Building fortifications in the spring is a headache.
The trenches that had been dug with great effort were filled with turbid water overnight, so much so that pumps could no longer be used to pump out the water.
That day, Sokov took two soldiers to inspect the defense area of the 212th Infantry Division. Still far away, he saw soldiers standing up straight in the trenches in front of them from time to time, holding the soil in their shovels.
Shot on both sides of the trench.
He saw two soldiers sitting on a tree stump smoking, and was about to go over to say hello to them and ask where the division headquarters was. As he approached, he suddenly heard an older soldier saying something to another
A young soldier said: "Varodia, do you know? Today's trenches remind me of the cathedral's construction site."
After hearing this, the warrior who became Volodya asked curiously: "Uncle Gennady, tell me quickly why our trenches remind you of the cathedral's construction site."
Sokov knew that the cathedral they were talking about should refer to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior by the Moscow River. It was originally built to commemorate Russia’s victory in the Napoleonic War in 1812. The design was completed in 1831 and the foundation stone was laid eight years later.
, is a monumental building that combines religion and history. It is the largest Orthodox church in Russia and can accommodate 10,000 people at the same time.
This precious ancient building was bombed in 1931. The relevant departments planned to build a 200-meter-high Soviet Palace on the site, with a 40-meter-high statue of Lenin planned to be built on top. However, due to problems with the design, construction was stopped shortly after it started.
, it was not until the 1960s that a heated swimming pool was built.
Uncle Gennady continued: "After the cathedral was blown up, the relevant departments prepared to build a two-hundred-meter-high Soviet Palace on the site. My construction team also participated in the construction. When we dug the long
Behind the 300-meter-wide, 200-meter-wide, and 15-meter-deep foundation, a sudden collapse occurred, and more than a dozen workers were buried in the soil. After rescue, most people were rescued, but two workers still remained.
Unfortunately he died.
After the accident, the construction had to be temporarily stopped. Originally, we were planning to wait until the next day to continue the construction, but early the next morning, we came to the pit and took a look. My God, the pit was actually full of water.
Someone found a dozen water pumps and started pumping water. However, after pumping for three days and three nights, the water level still did not drop at all.
After discussion and decision by superiors, the construction of the Soviet Palace was temporarily suspended. It was announced to the public that there were problems with the design, so the construction could only be suspended. The construction would be resumed after the design plan was revised."
"Before the war broke out, I went there to see it." Valodya said: "It is surrounded by barbed wire and there is a sign saying, 'Heavy construction site, please don't come near!'"
"Some people say," Gennady continued, "that when the cathedral was bombed, someone in the crowd heard a voice telling him that only a church could be built on this site, and no other buildings could be built."
Although what Gennady said sounded far-fetched, Sokov didn't pay attention to it. After all, some legendary things would naturally change as more people spread them.
Only to hear Volodya continue to ask: "Uncle Gennady, the three trenches we dug yesterday are all flooded with water today. Does this mean anything?"
"It means nothing." Before Gennady could speak, a stern voice came from not far away: "Gennady, Volodya, other comrades are working, but you two are lazy here.
Come back to work quickly!"
Hearing the man's voice, Gennady and Volodya stood up in a hurry, raised their hands to salute each other, and then walked towards the trench being dug with their tools.
The man stood there with his hands behind his back, looking around, and unexpectedly found Sokov standing not far away and two soldiers behind him, and quickly ran over. He stood at attention in front of Sokov, raised his hand and saluted
, the report said: "Hello, Comrade Commander, I am Lieutenant Colonel Kunsakov, political commissar of the 212th Infantry Division. The troops are digging trenches, please give instructions!"
"Continue digging trenches." Sokov raised his hand in return and asked casually: "How is it? Are your trenches here also flooded?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Kunsakov replied respectfully: "Now is the snowmelt season in spring. The melted snow seeps into the trenches, and water accumulation will naturally occur."
Sokov was recently troubled by the accumulation of water in the trenches. He knew very well that the temperature of the water formed by the melted snow was very low. If the soldiers stayed in such water for a long time, they would easily suffer from frostbite.
A category of non-combat attrition. When Kunsakov said this, he casually asked: "Do you have any good ideas?"
"There are still ways." Kunsakov replied: "We can drive wooden stakes in the trenches and lay logs or wooden boards on them. In this way, even if there is water in the trenches, our soldiers do not have to stay in the water.
inside."
The method proposed by Kunsakov was also discussed with the new director of the engineering Corps a few days ago. He felt that in order to do this, the trench would have to be dug two meters deeper on the existing foundation, and thousands of more would be needed.
Wood. After some discussion, the plan to lay logs in the trenches was rejected.
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Sokov said to Kunsakov: "Your plan was good, but it was very difficult to implement at the time. Have you ever thought about how to fight in so many trenches?
Laying logs is such a huge project. Even if our commanders work day and night, I'm afraid it won't be completed until July. When the enemy's large-scale attack begins, we..."
When Sokov said this, he realized that he had let something slip and stopped quickly. But Kunsakov continued to ask: "Comrade Commander, how did you know that the Germans would launch a large-scale attack on us in July?"
attack?"
"This is normal," Sokov said perfunctorily: "The enemy likes to attack us most at the end of June and July. For example, the Great Patriotic War broke out on June 22, 1941. Okay.
, you continue to be busy, I will go to other troops to have a look."
After Sokov walked around the divisions and returned to the headquarters, he called Vitkov and Lunev over and said to them worriedly: "Comrade Military Commissar and Comrade Chief of Staff, the current situation is very difficult.
