Starting from mid-September, the German army's attack on the city seemed somewhat feeble. Two months ago, they were advancing at a speed of several kilometers, ten kilometers or even dozens of kilometers every day, but now the distance they advance every day can only be calculated in meters. The reason for this situation is mainly that in the early battles, a large amount of their effective forces were consumed, and several Soviet divisions have entered the city recently. The ebb and flow of strength between the two sides brought the Soviet Union and Germany into a stalemate in Stalingrad.
After lying on the hospital bed for half a month, Sokov's injuries had basically recovered. With the support of a soldier, he came to the observation post on the top of the hill. Vanya, the commander of the first battalion who was observing the terrain here, was surprised when he saw Sokov walking into the observation post. He quickly stepped forward and raised his hands to salute him.
"Comrade Captain," Sokov said with a smile while extending his hand to Vanya: "When I saw you saluting me, I wondered in my heart whether my first battalion commander was sniping for the Germans. My hand indicates the target, so that I may become the enemy’s victory.”
Sokov's words caused a burst of laughter in the observation post, and the originally tense and depressing atmosphere suddenly became relaxed. After Vanya helped Sokov sit down, he asked curiously: "Comrade Brigadier, your injury has not fully recovered, why did you come up there?"
"I can't help it, the air in the ward is too turbid." Sokov looked up at Vanya and said, "I came out specifically to breathe fresh air."
"Comrade Brigadier," Vanya asked tentatively when he saw that Sokov's injuries had generally recovered, and that the acting brigade commander Vitkov was now commanding the troops, "I don't know when you will be able to return to the command post again." ?”
While Sokov was recuperating, several battalion commanders came to visit him. During this period, they complained to him that they were not suitable for Vitkov's command style. In previous battles, everyone relied on fortifications for defense, but since Vitkov took over the brigade After growing up, he likes to use short-term assaults and attack-for-attack tactics. As a result, the casualties of the troops exceeded 3,000 within two weeks. ,
When he heard Vanya ask this, Sokov knew in his heart that Vanya might not be satisfied with Vitkov either. His injury was almost healed, but to regain the command of the infantry brigade, he still needed Chuikov's permission, so he could only shake his head and said: "I'm not sure, it depends on how Comrade Commander. arrange."
"You all want to go out." Vanya waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately said to the other commanders and fighters in the observation post: "I will discuss things with the brigade commander if I have anything to do." When the commanders and fighters heard what Vanya said, They quickly stood at attention where they were, and then walked towards the outside of the observation post.
After he and Sokov were the only ones left in the observation post, Vanya spoke again: "Comrade Brigade Commander, please forgive me, if we follow Colonel Vitkov's style of play, it will take another week at most. Our troops will be exhausted."
Regarding Vanya's statement, Sokov did not immediately express his opinion. Instead, he reached out and took out a pack of cigarettes from Vanya's pocket, took one out, held it in his mouth, lit a match and lit the cigarette. , while asking: "Comrade Captain, how many people are left in your battalion?"
"Three hundred people!" Vanya replied without hesitation: "Now there are only three hundred soldiers in the entire battalion who can still take up arms and fight, including the wounded."
Hearing the numbers Vanya said, Sokov's hands couldn't help but tremble. Instead of lighting the cigarette, he burned himself. He took out the cigarette from his mouth, threw the extinguished match on the ground, and asked angrily: "Why are there only so few people left? What's the situation in other camps?"
"It's not good, Comrade Brigade Commander." Vanya said hesitantly: "Each battalion has suffered huge casualties in the past two weeks. According to my estimate, there are no more than one combat-effective warrior in the entire brigade. Fifteen hundred people.”
There were 6,000 troops when the troops entered Mamayev Heights. As a result, less than 1,500 troops remained in more than two months. When he thought of this, Sokov felt like someone was stabbing his heart with a knife. He grabbed Vanya's arm, stood up with difficulty, and then gritted his teeth and said: "This battle can't continue like this, otherwise all my people will die before the enemy can be driven out of Mamayev Heights." ”
After leaving the observation post, Sokov returned to the tunnel with the help of the soldiers. After entering the tunnel, the soldier supported Sokov and was about to walk towards the ward, but was stopped by Sokov: "Help me go to the headquarters."
Regarding Sokov's order, the soldier supporting him said with some embarrassment: "But, Comrade Brigade Commander, your injury is not completely healed yet..."
"Help me to the brigade headquarters." Seeing that the soldier did not obey his orders, Sokov said in a serious tone: "If you don't help me, I will go by myself." Seeing that Sokov was so stubborn, the soldier said in all possible ways In desperation, I could only help him walk towards the brigade headquarters.
Belkin, who was sitting at the table listening to Vitkov and Sidorin discussing the next battle plan, saw Sokov walking in from the door with the support of the soldiers. He couldn't help but exclaimed and hurriedly stepped forward to help him. Sokov stopped and asked with concern: "Comrade Brigadier, your injury has not healed yet, why are you here."
"Comrade Political Commissar, I have been lying on the hospital bed for too long." Sokov replied angrily: "If I don't come back, my troops will be wiped out."
Hearing Sokov's voice, Vitkov turned around. After he saw clearly that it was Sokov, he quickly said enthusiastically: "It turns out that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov is here. How are your injuries?" Already? Sit down quickly."
"Comrade Colonel, I want to ask you." After Sokov sat down, he looked up at Vitkov. He was not affected by the fact that the other party had a higher military rank than himself, but asked straight to the point: "Since our mission is If we hold on to Mamayev Heights and prevent the enemy from splitting our defense line, why do you still want your troops to take the initiative?"
