Although the telegram stated that the vanguard would arrive at two o'clock in the morning, Sokov and Belkin waited until three o'clock and still did not receive a report from the observation post outside the city.
Seeing Sokov's drowsy look, Belgin said with concern: "Comrade Brigadier, it seems that the friendly forces have encountered some trouble on the road. They may not be able to arrive before dawn. You'd better go and rest for a while." .”
"Okay, Comrade Political Commissar, I'm going to take a nap first." Sokov was really sleepy at the moment, so he yawned and said to Belkin: "If there is news about friendly troops, remember to wake me up in time."
I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep for long before I would be woken up by Belgin, but I ended up sleeping until dawn. Sokov sat up from the cot and saw Belkin sleeping on a wooden table not far away. Worried that he would catch a cold, Sokov took off the military coat hanging on the wall and walked over to cover him carefully. On the body.
Although Sokov's movement was very gentle, it still woke up Belkin. He raised his head and saw clearly that the person covering him with a military coat was Sokov. He grinned and asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, are you awake?"
"Any news about friendly forces?" Sokov asked.
"No," the expression on Belkin's face dimmed, and he shook his head and said, "I guess he was delayed on the road."
Sokov picked up the telegram on the table and called the third battalion command post. After hearing Andre's voice, he asked directly: "Third Battalion Commander, the German army may attack you at any time. Are you ready for battle?"
"Yes, Comrade Brigade Commander, we have made all preparations for battle." Andrei heard Sokov's inquiry and immediately replied: "Our battalion repaired the fortifications overnight and re-stretched the barbed wire in front of the position. , laid mines. If the Germans don’t come, they will definitely pay a heavy price if they want to rush into our position.”
While Sokov was talking to Andrei, another phone next to him rang, and Belkin, who was sitting next to him, immediately picked up the phone. Seeing the surprised expression on Belkin's face, Sokov guessed that something good might have happened, and said into the phone: "Comrade Captain, if anything happens, remember to call me in time."
As soon as he put down the phone, Sokov asked Belkin who was on the phone: "Comrade Political Commissar, what's the matter?"
Belkin quickly covered the microphone with his hand and said to Sokov: "The first battalion commander Vanya reported that the leading troops of the friendly forces have arrived at their defensive position outside the city."
"Thank God, the reinforcements have finally arrived." Sokov said, took the receiver from Belkin's hand, put it to his ear and said: "Captain Vanya? I am Sokov. The leader of the friendly forces. How many troops are there?...What, only two hundred people?...Send someone immediately to bring the commanders of friendly forces to the headquarters."
Unexpectedly, Vanya waited for Sokov to finish speaking, but hesitated for a while before replying: "Comrade Brigadier, the commander of the team is a general!"
"Is the leader a general?" Sokov said after hearing Vanya's report. He couldn't help but be stunned. He said to himself that in the 7th Tank Army, in addition to the commander, Major General Rotmistrov, there were also Are there any other generals? He originally thought that the commander of the vanguard was at best a battalion commander, so that he could randomly send any soldier to his headquarters. Now that he learned that he was a general, Sokov had to treat him with caution. After thinking for a moment, he said into the microphone: "Captain Vanya, you personally accompany Comrade General to my headquarters."
When he learned that the commander of the friendly forces' vanguard was a general, Belkin was also surprised: "Why, the commander of the friendly forces' vanguard is actually a general?" After seeing Sokov nodding in affirmation, , he continued, "But as far as I know, the chief of staff of the Tank Corps is just a colonel. Except for Major General Rotmistrov, I really can't think of any other general who would be in the Tank Corps." Take office.”
After Sokov waited for Belkin to finish speaking, he said casually: "Perhaps commanders from other units followed the 7th Tank Army to Kursk to understand the situation."
No matter who came, the identity of the other general had to attract the attention of Sokov and Belkin. The two chatted for a few more words, then got up and went outside the headquarters to greet the unknown general.
Not long after standing outside the building, Sokov saw several jeeps driving down the street. Not knowing which car the unknown general was in, Sokov and Belkin could only continue to stand there and wait.
After Vanya got out of the first car, she quickly ran to the second car, opened the door at the back, and then stood up straight and waited for the people in the car to get off. Seeing Vanya's actions, Sokov guessed that the real owner was in the car, winked at Belkin, and the two of them quickly rushed to meet him.
The general who came out of the car had a rather distinctive appearance, with a big round head, a pair of black-rimmed glasses, and a mustache. He looked like a Japanese pirate. After he got out of the car, he first pulled the hem of his military uniform with his hand, and then started to look around. When he saw Sokov and Belkin walking towards him, a smile immediately appeared on his face.
Although Sokov and Rotmistrov had never met, he recognized at a glance that the general who came was none other than Rotmistrov, the commander of the 7th Tank Corps. In Sokov's memory, this general's commanding ability was not outstanding, but he was a blessed general. His achievements were unmatched by other tank commanders. The 7th Tank Corps was reorganized into the 3rd Guards Tank Corps because of its outstanding performance in the battle to eliminate Paulus. After he became the commander of the 5th Guards Tank Army, he established immortal meritorious service in the world-famous Battle of Kursk.
Sokov came to Rotmistrov, raised his hand in salute and said: "Hello, Comrade General, welcome to Kursk."
"Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov." After Rotmistrov raised his hand in return, he extended his hand to Sokov and said, "I have been ordered to come to reinforce you."
"Comrade General," Sokov said after shaking hands with the other party, pointing at Belkin and introducing him: "This is my political commissar, Comrade Belkin."
"Hello, Comrade Belkin." Rotmistrov reached out and shook Belkin's hand again, and said politely: "Nice to meet you."
