"That's right, Colonel Sokov." Golikov, who had just finished calling Yereomenko, happened to hear what Sokov said to Belkin, so he added next to him: "According to your
Depending on the division's performance in the battle to defend Stalingrad, we will give priority to replenishing your troops and technical equipment."
Although the Front Army Headquarters made an exception to add four reinforced battalions to its troops a few days ago, the shortage of troops in the entire division still exists. After hearing Golikov's statement, Sokov seemed to have received reassurance.
He raised his voice and said into the microphone: "Comrade political commissar, did you hear what the deputy commander of the front army said? He will give us priority in replenishing soldiers and technical equipment, so you can go ahead with confidence and boldness."
After Sokov put down the phone, he said to Golikov with a relaxed expression: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, Commander Belkin and others will take active actions tonight to seize some independent positions from the enemy.
It serves as a fire support point and contains the enemy's main force within the factory area."
"Are there any difficulties?" Golikov asked casually after Sokov finished speaking. He asked this just as a polite word. According to his inner thoughts, since he had promised to give priority to Sokov's troops,
If you supplement it, the other party will probably not put forward any more conditions, so you will have no scruples in speaking: "If there are any, just ask, as long as it is within the scope of my ability, I will solve it for you."
Sokov heard from Golikov's question that the other party was just asking politely and did not necessarily want to solve the problem for him. But he did not want to let go of such a good opportunity, so he asked without hesitation.
He said: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, the two tank battalions that my superiors have promised to support me must arrive at Mamayev Heights before noon tomorrow." The reason why he emphasized the issue of the tank battalions was because he had not seen them all day.
Seeing the shadow of the tank camp, he was worried that he would have a long night and have many dreams, so he specially reminded Golikov to wake him up.
"No problem." Golikov didn't have any objections to this matter. After all, it was the front army headquarters who took the initiative to add two tank battalions to the Sokov Division. Although he told some of the situation, the tank battalions failed to arrive in time.
position, but they still have to be sent sooner or later. In order to prevent Sokov from having any ideas, he also specially explained: "The tank battalion did not arrive in time today. There may be some problem with fuel or ammunition. Don't worry, I will
At this time, the two tank battalions will be able to cross the river and reach Mamayev Heights before noon tomorrow."
Seeing Golikov's assurance to himself, Sokov continued to express his thoughts: "Also, can you give us a batch of flamethrowers?"
"A flamethrower?!" When Golikov heard what Sokov wanted, a surprised expression appeared on his face. He asked in surprise: "Colonel Sokov, I don't understand, you want a flamethrower?"
What?"
Not only Golikov didn't understand, but also Sidorin and Ivanov were confused and couldn't figure out the situation. Everyone turned their attention to Sokov, hoping to hear a reasonable explanation from him.
.
"In the next battle, street fighting will be the main one." Seeing everyone's confused expressions, Sokov explained to them: "Take the barricade factory as an example. Although the enemy has already blocked the road leading to them.
The sewers in the occupied areas were all destroyed by the explosion, but the sewers in the buildings they occupied can still be used normally. If the enemy escapes into the sewers after losing their surface position, with the equipment of our soldiers, we will kill them all
If you take it out, you will definitely pay a huge price."
When Sidorin heard this, he immediately understood Sokov's intention and quickly interjected: "As long as we find the sewer pipes or fortifications where the enemies are hiding, our soldiers can use flamethrowers to deal with the enemies. Even if they cannot burn them to death
, the flames will also consume all the oxygen in the sewer, causing the enemy to suffocate to death inside."
"It seems that the flamethrower is quite useful." Golikov took out a pen and paper, wrote down the matter in his notebook, and then asked without looking up: "Are there any more?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I believe you know Colonel Bely, commander of the 84th Tank Brigade."
Hearing the question raised by Sokov, Golikov glanced at him in surprise, and then said: "I have heard of this person, but I have never seen him. Why did you suddenly mention him?"
