Sokov knew that the focus of defense was in the northeast, rather than the southwest, which was easy to attack and difficult to defend. Therefore, after inspecting the positions of the two regiments, he said to Kurishenko: "General Kurishenko, I am still that
In short, if the German army wants to launch an attack on your division's defense area, their attack direction will definitely be from the north, not the south."
Although Kurishenko disagreed with Sokov's statement in his heart, he still agreed: "You are right, Comrade Commander, we will use the main defense force on Highland 239."
Sokov did not notice the perfunctory tone in Kurishenko's tone, but continued to ask: "Where is your artillery regiment deployed?"
Kurishenko looked around, then pointed in one direction and said to Sokov: "Over there, Comrade Commander. Our artillery regiment is deployed in the forest over there, and the artillery positions are established in the forest.
Easily discovered by enemy scouts."
"Can the artillery position deployed there block the front of Highland 239 with artillery fire?"
"Uh, no."
"The artillery positions need to be redeployed." Sokov learned that the firepower of the artillery positions could not block the front of Highland 239, so he ordered Kurishenko: "Make sure that the firepower can block the front of Highland 239."
"Comrade Commander, with all due respect." Kurishenko felt that if the position of the artillery position was adjusted, the artillery support for the other two regiments would be weakened. If the Germans really launched an attack from the southwest, the artillery regiment would be
It was difficult to provide them with the necessary artillery support, so he felt that he should remind Sokov of this: "If the artillery is deployed on the front where highland 239 can be blocked with artillery fire, then the artillery support for the other two regiments will be greatly reduced.
weaken."
Sokov didn't want to talk nonsense with him, and just said briefly: "General Kurishenko, don't you know that orders from superiors are for obeying, not for discussion?"
"I know." Kurishenko immediately realized that the young general standing in front of him was his immediate superior. Even if the order he gave was wrong, he could only execute it unconditionally. So he bit the bullet.
Said: "Comrade Commander, I will order the artillery regiment to adjust the position of the artillery positions as soon as possible to ensure that the front of Highland 239 can be blocked with direct artillery fire."
Seeing that the purpose of his trip had been achieved, Sokov nodded, said goodbye to Kurishenko, and returned to his headquarters by car.
After Sokov left, Kurishenko returned to his headquarters and said angrily: "Is Comrade Commander confused? He actually asked us to transfer the main force from a place that is easy to attack and difficult to defend to one that is easy to defend.
The difficult-to-attack Highland 239. Doesn't he know that once we shift the focus of our defense to the northeast, the enemy may take the opportunity to abandon the attack from the southwest. At that time, they will be able to easily break through our defense line with their powerful armored forces.
Once the defense line in the southwest is broken through, the troops holding on to Hill 239 will become a lone force surrounded by the Germans."
After hearing this, political commissar Afanasi did not express his position. After all, he was a political cadre, not a military officer. He had no say in military matters.
After hearing this, Chief of Staff Sidorin said cautiously: "Comrade Division Commander, I have worked with the commander before and know his character very well. Since he said that the Germans might choose the northeastern direction of our defense line as a breakthrough,
Then there is a high probability that this matter will become true. I think the next thing we have to do is to implement the commander's instructions and make corresponding adjustments to the deployment in the defense zone."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," although Kurishenko behaved like a docile little sheep in front of Sokov, in front of Sidorin, he still showed the majesty of a division commander: "If we follow the instructions of Commander
Have you ever thought about the risks you will take if you adjust the deployment according to the commander's order and move the division's main force from the southwest to the northeast?"
"Of course I have thought about it." Sidorin nodded and said, "But I think Comrade Commander's analysis is very reasonable. There are two powerful friendly forces near us. If the Germans want to launch an attack from the southwest, they can
We may be cut off from our retreat. I think the Germans cannot fail to see this, so it is unlikely that they will take the initiative to attack us.
On the contrary, the 239 Highlands held by the 126th Regiment never expected to be attacked by the Germans. But the more this happens, the more vigilant we must be to avoid being caught off guard by the Germans."
