Sokov felt that the enemy's sudden change of defense would bring many uncertainties to the subsequent counterattack, and he must report it to Chuikov immediately.
After picking up Chuikov's call, Sokov reported bluntly: "Comrade Commander, I have important information that I need to report to you immediately."
Chuikov said disapprovingly: "Colonel Sokov, you want to talk about building a bridge across the river, right? Our engineers and the engineering troops from the Front Army Headquarters are working on it at the same time. The bridge can be completed as soon as tomorrow morning. In order to prevent the enemy from crossing
If you discover this bridge early, I hope you can establish an air defense position on the Mamayev Hills and drive away any enemy planes that try to fly over the Volga River."
"I have ordered the troops to build several anti-aircraft firepower points on the reverse slope of Mamayev Hill. As long as enemy aircraft are found, even if they cannot be shot down, they will be driven away," Sokov reported.
After finishing his arrangements, he continued: "Comrade Commander, there is another thing I want to report to you. According to the scout's report, the enemies in front of our defense area are making large-scale defense changes."
"Where is it?" Chuikov was secretly surprised and asked quickly.
"According to the scout's report, the Romanian troops stationed in front of Mamaev Hill and Workers' New Village are gradually withdrawing from their positions, and the German troops are taking over their defense." Sokov took the initiative to say before Chuikov asked again.
The following words came out: "Since it is daytime now, our scouts cannot get close to the enemy, so we have not yet figured out the number of the German troops taking over the defense."
After Chuikov recorded what Sokov said in his notebook, he casually asked: "Colonel Sokov, what do you think is the purpose of the German army changing defenses at this moment? Have they discovered our intention to counterattack?"
"Comrade Commander, with such a large-scale build-up of our troops, the enemy must have guessed that we would launch a counterattack." Sokov said thoughtfully: "But I think the reason why the enemy changed defenses at this time is not because
It is aware that our army has the intention of counterattack, but is preparing to re-adjust its deployment and launch a new attack on us."
"Prepare to launch a new attack again?!" After hearing Sokov's analysis, Chuikov said to himself, "Yes, that should be the case. The enemy may have seen that our transportation lines were interrupted and felt that there was an opportunity.
, they readjusted their deployment and prepared for another fierce attack on us to seize the entire city."
"Thank you for your report, Colonel Sokov. After dark, I will send out scouts to find out the numbers of the German troops taking over the defense." After Chuikov thanked Sokov, he added: "As for Bel
Commander Jin’s reduced regiment should stay at the barricade factory for the time being. With them here, it will not be so easy for the enemy to seize the factory."
After Chuikov hung up the phone, Sokov was still holding the microphone from which the blind tone came. He was stunned for a while. After putting down the phone, he looked at Papuchenko and asked: "Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko, according to the original plan
, Captain Shamrih’s Marine Battalion will withdraw to Mamayev Heights in the next two days. I ask you now, with your remaining troops, can you defend the Workers’ New Village?”
Regarding Sokov's question, Papuchenko was silent for a long time before speaking: "Comrade Division Commander, although after the Marine Corps battalion was transferred, there are only more than 700 people left in the Workers' New Village, but as long as the German army does not launch an attack above the regimental level,
, if we hold our position, there should be no problem."
After listening to Papuchenko's answer, Sokov did not feel reassured. Instead, he asked solemnly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please tell me the truth. With the few troops you have left, can you really defend the workers?"
New Village?”
Perhaps because he was worried that Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko would make a fool of himself, he also emphasized: "Our army's major counterattack is about to begin. If we lose our position at this time, the consequences will be very serious. Not only have you paid for it before, but
Your sacrifices and achievements will be wiped out, and you will be sent to a military court."
Sokov's words made the expression on Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko's face become serious. He couldn't help turning his head and glanced at Ivanov next to him, as if he wanted to get some advice from his old superior.
What a hint. Seeing Papuchenko's reaction, Ivanov straightened his face and said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you, as the commander of the garrison, should know best what the situation is in Workers' New Village. If you
If you think the Marine Corps battalion should not be transferred at this time, just say so, the division commander is not an unreasonable person, and he will readjust the deployment according to the actual situation."
