Chapter 368 Making an attack in the east and attacking in the west
As soon as Sokov returned to the headquarters, he received a call from Khrushchev from the headquarters: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, how is the situation there? Has the German army launched a ground attack?"
"No, Comrade Military Commissar." Before returning to the tunnel, Sokov carefully observed the area where the German troops might appear, but found nothing, so he replied affirmatively: "In front of Mamayev Hill,
There is no sign of the German army gathering yet, and it seems that they will not launch an attack in a short time."
"I just received a report from Chuikov," Khrushchev said to Sokov after confirming that there were no enemies in the direction of Mamayev Heights: "The enemy used dozens of tanks and about a regiment of troops to launch an attack on the factory area.
attacked."
"What, the Germans launched an attack on the factory area?" Sokov knew very well how big the factory area was. Not to mention a regiment, even ten regiments of troops invested by the German army at a time could be fully deployed, but the German army
After the large-scale shelling, only one regiment of ground troops was dispatched, which was a bit intriguing. He asked tentatively: "Comrade Military Commissar, the Germans only deployed one regiment to attack in such a vast area as the factory area.
Is there some conspiracy?"
"What kind of conspiracy can the Germans have?" After hearing this, Khrushchev said disapprovingly: "I think it must be because Zhukov's counterattack in the north has restrained a large number of their troops, so that they cannot be mobilized.
Enough troops to attack the factory area to the north."
Now that Khrushchev has reached a conclusion, Sokov can't argue with the other party just because of his own speculation, right? Besides, his own judgment may not be correct. He was silent for a moment, and then asked: "Comrade Military Commissar, may I ask?
How can I help you?"
"The front headquarters is making preparations for the transfer," Khrushchev raised his hand to look at his watch and said into the microphone: "At the latest, in half an hour, we will pass Mamayev Hill and arrive at the ferry to board the ship.
I hope you can send effective troops to take charge of the security work from your defense area to the dock."
"Understood," Sokov said immediately and unequivocally when he learned that the front army headquarters was about to evacuate the city: "I will immediately send troops to deploy defenses."
After putting down the phone, Sokov immediately began to give orders. He said to Sidorin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the German army has about a regiment of troops, under the cover of dozens of tanks, launched an attack on the factory area. Although we are here
The weather is calm, but we still have to order each battalion to prepare for battle."
When Sidorin heard the news, he had a look of astonishment on his face. He simply ignored Sokov's words and asked in surprise: "The German offensive force only has one regiment?!"
"Yes, there is only one regiment." Sokov nodded and told Sidorin his guess: "I am worried that the German army's attack on the factory area is just to attract our attention. In fact, their attack target is
It’s somewhere else.”
"Other places?" Sidorin asked curiously: "Where do you think it will be?"
Before answering Sidorin's question, Sokov first picked up the phone and said into the receiver: "Let Seryosha come to my place." Then he said, "Maybe we are where the Germans want to be.
The target of the attack."
Sidorin said cautiously: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the German army has conducted two probing attacks against us, but both ended in failure. I think it is unlikely that they will launch another attack."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the Germans have suffered losses here twice in a row. They will definitely not give up and will retaliate sooner or later." Seeing that Sidorin did not pay enough attention to this matter, Sokov thought in his heart.
Thought to myself: In real history, one of the reasons why Mamayev Heights was easily lost was that there were no complete defenses on the hillside. The more important reason must be that the commander who held on to this high ground underestimated the enemy.
Paralyzed, the Germans easily captured the commanding heights of Stalingrad. In order to prevent Sidorin from underestimating the enemy, he emphasized: "The enemy is very cunning. As commanders, we must not underestimate the enemy, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous."
."
As soon as Sokov finished speaking, he heard someone shouting a report at the door. He turned around and saw that it was Seryosha standing at the door. He quickly waved to him and said: "Seryosa, come to me!
"
Seryosha came to Sokov, straightened his back and asked: "Comrade Brigadier, what are your instructions?"