Sokov, who returned to the headquarters, always had an ominous premonition in his heart. According to his analysis, even if the 41st Guards Division had Sidorin as chief of staff, if his orders were to be implemented, he would probably still
There is a certain degree of difficulty.
Seeing that Sokov had been frowning since he came back from the 41st Guards Division, Smirnov quickly asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, I think you seem to be in a bad mood. Did something happen?"
"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov pointed to the map and said to Smirnov: "After my on-site survey, the northeast of the 41st Guards Division's defense area is Highland 239. The terrain here is difficult and easy to defend but difficult to attack. As long as
Putting an army here, even if the German army has a division, it will not be easy to pass through.
As for the southwest, there is a large open area, which can be said to be undefeable, so the two infantry regiments of the division are deployed in this direction. At the same time, the artillery is placed in the forest behind these two regiments, ready to attack at any time.
Provide them with artillery support."
"Comrade Commander." Smirnov waited for Sokov to finish and immediately expressed his opinion: "I think General Kurishenko's deployment is completely correct. After his plan was reported, we went through
After careful study, I approved his defense plan."
"Under the circumstances at that time, your deployment may have been correct." Sokov pointed towards the Cherkasy encirclement with his hand and said: "Based on various signs, the German army's attempt to break out from the north of the encirclement soon failed.
To be crushed by our army. In order to avoid the fate of being annihilated, they will definitely change the direction of their breakout, and the defense area of the 41st Guards Division is their first choice."
"Where is General Tsarev?" Sokov said to Smirnov in a tone that left no doubt: "Let him come to the headquarters immediately."
Tsarev was busy with artillery expansion during this period. After receiving a call from Smirnov, he did not dare to neglect and returned to the headquarters as quickly as possible.
Seeing Tsarev appear, Sokov shook hands with him and asked politely: "General Tsarev, how is the artillery expansion of the army group?"
"Not ideal, Comrade Commander." Tsarev said bitterly: "Although our artillery has reached two divisions, the total number of artillery pieces of various calibers is only more than a hundred, and
The number of shells is also very limited."
"General Tsarev, this is not possible." Sokov thought about using artillery to build an insurmountable wall of fire in front of Highland 239 one day not too far away, relying only on a hundred artillery pieces of various calibers.
, is far from enough. In order to avoid being passive in the future, Sokov tentatively asked the other party: "Can you get more artillery and artillery shells?"
"This is too easy, Comrade Commander." Regarding Sokov's question, Tsarev said awkwardly: "Our army has been conducting major battles since the Battle of Kursk. Not only did each unit suffer heavy losses in soldiers,
At the same time, a large number of weapons and equipment including tanks and artillery were lost. The production capacity of our military industrial enterprises is only so large, and it is obviously not feasible to meet the needs of so many troops in a short period of time."
From Tsarev's words, Sokov realized that he had thought of the problem too simply. At that time, his troops had received help from Yakov. Not only were they guaranteed the quantity of equipment, they were even equipped with the best equipment in the entire army.
Advanced weapons can enable us to win battles with the German army time after time. Now that the 53rd Army under my command is drawn out to face the defeated generals of the past, every one of them may beat me to pieces.
tooth.
Since he can't count on his own strength, he can only ask for help from the outside world. A few days ago, Sokov had contacted the front artillery commander Fomin, hoping that he could provide artillery support for him at the critical moment. At this moment, Sokov
Kokov felt very uneasy. He was worried that when artillery support was really needed, Fomin might shirk it with various reasons.
Thinking of this, Sokov decided to call Konev and send someone to stay by Fomin's side to urge him to fulfill his promise and provide artillery support for his troops at critical moments.
Konev was a little surprised when he received a call from Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, is there anything you want to report to me?"
"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov felt that as long as Konev came forward, Fomin would be unable to shirk the request he made. "I want to report something to you."
"Tell me, Comrade Sokov. What's the matter?"
