Gurdiev's words gave Sokov reassurance, but he was only happy for a moment, and his face turned livid again. After calling Gurdiev, he pointed to a group of people who were boarding the ship.
The soldier asked emotionally: "Comrade Colonel, what's going on? Why are they still wearing German military coats?"
Hearing Sokov's question, Gurdiev smiled bitterly and replied: "Comrade Brigade Commander, when our division entered Stalingrad, we had not yet had time to issue military coats. The military uniforms on the soldiers were too thin. In the cold,
It is easy to get frostbite at night. These soldiers were all withdrawn from the southern position. They felt that the German army coats were warm, so they did not take them off."
Sokov remembered that he once gave Gurdiev an order to have the commanders and fighters staying in the southern position wear German uniforms, in order to confuse the enemy and make them realize that the position was lost as late as possible. Who knows if this will happen?
The young commanders and soldiers felt that the military coat was warm, so they actually did not take it off during the transfer of defense, and even wore it when the army moved with them.
"No, let the soldiers take off their military coats immediately." Sokov was worried that Gurdiev would contradict him, so he emphasized: "On the battlefield, it doesn't matter if our soldiers are wearing the enemy's military coats. Come and pick them up."
The defending friendly forces know that they are our own. When moving north later, if they encounter friendly forces on the road, misunderstandings may occur. Once the two sides fight, even if the misunderstanding is clarified in time, there will be certain losses.
"
When Gurdiev first heard Sokov's order, he was still somewhat resistant. He felt that the other party did not consider the soldiers. Sometimes the temperature was close to zero at night. If the soldiers were allowed to march in single clothes, they might suffer from frostbite.
The situation. But after listening to Sokov's words, he was suddenly startled and broke into a cold sweat. He actually ignored the military coats worn by the soldiers, which would cause misunderstandings among friendly forces.
After he raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, he shouted to the soldiers who were boarding the ship or had already boarded the ship: "Attention, everyone, take off all the military coats you are wearing! Repeat it, take off all the military coats."
Take off all your coats."
Soldiers are used to obeying the orders of their superiors. Even if the order is wrong, they will carry it out without hesitation. After hearing Gurdiev's order to take off their military coats, although most of them were very reluctant
, but still unequivocally took off their military coats. Since Gurdiev did not announce what to do with these coats, they all held them in his arms after taking them off, which could make their bodies feel warmer.
Sverin didn't know what was going on, so he quickly ran over and asked Gurdiev: "Comrade division commander, what is going on? Why are the soldiers asked to take off their military coats?"
"Comrade Political Commissar, I just overlooked that we are marching at night, and so many soldiers are wearing enemy military coats. If we encounter friendly troops on the road, unnecessary misunderstandings may occur." At this point, Gurdiev said
He turned to look at Sokov and continued with a grateful tone: "Fortunately, Comrade Brigade Commander reminded me, which prevented me from making a big mistake."
"What to do with the military coats?" Sverin asked cautiously: "Throw them all away, or leave them to friendly forces?"
"Let the soldiers continue marching with them. I don't think the superiors will be able to distribute winter clothes to us in a short time." Sokov knew very well that with the current supply capacity of the Soviet army, even if the commanders and fighters of the 308th Division returned to the city,
Although he could not get winter clothes in a short period of time, he had to keep the captured military coats. However, he emphasized again: “It’s okay to wear them during the day, but it’s best not to wear them at night, so as not to be taken for granted by friendly forces who don’t know the truth.
Enemy, it will be bad if there is a misunderstanding."
"I understand." After Sverin figured out what was going on, he took the initiative to say to Sokov: "I will go and explain the situation to the soldiers so that they can be aware of it."
"I'll go with you." Gurdiev felt that it was better to take action in this matter himself, so he took the initiative to accompany Sverin and explain the reason to the soldiers to avoid any confusion in their hearts.
After Gurdiev and Sverin left, Bely, who remained silent, smiled and said to Sokov: "Misha, if you hadn't noticed that there were soldiers wearing German military coats, later
On the march, there is indeed the possibility of misunderstandings with oncoming friendly forces."
