After the No. 74 armored train crushed the German attack, the commander in the car did not even get out of the car to greet the commanders and fighters of the first battalion, but drove directly back to the factory area to the north. This is a model of hiding deep merit and fame.
Although the battle lasted only a short time and ended with the victory of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, Sokov realized that his troops still had many problems and needed to immediately convene a meeting with commanders at all levels to avoid similar incidents again. mistake.
Considering that there were as many as 20 or 30 battalion and company level commanders attending the meeting, and there was no room for them in the tent, Sokov made a temporary decision to change the venue of the meeting to a conference room in the tunnel.
"Comrade commanders," seeing everyone attending the meeting, Chief of Staff Sidorin stood up and said, "I have called you here today to summarize a battle that ended not long ago."
"Battle summary, what kind of battle summary?" As soon as Sidorin finished speaking, the commander sitting below raised an objection: "We have never conducted any battle summary in our previous wars, shouldn't we win the same battle? "
"Perhaps you have never heard of a battle summary before, but from now on, this should be developed into a system." Sokov stood up and said to the questioning commander: "After we have fought a battle, no matter what Whether we win or lose a battle, we should summarize experiences and lessons in a timely manner and understand what problems exist in the battle. In this way, we can avoid making similar mistakes again in the next battle...
Today's battle between the first battalion and a fast German column must have been witnessed by the commanders present on the battlefield. This battle gave me the feeling that without the support of armored trains, maybe the German army would break through our direction..."
"Comrade Brigade Commander," before Sokov could finish speaking, Vanya stood up from his seat and said loudly: "Even if the commanders and fighters of our first battalion sacrifice their lives, they will never let the Germans cross our defense line. .”
"Captain Vanya, please sit down first." Sokov raised his hand and pressed down, signaling Vanya to sit down. He continued: "Judging from today's battle, the commanders and fighters of the first battalion performed very bravely. But they lack anti-tank weapons, so even if they face the weakest armored light tanks, they are helpless. A few days ago, when I was acting as the chief of staff of the Southern Group, I easily saw some brave soldiers holding cluster grenades. Rush up and die together with the enemy tanks. Although they performed very bravely, the casualties of our troops were also very shocking. Think about it, if everyone on the same position is dead, who will stop the German attack? Woolen cloth?"
Sokov's rhetorical question silenced all the commanders. They were thinking silently in their minds that their troops also lacked anti-tank weapons. If they encountered German tanks rushing toward their positions, what method should they use to destroy the enemy's tanks? Besides using cluster grenades, what else can be done?
Some commanders who responded quickly unconsciously cast their eyes on Captain Oshanin sitting next to him, thinking to themselves, weren't there 125 dogs in the anti-tank dog company? Wouldn't it be possible to reduce troop casualties by letting military dogs blow up German tanks?
Sokov noticed that everyone's eyes were gradually focused on Oshanin, and he quickly said: "Everyone knows that Captain Oshanin's dog company is specially used to deal with German tanks. But what if Everyone has pinned their hopes on him, which obviously won't work. You know, training military dogs is not easy, and if one dies, one will be lost. The battle we fought with the Germans here on Mamayev Hills did not last for just one or two days. will end, so the use of military dog companies must be reserved for the most critical moments."
"Comrade Brigadier," a company commander asked on behalf of everyone after Sokov finished speaking: "If I understand correctly, in this battle to defend Stalingrad, if we do not repel the enemy, we must Have you been staying in the tunnel?"
"Yes, the entire brigade, including me, will stay in the tunnel during the entire defense war." Seeing the unconvinced look on the company commander's face, Sokov added: "What if If you think your flesh and blood can withstand German shelling and bombing, you can stay in the surface fortifications on the hillside.”
Sokov's words caused a burst of laughter. The company commander sat down a little awkwardly amidst everyone's laughter. Just as Sokov was about to continue speaking, he was interrupted by a sudden ringing of a bell. Chief of Staff Sidorin picked up the phone and listened for a moment, then handed it to Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, this is the phone number of the Army Commander."
