Chapter 857 The fleet sailors are desperate (Part 2)
Sokov knows some of the working principles of icebreakers. One is collision-type icebreaking, which uses the hull to continuously hit the ice to achieve the effect of breaking ice. The other is to fill the water tank at the stern with water, causing the bow of the ship to tilt up and climb onto the ice, using
The weight crushes the ice. Due to the nature of icebreaking, icebreakers are all huge. It is a fantasy for the small gunboats of the Volga Fleet to complete this kind of work.
Following Chuikov to the observation post not far away, Sokov raised his telescope and looked in the direction of the sound. Fortunately, there was a moon in the sky, and with the reflection from the ice, he could clearly see the other side of the river.
, there are two small gunboats that are constantly hitting the ice, heading towards the west coast little by little.
"Comrade Commander," Gurov looked at the gunboat that was constantly hitting the ice, frowned and asked Chuikov: "The river has completely frozen, and the transport team from the other side should be able to come over. Why do the sailors of the fleet need to risk breaking the ice?
"
"Yes, the river is indeed frozen." Chuikov replied with a wry smile: "But after survey, it was found that the ice layer is only five to eight centimeters, and the final part is only fifteen centimeters. Not to mention the vehicles transporting supplies, even if there are people
If you walk on the ice, you may fall into the river. The sailors probably have no choice but to do this."
After hearing what Chuikov said, Gurov stopped talking. He used the gun scope in the observation post to silently observe the gunboats on the other side. The two gunboats were about 150 meters apart, and they moved in tandem and kept hitting each other.
On the ice. Behind them, you can still vaguely see the shadows of some ships. It is not clear for the moment whether they are backup or transporting supplies?
After more than ten minutes like this, the two gunboats gradually approached the center of the river. One of the gunboats was obviously severely damaged. After completing a new impact, the hull actually began to sink slowly.
"Comrade Commander," Gurov shouted loudly when he saw this situation: "Immediately call General Rogachev and ask him to stop such adventures immediately. If this continues, these two gunboats will be doomed.
.”
Chuikov picked up the microphone hanging on the pillar and was about to make a call when he stopped, shook his head and said to Gurov: "Comrade Military Commissar, I cannot make this call."
"Why?" Gurov asked strangely.
"I guess the reason why General Rogachev ordered the ships to take such a risk was because he wanted to resume transportation on the river as soon as possible." Chuikov said solemnly: "Now the two gunboats have approached the center of the river. If they stop now,
All the previous efforts will be in vain.”
Sokov looked at the gunboats on the river that were stubbornly hitting the ice. Hearing the harsh collisions, he felt worried for the sailors on the gunboats. He felt that if the collisions continued like this, it would not be long before the two gunboats were destroyed.
They would all be reimbursed. He also had the same idea as Gurov, asking Pugachev to stop this extremely risky attempt. Even if he could barely open a channel on the river, in such cold weather, I'm afraid the weather would be ruined.
It's not bright yet, and the river will freeze again.
The damaged gunboat, under the eyes of everyone, slowly sank. The bow sank first, and not long after, the high-raised stern also sank into the water. Before the ship completely sank, Sokov saw
I saw several dark figures jumping from the boat into the water, they must be sailors on the gunboat.
Watching the gunboat sink, everyone felt heavy in their hearts. "Comrade Commander," Gurov said again: "We should always remember these brave sailors, who fought to open up a route on the frozen river.
Showed great bravery and heroism..."
Although what Gurov said were all clichés, Chuikov still nodded and agreed: "You are right, we should all remember these brave sailors. It is with their help that we can defend this place.
A city..."
Not long after the gunboat sank, several small boats came up from behind to rescue the sailors who fell into the water. After all this was done, a new gunboat came up from behind and continued to hit the ice unremittingly, trying to open up a way.
Create a channel for transport ships to pass.
Half an hour later, the gunboats finally arrived at the west coast, but they were already scarred. It was estimated that they would not be able to sail back to the east coast without repairs. As soon as the channel was opened, a dozen transport ships parked behind them immediately started running at full speed.