Sokov did not blame Gurdiev for his carelessness, but took the responsibility on himself: "This is all my fault. When the troops were handed over to defense, they did not check the clothes of the soldiers, so there were so many clothes.
Soldiers in enemy army coat."
"You can't be blamed for this." Bely, as a party involved, naturally knew that this matter had nothing to do with Sokov even a kopeck, so he explained to him: "When the troops changed defenses, weren't you in the headquarters with Vasily
Does General Husband argue about the ownership of the 308th Division?"
"Colonel Bely," Sokov asked Bely with a sideways look: "Do you think General Rokossovsky will order me to hand over the troops to the 24th Army after we arrive at Maple Ivanovka?"
"I don't think so!"
"Why are you so sure?"
Bely said cautiously: "If General Rokossovsky really intends to integrate the 308th Division into the combat order of the 24th Group Army, he will probably give it to Major General Vasilyev as early as the time when the troops change defenses.
A telegram was sent. But until we left, Vasilyev did not receive any telegram, which shows that Rokossovsky did not want to agree to Gachanin's request."
"So that's it." After Bely's analysis, Sokov realized that he seemed to be a bit unfounded. Even though Jia Xiaoning was a group army commander, if he wanted to place friendly troops under his command, he must
This matter can only be implemented after asking for instructions from superiors and obtaining the consent of many commanders, including Chuikov.
After the troops crossed the river, they reorganized and headed in the direction of Mallet Ivanovka. Although this area was in the defense zone of the Don Front, for the sake of safety, Sokov still asked Samoilov to lead a dozen troops.
Top soldiers were scouting the way ahead.
Encountering oncoming friendly forces several times along the way, Samoilov immediately stepped forward to contact them and identify himself, thereby avoiding possible misunderstandings.
After more than three hours of marching, the troops walked out of the dense forest and arrived at the outskirts of Little Ivanovka. Sokov found that there were criss-crossing trenches everywhere outside the city, and several trenches were set up on the main traffic roads.
A checkpoint.
The soldiers on duty at the checkpoint saw a large army in the distance walking towards their location. They were about to issue a battle alarm when they saw several black figures running towards them. One of them was
While running, he kept waving and shouting: "We are our own people, we are our own people."
The person in charge of the checkpoint was a lieutenant. He quickly stopped his subordinates who were about to sound the alarm. He led a soldier to meet him. He put his finger on the trigger of the submachine gun and asked: "What section are you in?"
?”
The figure on the opposite side stopped, stood more than ten meters away and replied: "We are from the 308th Infantry Division. We have just withdrawn from the position in the south."
The lieutenant only knew that the southern position was occupied by friendly forces, but it was impossible to know the opponent's number based on his rank. In order to find out whether the opponent was one of his own, he said: "You can only come here one person.
The rest stay far away!"
Samoilov knew very well that when he suddenly saw such a troop at night, the people on guard would inevitably be nervous. If there were too many people passing by, it would intensify their fear. The gun in their hand might be fired when the other party gets excited.
The fire would go off. So he ordered the soldiers to stay where they were, and walked over alone, saying: "I am Second Lieutenant Samoilov, and I am coming here now!"
The lieutenant waited for Samoilov to come to him, shined a flashlight on him, and then said: "Comrade Second Lieutenant, please tell me the name of your unit commander, and then I will ask my superiors for permission to let him go."
You enter the city."
"I am Second Lieutenant Samoilov, the guard platoon commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade Guard Battalion." Samoilov shook his head behind and said, "My brigade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, and Gurdi
The 308th Division led by Colonel Yev is behind us and will be here soon. Please report to your superiors immediately and allow us to enter the city."
"Wait here for a moment, I'll make a call." Before leaving, the lieutenant said to the soldiers who were following him: "Keep an eye on them." After the soldiers agreed, he walked quickly towards the guard box, preparing to make a call there.
Telephone.
The lieutenant walked into the guard box, grabbed the handle of the phone and shook it a few times. Then he grabbed the phone and put it to his ear, saying into the phone: "I am the guard, pick up the battalion commander for me."