After exchanging pleasantries with Rotmistrov, Sokov returned to the headquarters together and called Vanya who was standing aside. After everyone sat down around the wooden table with phones and maps, Sokov couldn't help but asked curiously: "Comrade General, why didn't you stay with the main force, but hurriedly followed the vanguard of more than 200 people?" Where can I get to Kursk?"
"My tank corps has two tank brigades and a mechanized brigade. They have been marching hard in forests and swamps for the past few days. Because the roads are difficult to pass, the troops are marching very slowly." Rotmister Rove explained: "The most optimistic scenario for the tank brigade will take two or three days to arrive. I was worried that you would be anxious because you would not see the reinforcements for a long time, so I followed the leading troops of the mechanized brigade to Kursk."
"Comrade General," as soon as Rotmistrov finished speaking, Sokov asked tentatively: "Can I ask how many tanks you have in one of your tank brigade?"
"One brigade has 46 tanks, and the other brigade has 27 tanks." After talking about the number of tanks, Rotmistrov said bitterly: "In the early battles, we suffered some losses, superiors We haven’t had time to replenish it yet.”
After understanding the situation of the tank company, Sokov secretly wondered whether Alitai's tank company could also be incorporated into the tank corps, which would enhance the assault force of the tank unit. But before expressing his position, he continued to ask: "Do you have artillery in your army?"
"There is an artillery battalion in the mechanized brigade, but there are only a few mortars." Rotmistrov explained to Sokov: "From Yelets to here, there are almost no decent roads, various towed The artillery could not be transported at all, so we only brought a few mortars. Also, our unit has not been established for a long time, and many soldiers do not have weapons yet. I wonder if you can solve this problem for us?"
"Comrade General, don't worry." When he learned that there were people in the artillery battalion under Rotmistrov who had no artillery, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed and said very cheerfully: "We have occupied an important military warehouse of the German army. There are plenty of rifles, submachine guns, pistols and machine guns inside, so you can take as many as you need.”
When he learned that a large amount of weapons and equipment were stored in the warehouses in the city, Rotmistrov couldn't help but his eyes lit up, and then he asked tentatively: "I wonder if there are any artillery?"
"Yes, and most of them are our army's standard artillery. I guess they were captured by the Germans during the Battle of Kharkov." Sokov nodded and said, "Since you have artillery in your army, then They can use these guns to teach the Germans a lesson."
Rotmistrov saw that the weapons problem that troubled him had been successfully solved, so he looked at Sokov and asked: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, have the Germans launched an attack on the city in the past two days?"
"The German 297th Infantry Division launched attacks from the east of the city twice, but they were repelled by our army." Sokov pushed the map on the table in front of Rotmistrov and continued Said: "Comrade General, you see, according to the reports of the scouts, signs of German scouts' activities were also found in the south and west directions of the city. It is estimated that they will launch an attack in the next two days."
After staring at the map for a while, Rotmistrov raised his head and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, let's re-divide the defense area. Your troops will be responsible for the south and west directions of the city; and the east and west directions of the city. The north of the city will be left to my tank army. What do you think?"
Hearing what Rotmistrov said, Sokov couldn't help but feel ecstatic. He turned his head and glanced at Belgin. Seeing that the other party's face also showed joy, he nodded and said: "This is really great. , Comrade General. We are worried about insufficient troops. If your troops come to defend the east and north of the city, then we can concentrate our troops in the other two directions."
"My mechanized brigade may not be able to arrive until after noon." Rotmistrov said cautiously: "I suggest that our defense change work be carried out by then."
"I agree." Sokov replied: "The enemies we repelled may launch another attack today. The troops you brought are only more than 200 people, and they are simply unable to hold the position in the east of the city. I strongly agree. After the mechanized brigade arrives, it won’t be too late to change defenses.”
But what Sokov didn't expect was that after he finished speaking, Rotmistrov actually said: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, let me see this. You first send someone to take my men to the warehouse." Receive the equipment, and let them enter the position directly after receiving the equipment." He may be worried that Sokov would not agree, and specifically added, "Let them get familiar with the environment first, so that when the main force of the mechanized brigade arrives, they will Hold your ground better.”
Considering that the mechanized brigade has a stronger combat effectiveness than its own troops, if they can become familiar with the environment of the position early, it will be very beneficial to the subsequent battle. Therefore, Sokov only thought about Rotmistrov's statement for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Vanya, who was standing aside, heard that his defense area was about to be handed over to the mechanized brigade. He looked at Sokov and asked: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I would like to ask, after our battalion withdraws from the position in the north of the city, what will happen next?" What’s your mission?”
"Place the main force of the first battalion in the defense fortifications in the west of the city." Sokov tapped the map twice with his finger and said: "The Germans are not willing to let us occupy Kursk. They are in Oryo The enemies in your direction will rush towards the city soon, and your battalion's mission is to keep them out of the city."
"Comrade Brigade Commander, what should we do with our tank company?" Vanya had just finished asking, and Belkin also asked beside him: "Should we keep them where they are, or should we change the defense area?"
Sokov once considered placing Alitai's tank company under the command of Rotmistrov's tank brigade, but now he changed his mind. After the troops changed defense, although there were only two directions responsible for defense, if the defensive troops lacked heavy weapons and technical equipment, they would inevitably pay a heavy price to block the German attack. After thinking about it like this, he gave up the plan of handing over the tank company to Rotmistrov. He looked at Belkin and said: "Comrade Political Commissar, needless to say, Lieutenant Alitai's tank company will be installed soon." Captain Andre's three battalions operate together. They will be deployed wherever the three battalions are."
Belkin saw that Sokov was particularly enthusiastic about Rotmistrov, and was afraid that if his head got hot, he would give the only tank company in the brigade to the tank corps, so he asked this question. At this moment, after hearing Sokov's final reply, he finally let go of the huge stone in his heart.
