"Yes, Colonel Sokov." Golikov, who had just finished calling Yelyemko, happened to hear what Sokov said to Berkin, and added a sentence next to him: "Based on your division's performance in the battle to defend Stalingrad, we will give priority to you to supplement troops and technical equipment."
Although the Front Command made an exception a few days ago to add four reinforcement battalions to its troops, the shortage of troops in the entire division still existed. After hearing Golikov's statement, Sokov seemed to have a reassurance. He raised his voice and said to the microphone: "Comrade Political Commissar, have you heard what the Deputy Commander of the Front Commander said? He will give priority to replenishing troops and technical equipment for us. You can do it with confidence and boldness."
After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Golikov with a relaxed look on his face: "Comrades, the Deputy Commander of the Front Army, and the Commander of the Belkin will take active actions tonight to seize some independent positions from the enemy as a support point of firepower, and keep the enemy's main force in the factory."
"Is there any difficulty?" Golikov asked casually after he finished speaking. He asked this question just a polite word. According to his thoughts, since he had promised to give priority to Sokov's troops, the other party probably wouldn't put forward any conditions, so he had no scruples when speaking: "If so, even if it is something within my ability, I will solve it for you."
Sokov heard from Golikov's question that the other party was just a polite question, and it was not necessarily necessary to solve it for himself. But he didn't want to miss such a good opportunity, so he said without hesitation: "Comrade, the deputy commander of the Front Army, the two tank battalions that the superiors promised to support me, must arrive at Mamayev's hill before noon tomorrow." The reason why he emphasized the problem of the tank battalion was because he had not seen the shadow of the tank battalion for the whole day. He was worried that the night would be long and dream, so he specially reminded Golikov.
"No problem." Golikov had no objection to this matter. After all, the Front Command took the initiative to add two tank battalions to the Sokov division. Although there was something wrong and the Tank Battalion was not able to take place in time, it would still be sent here sooner or later. In order to prevent Sokov from having any ideas, he also explained specifically: "The Tank Battalion was not in time today, maybe something was wrong with fuel or ammunition. Don't worry, I will personally ask about this time, before noon tomorrow, the two tank battalions could cross the river to Mamayev hill."
Seeing that Golikov had promised him, Sokov continued to say what he thought: "Also, can we add a batch of flamethrowers?"
"Flamething?!" Golikov heard what Sokov wanted, and his face showed an unexpected expression. He asked in surprise: "Col. Sokov, I don't understand, what do you want a flamething device to do?"
Not only Golikov didn't understand, but even Sidolin and Ivanov were confused and could not figure out the situation. Everyone turned their attention to Sokov, hoping to hear him give a reasonable explanation.
"In the next battle, street fighting will be the main focus." Sokov saw that everyone was confused, so he explained to them: "Take the barricade factory as an example, although the enemy has blown up all the sewers leading to the areas they occupied, the sewers in the buildings they occupied can still be used normally. If the enemy escapes into the sewers after the surface position is lost, with the equipment of our soldiers, it will inevitably cost a huge price to take them out."
When Sidolin heard this, he immediately understood Sokov's intention and quickly interrupted: "As long as the enemy is found, our soldiers can use flamethrowers to deal with the enemy. Even if they cannot be burned to death, the flames will consume all the oxygen in the sewer and make the enemy suffocate to death."
"It seems that the flamethrower is quite useful." Golikov took out the paper and pen, wrote the matter in his notebook, and then asked without raising his head: "Is there any?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I believe you know Colonel Bere, the commander of the 84th Tank Brigade."
When Golikov heard the question raised by Sokov, he glanced at him in surprise and said, "I have heard of this person, but I have never seen him before. Why did you suddenly mention him?"
"I have fought side by side with Colonel Bere, and broke out from the enemy's siege from the north of Orlovka." Sokov grinned and explained his relationship with Berere: "After returning to the city, we were responsible for defense at the Red October factory until his troops were transferred to the Barrier Factory and the Derrensky Factory for mobile defense. I heard a few days ago that his tanks had been lost and all of his tank soldiers had become infantry. Therefore, I would like to make another request to you to return to Mamayev's hill to participate in our counterattack soon."
For Golikov, Sokov's request was not too much. The tank brigade commanded by Berlei had lost all the tanks. If he wanted to resume the battle, he had to retreat to the rear for replenishment. However, Golikov considered that the tank brigade was now used as an infantry in Cuikov's hands. If he rashly transferred them away, it would cause Cuikov's dissatisfaction, which was a troublesome thing.
So he thought for a long time, and finally sighed and said, "Col. Sokov, this matter is of great importance. I must report to Commander Yelemenko. Only after obtaining his consent can I mention this matter with Cuikov."
Golikov's words somewhat disappointed Sokov. He did not expect that Golikov was also a scrupulous personality and was not decisive at all. No wonder he was soon surpassed by a group of commanders with lower positions than him. Although he was somewhat slandered by Golikov, Sokov still said with a smile on his face: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I think there is no need to alarm Commander Yelemko by the transfer of Colonel Bere. I think as long as you call Commander Chokov, he might follow your order and let Colonel Bere lead the remaining troops to Mamayev's hill."
"I will call Cuikov directly," Golikov said with a embarrassed expression on his face after hearing Sokov's advice: "Is this appropriate?"
"There is nothing wrong." Sokov planned to take a try, so he took the initiative: "You are the deputy commander of the front army. Is it that order to the commander of the group army? Will they not implement it?"
However, after hearing this, Golikov shook his head very simply and said, "Col. Sokov, the 62nd Army troops, have been very powerful after a long and cruel battle, so every commander and fighter is very valuable. Even if Colonel Bere's tank brigade is now only a few dozen people, or even a dozen people, transferring them from the existing defense zone will still have a certain impact on the overall defense."
