By the evening, the feedback from each division had returned, and no soldiers who met the above standards were found.
The clue was broken.
Witkov said to Sokov with a serious expression: "Comrade Commander, it seems that the enemy is very cunning. After assigning the mission, he lurks again. I am afraid that we will not be able to find his trace for a long time."
"Since you can't find him, let it go for the time being. I think it's impossible for the Germans to launch a similar attack in a short period of time." Since the clues have been cut off, Sokov doesn't want to waste too much energy at this time. He is more concerned about the movements on the battlefield: "What are the enemy's recent actions?"
"As you judged, the enemy has launched an attack on the Voronezh Front after defeating General Vatujin's Southwest Front." Witkov said with a wry smile: "Facing with the enemy's attack, friendly forces were a little overwhelmed."
"It seems that it won't be long before the German army will retake Kharkov and Belgorod."
Before Sokov finished speaking, Zhukov walked in from outside and asked with a stern face: "Then tell me, what will the German army do after reoccupied these two places? Will they attack Moscow again?"
"I don't think so." Sokov raised his hand to salute Zhukov, moved the map on the table to Zhukov and said to him: "Comrade General, please look at the map. I think the German army will be unable to continue to advance north after defeating the Southwest Front and the Voronezh Front. The front lines between the enemy and us will be stable at the front lines of Kursk and Orel."
"Misha, your idea is very bold." Zhukov stared at the place where Sokov pointed for a while and said, "If what you said really happens, it means that we will fall tens of thousands of square kilometers of land. If I don't know you, I can completely regard your judgment as a failure-oriented argument."
Zhukov's words scared Sokov into a cold sweat. He didn't expect that he had just told the real history truthfully and had to face such a serious problem.
Seeing Sokov standing in front of him in a daze, Zhukov waved his hand and continued: "Of course, after my careful analysis over the past two days, I feel that what you are talking about is entirely possible. At that time, the enemy and us may form a confrontation, and then both sides begin to accumulate strength and have another battle-level decisive battle."
Seeing that Zhukov had speculated that there would be a decisive battle at the level of the battle in the Kursk region, Sokov couldn't help but admire him. He only realized the Battle of Kursk by his understanding of history. Zhukov accurately inferred based on the situation on the battlefield that it would be a decisive battle.
"Misha, have you ever considered that after the German army recaptured Kharkov and Belgorod, it was possible to turn eastward and launch a large-scale attack on Lugansk. How are you going to deal with it then?"
"Comrade General, we are speeding up the time to build fortifications." Sokov said confidently: "With our existing forces, we can completely withstand the attack of an armoured German army."
"I feel very relieved that you have such confidence." Zhukov was very satisfied with Sokov's reply: "If you need any help after I leave here, even if I contact me, I will definitely try my best to meet your requirements."
…………
Sokov knew very well that the best weapon to deal with the German armored cluster was artillery, so he arrived at the station of the artillery division early the next morning and met the division commander Colonel Miakotin and the political commissar Lieutenant Colonel Makhmutov.
After both sides sat down, Sokov did not go around in circles, but asked directly: "Comrade Colonel, in a while, the enemy may attack Lugansk. Can your artillery deal with the German armored cluster?"
"Our division has a heavy artillery regiment, equipped with thirty-six 152mm howitzers." Miakotin replied: "It should have a little effect when dealing with the enemy's armored assault. However, you should tell the infantry that you must not let the enemy's tanks rush to our positions, and our cannons will not fight bayonets."
Sokov smiled faintly at the last joke of Miakotin, and then said, "Comrade Commander, if the enemy's offensive is fierce, there may be a time to put the cannon on the bayonet."
Seeing that Miakotin looked confused, he quickly explained: "Our infantry lacks enough anti-tank weapons. If the Germans have too many tanks, it will be very difficult to completely block them. Therefore, we must make the worst plan. I remember that your division has a 76mm artillery regiment. I think this regiment can be equipped with some armor-piercing shells. When the enemy tanks approach your artillery positions, they can use direct aiming to destroy the enemy's tanks. This is the so-called 'bayonet on cannons'."
The three of them had in-depth discussions on how to use artillery in the following battle and finally reached a consensus. That is, when the enemy attacked, they used heavy artillery to intercept the enemy's infantry and armored vehicles at a long range; while the medium-sized artillery provided artillery cover for the defensive infantry.
Sokov took Samoilov to the command of the artillery division and walked towards the jeep parked not far away. A tall soldier came towards him, holding an axe in his hand. When he passed by Sokov, he raised his hand to his forehead to salute and speeded up.
"Comrade Warrior, please wait a moment." Sokov felt something was wrong with this person. When other soldiers saw the commander coming towards him, they would take the initiative to make way and stand aside to salute, but this person walked straight by his side. Sokov quickly stopped the other party.
The tall warrior who was called turned to Sokov without saying a word.
Sokov walked up to the tall man, looked at him and asked, "Comrade Warrior, what are you doing with an axe?"
"Report to the Colonel," the tall man straightened his body and replied: "I am from the kitchen squad of the division headquarters. I just ordered to cut some firewood for making fire."
The tall cook's answer seemed to be completely leaky, but Sokov was a little confused. He felt something was wrong with this person, but he couldn't tell the reason.
Seeing Sokov frowning and pondering, the tall cook asked politely: "Comrade Colonel, can I leave? Are you still waiting for the wood life in the kitchen class?"
"You can leave now."
The tall man made a backward movement and limped towards the house where the command headquarters was located.
The tall man walked a little lame. These two characteristics immediately coincided with the memory in Sokov's mind. He pointed at the tall cook with his hand and ordered Samoilov: "He is the sender, arrest him for me."
Samoilov agreed and rushed up with two soldiers. He subdued the cooks and cut his hands in front of Sokov.
Sokov sneered at the cooksman and said, "We looked for you for a day yesterday, but I didn't expect to meet you here today. Let's go, I'll take you to meet two acquaintances."
"Comrade Commander," Miakotin and Makhmutov heard the report of the soldiers, saying that the cooks in their division were arrested by Sokov's men at the door. The two hurried out to find out what was going on. "What happened and why did they arrest him?"
"Because he is a spy lurking in our army by the Germans." When Sokov said this, he saw the two of them with disbelief expressions on their faces and added: "If you don't believe it, come with me, and I will let you understand what's going on."
Chapter completed!