Since he was staying in the tunnel fortifications and could not hear the sound of gunfire coming from the distant fighting site, Belkin could not sit still. He took the initiative to ask Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, we can't sit here anyway." If you have nothing to do, why not go to the observation post on the top of the slope and maybe see the scene of our army’s defeat?”
Although Sokov knew very well in his heart that even though Mamayev Heights was a commanding height, it was not easy to see the battlefield clearly from a distance of more than ten kilometers. However, considering that there is really nothing to do at the brigade headquarters, even if you can't see anything at the observation post above, it would be nice to hear some noise.
The two came to the observation post on the top of the slope. The soldiers inside who were performing observation missions instinctively turned their heads and glanced when they heard someone coming in. When it appeared that the person was the brigade commander and political commissar, he quickly turned around and straightened his body to salute.
"How is the situation?" Sokov asked casually: "Can you see the fighting area?"
The observation post shook his head and replied: "I saw nothing except the black smoke rising in the distance."
"You must be tired after observing here for so long." Belkin waved his hand at the observation post and said kindly: "Go for a walk and find a place to smoke a cigarette."
The observation post saluted, turned and walked out of the observation post. However, he did not go far, but sat next to a bush within Sokov's field of vision.
"Comrade Brigade Commander," seeing that the observation post was located more than ten meters away from here, he and Sokov would not be able to hear his questions, so Belgin asked confidently and boldly: "Do you really think that what our army did today? Can’t the attack launched be successful?”
"Yes," although Sidorin had asked this question a long time ago and Sokov had already given the answer, but when Belgin asked about it, Sokov patiently explained: "Yes, I think This counterattack was organized too hastily. After the troops arrived in a new place, they did not even understand the terrain before launching an attack hastily. In addition, there was a lack of effective cooperation from the artillery and tank units. If they wanted to break through the German three-dimensional defense , I think it’s very difficult.”
The two were talking in the observation post when a strange scream suddenly came from the air. After hesitating for two seconds, Sokov suddenly realized that it was the sound of artillery shells flying in the air, and quickly shouted: " No, shelling, take cover quickly.”
However, before they could make any reaction, the shell had already landed on the hillside and exploded. In the earth-shattering explosion, Sokov was knocked to the ground by the huge shock wave. He struggled to get up, pulled Belkin and prepared to run into the tunnel. Before leaving the observation post, he took a look at the location of the observation post and found that there was only a crater still smoking, and the soldier had long since disappeared.
The two fled along the passage into the tunnel. Sokov stumbled into the headquarters and shouted to Sidorin who was standing there: "Chief of Staff, the enemy has begun to shell us. Order all battalions to take cover." Work."
Before Sokov entered the tunnel, Sidorin heard the sound of cannons coming from outside. He was quite puzzled at the time. He guessed where the sound of cannons came from. Why did it feel like the impact point was so close to here? Before he could figure out the reason, he saw Sokov rushing into the command center in a panic and giving orders to himself. Sidorin did not dare to neglect, and quickly picked up the microphone on the table and conveyed Sokov's order to the battalion commanders.
"Comrade Brigadier, what on earth is going on?" Bergin, who was still in shock, looked at Sokov and asked, "Why did the Germans suddenly fire on Mamayev Hill?"
Although Sokov and Belkin escaped back to the tunnel shortly after the bombardment started. But based on his experience, there were at least three regiments of German artillery bombarding Mamayev Heights. An ominous thought suddenly flashed through his mind: "Could it be that the enemy is using a tactic of removing fuel from the cauldron in order to relieve the pressure on the troops in the north of the city?" ?As long as they concentrate their efforts on capturing Stalingrad, then our army's offensive in the north will be meaningless."
Sokov thought of the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion between the north and south slopes, and quickly asked Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, have you called the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion?"
"No." Sidorin shook his head and said: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion only cooperates with our brigade in operations and is not affiliated with our brigade, so they will not accept our command."
"Even if they are not under our command." Sokov said with a serious expression: "You still have to call them and let them find a suitable place to hide."
"Don't worry, Comrade Brigade Commander." Regarding Sokov's worries, Sidorin said with a smile: "After the lessons learned last time, the women's anti-aircraft artillery battalion has learned a lot. They dug a lot of holes near the air defense positions. If they are bombarded by German shells, they will quickly hide themselves."
Sokov didn't know whether the enemy was shelling Mamaev Hill alone or the entire city. He felt that he needed to report the situation here to Chuikov immediately, so he called the army headquarters. The person who answered the phone was Krylov. After hearing Sokov's voice, he asked first: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, according to the report from our observation post, the enemy is carrying out heavy shelling on Mamayev Heights. How about it, are your losses big?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, losses from such a scale of shelling are definitely unavoidable." Sokov, who was staying in the tunnel, knew nothing about the situation outside at the moment, but since the Army Chief of Staff asked about it, I always have to give the other party an answer: "Since I had already ordered the troops to enter the tunnel fortifications, and only placed some sentries on the surface positions, when the shelling started, I believe they have withdrawn from the tunnel. In this way, even if there is a loss, The casualties won’t be too big.”
"Very good, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, you did a good job." After praising Sokov, Krylov suddenly said: "The front headquarters may withdraw to the left bank of the Volga River after the shelling stops. . I hope you can send troops to ensure the safety of the front army headquarters during the transfer process."
"Will the Front Headquarters be withdrawn to the other side of the Volga River?" During the most difficult days of the Battle of Stalingrad, when Yeremenko and Khrushchev placed the Front Headquarters on the east bank of the Volga River, Sokov was Very clear. But hearing Krylov say this at this moment, Sokov still felt abandoned in his heart. He said into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry, we will ensure the safety of the front army headquarters during the transfer process."
