Sokov and Izvikov chatted for a while, then called the commander of the communications company and told him: "I estimate that the group army headquarters is in the process of being transferred. Please order people to keep calling to see if they can be contacted.
them."
"General Kurishenko!" After Sokov waited for the commander of the communications company to leave, he turned to Kurishenko: "When do you plan to transfer your headquarters to Haixin City?"
Unexpectedly, Kurishenko hesitated for a long time after hearing Sokov's question, and then murmured: "Comrade Commander, I think we need to wait a little longer."
"Wait a little longer?!" After hearing the other party's answer, Sokov asked unhappily: "What are you waiting for?"
"The enemy has laid many mines on the road leading to the city." Kurishenko replied cautiously: "If we go to the city at this time, we may be in danger."
"General Kurishenko, before I came to you, I did see engineers clearing mines on the road." Sokov said with a straight face: "But I have told them that the simplest way to deal with the infantry mines laid by the German army is to
Just use tanks to run over it. I think the mines have been almost cleared at this time. If you are worried, you can call and ask about the situation."
"Okay, Comrade Commander, I'll get to know the situation right away." After Kurishenko finished speaking, he ordered Sidorin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please call and ask the engineers to see if all the landmines laid by the German army have been removed.
eliminate."
A few minutes later, Sidorin finished the phone call and reported to Kurishenko: "Comrade division commander, I have informed the engineers about the situation, and they said that all the mines on the road have been cleared. Should we go to the city of Haixin now?"
To be fair, Kurishenko is not willing to go to Helsing. Although the environment is better than that in the forest, he feels that the Germans are not willing to give up the city so easily and will definitely launch a counterattack. If they are rash, they will move the headquarters to
In the city, what if our troops cannot hold out when the German army launches a counterattack? Will we retreat to the outside of the city in despair?
Seeing Kurishenko's hesitation, Sokov asked with a straight face: "What, General Kurishenko, the landmines on the road have been cleared, do you have any reason not to enter the city?"
Seeing that Sokov had guessed what he was thinking, Kurishenko had an embarrassed expression on his face. However, he could still afford to put it down and said quickly: "Comrade Commander, I am considering putting the
Where is the headquarters located?"
"Isn't this simple?" Sokov replied without hesitation: "Look at the church and the municipal building in the city center. If you think it is suitable, set up the headquarters there."
Seeing that Kurishenko was still hesitating, he added: "When I contact the group army headquarters, I will order Chief of Staff Smirnov to set up the headquarters in Haixin City, which will make it easier for me to command the troops.
Fight."
Now that Sokov had spoken to this extent, Kurishenko could not continue to prevaricate. He could only bite the bullet and said: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will immediately transfer the division headquarters to Haixin City."
After Kurishenko expressed his stance to Sokov, he immediately organized his personnel to start preparing for the transfer. Sokov did not intend to act with them, so he turned and walked out of the headquarters. When Sidorin saw Sokov leaving,
He quickly chased him out.
"Comrade Sidorin," Sokov asked curiously when he saw Sidorin following him indoors, "Do you have anything to say to me?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sidorin nodded, took out the cigarette case from his pocket, and handed it to Sokov, but the latter waved his hand and refused. He put the cigarette case into his pocket.
, said with a grimace: "I would like to ask, can you transfer me to other troops?"
"Why?" When Sokov said this, he instinctively glanced at the wooden house, and then lowered his voice and asked: "Don't you get along well with General Kurishenko?"
"Commander Kurishenko has been in the army for more than 20 years, so his command style still continues the same old routine." Sidorin said: "Although I am his chief of staff, when I usually command operations, I still have the same command.
Most of the suggestions put forward will be rejected by him. How the troops fight is basically decided by him alone."
Sidorin's words made Sokov fall into deep thought. If Sidorin was the only one, he could transfer him to another division or even continue to serve as chief of staff in the army headquarters. After all, someone like him is experienced and capable.
Excellent chiefs of staff are in demand everywhere. But now, several regiment-level commanders of the division are students brought by him from the Frunze Military Academy. It is obviously unrealistic to transfer them all.
of.
But Sokov soon had a new idea in his mind. Since Kurishenko still insisted on his old-fashioned tactical thinking, it was obviously inappropriate for him to remain in the position of division commander. If possible, it would be better to
Find someone to take his place.
