The commanders who were watching the battle, including Sokov, did not expect that the second attack of the two Guards regiments would go so smoothly, so that many of the original plans were useless. When the commanders began to cheer, Sokov
Koff frowned.
Ordinarily, he should be happy that the army's attack went smoothly, but he always felt that something was wrong. Just like two equally matched boxers, when they compete in the ring, even if his side has the first strike and has the upper hand, the opponent cannot fail to do so.
If you want to fight back, you will definitely fight with all your strength. Even if you want to win, it will take a lot of effort. But now, as soon as you punch, the opponent actually falls down. This is a bit too abnormal.
"Comrade Commander, what happened?" Sidorin noticed Sokov's abnormality and quickly asked in a low voice: "I see you seem a little unhappy."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said solemnly, looking at the smoke-filled battlefield in the distance: "Do you feel that our breakthrough was too smooth? Could the Germans have any conspiracy?"
"I don't think so." Sidorin said in an uncertain tone: "I think the enemy has fallen into a state of panic and it is difficult to organize an effective defense. The failure of the first attack was due to the failure of tanks and infantry.
There was a problem with the coordination, which gave the Germans an opportunity. But during our second attack, the infantry-tank coordination was very good. At least the infantry killed all the anti-tank fighters who emerged from the communication trenches on both sides.
…”
Golikov also heard the conversation between Sokov and Sidorin. He put down the telescope, walked up to Sokov, and said with a smile: "Colonel Sokov, you are worrying too much. I think it should be
It was the Germans who knew that their rear was being attacked and were forced to deploy troops to stop our army, so that the troops here became weak. Your troops were able to break through the enemy's defenses so smoothly. Don't worry, I think the Guards Regiment's
As long as the commanders and soldiers make one more charge, they can capture the enemy's third line of defense."
Sokov did not refute Golikov's confidence. After all, the war was progressing smoothly at the moment, but he jumped out to sing the opposite. Not only would it be annoying, but it might also affect the morale that was finally restored, so he could only
He chose to remain silent. But he was still wondering in his heart: Is there any hidden conspiracy behind the German army suddenly becoming so unbeatable?
Before he could figure out the reason, Chuikov called. Chuikov asked angrily: "Colonel Sokov, how is the progress of your counterattack there? Why don't you report the progress of the battle to us in time?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, it was my negligence." Perhaps because of the great god Golikov sitting here, Sokov and the others originally ignored the matter that should be reported to their superiors. At this moment, Chuikov reminded him
, Sokov immediately realized his mistake and quickly admitted it: "I will briefly report to you that the three regiments responsible for counterattack have now occupied the German second line of defense and are preparing to take a short rest.
, launch an attack on the enemy's third line of defense..."
"Why do you need to rest?!" Chuikov said dissatisfied: "You should take advantage of the opportunity when the enemy is disrupted by you and continue to attack the third line of defense. The speed must be fast and not give the enemy a chance to breathe. Understand
?"
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Since Chuikov issued the order to continue the attack, Sokov could only give up the plan of letting the troops rest on the second line of defense before launching an attack on the third line of defense: "I immediately ordered the troops
Launch an attack on the third line of defense and strive to seize the enemy's position in the shortest possible time."
"Colonel Sokov, your attitude is very good." Chuikov was very satisfied when he heard Sokov agreed to let the troops attack immediately. After he paused for a moment, he continued: "Since you have the cooperation of tanks,
Then I am going to take back the command of the artillery and let them support other directions."
Sokov was shocked, and suddenly thought of the possible conspiracy carried out by the German army. He ignored that the call with Chuikov was not over yet, put the microphone on the table, quickly ran to the lookout, raised his telescope and looked at
Looking at the German positions in the distance.
