Khrushchev put the microphone on the table, scanned the room with his eyes, and found that the chief of staff, Major General Valennikov, was standing behind a telegraph operator, holding a newly received telegram and reading it.
, quickly strode towards him. After reaching Varennikov's side, he stopped and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there any news about the Stalingrad Front?"
Varennikov heard someone asking him, and after seeing clearly that it was Khrushchev, he shook his head and replied: "I'm sorry, Comrade Military Commissar, we have not yet made contact with the Stalingrad Front."
"Then immediately find a way to contact the friendly forces." Knowing that there was no news about the Stalingrad Front, Khrushchev was a little worried. He said to Varennikov in a stern tone: "No matter it is
Whether it's through phone calls or telegrams, I need to know the progress of the Stalingrad Front in the shortest possible time."
Even though Major General Varennikov was the Chief of Staff of the Front Army, he still felt very angry when he saw Khrushchev getting angry. He did not dare to ask questions about Khrushchev's failure to explain to him the reason for his eagerness to learn about the situation of friendly forces.
, but hurriedly replied: "Okay, Comrade Military Commissioner, I will contact the friendly forces immediately."
Khrushchev walked back to the table, picked up the microphone on the table, put it to his ear and said apologetically: "Comrade Chuikov, I'm so sorry, I just asked, we don't have Stalingrad here yet."
According to the battle report of the front army, I don’t know their current progress.”
Perhaps sensing Chuikov's disappointment, he quickly added: "But don't worry, I have ordered Major General Varennikov to contact the friendly forces immediately. Once there is news, I will inform you immediately."
Not long after the call with Chuikov ended, Yereomenko limped in from the outside, leaning on a cane. Khrushchev hurriedly greeted him, helped him to sit down at the table, and then said with concern: "Yeremenko
Comrade Liaomenko, you have an injury on your leg. It’s nothing important, so don’t go out casually.”
"It's impossible not to go, my Comrade Military Commissar." Yeremenko sat down at the table, stretched his injured leg that had not yet healed, and said to Khrushchev with a wry smile: "We promised to give Chuikov three
Infantry divisions participated in the attack that started today. However, due to the enemy's blockade and transportation reasons, only two infantry divisions reached the designated position before the attack, so that each division had to widen the offensive front. If it is really because of our
Insufficient preparation led to the failure of this counterattack, and I, as the commander, bear the blame."
"Comrade Commander, you are worrying too much." Khrushchev waited for Yereomenko to finish and then said with a smile: "You must know that not only Rokossovsky's troops are attacking the enemy, but Zhukov is also in the north.
The 1st Guards Army, 24th and 66th Army under my command contain a considerable number of enemy forces. Therefore, I believe that the offensive operation we carry out this time will definitely achieve the originally envisioned effect."
"I hope so." Yeremenko nodded, and then asked Khrushchev with concern: "What is the current progress of Rokossovsky's troops?"
Khrushchev looked at the Chief of Staff who was busy not far away and replied: "Chuikov just called and asked about the situation of the Stalingrad Front. I have asked the Chief of Staff and Rokossovsky
Get in touch with the headquarters to get the latest battle report."
Hearing that Khrushchev repeatedly mentioned the Stalingrad Front, Yereomenko couldn't help but said with emotion: "Comrade Military Commissar, in my opinion, we should make suggestions to the base camp and change the designation of the troops."
"Change the designation of the troops?" Yeremenko's words made Khrushchev a little stunned: "Didn't the troops just change their designations in August? What new designation do you plan to give the troops?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, don't you think the current designation is very awkward?" Yeremenko looked at Khrushchev and said: "Rokossovsky's Stalingrad Front is now far away.
There are battles with the enemy dozens of kilometers away from the city; but our army holding on to the city is designated as the Southeast Front Army..."
Yeremenko's words resonated with Khrushchev: "Comrade Commander, what you said makes sense. The designation used by the troops today is indeed inappropriate. I will propose to the base camp at the appropriate time to modify the designation of the troops.
proposal."
While the two were talking, Varennikov came over and reported to them: "Comrade Commander, Comrade Military Commissar, according to the reply from the Stalingrad Front, their troops are in Akatovka and Kuz
The Mickey section has launched an attack southward, and is now engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy..."
"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, we all understand what you said." Yeremenko interrupted Valennikov before he finished speaking, and asked impatiently: "You just
Need to tell us where Rokossovsky’s troops have reached now?”
"Still fighting fiercely," Varennikov replied with some embarrassment: "Because the enemy's resistance is very tenacious, they have not yet broken through the enemy's defense line."
…………
Although Chuikov did not get accurate information about the Stalingrad Front from Khrushchev, after four o'clock in the afternoon, he knew that the attack of Rokossovsky's troops had been contained by the German army. Because the German army had disappeared for a time
Planes appeared over the city again, bombing and strafing the attacking troops, causing considerable casualties to the 95th and 112th Infantry Divisions.
After understanding the situation at the front, Krylov frowned and said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, the enemy has mastered the air superiority on the battlefield. With our existing troops and technical equipment, it is impossible to continue the offensive.
.”
Chuikov agreed with Krylov's statement. He did not blindly order the troops to attack regardless of the actual situation, but said to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in today's battle, we are still
Achieved good results: not only occupied 30.5 Highlands and 135.4 Highlands, but also completely occupied the orchard southwest of the village of 'Red October'. Since we can no longer attack forward, we ordered the troops to immediately switch to defense and consolidate these occupied areas.
areas, wait for the time to mature, and then use these places as the starting point of the attack to launch a new round of attacks on the enemy."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Krylov nodded and replied: "I will call the forward commander right away and pass on your order."
Krylov worked very efficiently. It took him less than five minutes to call the commander at the front and convey Chuikov's latest order. After he put down the phone, he suddenly remembered that he was still on the horseback.
