Half an hour after Vitkov left, Sokov received a call from Chuikov. Chuikov hurriedly said on the phone: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, such a big thing happened, why didn't you report it to me?"
Facing Chuikov's question, Sokov hesitated and said: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I think I...we...should be able...to handle...properly."
"Nonsense, absolutely nonsense." Chuikov said sternly on the other end of the phone: "Do you really think that Vitkov can solve this matter by taking action? Let me tell you, although he is the deputy chief of staff of the group army, he is only the deputy chief of staff of the group army.
As a colonel, if Moskalenko sends a general to pick up the goods, do you think he can stop him?"
Sokov was originally confident that Vitkov would take action to seize the batch of rockets. After hearing what Chuikov said, he suddenly lost all confidence. He asked with some lack of confidence: "Comrade Commander, what should we do?
manage?"
Chuikov snorted heavily, and then said: "I just called Yeremenko and Khrushchev and reported this matter to them. They also take this matter very seriously. Khrushchev
Comrade Husband said that he will wait for Colonel Vitkov at the ferry on the east bank of the Volga River, and then they will go to Kamishin together to help you get this batch of arms."
Sokov originally thought that Chuikov said that there was no chance of getting these rockets back, and he was despairing. But when he heard that Khrushchev was actually going to take action in person, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he kept saying: "That's great.
Yes, this is great. With Comrade Khrushchev coming forward, I believe there is no problem that cannot be solved."
Chuikov was silent for a moment and continued: "I know very well how important this batch of arms is to you. Therefore, after listening to Colonel Vitkov's report, I immediately contacted General Yereomenko and Khru
Comrade Xiaofu, please ask them to tell the superiors first and ask the people of the First Guards Army not to go to Kamishin to collect this batch of arms for the time being. After getting through with the opponent, Khrushchev will accompany Vitkov.
Go to Kamisin to collect the arms."
"Thank you, Comrade Commander." After listening to Chuikov's words, Sokov thanked Chuikov repeatedly: "On behalf of all the brigade commanders and fighters, I would like to express my gratitude to you for everything you have done for us."
"Okay, don't say these useless things." Chuikov heard Sokov thanking him and said impatiently: "You must guard Mamayev Heights well and don't let the Germans split our defense line.
It's better than anything else. Okay, I'm still busy, let's talk another day..."
Hearing Chuikov about to hang up the phone, Sokov suddenly thought that the German army would launch a new attack soon, and quickly raised his voice and shouted: "Comrade Commander, please wait a moment, I have something else to say."
"What else can I say?"
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Sokov said to Chuikov while organizing vocabulary in his mind: "I would like to ask, is the recent German attack on the factory area getting weaker and weaker?"
"Yes, today the German army only launched an attack at the Dzerzhinsky Factory." Chuikov heard Sokov's question and asked: "Why do you ask this?"
Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, have you ever thought about why the enemy only attacked the Dzerzhinsky factory and not other factories?"
Regarding Sokov's question, Chuikov thought for a while and then replied: "I think the German army may have consumed a lot of effective forces in the early offensive, so the attack on us will become weaker and weaker."
"Comrade Commander, what do you think..."
As soon as Sokov's new question came out, he was interrupted by Chuikov. He asked with some displeasure: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, you keep asking here and there. What do you want to ask?"
"Comrade Commander," Sokov was afraid that Chuikov would interrupt him again, and quickly spoke faster: "I think the German army's offensive momentum is weakening now, not because they have no strength to attack again, but because they are accumulating strength and preparing soldiers and
After the replenishment of technical equipment is completed, they will launch a fierce attack on Stalingrad again. According to my analysis, their next focus of attack should be the factory area where you are located."
"Yes, the Germans have now occupied most of the city center. If they want to attack again, the factory area with many factories will definitely become the focus of their attack." After finishing these words, Chuikov asked again.
Said: "Do you have any ideas? You might as well tell me."
"I think the defense force in the factory area is too weak," Sokov said because he lay in bed for too long and didn't know much about the changes in military strength in the factory area. He could only say based on his own memory of history: "Even if there are a few
There is an infantry division, but it is scattered among various factories, and the number of troops is still a bit small. If it is fiercely attacked by the German army, it will be difficult to defend the factory."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I want to hear, is there any way you can give me more soldiers?" Chuikov said politely: "If you can do this, I will recommend it to your superiors later.
You have the rank of general."
When Sokov first came to this era, he dreamed of becoming a general, but after spending time on the battlefield, this idea faded away. He felt that his current rank of lieutenant colonel was enough. Therefore, he expressed his gratitude to Chuikov’s drawings.
Big Pie, he was not excited at all, but said in a normal tone: "Comrade Commander, as far as I know, there are tens of thousands of workers in each factory, and including their families, the number is at least over 100,000.
Even if you only have 20,000 or 30,000 people armed, you are still a force that cannot be underestimated. Facing the fierce attack of the German army, they can play a role in determining the outcome of the war."
Regarding Sokov's proposal, Chuikov thought for a long time and finally said: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, your proposal is very constructive. I will discuss it with the chief of staff to see how to proceed. Okay,
I still have a lot of things to do, so that’s all for today, I wish you good luck!”
After Sokov put down the phone, he let out a breath and said to Sidorin with a relaxed expression: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the commander just told me on the phone that Khrushchev will personally accompany Colonel Vitkov to Kazakhstan.
Mishin, if this happens, even if General Moskalenko takes action in person, he will not be able to take away our rockets."
Despite the relaxed expression on Sokov's face, he was still uneasy in his heart because he knew that the First Guards Army and the other two armies stationed north of Stalingrad were commanded by General Zhukov. If He
When Rushchev and Vitkov arrive there and meet Zhukov, unexpected changes may occur.
Time passed minute by second as Sokov waited anxiously. At about three o'clock in the afternoon, the radio operator sent Sokov a telegram: "Comrade Brigade Commander, this is sent to you by Colonel Vitkov.
Incoming telegram."
Sokov took the telegram from the operator's hand, opened it cautiously, and held his breath to read the contents. The telegram read: "After some negotiations with the other party, I fortunately did not disgrace my order. Now the rocket is on the way."