"Don't worry, Misha, there will be a chance." Yakov comforted Sokov and said: "Even if the Viking division was severely damaged in this battle, as long as their flag is not captured by us, the Germans will soon
Rebuild this force."
Hearing what Yakov said, Sokov immediately thought that he had severely damaged the Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division many times, but because he could not capture the flags of these two units during the battle, the Germans quickly deployed troops to rebuild them.
He also denied that he suffered heavy losses from his own troops.
"What a pity." Sokov sighed and said: "If my troops had captured the flags of the Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division, then these two German troops would have had to cancel their designations. They would not have suffered as much as they did from our army now.
They were hit hard again and again, but they were able to complete the rebuilding work in a short period of time."
"Misha, which army do you think you might be sent to after graduation?"
Sokov replied without hesitation: "Judging from the current situation, there is a high probability that he will be sent to General Rokossovsky's 1st Belorussian Front."
"First Belarusian Front?" After Yakov repeated the designation, he asked with some confusion: "When did General Rokossovsky's unit change its designation? Why didn't I know?"
After Yakov said this, Sokov immediately realized that he had let it slip. The reorganization of the Belarusian Front into the 1st Belarusian Front was on February 17, which was still half a month away. He quickly covered it up and said
: "I heard news in the academy that General Rokossovsky's troops will change their designation in mid-February."
Yakov didn't know that Sokov was perfunctory. He really thought that the other party was at the Frunze Military Academy and could know a lot of inside information that he didn't know. He said casually, and then asked: "I think you
When you arrive in a new unit, if you want to open up the situation as soon as possible, you must have a team of your own. Take advantage of the opportunity in front of you to contact your old subordinates to see if you can transfer them to your new unit.
"
"Yasha, to tell you the truth, I have been forming my own new team for a long time." Sokov thought that he would have something to ask Yakov for help later, so he said truthfully: "With the students in the same class,
I've integrated them all into my team."
"What, you incorporated all the students in a class into your own team?" Yakov said in surprise: "Aren't you worried that the former superiors of these students will protest against you?"
"I was indeed worried, so I only recruited half of the students at first." Sokov said: "Later, with the instruction of Marshal Zhukov, all the students were incorporated into my own team."
After learning that Sokov had incorporated all the students into his team with Zhukov's permission, Yakov said nothing more, but asked another key question: "Misha, you just said there are still half a year.
Only then can you graduate. You can't let these students stay in the academy doing nothing for such a long time, right?"
"How is this possible?" Sokov said with a smile: "I established a temporary headquarters, and all the trainees were included in it. This headquarters was commanded by an advisory group headed by General Ponejelin. Soon after, they
I will go to the front line to accumulate valuable command experience and have completed the integration between the teams."
"Misha, I really didn't see that you were so considerate." Yakov said in an admiring tone: "As long as the temporary headquarters stays on the front line for a few months, when you return to the army, you can quickly
Put into operation.”
"Yasha, now I don't know whether the army group my superiors will give me after I return to the front is ready-made or a temporary reserve army." Sokov said: "So if I want to talk to you, maybe then
There are many places where I need your help."
Although Yakov had already guessed what Sokov would say next, he still asked knowingly: "Misha, how can I help you?"
"It goes without saying." Sokov also saw through Yakov's little thoughts, but deliberately did not expose him: "Since you are from the weapons and equipment department, I must ask you for help because I want weapons."
"It's difficult, Misha." Seeing that Sokov really asked him for weapons, Yakov said with an embarrassed look: "According to the order from his superiors, at least four tasks must be completed before June 1944.
The installation of assault rifles for ten Guards divisions."
"Introducing assault rifles to forty Guards divisions?" After Sokov heard this unexpected news, he couldn't help being secretly surprised, and then asked: "I wonder how many divisions you have completed?
"
"So far, only four Guards divisions have completed the installation of assault rifles." Yakov sighed and continued: "It is already late January, which means that we will have the remaining four months.
Within this period, an average of nine Guards divisions have to complete equipment replacement tasks every month."
