"I said, Comrade Deputy Commander, the order given to us by our superiors is to defeat the German invaders." Sokov looked at Trofimenko and said: "If we give Bogdanov an order to defend, it means that
That said, we gave up the initiative on the battlefield and instead stayed in our existing positions for passive defense."
"Comrade Commander, you misunderstood me. I don't want the 2nd Tank Army to carry out passive defense." Trofimenko quickly explained to Sokov: "I just think we should defend first and wait for support.
The fortifications have exhausted the enemy's effective strength, and it is not too late to launch a counterattack."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, the situation today is different from before, so we must adopt different tactics to deal with the German attack."
"It's different from the previous situation. We need to adopt different tactics to deal with the enemy's attack?" Trofimenko repeated Sokov's words and said with confusion: "Comrade Commander, can you say that?"
Can you be more specific? I don’t understand very well.”
"It's very simple. Now the German army is in a strategic defense, while our army is in a strategic offensive." Sokov explained to Trofimenko: "And we are not just launching a powerful offensive against the German army on one front. This is
This means that if the German army does not want its defense line to collapse completely, it must use its main forces to defend rather than attack."
When Trofimenko heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt Sokov: "But, Comrade Commander, you mentioned not long ago that the Germans might encircle our troops entering Romania. How could it happen in the blink of an eye?
Your statement has changed."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, it's not that my statement has changed, but that the situation on the battlefield has changed. As commanders, we must adjust our combat deployments in a timely manner according to changes in the situation on the battlefield so that we can achieve victory as soon as possible.
." Sokov said: "When I was just worried about the enemy cutting off the logistics supply line behind me, I didn't know that Ponejelin's battle group had all entered Romania. Now we can adjust our tactics appropriately."
"If we take the initiative to attack the enemy, once the enemy's reinforcements arrive, wouldn't it be possible for our offensive troops to be encircled by the Germans?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander." Sokov said confidently: "To the north of our front, that is, on the right wing, there is a powerful assault group dominated by the Ponejelin Battle Group and the 2nd Tank Army.
I plan to let General Bogdanov's troops launch an active attack on the German army, while Ponejelin's battle group expands its results in Romania."
Seeing Trofimenko's worried look, Sokov comforted him and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, don't forget that on our right wing are the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front commanded by Marshal Zhukov.
Comprehensive fortifications are being launched against the German troops in the Vinnitsa area. If there is a shortage in that area, the troops attacking Chernivtsi will definitely be transferred."
"In addition, there is another possibility. Once the German commanders see that our army has launched an active offensive in the Chernivtsi area, they are worried that the troops in this area may be annihilated or severely damaged by our army, and they will inevitably
Move this force back to Vinnitsa to help resist the powerful offensive of Marshal Zhukov's troops."
Trofimenko stared at the map for a long time, and finally had to admit that the situation Sokov mentioned completely existed. He thought for a while, and then added: "Comrade Commander, I have another idea,
I don’t know whether I should say it or not.”
"Comrade Deputy Commander, if you have any ideas, just say it." Sokov urged: "There is nothing that should or shouldn't be said."
"Look," he pointed to the position southeast of Chernivtsi and said to Sokov: "My 27th Army has deployed three infantry divisions in this direction. If General Bogdanov's tanks
The attack carried out by the 2nd Army is not going well, I can also transfer the troops here for reinforcements."
"This is a good idea." Sokov looked at the three divisions on the map that were originally included in his reserve force, thinking that since Trofimenko offered to use this force, he would be disrespectful: "Comrade Chief of Staff
, then follow the deputy commander’s wishes and issue a combat alert to these three divisions. Once the attack of the 2nd Tank Army does not go smoothly, let them enter the battlefield through the torn breach.”
At noon, Bogdanov personally called Sokov and said respectfully: "Comrade Commander, the troops of our group army launched an attack on the enemy's hastily built field fortifications half an hour ago. During the attack
We have carried out forty minutes of artillery preparations before, and have destroyed most of the enemy's fortifications. We believe that it will not take long to break through the enemy's defenses and penetrate deep into their depth."
"Well done, General Bogdanov." After hearing the other party's report, Sokov couldn't help but beam with joy. Originally, he was worried that if he rashly ordered the tank army to launch an attack, it might be difficult to achieve the desired results due to insufficient preparation.
But now judging from Bogdanov's report, breaking through the enemy's defensive positions is just a snap. Therefore, he did not hesitate to praise: "When this battle is over, I will report to my superiors on your behalf."
Please take credit."
Before putting down the phone, Sokov remembered something important and quickly asked: "By the way, where are the sniper teams of General Bogdanov and Major Lyudmila now?"
"Comrade Commander, I was planning to report this matter to you." Bogdanov said: "Since I received your order to let Major Lyudmila return alone, in order to prevent the enemy from noticing, I specially found
For a female soldier, I asked her to pretend to be Lyudmila and stay in the sniper team. As for the real Lyudmila, I asked her to dress up as a woman from a collective farm, and under the protection of a squad of soldiers, I would kill her as quickly as possible.
Return to Otac at a fast pace.”
"General Bogdanov, you are very thoughtful." When Sokov ordered Lyudmila and others to return, he deliberately left the sniper team there to confuse the enemy, but he never thought about what would happen if the sniper team
Even if Lyudmila has not been seen for a long time, it is still easy for others to find flaws. General Bogdanov's approach just made up for his lack of consideration. But he still asked with some uneasiness: "But
, are you sure that the enemy will not see through the disguise you arranged?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Bogdanov smiled and said to Sokov: "I found a drama actor who is similar in stature to Major Lyudmila. Ever since he put on makeup, he looks a lot like
Very similar. Besides, the sniper team is a special group. They don’t have to show their faces in front of people all day long, and it’s not that easy for others to see their flaws.”
