Division.
Today's defensive zone..." As he spoke, he pointed out the location of the archives building and the stadium on the map with his hand.
When Sokov issued the order to Berkin, he never dreamed that the 308th Division that originally defended this area had been transferred by Chuikov, and now Guriev's 39th Guards Division took over the defense here.
"Don't worry, comrade division commander." After listening to Sokov's order, Belkin showed an excited expression on his face: "The soldiers of the new first battalion and the new second battalion have been in the tunnel for such a long time.
I'm so frustrated. Now I finally have a chance to attack the enemy. I believe they will not let you down."
Sokov is very familiar with the shrinking regiment belonging to his direct lineage, and believes that they are fully capable of crushing the enemy's attack in any area. However, considering that this is the only mobile force, it is impossible to add more troops to them.
I could only say to Belkin apologetically: "Comrade Commander, I'm sorry, because our troops are tight, so when you go to reinforce friendly forces, we can't replenish your troops."
Unexpectedly, Belkin said reasonably: "Comrade division commander, the two battalions plus the troops directly under the regiment have a total strength of more than 1,600 people. As long as we have sufficient ammunition, we can resolutely hold our position."
"More than 1,600 people?" Ivanov on the side was stunned when he heard this number, and then asked: "How come you have so many people?"
Hearing Ivanov's question, Belkin grinned and replied: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, many wounded soldiers were directly added to the regiment after they recovered from their injuries. In this way, without knowing it, there was one
More than a thousand people?”
Knowing that it was a unit to replenish the wounded, no one had any doubts about the combat effectiveness of the downsized regiment. Sokov also specifically added: "Some time ago, Captain Vasily took the New 1st Battalion to the Workers' New Village to assist in the battle and seized a large number of weapons.
Ammunition. This batch of weapons will be given to your regiment for use."
"This is really great." Seeing Sokov being so generous and agreeing to hand over the captured weapons and ammunition to his regiment, Belkin was really overjoyed. He felt that the only way to hold on to friendly positions for a few days was to have enough ammunition.
There were no more questions at all. He asked impatiently: "Comrade Commander, when will we set off?"
"Don't be anxious." Sokov waved his hand towards him and explained: "We just based on the situation at hand, guessed that the superiors may transfer troops from our division to strengthen the defense of friendly forces. But whether they will go and where they will go
, we still have to wait for orders from our superiors."
Belkin had been working with Sokov for almost a year, and knew that he had always known things well. When he heard what he said, not only did he not feel disappointed, but he took the initiative and said: "Comrade Commander, if you allow me, I would like to
Go back to the army now and get the soldiers ready to go."
"Go, Commander Belkin." Sokov nodded at him and said, "Let the soldiers prepare."
After Belgin left, Sidorin took the initiative and asked: "Comrade division commander, do you think it is necessary to call the commander and ask him what arrangements he has for us?"
"No, no, Comrade Chief of Staff, don't call the Commander." Regarding Sidorin's suggestion, Sokov immediately rejected it. He knew very well that if he called Chuikov at this time, he might not be able to do anything right.
In line with the other party's wishes, Chuikov only needs to give an order and his troops will set off overnight. But if he does not call, Chuikov will have other considerations when arranging his troops to perform tasks. He stopped the other party with a gesture: "
If the commander really plans to divert troops from here, he will give us a call."
Seeing that Sokov was unwilling to take the initiative to contact Chuikov, Sidorin did not force him. He picked up the phone and connected to the underground arsenal. He said to the officer who answered the phone: "Comrade Captain, this is Sidorin. I'll call you later."
When Captain Jin takes people to collect equipment from you, you hand over all the German equipment captured some time ago to them."
"Give it all to them?" After hearing this, the captain guarding the arsenal asked with some surprise: "Comrade Chief of Staff, won't you leave some for the troops holding Mamayev Heights?"
"Don't leave any of them behind. Give all the German weapons and supporting ammunition to the commanders and fighters of the downsized regiment." Sidorin said resolutely: "Except for them, no other troops use German weapons.