Faced with Sokov's accusation of raising troops, Vitkov said calmly: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, when the commander appointed me as the acting brigade commander of the infantry brigade, he once told me that if I want to defend Ma Ma In Yevgan, we cannot simply defend for the sake of defense, but should choose the right moment to counterattack the enemy."
"Comrade Colonel, let me ask you," Sokov snorted and said unceremoniously: "Compared with the enemy, we are at a disadvantage in both strength and equipment. Under such circumstances, we should take the initiative to attack the enemy. Isn't launching an attack an egg against a stone? More importantly, this kind of meaningless attack will consume all our available strength. When the German army launches a fierce attack on Mamayev Heights again, what will we use to attack it? Block them?"
"Comrade Brigadier, please listen to my explanation." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Sidorin came out to smooth things over for Vitkov: "All orders issued by the acting brigade commander were negotiated with me. I I think what he did is right. Although our army's equipment and strength are temporarily at a disadvantage compared with the enemy, the enemy has also been weakened after a long battle. I feel that as long as they continue to maintain their offensive posture, they will soon be defeated. We will be driven out of the city..."
"Confused, simply confused." Before Sidorin could finish speaking, Sokov became angry: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you think that the German army's recent offensive intensity is not as strong as before, and the enemy has become vulnerable? I Let me tell you, they are regenerating their strength and preparing to give us another thunder blow at the right time. Now there are less than 1,500 defenders of Mamayev Heights left. If the German army is about to launch an attack The intensity of the new offensive is far greater than that of early September. Do you think we can hold Mamayev Heights? You answer, can we hold it?"
Sokov's series of questions stopped Sidorin. He was silent for a long time and said reluctantly: "Comrade Brigadier, I think you are too pessimistic about the war situation. The enemy has been severely weakened, and our reinforcements are entering the city continuously. I believe there will be one soon." Launch a powerful counterattack against the enemy and drive them away from this heroic city."
"Has the German power really been weakened?" Sokov pointed upward and said politely: "But I saw that the German army's shelling and bombing of the Volga River did not stop for a moment; the entire The city is still shrouded in gunpowder smoke, and even without a telescope, you can still see the burning buildings..."
After Sokov finished expressing his views, he asked Belkin for a cigarette, lit it and said to Vitkov: "Comrade Colonel, my injury should be almost healed, and I plan to return to my post. Do you have any objections to continuing to command the troops defending Mamayev Heights?"
Vitkov did not expect Sokov to say so directly that he wanted to resume his post as brigade commander. He could not help but hesitate for a moment and replied a little awkwardly: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I need to report this matter to the commander immediately, and he will To make a decision.”
Sokov did not speak, but made a gesture of invitation toward the phone, indicating that Witkov could call Chuikov and ask for his opinion. He thought to himself: No matter what, he must take back the command of the army today. If Vitkov continues to command the 73rd Infantry Brigade, the 73rd Infantry Brigade will either be canceled because of all casualties, or it will lose combat effectiveness. Was transferred to the rear for repairs. If Stalingrad were to take place now, all the efforts he had made in the past would be in vain.
Vitkov picked up the phone and dialed the army headquarters. After briefly reporting the day's battle situation to Chuikov, he said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov is by my side. He I just said that I hope to resume my duties as the brigade commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade starting today."
After hearing Vitkov's report, Chuikov couldn't help but be stunned, and then ordered: "Colonel Vitkov, hand the microphone to Sokov, I want to speak to him."
"Hello, Comrade Commander." Sokov took the phone and immediately greeted politely: "I am Sokov."
"Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I heard that you want to return to the position of brigade commander." Chuikov asked on the other end of the phone: "Are your injuries healed?"
"Thank you for your concern. Everything is almost better." Sokov replied: "I feel that my physical condition will not affect my command of the troops."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov," Chuikov asked with surprise when he heard Sokov's straightforward answer: "I don't understand why you are so eager to return to the command post since your injury has not healed yet."
Sokov turned his head and glanced at Vitkov, who was standing next to him, and felt that it was better to tell the truth to Chuikov, otherwise the other party would not let him resume his post as brigade commander: "Comrade Commander, I think Colonel Vitkov's command style is... He is not suitable for the 73rd Infantry Brigade. If he continues to serve as the brigade commander, the troops may be wiped out before the start of a new powerful German offensive."
Sokov's words aroused Chuikov's curiosity: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I think Colonel Vitkov commanded well during this period. Why do you think he is not suitable to command your troops?"
"Comrade Commander, when Colonel Vitkov served as acting brigade commander, although he repelled many enemy attacks, the casualties of the troops were also very alarming." Sokov explained his considerations to Chuikov in detail. After repeating it, he finally emphasized: "If we want to ensure that Mamayev Heights is still under our control before the end of the battle, then please let me return to the position of brigade commander."
Sokov's request made Chuikov feel very embarrassed. He did not reply immediately. Instead, he covered the phone and asked Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov plans to return to the post of brigade commander. How do you do it?" watch?"
Krylov had just approached Chuikov and heard everything Sokov said. Now he saw Chuikov asking for his opinion. After a moment of silence, he replied: "Comrade Commander, I can honestly say, Vitkov When the colonel served as acting brigade commander, he also performed very well at Mamayev Heights, repelling enemy attacks again and again. However, as Sokov said, the situation did exist. The 73rd Infantry Brigade was halfway The casualties within the month are simply too great. If the fighting continues like this, we will have to consider using new troops to take over the defense of Mamayev Heights."
Although Krylov did not clearly say whether to let Sokov return to the position of brigade commander, what he expressed was that he agreed to let Sokov return to the post of brigade commander. After Chuikov understood the other party's opinion, he nodded, released his hand covering the microphone, and said decisively: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, after research by the group army leaders, from now on, you will resume your duties as the 73rd Infantry Brigade. As a commander, he is responsible for commanding the troops defending Mamayev Heights."
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