Who should he look for to replace him? The first person Sokov thought of was naturally Sidorin. After all, before becoming his partner, this person was the chief of operations of General Chuikov and had rich experience in commanding operations. However,
On second thought, Sidorin may be an excellent staff officer, but he lacks the ability to act independently. Letting him serve as division commander may not be the best choice.
Then he began to consider whether Ponejelin was suitable for this position. Ponejelin was already the commander of the group army in the early days of the war. Although he was out of touch with society during the two years he was captured, after these few years
After three months of study, his military commanding talents were demonstrated, otherwise he would not have appointed him as a consultant to the cadet team.
Soon after, Muzichenko and Kirillov, who were rescued together with him, are now acting as division commanders. It is obviously not good for him to keep him by his side and let him serve as an adviser with no real power.
Fair.
Thinking of this, Sokov let out a long sigh, and then asked Sidorin: "Sidolin, if I let Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin serve as the division commander, do you think it is suitable?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin?" Sidorin couldn't help but be startled after hearing this: "Is it General Ponedelin who once served as the commander of the group army in the Southwest Front?"
"Yes, that's him."
After hearing this, Sidorin said thoughtfully: "Although using him as the division commander may bring you some trouble, in any case, his ability is indeed stronger than the current division commander."
When Sokov proposed Ponedelin as a candidate, he was still quite uneasy, worried that Sidorin would not accept him. If this was really the case, even if he forcibly sent Ponedelin to the 41st Guards Division, I am afraid that both sides would not be able to accept him.
People will have some troublesome problems when it comes to cooperation at work.
But now, what he was worried about did not appear, and Sokov breathed a sigh of relief in his heart: "Sidolin, since you also think that Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin is a suitable candidate, then after he takes office
, you must fully cooperate with his work. Do you understand?"
There is a reason for Sokov to say this. Even though Ponedelin once served as the commander of the group army, but now he is just a consultant with no real power. He only obtained the rank of lieutenant colonel under his own care. Let him go
As the commander of the Guards Division, and having a colonel like Sidorin serve as his deputy, I am afraid there will be some contradictions, which is why he said this.
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sidorin said quite cooperatively: "When Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin becomes the division commander, I will definitely cooperate with him fully. Even if his military rank is lower than mine, the number of people in the division will be very high."
All matters, big and small, are decided by him."
After the two people stood at the door and chatted for a few more words, Sokov got into the jeep and headed towards the car.
"Comrade Commander," Koshkin, who was sitting in the co-pilot's seat, suddenly said, "I think since the 41st Guards Division is your old unit, you should have found someone you can trust to assume the position of division commander.
…”
Although Sokov has just figured out that he should first turn the 41st Guards Division into a force that he can fully control, so that it can exert more powerful combat effectiveness in the next battle, instead of like now,
The division commander obeyed and disobeyed his orders and repeatedly missed opportunities.
However, he did not want to discuss such an important matter with Koshkin, so he decisively changed the topic: "Lieutenant Koshkin, you have been in the car for such a long time today. Is your injury okay?"
When Koshkin heard what Sokov said, he immediately realized that he might be talking too much, so he followed Sokov's intention and replied: "It's just a bit of a dull pain, it's okay."
Sokov thought that since he entered the Frunze Military Academy, Lieutenant Koshkin had been following him at all times. Without him in the past two days, I am afraid that his life would have been in danger. In order to express his gratitude to him, Sokov
I think the other party's position should be adjusted.
"Lieutenant Koshkin, are you satisfied with your current rank and position?"
"Satisfied." Koshkin nodded and said, "I don't have any leadership skills, but I am satisfied to be the commander of the guard company."
"I think the position of guard company commander is a bit too low for you." Sokov said: "I think you are completely qualified for the position of guard battalion commander. As for the military rank, I plan to discuss it with the chief of staff.
It would be best if you could be awarded the rank of captain or even major."
Knowing that Sokov would be promoted to battalion commander, Koshkin was naturally ecstatic, but on the surface, he still had to say a few polite words: "Comrade Commander, I obey your arrangements."
