Rokosovsky received the analytical information reported by Sokov and couldn't help but frown. Seeing this, Malining, who was standing beside him, hurriedly asked: "Comrade Commander, what happened? Why did Colonel Sokov's report make you so distressed?"
"Chief of Staff, look at what they reported." Rokosovsky placed the telegram in front of Malining and said to him: "Misha firmly believed that although the Voronezh Front and the Southwest Front had won a series of victories on the battlefield, the Germans were defeated step by step. But in fact, they were in danger and were subsequently attacked by the Germans."
"How is this possible, comrade commander." Malinin said disapprovingly about the information reported by Sokov: "According to the intelligence summary of various places, our troops are eight times that of the German army, and our technical equipment is far greater than that of the enemy. If we are defeated by the German army in this case, the commander who commands the combat can only be sent to the military court."
"I think so too, Comrade Chief of Staff." Rokosovsky agreed with Malinin's statement, but he said with equal concern: "At the beginning of last year, I was injured outside Moscow, and it was Misha who sent me to the hospital. While he was staying in Moscow, he participated in the preparation meeting for the Southwest Front's attack on Kharkov. I heard that at the meeting, he personally pointed out Marshal Temuxingo's mistakes and reminded the Marshal that the attack on Kharkov might not be successful."
"Ah, I really didn't expect that Colonel Sokov had attended such a major military meeting?" Malining said in surprise: "Yes, in the subsequent battle summary, Marshal Timuxine's mistake in judgment was indeed mentioned. He did not eliminate the prominent enemy that poses the greatest threat to our army in time, so that when our army was counterattacked by the enemy, the front line was quickly split, which resulted in the battle initiated by our army ending in failure."
If Rokosovsky did not mention that Sokov had attended the last high-level military meeting, Malining might still stick to his point of view, but at this moment he became a little hesitant: "Comrade Commander, then what do you think we should do? Do you really report this matter to the headquarters of the Supreme Command?"
"This is exactly what I'm hesitating about." Rokosovsky said helplessly: "Although I know in my heart that the situation Misha discovered is very accurate. But I am worried that after reporting it to the base camp, it may attract scolding from my superiors."
"You are right, Comrade Commander." Malining naturally understood the reason why Rokosovsky said this. Now everyone has always been optimistic about the battle in the Dnieper River Basin and thinks that it is only a matter of time to defeat the German army. But if someone jumps out at this time and gets scolded, it will disappear, and maybe he will be labeled as a "defeatist argument". "This is indeed a headache."
"I think it's better to report it through normal channels." After repeated thinking, Rokosovsky made a difficult decision: "No matter what, it would be best if the base camp could warn Vatujing. If they ignore us, there is no way. But we at least did what we should do."
Sokov's analysis of information was reported to the General Staff by Malining in a regular manner. The new Chief of General Staff Antonov reported the matter to Stalin.
After learning about this, Stalin was furious: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't you know that our army is launching an attack on Zaporoze, where Manstein's headquarters is located? And according to the Vatujing report, it only takes two or three days at most to capture the city and drive the enemy across the Dnieper River.
But at this moment, Rokosovsky handed over this irresponsible report, saying that the enemy was about to launch a counterattack against our army, and even the possibility of splitting our defense line, making Vatutin's troops more vigilant."
When Stalin was on the attack, Antonov didn't dare to speak, but just lowered his head and listened quietly to every sentence Stalin said. Suddenly he heard Stalin ask: "Comrade Chief of Staff, this absurd conclusion will definitely not be made by Rokosovsky. Tell me, is it the product of a fool's fantasy?"
"Comrade Stalin!" When Stalin asked himself, Antonov answered cautiously: "It is Colonel Sokov, the commander of the 41st Division of the Guards."
"How could a commander staying in Mamayev's post determine the enemy situation thousands of kilometers away?" Stalin sneered and said, "Do he think he is a god?"
"Comrade Stalin, there is one more thing I have not had time to report to you." Antonov said: "In fact, Colonel Sokov's 41st Guard Division is not in Mamayev's hill."
"Not in Mamayev's hill?" Stalin asked, "Then where are they?"
"In Lugansk," Antonov replied: "It was Rokosovsky who personally ordered them to be transferred."
Stalin walked quickly to the wall, looked at the map hanging on it, gestured with his hands for a while, and asked in surprise: "Luhansk is nearly 700 kilometers away from Mamayevgang. What did Rokosovsky ask them to run so far?"
"It is said that they are worried that the enemy will really launch a counterattack, and Sokov's 41st Guard Division is the best at defending, and putting them there to block the enemy that may rush over."
"Enemma, where is the enemy?" Stalin said disdainfully: "Even if they arrived in Luhansk, the place where they were fighting was more than 300 kilometers. Can they see the enemy?"
"It is said that a few days ago, an enemy had attacked Lugansk." Antonov said cautiously: "Fortunately, Colonel Sokov and his guard company were in the city, and they were the ones who blocked the enemy."
"What, the enemy attacked Luhansk?" Stalin was very surprised. "When did it happen, why didn't I know at all?"
"Just a few days ago, the German army dispatched more than 400 people to quietly touch the vicinity of Lugansk. Fortunately, Sokov's guard company set up defensive positions there and fought with the enemy who was attacking." Antonov reported: "After a fierce battle, part of the 122nd Regiment of the 41st Guard Division arrived and successfully eliminated the invading enemy. However, Sokov's guard company was basically injured and killed."
