In order to understand the situation on the battlefield in a timely manner, Sokov said a few words to Sidorin and Vitkov, and then took the two soldiers to the observation post on the top of the hill. Strangely enough, when he usually walked, he always felt burning pain in his abdomen every time he took a step, so that he had to slow down his walking speed and even needed help from others. But today he was walking swiftly in the tunnel, but he didn't feel any pain in his abdomen.
When he arrived at the observation post on the top of the mountain, he found that the commander of the first battalion, Vanya, was also staying here. Sokov couldn't help but curiously asked: "Comrade Captain, what are you doing here?"
"Comrade Brigadier," seeing the person who walked into the observation post was Sokov, Vanya quickly stood up and said: "I saw that the defensive areas on the left and right flanks of Mamayev Hill were shelled by the Germans, and we It’s calm here, it feels so strange, so I came here specifically to have a look.”
After hearing this, Sokov nodded and asked the observation post standing nearby: "How is the situation?"
The observation post quickly replied: "Report to Comrade Brigade Commander, although the friendly defense areas on our left and right wings have been shelled, the enemy's artillery shells tilted towards the factory area on the right wing seem to be more numerous and denser."
After listening to the report from the observation post, Sokov walked to the lookout and raised his telescope. He first looked at the city on the left. Although there were black smoke pillars everywhere in the city and many buildings were burning, the sound of cannons coming from It was judged that the scale of the shelling should not be large. He turned the telescope to the factory area and found that there were dark red fireballs rising everywhere, and their density was much greater than that in the urban area. It seemed that the German army had invested a lot of artillery in this direction.
"Comrade Brigadier," Vanya said cautiously as he saw Sokov holding the telescope and looking at it non-stop: "I want to ask why the friendly positions on the left and right flanks were all shelled by the Germans, but here we are But it’s calm?”
Sokov put down the telescope, turned to Vanya and said: "Comrade Captain, the reason why we were not bombarded here is because several small teams that went deep behind enemy lines caused huge losses to the enemy last night. The Germans ate this Naturally, they seemed unconvinced by the heavy loss, so they mobilized troops from the front to clear out our small detachment. As a result, they did not have enough troops to launch an attack on Mamayev Heights."
"So that's it." After listening to Sokov's explanation, Vanya looked like he suddenly realized: "I asked why the enemy didn't launch an attack today, so that's what happened. It seems that the team's positive actions attracted The enemy's attention forced them to draw troops from the front to eliminate our small team."
Hearing Sokov mention the squad, Vanya immediately thought of his subordinates and quickly asked: "Comrade Brigadier, I wonder what kind of results our battalion's squad has achieved?"
If Vanya hadn't asked, Sokov wouldn't have thought that he should publicize the team's results to the entire brigade commanders and fighters to boost morale. Thinking of this, he smiled and said to Vanya: "Comrade Captain, the leader of the small team is Second Lieutenant Fisher, right?"
"Yes, it's Lieutenant Fisher!" Although she saw Sokov smiling, Vanya still asked with some lack of confidence: "Comrade Brigade Commander, can you tell me what was the result of their battle last night?"
"No problem, Comrade Captain, even if you don't ask, I'm going to tell you." Sokov waited for Vanya's words to finish, and immediately said: "They attacked a German army with rockets early this morning. A convoy destroyed seven or eight trucks and two armored vehicles, and wiped out hundreds of German soldiers, which is a pretty good result."
Knowing that the squad had achieved such brilliant results behind enemy lines, Vanya couldn't help but be overjoyed: "Comrade Brigadier, is what you said true? Lieutenant Fisher and the others really wiped out so many people overnight. Enemy?"
"Comrade Captain, you are wrong, not overnight, but in just a few minutes." Sokov corrected Vanya with a smile and said: "The new rockets they carried, this time In action, great achievements were made.”
