In order to retaliate for the ambush the Germans suffered, in addition to using more than a dozen tanks to bombard the building, they also summoned four bombers to bomb the building indiscriminately. Fortunately, while the enemy's shelling and bombing were going on, the people in the building were
The soldiers were hiding in the basement. No matter how noisy the explosion was outside, it did not cause any damage.
About five minutes after the shelling and bombing stopped, Vasily once again received an observation post report from a nearby building: "Comrade Sergeant, about two platoons of enemies were discovered on the west side of the building. Under the cover of three tanks, they were moving toward
The building is approaching.”
After Vasily put down the phone, he said to Sokov: "Comrade division commander, please stay here for a while. I will take people out to repel the enemy's attack and then come back."
After Vasily left, Seryosha asked with some worry: "Comrade division commander, do you need me to bring someone to help Sergeant Vasily? I'm worried that with his small force, he won't be able to stop the enemy's attack."
"Don't worry, Seryosha." There must be many people who have no confidence in whether they can hold the Vasily Building, but these people certainly do not include Sokov. He knows very well in his heart that he is really the Bavarian in history.
Pavlov's building, with far fewer soldiers and equipment than it is now, could hold out for two months under the enemy's siege. Is Vasily still inferior to Pavlov? Therefore, facing Seryosha's worries, he confidently
Said: "I think Sergeant Vasily and the others will be able to repel the enemy's attack."
Less than half an hour after Vasily left, he returned to the basement. He happily reported to Sokov: "Comrade division commander, we have repelled the German attack, killing and wounding more than 40 German troops.
Two tanks were blown up."
Sokov was not interested in how many German soldiers were killed. After all, there were only two platoons of German soldiers. Even if they were all killed, would it be comparable to the ambush battle just now? What he was concerned about was how the other side blew up the enemy's tanks.
: "Comrade Sergeant, what anti-tank weapons do you have here?"
"There are only a few anti-tank rifles." Vasily had just finished answering this question, and immediately realized what Sokov wanted to ask, and quickly added: "But the tank that was just destroyed was not destroyed with an anti-tank gun.
.”
"It wasn't destroyed with an anti-tank gun?" Vasily's words aroused Seryosha's curiosity: "I want to ask, how did you kill the enemy tank?"
When Vasily heard this question, he smiled lightly and replied: "I have already reported to the division commander that we have many passages leading to the outside world. When the enemy's tanks covering the infantry rushed over, there were two soldiers carrying anti-tank grenades.
They reached the vicinity of the enemy tank through the sewer, hid in the ruins, and while the tank was approaching, they decisively threw anti-tank grenades and killed the enemy tank."
Sokov had never had a good impression of the anti-tank grenades used by the Soviet army. The grenades were too heavy and might explode if thrown by an untrained bombardier. Thinking of this, he asked tentatively: "Zhong Vasily
Sergeant, are the two comrades who blew up the tank back?"
"After a soldier threw a grenade, he was discovered by the enemy who was following him. He was fired upon and sacrificed on the spot." Vasily replied with a solemn expression: "The other soldier was also hit by shrapnel from the grenade.
I was injured by the explosion, but fortunately the injury was not serious. After the nurses bandaged it, it was no longer a serious problem."
"Comrade Division Commander," Vasily continued after a moment of silence after the report: "The Germans have suffered such a big loss. I think they will not give up and will send troops to continue attacking. It is not very safe here.
You'd better return to Mamayev Heights as soon as possible."
In fact, as early as when enemy planes bombed the building, Seryosha was on tenterhooks, fearing that a blind bomb would penetrate the floor and fall into the basement to explode. Although by the end of the air raid, nothing happened as he was worried about.
But in his heart, he always wanted Sokov to return to Mamayev Heights as soon as possible. When he heard Vasily saying this, he quickly agreed: "Yes, Misha, it is too dangerous here. I think we should return to Mamayev Heights as soon as possible."
Let’s go to Mayevgan.”
