Guryev was very self-aware and felt that since the Germans could break through the factory wall once, they could break through the second and third times. After being beaten back by your own troops for the first time, when they rushed into the factory area for the second and third time, would you still have enough troops to help the workers' troops in the factory?
It was out of this consideration that after Guryev ended his call with Peter, he called Chuikov and gave him a detailed report on the situation at the Red October Tractor Factory. Finally, he said: "Commander Comrade, my troops are engaged in a fierce battle with the enemies attacking residential areas. We have no extra strength, but they are helping the workers to defend the factory area. Do you think you can send us a reserve team?"
"General Guryev," Chuikov said, somewhat dumbfounded when he heard Guryev's request: "If I still have reserves in my hands, do you think the Supreme Command will transfer you from the First Guards Army to me?" Command? You know, the security forces currently guarding the Army Group Headquarters are only one company in strength. If they encounter a sneak attack by the Germans, I don’t know if they can withstand it."
After listening to Chuikov's reply, Guryev said unwillingly: "Comrade Commander, I understand your difficulties, but you should know that the area of the Red October Tractor Factory is about the same as that of a small and medium-sized city. I have the strength of the troops in my hands. It is limited and can only be used for the defense of residential areas and the front of the factory. The defense of other areas cannot be defended by the workers in the factory alone."
Chuikov said that he had no troops to reinforce the Red October Factory, but as soon as he put down the phone, he started discussing with Chief of Staff Krylov: "Chief of Staff, General Guryev just reported that a German army broke through the Red October Factory We broke through the northern wall of the factory and rushed into the factory area. The annihilation battalion in the factory and the guard company of the Guards Division joined forces to drive the enemy out of the factory area. I estimate that the enemy will come back soon. Think about it, we can still Where can we mobilize our strength to help the Red October Factory?"
"It's difficult, Comrade Commander." Regarding Chuikov's question, Krylov said awkwardly: "The south and north of the city were attacked by the Germans at the same time. The south of the city was better. After all, there were many buildings there, which was not conducive to armor. As the troops expanded, the enemy's artillery could not be used, and they could only rely on infantry to attack. In the north of the city where we were, the situation was much worse. The troops stationed in various factories faced German infantry covered by tanks and artillery. …”
After listening to Krylov talk about the actual situation in the north of the city, Chuikov asked reluctantly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there nothing we can do? You know, once the Germans occupy the Red October Tractor Factory, they can directly Rush to the Volga River and drive us all into the river."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Gurov, who rarely expresses his opinions, suddenly said: "Although the south and north of the city have been attacked by the German army, the Mamayev Hill in the middle seems to be calm so far."
Gurov's words woke up the dreamers, and Chuikov and Krylov woke up. The fighting was fierce in the south and north of the city, but the Mamayev Hill was calm, as if it had been forgotten by the Germans. But Chuikov quickly figured out the reason. This was all the result of the small teams sent by Sokov. The results they achieved successfully disrupted the enemy's offensive deployment. The German army was clearing these few units. Before forming a small detachment, it was impossible to launch an attack on Mamayev Heights with all its strength.
Krylov's reaction was not slow either. Almost at the same time that Chuikov came up with the answer, he also wanted to understand what was going on. He stared at the map for a while, and then asked Chuikov cautiously: "Comrade Commander, since there is no fighting on Mamayev Heights now, do you think it is possible for Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to send a force to support Red October?" Where’s the tractor factory?”
Seeing the troubled expression on Chuikov's face, Krylov quickly added: "I know that the Supreme Command once had an order. The mission of the 73rd Infantry Brigade is to hold on to Mamayev Heights. After getting authorization from superiors, Before, no one was allowed to mobilize this force easily. But now is a special period. We are not mobilizing the entire force. Instead, we ask Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to send part of the force to support the Red October Tractor Factory. As long as we wait When the reinforcements from the other side arrive, let them return to their homes."
"Okay, let me try." Chuikov knew very well that once the Red October Tractor Factory fell, the army headquarters would be exposed to the Germans without any obstruction. For the sake of his own safety, he felt that he and Soko I will discuss with my husband to see if we can borrow some of our troops to strengthen the defense of the Red October Tractor Factory.
After the call was connected, Chuikov briefly introduced the crisis faced by the Red October Tractor Factory to Sokov, and then asked tentatively: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, the current situation at the Red October Factory is very bad. You See if we can send troops to strengthen the defense of the factory area?" He was deeply afraid of Sokov's opposition, and specifically emphasized, "The troops sent to us from the base camp are already on the way. As soon as they cross the Volga River, I will let them Your troops are back in shape."