"Where are the defenders in Luhansk?" Stalin asked unhappily: "Why didn't he rushed to reinforce Xiaomisha when he was attacked?"
"It is said that the battle outside the city just started, and the garrison company in the city quietly retreated without a single shot."
"This is not retreat, but escape." Stalin was furious: "Our comrades fought bravely with the enemy in front of them. Not only did the garrison company not only did not support them, but they actually dared to run away without authorization. Immediately gave Vatujing the commander who was afraid of death and sent the company back to Lugansk and handed over to Sokov for command."
Seeing Stalin speaking to Sokov, Antonov asked carefully: "Comrade Stalin, does Nasokov's warning need to be conveyed to Vatutin?"
Stalin, who was holding the pipe, took a sip of the cigarette hard and shook his head and said, "I don't think so. Now our army is attacking Zaporoze. This unfounded analysis cannot affect the morale of the army."
"I understand, Comrade Stalin." Antonov replied respectfully: "I will call Rokosovsky immediately and convey your meaning to him."
…………
What happened in the Front Command and Moscow was unaware of by Sokov, far away in Lugansk.
Asia, who came with the main force of the division, came to the division headquarters to find Sokov.
As soon as Cidolin saw Asia coming in, he smiled and said, "Asia, you are here!"
"Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff." Asia politely greeted Sidolin, then came to Sokov and said to him: "Misha, I have something to look for you."
Bere, who was talking to Sokov, heard Asia say that she had something to look for Sokov. She thought the two of them were going to talk about private matters, so she stood up and prepared to leave. But Asia stopped him: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you don't have to go away. I'm talking to Misha for business."
"Business?" Sokov asked with some confusion: "What business?"
"Misha, several of the injured in the battle a few days ago, were seriously injured." Asia frowned and said to him: "With the existing personnel and equipment of our medical team, we cannot provide them with better treatment. I suggest sending people immediately and sending them to the division field hospital in the rear."
"Chief of Staff," Sokov heard Asia mention the division field hospital, and hurriedly asked at Cidolin: "Has the establishment of the field hospital been completed now?"
"Yes, the division commander, it's roughly completed." Sidolin asked Sokov for advice: "Look, when will they also arrive in Lugansk?"
"Wait a little longer." Sokov waved his hand and said, "The situation here is still unclear, so let them stay in Stalingrad honestly. I will notify them when they come." After saying this, he specifically explained to Cidolin, "Arranging the vehicle immediately and sending the wounded back to Stalingrad."
"Okay, comrade instructor." Sidolin nodded quickly and replied, "I will arrange the vehicle immediately and send the injured."
"Asia," Sokov hurriedly chased after Asia, lowered his voice and said to her: "You'd better let Ada escort the wounded back, wait until Mamayev's hill and tell her not to come back for the time being."
Asia asked nervously: "Does there be war here again?"
"Yes," Sokov nodded slightly and whispered: "If it really starts, the scale of the battle may be quite large. If Ada still stays here, I'm worried that she will be in danger."
"Don't worry, Misha." Asia assured Sokov: "I will definitely arrange for Ada to escort the wounded back."
As soon as Asia left, Sokov received a call from Rokosovsky from the Front Command: "Misha, I am Rokosovsky."
"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov heard Rokosovsky's voice and immediately realized that the other party was calling. It must be related to the analysis information he reported, but he still deliberately pretended to be confused: "Do you have any instructions?"
"Misha, although I think your analysis is very reasonable." Rokosovsky said in a little embarrassed on the other end of the phone: "But now on the battlefield, the situation is very beneficial to our army. If in this case, it is not convincing to inform Vatutin that the enemy may launch a counterattack after they seized Zaporoze."
Sokov heard the helplessness of the other party from Rokosovsky's tone. After all, in the eyes of most people, the situation is very good now. Any remark that sings opposite may affect the morale and morale of the troops, and must be banned. Therefore, he said with understanding: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I understand that I will not mention this matter again in the future."
"Misha, just be able to understand my difficulties." Rokosovsky continued: "There is another news to tell you that the Supreme Commander himself has personally ordered the company commander who took the lead in the escape, and sent his troops back to Lugansk and handed them over to you to command. You have the final say on how to use this force."
Before hanging up the phone, Rokosovsky said hesitantly: "Misha, Lugansk may be in war, Ada asks you to take care of him. I hope she can reunite with me alive."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov thought that he had asked Asia to arrange for Ada to return to Mamayev hill, where there should be no danger.
"Comrade Commander," Sidolin heard the call between Sokov and Rokosovsky and learned that a company would be sent to Lugansk soon, so he asked Sokov tentatively: "Seryosha's guard company has basically been exhausted. Do you see if this new company will be added to Seryosha's guard company."
"No, I will definitely not." Sokov thought that when the battle was at its peak, the company dared to escape without permission, and he was angry and refused to fight: "How can such a unit be incorporated into the guard company? In my opinion, they should be sent to the most dangerous places and let them fight face to face with the Germans. Only those who survive are qualified to become candidates for the guard company."
"Also," Sokov felt that since his superiors were unwilling to warn him in order not to affect Vatujing's command, he could only provide vigilance and strengthen the defense in the Lugansk area, so he specifically emphasized to Sidolin: "Send more reconnaissance teams to conduct reconnaissance around them and promptly understand the movements of both the enemy and us. At the same time, each regiment should also do a good job of sheltering. All commanders and fighters who escaped from the west, regardless of their rank or level, have been incorporated into our army."
"Comrades-in-chief, what should we do if they refuse to accept the incorporation?"
Chapter completed!