"Seryosa, the situation is like this." Sokov said to Seryosha: "In another twenty minutes, the front army headquarters will pass through our defense area and go to the pier to take a boat. You and the guards will go outside.
To be responsible for defense, we must ensure the safety of the front army headquarters before boarding the ship."
"Understood, Comrade Brigadier." Seryosha said with his head held high: "I promise to complete the mission."
Seeing Seryosha's back disappear from the door, the expression on Sidorin's face became serious. He looked around and saw that the staff officers and communications soldiers were busy, and no one looked towards his position.
However, for the sake of safety, he lowered his voice and asked: "Comrade Brigadier, if the front army headquarters is to be transferred, doesn't it mean that the situation in Stalingrad is very critical?"
"Yes, this is indeed the case." Sokov nodded and said: "Therefore, it is completely necessary to move the front army headquarters to the other side. In the coming days, we may have to fight street battles with the Germans.
"
"How could they do this?" The expression on Sidorin's face suddenly became a little angry: "If the headquarters is moved to the other side at this time, have they considered what impact it will have on the morale and morale of the military?"
"Although the transfer of the headquarters will have a certain impact on military morale and morale, these are within the tolerable range." Sokov knew very well that Stalingrad was in danger. If the front army headquarters remained in the city, there would be dangers
The possibility of being blamed by the Germans would have a greater impact on the morale and morale of the army. Therefore, facing Sidorin who was on the verge of going berserk, he said: "If the headquarters continues to stay in the city, it will definitely be attacked by the Germans. We cannot let the Battle of Kiev
Is the tragedy happening again in Stalingrad? Therefore, I think the transfer of the headquarters is a very wise decision."
The Battle of Kiev was a humiliation for every Soviet commander. In this battle, not only the top commanders of the Southwest Front were collectively killed, but hundreds of thousands of commanders and combatants were also captured, so much so that Hitler
They proudly boasted that this was the largest war of annihilation in human military history.
Listening to what Sokov said, Sidorin immediately understood that under the current situation, transferring the front army headquarters to the east bank may be the most correct decision. Therefore, he nodded and took the initiative to change the topic: "Comrade Brigade Commander
, when do you think the German army will launch another attack on Mamayev Heights?"
"I don't know." Sokov shook his head and said jokingly: "If I knew the time when the German army attacked Mamayev Heights, then I would be Paulus's chief of staff."
Just when Sokov's words made Sidorin laugh, the voice of political commissar Belkin came from the door: "What happened to Paulus's chief of staff?"
"Comrade Political Commissar, you are back." Sidorin actively greeted Belkin and explained to him: "Comrade Brigade Commander is joking with me. How is the situation during your inspection? Are there heavy casualties among the troops?"
Belkin returned to the table and sat down, put the big-brimmed hat on his head on the table, sighed and said: "In the enemy's shelling, there were casualties in the first and second battalions, although the number of casualties was not the same.
There are many, but many areas of the surface positions on the south slope have been destroyed by artillery fire, and manpower needs to be organized for emergency repairs. As for the north slope, because there are fewer enemy shells, the four battalions standing there will probably not suffer any casualties."
"Where is the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion?" Knowing that Belkin had just gone out for inspection, Sokov immediately thought of the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion that would just stand there stupidly and get bombed, and quickly asked: "What are their casualties?"
"Since they dug bomb shelters and artillery holes near the air defense positions, there were no casualties during this shelling." Belkin looked at Sokov and said, "However, two more anti-aircraft guns were hit.
Destroyed by enemy fire."
When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but frowned slightly. There were only a few anti-aircraft guns left in the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion, and now two more have been destroyed. This unit should consider canceling its organization. Thinking of this, he felt that
Belkin said: "Comrade Political Commissar, go talk to Lieutenant Ulanova of the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion. Since they suffered such heavy casualties and almost all the anti-aircraft artillery was lost, there is no point in staying here anymore."
, it’s better to ask them to withdraw to the factory.”
"However, if the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion is withdrawn, we will have no air defense force." When Sidorin heard that the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion was to be withdrawn, he quickly persuaded Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I suggest this matter.