"Lieutenant Seryosha," Sokov saw Seryosha making noises beside him, so he said to him with a straight face: "We have fifty or sixty people. If we leave the building now, we will definitely be discovered by the enemy. If they
Do you think we can return to Mamayev Heights safely if we are bombarded by planes or artillery fire?"
Seryosha simply considered that it was not safe in the building, but he forgot that there was a long way to go back to Mamayev Heights. If his whereabouts were really discovered by the Germans, he would probably be attacked less than halfway.
German artillery fire or bombing may even encounter sniper interception on the road. With Sokov's outfit, as long as he steps outside, he will be the first target of snipers.
After thinking about this key issue, Seryosha felt a little regretful. How could he persuade Sokov to leave at this time? Wasn't this asking everyone to go out and die? He quickly said to Sokov: "Misha, you
You're right, if we leave the Vasily Building now, we may indeed be attacked by the enemy. I think it's better to wait until dark before leaving."
Seeing that Sokov was unwilling to leave, Vasily was particularly anxious: "Comrade division commander, if the enemy launches a fierce attack on the building again, I'm worried that your safety will not be guaranteed..."
"Don't worry." Seeing that Vasily was so concerned about his own safety, Sokov was quite moved. He said to him with a smile on his face: "Aren't there Seryosha's guards lining up here to protect me? Even if
When the enemy rushes in front of me, I can pick up a gun and fight them face to face. You know, not long ago, I often had to carry a gun on the battlefield."
In order to reassure Vasily, Sokov also specifically asked Seryosha to take people to the ground floor to set up defenses, so that even if the Germans crossed the minefield and rushed into the building, they could still resist for a while.
Seryosha stepped away, and the phone on the table rang. Vasily quickly grabbed the receiver, put it to his ear and said loudly: "I am Sergeant Vasily."
Captain Andre's voice came from the receiver: "Comrade Sergeant, is the division commander still with you?"
"Yes, Comrade Captain." Vasily glanced at Sokov and asked tentatively: "Do you want to speak to the division commander?"
Before Andre could make any reply, Sokov reached out to take the phone, put it to his ear and said: "Captain Andre, this is Sokov, what can I do?"
"That's it, Comrade Division Commander." Andrei couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Sokov's voice, and quickly explained: "I saw the enemy plane hovering above you, and I was worried about something, so I thought
I called to ask, but the phone line was cut off, so I quickly sent two communications soldiers, who also died near the building...Thank God, the comrades in the communications class have just restored the phone line, so I can talk to you."
"Comrade Captain, let me inform you of what happened here." Sokov said into the microphone: "A group of enemies passed by the street on the north side of the building. I ordered Vasily and the others to use the terrain and use mortars from a high position.
We used machine guns and machine guns to teach the enemy a hard lesson and killed more than 200 German soldiers. The enemy may have sent out planes to bomb us in order to retaliate. Fortunately, we were all hiding in the basement and the enemy's bombs could not hurt us at all.
Our cent.”
After confirming that Sokov was safe and sound at this moment, Andrei felt much more at ease. He continued: "I just received a call from the chief of staff. He asked me to ask you when you can return to Mamayev Heights."
"If you leave the building during the day, the target is too big and you may be shelled or bombed by the enemy." After hearing Andre's question, Sokov repeated what he just said: "To be on the safe side, I think it's better to wait until
Let’s leave after dark.”
After Andrei put down the phone, he called the eighth company commander Yegor over and told him: "Comrade Lieutenant, as soon as it gets dark, you will lead a squad to the Vasily Building and be sure to pick up the division commander from there.
.”
"Don't worry, comrade battalion commander." Sokov stayed at the front, which made the grassroots commanders feel very uneasy and worried that he would be in danger. At this moment, hearing Andre's order, Yegor quickly replied
Said: "I will definitely send the division commander and his companions back to Mamayev Heights safely."
Sokov, who was staying in the basement of the building, naturally knew that everyone wanted to leave here as soon as possible, so when it got dark, he asked Vasily to find a soldier as a guide, and he took the guard platoon and Shulka with him.
He and the little boy left the Vasily Building and quietly headed towards Mamayev Hill.