After the call was connected, the lieutenant hurriedly reported his name and asked: "Comrade Battalion Commander, the caller is said to be Second Lieutenant Samoilov, the guard platoon commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade. Their brigade commander is named Sokov.
…”
After the battalion commander who answered the phone patiently listened to the lieutenant's report, he said into the phone: "Comrade Lieutenant, please wait a moment and don't hang up. I will understand the situation immediately."
After saying this, the battalion commander covered the microphone and said to the communications soldier who was sitting in the corner and dozing off: "Signal soldier, you immediately go to the concealment next door and ask the battalion commander Vanya from the 73rd Infantry Brigade.
Captain, is his brigade commander named Sokov? Is there a guard platoon leader named Samoilov?" Upon hearing the battalion commander's order, the communications soldier immediately jumped up from his seat and ran quickly.
I left the battalion command post and carried out the battalion commander’s orders.
The concealment unit was not far from the battalion command post. Only two minutes after leaving, the signal soldier ran in again, followed by Captain Vanya. As soon as Vanya saw the battalion commander, he couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade battalion commander,
Is our brigade commander here?"
The battalion commander smiled and said: "Comrade Captain, the person who came here claimed to be the guard platoon leader Samoilov, and said that Brigadier Sokov was behind. I asked the communications soldier to find you, just to find out whether what he said is true.
.”
"Can I speak to them directly?"
The battalion commander did not refuse Vanya's request. He quickly said into the phone: "Comrade Lieutenant, ask the guard platoon leader to answer the phone."
Upon hearing the battalion commander's order, the lieutenant quickly leaned out of the guard box and shouted to Samoilov not far away: "Comrade Samoilov, please come here, someone wants to talk to you."
"What, someone wants to talk to me?" Samoylov walked into the guard box with this question, took the microphone from the lieutenant's hand, put it to his ear and said respectfully: "I am Samoylov.
Love, who are you?"
"I am Captain Vanya." Vanya heard Samoilov's voice coming from the receiver, and he couldn't help but asked excitedly: "Where is the brigade commander? Where is the brigade commander?"
"The brigade commander and the comrades of the 308th Division are not far behind and will be here soon." After Samoilov answered the question, he asked curiously: "Captain Vanya, why are you here? You know
, Comrade Brigade Commander once asked the friendly forces for news about you, and was extremely anxious when they learned that they had not seen you on the road."
"We may have missed the friendly troops rushing towards the position while walking through the forest." Vanya was concerned about Sokov's whereabouts. After saying this, he couldn't wait to say: "Where are you, I will immediately
Go out to meet you."
"We are here at the first post."
"Comrade Captain," the battalion commander saw Vanya about to put down the phone and leave, and said to him quickly: "If your brigade commander is about to enter the city, he will definitely pass by us, so you can wait for him here."
When friendly troops want to enter the city, they need to be accommodated. The battalion commander's position is too low and he cannot make the decision on many things. He can only call the division headquarters to inform the division commander of the news that Sokov and the 308th Division are entering the city.
A report was made.
The division commander received a phone call and learned that friendly troops were coming towards the city, but he did not dare to take the decision without authorization. He quickly ordered the communications troops to connect the phone to the front army headquarters, preparing to report the matter to the officer on duty and hear how the other party planned to deal with it.
Unexpectedly, the officer on duty heard that friendly troops had entered the city, and immediately reported it to Malinin who was working. When Malinin learned that Sokov had arrived with his troops, he couldn't help but be overjoyed, and quickly said to the officer on duty: "You immediately arrange a few staff officers,
Follow me outside to greet Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, and then find a way to get them settled."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," the officer on duty asked Malinen: "Does this matter need to be reported to Comrade Commander?"
"Comrade Commander is resting, so there is no need to disturb him with this kind of thing." Ma Lining waved his hand to the officer on duty and said, "I will report to him personally after daybreak."
A few minutes later, three staff officers on duty appeared in front of Ma Lining, waiting for him to issue orders. Ma Lining pointed with his hand at a staff officer who could drive and said: "Comrade staff, you drive a car over immediately, we are going to arrive
Go to the city gate to greet the friendly troops who have just arrived."