It stands to reason that Sokov is now the commander of a group army commanding tens of thousands of people, and there is no need to meet a lieutenant in person. But the reason why he made an impromptu decision to meet Lieutenant Serelkov, who is about to come to October Town, is
It's entirely because of his performance on the battlefield.
As a commander who has participated in countless battles, Sokov understands how difficult it is to stand up despite the roaring bullets. Those few seconds are the most critical, either in the sense of responsibility.
Driven by his will, muster up the courage to stand up and face death; or stay in the trenches and wait to be wiped out by the rushing enemies.
Lieutenant Serelkov chose the former and led a group of new recruits with little combat experience to repel the German attack. This aroused Sokov's great interest. After a long battle, the troops
There is a serious shortage of grassroots commanders here, and there are even fewer outstanding talents.
Sokov wanted to talk to Lieutenant Serelkov in person to get a serious understanding of this man's abilities. Although he is a bit older, if he is really an excellent commander, he can be given a higher position.
position, so as not to delay his career in the security force.
When it was getting dark, the rain finally stopped.
Lieutenant Serelkov, who had just arrived at October Town with his troops, learned that Sokov wanted to see him. He did not dare to neglect and asked the troops to stay not far from the church. He was commanded by the officer who heard the message, while he was alone.
Go meet Sokov.
When he came to the door of the church, he was stopped by a soldier on duty: "Stop, this is the army headquarters, no one can enter."
"I'm talking about Comrade Soldier," Serelkov, who was covered in mud, was not angry after being stopped. On the contrary, he smiled and said to the other party: "We are not just idle people. We have just been transferred from the 182nd Division.
To strengthen the security force of the headquarters, please go in and inform us."
Fortunately, the soldier once heard his superior mention this matter, so he did not make things difficult for Serelkov, but asked politely: "Comrade Lieutenant, what is your name?"
"I am Lieutenant Serelkov, from the 182nd Division." Serelkov said to the soldiers in an uncertain tone: "As soon as our company entered the town, a commander came to inform me that Comrade Commander wanted to meet me.
"
"Where is the officer?"
"Here!" Serelkov pointed to the other side of the church square with his finger: "Comrade soldier, have you seen the troops over there? That is the company I brought with me, and the messenger officer will stay with them."
The soldier looked in the direction of Serelkov's finger. Sure enough, there was a group of commanders and soldiers there. Judging from their dress, they looked like they had just come from outside the town. He nodded and said to Serelkov: "Comrade Lieutenant, please
Wait a moment, I will go in and report to the officer on duty."
Not long after the soldier entered the church, he walked out with an officer.
The officer came to Serelkov, looked him up and down, and said, "Are you Lieutenant Serelkov?"
"Yes, I am Serelkov."
"I am Lieutenant Samoilov, the guard platoon leader. I am waiting for you here under the order of Comrade Commander." After Samoilov finished speaking, he turned his body to one side and stretched out his hand in a gesture of invitation: "
Please come in, Comrade Lieutenant, Comrade Commander, I have been waiting for you for a long time."
Under the leadership of Samoilov, Serelkov entered the church.
After passing through the hall, we came to a corner. There was a long table here, and three or four generals were facing away from the door, looking at the map on the table, while they were still discussing something in a low voice.
Samoilov signaled Serelkov to wait where he was for a while, then he walked up to a general and whispered a few words in his ear.
When the general turned around, Serelkov immediately recognized that this person was Major General Sokov, the commander of the group army. He quickly raised his hands to his ears and reported loudly: "Comrade Commander, Lieutenant Serelkov is going to
You report, please give instructions!"
"Lieutenant Serelkov is here!" Sokov walked over with a smile, and even though he was far away, he took the initiative to extend his hand: "I didn't expect that, I haven't seen you for a few days, and you are now a lieutenant."
Serelkov laughed dryly twice and said: "I happened to make a small contribution, so I got an unexpected promotion."
Sokov held Serelkov's hand and gently patted the back of his hand twice with his free left hand. "Comrade Lieutenant, what you established is not a small feat. First, I used a car of vodka and exchanged it for
He took a carload of German prisoners and then brought a group of new recruits with no combat experience to repel the enemy's attack. It's really amazing."
Lunev also came over, smiled and shook hands with Serelkov: "Comrade Lieutenant, I'm glad to see you again. I wonder if your rank will be promoted to another level the next time I see you."
"Comrade Military Commissar," after hearing what Lunev said, Serelkov replied with some embarrassment: "My promotion to lieutenant has a lot of luck. I think it is very difficult to be promoted to another military rank.
thing."
"Lieutenant Serelkov, I think it won't be a big problem for you to be promoted to the first rank." Samyko, who had just walked over, interrupted: "Especially in the army commanded by General Sokov, a unit that often fights
In a victorious unit, promotion of military ranks will be a very easy thing. You may not know it, but two days ago, a battalion commander of the 188th Division was directly appointed as the brigade commander of the infantry brigade."
"The battalion commander was appointed brigade commander?" Samyko's words shocked Serelkov. Although the brigade-level combat unit is directly below the battalion level, it would be too fast for the battalion commander to be promoted to brigade commander. He
I thought to myself: "I don't think I have heard of this. Maybe it was Comrade Chief of Staff who comforted me."
Sokov saw the doubts in Serelkov's heart, smiled faintly, and then asked: "Comrade Lieutenant, I want to ask you a question, can you give me a satisfactory answer?"
Serelkov hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Comrade Commander, if you have any questions, just ask them. I will answer them truthfully. But I don't know if I can satisfy you."
"If the enemy makes a sneak attack and you are not commanding a platoon of new recruits, but a group of veterans, what kind of results can you achieve?"
"Comrade Commander, if I were commanding veterans, I would definitely order some soldiers to hold on to their positions, while other soldiers would detour back to the enemy's rear so that none of them could escape."
Although Serelkov's answer was somewhat cliche, he was able to give a direct answer in such a short time, which still made Sokov very satisfied.
Sokov immediately made a decision in his mind. He could not let him stay at the headquarters to waste time, or he should arrange for him to go to the front-line combat troops. He said: "Lieutenant Serelkov, I think you should be left here to take charge of the command."
The security work of the Ministry is a bit unfair. I want you to join the combat army. What do you mean?"
Upon hearing Sokov's question, Serelkov's expression did not change at all: "Comrade Commander, I resolutely obey your arrangements."
"Okay." Seeing that the other party was willing to obey his arrangement, Sokov continued: "Then you take your company and report to Major Guchakov. He is the commander of the newly built 73rd Infantry Brigade.
His headquarters is located in the school not far from here, and you can find him there."
After Serelkov agreed, he raised his hand and saluted Sokov and others, then turned and left.
Looking at Serelkov's leaving figure, Lunev curiously asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, when you ask Lieutenant Serelkov to go to the Guchakov Brigade, what position do you intend to assign him?"
"Since he is a member of Guchakov's brigade, it is up to Guchakov himself to decide what position to arrange."