What happened in Stalin's office was impossible for someone of Sokov to know. At this moment, he was ordering his troops to launch a final general attack on the long-defeated imperial division.
In order to save this unit, at Haussel's plea, the German army dispatched more than 50 fighter jets to try to break a gap in the Soviet encirclement so that more officers and soldiers could escape.
Sokov tried his best to surround the Imperial Division and the Skeleton Division. Now the Skeleton Division has been destroyed, how could he let the Imperial Division go easily? Seeing the enemy dispatching the air force, he was not willing to be outdone and ordered the two aviation divisions under his command to take off to fight, and the fighter pilots would deal with the enemy planes, while the bomber bombed the fleeing enemy.
In order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the Skeleton Division, Major General Val ordered his troops to gather at the settlements north of Luojinsik Town, intending to launch an assault with the advantage of troops to break through the encirclement just formed by the Soviet army.
Merkulov, who was commanding the attack of the troops, received a call from the commander of the 199th Guards Regiment and learned that the enemy was constantly attacking the regiment's position. Since there were only temporary field fortifications there, it would probably not last long in the face of the enemy's strong attack, so he could only ask for help from Merkulov.
After listening to the leader's report, Merkulov said to him: "Comrade Colonel, I order you to defend the position at all costs. The whole regiment must hold it there like a nail, and not be allowed to retreat at any step."
Regarding Merkulov's general order that had no meaning, the regiment commander could only grit his teeth and answer: "Yes, comrade of the division commander, we will firmly defend our position at all costs and prevent the enemy from passing through our position."
As soon as Merkulov finished his call with the Frontier, he immediately ordered the correspondents: "Hurry up, connect to the headquarters. If there is any emergency military information, you should report to the commander."
The phone was quickly connected. When Sokov's voice came out of the receiver, Merkulov quickly said: "Comrade Commander, I just received a call from the commander of the 199th Regiment. The imperial division has gathered thousands of troops and is constantly attacking his position."
"Can they hold on?" Sokov asked briefly.
"It's very difficult, comrade Commander." Merkulov knew Sokov's character and knew that the other party wanted to understand the real situation on the battlefield. He did not hide it. He replied truthfully: "Outside the town of Dobropilia that our army just captured, only temporary field fortifications can be used, and it may be difficult to resist the enemy's continuous attack."
"I understand, Comrade General. Wait for a moment, I'll ask if there are other troops from our army nearby." Speaking of this, Sokov took the microphone away from his ear and turned around to ask Vitkov on the side: "Chief of Staff, which unit is our army near the town of Dobropilia?"
"Yes," Weitkov replied without hesitation: "Based on the information just obtained, Colonel Starcha's 124th Guards Regiment is now heading to the area, which is about eight kilometers away."
"General Merkulov," Sokov said again with the microphone close to his ear: "I have asked the Chief of Staff, Colonel Starcha's 124th Guards Regiment, now eight kilometers away from the town of Dobropilia, they are the closest troops to the town."
"What, there are eight kilometers?" Merkulov couldn't help but feel bitter when he heard Sokov say this. He knew the current road situation. The troops were going to march for eight kilometers on a muddy road. It was considered to be a quick move. But can his 199th Regiment last for two hours? He asked Sokov hesitantly: "Comrade Commander, can they get to the town of Dobropilia within an hour?"
"This is impossible, Comrade General," said Sokov. "If there are transport vehicles and the road conditions are in good condition, then it will take only a quarter of an hour to get over it. But now, it is very fast to get over it within two hours."
"What should we do?" Merkulov asked with a wry smile: "Are we watching the enemy jump out of the encirclement and escape back to Balvinkovo ​​smoothly?"
"Don't worry, Comrade General." Sokov said to the microphone: "Although the 124th Regiment cannot reach the town of Dobropilia within two hours, they can bombard the gathering of enemies with new rockets within one hour."
After putting down the phone, Sokov ordered Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, record my order: 1. Order the Stalkia regiment to rush to the town of Dobropilia as soon as possible, and choose the appropriate launch position as soon as possible to attack the gathered enemies with rockets. 2. Order Colonel Neceborenko's bomber aviation division to continue bombing the enemy on the ground."
"Comrade Commander," Witkov reminded Sokov: "After such a long battle, I think the number of rockets carried by the 124th Regiment should not be too many."
"Let Colonel Cydolin find a way to make the Stalkha regiment have enough rockets." Sokov said firmly: "Now the enemy is concentrated, our rockets can exert their maximum power."
"Comrade Commander, I think there is still a problem with getting so many rockets in time." Witkov said carefully: "Or why don't you let the Air Force continue bombing?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, there are not only our planes in the sky, but also enemy planes." Sokov shook his head and said, "As long as the enemy plane finds that our bombers bomb the ground, they will dive to attack. There are many bombers in the bomber aviation division, which are lost in this situation."
"Okay," Vitkov said helplessly when he saw Sokov's attitude, "I will immediately notify Colonel Cydolin and order him to draw personnel immediately and send rockets to the 124th Regiment. In fact, we have basically wiped out the Skeleton Division. Even if the Imperial Division escapes part of it, we have achieved a great victory."
Hearing Vitkov say this, Sokov's face immediately sank: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you can't say that. There is an old saying in the East: It's better to break one finger than to hurt ten fingers. It means that it's better to break one finger than to hurt ten fingers of the opponent. If we just defeat the Imperial Master, I believe that it won't take long to restore their combat effectiveness and will still pose a threat to us on the battlefield. But if the Imperial Master is annihilated, even if the Germans reorganize, their combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced."
"I understand." After Sokov's explanation, Vitkov immediately understood the meaning of annihilation of the Imperial Master and quickly stated: "I will convey your meaning to Colonel Cidolin and order him to replenish enough rockets for the Starcha regiment in the shortest time."
Chapter completed!