"This is Sokov." Sokov took the phone, put it to his ear and asked, "Hello, Comrade Commander, do you have any instructions?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, are you back?" Lopatin said coldly on the phone: "Why did you leave your unit without permission? Aren't you afraid of going to a military court?"
Sokov did not expect Lopatin to say this, and the expression on his face suddenly became serious: "Comrade Commander, there is a reason why I left the army..."
"I know the reason why you left the army, and I even know that you served as chief of staff in Chuikov's Southern Group." Lopatin said a little angrily: "But when you left Mamayev Heights, why didn't you report to me? ?Do you know that your behavior is called absence from duty, and I can send you to a military court at any time."
"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I was wrong." Sokov knew that he could not contradict Lopatin at this time, so he quickly surrendered to the opponent: "I promise you that I will never make a similar mistake again in the future."
I thought Lopatin would continue to have another attack, but the other party's tone suddenly became friendly: "Okay, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, next time you go somewhere, remember to say hello to me in advance. , let me know... No matter what, you are affiliated with my 62nd Army, do you understand?"
When did Lopatin become so talkative? With questions in his mind, Sokov replied: "I understand, Comrade Commander."
"I heard that you fought a battle with a fast column of the German army today and won." Lopatin said on the phone: "Please express my condolences to those soldiers who showed bravery and tenacity in the battle. Thank you. Thank you for their contribution to the defense of the great Stalingrad."
"I will, Comrade Commander." Hearing Lopatin chatting with him amiably in the tone of an old friend, Sokov was really confused. It stands to reason that he led the troops away from Mama without permission. Yevgang, for going to the rescue of Chuikov, even getting scolded is considered a minor offense, and he might be directly sent to a military court. Unexpectedly, Lopatin now talked about himself lightly, and even talked and laughed with himself.
Before ending the call, Lopatin asked habitually: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, are there any difficulties that you need my help to solve?"
If Lopatin had not asked this question, the call between him and Sokov would have ended. Unexpectedly, when Sokov heard this, he immediately remembered that his troops lacked various effective anti-tank weapons, and quickly said: "Comrade Commander, my infantry brigade lacks anti-tank weapons. I wonder if you can support some of us." .”
Lopatin took the initiative to call Sokov today and lowered his stance so low. It was entirely because the 62nd Army was currently retreating on the battlefield. According to his idea, the fall of Stalingrad would be a matter of time. Sokov's 73rd Infantry Brigade stood firm at Mamayev Heights, guarding the dock leading to the other side. As long as this brigade remains on the high ground, its retreat will not be cut off by the Germans. In this way, at the critical moment, it can lead the main force of the group army through the dock protected by Mamaev Hill. Volga River, withdraw as many troops as possible to the other side.
He never dreamed that Sokov would actually take his casual polite words and ask for anti-tank weapons from him. You must know that the troops currently fighting the German army close to Stalingrad mainly deal with German tanks. They also lack sufficient anti-tank weapons. However, considering that Sokov's troops will be his reliance when withdrawing in the future, if they cannot stop the Germans, then his retreat will be cut off.
Thinking of this, he said with difficulty into the microphone: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, although the group army currently lacks anti-tank weapons, considering your actual difficulties, I will still find a way to solve a batch of them for you."
After finishing his call with Lopatin, Sokov said to the commanders who were looking at him intently: "Comrade commanders, let me tell you some good news. The Army Headquarters will replenish us with some anti-tank weapons in the near future. In this way Come on, we won’t be helpless in the face of German tanks.”
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Sidorin reminded Sokov: "I know that all units are seriously short of anti-tank weapons. Even if they are replenished for us, the number may be very limited. I think we should still find a way on our own... "
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I want to ask you, how can we figure it out on our own?" Vasily heard this and couldn't help but interrupt and asked: "If we have the ability to produce these weapons and equipment ourselves, then why do we have to worry about it? Just do it directly Just start production.”