"
Sidorin put down the phone and was about to complain to Sokov, saying that the officer in charge of the arsenal was a fool, when the phone on the table rang again. He thought it was the officer calling, so he picked up the phone.
He asked impatiently: "What else is there?"
There was silence in the receiver for a moment, and then Chuikov's laughter came: "Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin, who makes you so impatient? It can't be me, right?"
"How is this possible, Comrade Commander?" After hearing Chuikov's voice, Sidorin laughed and said, "I thought it was the officer guarding the arsenal."
"Arsenal?!" Chuikov asked hesitantly: "Why did you remember to contact the officer in charge of the arsenal in the middle of the night?"
When Sidorin heard this question, he glanced at Sokov hesitantly. When he saw the other party nodded slightly, indicating that he would tell the truth, he confidently and boldly said into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, after this heavy bombing during the day, we estimate that
The several divisions that stood firm in the factory area must have suffered a lot of casualties. Therefore, the division commander and I decided to make the reserve team of our division ready for battle and be ready to rush to the friendly defense areas at any time."
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Chuikov said unexpectedly: "I am making this call just to ask you if you can deploy troops to support friendly forces. I didn't expect that you would be ready long ago. This really surprises me. I think
Let me ask, how many troops can you mobilize?"
Sidorin gave Sokov a thumbs up and admired his precautionary measures. Sidorin asked into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, we are going to send Commander Belkin's reduced regiment to reinforce the friendly defense area. You
Can you tell me which combat area you plan to send them to?"
"General Guryev's 39th Guards Division suffered more than half casualties during the afternoon bombing." Chuikov said solemnly: "Therefore, I plan to send your troops to his defense area."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin waited for Chuikov to finish and asked quickly: "I wonder where the latest defensive zone of the 39th Guards Division is?" He asked because it was inevitable for friendly forces to resist the German attack.
The ground will lose its position. In order to avoid letting the reinforcements rush into the enemy's defense area, it is necessary to ask clearly in advance.
"The defense area of the 39th Guards Division is located to the north of the Archives Building and east of the stadium." Chuikov said: "Your task is to take over the defense of the Archives Building."
"North of the archives building and east of the stadium?" Sidorin stared at the map, repeated the place names Chuikov said, and said in surprise: "Isn't this the defense of the 308th Division?"
"The Germans have occupied the silicate factory. In order to prevent them from taking the opportunity to rush towards the barricade factory, I have made corresponding adjustments." Chuikov explained: "The troops of the 308th Division withdrew to the south and continued to build a new line of defense, while the Guards
The 39th Division took over the defense to the north of the Archives Building and to the east of the stadium."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." After Sidorin recorded the place name Chuikov mentioned, he asked again: "When can our troops set off?"
Chuikov replied: "There is burning and smoke everywhere outside. If it is easy to get lost while marching at night, it is better to wait until daybreak before letting them set off."
After ending the call with Chuikov, Sidorin quickly reported to Sokov about the changes in the defense lines of the 39th Guards Division and the 308th Guards Division. Sokov originally planned to wait until dawn before letting Bergin and the others set off.
But when I heard that the friendly forces had adjusted their deployment, I immediately realized that the situation in the north was worse than I thought. I quickly ordered Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, inform Belkin to take people to collect ammunition. Three hours later, I
Lead the troops personally and set off."
"What, you want to go to the front again?" Sidorin learned that Sokov planned to take action personally, and quickly persuaded him: "Comrade division commander, if you go to reinforce the friendly forces, Commander Belkin will lead the team, you should stay here.
!”
"Yes, comrade division commander, the chief of staff is right." Ivanov also added: "You are the commander of a division, and you should stay at the division headquarters to command. When it comes to reinforcing friendly forces, it is enough to have Commander Belkin to take action.
Already."
"You don't need to persuade me any more," Sokov waved his hands towards the two of them and said, "The situation in the area where we want to take over the defense may be worse than imagined. Commander Belkin used to be a political cadre, so let him be responsible alone.