"That's good, that's good." When Sokov heard this, he was completely relieved: "General Bogdanov, thank you so much. You helped me solve a difficult problem."
"Comrade Commander, you're welcome, it's just a little effort."
Bogdanov's approach provided Sokov with an idea: Since Lyudmila's sniper team can send a drama actor to impersonate her to confuse the enemy, Vasily and the old man's sniper team can also do it.
Do you want to follow the example?
As soon as the phone was put down, Sokov called Samyko and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you contacted Vasily and the old man?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, we have been contacted." Sameko nodded and said: "They will return at noon, but in order to confuse the enemy, the sniper team will continue to move in the direction of Wengernet."
"If the two of them withdrew, it would be easy for the Germans to see the flaws with just the few remaining members of the sniper team." Sokov planned to copy Bogdanov's method to deceive the Germans: "Staff
Commander, you send them another report and ask them to find two promotions to impersonate them before leaving."
When Samek heard this, his eyes suddenly lit up, "Comrade Commander, your method is good. Snipers usually hold their heads and wrap their faces with cloth. If they are of similar stature, as long as they don't tear off the cloth, they will usually
There is no flaw. I will send a report to Vasily and the old man right away, asking them to find two substitutes to pretend to be me, and then come back soon."
"Comrade Commander," when Samyko turned around to send a telegram, Trofimenko asked Sokov tentatively: "Lyudmila, how do you plan to arrange for Vasily and the old man after they return?"
"The three of them must be hidden first so that they cannot be discovered by the enemies lurking in the city." Sokov explained to Trofimenko: "I will order them to investigate secretly and find the lurking enemy as soon as possible.
enemy."
"Comrade Commander, why don't we change the headquarters to another city?" Trofimenko asked Sokov with some confusion: "In this case, if the German ace sniper wants to snipe us, he will have to start again.
Familiarize yourself with the surrounding environment and find a suitable spot for sniping."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, have you ever considered that if we really go to other cities, there will definitely be chaos for a period of time initially. If German snipers seize this opportunity and attack us decisively, do you think we
Is there any chance of survival?"
Sokov's words were like a heavy hammer hitting Trofimenko, making him tremble all over. He thought about it carefully and remembered that when a new headquarters is established, there is usually a period of chaos.
The security force of the headquarters' security force happens to be the weakest at this stage. If the German snipers choose to take action at this time, they will really be unable to prevent it.
"Okay, Comrade Commander, you are right." After Trofimenko figured it out, he no longer insisted on his opinion, but said smoothly: "Then let the headquarters continue to stay in this city.
Bar."
The two were talking when Sokov turned his head and unexpectedly found Smirnov standing at the door. He quickly stood up and went to greet him. He even said from a distance: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you have something on you."
If you're injured, if you don't take good care of yourself in the hospital, why would you come to the headquarters?"
Smirnov chuckled and said: "Comrade Commander, you also know that I have a restless temper. If I lie on the hospital bed every day and do nothing, even a good person will
I'm holding back my illness. You'd better not let me lie in the hospital anymore. Even if I just come here every day to sit and sit, my heart will feel much more at ease."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, did you come here alone, or did the health worker accompany you?" When Sokov said this, he looked over Smirnov's shoulder and looked towards the door to see if there was a health worker.
Standing there. But to his disappointment, there was no one at the door. Apparently Smirnov walked into the headquarters alone.
"The health worker sent me to the gate of the headquarters, and I asked her to go back." Smirnov obviously saw the displeasure on Sokov's face, and quickly explained to him: "After all, the headquarters is a military center, not a human being.
Everyone can come in."
When Sokov heard this, Smirnov's words made sense. Some of the medical staff in the field hospital were from the army, and some were from local areas. Who knew if there were enemy spies among them. If they were allowed to enter and exit the headquarters at will,
If so, I'm afraid it's not appropriate.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said kindly after helping Smirnov sit down at the table: "If you want to think of the headquarters in the future, remember to call in advance. I will send Koshkin to pick you up at the door.
Yours. You're still injured. If you walk in alone, if something happens to you, we won't be able to find it in time."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Faced with Sokov's kindness, Smirnov found it difficult to refuse. He nodded and said, "Before I come tomorrow, I will call Captain Koshkin and ask him to
Meet me at the door."
"Did anything happen while I was away?"
Sokov thought that there was nothing important at the moment anyway, so he simply told Smirnov in detail about the possibility of a German ace sniper lurking in the city. Finally, he said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we have carefully investigated
After analysis, we found that the Germans must have some big conspiracy, so we need to be more vigilant in the recent period to avoid being taken over by the enemy."
After listening to Sokov's story, Smirnov was stunned for a long time, and finally nodded slowly and said: "I really didn't expect that the Germans actually laid such a big trap. I thought they had caught Ellie.
Ya, it completely destroyed the sniper team sent by the German army to Otats. Unexpectedly, this was just the appearance we saw."
"When will the old man and the others come back?" Smirnov asked anxiously: "The Germans are really cunning. They actually found this way to trick some of our best snipers out of the city. In this way,
, they are no longer afraid of encountering opponents that give them headaches when carrying out sniper missions."
"Don't worry, I have tried to notify them and ask them to return to Otac as soon as possible." Sokov said: "Lyudmila is already on the road now, and she will be able to return to the city by dark at the latest.
"
Before Sokov could finish talking about the old man, the phone on the table rang. He picked up the phone and put it to his ear: "I am Sokov, where are you?"
Zakharov's voice came from the receiver: "This is Comrade Sokov. I am Zakharov. I have something important to ask you."
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask."
"Tell me the truth," Zaharov asked in a stern tone: "Where is the old man now?"