Sokov lay on the camp bed and slept from noon to evening. When he woke up, he felt that his body had completely recovered. He tried to get off the camp bed without anyone's help and walked around the house.
After a few steps, except that my head felt a little dizzy and my feet felt like they were stepping on cotton when I walked, I was almost back to normal.
Sidorin and Belkin tried to help him, but he waved his hand and refused: "No, I can do it by myself."
He walked to the table and sat down. After taking a few breaths, he looked at Sidorin and asked, "Chief of Staff, how is the situation in the city?"
Sidorin didn't know what Sokov wanted to ask, so he could only say vaguely: "Our troops are still fighting the enemy, guarding every street and building."
"Don't sound official to me," Sokov asked straight to the point: "I want to ask, what is the current situation of the building where Sergeant Vasily is guarding?"
Sokov's question made Sidorin stunned for a moment. He thought to himself that the third battalion commander was gathering the defeated troops in the city and was fighting the enemy on different streets. After the brigade commander woke up, he was the first to do so.
It was really strange that Captain Andrei was not asked about the situation of Captain Andrei and the others, but he was asking Vasily about the building they were holding on to. Although he did not understand Sokov's intention, he still answered truthfully: "The enemy
Several attacks were launched against the building held by Sergeant Vasily, but they were all repulsed."
"I want to take a look at Vasily's place." Unexpectedly, as soon as Sidorin finished speaking, Sokov unexpectedly said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please help me make arrangements."
"What, you want to go to the city?" When Sidorin heard what Sokov said, he broke into a cold sweat and quickly tried to dissuade him: "No, Comrade Brigadier, you can't go into the city at this time.
The situation is really too dangerous.”
"Yes, the chief of staff is right." As soon as Sidorin finished speaking, Belkin added: "The situation in the city is very complicated now. The enemy's and our defense lines are intertwined. In the buildings on the same street, our troops
The Germans and the Germans occupy different floors. As long as there are pedestrians walking on the street, whether they are Germans or our people, they will be shot. Comrade Brigade Commander, you cannot take risks in the city under such circumstances!
"
"The building occupied by Sergeant Vasily is located next to January 9th Square. The geographical location is extremely important." Although Sidorin and Belgin tried to persuade them not to go to the city, Sokov still said stubbornly.
: "As long as we hold on there firmly, it will be equivalent to driving a wedge into the German defense line. When a major counterattack begins in the future, we can use that place as the starting point for our attack to shorten our offensive distance."
Seeing that Sokov was so stubborn, Belkin knew that his persuasion would be of no use, so he could only give in: "Okay, Comrade Brigadier, since you said so, I won't stop you anymore. But your body
, can you walk such a long way?”
"Don't worry," Sokov replied with a wry smile: "Although when I walk now, the soles of my feet feel like they are stepping on cotton, but if I rest for a while, I think it should be no problem to walk a few kilometers."
"Misha," as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Yakov appeared at the door. He asked curiously: "Your health is not good yet. Where do you plan to go?"
"Go to the city, Yakov." Sokov said casually: "Go to inspect a more important defense support point."
"Important defensive support point?!" Yakov raised his eyebrows, and then asked tentatively: "Misha, how about I go with you?"
"Ah, you want to go too?" Regarding Yakov's request, Sokov said with some embarrassment: "The city is too dangerous. I have no right to risk your life."
"You are not afraid, so I have nothing to fear." Seeing that Sokov disagreed, Yakov immediately took the initiative and said: "Misha, don't forget, I am also a soldier. Since the war broke out, I have
Having fought against the Germans, I have rich combat experience and know how to avoid risks on the battlefield..."
Seeing Yakov talking non-stop, Sokov muttered to himself: "If I hadn't led the people to rescue you from the prisoner of war camp, you would have died in the Saxony concentration camp next May. If this had happened
I followed me to the city for the first time. If anything happened, Stalin would probably tear me into pieces."