Seeing Sokov's strange behavior, Golikov, Sidorin and Ivanov all had expressions of surprise on their faces. Sidorin heard a voice coming from the microphone on the table,
He quickly picked it up and put it to his ear. Chuikov's somewhat annoyed voice came from inside: "Colonel Sokov, what are you doing? Why don't you speak?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, I am Sidorin." Sidorin said quickly: "The division commander seemed to have remembered something when he was talking to you on the phone, and he is observing the battlefield at the moment."
In order to understand why Sokov behaved so abnormally, Golikov walked up to him and asked seriously: "Colonel Sokov, tell me, what happened?"
"Report to Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army!" Sokov heard Golikov asking himself, quickly put down the telescope, turned to face Golikov and said: "I think I know what the enemy's conspiracy is!"
"The enemy's conspiracy?" Hearing Sokov once again mentioned the German army's possible conspiracy, a look of impatience flashed across Golikov's face. He tried his best to ask in a calm tone: "Tell me, the enemy
What's the conspiracy?"
"I think the reason why we were able to break through the German second line of defense so smoothly," Sokov explained, "is because the enemy reduced its main forces to the third line of defense."
After hearing Sokov's statement, Golikov said disapprovingly: "Even if the enemy shrinks its troops to the third line of defense, do you think they can block our attack?"
"I think they can block it." Unexpectedly, Sokov replied: "Not only can they block our attack, they can even launch a counterattack, causing huge casualties to our attacking troops."
"Tell me your reasons." Golikov said in a cold voice.
Sokov knew that the other party said this through gritted teeth, but at this moment, he could not care about what the other party thought. He had to say what he was thinking, otherwise the attacking troops would suffer a big loss: "Front Army
Comrade Deputy Commander, when I just had a phone call with Commander Chuikov, he proposed to take back my artillery command authority. His words reminded me that except for a few heavy artillery, most of the artillery deployed on the left bank of our army
Artillery cannot bombard the enemy's third line of defense. As a result, it becomes very difficult for us to break through the heavily defended third line of defense of the German army.
More importantly, the artillery deployed by the German army behind the third line of defense can intercept our attacking troops and cause us huge casualties. Once our army has to retreat due to heavy casualties, the Germans may
Take the opportunity to launch a counterattack and recapture the two lines of defense they lost in one fell swoop."
After listening to Sokov's explanation, Golikov's face turned red and white. If Sokov didn't say it, he would not have considered this situation at all. Now after listening to Sokov's explanation, he found that it seemed like this.
The same thing happened. The German army withdrew its main force to the third line of defense. If they relied on a solid offensive and powerful artillery fire to block the Guards Division's attack, they might be able to turn defeat into victory. Thinking of this, Golikov asked with a serious expression.
Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, do you have any ideas?"
Other commanders in the temporary headquarters heard the conversation between Golikov and Sokov. They also realized the seriousness of the problem, and instinctively turned their attention to Sokov, wanting to hear their own opinions.
Teacher, do you have any good solution?
"Under the current situation, our original combat plan needs to be adjusted, and the troops should be ordered to move to defense on the spot." Seeing that Golikov didn't have any good ideas, Sokov took the initiative to express his thoughts:
"In this case, Mamayev Heights and the occupied first and second lines of defense will be connected together. Whether it is defense or future offense, it will be very beneficial to us."
After listening to Sokov's words, Golikov felt disappointed. Before the counterattack began, he thought that the troops of the Guards Division could advance to the Don River in one go and join forces with the friendly forces heading south. Unexpectedly, after the battle started,
, Sokov stated the stakes to him, explaining that the troops could only advance to the German third line of defense at best. After a fierce ideological struggle, he agreed to his plan. Unexpectedly, not long after that, Sokov
Kokov actually proposed that the troops should switch to defense on the occupied second line of defense to resist possible German counterattacks.
After Sokov explained his reasons to Golikov, seeing Sidorin still holding the microphone in his hand, he asked him: "Is Comrade Commander still online?"
Seeing Sidorin nodding, he stepped forward, reached out and took the microphone, put it to his ear and said: "Comrade Commander, this is Sokov, are you still listening?"
