With Zhukov's commitment, Sokov's worries about competing for credit were naturally solved.
After ending the call with Zhukov, Sokov smiled and confessed to Samyko: "Chief of Staff, immediately sent a telegram to Colonel Chuvashov, saying that the superiors planned to reorganize the two marine brigades and infantry brigades into close combat units.
Guard."
"Comrade Commander," Samyko heard this and hurriedly interrupted Sokov: "It is said that the Supreme Command has intentionally stopped granting new Guards division designations to the troops. Even if I get Comrade Marshal's commitment, I
I'm worried that something will happen. If I tell them the news now, if it fails to be fulfilled, I'm worried that it will affect the morale and morale of the troops."
Sokov, who comes from the future, is very aware of the Soviet Guards division numbers. The last unit was the 129th Guards Division. Now it has been organized into the 97th Guards Division. There are still 30 division numbers available.
Nothing to worry about.
Sokov waved his hand at Samyko and said with a smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you are worrying too much. Since Marshal Zhukov has made a promise to us, this little thing will not trouble him, so just follow my instructions."
Order to send a telegram to Colonel Chuvasov and tell them the good news."
"Okay." Seeing Sokov being so stubborn and knowing that his persuasion would be of no use, Samyko nodded and said helplessly: "I will immediately send a telegram to Colonel Chuvashov to get this done."
Tell him the news."
"Also," Sokov stopped Samyko and ordered him: "The two Marine Corps brigades must have paid a heavy price after fighting for such a long time. If they are not given additional troops, I am afraid that
Unable to expand the results."
"Comrade Commander, nearly half of our troops have not yet entered the battle." After hearing what Sokov said, Samyko quickly asked: "Which troops do you plan to send to reinforce them?"
"Since Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov's infantry brigade will be merged with the Marine Corps brigade sooner or later, I think we should send the infantry brigade to reinforce Colonel Chuvashov and the others."
After Samyko waited for Sokov to finish speaking, he smiled and said: "It's really interesting. There are one colonel and two lieutenant colonels among the three brigade commanders. After the merger, Colonel Chuvashov, who has the highest military rank, will undoubtedly be
The best candidates for the division commander. But the two lieutenant colonels Dobrushin and Uzakov can only serve as deputy division commander and chief of staff."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the position of division commander is not necessarily held by the person with the highest military rank, but by the person with the strongest command ability." Sokov said with a smile: "In the battle to liberate Belgorod, we
The candidate for the new Guards Division commander can be decided based on the performance of the three brigade commanders."
Sokov promptly announced the formation of a new Guards Division to Chuvashov and Dobrushin, and the conflict between the two brigade commanders was immediately resolved. They were now members of the same unit. Which brigade's flag was placed?
On top of the municipal building, there isn't much difference.
Knowing that the conflict between the two Marine Corps brigades had been resolved, Sokov couldn't help but feel relieved. Then, he ordered Chuvashov's troops and Major General Gritsenko's troops to stick to the actual control area and prevent
The Germans might launch a counterattack. At the same time, he gave orders to the 84th, 188th and 254th Infantry Divisions to enter the battlefield through the gap opened by Chuvashov's department and launch an attack on the south side of the city.
Although the three infantry divisions received Sokov's order and entered the city in the evening, they still successfully captured two streets in the south direction of the city before dark and successfully established a foothold.
After dark, after reading all the battle reports, Sokov looked down at the map for a while, and then said to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, judging from today's battle situation, the results we have achieved are very great.
.Not only have most of the areas in the west of the city been occupied by our army, they have even captured two streets in the south of the city."
"Comrade Commander, although our progress is very good, the performance of the friendly forces is not satisfactory." Sameko looked at the map and said with a worried look: "If they are unable to break through the German defenses, come over and fight with us.
Let’s join together, I’m afraid that after dawn tomorrow, we will be attacked by the German army from multiple directions at the same time.”
Perhaps because he was worried that Sokov would not understand what he meant, Samyko also pointed to the map and explained to him in detail: "Comrade Commander, you see, the northernmost part of the area we control is Major General Gritsenko's 384th Infantry Division.