"I have fought side by side with Colonel Bely before, and together we broke through the enemy's encirclement from the north of Orlovka." Sokov grinned and explained to Golikov the relationship between himself and Bely:
"After returning to the city, we were responsible for the defense together at the Red October Factory until his troops were transferred to the Barricade Factory and the Dzerzhinsky Factory for mobile defense. I heard a few days ago that all his tanks had been
He was lost, and all his tank troops have been turned into infantry. Therefore, I would like to make another request to you, allowing him to return to Mamayev Heights to participate in our counterattack in the near future."
For Golikov, Sokov's request is not too much. The tank brigade commanded by Bely has lost all its tanks. If it wants to resume the battle, it must withdraw to the rear for repairs. However, Golikov
Considering that this tank brigade is now being used as infantry in Chuikov's hands, it is a troublesome matter if Chuikov would be dissatisfied if he rashly transfers them.
So he thought for a long time, and finally sighed and said: "Colonel Sokov, this matter is of great importance. I must report it to Commander Yeremenko. Only after obtaining his consent can I mention this matter to Chuikov.
"
Golikov's words somewhat disappointed Sokov. He did not expect that Golikov also had a foresight and hesitation character and was not decisive at all. No wonder he was soon surpassed by a group of commanders with lower positions than him. Although
There was some slander against Golikov in his heart, but Sokov still said with a smile on his face: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I think Colonel Bely's transfer does not need to alarm Commander Yereomenko. I
I think as long as you call Commander Chuikov, maybe he will follow your order and let Colonel Bely lead the remaining troops to Mamayev Heights."
"I'll call Chuikov directly," Golikov said with a puzzled expression on his face after hearing Sokov's suggestion: "Is this appropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate." Sokov decided to give it a try and said, "You are the deputy commander of the front army. You give orders to the commander of the group army. Will they still fail to carry out the orders?"
However, after listening to this, Golikov shook his head simply and said: "Colonel Sokov, after a long and brutal battle, the 62nd Army has suffered a very heavy attrition, so every commander and fighter is very valuable."
Even if there are only a few dozen or even a dozen people left in Colonel Bely’s tank brigade, moving them away from the existing defense zone will still have a certain impact on the overall defense."
Seeing that Golikov was still hesitant, Sokov couldn't help but feel anxious. However, on the surface, he tried his best to remain calm and tried hard to persuade Golikov: "How about you call Commander Chuikov first and ask?
Ask, if he doesn't agree, it won't be too late for you to report to the front army headquarters."
Sidorin had been in contact with Bely and had great trust in his abilities. Seeing that Sokov was trying hard to get Bely's tank brigade to join his own battle order, he stood up and said, "Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army."
, you’d better call Commander Chuikov and talk about it first. If he agrees, of course everyone will be happy; if he doesn’t agree, it’s not too late to report it to the superiors.”
"Okay, since you are so insistent, let me give it a try." Seeing Sokov and Sidorin insisting on their opinions, Golikov decided to help them. But before making the call, he
He pointed towards Sokov and said helplessly: "Colonel Sokov, are you the superior or am I the superior? Why do I feel like I have to obey your command in everything?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, you are joking. Of course you are our superior." Sokov quickly said with a smile: "Didn't you just say that if you have any requests, just ask you? I think there is a difference.
With Colonel Lei’s cooperation, I feel more confident when I launch a counterattack.”
After the call was connected, Golikov identified himself to the officer who answered the phone and asked the other party to notify Chuikov to answer the phone. After a while, Chuikov's voice came from the receiver: "Hello, Deputy Commander of the Front Army
The officer informed me that I am Chuikov. What instructions do you have?"
"General Chuikov!" Golikov said politely: "I have been staying at the headquarters of Mamayev Heights since last night. Do you know this?"
"I know, I know." Chuikov was able to understand the fighting situation on the south side of the city in time because Golikov was at Mamayev Heights, but he didn't know when the other party was going to say it and whether he was at Mamayev Heights.