, sailing towards the west coast along the channel opened by the comrades.
When Lobov learned that Chuikov was at the observation post, he hurried over and prepared to report to him about the distribution of supplies. Seeing his appearance, Chuikov immediately greeted him and said: "Comrade Logistics Minister, you are just in time to deliver supplies to us on the other side."
Come here, rush to the ferry immediately and arrange for someone to receive it."
"The other side is transporting supplies for us?" Lobov said in surprise: "Comrade Commander, the river is frozen, how can they get here?"
"Did you see the two gunboats parked on the shore?" Chuikov pointed to the two gunboats parked on the shore and said: "The sailors of the Volga River Fleet used gunboats to open a channel on the river.
Ships transporting supplies are coming."
"What, use gunboats to break the ice?" When Lobov heard what Chuikov said, a look of astonishment appeared on his face. He looked at the two scarred gunboats and said in amazement: "Just two ordinary small gunboats.
It is simply a miracle that a channel can be opened on the frozen river."
"Okay, Comrade Logistics Minister." Chuikov glanced at the approaching ship and urged: "Whether it is a miracle or not, we will discuss it later when we have time. Your first priority now is to rush to the ferry immediately and organize manpower to receive it.
Supplies.”
After Lobov left, Sokov couldn't help but said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, the temperature is so low now. Even if the sailors of the district fleet use gunboats to open a channel, I'm afraid it won't be long before another storm breaks out.
Re-freeze it. Then all their efforts will be in vain."
"As long as there are ships that can transport supplies to the city through this channel, then the price they pay will be valuable." Chuikov looked at the river and said: "Even before dawn, this channel that was finally opened will be
It's freezing again, but at least another batch of supplies has been transported into the city, which will be enough to sustain us until the day when the counterattack begins."
"Comrade Military Commissar," Chuikov and Sokov finished speaking, then turned to look at Gurov and said to him: "I think it is up to you to report this matter to the front army headquarters and let them know about the sailors.
This heroic act.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Gurov said: "I will go back and write a report later, and report what I saw with my own eyes to the front army headquarters. Also, I will also report to the General Command later.
General Gachev called to express his gratitude to his sailors for their contribution to our defense of the city."
The channel has been opened, and Sokov followed Chuikov back to the headquarters to continue discussing the counterattack mission of the 41st Guards Division. Chuikov asked: "Colonel Sokov, when do you think you can launch an attack on the enemy in front?"
attack?"
"Comrade Commander, my troops are now scattered in several locations." Sokov feels that if he wants to counterattack, he must use his troops concentratedly. But now his troops are responsible for the defense of several areas at the same time. The troops are too scattered, even if they are implemented
Counterattack will also face problems such as insufficient troops and insufficient attack power. Therefore, he took the initiative to raise the difficulties he faced to Chuikov: "Before we gather the troops, I don't think our counterattack can achieve any ideal results."
Result."
Sokov's answer was somewhat beyond Chuikov's expectations. After staring at the map on the table for a while, he raised his head and said: "Colonel Sokov, I will allocate forces as soon as possible to strengthen the defense of the barricade factory. In this way, you can
Then the troops supporting the barricade factory can be withdrawn to Mamayev Heights."
"Where is the Workers' New Village?" Seeing that Chuikov agreed to let the troops stationed at the barricade factory withdraw to Mamayev Heights, he couldn't help but ask about another regiment: "I still have a regiment there, among which
Also includes a Marine Corps battalion."
"There are still hundreds of people in the 39th Guards Division. I can let them take over the defense of Workers' New Village." After thinking silently for a while, Chuikov said to Sokov: "The total strength of the troops returning from these two places is
Approximately how many people are there?”
"I'm not sure, Comrade Commander." Even though these two regiments are under the jurisdiction of Sokov, he really doesn't know how many troops are left now. "But according to my estimation, there are at least two
Thousands of people.”
"Two thousand people, under the current circumstances, is an amazing number." Chuikov said with emotion: "There are more people than a division, and they are all veterans with rich combat experience. They will be responsible for the counterattack mission.