"Today's meeting ends here." Sokov felt that he had said almost everything that should be said today, so he announced the meeting was adjourned: "The four battalion commanders and tank company commanders stayed, and the other commanders returned to their respective units. Go ahead."
The battalion commanders who were left behind had normal expressions. They guessed that Sokov must have something more important to explain to them. The tank company commander, Lieutenant Aritai, was a little confused. He didn't know what would happen if the brigade commander specifically asked him to stay.
"Everyone, please sit down." Seeing a few people still standing, Sokov quickly asked them to sit down, and then said: "I left you here for the purpose of anti-tank weapons. The chief of staff just said it right. Now that our troops are fighting the Germans at close range in Stalingrad, they mainly have to deal with German tanks, so they need a large number of anti-tank weapons. Although Commander Lopatin promised to replenish some anti-tank weapons for us, I guess There are not many, at most they are a few anti-tank rifles and some anti-tank grenades. Therefore, I think if we want the troops to have sufficient anti-tank weapons, we can only rely on ourselves to find a way?"
"Find a way, think of a way?" Perhaps because he was contradicted by Captain Vasily in public, Sidorin felt that he couldn't stand down, so he said angrily: "We don't have the ability to produce these weapons, and the ones shipped from the other side are The weapons are allocated to friendly forces and have no share in us at all..."
Sokov patiently waited for Sidorin to finish complaining, and then continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you are right. At present, we do not have the ability to produce ammunition, and at the same time, the frequency of supplies from the logistics and transportation troops is getting less and less. Especially in recent days, except for food and supplies, the replenishment of weapons and ammunition has completely stopped."
"Comrade Brigadier, the situation is not good for us." Belkin, who had been silent for the whole time, also said with a worried look: "If our superiors don't give us more ammunition, once the German army launches an attack on Mamayev Heights, We will soon be running out of ammunition."
When Andre heard that several people were worried about ammunition, he immediately remembered what happened in a Ministry of Internal Affairs warehouse a few days ago. You must know that the materials stored there solved the big problem of insufficient ammunition in the Southern Cluster. Thinking of this, he quickly said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, I have an idea. Since we can find a warehouse in the southwest of the city, we might as well search nearby, maybe we can find a warehouse. "
"Captain Andrei," Sokov said with a bit of laughter and laughter after hearing Andrei's suggestion: "Do you think you can find warehouses like that everywhere? It's a fluke to find one, and you want to do it again. Finding it is almost as difficult as climbing to the sky.”
"Then what should we do?" Andrei asked in a panic after hearing what Sokov said: "If we can't get replenishment, once the ammunition is exhausted, our commanders and fighters will have to fight the Germans with bayonets. "
"Don't worry," Sokov waved to Andre, "Since we can't get any supplies from our own people, we'll find a way to go to the German warehouses to get the weapons and ammunition we want."
As soon as Sokov's words came out, Chief of Staff Sidorin and Battalion Commander Brisky were stunned. They didn't understand why Sokov said that? The other commanders had calm expressions because they were already familiar with Sokov's routine. Hearing what his brigade commander said, I guessed that he must be thinking about the German military warehouse again.
Belkin asked curiously: "Comrade Brigade Commander, if you have any ideas, why don't you tell everyone."
"Lieutenant Alitai," Sokov did not answer Belkin's question, but asked Alitai first: "How many German armored personnel carriers did you capture today?"
"Five vehicles," Alitai held out five fingers and said with a bit of regret: "I originally thought there were six vehicles, but when we went to receive them, we found that one of them was blocked by the artillery on the armored train."
"Five cars are fine." Sokov calculated silently in his mind. If they were crowded together, it would be enough for seventy or eighty people. He then continued to ask Alitai: "Can it drive normally?"
"Yes, Comrade Brigadier." Although Alitai didn't understand why Sokov kept asking about the armored vehicles, he still answered truthfully: "After we brought the armored vehicles back, they have carried out special maintenance and can be put into use at any time. use."