"Great, this is really great." After verifying the team's results, Vanya was so excited that her voice trembled. He took two deep breaths and tried his best to ask Sokov in a calm tone: "Comrade Brigade Commander, do you allow me to go back now and inform the whole battalion of this good news?"
"Of course, Captain Vanya." Sokov said reasonably: "Such good news must be shared with the commanders and fighters in the battalion. You should go back now to make all the comrades happy."
After Sokov waited for Vanya to leave, he held up his telescope and observed for a long time. He found that in addition to shelling the factory area in the north of the city and the urban area in the south, the Germans seemed to have completely forgotten about the Mamayev Hills in the middle. Even on the German position a few kilometers away, no one could be seen, and they did not look like they were about to launch an attack.
As soon as Sokov returned to his headquarters, Vitkov immediately came up to him and asked with concern: "Comrade Brigade Commander, how is the situation outside? Tell us quickly."
Witkov and the others stayed at the headquarters, although they could learn about the situation outside through the observation post on the top of the hill. But there is always a difference between what you hear and what you see with your own eyes. Therefore, as soon as Sokov came back, Vitkov wanted to know more about the situation from Sokov.
Sokov sat down at the table first, then poured himself a cup of hot tea, held it in his hand and said to Vitkov: "Comrade Deputy Brigadier, I just went outside to take a look. Although the friendly positions on our left and right flanks , were all shelled by German artillery, but according to my observations, the number of shells falling in the factory area seemed to be much higher."
"This is normal, Comrade Brigade Commander." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Sidorin interjected: "In most areas of the city today, the enemy's and our defense lines are intertwined, which makes the enemy shelling this area. At that time, because they were worried about hitting their own people, their shelling density was much weaker than in the factory area."
"The chief of staff is right." Vitkov said in agreement: "It is precisely because the enemy dare not use a large number of artillery fire in the urban area, and the role of their tanks is greatly reduced, that our remaining troops in the urban area can hold on until Now."
"Deputy Brigade Commander, Chief of Staff, I have a feeling." Sokov waited for Vitkov to finish speaking, then said: "I think that after the German artillery fire stops, they will definitely concentrate their superior forces to launch a fierce attack on the factory area. You all You know, the open terrain in the factory area is conducive to the deployment of armored forces..."
"If that's the case, that would be terrible." Before Sokov could finish speaking, Vitkov said hurriedly: "Although there are several divisions of defense troops in the factory area, they are deployed within a radius of dozens of kilometers. Within the range, the overall defense force appears weak. If the German army really launches a large-scale attack, I am worried that they may not be able to defend it."
"Comrade Deputy Brigadier," Sokov remembered that before Vitkov came to Mamayev Kurgan to act as brigade commander, he had been in charge of the defense of the factory area. Now that he knew that the next focus of the German attack would be the factory area, he I feel the need to remind the other party and tell Chuikov my judgment: "I think you should report this situation to Commander Chuikov so that they can make corresponding arrangements."
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Witkov showed a bitter smile on his face: "Even if I told the commander about this situation, what can he do? You know, he can't even get a battalion of reserves in his hands now. .”
Seeing that Vitkov was unwilling to call Chuikov, Sokov became a little anxious. He said solemnly: "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, even if Comrade Commander does not have any reserves in his hands, if he knows about the German attack The focus is on the factory area, so he can adjust the deployment according to the actual situation."
"Adjust the deployment?!" Witkov couldn't help but sneer after hearing Sokov's words: "How to adjust? You can't allocate troops from one place to strengthen another place, right?"
Vitkov's angry words reminded Sokov. He nodded vigorously and said: "Comrade Deputy Brigadier, you are right. If the defense forces in the factory area are insufficient, we can only weaken them." The troops in secondary areas are used to strengthen the defense of important areas."
A look of surprise appeared on Vitkov's face: "Comrade Brigade Commander, even if it is a secondary area, if troops are deployed to support other areas, then the defense line here will be in danger of being breached by the Germans."
