General Lidyukov's 5th Tank Army launched an attack on the German communication lines within the specified time. The Istrian battalion hidden in the Tim area also responded actively. In addition to blowing up bridges and damaging railways,
Even the telephone lines along the route were cut off by them overnight, forcing the German commander's orders to be transmitted via radio or communications troops.
Just when everyone saw the hope of victory, the tank group army's attack on the German army came to an abrupt end. Some German troops who were defeated by the main force of the Soviet army took the opportunity to shrink to one place and re-establish a new defense. Stationed in Ji
The enemies in the Mu area also mobilized troops to encircle and suppress Sokov's troops.
Seeing that the situation on the battlefield suddenly took a turn for the worse, Sokov could only send a telegram to the army headquarters, trying to understand what happened so that he could take corresponding measures. More than half an hour later, the telegram from the headquarters arrived. After reading the telegram
After reading the above content, Sokov's heart dropped. He knew that this operation of cooperating with the tank group army to harass the enemy's rear had ended in failure.
Sokov summoned the commanders of each company and platoon to the command post, handed the telegram to them for circulation, and said: "Comrades, General Lidyukov, commander of the tank group army, in yesterday's battle, the tank he was driving was killed by the German army.
The tank army was destroyed by artillery fire, and the general died for his country. Because of his sacrifice, the tank army lost its unified command and was defeated by the German army. Not only has the situation in the Voronezh direction worsened, but the enemy has also been able to deploy more troops to encircle and suppress us. Tell us.
, what should we do next? Should we continue to stay here and harass the German transportation lines, or should we return to our defense zone."
After Sokov finished speaking, the whole room fell into silence. The commanders present were all thinking about the future fate of their troops. Although some officers wanted to express their opinions, there was no one on the scene.
He spoke and then quietly swallowed back what he wanted to say.
"Let's talk, comrade commanders." Seeing that no one was speaking in the room, Sokov raised his voice and said: "The fate of the Istria Battalion is in your hands. Let us all share our opinions.
Should I stay or go back?"
"Comrade Battalion Commander," Captain Vanya, the commander of the first company who first expressed his stance, said firmly: "Since our superiors have ordered us to harass the German traffic lines in the Tim area, I think we should continue to stay until this order is cancelled.
Down."
"Captain Vanya," as soon as Vanya finished speaking, Andrei retorted: "Don't forget, the order given to us by our superiors is to assist the tank group army in destroying the enemy's communication lines. Now General Lidyukov
The tank group was also defeated by the enemy. If we continue to stay in this area, an extremely tragic fate awaits us."
After the two different views were expressed, a debate immediately started in the command post: some supported Vanya and hoped to stay here to fight the enemy; others supported Andre and believed that the army is now weak and should continue to stay.
Here, not only cannot we attack the enemy well, but there is also the possibility of being annihilated by the enemy. It is better to withdraw as soon as possible.
Seeing the heated debate between the two sides, Belkin leaned close to Sokov's ear and whispered: "Comrade Major, if I am not wrong, you have already made a decision in your heart."
"Wait a minute, Comrade Belkin." Although Sokov made a bold decision in his heart when he called the commanders for a meeting, in order to listen to the opinions of his subordinates, he replied in a low voice: "
Listen to what the commanders have to say, and then I will express my opinion."
However, after waiting for a long time, the two sides were still arguing. Belgin clapped his hands vigorously, and after the room became quiet again, he said to everyone: "Comrade commanders, you have been arguing for a long time, and still no result has been achieved.
.I think it’s better to let Major Sokov decide whether to stay or go. In any case, he was once our battalion commander and is now directing our operations. I think it is very necessary to obey his command.
of."
The two sides who were originally arguing were blushing. When they heard what Belkin said, they couldn't help but cast their eyes on Sokov, waiting for him to make the final decision. Sokov knew very well in his heart that if he continued to follow the original plan
, if you fight in the Tim area, it will force the enemy to deploy more troops here to encircle you. It may not be long before your troops are in danger of being completely destroyed. But what about withdrawing? This is simply impossible, because
Rokossovsky did not give himself a retreat order, so he could only stay here to deal with the German army.
In order not to disobey the orders of his superiors and retreat without authorization, but also not to be surrounded and suppressed by heavy German troops, Sokov has only one option, which is to transfer his troops to other areas with weak German defenses in order to eliminate the enemy and preserve himself.
purpose.
Seeing that everyone's eyes were on him, Sokov coughed lightly, cleared his throat and said: "Comrade commanders, we cannot retreat before the superior's retreat order is issued. But if we continue to stay,
In the Tim area, we will face a heavy encirclement and suppression by the German army..."
"Comrade Battalion Commander, please tell everyone." Before Sokov finished speaking, Vasily asked impatiently: "We can neither stay nor withdraw. What should we do?"
Sokov took out a map, placed it in front of everyone, and said to them: "The order given to us by our superiors is to harass the German army's communication lines. It is obviously impossible to stay in the Tim area now. We can continue to move toward
West, rush to the Kursk area, and continue to harass the German transportation lines there."
Sokov's words shocked everyone in the room. Belkin said in shock: "Major Sokov, Kursk is deep in the German defense. If we move in that area, not only will we not be able to get
Any support from our army will also face multi-faceted siege by the German army, so you must consider it carefully."
It seems that if he stays in the Tim area, he can get support from his superiors. Sokov muttered a few words in his heart, and then continued: "Since our army has gathered heavy troops in the direction of Bryansk and Voronezh, in order to prevent
If our army breaks through, the German army will transfer their main force to the above-mentioned areas. In this way, their defenses in the deep cities will become extremely empty, giving us an opportunity to take advantage."
"Comrade Battalion Commander, is this too risky?" Vanya reminded Sokov carefully: "I think we should think about it carefully."
"If we withdraw from our military defense area without permission from our superiors, officers including myself may be sent to a military court for violating military orders. If we continue to stay here, it will be like what I just said.
As said, after the enemy defeats the tank group army, he can mobilize more troops to rush back to the Tim area, then we will face the annihilation of the entire army." Sokov said resolutely: "To withdraw is also to die;
To stay is to die. If this is the case, then why don’t we take the risk to attack Kursk, where the German army’s defenses are weak, and disrupt the German army’s deployment?”