After learning that both Seryosha and Samoylov had died, Sokov felt somewhat sad. After all, these two men were his most trusted subordinates and friends. It would be strange not to be sad to see them leave.
"Seryozha was my closest friend before joining the army." Sokov said with a heavy heart: "And Samoilov has saved my life many times. Without him, I might not be here anymore."
passed away."
"Since it is a war, someone will definitely die." Gorokhov interjected: "Since the war broke out until now, each of us has familiar friends who have sacrificed their lives. We must not only remember them, but also find ways to provide them with
revenge."
"You are right, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov also felt that this was not a sad moment, so he cheered up and said, "Sooner or later, I will repay this blood debt from the Germans."
"Comrade Commander," Smirnov, who was on the phone, suddenly turned to Sokov and said, "General Antonetta wants to see you and says there is something very important."
"Did he say what happened?"
Smirnov covered the microphone with his hand and continued: "He didn't say what the specific matter was. He only said that it was a very important matter and he needed to talk to you in person."
Sokov knew that Antonetta would not come to him for no reason. Since there was something important, it must be a big deal, so he said casually: "Okay, let him come over in half an hour."
"General Antonetta," Smirnov released his hand covering the microphone and said, "Comrade Commander has agreed. You should come over as soon as possible."
While waiting for Antonetta to come over, Samyko curiously asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, tell me, what important thing does Antonetta want to see you for?"
"I don't know." Sokov answered simply, "But I thought since he said it was an important matter, it must be very urgent, so I decided to meet him."
Sokov gave Antonetta half an hour, but within twenty minutes, he appeared in the headquarters.
"Hello, General Antonetta." Sokov stepped forward to shake hands with Antonetta, and asked curiously: "Is there anything important that you are looking for me in such a hurry?"
"General Sokov, the situation is like this." Antonetta said a little impatiently: "I received a call from an old friend today. He is now the city defense commander of Kupczny."
When Sokov heard this, he thought to himself that the German commander was planning to surrender to him, right? Thinking of this, he interrupted and asked: "Is he planning to learn from you and start cooperation with our army?"
"General Sokov, you are really amazing. You guessed his intention before I finished speaking." Antonetta pointed to the map and introduced Sokov: "Look, where he is
Kupczny is now stationed with two regiments of the Romanian army. Not long ago, he received a call from the top, asking him to organize troops to counterattack the Dniester River. He felt that with his own strength, if he wanted to execute the Germans
The order given to him is tantamount to leading the troops to die. Therefore, after repeated weighing, he decided to learn from me and fully cooperate with you."
Upon learning that Kupczny's garrison was preparing to lead his troops to surrender, several senior commanders in the headquarters showed joyful expressions on their faces. However, Sokov behaved much calmer: "General Antonetta
, are you sure your friend really intends to cooperate with us?"
Antonetta heard a hint of doubt in the tone of Sokov's words, and couldn't help but secretly complain in her heart. She was worried that if she really convinced her friend, when the other party took the initiative to seek refuge, Sokov rejected her.
I still don’t know how to deal with it.
In order to get a definite answer, Antonetta asked solemnly: "General Sokov, I don't know what you think. Can you tell me the answer?"
"General Antonetta, of course I am very happy that your friend is willing to cooperate with us." Sokov said: "But words cannot be proven, there must be a written document."
"So that's it." After Antonetta figured out what Sokov was worried about, she patted her chest and assured, "General Sokov, don't worry. This friend of mine has always kept his word.
Since he said he wanted to cooperate with you, he must be here for the cooperation, and he doesn’t think he will change his mind temporarily.”
"If so, that would be the best." Sokov said to Antonetta: "General Antonetta, since your friend is so sincere, why not let him come to our place and take a look?
, and by the way, sign a cooperation agreement between the two parties."
"General Sokov, I came here to see you just for his business." Antonetta said: "He said that in order to avoid procrastinating for too long and being discovered by the Germans, he suggested that it would be best to do this within one or two days.
Within days, we will complete the signing of the cooperation agreement and send troops to Kupczny in advance to take over the defense there."
Sokov's status is different now. Naturally, he will not interfere with such small matters as negotiation. He is only concerned about when the negotiator sent by the other party will arrive: "When can he send someone to negotiate with us?"
"When I talked to him on the phone, he already said that as long as he can contact you and get permission, he will send a negotiator as soon as possible to discuss cooperation with you."
"Then please come here quickly." Sokov said with a smile: "No matter what the final outcome of the negotiation is, we will respect your friend. Maybe his actions can prevent countless people from dying in the battle.
"
After Antonetta stood up and left, Smirnov said happily: "Comrade Commander, this is really great. If Kupczny's guard was really unintentional as Antonetta said,
If they fight with us, then we can seize another important city in Ukraine without spending a single soldier."
After Antonetta answered her office, she immediately ordered someone to call Kupczny's headquarters. When she heard that the person who answered the phone was her old friend, Antonetta said: "Old man,
After a day of hard work on my part, General Sokov finally agreed to cooperate with you."
"Great, this is simply great." The other party said excitedly: "In other words, as long as the Soviet army is stationed in Kupczny, my troops can hand over defense with confidence and boldness."
However, Antonetta asked worriedly: "Old man, are there any German troops near your defense area?"
"Yes, there are about two battalions of troops." The other party replied affirmatively: "Although they have fewer people than me, if a fight really breaks out, my troops are really no match for them. So once the signature is signed
I have received the land transfer document, and I hope you can come to support me as soon as possible."