Just when Sokov was thinking about how to refuse Yakov to go with him, he unexpectedly heard him say: "Misha, don't forget, I was a construction engineer before the war. When I got what you call fire support,
After clicking, I might be able to give you some suggestions for improvement."
Sokov didn't know much about Yakov's experience as an engineer, but now that Yakov said it himself, the credibility was quite high. However, to be on the safe side, he still looked at Yakov and asked
Said: "Yakov, so you are an expert in construction projects?"
"Needless to say, I am a construction engineer." When talking about his profession, Yakov said with some excitement: "Before the war, I led the construction of several residential buildings in Smolensk..."
"Comrade Major," Sidorin interrupted before Yakov could finish his words, "Now is not a good time to build a house. If it is built today, it may be bombed by German planes or artillery tomorrow.
destroyed,……"
"I understand your opinion, Comrade Chief of Staff." Yakov turned to look at Sidorin and said: "I not only know how to build houses, but I also know a lot about fortification. Do you know fortification? It is building fortifications.
, trenches, long-term firepower points and obstacles. In the battle to defend Smolensk, the firepower points, fortifications and trenches in our division's defense area were completed with my help."
"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't have to say any more." Seeing that Sidorin seemed to be preparing to refute Yakov, Sokov quickly stopped him: "I think that with Yakov's ability, he can definitely help us strengthen the city.
The fortifications inside.”
"Comrade Brigadier, I believe Major Yakov has this ability, but..." At this point, Sidorin leaned close to Sokov's ear and whispered: "Don't forget his identity and his
Whose son is he? If something happens to him in the city, I'm afraid even the comrade commander won't be able to shoulder the responsibility, let alone you and me."
Sokov originally wanted to ignore Yakov's identity and take him to the city for a walk and then come back. Nothing would happen. But when Sidorin reminded him, he couldn't help but start to worry about Yakov's identity again.
Although Stalin did not favor his son because of his identity, if he was really harmed, he would definitely not be able to escape responsibility, and Chuikov would even be implicated.
Seeing Sokov's hesitant look, Yakov immediately guessed what he was worried about and quickly expressed his stance: "Okay, Misha, don't worry about my safety. Since I took the initiative to follow him,
If you go to the city, it means that I have prepared for the worst, and even if something unexpected happens to me in the future, it will not involve any of you."
"Major Yakov," Belkin said with a smile after Yakov finished speaking: "Since you understand that your identity is more sensitive, then don't make it difficult for us. In my opinion, you should stay here
Here, after the statistics of the new rockets are compiled, you can take the people back to the other side."
"Comrade Political Commissar, thank you for your kindness." After expressing his gratitude to Belkin, Yakov said to the three of them: "I understand what you mean. You are worried that I will encounter danger after entering the city. I will tell you now
Let me tell you a secret. Before leaving Moscow, my father called me to his office and specifically told me that this trip was extremely dangerous and asked me to be more careful. But at the same time, he reminded me that if I was not afraid of danger, as long as it was necessary,
No matter how dangerous the place is, we have to go and we must not embarrass him."
Yakov's words were tantamount to telling everyone that he wanted to go to the city with Stalin's permission. Even if something happened, he would not let others take responsibility for him. Sidorin did not speak, but just turned his gaze to
He asked Belkin to see if he had anything else to say. Belkin looked at Sokov and asked cautiously: "Comrade Brigadier, I want to hear your opinion."
Since Stalin had considered that Yakov would be in danger when he came to Stalingrad, he would take him to the city himself. No matter whether he would be in danger or not, he would not have to worry about censure from his superiors. Moreover, in real history
, Chuikov and Military Commissar Gurov also personally visited the Pavlov Building. From this incident, it can be seen that even if he and Yakov go to the Vasily Building, their safety can be guaranteed.
Since everyone was following his own lead, Sokov replied simply: "Since Yakov is also willing to go to the city, then when it gets dark, come with me into the city."