Wonderful. As the snow melts, our newly built fortifications will accumulate water overnight, and even the old fortifications will see water from time to time."
"I think we should send a telegram to our superiors." Lunev said first: "Report to them the situation here and ask them to send a special engineering force to help us build strong defenses."
"Comrade Military Commissar, it is obviously unrealistic for our superiors to send engineering troops to help us." Before Sokov could speak, Vitkov retorted: "You know, our precious engineering troops are currently repairing our
Those roads and bridges in the rear that had been destroyed by the enemy could not send troops to help us build fortifications."
When he learned that the engineering troops were repairing roads and bridges in the rear, Lunev stopped talking. He knew very well that if the damaged roads and bridges were not repaired, the logistics department in the rear would not be able to deliver ammunition in time.
Fuel and various military supplies were transported to the front line.
"Chief of Staff," Sokov couldn't help but ask after hearing Vitkov mention the transportation problem: "How long can the supplies we have hoarded now sustain the battle?"
"About seven days." After a brief thought, Vitkov gave an answer: "After seven days, our troops will face a situation where they will run out of ammunition and food."
When Luniev heard Sokov suddenly asked about the material situation, he couldn't help but asked: "Comrade Commander, why are you asking this? Are you planning to attack the enemy?"
"What, Comrade Commander, are you planning to launch an attack on the enemy?" Vitkov was startled by Lunev's words. He quickly asked: "At what time, where and with what kind of troops are you planning to attack the enemy?"
Attack the enemy?"
"Yes, I do want to launch an attack on the enemy's defensive positions." Sokov frowned and said: "Judging from the current situation, the construction of fortifications has encountered great difficulties. Instead of waiting for the enemy to attack us, break through us.
Instead of maintaining the army's defense line, it is better for us to take the initiative and launch a limited attack against the enemy."
Sokov walked to the map and looked at it, then said: "I plan to break through the defense lines of the Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division, approach Barvinkovo, and disrupt the enemy's deployment. If all the supplies are only enough for the troops for seven days, then we
The number of troops participating in the war should be reduced as much as possible."
Lunev was confused by Sokov's words. He asked puzzledly: "Comrade Commander, I don't understand. If you want to attack the enemy, wouldn't the more troops the better? Why don't you just ask your superiors for reinforcements?"
, but we have to reduce the number of troops participating in the war?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, the reason is very simple, we have insufficient supplies." Sokov explained to Lunev: "If we use eight divisions and all artillery and tank brigades, the daily consumption of supplies will be very staggering.
After seven days, when all these supplies are exhausted, once the enemy launches a counterattack, our remaining troops will only be annihilated by the Germans. But if we only use half or even less of our troops, we can reduce the consumption of supplies.
As a result, the time we have to fight the Germans is increased, giving our superiors more time to provide us with supplies."
Vitkov felt that Sokov seemed to have mature ideas for a long time, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, when do you plan to choose the day for the attack?"
"Send out reconnaissance personnel to conduct reconnaissance of the German defensive positions." Sokov told Vitkov: "I plan to use two to three divisions and a tank brigade to attack the enemy. In order to make this attack
To achieve success, we must understand the distribution of enemy forces."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Vitkov said to Sokov: "I will urge the Reconnaissance Department to obtain the latest German troop strength distribution map as soon as possible."
Sokov continued: "Chief of Staff, you must instruct the scouts to conduct detailed and accurate reconnaissance of the enemy, so as to reduce the casualties of our army during the attack."
When Sokov said this, he accidentally glanced at Runev next to him. Seeing the excitement on the latter's face, his heart couldn't help but skip a beat. He quickly said to Runev: "Comrade Military Commissar,
This is just an idea made by the Chief of Staff and I. Whether we will take offensive action at that time is still unknown. You must not report it to your superiors casually, as it will make us very passive."
When Lunev heard what Sokov said, he immediately blushed. He thought that after he heard the battle plan of Sokov and Vitkov last time, he immediately broadcast it to Beria in Moscow through his own dedicated radio station.
He made a report. It turned out later that he had made a mistake. Everything he heard was just a deduction conducted by Sokov and Vitkov on the map. For this, he was severely criticized by Beria.
.
At this moment, when he heard Sokov greeting him specifically, he quickly replied: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I didn't understand the situation last time. I will never act recklessly this time, and I will definitely wait until you have the battle plan ready."
After reporting to the front army headquarters, it will then be reported to Moscow."
Sokov knew very well that the other party had a special channel to report the situation of the troops to his superiors. He understood this very well. After all, this was the responsibility of the other party. He nodded slightly and said: "Comrade Military Commissioner, wait for me and the staff officer
After the commander determines the attack time, I will give you a detailed combat plan, and you will continue to report to Moscow."
Lunev did not expect Sokov to be so reasonable, and offered to give him a plan after the battle plan was finalized, and he would report it to Moscow. He quickly said gratefully: "Thank you, Comrade Commander, thank you for your support."
My trust.”
Sokov waved his hand and said with a smile: "Comrade Military Commissar, we are partners now. If we want to make achievements, we need full cooperation between us, are you right?"
"Yes, what you said is so correct." Lunev nodded and expressed his attitude to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, don't worry. As long as I am still the military commissar of the group army, I will fully cooperate with you.
Work together to defeat the enemy on the future battlefield and achieve great feats."
Sokov was talking to Lunev, and Vitkov had already finished calling the Reconnaissance Department. He reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I have called the Reconnaissance Department, and they promised that after dark,
Five reconnaissance teams will be immediately dispatched to conduct reconnaissance deep into the enemy's rear, and accurate information will be fed back in the shortest possible time."