The sudden recruitment of soldiers confused Sokov.
He thought that this replenishment of troops might benefit Chuikov, so he took the initiative to call and ask: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, why are you replenishing my troops at this moment?"
"Additional troops?" Since Malinin did not communicate with Chuikov on this matter, he knew nothing about the matter. When he heard Sokov's question, he asked in confusion: "I didn't give you additional troops?
You must know that the remaining troops of the group army are only half, and some even have one-third. If I want to replenish troops, my priority will be them."
Seeing that Chuikov didn't know anything about it, Sokov couldn't help but said to himself in confusion: "Damn it, who sent us the new soldiers?"
"Comrade Division Commander," Fortunately, Sidorin thought about the problem more comprehensively than Sokov. He quickly reminded: "You can ask the commander who sent the troops. They should know the specific situation."
When the commander in charge of sending troops heard Sidorin's inquiry, he laughed a little embarrassedly, and then said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, do you really not know where we come from?"
"I don't know," Sidorin shook his head and asked, "Who arranged for you to bring the new soldiers here?"
"Who else is there, of course it is the Front Army Headquarters." Since this involved confidentiality, the officer told Sidorin readily: "We are following orders from the Front Army Headquarters to bring this group of soldiers to supplement you.
"
No other troops were replenished, but only our division was replenished. Sokov thought to himself, did his superiors plan to send his troops to difficult and dangerous areas immediately after completing the replenishment?
But he did not tell the officer standing in front of him these words, because he knew very well that even if he continued to ask, the other party would not be able to give him a satisfactory answer, so he nodded to the officer and said: "Comrade Captain
, I see that you are also exhausted, why not go back to the guest room and take a rest?"
"No." The officer shook his head and said like a rattle: "I haven't completed my mission yet, so how can I go upstairs to rest."
After sending away the officers, Sokov gathered Sidorin, Ivanov and Anisimov together and said to the three of them: "Comrade commanders, judging from the current situation, the reason why we can be so fast
The front army commander must have contributed to the supply of soldiers."
"What is General Rokossovsky's purpose for doing this?" Sidorin asked puzzledly.
"Chief of Staff, do you still remember the content of the call I had with the commander of the front army a few days ago?"
"Remember," Sidorin nodded and replied affirmatively: "You reminded him that General Vatutin's Southwest Front is in danger of being encircled by the German army."
"That's right." Sokov began to analyze the current situation to Sidorin and others: "Now General Vatutin's troops are storming Zaporizhia, where Manstein's headquarters is located. If they are attacked at this time,
When the German army attacks, there is a risk of the entire army being destroyed. Once our army's attack fails and the German army turns to counterattack, the troops of the Southwest Front will definitely be defeated.
In order to avoid this situation, I think the superiors plan to deploy our division on the flank and rear of the friendly forces. Once they are attacked, we must block the enemy and prevent them from rushing towards Stalingrad."
"So that's it." After hearing Sokov's explanation, everyone seemed to be suddenly enlightened.
"But Comrade Division Commander," Ivanov interrupted and asked: "If the troops of the Southwest Front successfully break through the German defenses and occupy Zaporozhye, where Manstein's headquarters is located, what will happen next?
Condition?"
"This is very simple." Before Sokov could speak, Sidorin rushed to answer: "Our army will continue to advance forward until all the enemies have crossed the Dnieper River?"
"Comrades," Seeing that everyone's discussion was off topic, Sokov interrupted them, "As a commander, we always consider the worst-case scenario when formulating a combat plan. Even if our army's offensive is like a rainbow,
But we still need to take precautionary measures to prevent the enemy from suddenly launching a counterattack, and then it will be too late to organize a defense."
"I don't know where our superiors will place us." Sidorin said with some worry: "Is there terrain like Mamayev Hill where we can dig a similar underground fortification? If not, is it possible?
How can our infantry block the onslaught of enemy tanks?"
"Even if there are no fortifications and no matter how bad the terrain is, we still have to find a way to establish a complete line of defense in a short period of time." Sokov was afraid that people would not care about what he said, so he emphasized: "Because behind us is Stalinger.
Well, even if we sacrifice our lives, we must not let the enemy rush into the city again."
"Comrade division commander," Ivanov asked, "how do you plan to deploy the three regiments?"
"Although I still don't know where the superiors will deploy our division," Sokov said to the three of them, "but I plan to put the 122nd and 124th Guards Regiments on the front line, and the 125th Guards Regiment
The tank brigade and tank brigade will be deployed as the second echelon."
After finishing speaking, Sokov took a sip of water from his tea cup and continued: "I took a rough look at the new recruits today. At least half of them are rookies who have not received any military training. You have to find a way to let the new recruits
Quickly familiarize yourself with the environment and improve the combat effectiveness of your troops in the shortest possible time."
Everyone knows that the last sentence Sokov said is the most critical. If the troops lose their combat effectiveness, even if the troops and technical equipment are superior to the enemy, it is still a fool's errand to win the war.
The phone on the table rang. Sidorin went over to pick up the phone and heard Malinin's voice: "I am Malinin, and I announce on behalf of the commander, General Rokossovsky, that your division will be here in three days."
Within, heading towards Luhansk. Any questions?”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, of course I have a question." Sidorin waited for Ma Linin to finish and immediately asked: "I would like to ask, what kind of transportation does our troops take, cars or trains?"
"In these months of bloody fighting, roads and bridges have been severely damaged, and we are temporarily unable to provide a convoy that can transport so many troops..."
"What about the train?" Sidorin learned that he could not take the road by car, so he quickly asked: "Our division only needs dozens of wagons to hold it all."
"The railway is no longer working." Ma Lining continued to shake his head and said: "Our railway workers are still repairing the road, but it will take a long time, and your division may not be able to catch up."
"There are no cars and no trains." Sidorin said, somewhat dumbfounded: "Then how do we get to Luhansk?"