After Sokov put down the phone, Sidorin asked anxiously: "What, the front army headquarters is retreating? Where are they planning to retreat?"
"Where else can we retreat?" Sokov pointed in the direction of the Volga River with his hand and said: "Of course it is to retreat to the other side of the Volga River and establish a new headquarters there to command the troops in the city. "
"Comrade Brigadier, what they did is a cowardly act." As a political worker, Belkin usually gave people a very calm feeling, but when he heard that the front army headquarters was going to be transferred to the other side of the Volga River, he also He couldn't help but get angry: "The troops are fighting the enemy in the city, but our headquarters is far away on the other side of the Volga River. If our soldiers know all this, what will they think?"
When Sokov heard what Belkin said, he thought to himself: Even if the soldiers have complaints, they will not have a chance to vent. Because in this tragic battle, the survival time of the soldiers was only 24 hours, and the survival time of the officers was only 72 hours. According to statistics, Chuikov's 62nd Army had more than 100,000 people at the beginning of the battle, but by the time the Battle of Stalingrad ended, there were only more than 200 people left.
"Comrade Political Commissar," in order to prevent Belkin's mood from shaking the morale of the army, Sokov quickly took over his topic and said: "I think it is completely necessary for the front army headquarters to be transferred. If the front army headquarters continues to stay at The city will soon become the target of enemy artillery or bombing. Once something goes wrong with the headquarters, the entire front army will lose its unified command and become a mess, and will eventually be defeated by the German army one by one."
As soon as Belkin was comforted, the phone on the table rang. This time the call was from Khrushchev himself. He asked on the phone: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I got the precious , the enemy is bombarding your Mamayev Heights, is this true?"
Sokov knew that if the Front Army Headquarters wanted to leave the city, it would have to board the ship at the dock behind Mamayev Hill. In order to prevent the other party from misjudgment, he replied respectfully: "Yes, Comrade Military Commissar, the enemy is bombarding Mamayev Hill with fierce artillery fire."
"Can the enemy's shells hit the dock?" Khrushchev asked with some concern: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, please tell me the truth no matter what."
Sokov quickly covered the microphone with his hand and asked Sidorin who was standing in front of him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, Comrade Military Commissioner, have you heard all the questions asked by Comrade Military Commissar? Can the enemy's artillery fire reach the dock?"
"Comrade Brigadier, don't worry. We also have observation posts behind Mamayev Heights." Sidorin picked up another phone and said to Sokov: "I'll ask them. Let’s see how the situation is at the dock.”
While Sidorin was on the phone, Sokov smiled and said to Khrushchev: "Comrade Military Commissar, I will ask my chief of staff to find out about it right away. Please don't hang up the phone, I will call you as soon as possible. You answered.”
Sidoriner and others were surprisingly efficient. In less than two minutes, he ended the call and confidently reported to Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, the observation post reported that sporadic water columns appeared on the river, which should be German troops. shells fell into the Volga River."
After receiving the exact information, Sokov quickly reported to Khrushchev: "Comrade Military Commissar, my observation post reported that a water column would rise from time to time on the Volga River, which should be from Mamayev Hill. The shells flying overhead fell into the Volga River."
"I understand, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." After hearing Sokov's reply, Khrushchev said extremely politely: "Thank you!"
Sokov did not stupidly ask the other party: "Are you ready to transfer?" If he asked this, even if Khrushchev didn't say anything, he would be deducted in his mind. Therefore, he said cautiously: "Comrade Military Commissar, judging from various signs, the Germans are planning to attack Mamayev Heights."
"No, it can't be." Hearing what Sokov said, Khrushchev said in a panic: "Zhukov's troops are carrying out counterattacks against the enemy in the north of Stalingrad today. Logically speaking, the enemy would be in such a situation At that time, the main forces should be concentrated in the north. Why did they suddenly bombard Mamayev Heights?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, according to my estimation, the Germans may be worried that the troops stationed at Mamayev Heights will stab him in the back while they are fighting the 1st Guards Army." Sokov told He Rushchev analyzed: "Therefore, they launched attacks from two directions at the same time, so we could only divide our forces to meet the enemy in order to resolve the threats they faced."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, what you said is quite reasonable." Khrushchev waited for Sokov to finish speaking, then nodded and said, "I will relay everything you said to the commander. Comrade Communist Party member. By the way, once the enemy's shelling stops, remember to notify us as soon as possible. I wish you victory!"
The German shelling lasted for about forty minutes before finally stopping. Somehow, after the shelling stopped, the German army did not use ground troops to attack, and there was silence in front of the Mamayev Hill, which was filled with thick smoke.
Sokov didn't quite believe the observation post's report. If the Germans didn't plan to attack here, why would they conduct long-term shelling on the highlands? So he came alone to the bombed-out surface position, raised his telescope and looked into the distance, hoping to see the German troops ready to go, so that he could ask the artillery company to drag the artillery to the top of the slope and blast it hard. Last time, he wanted to avenge the sacrifice of his soldiers.
However, he looked through the telescope for a long time, but found no trace of the German army in his field of vision. He whispered in his heart: "What on earth do the Germans want to do? Why did they bombard us with so many artillery shells, but did not send infantry to attack? Could it be that they are hatching some conspiracy?"
Just as Sokov was about to return to the tunnel, he saw Asiya and several health workers coming out of the cave entrance. He quickly grabbed Asiya and asked with concern: "Asiya, where are you going?"
"The Germans were shelling our position just now. There must be a lot of casualties among the commanders and soldiers." Asiya stopped and looked at Sokov and said, "We are here to rescue the wounded."
After giving Asiya a hug, Sokov said with concern: "You must be more careful and pay attention to your own safety!"
Asiya nodded vigorously, "You too!" After saying that, she quickly kissed Sokov on the face, then turned and ran away, chasing colleagues from the health team.