Not far away, I heard someone in front of me asking in a low voice: "Is that Comrade Commander in front of you?"
Hearing someone speaking, Seryosha was afraid of danger and quickly stood in front of Sokov. Sokov felt that the voice was familiar. He frowned and thought for a moment. He immediately figured out who it was and quickly dialed the phone number.
Seryosha blocked the road in front of him and asked to the other side: "Is this Lieutenant Yegor coming?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, it's me." Yegor led a few soldiers out from behind a pile of rubble and came to Sokov. He straightened his body and reported: "I have been ordered to send you back.
From Mamayev Kurgan.”
Hearing what Yegor said, Sokov couldn't help but smiled bitterly and shook his head. He knew very well that all the commanders, including Andrei, wished he could return to Mamayev Heights as soon as possible so that the burden on their shoulders would be lifted.
The responsibility is not that heavy anymore. Thinking of this, he waved his hand to the other party and said: "Lieutenant Yegor, please ask your people to lead the way for us."
When setting off again, Yegor kept walking on the side of Sokov. His idea was simple. If he encountered an enemy on the road, he could quickly stand in front of Sokov and block his bullets.
After walking for a while, maybe because he felt that walking was too boring, Yegor asked in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, I heard that the fighting in the factory area is very fierce?"
"Although there is fighting going on here, compared with the factory area, it can only be regarded as child's play." Sokov said sideways to Yegor: "In some areas where fighting is fierce, a battalion must go up.
It was all gone in less than an hour.”
"Ah?! The fighting there was so fierce?" Sokov's words startled Yegor, and he asked in a panic: "Then can our troops block the enemy's attack?"
"We will block it, Comrade Lieutenant." In order to build up the confidence of the soldiers to win, Sokov said confidently: "Although the enemy has the upper hand now, the final victory still belongs to us."
Yegor was dubious about what Sokov said, but since the other party was his superior, he did not dare to refute, so he could only pretend to believe it and keep nodding.
From the other party's expression, Sokov guessed that he did not completely believe what he said. He coughed slightly and continued: "Comrade Lieutenant, think about it, why the enemy is in the old city and Mamaye in the south of the city."
Fugang's attack, not only did it not strengthen, but it became weaker and weaker?"
Sokov's words stopped Yegor. He thought for a long time but couldn't come up with an answer. He could only ask with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander, what is the reason?"
"Because we adopted correct tactics in the early battles, and the soldiers fought bravely, the enemy was hurt and frightened. Therefore, the area we defended was a restricted area for them, and they were unwilling to do so easily.
"Get involved." Sokov said with a smile: "If we had not taught the Germans a lesson in the early stage, I think the brutality of the fighting here would not be worse than the factory area in the north of the city. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Division Commander." After listening to Sokov's explanation, Yegor agreed happily: "I believe what you said, the final victory in this war will definitely belong to us."
Under the leadership of Yegor, Sokov's troops successfully passed through the defense area of the Third Battalion. Although there were many commanders and fighters of the Third Battalion hidden in the ruins, they did not fire casually when they saw their own people leading the way.
Let this army pass in front of you.
After walking for more than an hour, the soldiers exploring the front came back and reported to Yegor: "Comrade company commander, a small unit has appeared in front. It seems to be our people. The squad leader has personally brought people over to make contact."
"Aren't you from our camp?"
"It's not like that." The soldier who reported the news shook his head and said, "This unit seems to be from Mamayev Heights."
After waiting for a few minutes, Sokov saw several people walking towards him. He squinted his eyes and tried to use the weak light to see who was coming, but he heard Seryosha saying excitedly to the side.
: "Misha, this is Major Tenev, the commander of the security battalion. It seems that the chief of staff and others are worried about your safety and specially sent him to greet us."
After a while, several people came to Sokov. The leading officer was indeed Major Tenev, the commander of the division guard battalion. He faced Sokov and said respectfully: "Comrade division commander, the chief of staff sent me
Come to greet you." After saying this, he turned to Yegor who was standing next to Sokov and said, "Comrade Lieutenant, your mission has been completed. Next, we will be responsible for the safety of the division commander.