Brisky was very efficient. In less than an hour, he came back and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, we have figured it out. This enemy group is from the 295th Infantry Division. The division commander is Kofis." Major General, their division headquarters is about 150 kilometers away from us."
"Even if they are a fast column, it is impossible to reach us without any supplies." Sokov waited for Briski to finish and then asked: "Have the prisoners confessed? Where did they obtain it?" supplies?”
Brisky nodded and continued: "The prisoners confessed that they obtained supplies in the Xiaorososhka area, and then rushed over through the gap in our army's defense line at Gumlak Station..."
"Gap in the defense line?!" When Sidorin heard this, he quickly asked nervously: "Comrade Captain, do you know how wide the gap in the defense line is?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Briski glanced at Sidorin and replied, "no less than five kilometers."
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Sidorin asked Sokov nervously after hearing what Briski said, "Do you think we need to report this matter to the Army Group Headquarters? After all, it is a gap up to five kilometers wide. I’m worried that there will be a steady stream of enemies coming from here in the future.”
"There is no need to report it." Unexpectedly, after listening to Sidorin's reminder, Sokov shook his head and said: "Currently, all the troops of the group army are blocking the enemy on the front line, and there is no reserve team to use. Even if we report this to the commander, However, he cannot find suitable troops to fill this gap. If troops are drawn from other areas for defense, it will disrupt the overall defense deployment. "
The reason Sokov said this was not because he was unwilling to save anyone, but because he knew very well that even if he reported the matter to Lopatin, the other party might not believe what he said. Rather than asking for trouble, it would be better to Let nature take its course, anyway, even if the German army breaks through the gap in the defense line, as long as its troops are still holding on to Mamayev Heights, the enemy will not even think of reaching the Volga River.
After knowing where the enemy's supply points were, Sokov next began to arrange the commander of the small unit. As the commander of the infantry brigade, Sokov would certainly not participate in such a dangerous operation; and Briski was the commander of the fourth battalion, and he could not leave his post. Therefore, other people can only be arranged to command this force. Considering that there are more than 60 people in the team, the leader should be at least a company-level cadre.
After some consideration, Sokov said to everyone: "I suggest that Lieutenant Christopher, commander of the reconnaissance company, command this unit. Are there any objections?"
The usual mission of the reconnaissance company is to conduct reconnaissance deep behind enemy lines. It is perfect for the reconnaissance company commander Christopher to command this unit disguised as German troops to go deep behind enemy lines. So after hearing Sokov's question, everyone shook their heads and answered in unison: "No!"
Since no one objected to Christopher commanding this unit, Sokov called him over and said to him: "Comrade Lieutenant, I plan to send a unit disguised as German troops and go deep behind enemy lines. , ransacked the German army’s warehouses and moved all their supplies to Mamayev Heights. After discussion among all of us, we feel that it is most appropriate for you to command this unit. How about it, can you complete the mission? "
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Christopher did not immediately answer Sokov's question, but asked: "Can I ask how many troops are under my command and where are the enemy's military warehouses?"
"Come here to the map, Comrade Lieutenant." When Christopher came to the table, Sokov pointed to the map and said to him: "According to the confession of the prisoners, they have a supply point in the Xiaorososhka area, where It should be where the German army's warehouse is located.
And the troops you want to command, including you, have a total of sixty-eight people, including radio operators and health workers. You will all disguise yourself as German soldiers, pass through the gaps in our defense line, enter the enemy's rear, and wait for opportunities to seize the enemy's warehouses. "
Christopher traced the map with his finger, and then said: "Comrade Brigadier, there is a distance of almost 80 kilometers from the Malorososhka area to Mamayev Heights. Even if the enemy's warehouse is occupied, It is not an easy task to move so many supplies back.”
"Move as much as you can." Sokov felt that this operation deep behind enemy lines had a bit of a knife-edge licking blood, so he told the other party: "If you really can't move things, burn them all." It must not be left to the Germans."
"Comrade Brigadier," Christopher then asked, "when should we set off?"
"We will set off at two o'clock tomorrow morning." Seeing that Christopher seemed to have something to say, Sokov added: "Don't worry, we won't let you walk. We captured five German armored personnel carriers , the small team took these vehicles and went deep behind enemy lines."
Christopher was originally worried that Sokov would order them to march 80 kilometers on foot to the Mallet Rososhka area. At this moment, when he heard that there was actually an armored personnel carrier to ride on, the boulder hanging in his heart finally fell to the ground. Unexpectedly, not long after he was happy, Sokov's next words made their hearts freeze.
"Lieutenant Christopher, in order to ensure that your actions will not be noticed by the Germans, we will not report to friendly forces." Sokov said with a serious expression: "Therefore, from the moment we set off from Mamayev Hill, You have to think of yourselves as Germans. Do you understand?"
Christopher asked with a grimace: "Comrade Brigadier, if there is a misunderstanding between the two sides, what should we do?"
"One word: 'Run'." Sokov said to Christopher: "If there is a misunderstanding between the two parties, you take the initiative to contact each other. Once discovered by the enemy, your identity will be suspected, and your next step will be questioned. Action is very disadvantageous. Therefore, when you are attacked by our troops, the best choice is to escape. Anyway, you are riding in an armored personnel carrier, and they cannot catch up with you."
"Comrade Brigadier, are you allowed to leave?" Christopher asked expressionlessly: "I want to get familiar with the soldiers first, so that I can effectively implement my command in the next operation."
"Permission!" Before Christopher left, Sokov extended his hand to him: "I wish you good luck!"
When Sokov assigned the task to Christopher, Belkin couldn't help but smile bitterly. He thought to himself: The brigade commander is really crazy. He found a huge gap in our army's defense line. He did not report to Army Group Headquarters; he now sent a unit disguised as German troops and did not report to friendly forces. If his superiors blame him in the future, I wonder what kind of punishment he will receive?
