"I'm sorry, Comrade General." Unexpectedly, Sokov responded coldly to Apanashenko's order: "Please forgive me for not being able to carry out your order."
Sokov's words shocked everyone present. According to everyone's understanding, after hearing Apanashenko's order, Sokov should not immediately start deploying troops to break through the defense line.
Did the Germans carry out an assault?
"Comrade Sokov, do you know what you are doing?" Seeing that Sokov refused to carry out his orders, Apanashenko looked particularly angry: "Do you know that you are disobeying orders? I can kill you at any time.
You are court-martialed."
If it were anyone else, hearing Apanashenko say this, they would have been frightened out of their wits and surrendered obediently. Even if they knew that Apanashenko's order was wrong, they would still have the courage to carry it out.
But Sokov said without being humble or condescending: "Comrade General, we don't know the strength of the enemy who broke through the defense line and what kind of weapons and equipment they have, so we rashly launch a counterattack. This is to let my soldiers die. And if the counterattack fails,
, when the enemy rushes here, what kind of force should we use to stop them?"
The commanders of the 182nd Division were very moved when they heard Sokov explain the reasons for his disobedience. They knew very well that Sokov was using his own future to save their lives. However, everyone immediately became worried about Sokov.
He was worried about the future fate of Cove, after all, he was disobeying orders.
Sokov saw everyone's worries and continued: "Comrade General, although your military rank is higher than mine, you are not my direct leader after all. I have the right not to execute the orders you gave me."
Everyone thought that Apanashenko would be furious after hearing Sokov's words. But Apanashenko did not say anything. He picked up the cigarette case on the table, took out a cigarette from it, lit it and inhaled deeply.
He took a sip and said to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, it seems that you have already considered all the consequences."
"Yes, Comrade General, I have considered the consequences of disobedience." Sokov said seriously: "But if I carry out your order at this moment and let the troops rush into counterattack, in the final result, it is possible that
The enemy was not repulsed, but our army suffered heavy losses. Once the enemy took the opportunity to advance, there would be no troops to stop them."
"Are you just going to watch the enemy break through our defense line?"
"We will resolutely block the enemy's advance in the Shumakovo area." Sokov replied resolutely: "We will never let them get close to Moscow again."
"If the enemy successfully breaks through our defense line in the direction of Oboyan and continues to increase the investment of troops, do you think you can stop the enemy's attack with your small force?"
"I believe we can do this." After Sokov said this, seeing Apanashenko's face full of doubts, he invited him to come to the map and explained to him: "Comrade General, take a look.
The terrain here is not conducive to the deployment of large-scale armored forces at all. The Germans are obviously aware of this, so they will not invest too many tanks in our direction. As long as the enemy invests a limited number of tanks, then I have
Confidence holds back enemies.”
"Then tell me, in which direction will the Germans invest a large number of armored forces?"
Sokov thought that Vatutin might already know the direction of the German army's next attack. If he told the so-called analysis at this moment, even if he learned about it through Apanaschenko, it would not arouse any suspicion, so he
He said confidently and boldly: "I think the Germans will invest all their armored forces in Prokhorovka. The terrain here is flat, and large-scale mechanized troops will be deployed immediately, and our army's defense force is not strong.
If I were the German commander, I would put the main assault force here."
"Prokhorovka?!" Apanashenko stared at the direction Sokov said for a while, then turned and asked: "Comrade Sokov, are you really sure that the enemy will use the main assault force?
Put it in this area?”
"Yes, Comrade General." Sokov replied: "The probability is very high."
"Major," Apanashenko immediately ordered his adjutant after receiving a definite answer from Sokov, "contact the headquarters immediately. I will report this important information to Comrade Vatutin immediately."
The major quickly ordered the accompanying soldiers to move a walkie-talkie machine into the division headquarters and began to shout in plain language. When Sokov heard the other party speaking in plain language, he couldn't help but feel a thud in his heart, and quickly reminded Apanashenko: "Comrade General
, you cannot speak in plain language, as this may be eavesdropped by the Germans."
But Apanashenko waved his hand and said disapprovingly: "The time it takes now, let the enemy hear it."
The radio station quickly contacted Vatutin. When he heard Vatutin's voice coming from the earphones, Apanashenko said into the transmitter: "Comrade Vatutin, I am now at the headquarters of the friendly forces."
Here, I just got some information and want to inform you."
"What information?"
"According to Major General Sokov, commander of the 27th Army, the German troops who broke through our defense line at Oboyan may turn the main force of their armored forces to the Prokhorovka area..."
"Comrade Deputy Commander," Vatutin asked lukewarmly, "I would like to ask, where did you hear this kind of information?"
Apanashchenko glanced at Sokov, who was standing next to him, and replied: "General Vatutin, as I just said, it was the analysis made by the commander of the 27th Army, Major General Sokov..."
"It seems that his analysis is correct. Judging from the direction of the concentration of German armored forces, an assault on the Prokhorovka area is inevitable." Vatutin may have noticed that plain language was used to communicate on the radio.
, there is a possibility of leaking secrets, so when I said this, I said euphemistically: "Comrade Deputy Commander, there are some things that are difficult to discuss on the phone. You'd better return to the headquarters as soon as possible. I will tell you the details."
Although Apanashchenko was not willing to return to the headquarters at this time, in any case, Vatutin was his immediate boss now. He asked him to go back, but he really had to go back. He ended the call with Vatutin
Finally, he said to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, I am going back to the front army headquarters. I hope you can remember what you just said and be sure to block the enemies who break through our defense line."
"Don't worry, Comrade General." Sokov looked at Apanashenko, who would die in a few days, and said seriously: "We will do our best to block the enemy's attack."