The small unit on standby at Mayevgan asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, if we switch to defense on the spot, what will happen to Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's unit? Let them cancel the operation?"
Chuikov did not immediately answer Krylov's question. After walking back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back for a few times, Chuikov stopped and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't think our current attack is temporarily blocked, maybe when
A new attack can be launched again. In my opinion, it is better to keep Sokov on standby. His small force will be put to use sooner or later."
Sidorin quickly learned the news through his special channel that the troops carrying out the counter-assault had switched to defense on the spot. After answering the phone, he said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, what are you doing on the battlefield now?"
The situation has changed, and your plan to go north may change."
"What has changed?" Sokov asked curiously: "Does the commander intend to cancel the mission given to us?"
"It is very possible." Sidorin analyzed to Sokov: "The troops carrying out the counter-assault were bombed and strafed by a group of German bombers not long ago and suffered considerable losses. Comrade Commander has ordered
The troops stopped attacking and shifted to defense on the spot."
"What, the offensive troops have switched to defense on the spot?" When Belkin heard the news, he couldn't help being shocked. He stared at Sokov and continued to ask Sidorin: "So, not only our counterattack
The troops' offensive was thwarted, and even the attack launched by the Stalingrad Front outside the city was contained by the Germans?"
"Comrade Political Commissar, the situation is probably as you analyzed it. The German army contained the attack of General Rokossovsky's troops before they could use enough troops to contain the counterattack forces in our city," Sidorin introduced.
After reviewing the situation, he cautiously said: "Therefore, I think Comrade Commander may cancel the mission of ordering the brigade commander to lead the troops north to join the friendly forces."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation you mentioned is indeed possible." Sokov stared at the map on the table and said: "But as long as Comrade Commander does not call us and personally announce the cancellation of the order, then we may still go north.
Exists. Therefore, Captain Golia's 192nd Battalion must still be on standby. Once the order to set off is given, we can set off immediately."
Regarding Sokov's confidence, Sidorin disapproved and said: "Comrade Brigade Commander, at this time, do you still think Comrade Commander will order you to go north?"
"I think it will definitely happen." Although the attack of the counterattack forces in the city was frustrated at this moment, Sokov did not think that this counterattack would end so hastily. After all, there is still Batyuk's 284th Infantry Division that has not yet invested.
As for the battle. Once this new force enters the battlefield, it is still unknown what the situation will be like, so he said in a positive tone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I can make a bet with you. It will only take two days at most. Our small force
It will go north."
Seeing Sokov's high interest, Sidorin couldn't bear to dampen his interest, so he nodded and said sincerely: "Since Comrade Brigade Commander said so, then the operation to the north will be carried out as planned."
At two o'clock in the middle of the night, a harsh phone ring suddenly rang in the silent headquarters. Sidorin, who was sleeping on the table, didn't even open his eyes, so he grabbed the phone and put it to his ear and said feebly: "
I am Chief of Staff Sidorin, where are you?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin, this is Krylov." Krylov's voice came from the receiver, "Where is Sokov? Comrade Commander has an important task to be entrusted to him."
Hearing the call from Krylov, Sidorin immediately became sober. He quickly sat up straight and said into the phone: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff. The brigade commander is still sleeping now. I
I'll order someone to call him." After saying that, he covered the phone with his hand and told a staff officer standing not far away, "Go and call the brigade commander, and tell him that Comrade Commander will assign him a task."
After Sokov was awakened by his staff while sleeping, he was originally very dissatisfied. But when he heard that it was Chuikov who was looking for him, he immediately realized that the other party planned to let him lead his troops north, so he hurried over to answer the call. Clay
Love heard Sokov's voice and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, wait a moment, the commander wants to talk to you."
A moment later, Chuikov's voice came from the receiver: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I just received a call from Commander Yereomenko. He said that a tank brigade of the Stalingrad Front has passed through from the north.
The enemy's position is rushing towards the Orlovka area. You immediately lead your troops to set off overnight and be sure to join the friendly tank brigade after dawn."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov now knew the terrain near Stalingrad very well. As soon as Chuikov finished talking about the ground, he found the planned meeting point on the map. He quickly tested it with his hands.
After checking the distance, he said to Chuikov with a grimace: "It is more than thirty kilometers from our station to the meeting point. Since the troops in action lack transportation means, even if there are no enemy blocks along the way, we have to travel such a long distance in a day and night.
, is also very difficult. I think we may not be able to join the friendly tank brigade at the designated location at dawn."
After Chuikov heard Sokov's answer, he immediately frowned: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, when do you think your small unit can arrive at the designated meeting point?"
After mentally calculating the marching speed of the troops and the possible delays due to accidents on the road, Sokov said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, I think we have to wait until noon at the earliest before we can reach Orlov.
card area.”
Although Chuikov was not satisfied with Sokov's answer, he did not get angry. Instead, he covered the microphone with his hand and said to Krylov: "Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov said that his troops will arrive at noon."
Only then can we get to the Orlovka area. In this way, it won't delay our rendezvous operation, right?"
"No, Comrade Commander." Krylov quickly replied: "Although it is only about thirty kilometers from Mamayev Heights to Orlovka, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and the others have to pass through the German army.
There are several lines of defense. Even if there is no fighting along the way, their marching speed will not be faster. I estimate that the time they waste on the road will be at least ten hours."
After hearing Krylov's answer, Chuikov nodded slightly, then released his hand covering the microphone, and gave Sokov a straightforward order: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, since you said you can't get to the meeting point until noon.
, then don’t waste time, lead the troops north immediately, strive to join up with the friendly forces who have broken through the German defense line as soon as possible, and completely break the enemy’s siege of the city.”