Sokov originally thought that Ozor, as a military engineer, would have a heated argument with him if he raised objections, but the other party's cooperative attitude greatly surprised him.
"Comrade Major," Sokov stamped his feet and said, "I think even if trenches and reinforced concrete bunkers were built on the surface of Mamayev Heights, it would only take a few days to survive the German shelling and bombing. will be completely destroyed. You should understand that it is unrealistic to expect to consume the German ammunition through the Mamayev Hills. If they can rush to the gates of Stalingrad, then their weapons, ammunition and various supplies can It keeps coming.”
Regarding Sokov's statement, Ozor did not think it was alarmist. Based on his experience, even if the hill was covered with various reinforced concrete fortifications, it would be destroyed sooner or later under the fierce German artillery fire and bombing. razed to the ground. However, he still held on to the last chance and asked: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, do you really think that the Germans will rush to Stalingrad?"
When Sokov heard Ozor's question, he did not answer immediately. Instead, he smiled faintly, and then asked: "What do you think?"
"I don't think so." Ozor said in an uncertain tone: "You know, to the west of Stalingrad, we still have two armies with more than 100,000 people fighting tenaciously against the enemy. In addition to them, I believe that the Supreme Command will continue to dispatch new troops. With such troops, can't we still stop the enemy?"
"It can't be stopped, Comrade Major." The person who answered his question was Belkin. Not only did he learn a lot of inside information from Antonov, but he also listened to Sokov's "analysis" while on the military column. The next situation, so he was convinced that the German army would rush into Stalingrad at this moment. He looked at Ozor and said: "Our strength is not as strong as the enemy for the time being. Those troops deployed to the west of Stalingrad can slow down the enemy's advancement, but they cannot prevent the enemy from rushing towards Stalingrad. It is even possible , in the following days, the battle between us and the enemy will begin in the city."
Belkin's words silenced Ozor. After a long time, he asked with difficulty: "Comrade Deputy Battalion Political Commissar, are everything you said true?"
Belkin turned to look at Sokov, trying to get some kind of permission from him. Seeing him nod slightly, he decisively said to Ozor: "That's right, Comrade Major. Judging from the current situation, if you want to It is very difficult to stop them, so we must do the necessary defensive work in advance.”
After listening to these words, Ozor decided to ask Sokov how the fortifications on Mamaev Hill should be repaired: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, what kind of fortifications do you think should be built to block the German army?" What about the offense?”
Seeing that Ozor and Belkin were looking at him, Sokov smiled faintly, and then said: "If we want to block the German attack, our fortifications should be built underground, not on the ground. If we If the interior of the tunnel fortifications is reinforced with reinforced concrete, then even if the German artillery fire is fierce, it will not be able to destroy our underground defenses."
"But, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Hearing that Sokov planned to build the fortifications underground, the muscles on Ozor's face twitched. He said with some embarrassment: "Have you forgotten that under our feet is a Tatar? Tartar's tomb. Is it appropriate to build fortifications inside a tomb?"
"No, Comrade Brigade Commander, this idea of yours is really crazy." Although Sokov had already told Belkin that he planned to dig a tunnel on Mamayev Hill and hide all the troops in the tunnel. to improve the survival rate of commanders and combatants during enemy shelling and bombing. But when he learned that there was a tomb at his feet, he couldn't help shivering and hurriedly interjected: "You know, the air in the tunnel is not circulating, and there is a danger of collapse at any time. The soldiers may not be able to adapt. If you know that you are still Staying in a tomb, it is estimated that many soldiers will have a mental breakdown soon. I think we should study the construction of tunnel fortifications again. "
Sokov ignored Belkin and continued to say to Ozor: "No need to study anymore, I have made the final decision. In addition to the tunnel fortifications to be built on the south slope, the north slope also needs to be built. North and south Two or three tunnels are used to connect the slopes, so that our troop mobilization can be completed underground."
Ozor originally wanted to object, but when he saw that Belkin's objections were all rejected by Sokov, he knew very well that even if he objected, it would be in vain. Anyway, the order given to him by his superiors was to assist Sokov in building fortifications at Mamayev Heights. Whatever plan they proposed, they would implement it.
Thinking of this, Ozor looked at Sokov and asked: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I would like to ask, what kind of tunnel do you plan to build? And where should the tunnel's exit be?"
Sokov squatted down, picked up a small wooden stick on the ground, and began to draw a sketch on the ground. At the same time, he made a sketch to Ozor: "On the surface of the hill, we will still build conventional trenches or some civil fire points. .The underground fortifications are made of two tunnels crossing left and right to form an 'X' shape. The outside is connected by trenches on all sides. Various launching positions are placed on both sides of the hill, allowing it to project firepower within 300 meters of the surrounding area. …”
When Sokov first started telling Ozor, Ozor was still a little distracted. But after listening to him talk for a while, the expression on his face changed. He quickly took out a small book and began to record what Sokov said, thinking about how to build this novel fortification based on these sketches. .
It took Sokov more than half an hour to introduce this kind of tunnel fortification that would play a great role a few years later. As soon as he finished speaking, Ozor frowned and asked: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, although the tunnel fortifications you mentioned sound very good, they have not been tested on the battlefield after all. Do you really think that you rely on Can this kind of fortifications defeat the enemy’s attempt to seize Mamayev Heights?”
"I think it should be possible." Sokov nodded and replied: "When the enemy shelled and bombed our positions, our commanders and fighters would hide in the tunnels. When the enemy's infantry began to attack, the commanders and fighters would Come out of the tunnel and enter the trench outside to block the enemy's attack."
"Okay, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Seeing Sokov's resolute attitude, Ozor did not raise any objections, but stood up and said: "I will go back and design a detailed fortification drawing according to your proposal. Then the construction team will be arranged to carry out construction according to the drawings.”
"This is the best thing to do." Sokov nodded to Ozor and added: "But our time is tight, and the Germans may rush to Stalingrad at any time, so the construction of fortifications is best. It starts tomorrow.”