Seeing that Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko was hesitant to speak, Sokov quickly struck while the iron was hot and said: "The counterattack plan of our division that I just mentioned is based on the fact that the frontal enemy is the Romanian army.
Now that the enemy in the area we want to attack has become the Germans, the original plan needs to be adjusted. If you have any concerns, just speak up."
Seeing that both Sokov and Ivanov allowed themselves to speak freely, Papuchenko finally plucked up the courage to say: "Comrade division commander, to tell you the truth, during the days of holding on to Workers' New Village, the decisive ones were
Marine Corps Battalion, if you really transfer them, I'm worried that the morale of the troops will fluctuate, and then I'm afraid..."
Although Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko only said half of what he said, Sokov had guessed his concerns and comforted him and said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, since the matter of transferring from the Marine Corps Battalion is so embarrassing for you, then I will now
I officially announce to you that Captain Shamrih’s Marine Corps Battalion is still under your command and will not be transferred from the Workers’ New Village for the time being.”
"Great, this is great." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko spoke excitedly. After he discovered his gaffe, he blushed and explained: "I'm sorry,
Comrade Division Commander! I heard that the Marine Corps Battalion will not be transferred out for the time being, so I felt a little excited."
Sokov raised his hand and pressed down slightly, signaling Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko to sit down, and then said: "Comrades, regiment leaders, the German army has suddenly implemented a change of defense, and will definitely launch a new attack next. You will do whatever it takes."
The price is to hold on to the current position and prevent the enemy from taking a step forward. Do you understand?"
In the past, Sokov would never have issued an order not to allow the troops to take a step back. But now that the counterattack is imminent, even if the troops and the enemy are exhausted, it will be enough to last until the day when the counterattack begins. When the enemy's attention is attracted
In other directions, you can still gather enough troops to counterattack the enemy.
"Understood!" the three group leaders replied in unison.
"Although our planned counterattack has been postponed due to the enemy's change of defense, it will never be cancelled." Sokov continued: "After the major counterattack begins, we will let the Germans in the front have a taste of our power.
"
"Comrade Division Commander," I originally thought that the enemy had changed defenses and the counterattack plan would be cancelled. But after hearing Sokov's last words, the three regiment commanders all showed happy smiles on their faces. Starcha also asked curiously: "
How many troops do you think our superiors will send us after the major counterattack begins?"
"It's hard to say." Even before the major counterattack begins, the East Coast will not replenish the 62nd Army with troops and technical equipment, but after the counterattack has made great progress, the superiors will definitely send some troops to strengthen the city's defenders.
: "This will be determined based on the results achieved by friendly forces in the direction of attack."
After the meeting ended, Ivanov watched the three regiment commanders leave, turned to look at Sokov and asked: "Comrade division commander, do you think you should say hello to Commander Belkin and ask him to do a good job with Germany?"
Are people prepared for a fierce battle?"
"Well, Comrade Deputy Division Commander, what you said makes sense. We should indeed talk to Commander Belkin." Sokov nodded and said, "Let him know what he's doing."
After answering the phone, Sokov asked straight to the point: "My comrade political commissar, how is the situation there?"
"The enemy launched two attacks today, but they were repelled by us and our comrades of the 138th Division." After Belkin briefly reported the situation at the barricade factory, he asked Sokov anxiously: "Misha, we
When can the regiment return to Mamayev Kurgan?”
"Comrade Political Commissar, I'm calling you because it's related to this matter." Sokov replied with some embarrassment: "You should stay in the barricade factory for the time being and assist Colonel Lyudnikov and others in holding on to the factory."
"What, continue to stay in the barricade factory?" Belkin asked in surprise after listening to Sokov's words: "The commander called me in the morning and said that troops would be sent to take over our defense by tomorrow at the latest.
The regiment retreated to Mamayev Kurgan. How come the situation has changed just a few hours later?"
"It's like this, Comrade Political Commissar, not long ago, the Romanian troops stationed in the front of our division's defense area withdrew, and then two German troops came to take over their defense." Sokov explained to Belkin: "
According to my judgment, the enemy may be preparing a new attack. At this time, our original counterattack plan can only be cancelled, and the troops originally planned to be transferred back to Mamayev Heights can only stay in place to assist
Friendly forces defend."