Please think about it carefully."
"There is nothing to consider." Sokov said in a tone that left no room for doubt: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you should know that aircraft move very fast in the air. If you want to shoot down targets in the air, you must have sufficient anti-aircraft weapons.
But now there are only two or three anti-aircraft guns left in the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion. It is impossible to shoot down enemy planes, but it is better to let them withdraw to the factory area and leave these anti-aircraft guns for us to shoot down enemy tanks."
"Okay, Comrade Brigadier." After listening to Sokov's words, Belkin felt that the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion was useless now. Not only would it be useless to stay here, but troops would need to be sent to protect them. Therefore.
He hesitated for a moment, then agreed to Sokov's proposal. After putting the hat on the table back on his head, he stood up and said: "I'm going to talk to Lieutenant Ulanova now and listen to her.
What is your opinion?"
As soon as Belkin left, Sokov said to Sidorin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think something is right. Why are the enemy's artillery shells mainly concentrated on the south slope instead of the north slope? You must know that there are
Many oil storage tanks filled with fuel would turn into a sea of flames once the artillery shells hit them. But instead of doing this, the enemy focused their artillery fire on the south slope. What on earth was their intention?"
Sidorin thought for a while and then expressed his thoughts: "I think the reason why the enemy did not bombard the north slope is that they know that there are oil storage tanks full of fuel there. Once captured, they can give them tanks.
Refuel."
"Yes, this is entirely possible." Sokov looked at Sidorin and said: "But then, the question arises again. How did the Germans know about the oil storage tanks on the north slope? How did the Germans know about these oil tanks?
Where’s the one filled with fuel?”
"Why?" Sidorin blurted out his question.
"I think there must be spies sent by the Germans hiding near us, so they can know the situation here so clearly." Sokov said: "We need to send personnel to the residential areas near Mamayev Hill to carry out investigations.
Search to see if there are any hidden German agents."
"Comrade Brigadier, are you saying that there will be German spies hiding in the residential areas near us?" After hearing what Sokov said, Sidorin couldn't help but asked in surprise: "How is this possible?"
"Is there anything impossible?" Sokov sneered and said: "Since I led two infantry brigades to create a gap in the enemy's encirclement, there must have been many Germans disguised as our army's breakout fighters.
They sneaked into the city. If these spies are not eradicated, we will definitely suffer heavy losses when fighting the Germans in street battles in the future."
Sidorin did not doubt Sokov's statement. After all, he was once the chief of operations of the 64th Army and had heard about the Germans disguising themselves as Soviet troops. As soon as Sokov finished speaking, he
Immediately expressed his position: "After the guard company has completed its security mission, I will send them to nearby residential areas to conduct searches. In addition to searching for the agents sent by the Germans, I will also look for those deserters who have retreated from the front line..."
When Sidorin was talking about his thoughts to Sokov, the phone on the table rang. Sokov grabbed the phone, put it to his ear and said: "I am Sokov, where are you?"
"Comrade Brigadier, this is Captain Briski, commander of the fourth battalion." Captain Briski said hurriedly on the phone: "Germans, many Germans, there are many Germans in front of our position. It seems that they
They are planning to attack us."
"These damn Germans actually played a trick with me to attack in the east and attack in the west." Sokov thought to himself. After the bombardment, the enemy attacked the factory area north of Mamayev Hill with great fanfare, just to try to
The attention of the city defenders was attracted, and then they could take advantage of their lack of precaution to strike with a thunderous blow.
The soldiers came to cover up the water and the earth. Now that the Germans appeared, Sokov would naturally use them to attack him. After he put down the phone, he said to Fensidolin: "Brischi reported that more than 20 German vehicles were found in front of them.
tanks, and behind the tanks is an endless line of skirmishers. It seems that the enemy is really preparing to take the north slope. You immediately notify Captain Oshanin of the dog company and send twenty military dogs to support.
The Fourth Battalion does not have anti-tank weapons, so it can only rely on these military dogs to blow up enemy tanks."