In order to prevent them from reinforcing friendly forces in the northwest, the Germans may use armored divisions to carry out counterattacks. Chuvashov's department holding on to the city center may suffer counterattacks from the east..."
While listening to Samyko's analysis, Sokov looked down at the map in front of him, thinking about what his chief of staff said. He realized that after today's battle, he would definitely attract the attention of the Germans.
, in order to defend the city, the other party will definitely gather heavy troops and launch a counterattack against itself. Its own troops will face great pressure tomorrow.
Thinking of this, he felt a little regret in his heart. He should not have thrown all the troops except the 182nd Infantry Division into the battle in the city. After tapping his fingers on the table for a while, he raised his head and asked Sameko
: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you think the 182nd Infantry Division can fulfill their reserve obligations?"
"Comrade Commander," Samyko said with some surprise after hearing Sokov's question: "Are you planning to put them into tomorrow's battle?"
"Now all our troops are basically in the city." Sokov pointed to the map and explained to Sameko: "If tomorrow the Germans really counterattack our troops from several directions as you analyzed
, I’m afraid we will have to face the situation of using reserve teams.”
"Comrade Commander, it's hard to talk about this matter. I think it's better to call Colonel Khokhlov and hear what he has to say."
Seeing Sokov nodding in agreement, Samyko grabbed the telegram on the table, and after connecting to the headquarters of the 182nd Infantry Division, he asked straight to the point: "Colonel Khokhlov, Comrade Commander asked me to ask you a question.
, if you put your troops into battle tomorrow, can you do it?"
Hearing Samyko's direct question, Khokhlov was silent for a while, and then replied: "Comrade Chief of Staff, after replenishing troops, the combat effectiveness of our division has been severely diluted. But if the superiors are ready to let us participate in the battle, the offensive
Maybe not, but if we defend, I think it won’t be a big problem.”
"Comrade Commander." After listening to Khokhlov's answer, Samyko quickly covered the microphone with his hand and reported to Sokov: "Colonel Khokhlov said that if his troops are assigned to defensive tasks, there should be no
What a big problem.”
Since replenishing Khokhlov's troops with a group of old and weak soldiers, Sokov has basically excluded this unit from the combat order. Now he is considering that if the German army launches a strong counterattack, there will be no reserves for the troops in the city.
I'm afraid it will be difficult to withstand the enemy's counterattack, so I plan to call in the reserve team. Knowing that Khokhlov's troops are capable of the defense task, Sokov's expression became relaxed. He nodded and said with a smile: "Since
There is no big problem with them being used for defense, so let Khokhlov prepare the troops. Once necessary, he needs to put his troops on the battlefield in the shortest possible time."
As soon as the reserve team matters were taken care of here, Yakov hurried in from outside. As soon as he saw Sokov, he said in a dissatisfied tone: "Misha, I have something to ask you."
After Sokov invited Yakov to sit down, he personally poured him a cup of hot tea, and then asked politely: "Yasha, if you have anything to do, just tell him."
"Misha, I'm here to tell you that after today's overloaded transportation, most hovercrafts need to undergo major repairs before they can be put back into use."
"Ah!" When Samyko heard what Yakov said, he couldn't help but said in surprise: "Colonel Yakov, can it still be used tomorrow? You know, we lack enough transportation tools now. Without the help of hovercraft,
We were unable to transport the ammunition and supplies needed by the troops into the city in time."
"General Samyko," Yakov politely replied to Samyko: "I have just said that the hovercraft has exceeded its usage limit in today's battle. If it continues to be used without major repairs, it will not be long before it
Scrapped."
In order to prevent Sameko from continuing to persuade him, he also specifically emphasized: "The hovercraft is still in the testing stage. If it is scrapped because it exceeds the usage limit, I am worried that many people will be punished."
After listening to Yakov's words, Samyko immediately realized that his intention to continue transporting supplies by hovercraft tomorrow was ruined, so he asked Sokov with a sad face: "Comrade Commander, what should we do?"
"Haven't the bridge on the river been occupied by us?" Sokov replied expressionlessly: "And the engineering troops have also set up a pontoon bridge on the river for vehicles to pass. Even if there is no hovercraft, we can transport supplies in
In the city, the speed is just a bit slower."
