"General Tsarev," Sokov was not the kind of person to just listen to empty promises: "How far is your artillery unit from the nearest river?"
Tsarev thought for a while and then replied: "The artillery division closest to the Dniester River is about fifteen kilometers away."
"No, they are too far away from the river." Sokov immediately frowned after hearing this. "If the Germans launched a cross-river operation at this time, there would be no way to provide artillery support to the defenders on the river."
"Comrade Commander, you also know that our artillery can only be towed by trucks. Once the road conditions are not ideal, the speed of movement will be affected." Tsarev said with a grimace: "The current advancement speed.
It’s pretty fast already.”
"Chief of Staff," Sokov said without talking to Tsarev, but turned around and ordered Smirnov: "Inform the director of the engineering corps immediately and ask him to arrange for manpower to cut down trees and pave roads for tanks and artillery to pass."
"Okay, Comrade Commander, I will contact the director of the engineering corps right away." Smirnov nodded and said, "This road really needs to be repaired. We wasted a lot of time because of this bad road."
"What about you, Colonel Burgos?" While Smirnov was on the phone to the director of the engineering corps, Sokov sold the goods to the head of the installation class: "If the Germans really carry out the cross-river operation, then the distance to Transnistria
How long will it take for the tank brigade closest to the river to reach the river?"
"Reporting to Comrade Commander," Burgos replied: "One of our independent tank regiments has been stationed in the city, with 21 tanks. Once they need to support the defenders of the Dniester River, they can arrive at their destination within a quarter of an hour.
land."
"Well, not bad." Although the number of a tank regiment is a bit small, it can reach the destination within a quarter of an hour, which is the best support for the defenders. "If the defenders can join the tank unit
With the help of others, we will firmly hold the left bank of the Dniester River. After the battle is over, I will personally award this tank unit with a medal."
Burgos's face flushed with excitement when he heard that he could be awarded the medal. "Comrade Commander, on behalf of the commanders and fighters of the tank regiment, I would like to express my gratitude to you. Don't worry, the tank regiment will definitely live up to your expectations."
Seeing Sokov's praise for Burgos, Tsarev couldn't help but feel jealous. He secretly wondered if he should say hello to the artillery commander below, and first find a way to mobilize a unit to set up defenses nearby. Finally,
It is better to be closer to the Dniester River, so that once the German army carries out a crossing operation, it can provide artillery support to the defenders and prevent the German army from crossing the river.
Thinking of this, Tsarev took a step forward and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I suddenly remembered that there is a 122mm artillery regiment no more than three kilometers away from the city. I can call the commander of the regiment.
, let them rush to the city overnight."
"How many artillery pieces do they have?" Sokov is concerned about the number of artillery pieces. If there are only two or three cannons, it can only be said to be better than nothing, and it will not have any effect on the entire battle situation.
"There are nine artillery pieces in total, each equipped with two base numbers of shells."
"Very good." Sokov was very satisfied with Tsarev's answer. After nodding, he said: "General Tsarev, please contact the artillery regiment commander immediately and ask him to lead the artillery regiment in as soon as possible.
In the city of Otac. You must know that although the Germans may carry out cross-river operations, we will suffer great losses if we do not have artillery."
Facts soon proved that Sokov's concerns were correct.
At about ten o'clock in the evening, Ponejelin called Sokov and reported directly: "Comrade Commander, I just received a call from Colonel Papuchenko. He said that the Germans are gathering on the right bank and there seems to be someone who can cross the river.
Attempt. I feel that this matter is of great importance and it is necessary to report it to him immediately."
"How big is the enemy?" Sokov asked.
"I don't know the specific situation." When Ponedelin received Papuchenko's call, he just wanted to call Sokov as soon as possible to warn him, so he did not ask about some details. At this moment, he heard Sokov
Cove's question, he responded in a panic: "Comrade Commander, if you want to know, I will call Colonel Papuchenko right away."
"No need." Sokov stopped Ponedelin. He felt that if he called Papuchenko directly, he would get the news faster: "I'd better call Colonel Papuchenko in person.
"
After connecting to the command post of the 122nd Regiment, Sokov said straight to the point: "I am Sokov, please report to me immediately the situation on the right bank of the Dniester River."