After the convoy entered the city, when Sokov saw the soldiers patrolling along the way, he couldn't help but start to wonder. The division headquarters has not yet moved into the city. These troops are actually still scattered. If the Germans really choose to do this.
If the time comes to counterattack, I am afraid that the city will fall into the hands of the German army again.
"Stop!" After Sokov asked the driver to stop, he opened the door and shouted to the captain of the patrol team passing by: "Comrade Second Lieutenant, which unit are you in?"
The officer who was leading the patrol stopped when he heard someone calling him, and looked at the car with vigilant eyes. When he saw clearly that the person asking the question was Sokov, he quickly stood at attention and raised his hand to him.
Salute: "Hello, Comrade Commander! We are from the Third Battalion of the 124th Guards Regiment and are on patrol. Please give us your instructions!"
"There is nothing to give instructions." Sokov gestured to the second lieutenant to put down his hand, and asked in a pleasant tone: "Comrade second lieutenant, please tell me where your regiment headquarters is?"
The second lieutenant quickly pointed forward with his hand and said: "Comrade Commander, you go forward along this road, turn right at the second intersection ahead, and walk more than thirty meters away, you will see a
In the indoor gymnasium, our regiment headquarters is located there."
After thanking the second lieutenant, Sokov let the convoy move on. He was going to go to the indoor gymnasium to meet Colonel Starcha. After all, he had not seen the regiment commander for a long time.
When Starcha saw Sokov appearing at his headquarters, he was shocked. After a long time, he calmed down and quickly stepped forward to Sokov. On his side
While saluting, he asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, why did you come to my place?"
"I just came out of your division headquarters," Sokov said to Starcha: "I heard that your regiment command post is in the city, so I came here to see you."
After Sokov sat down, he looked left and right and found that not only the deputy commander of the regiment, Mylesiev, but also the chief of staff, Major Okunev, was missing, so he asked curiously: "Colonel Starcha"
, your deputy commander, Lieutenant Colonel Miresiev, is busy outside the city, I know. But what happened to the chief of staff, Major Okunev, and why is he not at the headquarters?"
"Comrade Commander, the situation is like this." Starcha explained to Sokov: "Not long ago, we liberated a prisoner of war camp in the forest outside the city and rescued more than two thousand members of our army from it.
Commander and division chief of staff Colonel Sidorin discussed with the division commander and assigned 1,700 of them to our regiment."
"I know about this." Sokov vaguely guessed something from Starcha's words: "Is Major Okunev not at the headquarters related to these rescued commanders and fighters?"
"That's right." Starcha confirmed Sokov's guess: "After these rescued commanders and fighters were assigned to our regiment, Chief of Staff Okunev was responsible for assigning them to specific companies. He should be working on this matter at the moment.
And busy."
"What is the physical condition of these rescued commanders and fighters?" Sokov asked: "Can they participate in the battle in a short time?"
"Maybe it's because they were captured for a short period of time. Their health condition is obviously better than that of the commanders and fighters who were rescued in the past." Starcha replied: "As long as they are given adequate food and a good rest for two days, they can be captured again."
If they take up arms to fight the Germans, I believe they will become the best warriors."
Sokov knew that the addition of this group of prisoners of war would be of great help in improving the combat effectiveness of the 124th Regiment. As long as the prisoners of war were restored to health and given a little training, they would definitely be able to achieve meritorious service in the following battles.
The problem of soldiers has been solved, but the next thing to consider is weapons and equipment. Without sophisticated equipment, no matter how brave a soldier is, he will not be able to win the battle on the battlefield and will have to sacrifice his life in vain.
"Then, can your regiment's existing weapons and equipment be able to arm all the newly added commanders and fighters?"
After a moment of silence, Starcha shook his head and said: "Comrade Commander, I'm having a headache over this matter. Our regiment has added 1,700 men, but the weapons we can use can only equip more than 300 people. That is,
Said that the remaining nearly 1,400 people could only go to the battlefield empty-handed."
He looked at Sokov and asked sincerely: "Comrade Commander, can you replenish our equipment as soon as possible?"
"Comrade Colonel, don't be anxious." Sokov thought that Yakov would return in the next two days and must have enough weapons and ammunition with him, so he said to Starcha: "In three days at most, I can get you enough