The Soviet army's counterattack in the north of the city became increasingly weak. Faced with this unfavorable situation, Cuikov couldn't help but feel anxious. He said to Krelov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I guess that our army's counterattack will end in failure tomorrow at the latest."
"Yes, Comrade Commander, the current situation is very unfavorable to our army." Krelov strongly agreed with Cuikov's view: "The organization of this counterattack was very hasty, and at the same time, the lack of necessary supplies to support our counterattack operations, which made our counterattack troops unable to conduct effective combat."
"Sokov's troops were surrounded by the German army in Orlovka," Cuikov frowned after Krelov finished speaking, and continued: "From the current situation, it is no longer realistic for friendly troops outside the encirclement to break through the German defense and go to join them. In order to prevent them from being surrounded and annihilated by the enemy, it is necessary to send troops to rescue them."
"It's very difficult, Comrade Commander." Krelov sighed and said helplessly: "Due to the fierce attack of the German army, their retreating east or south have been completely cut off."
Cuikov asked, "Is there no way to rescue Sokov and the others from the enemy's encirclement?"
Krelov shook his head and said in a regretful tone: "General Guriyev's 39th Guard Division from south to north, and Major General Ludev's 37th Guard Division from east to west, did not succeed. According to the report of the two division commanders, with their existing strength, they could not break through the German defense line and rescue Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and others."
While Krelov was saying this, Trekov gently tapped the table with his fingers and did not speak for a long time. After a long time, he said with difficulty: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call Colonel Koida immediately to inform him of Sokov's situation, and at the same time tell him that once our counterattack fails, the enemy may launch a new attack on the Red October factory. Order him to assist General Guriyev in defending the factory with all his might."
"I understand." Krelov nodded and replied, "I personally called Colonel Koida, who was a mixed regiment, and asked him to immediately start the defensive deployment of the factory."
Besides, Koida, who was left behind in the Red October factory, learned from the wounded men sent back from the front that Sokov's troops had broken through the four German lines of defense in a row and successfully advanced to the Orlovka area. When he heard this news, Koida was still very happy. He even thought optimistically that this counterattack might successfully crush the enemy's attack on the city and drive them far away.
But after receiving the call from Krelov today, he was stunned. Not only did he lose the counterattack, but Sokov's troops were also trapped in Orlovka, and there was even the danger of the entire army being destroyed.
When the political commissar Mashkov saw Koida holding the microphone in a daze, he quickly asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, I see that your face is not good. Is there anything wrong?"
Although Koida was already the commander of the mixed regiment before coming to the Red October Factory, Mashkov also liked to call him the division commander, after all, he used to be the commander of the 184th Infantry Division. At first, Koida was worried that the impact was not good, and every time he heard Mashkov called him like this, he had to correct him a few words. But today, the news he just heard was so shocking that he forgot to correct Mashkov's name.
Seeing that Koida was not speaking for a long time, Mashkov repeated the question just now, Koida said with a sad face: "Comrade Political Commissar, something happened, something big happened. The troops led by Lieutenant Colonel Sokov were besieged by the German army in the Orlovka area. Judging from the Chief of Staff, they probably won't last long."
"What, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops were trapped in the German encirclement?" Mashkov was shocked and sweated in a cold sweat when he heard the news, but he still asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander, is this news reliable?"
"It's true!" Koida nodded and said, "This is what General Krelov, chief of staff of the army, said in person. The Germans cut off Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's retreat. Now they cannot get any supplies in the German encirclement. Once the ammunition and food are exhausted, they will face the destruction of the entire army."
Brisky, the fourth battalion commander who has always been regarded as a little transparent, was shocked when he learned that Sokov was in a desperate situation and asked quickly: "Comrade Colonel, our brigade commander is surrounded by the German army. I wonder what measures have his superiors taken?"
"The 39th Guard Division to the south of Orlovka and the 37th Guard Division to the east are constantly attacking the German army." Koida pointed to the map and said to Brisky: "They tried to open a passage to cover Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and their retreat, but so far, no progress has been made."