Yakov came here to see Sokov just because he wanted to talk to him about the hovercraft. Since the purpose of coming here had been achieved, he was not prepared to stay any longer, so he stood up and said to Sokov: "Misha, what should I say?"
, I have finished saying that, I will go back now to urge everyone to start the maintenance of the hovercraft. If anything happens to you, just send someone to find me, I will rush over as soon as possible. "
After seeing Yakov off, Samyko shook his head vigorously and said with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander, everyone has just adapted to the speed of the hovercraft, and suddenly it can no longer be used. Will everyone feel disappointed?"
"Disappointment is inevitable," Sokov said, "but we cannot lose control just because the hovercraft cannot be used. When we fought with the enemy before, there were no hovercrafts, but our logistics supplies could still keep up in time.
I believe that starting from tomorrow, even if there is no hovercraft, the troops in our city will be able to receive sufficient supplies."
When Sokov and Samyko were studying how to provide supplies for the troops in the city, they had already retreated to Kharkov's Khot and made a phone call to Manstein: "Your Excellency, Marshal, according to the report of my subordinates, Sokov
Kokov's troops have occupied part of the west and south of the city, and our defenders in Belgorod are in danger of being cut off from their retreat."
After Manstein waited for Holt to finish speaking, he did not directly give the other party new instructions. Instead, he asked casually: "What is the progress of the Russian troops attacking from the northwest and north of Belgorod now?"
"Your Excellency, Marshal," after hearing Manstein ask about the Soviet troops attacking from the northwest and north, Holt replied with some pride: "Although their offensive was very fierce, they pushed forward under the tenacious resistance of our army.
The distance is very limited. I believe that as long as we launch a counterattack tomorrow, we can drive them out of the city."
"General Holt," Manstein said coldly after listening to Holt's words, "Do you think your counterattack can really drive the Russians out of the city?"
His words stopped Holt from asking, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer Manstein.
Manstein waited for a while, but did not hear Hott's answer, so he sneered: "General Hott, I don't know if you have considered that if you launch a counterattack against the Russians in the northwest and north, Sokov's troops will
If we attack from your rear, what kind of situation will arise?"
"Your Excellency, Marshal," Manstein's assumption made Hotter break out in a cold sweat. He knew very well that the current Belgorod garrison was at a serious disadvantage in terms of equipment and soldiers. Moreover, there were still many opponents in the army.
With the existence of a monster like Sokov, if he continues to hold on, he may have little chance of holding on to the city. Thinking of this, he tentatively asked Manstein: "What should we do next?"
"What should we do? What else can we do?" Manstein said angrily: "Judging from the current situation, even if we invest more troops to defend Belgorod, it will only delay the fall of the city for a few days.
That’s all, it won’t be of much help to our next battle in Kharkov.”
Holt heard the implication from Manstein's words, and asked tentatively: "Marshal, do you intend for us to abandon Belgorod, put all our troops in Kharkov, and fight with the Russians?"
A decisive battle?"
"Yes, that's what I meant." Now that Holt had guessed his intention, Manstein no longer concealed it. He said truthfully: "Sokov's troops have established a foothold in the city, even if he can't
With the support of other friendly forces, he is also capable of capturing our entire city. Instead of consuming our troops in these places where there is no chance of winning, it is better to pull out and consolidate Kharkov as soon as possible, and maybe have a chance to reverse the situation of the war."
"Understood, Your Majesty Marshal." After figuring out Manstein's intention, Holt quickly replied: "I will immediately notify the garrison in the city and ask them to prepare for a breakout at dawn tomorrow.
action."
"General Holt, you cannot break through during the day." Manstein said on the phone: "Now the Russians have mastered the air superiority on the battlefield. If they break through during the day, once the whereabouts of the troops are discovered by Russian reconnaissance planes, then the retreating troops will
The troops will be bombarded indiscriminately by the Russians, causing serious losses."
"Then when should we choose a time to break out?"
"Needless to say, of course it is now." Manstein continued: "We must immediately carry out a breakout operation before the Russians have recovered their senses, and withdraw the troops from Belgorod overnight."