Seeing that Sokov agreed to enter the city, Yakov couldn't help but be overjoyed. But he was happy for a moment, then stared at Sokov with some suspicion and asked: "Misha, can your body support it?"
"No problem." Sokov tried his best to say in a calm tone: "I have been lying in bed for a few days, and I have taken so many anti-inflammatory drugs, so I should have recovered. When it gets dark, I think I will be able to recover to my previous state.
The state is in good condition, and then we can set off for the city."
At ten o'clock in the evening, Sokov felt that his physical strength was almost restored, and he was ready to set off, but was stopped by Belkin. Belkin took his hand and said: "Comrade Brigadier, you can't do it now.
Have to wait."
"Why?" Sokov asked in confusion: "I feel that my physical strength has almost recovered. If I don't set off now, how long will it take?"
"In my opinion, it's better to wait until after one o'clock in the morning before setting off." Belkin glanced at Yakov sitting next to him and said: "By that time, the German snipers should have rested, and you are passing through the enemy.
With the defense line controlled by both sides, there should be no danger."
If there is one thing that Sokov fears most on the battlefield, it is neither shelling nor bombing, but the elusive snipers of the German army. If you are targeted by a sniper, no matter how well you hide, you may lose your life.
Therefore, as soon as he heard Belkin mention snipers, he decisively decided to change the departure time to after one in the morning.
After a long wait, it was finally time to set off. Accompanying Sokov and Yakov were a security squad. This security squad consisted of twenty people. Everyone was equipped with MP40 submachine guns and carried two
With the basic amount of ammunition, even if you encounter German troops on the road, you will still have enough power to protect yourself.
After leaving Mamaev Hill, Yakov, who was walking side by side with Sokov, suddenly asked: "Misha, there are no outsiders here, can you tell me why you have to go to where Sergeant Vasily and the others are guarding?"
building?"
"I just think that is an important firepower support point. If we hold it firmly, we can separate the enemy's defense line..."
"Come on, Misha." Before Sokov could finish his words, Yakov interrupted him: "It's okay to deceive the chief of staff and political commissar with these words, but in front of me, don't tell lies.
.”
"Everything I said is true." Sokov heard what Yakov said and said with a guilty conscience: "Where did I lie? Please stop lying?"
Yakov sneered twice, and then said: "I remember that after I came to Mamayev Hills and told you the number of new weapons I brought, when you distributed them, except for the two hill positions in the north and south, there was only this
The building that Sergeant Vasily is guarding has been allocated several new rockets. I think you must have your own plan for allocating them like this. Why, are you still unwilling to tell me?"
Seeing Yakov's attitude of wanting to break the dispute and ask the truth, Sokov began to hesitate in his heart, whether he should tell Yakov the real situation. But then he thought, no, if he said so, Yakov would definitely
He will then ask: Why are you so sure that the building occupied by Vasily and others can survive the siege of the German army for such a long time? How should you answer then?
Seeing Sokov's delay in speaking, Yakov was very unhappy. He couldn't help but feel angry when he spoke: "What, Misha, don't you even trust me, an old friend?"
"No, Yakov, you misunderstood." Seeing that Yakov was angry, Sokov quickly started to prevaricate and said: "Actually, the reason why I said that the building occupied by Sergeant Vasily and the others is an important firepower
Support points, and new rockets were specially allocated to them, all depending on the location of that building."
After hearing what he said, Yakov asked dubiously: "Misha, is everything you said true?"
"Of course it's true. Do you think I would tell you lies?" After Sokov said this, he felt his face was hot. Fortunately, it was a bit dark and Yakov couldn't see clearly.
To cover up the past.
Sokov's words really deceived Yakov. He nodded and said thoughtfully: "So that's it. It seems I'm overthinking."
"Yes, yes," Sokov hurriedly followed his words: "It was you who was just thinking wildly. When we get to the place and you see the building with your own eyes, you will know whether what I said is true or false."