Seeing that Golikov was still looking forward and scrupulous, Sokov couldn't help but feel anxious, but on the surface, he tried his best to keep calm and tried to persuade Golikov: "Otherwise, you call Commander Cuikov first. If he disagrees, it's not too late to report to the Front Command."
Sidolin had contact with Bere, and he trusted his abilities very much. Seeing that Sokov tried his best to let Berere's tank brigade join his own battle sequence, he stood up and said, "Yes, comrade, deputy commander of the front army, you should call Commander Cui Kov first to talk about this. If he agrees, of course everyone will be happy; if he disagrees, it will not be too late to report to his superiors."
"Well, since you all insist, I'll try it." Seeing Sokov and Sidolin sticking to their point of view, Golikov decided to help them. But before calling, he pointed at Sokov with his hand and said helplessly: "Col. Sokov, are you superiors or me? Why do I feel that I have to obey your command in everything?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, you are joking. Of course you are our superior." Sokov quickly said with a smile: "Didn't you just say that if you have any requirements, just ask for it. I think with the cooperation of Colonel Bielei, I feel more confident when I launch a counterattack."
After the phone was connected, Golikov revealed his identity to the officer who answered the phone and asked the other party to notify Cui Kov to answer the phone. After a while, Cui Kov's voice came from the receiver: "Hello, the deputy commander of the front army notified that I am Cui Kov. What instructions do you have?"
"General Cuikov!" Golikov said politely: "I have been staying at the command center of Mamayev since last night. Do you know this?"
"I know." Cui Kev was able to understand the battle situation on the south side of the city in time because Golikov was in Mamayevgang. However, he didn't know what it had to do with whether the other party was in Mamayevgang when he wanted to say it, so he asked in confusion: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I want to ask, is what you want to say related to this?"
"I went to Mamayev's Gate to supervise the counterattack of the 41st Division of the Guards at the orders of Commander General Yelemenko and Military Commissioner Comrade Khrushchev." Golikov said in an official voice to the microphone: "Now they have encountered some difficulties, I hope you can help them solve them."
Although Cuikov didn't know what Golikov would say next, he still responded respectfully: "Deputy Commander of the Front Army, as long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to solve it for them."
"Col. Sokov told me that he hoped that Colonel Bere, of the 84th Brigade of the Tank, could return to Mamayev's post with the remaining troops to assist them in the counterattack against the German army." Golikov asked tentatively: "I wonder if there is any problem?"
Cuikov never dreamed that Golikov called himself for this matter and said in surprise: "What, let Bere's tank brigade rush to Mamayev's hill?"
"Yes." Golikov replied briefly, "Is there any difficulty?"
"Deputy Commander of the Front Army," Cui Kefu said with some embarrassment: "Although the tanks of the Tank Brigade have been completely lost, and there are only more than 100 commanders and fighters in the entire brigade, they are still an important combat unit for me. Once they are transferred, we may find loopholes in our defense in the factory area. Once the enemy catches these loopholes and launches a fierce attack on us, I am worried..."
"There is nothing to worry about, General Cuikov." After only more than a hundred people left of the tank brigade that knew Bere, Golikov made up his mind that he could not consume the precious tank soldiers as ordinary infantry, and transfer them all to Mamayev's gang, which might play a greater role. Thinking of this, he said to the microphone: "From the current situation, the enemy will soon turn from offense to defense. In other words, they will not launch an active attack on you. You can draw strength from other places, but take over the defense of the Tank brigade, and then let them arrive at Mamayev's gang as soon as possible."
"I understand, Comrade, Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Since Golikov had issued an order, Cuikov naturally could not violate it. He could only reply with a tough bullet and said, "I will immediately notify Colonel Bere and let him rush to Mamayev's hill to accept new combat missions."
"How is it, Colonel Sokov." Golikov put down the phone and turned to look at Sokov and asked, "I have a shameless look for Colonel Bere from Cuikov. I hope you don't let me down in the next battle."
"Don't worry, Comrade, Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Sokov was overjoyed to learn that Colonel Bere and the remaining commanders and fighters of the Tank Brigade would be able to return to Mamayev's hill soon. Although the tanks of the Tank Brigade had been completely lost, with his own ability, there was still no big problem to get a batch of tanks for them. He expressed his opinion to Golikov: "I will definitely let the Tank Brigade establish immortal merits in this counterattack."
"Col. Sokov," Golikov obviously disbelief of Sokov's promise, and he asked back: "You have heard just now that all the tanks in the Tank Brigade were lost in the battle to defend the factory. Are you planning to use these tank soldiers as ordinary infantry?"
"How can that be, Comrade, Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Hearing Golikov's concerns, Sokov replied with a smile: "I have a batch of tanks in my hand, which can be handed over to Colonel Bere. By then, these tank soldiers will be able to play their role."
"Col. Sokov, what did you say, tank?!" Golikov couldn't help frowning when he heard this: "I want to ask, where did you get the tank?"
"I got it from the warehouse of the Red October factory. Now these tanks are parked in the workers' new village." Sokov did not hide it from Golikov and said truthfully: "But the soldiers who drive and use tanks are not familiar with them, so these tanks can only be used as fixed turrets and cannot be used for attack. But as long as Colonel Bree comes back with his men, I can hand over these tanks to them and let them perform offensive missions."
After understanding the origin of the tank, Golikov nodded slightly and said, "Col. Sokov, I feel relieved if you say this. I believe that Colonel Bere and his subordinates will be able to fully play the role of these tanks after obtaining new tanks, and attack the enemy hard and establish immortal merits. When he arrives at Mamayev, he will come to see me. I want to have a good talk with him."
Chapter completed!