Chapter 160: Openly repairing the plank road and secretly assassinating Chencang (Part 1)
Thinking about the upcoming attack, Sokov could not stay in the city for a minute. He declined the kindness of the division chief of staff and hurriedly left Susinich with his men.
Two hours later, he arrived at the offensive starting position not far from Popkovo and found his troops. Seeing his return, Belgin asked curiously: "Comrade Battalion Commander, the division commander ordered you to arrive
Suhinich, is there anything important?"
After listening to Sokov's talk about the simple flag-presenting ceremony, Belkin said with regret: "What a pity, what a pity. I couldn't even participate in such an important ceremony. It's such a pity."
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, this kind of opportunity will come again in the future." After comforting his Deputy Battalion Commander, Sokov asked directly: "Have you figured out the terrain here?"
"Yes, Comrade Battalion Commander. Second Lieutenant Christopher, the reconnaissance platoon leader, personally led a few people to conduct a reconnaissance of the surrounding terrain." Belkin pointed to a hand-drawn map on the table and said to Sokov:
"Popkovo is located on high ground. The Germans can use firepower to block the main roads leading to villages and towns in the ring fortifications. However, we found two additional trails, so they were covered with heavy snow and made movement inconvenient. The German defenses there were
It’s not strict.”
Sokov remembered that before heading to Sushinich, he had told Belgin that attacking from the front would inevitably result in huge casualties, so the best way was to see if there were any trails around that he could take advantage of.
When the German army's attention was attracted by the frontal attack, they quietly entered Popkovo from the trail. Therefore, he specifically asked: "Have any measures been taken?"
"There is a cemetery northeast of Popkovo. The Germans have not deployed defensive forces in that direction. I have sent Vanya's company to sneak into the area." Belgin pointed at Popkovo again.
To the west, he continued: "Here, there is a trail that passes through the woods and can directly enter the village. I ordered Saviev's third company to enter Popkovo from this direction. Because I was worried that the enemy might be in this direction.
There are mines buried on the road, so I assigned the engineer platoon to the command of the third company."
Sokov was very satisfied with Belkin's arrangement. He nodded vigorously and said: "Yes, yes, comrade deputy battalion commander, even though you are engaged in political work, you always talk about yourself.
I’m an outsider in the military, but judging from your deployment today, it’s quite orderly.”
Hearing Sokov's praise for himself, Belkin laughed twice, and then said: "I have been with you for a long time, and I have learned a lot about the military."
Just as the two were complimenting each other, a lieutenant ran in from outside, raised his hand and saluted them and said: "Comrade commanders, the division commander invites you to go to the division headquarters."
Hearing that the division commander had invited them, the two of them did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly followed the lieutenant along the communication trench to the division headquarters of the 11th Guards Division. Sokov and Belkin walked up to the red-faced Chernyshev, carrying
He raised his hand and saluted him: "Comrade division commander, Istria Battalion Commander (Deputy Battalion Commander) Sokov (Berkin) reports to you!"
"Come here, comrades two battalion commanders." Chernyshev called the two battalion commanders to the wall, pointed to the map hanging on it and said: "Yesterday, our attack on Popkovo was unsuccessful.
; Today we will continue, and your battalion will serve as the vanguard of the division, taking the lead in attacking villages and towns..."
"Comrade division commander," Sokov immediately asked after Chernyshev finished handing over the task: "I wonder what kind of support our battalion will receive when it attacks?" The purpose of his question was to find out what kind of support he would receive during the attack.
Before the attack, was there artillery support? During the attack, were there tanks accompanying the charge?
"Let me introduce you," Chernyshev pointed to a colonel next to him and introduced to Sokov and the others: "This is Colonel Vasiuk, commander of the 146th Tank Brigade. When your battalion launches an attack on villages and towns,
At that time, the tanks of the tank brigade will accompany you in the attack. And before the attack, two artillery regiments will conduct artillery preparations for the enemy's positions for half an hour."
Although there was a tank brigade to assist in the battle, Sokov didn't know what kind of tanks the other side had, so he asked a little uneasily: "Comrade Colonel, can I ask how many tanks your tank brigade has?"
Faced with Sokov's reckless question, Vasiuk smiled and replied: "Don't worry, Comrade Major, our brigade has dozens of T-34 and KB tanks, which are fully capable of supporting you."
KB tank, when Vasiuk said this, Sokov couldn't help but his eyes lit up. Although this type of tank has poor maneuverability and a high failure rate, it has thick armor and is resistant to beatings. Legend has it that in the early days of the war, a tank division's
A KB tank actually delayed a German armored division for two days. With the support of such thick-skinned tanks, there should not be much problem in taking Popkovo.
Seeing that Sokov kept smiling, Vasiuk couldn't help but ask: "Comrade Major, what are you laughing at?"
Sokov was shocked, and then pretended to be nonchalant and said: "Comrade Colonel, I was thinking that our battalion would follow your tanks and rush into the villages and towns to beat up those Germans!"
"How the infantry and tanks work together, you two will discuss it later." Chernyshev raised his hand and looked at his watch and said: "The shelling of villages and towns will start in two minutes."
After there was no movement, the people in the headquarters heard the rumble of artillery coming from outside. This was the group army artillery firing at the German positions in the villages and towns. The unprepared German troops were caught off guard by the artillery fire, but they quickly
He came to his senses and used artillery fire to suppress the Soviet artillery positions.
Seeing that the high ground in the distance was shrouded in smoke, Sokov said to Vasiuk: "Comrade Colonel, activate all your tanks, let our soldiers sit on the tanks and charge towards Popkovo.
"
"But, Comrade Major." Vasiuk pointed to the villages and towns in the distance that were not filled with flames and smoke, and frowned and said to Sokov, "Don't you see that our army's shelling has not stopped yet?"
"It will be too late to attack after the shelling stops." Sokov was afraid that the fighter plane would be fleeting, so he quickly urged Vasiuk: "I beg you, act quickly!"
Seeing Sokov's anxious look, Vasiuk felt that he was not joking. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded vigorously and said decisively: "I will give the order to the tank crews to start the tank immediately.