Sokov knew very well that the reason why the troops under his command were invincible on the battlefield was not only the proper use of tactics and the rich combat experience of the commanders and soldiers, but also weapons. Since he could not get the strong support of the Weapons and Equipment Department,
Support, if you return to the army, even if you command the most elite Guards Army, it may be difficult to achieve the same results as before.
After thinking about this, he said to Yakov with a serious expression: "Yakov, you have been to my army before. Naturally you should know that the reason why my army can win consecutive battles on the battlefield is because of the fact that the weapons and equipment department reported to
The weapons and equipment we directly provide have a lot to do with it. If I cannot get the previous weapons and equipment after taking over the new unit, I am afraid it will directly affect the combat effectiveness of the unit."
Yakov was silent for a long time and then said: "Misha, although I work in the weapons and equipment department, my ability is not as great as you think. Nowadays, Comrade Ustinov personally handles the work of weapons distribution.
Responsible."
"Even if Comrade Ustinov is in charge, you can still make suggestions to him." Sokov did not want his troops to suffer unnecessary losses due to backward equipment, so he tried hard to persuade Yakov
, hoping to make him change his mind and help him solve this problem: "I believe he will attach great importance to your suggestions."
"Okay, Misha." Yakov saw Sokov's persistence and could only reply helplessly: "I will try my best, but if Comrade Ustinov doesn't agree, there is nothing I can do.
"
In order to ensure the supply of weapons and equipment for the troops, Sokov decided to adopt a two-pronged approach: First, make suggestions to Ustinov through Yakov to facilitate himself; second, go to see Ustinov in person
, made his request to him face to face.
"Yasha, you can try to persuade Comrade Ustinov to see if he can give priority to providing weapons and equipment to my troops." Sokov said: "If it is impossible for him to listen to your suggestion, we will think of other ways.
.”
"Other way?" Yakov asked curiously: "What way?"
"Then I have to trouble you to arrange a time for Comrade Ustinov and me to meet." Sokov said solemnly: "I will try to persuade him face to face."
"This is a way." Regarding Sokov's statement, Yakov felt that the probability of success was very high. He nodded and said: "I will try to persuade Comrade Ustinov now. If I really can't make him change,
It’s not too late for you to come forward with the idea.”
Sokov felt that as long as Yakov could arrange a meeting between himself and Ustinov, although he could not 100% guarantee that he would convince the other party, at least the chance of success would be high: "Then I'll trouble you. Once the meeting is arranged,
When the time comes, remember to notify me in time."
The two chatted for a while and saw Asiya coming out of the kitchen with a plate. Sokov stood up and prepared to help, but Yakov had already taken the lead and said to Sokov: "Misha, your legs
The injury hasn't healed yet and it's difficult to walk, so I'd better help Asiya."
After the food was set, the three of them sat around the dining table and started eating.
Asiya said to Yakov apologetically: "Yasha, I'm really sorry. Misha's injury has not healed yet and he cannot drink alcohol for the time being. Please forgive me. If you really want to drink, I can drink with you for a while."
cup."
"It's okay, it's okay." Yakov waved his hands and said, "It's not a big deal if you skip one or two drinks. I don't want Misha to be sent to the hospital again because of excessive drinking just after he was discharged from the hospital."
Yakov's words caused the two of them to burst into laughter. Sokov picked up the teapot on the table, poured the other party a cup of hot tea, and then said: "Yasha, since you can't drink, please drink some tea."
"Yasha," Asiya continued to ask, "please help me find out when you go back. Now that Misha has been discharged from the hospital, when can I return to the weapons and equipment department?"
Hearing what Asya said, Yakov remembered that after learning that Sokov had been admitted to the hospital in Lubyanka, Ustinov specially arranged for her to be seconded to the military hospital to take care of Sokov's daily life.
Now that Sokov has been discharged from the hospital, Asiya obviously no longer needs to stay in the military hospital.
But how to arrange Asiya? Yakov did not have this authority. He could only say to Asiya: "When I go back and ask Comrade Ustinov what he means. Before that, you
Just stay at home and take good care of Misha."