Upon hearing that the call was from Sokov, the regiment leader, Colonel Papuchenko, said respectfully: "Comrade, comrade regiment commander, according to the observations of the scouts, there should be no less than two infantry battalions of enemies gathering on the other side."
"Have you seen the German engineering troops?" Sokov said to himself: "If they want to cross so many troops across the river in a short period of time, just simple boats are not enough.
, there will definitely be a pontoon bridge built on the river."
"No, Comrade Commander, I didn't see any engineering troops." Before Sokov could ask again, Papuchenko took the initiative and said: "There is a road bridge over the Dniester River in the area we control.
.If the Germans want to cross the river, they will definitely give priority to breaking through our defenses from the bridge. And they cross the river in other places just to distract us."
"What, your defensive zone has a bridge?" Sokov couldn't help but break into a cold sweat after hearing this: "So, the Germans can use their tanks to break through your defensive position on the left bank?"
"Yes, it is indeed like this."
"Do you have anti-tank weapons?" Sokov asked.
"Yes, but not many." Papuchenko replied: "I planted seven or eight anti-tank mines at the bridgehead on the left bank, and also deployed two rocket launchers. As long as the German tanks are destroyed on the bridge,
It will block their way forward."
What Sokov is most concerned about is whether all the soldiers in the regiment are armed. If there are only a few people with one gun, then this blocking battle will be difficult to fight: "Are all the soldiers armed?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Papuchenko replied truthfully: "Since the Romanians provided us with weapons, the entire regiment's commanders and fighters have been armed. And we have enough ammunition and are fully capable of resisting the German attack.
attack."
"Very good, very good." Sokov was very satisfied with Papchenko's statement, but in order to reassure the other party, he took the initiative and said: "Colonel Papchenko, you have to remember that you are not fighting alone.
When you are attacked by the enemy, we will help you."
After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Tsarev and Burgos: "You all heard it. The difficulties faced by the 122nd Regiment today are more difficult than we imagined. If there is no bridge on the Dniester River, Germany will
People can only cross the river by force. Even without artillery support, I believe the 122nd Regiment can hold the river defense position.
But judging from the current situation, the Germans will definitely make use of the bridges on the river and use armored assault to break through our defense line from the bridge. However, the 122nd Regiment lacks a sufficient number of anti-tank weapons, even if it can barely block it
The German tanks will probably also make huge sacrifices."
Both Tsarev and Burgos understood the meaning of Sokov's words, so as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Burgos took the lead and said: "Comrade Commander, I think the tank regiment stationed in the city can be
Transfer them over. Although the number of tanks in our army is a bit smaller, only 21, they are all T-34 tanks, which can fully cope with German tanks."
"Okay," Sokov felt that if the 122nd Regiment did not have the support of tanks, it would be very difficult to withstand the attack from the right bank, so he readily agreed to the other party's proposal: "Then let the tank regiment be stationed in the 122nd Regiment as soon as possible.
The position of the 122nd Regiment and fight with them against the German attack."
While Burgos was on the phone, Sokov asked Tsarev again: "Comrade Artillery Commander, I would like to ask, how many artillery pieces can be concentrated now?"
"Didn't I just tell you that there are only nine doors?"
"There are only nine doors." After Sokov repeated the number, he said with some disappointment: "It's a pity that the number is a little small."
"Comrade Commander," after hearing what Sokov said, Tsarev asked curiously: "What are your plans?"
"I'm thinking that if we have more artillery, we can take the initiative on the battlefield." Sokov looked at Tsarev and said: "If we have 20 or more artillery now, we can attack the German army.
The area where they were assembled was covered with firepower, thereby disrupting their offensive rhythm."
After hearing this, Tsarev hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Comrade Commander, can the rocket launcher be used?"
"Okay, of course!" Sokov said without hesitation: "Bazookas are perfect for dealing with enemies who are gathering." After saying this, he realized something was wrong and asked, "Artillery Commander, are you so
What do you mean?"
"That's it, Comrade Commander." Tsarev coughed lightly, cleared his throat and said: "Actually, there are two Guards Rocket Artillery Battalions in Otac City. Since the accuracy of the rockets is not good, they provide supplies for the river defense positions.
