Although in Sokov's impression, the old man was procrastinating in doing things, Anisimov's actions in promoting this heroic company commander were quite swift. In less than an hour, he took the printed
The flyer walked into the headquarters.
While handing the leaflet to Sokov and Ivanov, he said: "Two division commanders, this is the sample that the comrades from the Political Department just printed. Take a look and see if there is anything that needs improvement!"
Sokov took the sample leaflet that still smelled of ink and quickly browsed the contents. When he saw that the sample manuscript introduced the heroic company commander’s battle in detail, as well as the results achieved, etc., he nodded with satisfaction, and then
Turning to Sidorin who was standing by the walkie-talkie, he asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you sent the new telegram from Lieutenant Colonel Yershakov?"
"Receiving." Sidorin quickly replied: "I will get it to you after the operator finishes interpreting the message."
After reading the contents of the sample manuscript, Ivanov looked at Sokov and asked: "Comrade Commander, I think it is very well written and very touching. What do you think?"
"I think it's not bad." Even though Sokov and Anisimov have not known each other for a long time, he absolutely believes that with the other person's level, there will be no problem in writing a touching promotional material. Looking at it at this moment
When he saw the newly printed sample manuscript, the content on it was indeed very exciting. He nodded slightly and said: "When the chief of staff receives Lieutenant Colonel Yershakov's telegram and fills in the name of the company commander, the political commissar can make arrangements
These leaflets were distributed manually to the soldiers."
"Comrade division commander, everything is clear." As Sokov was talking, Sidorin walked over from the walkie-talkie with the telegram and said: "The anti-tank company commander's name is Mikhail Pani.
Kach, with the rank of lieutenant, used to be a member of the 57th Group Army. He was temporarily incorporated into our division when the main force of the division crossed the river yesterday."
"Yes, although our division was once transferred to the rear for repairs, due to time constraints, we were transferred back into the city just halfway through the repair work." Ivanov was deeply afraid that Sokov did not understand the specific details.
After seeing the situation, he explained to him: "There are many troops that were replenished during our march. Because there were so many additional soldiers and troops, not to mention ordinary soldiers, even officers and regimental commanders may not be able to
Call them by name."
"Comrade Comrade Political Commissar," Ivanov's words reminded Sokov. He thought that in the battle to defend Stalingrad, many soldiers died soon after entering the city, and in the end they did not even leave their names.
He did not want similar things to happen in his army, so he said to Anisimov: "Let political workers at all levels seize the time to make a roster of commanders and combatants. They must find out the name of every commander and combatant in the division. Even if they
They died in the battle, and I don’t want them to become unknown martyrs, lest when the war is over and their relatives who are still alive come here to look for them, they will be disappointed because we don’t know their names.”
Regarding the order assigned by Sokov, Anisimov nodded vigorously and said resolutely: "Don't worry, comrade division commander, I will arrange political workers at all levels in the division to make detailed flower arrangements later."
The roster ensures that everyone in the division can leave their name. This way, even if they die, we will still have a way to contact their relatives and return the relics to their families."
After assigning work to Anisimov, Sokov said to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, send a telegram to the Starcha Regiment and the Yershakov Regiment, ordering them to withdraw after dark.
Mamayev Hill.”
"Let them abandon their position?" Xidorin heard this order and asked in surprise: "Comrade division commander, if your superiors want to hold you accountable, what are you going to do?"
"Our troops do not have aircraft, tanks and artillery. If we have to fight positional battles with the enemy in areas that are not conducive to defense, we can only waste precious troops in vain." Sokov knew very well that in the next days, what would happen
It was the most difficult day for the Stalingrad defenders. As long as he had enough troops, he could ensure that Mamayev Heights would not be lost. Regarding Sidorin's concerns, he said with confidence: "I will do it later."
Report this matter to the commander in person and he will probably agree."
Sokov wanted to withdraw the troops to Mamayev Heights. Except for Sidorin's objections, Ivanov and Anisimov wanted it. In any case, the two were the first commanders of this unit. Any
The casualties of a commander and combatant will make them feel distressed. Now Sokov's approach can save the lives of more commanders and combatants. They know that their superiors will definitely have objections to this, but they still treat Sokov
Expressed support.
Seeing that Ivanov and Anisimov expressed support for him, Sokov did not hesitate. He immediately picked up the phone on the table and ordered the communications troops to connect to the group army headquarters. Hearing Krylov's voice from
After the call came through the receiver, he said straight to the point: "Comrade Chief of Staff, this is Sokov. I want to withdraw all the troops deployed on the left and right wings back to Mamaev Hill after dark. I don't know if it is possible.
?”
"Retreat the troops to Mamayev Heights?" Krylov, who had just been arranging the factory defense tasks, was stunned for a moment when he heard what Sokov said, and then asked noncommittally: "Why withdraw?"
"I plan to shrink our troops and defend Mamayev Heights with all our strength." Sokov remembered that as soon as the Soviet counterattack failed in early October, the German army assembled a large number of troops and launched an attack on the Dzerzhinsky Tractor Factory and Barricade Factory.
A fierce attack made the Soviet troops who stood there miserable. If Mamayev Heights was not lost, it might also have a diversionary effect, so that the enemy did not dare to attack the above two factories with all its strength. "The only way is to defend it.
Mamayev Heights, the enemy cannot separate the defense lines in the south and north of our city, and cannot cut off our connection with the other side..."
After listening to Sokov's series of reasons, Krylov, who originally wanted to force him to hold on to the left and right flanks, fell silent. Chuikov, who was talking to Khrushchev at the side, saw Krylov holding the microphone in a daze, and he
He came over and asked with concern: "Chief of Staff, what's on your mind?"
"Comrade Commander," seeing that Chuikov was talking to him, Krylov quickly covered the microphone with his hand, repeated Sokov's words to him, and finally asked: "Tell me, can I agree to Sokov's words?"
Kove’s request?”
"Let him withdraw the troops outside." Fortunately, Chuikov realized that with the failure of the counterattack, it was unwise to continue to place the troops in an area unfavorable for defense to resist the enemy's attack, so he
Reasonably speaking: "Anyway, our counterattack has ended, and the Yershakov regiment, which was responsible for the covering task, has also completed their mission. According to Sokov's proposal, all the troops of the 41st Guards Division outside were
Withdraw to consolidate the defense of Mamayev Heights."
Krylov loosened his hand covering the microphone and said: "Colonel Sokov, I have told your request to the commander, and he agreed to your request. After dark, you can arrange the arrangements in batches.
The troops on the left and right flanks were withdrawn and used for the defense of Mamayev Hill."
After explaining these few words, Krylov still said with unfinished meaning: "Colonel Sokov, I think it is necessary to remind you. You have thousands of people in your hands. If you cannot hold Mamayev Heights, wait for
Yours will be a court martial. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov said carefully that if he had thousands of people and complete tunnel fortifications, and if he still couldn't defend Mamayev Heights, he might as well commit suicide: "If I lose
Mamayev Hill, you don’t need to send me to a military court, I will stand on the hill of Mamayev Hill, take a gun and shoot myself in the temple.”