Yakov had work in the afternoon and left in a hurry after dinner.
As soon as Yakov left, Asiya asked Sokov: "Misha, do you have any plans before the new training class starts?"
"I plan to go outside for a walk." Seeing Asiya frowning, Sokov quickly explained: "Staying in the hospital for several months has really made me suffocated. I want to go for a walk nearby to breathe.
Breathing fresh air will help your body recover." Perhaps because she was worried that Asiya would disagree, she deliberately added, "This is not what I said, but what the hospital director said."
Asiya couldn't help but smile: "Okay, okay, when the sun comes out one day, I will go out for a walk with you."
"Why don't we go out for a walk now." Sokov looked at the sky through the glass. He saw that the sky was gray and did not look like the sun was going to rise at all, so he said to Asiya: "Although it is not sunny today,
But it’s best to go out for a walk. You know, as soon as the sun comes out in winter in Moscow, the wind will blow, causing the temperature to drop. When the biting cold wind blows outside, it feels like your blood will be frozen.”
"Okay, okay, I can't help you. I'll accompany you out after I finish packing my things."
Half an hour later, Sokov and Asiya, who had changed into casual clothes, left the courtyard where they lived and walked slowly forward along the streets that had been cleared of snow.
"Misha!" Asya asked Sokov: "Where are you going?"
"I want to see the Red Square."
Asiya said with some embarrassment: "The distance from here to the Red Square is not close. It takes at least an hour to walk."
"It doesn't matter." Sokov said confidently: "My leg injury is almost healed. Walking more is just exercise."
Asiya originally wanted Sokov to take the subway, which would only take ten minutes at most to reach the Red Square. But when she saw that Sokov wanted to walk, she changed her mind. She felt that with Sokov's current situation
Depending on the situation, you won’t be able to walk very far before you feel tired, and you can turn around and come back then.
Since the city is no longer threatened by war, there are obviously more pedestrians on the streets. Judging from their clothes, they are basically ordinary citizens. Although patrols can still be seen on the streets, the barricades at the intersections
The roadblocks and roadblocks have been cleared away.
Asiya saw Sokov's eyes glancing at the former barricades from time to time, as if surveying the terrain, and asked curiously: "Misha, do you think the Germans will attack Moscow again?"
"This will never happen again, Asya." Sokov heard this question and replied confidently: "Whether it is now or in the future, the Germans will never come close to Moscow again. Of course, they will
Many Germans will appear on the streets of Moscow as prisoners of war."
The two of them walked forward for about ten minutes, and Sokov suddenly realized that he had made a mistake. His leg had not healed yet, and he usually had no problem walking around in the academy. But now that he walks outside for a long time, he
The pain was unbearable. I happened to see a bench not far away, so I said to Asiya: "Asiya, let's sit in front before we leave."
From the tone of Sokov's words, Asiya immediately realized that he might have done something wrong on his leg again, and quickly said with concern: "Misha, how about we go back first."
Sokov smiled bitterly and said: "Asia, even if you want to go back, you have to wait until I have a rest. If I just walk back like this, I think this leg will be useless."
Asiya helped Sokov sit down on the bench and said angrily: "Originally I said I was going to hang around, but you had to go to Red Square. Now it's better, but the leg injury started to attack again!"
Sokov grinned and was about to say something, but an officer walking towards him in the distance caught Sokov's attention.
The officer wore a short khaki fur coat, a cotton military cap, and the epaulettes of a major. Every time he took a dozen steps forward, he would glance behind him unconsciously, as if to see if anyone was following him.
.
Asiya noticed that Sokov was staring behind her, and couldn't help but glance behind her. When she saw that it was an officer walking towards her position, she couldn't help but ask: "Misha, what are you doing?"
looking at what?"
Sokov grabbed Asiya's hand and lowered his voice and said to her: "There is an officer walking towards us. I feel something is wrong with him." Seeing Asiya turning around to look over, he quickly stopped him and said: "
Don't look, keep your expression natural, and pretend you didn't see him appear."