Since most of the buildings in residential areas were destroyed, it was difficult for Sokov to discern the direction. Therefore, while driving the tank forward, he slowed down from time to time and leaned out to ask the soldiers or militiamen on the roadside: "Comrade, do you know
Where is the club?" The soldiers or militiamen who were asked enthusiastically pointed out the direction for him.
Not long after, Sokov and the others came to a building more than ten meters high. After asking the passing soldiers, they found out that this was the club they were looking for. According to Sokov's experience, the so-called club is actually
A cinema or opera house. The characteristic of this kind of building is that it is made of huge stones, which is stronger than other buildings. It is perfect to locate the headquarters here.
The one who stayed in the club was a squad of the Guards Division. They learned that Sokov and the others were going to set up their command here, and they also brought a company of about two hundred people and a tank platoon with nine tanks.
It was a dream come true. The squad leader quickly gave up the luxurious office he occupied and asked Sokov and the others to establish a headquarters here.
There is a ready-made telephone in the office. Not only can you communicate with the assembly workshop, you can even ask an operator to connect to Chuikov's headquarters. But Sokov felt that under the current circumstances, there was no need to report to Chuikov, so he reported to Koida
I made a call and asked how the situation was in the assembly workshop.
After the call was connected, Sokov first informed the other party of his name, and then asked: "Comrade Colonel, is there anything going on there?"
"No, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Koida had just been taught a lesson by Chuikov, so he spoke to Sokov in a very polite tone: "We are very calm here, and the enemy has not attacked us. By the way, where are you?
How is the situation?"
"We have repelled the Germans' first attack, and I believe they will launch a new attack soon." Sokov was worried that Koida would underestimate the enemy and reminded him specifically: "Although the enemy has nothing in the direction of the assembly workshop,
There is movement, but you must not take it lightly to avoid being caught off guard by the enemy."
"Don't worry, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Koida assured Sokov: "We will be more vigilant and will never let the Germans get close to the assembly workshop."
After Sokov put down the phone, he said to Bely with a puzzled look on his face: "It's really strange. The tone of Colonel Koida's conversation with me seems to be different from usual. What is going on?"
"Comrade Brigade Commander, as long as Colonel Koida can guard the assembly workshop, don't pay too much attention to how he speaks to you." Bely waved his hand at him, and then suggested: "If you want to command the battle, you can just stay in the office.
No, we need to find a suitable observation point."
"Go to the rooftop
Let's take a look," Sokov said: "The view there is wide, and you should be able to see the entire battlefield clearly."
The two of them took the radio operator to the rooftop and found that the view here was indeed very broad. The troops who had stayed here before had also piled up several sandbag fortifications on the rooftop. Sokov pointed at the fortifications and told the radio operator
: "Comrade radio operator, just stay there. At least you can hide from German bullets and shrapnel."
After arranging the radio operators, Sokov raised his telescope and looked around. He found that the school and the stadium were not far from where he was. They were at most a few hundred meters apart. Even without a telescope, he could clearly see the commanders and soldiers who were reinforcing the fortifications.
, and tanks parked behind defensive positions.
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Bely came to Sokov's side and asked tentatively: "How many days do you think we have to hold on here until Guryev brings back the main force?"
Regarding Bely's question, Sokov hesitated for a moment and asked: "Colonel Bely, judging from your tone, it seems that you are not optimistic about this counterattack?"
"Yes, that's how I see it." Seeing where the radio operator was and unable to hear the conversation between himself and Sokov, Bely said confidently and boldly: "The preparation time for this counterattack is very short.
Both the troops and the required materials are seriously insufficient, and without the cooperation of artillery, tanks and air force, I think it will not be easy to achieve the goal of counterattack."
"Colonel Bely, I think so too." Seeing that Bely was being honest with him, Sokov did not talk in circles with him, but said bluntly: "After the failure of this counterattack, our situation will become even worse.
It is difficult. Therefore, when we hold on here, we must do our best to greatly consume the enemy's effective strength, so as to reduce the pressure on the Guards Division in future defensive operations."
"I agree." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Bely agreed. He also said: "But we still have to find a way to preserve our own strength as much as possible. Because after we return to the defense zone, we still have to face
If the German attack consumes too many troops, the next battle will be difficult to fight."
While the two were talking, the enemy's shelling began. Seeing the flames and black smoke rising in the school and stadium, Sokov's heartbeat began to accelerate. He was worried that the enemy's shelling would
Causing huge casualties to his troops. But Bely seemed not to think as much as Sokov. As soon as he saw the bombardment starting, he tried to pull Sokov away from the rooftop: "Comrade Brigade Commander, it is dangerous here. We
Let’s go back to the office first.”
Sokov originally planned to watch for a while, but thought he needed to ask Vanya about the situation, so he followed Bely back to the office. He picked up the phone and connected to Vanya's command post, and asked straight to the point: "Captain
Comrade, the enemy's shelling is very fierce, is there any problem with your command post?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Brigadier." Vanya replied loudly: "The location of my command post is very difficult to destroy with German artillery fire."
"Pay attention to concealment," although Vanya was his old subordinate, Sokov still told him: "Let the soldiers hide and wait until the Germans launch an attack before entering the position to block it."
"I understand, Comrade Brigade Commander." After Vanya agreed hastily, he kindly reminded Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the location of your headquarters is only a few hundred meters away from us. I'm worried that the enemy may
We are bombarding you, so please pay attention to your safety."
"Comrade Captain, you don't have to worry about this." Although Sokov had not yet had time to familiarize himself with the situation in the building, he still said confidently: "When the enemy shells us, I will move to the basement. If there is anything
If necessary, you can call me at any time and I will provide you with the necessary assistance."
Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Bely asked in particular: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the enemy's artillery fire is very fierce. Do you think it is necessary to invite the air force to attack to destroy the enemy's artillery positions?"
Sokov shook his head and replied: "It is not the time to use the air force yet, so as not to expose our strength prematurely."
"But, look at the artillery fire outside." Bely frowned and said, "I'm worried that the casualties from this barrage of artillery fire will definitely be huge for the first and second companies."