"Yes, I'm still listening." Chuikov had just heard a few words from Sokov, which included the transfer of the second line of defense to defense, so he seemed particularly angry: "Tell me, why do you want the troops to be on the second line of defense?"
The line of defense turns to defense?"
"Comrade Commander, please listen to my explanation." When Sokov said this, he glanced at Golikov intentionally. Seeing that the latter was frowning and thinking hard, he continued: "Now our division
We have advanced a few kilometers, and the left and right wings of the army have been exposed to the enemy. If we continue to advance, as the front becomes longer, not only will there be problems with supply, but even the two wings will become weaker.
.Once the German army discovers our shortcomings and launches an attack from both wings, our division will be surrounded by the German army. Let alone destroying the enemy, whether we can save ourselves is a question."
After Chuikov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, he thought about it carefully and found that he really couldn't refute the opponent. Except for Sokov's troops, the other troops' counterattacks in the factory area basically made no progress. That is,
Said that the defense depth of the entire group army only ranges from a few hundred meters to a thousand meters. Only the defense depth here at Mamayev Ridge has reached four or five kilometers. Today, the defense depth has increased to about ten kilometers, which means that the left bank can
Drop more troops into the city and deploy them around Mamayev Heights.
Thinking of this, Chuikov replied with some embarrassment: "Colonel Sokov, since your division is responsible for this counterattack against the enemy, then it is up to you where to stop and switch to the attack.
Decide."
When Sokov heard that Chuikov agreed to decide the distance at which the troops should stop attacking based on the situation on the battlefield, he quickly expressed his gratitude to the other party: "Thank you, thank you, Comrade Commander! I assure you that after our division's defense line is stabilized,
I will organize my troops again and push deeper into the enemy's defenses."
"Colonel Sokov, it is not enough for me to agree that your troops will move to the defensive position on the second line of defense." Chuikov reminded Sokov in a low voice: "General Golikov, the deputy commander of the front army, is with you.
Can I agree to your plan?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sokov raised his head and looked at Golikov, and even the other party looked at him. After the two looked at each other, Golikov nodded slightly to express his agreement for the troops to move to defense on the spot.
After receiving the other party's permission, Sokov suddenly became more confident. He quickly said into the microphone: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army has agreed to our plan."
Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Golikov came over and said to him: "Colonel Sokov, after the troops switch to defense, what are you going to do if the enemy on the third line of defense takes the initiative to attack?"
"Repulse all their attacks," Sokov replied curtly.
Golikov was obviously dissatisfied with Sokov's short answer. He shook his head and asked, "Tell me about your specific plan."
As the commander of the Guards Division, Sokov felt quite aggrieved. Seeing that the two German divisions on the opposite side had become panicked under his attack, but due to the lack of sufficient artillery and necessary air support
, had to temporarily give up the attack on the third line of defense.
Since Golikov was eager to know how he planned to defend the position he occupied, Sokov did not hide anything: "I plan to let the soldiers strengthen the defenses so that they can block the powerful German offensive."
"Be specific," Golikov said impatiently, "I want to know your detailed plan."
"There is no detailed plan for the time being, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Sokov replied with a smile: "But I only plan to leave a small number of troops on the position that are enough to withstand the German attack, and the remaining troops will ride on tanks.
Detour from the left and right flanks of the German defense line and encircle as many enemies as possible."
In Golikov's heart, he was originally worried that Sokov would order the troops to switch to defense on the spot and then stay in the fortifications without moving. Such a situation was obviously something he did not want to see. But at this time, Sokov heard that
When he said that he wanted to send the main force of the division to detour from both wings of the German defense line to achieve the goal of encirclement, a smile finally appeared on his face: "In this case, Colonel Sokov, then give the order boldly. If the superiors want
It will be my responsibility to hold you accountable for stopping your counterattack."
