Since he was staying in the tunnel fortifications and could not hear the sound of gunfire from the distant fighting site, Belkin could not sit still. He took the initiative to ask Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, we can't sit here anyway."
If you have nothing to do, why not go to the observation post on the top of the slope and maybe see the scene of our army’s defeat?”
Although Sokov knew very well in his heart that even though Mamayev Heights was a commanding height, it was not easy to see the battlefield clearly from a distance of more than ten kilometers. However, considering
It's really okay to stay at the brigade headquarters. When you get to the observation post above, even if you can't see anything, it's good to be able to hear some noise.
The two arrived at the observation post on the top of the slope. The soldiers who were performing observation tasks inside heard someone coming in and instinctively turned their heads to take a look. When they saw that the people were the brigade commander and the political commissar, they quickly turned around and straightened their bodies to salute.
"How is the situation?" Sokov asked casually: "Can you see the fighting area?"
The observation post shook his head and replied: "I didn't see anything except the black smoke rising in the distance."
"You must be tired after observing here for so long." Belkin waved to the observation post and said kindly: "Go for a walk and find a place to smoke a cigarette."
The observation post saluted, turned around and walked out of the observation post. However, he did not go far, but sat next to a bush within Sokov's field of vision.
"Comrade Brigade Commander," seeing that the observation post was located more than ten meters away from here, he and Sokov would not be able to hear the questions, so Belkin asked confidently and boldly: "Do you really think what our army did today?
Can the attack launched fail to succeed?"
"Yes," although Sidorin had asked this question a long time ago and Sokov had already given him an answer, when Belgin asked about it, Sokov patiently explained: "Yes, I think
This counterattack was organized too hastily. After the troops arrived in a new place, they did not even understand the terrain before launching an attack hastily. In addition, there was a lack of effective cooperation from the artillery and tank units. In order to break through the German three-dimensional defense
, I think it’s very difficult.”
The two were talking in the observation post when a strange scream suddenly came from the air. After hesitating for two seconds, Sokov suddenly realized that it was the sound of artillery shells flying in the air, and quickly shouted: "
No, shelling, take cover."
However, before they could make any reaction, the shell had already landed on the hillside and exploded. In the earth-shattering explosion, Sokov was knocked to the ground by the huge shock wave. He struggled to get up, pulled Belkin and prepared to
He ran towards the tunnel. Before leaving the observation post, he took a look at the location of the observation post and found that there was only a shell crater still smoking, and that the soldier had long since disappeared.
The two fled along the passage into the tunnel. Sokov stumbled into the headquarters and shouted to Sidorin who was standing there: "Chief of Staff, the enemy has begun to shell us, order all battalions to take cover."
Work."
Before Sokov entered the tunnel, Sidorin heard the sound of artillery coming from outside. He was quite puzzled at the time. He guessed where the sound of artillery came from. Why did it feel that the impact point was very close to here? No.
When he came up with a reason, he saw Sokov rushing into the headquarters in panic and giving orders to him. Sidorin did not dare to neglect, and quickly picked up the microphone on the table and put Sokov's
The order is conveyed to the battalion commanders.
"Comrade Brigadier, what on earth is going on?" Belkin, who was still in shock, looked at Sokov and asked, "Why did the Germans suddenly fire on Mamayev Hill?"
Although Sokov and Belkin escaped back to the tunnel shortly after the bombardment started, based on his experience, there were at least three regiments of German artillery bombarding Mamayev Heights, and an ominous feeling suddenly flashed through his heart.
Thought: "Is it possible that the enemy is using a bottom-up tactic to relieve the pressure on the troops in the north of the city? As long as they concentrate their efforts on capturing Stalingrad, our army's offensive in the north will be meaningless."
Sokov thought of the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion between the north and south slopes, and quickly asked Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, have you called the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion?"
"No." Sidorin shook his head and said: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion only cooperates with our brigade in operations and is not affiliated with our brigade, so they will not accept our command."
"Even if they are not under our command." Sokov said with a serious expression: "You still have to call them and let them find a suitable place to hide."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Regarding Sokov's worries, Sidorin said with a smile: "After the lesson learned last time, the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion has learned a lot. They dug a lot of holes near the air defense positions.
If they are bombarded by German artillery fire, they will quickly take cover."
Sokov didn't know whether the enemy was just shelling Mamayev Heights or shelling the entire city. He felt that he needed to report the situation here to Chuikov immediately, so he called the army headquarters. The person who answered the phone was K.
Rylov, after hearing Sokov's voice, asked first: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, according to the report from our observation post, the enemy is carrying out heavy shelling on Mamayev Heights. How about your losses?"
Is it big?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, with such a scale of shelling, losses are definitely unavoidable." Sokov, who was staying in the tunnel, knew nothing about the situation outside at this moment, but since the Army Chief of Staff asked about it,
I always have to give the other party an answer: "Because I had already ordered the troops to enter the tunnel fortifications, and only placed some sentries on the surface positions. When the shelling started, I believe they had withdrawn from the tunnel. In this way, even if there were losses,
The casualties will not be too great."
"Very good, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, you did a good job." After praising Sokov, Krylov suddenly said: "The front headquarters may withdraw to the left bank of the Volga River after the shelling stops.
.I hope you can send troops to ensure the safety of the front army headquarters during the transfer process."
"Will the Front Headquarters be withdrawn to the other side of the Volga River?" During the most difficult days of the Battle of Stalingrad, when Yeremenko and Khrushchev placed the Front Headquarters on the east bank of the Volga River, Sokov was
Very clear. But at this moment when Krylov said this, Sokov still felt abandoned in his heart. He said into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry, we will ensure that the front troops
The security of the command during the transfer.”
After Sokov put down the phone, Sidorin asked anxiously: "What, the front army headquarters is retreating? Where are they planning to retreat?"
