When it got dark, Rokossovsky received the battle report sent in the name of Sokov. After reading the above content, he put it on the table, and then asked Zakharov, who was sitting across the table: "
Comrade Deputy Commander, if you were to command the Istria Battalion, how long would it take you to seize the four villages outside Popkovo?"
Zakharov, who was reading the battle report of the 11th Guards Division, heard Rokossovsky's question and quickly put down the battle report in his hand, shrugged his shoulders and said with some helplessness: "Comrade Commander, although the German army is
The troops in the outlying villages are very limited, but there are usually barbed wire fences and minefields outside these villages. Shelters with shooting holes are built under many houses, and there are even tanks in the village used as fixed artillery batteries. This clearing up
If I were to direct the peripheral battle, with the support of artillery and tanks, I would be sure to capture these four villages within three to five days."
Rokossovsky just smiled faintly after listening to Zakharov's words, and then handed over the battle report he had read: "Take a look, Comrade Deputy Commander, this is just sent from the Istria Battalion.
According to the battle report, they have successfully captured four villages."
"This is impossible!" When Zaharov heard Rokossovsky say this, his first reaction was that the other party was joking with him. However, after carefully observing the other party's face, he found that he did not seem to be joking with him, and he hurriedly
He looked down at the battle report in his hand.
"Major Sokov's style of play is very interesting." Malinin came over and handed a stack of battle reports he had just received to Rokossovsky, and said at the same time: "If we are commanding the battle, we will win the first battle."
After one village, the other three villages should be captured in sequence in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. But Sokov used a divided force to capture these three villages almost at the same time."
"I think his style of play is too risky." After reading Sokov's battle report, Zakharov began to express his own opinion: "The whole battalion attacks three targets at the same time, so it is easy for the troops to be weak.
And they were defeated one by one by the Germans."
"Yes, it is very risky, but it is undoubtedly the most successful tactic." Rokossovsky commented on the results achieved by Sokov and his team: "Comrade Zakharov, you just said,
The German army does not have many troops in these peripheral villages. If we attack in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, we can send troops to reinforce the villages that have not yet been attacked. In this way, our offensive troops will have to
If we fight a tough battle, even if we capture the village, we will pay a huge price."
After reading the battle report in his hand, Rokossovsky put it down on the table and said to Malinin: "Chief of Staff, send a report to Major Sokov and ask him to lead the troops to participate in the attack on the village of Popkovo tomorrow.
"
"Comrade Commander," Malinin heard what Rokossovsky said and quickly reminded him carefully: "We are not planning to transfer the 323rd and 324th Infantry Divisions tomorrow to assist General Chernyshev's 11th Guards Division.
, to seize the village of Popkovo. Why was it changed to the Istrian camp again?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation has changed now, and our original battle plan must be adjusted accordingly." Rokossovsky picked up the battle report on the table and handed it to Zakharov next to him.
He continued: "General Zhukov has just restored General Popov to his post and asked him to continue to serve as the commander of the 61st Army. They will launch a full-scale counterattack tomorrow, so I decided to move the infantrymen who were originally preparing to attack the village of Popkovo.
The 323rd and 324th Divisions were transferred to the right wing of our army group to cooperate with friendly forces in launching a counterattack against the German army."
"Is this possible?" Regarding Rokossovsky's order, Malinin said hesitantly: "There are more than 2,000 German invaders in the village of Popkovo, as well as tanks and assault artillery. Today's attack is close to
The 11th Guards Division paid a heavy price. One of the battalions finally rushed into the village after paying two-thirds of the price. Unexpectedly, it was driven out by the enemy before it could gain a foothold."
"The 146th Tank Brigade can also be put into battle tomorrow. With their assistance, I think the Istria Battalion's attack will become smoother." After Rokossovsky said this, he urged Malinin:
"Chief of Staff, hurry up and send a telegram to the Istria Battalion to ask them to prepare for the attack on Popkovo."
Sokov was in his command post, convening a meeting with his company commanders to comment on today's day's battle. Suddenly, communications platoon leader Maxim came in from outside and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander
, a telegram from the headquarters.”
Sokov took the telegram from Maxim's hand, quickly read the contents, and then ordered: "Bring me the map!"
Belkin, who was sitting on the side, immediately took out the map from the map bag, unfolded it and put it on the table. Sokov leaned over and looked at the map for a while, and then said to the company commanders: "Comrades, company commanders, group army commanders.
The Ministry has just given us a new combat order, asking us to cooperate with the main force of the division to attack Popkovo tomorrow."
He tapped twice on the location of Popkovo with his fingers and continued: "Popkovo is located on a high ground overlooking the surroundings. The Germans carried out artillery bombardment on Susinich from here. To ensure
To ensure the safety of the city, we must find a way to occupy this large village."
"Comrade Battalion Commander," as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Vanya standing next to him asked: "Can you tell us how many Germans there are in the villages and towns?"
"According to the report from the headquarters," Sokov glanced at the telegram beside him and said slowly: "There are about two thousand people stationed in the village and town, as well as tanks and assault artillery.
Make all preparations for a ring defense."
Hearing that there were two thousand German troops in the villages and towns, everyone couldn't help but take a breath. Andre murmured: "The strong side is defending, while the weak side is attacking. Doesn't this mean we are going to die?"
"
"Captain Andrei!" As soon as he finished speaking, Belkin criticized him righteously and said: "Please pay attention to your words. Our superiors have carefully considered the tasks assigned to us. How can we be allowed to die? This is
Such remarks must not be heard by the soldiers, otherwise they will affect our military morale and morale."
Andrei, who was criticized by Belkin, realized his gaffe and quickly admitted his mistake: "I'm sorry, Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander. I was wrong. I will pay attention to it in the future."
"Don't worry, everyone, we are not fighting alone." Seeing the sad faces of the company commanders, Sokov quickly said with a smile: "Participating in the attack are the main force of the 11th Guards Division and two artillery regiments.
, and a tank brigade. I believe that with the support of friendly forces, we will be able to capture Popkovo."