"Under the current circumstances, there is nothing we can do about it." Seeing that Vitkov still didn't mention calling Chuikov, Sokov continued to explain to him: "If we don't find a way to strengthen important areas, and If we still adopt this method of evenly using troops, then when the Germans attack fiercely, not only the secondary positions may be lost, but even the main positions may not be able to defend."
Sokov's words made Vitkov fall into deep thought. He knew very well that what Sokov said was the truth. He wanted to report it to Chuikov, but he was also worried that after this matter was reported to the front army headquarters, some people would call him a "panic" and spread "defeatist arguments" everywhere.
Seeing that Vitkov was still silent, Sokov guessed the reason for his embarrassment, so he did not continue to force him to call Chuikov, but took the initiative to express his position and said: "Comrade Deputy Brigadier, I am the commander of the infantry brigade. It’s better for me to make the phone calls. If my superiors want to hold me responsible for anything in the future, I’ll be responsible for it.”
Seeing Sokov reaching for the microphone, Vitkov finally made up his mind and felt that as long as he defended Stalingrad, even if he suffered a little injustice, it would be worth it. Therefore, he pressed Sokov's hand on the phone and said resolutely: "Comrade Brigadier, it's better for me to make this call. Even if my superiors want to blame me, I am willing to bear all the responsibilities with you." .”
Vitkov said into the microphone: "I am Colonel Vitkov, the deputy brigade commander. Immediately connect me to the amphitheater and find Commander Chuikov. I have important information to report to him." The communication soldier who did the wiring did not dare to neglect. As quickly as possible, he helped him get through to the army headquarters.
Hearing Chuikov's voice coming from the receiver, Vitkov said quickly: "Comrade Commander, I am Vitkov. I have important information to report to you."
Because an artillery shell fell and exploded near the headquarters, Chuikov had to shout at the top of his lungs: "I am Chuikov, Colonel Vitkov, what do you want?...Speak louder, I can't hear you clearly!"
"Comrade Commander," Vitkov heard the rumble of artillery from the other end of the phone line through the receiver, and quickly raised his voice and said: "According to our judgment, after the artillery bombardment is over, the enemy may concentrate its superior forces to attack The factory area is launching an attack, please prepare as soon as possible."
"Wait a minute, Colonel Vitkov." Amidst the gunfire, Chuikov couldn't hear clearly what Vitkov was saying. He could only say to him: "I'll go to the underground shelter to answer your call. There's nothing here." I can not hear you."
A few minutes later, when Chuikov's voice came from the receiver again, Vitkov could barely hear the explosion from the receiver. It seemed that he had reached the underground hiding place: "Colonel Vitkov, what can I do for you?" Do you want to report to me?"
"It's like this, Comrade Commander, according to Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's judgment, after the shelling is over, the enemy may concentrate its superior forces and launch an attack in the direction of the factory area." Vitkov was afraid that Chuikov could not hear clearly, so Said loudly: "He implores me to remind you to appropriately adjust the defense deployment in the factory area."
"Adjust defense deployment?!" Chuikov heard what Vitkov said and asked, somewhat dumbfounded: "Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, don't you know the current situation of the group army? Adjusting deployment is quite easy to say, but Where should I go to find troops? You know, I don't even have a battalion of reserves."
"Comrade Commander," Vitkov said carefully after Chuikov finished speaking: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov suggested that troops be transferred from those secondary defense areas to strengthen the defense of the main areas."
"That's nonsense!" Chuikov couldn't help but get a little angry when he heard this. He said loudly: "Is Sokov by your side? Give him the phone immediately. I want to ask him what the main defensive area is. , what is the secondary defensive zone? If it is not clear, I will never let him off lightly. "
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Vitkov looked at Sokov with sympathetic eyes and handed over the microphone in his hand, "Comrade Commander wants to speak to you!"
"Hello, Comrade Commander, I am Lieutenant Colonel Sokov." Sokov put the microphone to his ear and said respectfully in accordance with the instructions: "I am waiting for your orders, please give instructions!"
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