Rokossovsky received a battle report in the name of Sokov when it was dark. After reading the above content, he put it on the table, and then asked Zakharov, who was sitting across the table: "Comrade Deputy Commander, if you are asked to command the Istria Battalion, you must seize the outskirts of Popkovo." How long will it take you to build four villages?”
Zakharov, who was reading the battle report of the 11th Guards Division, heard Rokossovsky's question and quickly put down the battle report in his hand, shrugged his shoulders and said with some helplessness: "Comrade Commander, although the German army is The troops in the outlying villages are very limited, but there are usually barbed wire fences and minefields outside these villages. Shelters with shooting holes are built under many houses, and there are even tanks in the villages used as fixed artillery batteries. This sweep If I were to direct the peripheral battle, with the support of artillery and tanks, I would be sure to capture these four villages within three to five days."
Rokossovsky just smiled faintly after listening to Zakharov's words, and then handed over the battle report he had read: "Take a look, Comrade Deputy Commander, this is just sent by the Istria Battalion. According to battle reports, they have successfully captured four villages.”
"This is impossible!" When Zaharov heard Rokossovsky say this, his first reaction was that the other party was joking with him, but after carefully observing the other party's face, he found that he did not seem to be joking with him, and he hurriedly He looked down at the battle report in his hand.
"Major Sokov's style of play is very interesting." Malinin came over and handed a stack of battle reports he had just received to Rokossovsky, and said at the same time: "If we are commanding the battle, we will win the first battle." After one village, the other three villages should be captured in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. But Sokov used a divided force to capture these three villages almost at the same time."
"I think his style of play is too risky." After reading Sokov's battle report, Zakharov began to express his own opinion: "The whole battalion attacks three targets at the same time. In this way, it is easy to lose due to weak troops. And they were defeated one by one by the German army."
"Yes, it is very risky, but it is undoubtedly the most successful tactic." Rokossovsky commented on the results achieved by Sokov and the others: "Comrade Zakharov, you just said, The German army does not have many troops in these peripheral villages. If the attack is carried out in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the villages that have not been attacked can send troops to reinforce. In this way, our offensive troops will have to If we fight a tough battle, even if we capture the village, we will pay a huge price."
After reading the battle report in his hand, Rokossovsky put it on the table and said to Malinin: "Chief of Staff, send a report to Major Sokov and ask him to lead the troops to participate in the attack on Popkovo village tomorrow. "
"Comrade Commander," Malinin heard what Rokossovsky said and quickly reminded him carefully: "We are not planning to transfer the 323rd and 324th Infantry Divisions to assist General Chernyshev's 11th Guards Division tomorrow. , to seize the village of Popkovo. Why was it changed to the Istrian camp again?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation has changed now, and our original battle plan must be adjusted accordingly." Rokossovsky picked up the battle report on the table and handed it to Zakharov next to him. He continued: "General Zhukov has just restored General Popov to his post and asked him to continue to serve as the commander of the 61st Army. They will launch a full-scale counterattack tomorrow, so I decided to send the infantrymen who were originally preparing to attack the village of Popkovo The 323rd and 324th Divisions were transferred to the right wing of our army group to cooperate with friendly forces in launching a counterattack against the Germans."
"Is this possible?" Regarding Rokossovsky's order, Malinin said hesitantly: "There are more than 2,000 German invaders in the village of Popkovo, as well as tanks and assault artillery. Today's attack is close to The 11th Guards Division paid a heavy price. One of the battalions finally rushed into the village after paying two-thirds of the price. Unexpectedly, it was driven out by the enemy before it could gain a foothold."
"The 146th Tank Brigade can also be put into battle tomorrow. With their assistance, I think the Istria Battalion's attack will become smoother." After Rokossovsky said this, he urged Malinin: "Chief of Staff, hurry up and send a telegram to the Istria Battalion to prepare them to attack Popkovo."
Sokov was in his command post, convening a meeting with his company commanders to comment on today's day's battle. Suddenly, communications platoon leader Maxim came in from outside and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, a telegram from the headquarters."
Sokov took the telegram from Maxim's hand, quickly read the contents, and then ordered: "Bring me the map!"
Belkin, who was sitting next to him, immediately took out the map from the map bag, unfolded it and placed it on the table. Sokov leaned over and looked at the map for a while, and then said to the company commanders: "Comrades, company commanders, the group army headquarters has just given us a new combat order, asking us to cooperate with the main force of the division to attack Popkovo tomorrow. .”
He tapped the location of Popkovo twice with his fingers and continued: "Popkovo is located on a high ground overlooking the surroundings. The Germans shelled Susinich from here. To ensure To ensure the safety of the city, we must find a way to occupy this large village."
"Comrade Battalion Commander," as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Vanya standing next to him asked: "Can you tell us how many Germans there are in the villages and towns?"
"According to the report from the headquarters," Sokov glanced at the telegram beside him and said slowly: "There are about two thousand people stationed in the village and town, as well as tanks and assault artillery. Be prepared for a ring defense."
I heard that there were two thousand German troops in the villages and towns, which made everyone take a breath. Andre murmured: "The strong side is defending, while the weak side is attacking. Doesn't this make us die?"
"Captain Andrei!" As soon as he finished speaking, Belkin criticized him righteously and said: "Please pay attention to your words. Our superiors have carefully considered the tasks assigned to us. How can we be allowed to die? This is Such remarks must not be heard by soldiers, otherwise they will affect our military morale and morale."
Andrei, who was criticized by Belkin, realized his gaffe and quickly admitted his mistake: "I'm sorry, Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander. It was my fault. I will pay attention to it in the future."
"Don't worry, everyone, we are not fighting alone." Seeing the sad faces of the company commanders, Sokov quickly said with a smile: "Participating in the attack are the main force of the 11th Guards Division and two artillery regiments. , and a tank brigade. I believe that with the support of friendly forces, we will be able to capture Popkovo."
