As the acting division commander of the 328th Division, Sokov felt that it was necessary to visit the units below. Only by understanding the real situation at the grassroots level can we formulate targeted measures to improve morale. Bindasov’s first
The 1135th Regiment was stationed by the Zizdra River, across the river from the German troops on the other side. It was the closest unit to the German troops, so the regiment became his first inspection target.
Hearing that Sokov came to inspect his place, Bindasov quickly came out with the political commissar and chief of staff to greet him. After saluting Sokov, he said with a smile: "Comrade division commander, you are welcome to come to our regiment for inspection.
"
After the group returned to the regiment command post, Bindasov winked at his chief of staff and signaled him to report the situation of the troops to Sokov. The understanding chief of staff waited for Sokov to sit down and took the initiative to say: "
Comrade division commander, let me introduce to you the defense situation of our regiment."
The purpose of Sokov's inspection here was to find out the defense situation of the 1135th Regiment, so after hearing what the Chief of Staff said, he nodded, indicating that he could start reporting.
The chief of staff pointed to the map on the table and introduced to Sokov: "Comrade division commander, please look at the map. Our regiment is deployed along the Zizdra River. The first battalion is at the front. Their positions and
The German positions are across the river, and the closest point is less than 200 meters away..."
"Wait a minute, Chief of Staff." When Sokov heard this, he quickly raised his hand to interrupt the Chief of Staff, looked at him and asked: "How wide is the river and how fast is the current? How many troops do we have stationed here?
, what kind of force is the enemy?..."
Faced with Sokov's series of questions, the chief of staff hesitated for a moment, but soon he answered very quickly: "The narrowest part of the river is only fifty meters, and the water depth is more than three meters. However, because the river has just thawed, there is no
For a long time, the river is still biting, and the enemy and we do not have the conditions to swim across it for the time being; the first battalion is holding the position by the river, their strength is 192 people, and the enemy on the other side is about the same as us..."
After listening to the chief of staff's introduction, Sokov stood up and said to Bindasov: "Comrade Colonel, accompany me to the 1st Battalion's position. I want to see the situation of the enemy on the other side."
Bindasov originally thought that when Sokov came to his regiment, he would just sit at the regiment headquarters and listen to the report like previous leaders. Who knew that he actually wanted to go to the front to have a look, so he quickly persuaded:
"Comrade Division Commander, the enemy's position there is too close and life is in danger. If you want to know anything about the situation, we will report it to you truthfully."
"Comrade Colonel, as the commander of the first division, it is necessary for me to be familiar with the situation in my defense zone." Sokov waved his hand and said to Bindasov: "Besides, after a while, we will launch an attack on the enemy.
, if I am not familiar with the terrain, how can I command the battle?"
Seeing that Bindasov was speechless by himself, Sokov shook his head at him and said: "Let's go, comrade colonel, you accompany me to the front line to have a look."
Seeing Sokov calling his life, Bindasov could only nod his head and said helplessly: "Okay, comrade division commander, since you want to see the frontier, I will accompany you."
The defense area of the 1st Battalion is only five or six hundred meters away from the regiment headquarters, and can be reached through a small forest. The original commander of the 1st Battalion died in the battle, and now he is replaced by Captain Jetrov, the commander of the 3rd Company.
When Sokov and Bindasov arrived at the first battalion, Captain Jetrov was staying in the observation post, observing the situation on the other side with a telescope. When he saw the regimental commander coming in, he quickly put down his telescope and greeted him with a raised hand in salute:
"Comrade Commander, Captain Jetrov, acting commander of the 1st Battalion, is reporting to you that I am observing the enemy situation on the other side. Please give me instructions!"
After Bindasov raised his hand to return the salute, he introduced Jetrov: "This is the new division commander, Major Sokov. Please report to him."
Knowing that the young major standing next to the regiment leader was the new division commander, Jetrov could not help but widen his eyes in surprise. However, he quickly returned to normal, raised his hand to salute Sokov, and said
What I just said was repeated again.
After Sokov returned the greeting to Jetrov, he walked straight to the lookout and asked casually: "Comrade Captain, is there any movement from the enemy on the other side?"
"No, Comrade Division Commander." Jetrov replied simply: "The enemy is the same as usual, there is nothing strange. It seems that they will not launch an attack in the short term."
Just as Jetrov was talking, Sokov suddenly saw a carriage parked on the other side of the river. Two German soldiers were fetching water from buckets at the river. He saw the German soldiers struggling to fill the water with water.
When the bucket of water was put on the carriage, Sokov couldn't help but frowned. He turned to look at Jetrov and said sternly: "Comrade Captain, I would like to ask you to explain the situation of the two people who were fetching water from the other side of the river.
What happened to the German soldiers?"
Jetrov had obviously seen the two German soldiers a long time ago. After hearing Sokov's question, he replied without hesitation: "Comrade division commander, those two Germans should be cooks. They are here."
Those who draw water from the river."
"A water fetcher?!" Sokov walked around Jetrov and sneered: "Comrade Captain, I want to remind you that regardless of whether they are cooking soldiers or not, they are our enemies first."
He paused for a moment and then asked, "But what should we do when we see the enemy?"
Although Jetrov did not understand the purpose of Sokov's question, he still answered simply: "Destroy them resolutely."
"That's right." Sokov said expressionlessly: "Since you know that the enemy is the enemy, you must destroy it. Then why do you see the enemy under your nose, going to the river to fetch water, but you are indifferent?"
Faced with Sokov's question, Jetrov blushed and replied with some embarrassment: "Comrade division commander, those are the enemy's cooking soldiers..."
"I have just said that no matter what the military branch is, as long as it is the enemy, we must resolutely eliminate them." The observation post of the first battalion is only more than 200 meters away from the German position. Through the lookout, even if it is not used,
Using the telescope, Sokov could clearly see the German sentry standing guard on the opposite position. He pointed at the German position in the distance and continued: "Also, the enemy's sentry is like a telegraph pole.
Within the range of your rifles and machine guns, you turned a blind eye..."
After Jetrov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, he immediately asked with a guilty conscience: "Comrade Commander, what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Form a sniper team as soon as possible to kill the enemies on the opposite side who are exposed to our guns." Sokov looked at Jetrov and said with a serious expression: "I hope to come again next time.
When I inspected here, I couldn’t see a single active German on the other side. Do you understand?”
"Understood, comrade division commander." Although Jetrov still had some resistance to Sokov's order, he still replied in a loud voice: "I immediately transferred sharpshooters from the battalion and formed a sniper team.
Detach your troops and go snipe the enemies who have entered our range."
Regarding Jetrov's statement, Sokov nodded with satisfaction and said: "Comrade Captain, now that you know what to do, take action as soon as possible. I will wait for your good news at the division headquarters.