As a senior commander, Belkin naturally understood the rapid changes in the situation on the battlefield. He understood that Sokov allowed him to stay at the barricade factory because the enemy in front of Mamaev Hill was replaced by the German army. He remained silent.
After a while, he then asked: "Then how long do we need to persist?"
Sokov recalled the history he knew in his mind. The Southwestern Front and the Don River Army launched an offensive in the Don River Basin on the 19th. On the same day, Paulus also ordered his troops to attack the Soviet Union in the city.
A fierce attack was launched on the areas controlled by the army. Even on the 20th, when the Stalingrad Front launched a counterattack in the south of the city, Paulus gave the order to the troops in the city to continue the attack.
Thinking of this, Sokov said into the microphone: "Comrade Political Commissar, the enemy can't survive for a few days. When they attack, you cannot carry out passive defense. You must attack at night and find ways to attack the enemy's defensive areas."
Seize several fire support points. In this way, when the enemy discovers that something is wrong, it will not be so easy for them to withdraw even if they want to."
"Misha, I understand what you mean." Belkin has been partnering with Sokov for a long time, so he naturally understands his intention: "In the open land in the wild, the directions of the enemy and ourselves are clear, and it is easier for the enemy to retreat. But in the city
The enemy's and our defense lines are intertwined and uneven, and it is not that easy to retreat. Don't worry, we will definitely find ways to block the enemy first, and then if our army's counterattack is successful, hold the enemy back so that they cannot
To reinforce dangerous areas."
Sokov ended the call with Belkin and breathed a sigh of relief. After he put down the phone, he said to Sidorin and Belkin: "Chief of Staff, Deputy Division Commander, although changes in the enemy's situation have led to our counterattack plan
We have to postpone, but we cannot continue to passively defend. We can take advantage of the darkness and send out small groups of troops to sneak attack the enemy."
"Comrade division commander, can I tell you what I think?" Sidorin waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately expressed his position: "In fact, if we want to keep the enemy awake at night, we don't need to send a small force."
"If you don't send troops, how can you keep the enemy awake at night?..." Sokov had just said something puzzled, and suddenly thought of a possibility, and quickly asked tentatively: "Chief of Staff, is this what you mean?
With rockets?”
"That's right, Comrade Commander, that's exactly what I mean." A smile appeared on Sidorin's face: "You know, there are still a hundred rockets in the warehouse at Mamayev Heights. Since we can
Why risk the lives of soldiers when attacking from a distance with rockets?"
"You are right. Since we have rockets, we can carry out long-range attacks on the Germans. There is no need to risk the lives of soldiers." Sokov then added: "Also, our newly equipped rockets can also
I have never used it before. If I find a chance, I have to try its power."
Sokov and Sidorin were studying how to deal with the enemy, and the phone on the table rang. Ivanov, who had been obeying, picked up the phone: "I am Colonel Ivanov, where are you?
"
"Comrade Division Commander," Ivanov immediately stood up after hearing the other party's identity, handed the microphone in his hand to Sokov, and said: "This is a call from the commander."
When Sokov took the phone, he was quite puzzled. He secretly thought that not long after hanging up the phone, Chuikov called again. Did he have something to tell him? He said respectfully into the phone: "
Hello, Comrade Commander, what instructions do you have?"
"Colonel Sokov," Chuikov said solemnly on the other end of the phone: "I just communicated with Commander Yeremenko and reported to him the situation here. After careful consideration, he planned to start from preparation
The team will deploy four full infantry battalions to supplement your division. When the bridge on the ice is completed tomorrow, the troops can cross the river and rush to Mamayev Heights."
Sokov originally thought that the counterattack plan could only be carried out after the Soviet general offensive began. But when he heard that Yeremenko had given him four full infantry divisions, he couldn't believe it.
Ear, quickly asked: "Comrade Commander, did I hear correctly? The front army headquarters wants to add four full infantry battalions to us. Is this true?"
"Would I joke with you about something like this?" Chuikov said jokingly: "I really envy you, you can actually get the reserve team from the front army directly. Now I want to change positions with you and let you come
When you become the commander of the group army, I will become the division commander of your division."