"I can guarantee you this." Antonetta, who has been here before, replied confidently: "Maybe if you sign in the morning, the troops will be stationed in your division's defense area in the afternoon. Even if there are Germans nearby, what will happen?
Amazing, can they still defeat General Sokov's troops?"
"That's true. For the Germans, General Sokov is a god-like existence. It is a fortunate thing for the Germans that they can avoid competing with his troops." To Antonetta
The other party actually agreed with this statement, otherwise he would not have taken the initiative to call Antonetta and ask him to discuss cooperation with Sokov.
In fact, any so-called cooperation agreement is a lie. It is actually a letter of surrender. However, everyone is tacitly aware of this matter and saves each other's face.
Since Sokov's troops crossed the South Bug River, two cities have chosen to cooperate with the Soviet army and stopped all unnecessary hostilities. If Kupczny can also transfer control peacefully, then
In the coming battles, more and more cities will follow Antonetta's example.
When the war ends, Antonetta, who first chose to cooperate with Sokov, may have saved countless lives because of such actions, thus earning him everyone's respect.
Antonetta stood up and came to the wall, looked up at the map hanging on the wall, and thought to herself: "It's about four hundred kilometers from Kupczny to Wingene. If Sokov's troops don't
If the advance to the west is stopped, then crossing the Prut River from the north of Wingene can only be a beautiful fantasy."
He picked up the explanation stick placed next to the wall and gently tapped the location of Wenger. He secretly thought that if they advance at a normal speed, it will take at least ten days for Sokov's troops to reach this area.
Time. But on the battlefield, every minute and every second is precious. If there is such a delay, his troops may not be the first to enter Romania.
I wanted to remind Sokov, but then I thought about it. I ran over so recklessly. It was still unknown whether the other party would listen to my suggestion. Forget it, let's wait and see what happens. Now I am equivalent to
Sokov has already opened the way to go south. Whether he can see this move depends on his level.
Antonetta was in his headquarters, thinking about Sokov's next move. And Sokov was in his headquarters, thinking about the same problem.
He called Trofimenko, Samyko and Smirnov to the map and said to the three of them: "Look, if Kupczny is occupied by our army, then the road to Wingene will be
It’s completely opened up.”
"Yes, the area is like this." Sameko said first: "According to our original place, we have to fight for a period of time in Moldavia. After controlling a certain area, we can then turn around and head south, starting from Wenger.
Crossing the Prut River to the north. But now that Antonetta has helped us deal with Kupczny's enemies, it means that we should adjust our deployment and adopt new plans to liberate more land."
"I think what the Chief of Staff said makes sense." Trofimenko continued: "Our right-wing troops can stay and consolidate the existing defense lines, while the left-wing troops can turn around and move south to capture Gurrat.
Ni and Laout, completely opening the road to Wengernet."
Seeing that Trofimenko's idea coincided with his own, Sokov smiled: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I really didn't expect that the help provided by the Romanians forced us to adjust our tactics."
"Actually, this is not bad." Smirnov said with a smile: "Our original plan was to cross the Prut River from the north of Wingene. But judging from the map, our combat route must be a big one.
Circle. Now that Antonetta has captured Kupczny for us, our troops can advance directly to the south and cross the river north of Wingene."
"If that's the case, then I will notify the troops on the right and ask them to stay in place to build fortifications and consolidate defenses." Sameko said: "The troops on the left can start to assemble to the south, and when the time is right, they will immediately
Launch an attack on the city to the south."
"Wait a minute," while everyone was discussing in a lively manner, Gorokhov suddenly interjected: "If we turn around and attack south now, wouldn't we have invaded the 52nd Army's combat area? General Koroterev knew this.
Afterwards, won’t you report it to your superiors?”
"This is a problem." After Gorokhov's reminder, Samyko immediately realized that his troops were competing with friendly forces for credit, which might cause unnecessary trouble. "Comrade Commander, you
Is there any good solution?"
"There is a way," Sokov stared at the map and said to the two of them: "After crossing the river, General Koroterev's troops are staying on the shore to rest. It seems that they have no intention of continuing to develop in depth.
"He drew a dotted line on the map with his hand, "We can completely bypass the 52nd Army's offensive area and launch an attack on the enemy's defense line."
"This method is not bad." Samek's eyes suddenly shone, "In this case, wouldn't it be that he beats his, and I beat mine? There is also a city held by the Germans in the middle to protect us.
The two armies are separated, and General Koroterev cannot blame him even if he wants to."
"Who is responsible for the negotiation?" Sokov asked: "This is a big matter, and we must not be careless."
"Comrade Commander," as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Smirnov volunteered: "I think this matter should be left to me and Comrade Military Commissar."
"I think it is possible." Samyko supported from the side: "I believe that General Ismirnov's ability and General Gorokhov's eloquence will be able to successfully complete this mission."
"Also, Comrade Commander." Samyko also reminded Sokov: "Should such a major matter be reported to Marshal Konev so that he can be well aware of it?"
Sokov began to think in his mind that if he mobilized the main force of the army to go south, sooner or later there would be a conflict with General Koroterev's territory. If he reported the matter to Marshal Konev first and let him make the decision, it could be solved.
Save a lot of trouble.
After thinking about this, he nodded and said: "I will contact Marshal Konev immediately to hear how he gave the instructions."
"Director of the Communications Corps," Sokov called the Director of the Communications Corps in front of him and ordered him: "You immediately help me get through the phone call of the Front Army Headquarters. I have important work and need to report to Marshal Konev immediately."
Before the call was connected, a staff officer came in from outside and reported to Sokov emotionally: "Comrade Commander, the tank unit assigned to us by our superiors has arrived, and the two commanders are outside now."