Sokov knew how to deal with the cold. He knew clearly that once the Red October Tractor Factory fell, his flank would be exposed to the German army. In fact, even if Chuikov didn't say it, he was considering whether to send troops to strengthen the defense in that direction. To slow down the German advance towards the Volga River. Upon hearing Chuikov's request, he immediately said without hesitation: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will send a battalion of troops to support the Red October Factory."
Sokov's answer greatly exceeded Chuikov's expectations. According to his thinking, because Sokov could have used the order of the Supreme Command as a cover to refuse his request to mobilize troops, but he did not expect that the other party would do so so readily. accepted. Can't help but feel a little surprised. Thinking that the infantry brigade suffered more than 3,000 casualties within half a month of Vitkov's acting brigade commander, he couldn't help but asked with some scruples: "If you allocate troops to support the Red October Factory, it will not affect Mamayev." Gang’s defense, right?”
"No, Comrade Commander." When Sokov proposed to Chuikov to transfer the 42nd Guards Regiment to Linok, he had already made plans to have the troops support the right-wing factory area at any time. "I have been ready for a long time. A battalion of troops can be sent to the Red October Tractor Factory immediately.”
"Great, that's great." Sokov's reply gave Chuikov reassurance. In this way, the defense of the Red October Factory can be strengthened, at least until reinforcements arrive, there is no need to worry. The enemy rushed into the factory area again. "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, without further ado, please arrange for the troops to set off as soon as possible."
Sokov put down the phone, stood up and said to Vitkov who was sitting next to him: "Comrade Deputy Brigadier, the commander just called and said that the Germans rushed into the Red October Tractor Factory. Fortunately, the annihilation battalion and The guard company of the Guards Division was repulsed. I will now take the commanders and fighters of the fourth battalion to support them. After I leave, you and the chief of staff will be responsible for the work of the brigade."
"What, you're going to the Red October Tractor Factory?!" Witkov couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise when he heard what Sokov said, "But, Comrade Brigadier, your injury has not healed, how can you go to the battlefield? Woolen cloth?"
When he learned that Sokov was going to lead the team to the Red October Tractor Factory in person, Sidorin also came over to persuade him: "Comrade Brigadier, let alone your injuries, even if you are not injured, there is no need for you to go out personally. I Look, just let Captain Briskey, commander of the fourth battalion, lead the troops there."
"If we just let Captain Briski lead the team there, they might be dismantled and incorporated into the Guards Division. Don't expect them to be reorganized by then." Faced with the dissuasion of the two men, Sokov said euphemistically: " And if I personally lead the team there, I can at least ensure the integrity of the troops. Once the reinforcements from the other side arrive, I can bring the fourth battalion back."
"Your injuries haven't healed yet." As the deputy chief of staff of the group army, Witkov naturally knew that commanders at all levels had indeed forcibly incorporated friendly troops into their own troops during the fiercest battles, so he did not stop Suo. Cove led the team to the Red October Tractor Factory and just asked worriedly: "Can you support it?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Brigadier." Sensing Vitkov's concern for him, Sokov felt warm in his heart, "After arriving at the Red October Tractor Factory, I will always stay in my command post. It should be nothing serious.”
Seeing that Sokov had made up his mind, Sidorin did not persuade him anymore, but reminded him: "Comrade Brigade Commander, if you take away the Fourth Battalion, the defense force of Beigang will become weak. You Let’s see if we can transfer a company of troops from Vanya’s first battalion to strengthen the defense of Beigan?”
"Okay." Vanya's first battalion is mainly responsible for the defense of the anti-slope position in Nangang. The number of troops that can be deployed at a time is limited. Therefore, even if a company is transferred to Beigang, it will not affect their combat effectiveness, so Soko The husband agreed simply: "Chief of Staff, call Captain Vanya right now and ask him to transfer a company to the Beigang position."
Sokov explained a few more words and prepared to leave the headquarters. But when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped. Seeing him standing motionless at the door, Witkov guessed that Sokov might have something else to tell him, and quickly asked: "Comrade Brigadier, what else do you have?" Something?"
"That's it, Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander." Sokov turned around and faced Vitkov and said with some embarrassment: "Don't tell Asiya for the time being that I took the troops to the Red October Tractor Factory, lest she Worry about me."
"Don't worry, Comrade Brigade Commander, I will keep this matter from her." Vitkov nodded and extended his hand to Sokov: "I wish you a safe return as soon as possible!"