"So," Brisky was also the commander who had fought guerrillas in the German encirclement. When Koida said this, his heart suddenly sank. He knew that Sokov's fate was worrying, so he asked tentatively: "Can the brigade commander and others not be able to return here alive?"
"Yes, comrade Captain, you guessed it right." Koida shook his head, "unless a miracle happens, there is zero chance that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and others will be able to come back alive."
As soon as Koida finished speaking, she suddenly heard a woman's cry coming from the door: "Asia, Asia, what's wrong with you? wake up quickly!"
"What's going on?" Koida couldn't help but look angry when she heard the shouts from outside the door. "Who is making noise outside? Don't you know that this is the command center?"
Unlike Koida's angry, Brisky's face changed drastically after hearing the shouts at the door. He didn't say anything, but rushed out of the door in a few steps.
Seeing Brisky rushing out of the room like his butt was on fire, Koida felt quite strange, and hurriedly followed Mashkov out of the room. They came to the door and saw a female officer squatting on the ground in the corridor outside the door, holding a coma female medical officer in her arms, while Brisky stood aside and whispered something to the female officer.
"What happened?" Koida recognized the female officer squatting on the ground, who was Lieutenant Ulanova of the Women's Anti-Automotive Artillery Battalion. Looking at the female health care worker lying in her arms, Koida asked unhappily: "Comrade Ulanova, why did this female health care worker faint here? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
"Comrade Colonel," Brisky stopped talking to Ulanova, and looked at Koida and replied, "This female health officer is Asia, the wife of the brigade commander. I guess she might have heard our conversation outside the door and fainted because she was worried about the safety of the brigade commander."
When he learned that the female health worker who fainted in front of him was Sokov's wife, Koida's old face turned red. In order to make up for his mistakes, he quickly asked Brisky and Ulanova to carry Asia into the house and place it on a bench against the wall.
After doing all this, Ulanova first asked, "Comrade Colonel, can Lieutenant Colonel Sokov really not come back?"
"Yes, Comrade Lieutenant, I guess the chance of coming back is not high." Koida didn't know what Ulanova and Asia heard outside the door, but he still patiently told her the dilemma facing Sokov, and finally emphasized: "Unless a miracle happens, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov will not be able to come back."
When Ulanova heard Koida say this in such a certain tone, she felt that Sokov might not be able to come back, so she could only sigh softly and said, "There are too many wounded people sent recently. Even if there are doctors and nurses from the factory department to help us, Asia hasn't been in a two or three days. She asked me to accompany her here to see Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, but unexpectedly heard such bad news. She fainted because of fatigue and the stimulation."
Koida stared at Asia lying on the bench, thought for a while, then turned her head to Mashkov and said, "Political Commissar, judging from Comrade Asia's physical condition, it may not be suitable to stay on the front line. Look, should we say hello to the Army Command and send her to the other side of the Volga River?"
"Comrade Commander, I agree with you." Mashkov nodded and said, "With Comrade Asia's current situation, it is not suitable to stay in the city anymore. She should be transferred out as soon as possible."
"Comrade Colonel," Brisky knew that the situation in the city was dangerous, but Sokov was still alive now. If Asia was sent to the other side of the Volga River, Sokov might criticize himself once he came back, so he said cautiously: "I think we should contact the brigade commander to find out what the situation is like there. Then decide on the next move, what do you think?"
"Comrade, I think Captain Brisky is right." Mashkov thought Brisky's proposal was very good, so he said to Koida: "Although Lieutenant Colonel Sokov was surrounded by the German army, from my understanding of him, he has always been a good person at creating miracles. Maybe he can lead his troops out of the enemy's encirclement."
"Well, Captain Brisky, you immediately ask the radio operator to send a newspaper to Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to find out their current situation." Koida specifically advised Brisky: "In order not to worry about Asia's fainting, there is no need to mention it to him."
Sokov's call came soon. For the sake of confidentiality, Sokov did not reveal his intention to break through to Koida and others, but said briefly: "Don't worry, everything is in my control."
Chapter completed!