"According to various indications, Highland 239 held by the 41st Guards Division may become the focus of the German attack." Sokov said straight to the point: "And because the weather is too cold, it affects the construction of fortifications. There are no solid defenses.
239 Hill, I am afraid it will be difficult to block the crazy German attack."
"Then what did you think about it?"
"I hope that my superiors can provide strong enough artillery support for the defenders of Highland 239 at the critical moment." Sokov said into the microphone with a solemn expression: "As long as the artillery fire can form an insurmountable barrier in front of our army's position,
Wall of fire, no matter how powerful the enemy's offensive is, we will crush it."
"Comrade Sokov," Konev said lightly after hearing this: "It's not like you don't know General Fomin, the commander of the artillery. If you need artillery support, you can just call him. There is no need to go through
I'll convey it."
"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I do know General Fomin." Sokov did not deny Konev's statement, but said awkwardly: "But I am worried that at the critical moment, he will not be able to provide me with everything."
Artillery support required."
"So that's it." Konev is also a smart man. From Sokov's words, he realized that the other party was worried that Fomin would slip up at the critical moment. After thinking about it for a while, he solemnly said: "Sokov
Comrade Cove, let me see this. Let me say hello to General Fomin. The artillery support required for your group army is a priority. The artillery bombardment will be carried out for as long as necessary."
Sokov called Konev. What he needed was this effect, and he said repeatedly: "Great, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, this is really great."
"Don't worry, I haven't finished speaking yet."
Sokov's heart sank suddenly, and he asked with some lack of confidence: "What happened?"
"Comrade Sokov, although I will say hello to General Fomin, some unexpected things may happen at that time, preventing him from seriously implementing my orders." Konev said cautiously: "In order to avoid this kind of
When a situation arises, you'd better send someone to his side to provide supervision and supervision."
"This is a good idea." Konev's words made Sokov's eyes light up, and he quickly said: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, please say hello to General Foming first. I will send someone to General Foming as soon as possible.
of."
After making the phone call, Sokov said to Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have made an agreement with Comrade Commander of the Front Army. He will first say hello to General Fomin, and then I will send someone to General Fomin."
There, he is responsible for supervising and supervising to ensure that he can provide powerful artillery support for our troops at critical moments."
Smirnov had the same thoughts as Kurishenko. He felt that Sokov was a bit neurotic and felt that even if the Germans barely reached the bottom of Hill 239, they would not have the strength to launch a storm. So he asked perfunctorily: "Comrade Commander
,Who do you plan to send to General Fuming?"
Sokov thought about it carefully. He had just arrived. Apart from the students who came with him, there was only Ponejelin's three-person advisory team. Although the students were now regiment-level commanders, they would probably not be the same when they arrived at General Fuming's place.
It won't be of much use. The only people we can count on are Ponyjelin and others. After all, he was a general before the war and had connections that he could never imagine.
"I think we should send General Ponedelin." Sokov said to Smirnov: "I think he is the right person."
"I agree." Smirnov felt that Ponedelin was indeed a suitable candidate. He had held many positions in the past, and the people he met were basically generals now. It was a perfect fit to send him to Fomin.
: "I also think Comrade Ponejelin is the best candidate."
Seeing that Smirnov had no objection, Sokov immediately called Ponedelin to come in.
After the other party came in, Sokov did not beat around the bush and said straight to the point: "General Ponejelin, I plan to ask you to go to General Fomin as a representative of the group army."
"What is my mission?"
"The mission is very simple." Sokov said: "I need the artillery of the front army to carry out violent bombardment on the front of Hill 239 at the critical moment to crush the German attack. And your mission is to supervise and supervise General Fuming
Keep this promise." Possibly seeing that Ponejelin had scruples, he added: "I have reported this matter to the commander of the front army, and you will not be made anything difficult if you go to General Foming."
In order to help Sokov avoid worries, Ponedelin, as a representative of the army group, happily went to General Fomin's headquarters to perform his duties there.
On the third night after Ponejelin arrived at General Fuming's place, a low explosion suddenly came from the northeast of Highland 239, and a dark red fire ball rose up in the explosion.