During artillery support, it is easy to hit one's own people, so I didn't mention it just now."
"That's great." Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed when he learned that there were two Guards rocket launcher battalions in the city: "How many rocket launchers do they have?"
"Each Guards rocket launcher battalion has 12 rocket launchers, so two equals 24."
"Deploy them immediately to the rear of the 122nd Regiment." Sokov learned that there were 24 rocket launchers, and he felt much more at ease. With so many rocket launchers, as long as they fire a salvo at the area where the Germans are gathering,
You can achieve good results: "Once you find that the Germans are starting to gather, use rocket launchers to bombard the area where they are gathering."
"General Tsarev, hurry up and get the Guards Rocket Artillery Battalion in place." Smirnov urged Tsarev: "The Germans must think that our troops have no artillery, so they will appear unscrupulous when they assemble. If you
If you give them a round of artillery fire at this time, I'm afraid the Germans will pay huge casualties."
"That's right." Sokov agreed: "When the 122nd Regiment entered the river defense position, I'm afraid the Germans had already sent out scouts to conduct reconnaissance on them. Now they dare to blatantly assemble troops under their noses.
, just to bully them for not having artillery and tanks.
If your rocket launchers are in place early and carry out powerful artillery strikes on the area where the enemy is gathering, the enemy will definitely fall into chaos. At this time, our tank troops will guide the infantry to charge towards the enemy's position, and they may be able to attack the right bank area.
Establish a landing field."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Tsarev understood that in the next battle, the artillery would play a major role, and immediately expressed his position to Sokov: "I will immediately notify the two Guards Rocket Artillery Battalions to move forward.
The defense area of the 122nd Regiment, and at the same time, the newly arrived artillery regiment also established firing positions as soon as possible to be ready to bombard the German army at any time."
"That's right." Seeing that Tsarev understood the importance of artillery, Sokov struck while the iron was hot and said: "Comrade Stalin once said: Artillery is the god of war. If our commanders and soldiers want to defeat the enemy, there is no need
Artillery support is not enough."
Now that the artillery and tank units supporting the 122nd Regiment have been deployed here, it is natural to say hello to the division commander Ponedelin. So Sokov got through the phone to the headquarters of the 41st Guards Division.
"This is Sokov!" When someone answered the phone, Sokov said bluntly: "Let your division commander answer the phone."
"Hello, Comrade Commander." Ponejelin's voice soon came from the receiver: "What instructions do you have?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, I'm calling you because I have something to tell you." Sokov said into the phone: "In view of the fact that the Germans have begun to gather troops on the right bank of the Dniester River, they may attack at any time.
The 122nd Regiment launched an attack, so I arranged for artillery and tank troops to be stationed in the regiment's defense area, ready to provide them with assistance when necessary."
"That's great." Hearing Sokov say this, Ponedelin's face showed a smile: "The 122nd Regiment does not have heavy weapons. If it faces a fierce attack from the German army, it is unknown whether it can hold it.
.I was worrying about this matter, but I didn’t expect you to give me such a big surprise.”
"Although I have strengthened his artillery and tank units, it is the infantry that determines the final victory of the battle." Sokov solemnly said to Ponedelin: "So you must mobilize a regiment of troops as soon as possible and do a good job
Be prepared for reinforcements at any time."
"Comrade Commander, I have also considered this issue." Ponejelin said on the other end of the phone: "I am worried that the German offensive is too fierce. With the strength of the 122nd Regiment, it will not be easy to hold on.
I have just informed the commander of the 124th Regiment, Colonel Starcha, and asked him to immediately assemble the commanders and fighters of the regiment and prepare to transfer them to Transnistria after the German offensive begins."
"Let Colonel Starcha gather the troops first." Sokov said: "If the Germans attack, send them to reinforce; if the Germans do not attack, let them stay in the city on standby."
"Yes, that's what I thought about too." Ponejelin said: "After I asked them to complete their assembly, they will stand by where they are. If there is a battle, they will be immediately transferred to support the 122nd Regiment. If they wait until noon tomorrow,
If there is no fighting yet, let them disband and rest on the spot."