"Major Sokov, everyone is here." Seeing Colonel Bentaleyev, commander of the 322nd Infantry Division, and his three regiment commanders walking into the division headquarters, Chernyshev rushed to Sokov's point.
He nodded and said, "You can assign tasks now." After saying that, he stood up and asked Panteleev and his men to sit down.
Sokov came to the wall, pointed to the map nailed on it, and said to everyone: "Comrade commanders, everyone must know that the town of Maklaki is an important military stronghold of the German army. Once our army takes over here
, then the complete defense system of the Germans in the direction of Zizdra will be broken. Our next task is to eliminate the enemies stationed in the village of Buren and the small villages scattered on the vast plain, so that they will no longer need
Retreat to Zizdra..."
Benteleev stared at Sokov who was standing in front of the map and talking, and asked Chernyshev in a low voice: "Comrade General, who is this major?"
"Major Sokov, the battalion commander of the Istrian battalion." Chernyshev replied in a low voice: "Comrade Commander decided that he would take command of the battle to capture the town of Maklaki when he comes."
"What?" Hearing what Chernyshev said, Benteleev couldn't help but exclaimed: "A major will command our operations..."
"Don't talk!" Before he could finish his words, he was sternly interrupted by Rokossovsky, who was sitting next to him. Seeing that Sokovsky had stopped, Rokossovsky spoke in an encouraging tone.
Said to him: "Major Sokov, keep talking."
Sokov nodded. He pointed at the map with a branch and said to everyone: "...Maklaki Town is a very important stronghold for the Germans. They will never give up here, so we have to
Seizing this stronghold will inevitably lead to an extremely brutal battle..."
"My attack plan," Sokov said after introducing the situation in Maklaki Town, began to assign tasks, "Lieutenant Colonel Terebinsky's 291st Infantry Regiment will be the main attack, and the 11th Guards Division's 291st Infantry Regiment will attack.
The 33rd Regiment is the second echelon, and my Istria Battalion is the third echelon. The three regiments of the 322nd Infantry Division are responsible for clearing out the German troops in the villages on the right. The mission of the 34th Guards Regiment is to attack Maklaki
The village of Buren on the left side of the town; the 35th Guards Regiment serves as the general reserve."
After the deployment, Sokov looked at Terebinsky and asked politely: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, can you still command the battle?"
Hearing Sokov's question, Terebinsky stood up suddenly. Because the movement was too fierce, he pulled the wound on his arm, which made him grimace in pain. However, he still gritted his teeth and answered: "
No problem, I can continue to command the troops in combat."
Sokov stared at him for a while, then slowly shook his head and said: "No, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you can't charge with a gun like this. I think you should stay and recuperate."
"Major Sokov is right." Rokossovsky promptly expressed his support for Sokov's proposal. He said to Terebinsky: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you'd better stay and recover in peace.
"
"It would be such a pity if I can't participate in this offensive battle." Although Rokossovsky arranged for him to stay and recuperate, Terebinsky reluctantly asked: "Then who will replace me?
Where is the commanding force?"
"I will take command on your behalf, Lieutenant Colonel Terebinsky." Sokov quickly took over and comforted him: "You can stay in the health team to recuperate with peace of mind. I wish you a speedy recovery and we will see you after the victory.
." After saying that, he waved to the health worker standing in the corner and motioned for him to help Terebinsky out.
After Terebinsky left, Sokov began to talk about the details of how to attack: "...Ten minutes after the bombardment starts, I will lead the troops to attack. When we approach the town 150 meters away, the artillery stops firing.
...As the second echelon of the 33rd Guards Regiment, after the troops led by me rushed into the town, they immediately took action and rushed to the town to support us..."
"Comrade commanders," Sokov asked everyone in a calm tone after introducing the details of the attack: "Perhaps you will ask why I led the troops to attack before the bombardment stopped. What is the purpose of the attack?
Will the troops not be accidentally injured by our army’s artillery fire?”
After Sokov raised this question, he paused for a moment, as if waiting for the commanders present to give him an answer. But no one spoke, they just looked at him silently, hoping to hear what they wanted to say from his mouth.
Know the answer.
Sokov coughed lightly, and then said: "There is a distance of almost 1,200 meters from our starting position to the German position on the edge of the town. The soldiers have to cross this open area with knee-deep snow.
It will take at least ten minutes. In such a long time, it is enough for the Germans to enter the position from their hiding place and be ready to meet our troops."
"What you said makes sense." When Chernyshov heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt and asked: "But the artillery will not stop shelling until you reach a distance of 150 meters from the town. Major Sokov,
Can you ensure that there will be no accidental injuries?"
"I can't guarantee that." In response to Chernyshev's question, Sokov shook his head and said, "But we can rush in front of the Germans before they come to their senses and catch them off guard."
"Major Sokov's tactics are indeed very risky." Rokossovsky looked at Sokov and said, "But I think there is hope of success, so I can give it a try."
Seeing that his plan was approved by Rokossovsky, Sokov was secretly relieved. He looked at the commanders present and said: "Comrade commander, now that the tasks are clear, let everyone go back to their respective tasks."
Let's prepare our troops. Our attack will begin in two hours."
When everyone in the command post was almost gone, Rokossovsky came to Sokov, called him by his nickname, and asked with concern: "Misha, are you confident?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sokov knew very well that the outcome of this battle would directly affect his image in Rokossovsky's mind, so he said in a positive tone: "
I am confident that we can win the town of Maklacchi."
Although Sokov showed confidence in front of Rokossovsky, he knew very well that it would be almost impossible to lead the newly defeated 291st Infantry Regiment to victory by relying solely on his own personal strength.
Possible. As soon as he left Chernyshev's division headquarters, he hurried back to his observation post and began to give orders to the several company commanders sitting inside: "Captain Andrei, immediately send Second Lieutenant Grisa to
A platoon has assembled and is preparing to go with me to carry out combat missions. By the way, there is also Captain Vasily. I will also transfer a platoon from your company and equip all the machine guns with three base ammunition. I will take them with me.