"Where else can we retreat?" Sokov pointed his hand in the direction of the Volga River and said, "Of course it is to retreat to the other side of the Volga River and establish a new headquarters there to direct the troops in the city.
"
"Comrade Brigadier, what they did is a cowardly act." As a political worker, Belkin usually gave people a very calm feeling, but when he heard that the front army headquarters was going to be transferred to the other side of the Volga River, he also
He couldn't help but get angry: "The troops are fighting the enemy in the city, but our headquarters is far away on the other side of the Volga River. If our soldiers knew all this, what would they think?"
Hearing what Belkin said, Sokov thought to himself: Even if the soldiers had complaints, they would not have a chance to vent. Because in this tragic battle, the soldiers only had 24 hours to survive, and the officers could not.
It's 72 hours. According to statistics, Chuikov's 62nd Army had more than 100,000 people at the beginning of the battle, but by the time the Battle of Stalingrad ended, there were only more than 200 people left.
"Comrade Political Commissar," in order to prevent Belkin's mood from shaking the morale of the army, Sokov quickly took over his topic and said: "I think it is completely necessary for the front army headquarters to be transferred. If the front army headquarters continues to stay at
The city will soon become the target of enemy artillery or bombing. Once something goes wrong with the headquarters, the entire front army will lose its unified command and become a mess, and will eventually be defeated by the German army one by one."
As soon as Belkin was comforted, the phone on the table rang. This time the call was from Khrushchev himself. He asked on the phone: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I have received valuable information."
, the enemy is bombarding your Mamayev Hills, is this true?"
Sokov knew that if the Front Army Headquarters wanted to leave the city, it would have to board the ship at the pier behind Mamayev Hill. In order to prevent the other party from misjudgment, he respectfully replied: "Yes, Comrade Military Commissar
, the enemy is bombarding Mamayev Hill with fierce artillery fire."
"Can the enemy's shells hit the dock?" Khrushchev asked with some concern: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, please tell me the truth no matter what."
Sokov quickly covered the microphone with his hand and asked Sidorin who was standing in front of him: "Did you hear all the questions asked by Comrade Chief of Staff and Comrade Military Commissar? Can the enemy's artillery fire reach the dock?"
"Comrade Brigadier, don't worry. We also have observation posts behind Mamayev Hill." Sidorin picked up another phone and said to Sokov: "I'll ask them.
Let’s see how the situation is at the dock.”
While Sidorin was on the phone, Sokov smiled and said to Khrushchev: "Comrade Military Commissar, I will ask my chief of staff to find out immediately. Please don't hang up the phone, I will call you as soon as possible.
You replied."
Sidoriner and others were surprisingly efficient. In less than two minutes, he ended the call and confidently reported to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, the observation post reported that sporadic water columns appeared on the river, which should be German troops.
The shells fell into the Volga River."
After receiving the exact information, Sokov quickly reported to Khrushchev: "Comrade Military Commissar, my observation post reported that a water column would rise from time to time on the Volga River, which should be from Mamayev Hill.
The shells flying overhead fell into the Volga River."
"I understand, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." After hearing Sokov's reply, Khrushchev said extremely politely: "Thank you!"
Sokov did not stupidly ask the other party: "Are you ready to move?" If he asked this question, even if Khrushchev didn't say anything, he would be deducted in his mind. Therefore, he was cautious.
He said quietly: "Comrade Military Commissar, from various signs, the Germans are planning to start attacking Mamayev Hill."
"No, it can't be." Hearing what Sokov said, Khrushchev said in a panic: "Zhukov's troops are carrying out counterattacks against the enemy in the north of Stalingrad today. Logically speaking, the enemy would be in such a situation.
At that time, the main forces should be concentrated in the north. Why did they suddenly bombard Mamayev Heights?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, according to my estimation, the Germans may be worried that the troops stationed at Mamayev Heights will stab him in the back while they are fighting the 1st Guards Army." Sokov told He
Rushchev analyzed: "Therefore, they launched attacks from two directions at the same time, so we could only divide our forces to meet the enemy in order to resolve the threats they faced."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, what you said is quite reasonable." Khrushchev waited for Sokov to finish speaking, then nodded and said, "I will relay everything you said to the commander.
Comrade Communist Party member. By the way, once the enemy's shelling stops, remember to notify us as soon as possible. I wish you victory!"
The German shelling lasted for about forty minutes before finally stopping. Somehow, after the shelling stopped, the Germans did not use ground troops to attack, and there was silence in front of Mamayev Hill, which was filled with thick smoke.
Sokov didn't quite believe the report from the observation post. If the Germans didn't plan to attack him, why would they shell the high ground for a long time? So he went to the bombed-out surface position alone and raised his hand
He looked through the telescope into the distance, hoping to see the German troops ready to go, so that he could ask the artillery company to drag the artillery to the top of the slope and fire it hard for a while to avenge the sacrifice of his soldiers.
However, he looked through the telescope for a long time, but found no trace of the German army in his field of vision. He whispered in his heart: "What on earth do the Germans want to do? Why did they bombard us with so many artillery shells, but did not send out infantry to attack?
Could it be that they are hatching some conspiracy?"
Just as Sokov was about to return to the tunnel, he saw Asiya and several health workers coming out of the cave. He quickly grabbed Asiya and asked with concern: "Asiya, where are you going?"
"The Germans were shelling our position just now. There must have been a lot of casualties among the officers and soldiers." Asiya stopped and looked at Sokov and said, "We are here to rescue the wounded."
After giving Asiya a hug, Sokov said with concern: "You must be more careful and pay attention to your own safety!"
Asiya nodded vigorously, "You too!" After saying that, she quickly kissed Sokov on the face, then turned and ran away, chasing colleagues from the health team.