I feel relieved."
Seeing that Chuikov had assigned himself a counterattack mission so quickly, Sokov could not object and could only agree with a grimace: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I think they will not let you down."
Chuikov raised his hand to look at his watch, pointed to the camp bed at the foot of the wall, and said to Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, there are still five or six hours before dawn. You should lie down for a while. Wait until dawn.
, I’ll wake you up again.”
Since entering the barricade factory, Sokov has hardly slept. Not only does he have to assist Lyudnikov in guarding the factory, but he also has to draw a schematic diagram of an assault gun for Director Peter. Seeing Chuikov letting him rest at this moment, he did not refuse.
, after thanking him, he walked to the bed, undressed and lay down.
Lying on the bed, Sokov closed his eyes, but he was not sleepy at all. The scene of the gunboat hitting the ice kept reappearing in his mind, and he was deeply moved by the bravery of the sailors. He was deeply moved by the bravery of the sailors.
I wonder: Have all the sailors on the sunken gunboat been rescued? In such a cold weather, if they don’t get timely treatment, they will freeze to death.
Just as he was thinking about this question, he heard Chuikov calling: "General Pugachev, this is Chuikov! First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your action in transporting supplies for us."
"Secondly, I would like to ask, have all the sailors in the sunken gunboat been rescued?" Perhaps because he was worried that the other party would not give him the correct answer, he also emphasized: "I saw the gunboat sailing from the east coast with my own eyes.
To the West Coast.”
Pugachev originally planned to conceal the number of sailors' casualties from Chuikov, but when he learned that Chuikov had witnessed the whole process, he changed his mind and said truthfully: "Six people were sacrificed and two were missing."
Sokov, who was lying on the camp bed, couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart when he heard this. He thought to himself that he couldn't hold on for long in the biting river water, and the two missing sailors must be in danger.
Hearing Chuikov put down his head and nod, Sokov could no longer lie down. He rolled out of bed, came to Chuikov, straightened his body and said: "Comrade Commander, it's getting late. Please allow me to return to the army."
Chuikov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said with some surprise: "Colonel Sokov, you just lay down for less than ten minutes, why did you get up so soon?"
Naturally, Sokov would not tell the other party that he did not continue sleeping because he felt uncomfortable after hearing the casualties of the sailors. Instead, he said vaguely: "Comrade Commander, I have been away from the barricade factory for a long time."
I'm worried about something happening, so I want to rush back as soon as possible."
"Isn't there Colonel Lyudnikov in the barricade factory?" Chuikov raised his eyebrows and said, "If anything happens, he knows how to deal with it. You should stay here until dawn."
Gurov, who had just finished writing the report, saw that Chuikov was trying to keep Sokov alive, so he also intervened and said: "Yes, Colonel Sokov, anyway, there are only a few hours until dawn, so you should continue to lie down and sleep until dawn.
It’s not too late to return to the barricade factory.”
From the words of the two of them, Sokov heard the concern for himself. His nose felt sour and he almost shed tears. Although it was safe to rest here, he still said stubbornly: "Commander, Military Commissioner
Comrade, thank you for your kindness. I didn't stay with the soldiers, and I still feel uneasy. You'd better let me go back."
Seeing Sokov being so stubborn, Chuikov and Gurov looked at each other, nodded slightly, and said, "Okay, Colonel Sokov, since you insist on returning to the army, we won't keep you. The way back is not peaceful.
, you should pay more attention to safety. By the way, are there any security forces accompanying you back to the barricade factory?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sokov nodded and said, "When Colonel Lyudnikov left, he left me a guard squad. You all know the commander who led the team, he just returned from behind enemy lines.
Samoilov will not be long."
"It turns out it's him." Chuikov was originally worried about Sokov returning to the barricade factory late at night, but when he heard that the commander in charge of security work was the Samoilov he knew, he felt much more at ease: "Yes.
With him here, your safety will be guaranteed."
After saying that, he stretched out his hand to Sokov: "Then, I wish you a safe journey!"