What does it have to do with it, so he asked in confusion: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask, does what you want to say have anything to do with this?"
"I came to Mamayev Heights on the orders of Commander General Yeremenko and Military Commissar Comrade Khrushchev to supervise the counterattack of the 41st Guards Division." Golikov spoke into the microphone.
The official voice said: "Now they are encountering some difficulties. I hope you can help them solve it."
Although Chuikov didn't know what Golikov would say next, he still replied respectfully: "Deputy Commander of the Front Army, as long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to solve it for them."
"Colonel Sokov told me that he hopes that Colonel Bely of the 84th Tank Brigade can return to Mamayev Heights with the remaining troops to assist them in their counterattack against the German army." Golikov asked tentatively.
: "I wonder if there is any problem?"
Chuikov never dreamed that Golikov called him for this purpose. He couldn't help but said in surprise: "What, let Bely's tank brigade rush to Mamayev Heights?"
"Yes." Golikov replied briefly: "Are there any difficulties?"
"Deputy Commander of the Front Army," Chuikov said with some embarrassment: "Although all the tanks of the tank brigade have been lost and there are only more than a hundred commanders and fighters left in the brigade, they are still an important combat unit to me.
Once they are transferred away, I'm afraid there will be loopholes in our defense in the factory area. Once the enemy seizes these loopholes and launches a fierce attack on us, I'm worried..."
"There's nothing to worry about, General Chuikov." After learning that there were only more than a hundred people left in Bely's tank brigade, Golikov made up his mind and could not waste the precious tank troops as ordinary infantry.
Transferring them all to Mamayev Heights might be able to play a greater role. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "Judging from the current situation, the enemy will soon switch from offense to defense. In other words,
, they will not launch an active attack on you, you can draw forces from other places, take over the defense of the tank brigade, and then let them rush to Mamayev Heights as soon as possible."
"I understand, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Since Golikov had given the order, Chuikov naturally could not disobey it and could only bite the bullet and replied: "I will immediately notify Colonel Bely and ask him to rush to Mama.
Yevgan, accept a new combat mission."
"How's it going, Colonel Sokov?" After Golikov put down the phone, he turned around and looked at Sokov and asked: "I shamelessly got Colonel Bely back from Chuikov. I hope that in the next battle
Zhong, please don’t disappoint me.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed to learn that Colonel Bely and the remaining commanders and fighters of the tank brigade would soon be able to return to Mamayev Heights. Even though the tanks of the tank brigade were all
All the tanks have been lost, but with his own ability, there is no big problem in getting a batch of tanks for them. He expressed his attitude to Golikov: "I will definitely let the tank brigade establish a
Immortal feats.”
"Colonel Sokov," Golikov obviously didn't believe Sokov's promise. He asked back: "You just heard that all the tanks in the tank brigade are fighting to defend the factory.
Lost. Do you plan to use these tank soldiers as ordinary infantry?"
"That's not possible, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Hearing Golikov's worries, Sokov replied with a smile: "I still have a batch of tanks in hand, which can be handed over to Colonel Bely.
Only by batching tank troops can they play their role."
"Colonel Sokov, what did you say, tank?!" Golikov couldn't help but frowned when he heard this: "I want to ask, where did you get the tank?"
"I got them from the warehouse of the Red October Factory. Now these tanks are parked in the Workers' New Village." Sokov did not hide Golikov's words, and said truthfully: "But the soldiers who drive and use the tanks are not
Skilled, so these tanks can only be used as fixed turrets and cannot be used for offensive purposes. But as long as Colonel Bely comes back with his people, I can hand over these tanks to them and let them use them to perform offensive tasks.
"
After Golikov figured out the origin of the tank, he nodded slightly and said, "Colonel Sokov, you say that, and I feel relieved. I believe that Colonel Bely and his men, after getting the new tank, will
He will definitely be able to give full play to the role of these tanks, severely attack the enemy, and achieve immortal feats. When he arrives at Mamayev Hill, let him come to see me. I want to have a good talk with him."