After sending Apanashenko away, Sokov began to assign tasks to Khokhlov and others: "...arrange anti-tank firepower on the hills on both sides of the road. After the enemy tanks enter the ambush circle,
Just use a rocket launcher to destroy it...The mission of your division is to do everything possible to slow down the German army's advance and consume their vitality."
"Comrade Commander, I have a question." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, the division chief of staff raised his hand and asked: "If you are not here and General Apanashenko comes here to give orders, what should we do?
what to do?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov looked at the division chief of staff and said seriously: "I remind you to remember that I am the commander of the 27th Army, not General Apanashenko. The person commanding the troops is
I am not him, so not only do you not have to carry out any orders he gives you, but if the superiors want to hold you accountable in the future, I will bear a series of consequences."
When Sokov said this, he thought to himself that Apanashenko only had less than a month left in his life. Even if he wanted to deal with him, he would have to wait until the Battle of Kursk was over, by which time he would have already lost his hair.
, then it will naturally be settled at this time, and you don’t need to worry at all.
Seeing that Sokov was willing to take all responsibilities, Khokhlov and others felt much more at ease. To be honest, one was an old commander who was promoted to general before the war, and the other was his superior. They were caught in the middle.
It’s also very difficult.
While the chief of staff was assigning defensive tasks to each regiment, Khokhlov asked Sokov tentatively: "Comrade Commander, after the follow-up troops arrive, how do you plan to arrange them? Let them continue to build defenses in the north.
Fortifications?”
"There is no need." Sokov shook his head and said: "When the follow-up troops arrive, your division can hand over part of the defense area to them. After you reduce the defense front, you can mobilize troops to form a reserve team to play in the later stages of the battle.
A greater role.”
"Comrade Commander, how long do you think this battle will last?" When Khokhlov heard Sokov using the word battle, he immediately thought of the Battle of Stalingrad that had just ended half a year ago, and he
He asked tentatively: "Three months or five months?"
Sokov thought that the duration of the entire battle was only more than fifty days, which was far from being compared with the 200 days of the battle to defend Stalingrad, so he said easily: "Don't worry, not only is this battle fierce, but in the
It will definitely be over before September."
"What, it can end before September?" Khoklov said with some surprise: "I thought it would last until next year."
"Don't look at the Kharkov offensive launched by our army, which ended in failure." Sokov said to Khokhlov: "But after the Stalingrad defense battle, the German army lost a lot of elite troops.
The newly added troops will be greatly reduced in terms of combat effectiveness. With their current strength, it is obviously impossible for them to engage in a battle with us that lasts for more than half a year. Therefore, it will take at most one or two months to end this battle.
The battle ended with the victory of our army."
"Judging from the current situation," Khokhlov seemed to be talking to himself, or to Sokov: "After the battle is over, both the enemy and us will be exhausted, and I am afraid that for a long time, both sides will be exhausted.
Unable to start a new campaign."
"Comrade Colonel, if you think so, you are wrong." Sokov said to Khokhlov: "Once our army achieves a decisive victory in the direction of Kursk, then we will gain the initiative on the battlefield.
Originally, it was the Germans who had the final say on when and where to launch the attack. But as long as we win this victory, we will have the initiative on the battlefield. When and where to launch the attack, it will be up to us.
It’s up to you.”
Sokov considered that the 182nd Division was equipped with a limited number of new rockets and rocket launchers, and would not necessarily have any advantage in the event of a firefight with the Germans, so he ordered Khokhlov to answer the phone call from the headquarters. Hearing that Samy
Co's voice came from the receiver, and Sokov immediately ordered him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have an urgent task for you to complete now."
"Please tell me, Comrade Commander." Samek said respectfully: "I will resolutely obey your order."
"The enemy has broken through the friendly forces in the Oboyan area and is heading towards Shumakovo, where our troops are stationed." Sokov said to Samyko on the phone: "Immediately take the divisions that have not yet set off.
The new rockets were gathered together and sent to Shumakovo by truck as soon as possible.”
"Comrade Commander," Samyko said with some embarrassment after hearing Sokov's order: "If we use trucks to transport rockets, it will affect the transportation of troops."
"The effect of a truck of new rockets is at least more than that of a regiment." Sokov said firmly: "The matter of troop transport can be put aside for the time being, but after dawn tomorrow, I hope to see more new rockets
Rockets appeared in the defense area of the 182nd Division."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." When Samyko heard what Sokov said, he could only reply: "I immediately arranged for people to collect all the rockets and encounter the Shumakovo area as soon as possible."
After Sameko put down the phone, he couldn't help complaining: "Comrade Commander has assigned me a difficult task to complete. How can it be so easy to collect all the rockets from each division in a hurry?"
Lunev, who usually exists as a transparent person, heard Samyko complaining and asked curiously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?"
"Comrade Military Commissar," Samyko complained to Lunev: "Comrade Commander said that the German army had broken through the defense line in the direction of Oboyan and was advancing towards Shumakovo, so he ordered me to use the new rocket launchers of each division.
Collect them all and transport them to the 182nd Division's defense area as soon as possible."
"So you are worried about this matter." After figuring out the reason for Samyko's worry, Lunev said with a smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry, just leave this matter to me. I will
I assure you that we will be able to successfully transport all the collected rockets to the defense area of the 182nd Division tomorrow."
Seeing that Luniev was so confident, Samyko felt that the other party must have a method that he didn't know about, and collected the rockets that were urgently needed on the front line from various divisions. Since the other party took the initiative to solve his problem, Samyko no longer hesitated, but
He nodded and said to Luniev: "Okay, Comrade Military Commissar, I will leave it to you to take full responsibility for the collection and transportation of new rockets."
Seeing that Samyko agreed to take charge of this matter, Luniev smiled and nodded at the other party, stood up and walked out of the command post, preparing to recruit people to complete this urgent task.