"Colonel Bely," Sokov pointed in the direction where gunshots and explosions were still ringing, "In a few minutes at most, this German defense line will fall into our hands. Go back and prepare now. , after our army has completely occupied the enemy's position, you will lead the tank battalion to attack, and be sure to get to the Orlovka area before the enemy planes appear."
"Comrade Brigadier," Beley said hesitantly, looking at the battle still going on in the distance, "I think the tank battalion should wait until daybreak before setting off. Even though our army is about to occupy the enemy's position, there may be some The anti-tank men survived, but had they used the cover of darkness to attack the advancing tanks, we would have suffered unnecessary losses."
In all honesty, Bely's concerns are reasonable. If the tank troops are to set off before dawn, firstly, they will be easily attacked by hidden anti-tank fighters, and secondly, the soil in some areas is too soft. -34 tanks are prone to sinking. But considering that tanks traveling during the day were easily attacked by German aircraft, Sokov had to take a risk: "Colonel Bely, I understand what you mean. If the tank battalion waits until daybreak to set off, it may not be attacked. German anti-tank fighters may attack, but may be bombed by enemy aircraft..."
Before Sokov finished speaking, Bely understood why the other party was urging him to set off. He quickly took over and said: "I understand, Comrade Brigade Commander, I will go back and make preparations. As soon as the battle ahead is over, I will Just lead the tank battalion and set off."
From the station of the tank battalion, it is almost ten kilometers away from Orlovka. The tank battalion led by Bely arrived at the destination in less than forty minutes. Although there is a company of German troops stationed here, due to the lack of long-range anti-tank weapons, facing the rushing Soviet tanks, the anti-tank hand can only rush forward with anti-tank grenades to blow up the tanks. But how could the infantry accompanying the tanks make it possible for them to do so. The soldiers jumped off the tanks one after another and used intensive firepower to knock down the rushing anti-tank fighters one after another.
The German commander hiding in the command post saw the anti-tank soldiers coming out of the trenches and fell under the intensive firepower of the Soviet army. The machine guns on the position could not pose any threat to the approaching Soviet tanks. They were even blown to pieces by artillery shells from time to time, so they knew that there was no point in continuing to fight. So, he gave the order to retreat to his soldiers.
After the order to retreat was given, many German soldiers stopped shooting and ran toward the back along the communication trench, trying to run as far away from the Soviet tanks as possible. Unfortunately, the position here is surrounded by open plains. As soon as they broke away from the fortifications, they became the target of Soviet tank fire and machine gun attacks, and were killed in pieces on the open ground.
The German soldiers who stayed in the position saw that continuing to resist would lead to death, and running away would lead to death, so they decisively put down their weapons and surrendered to the rushing Soviet commanders and soldiers with their hands raised.
Seeing that his men assisted the infantry in capturing Orlovka, Bely couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief, and then reported to Sokov through the vehicle radio: "Comrade Brigade Commander, we have successfully reached Orlovka. "
"Great, Colonel Bely, this is great." Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard that the troops led by Bely had successfully reached Orlovka. But he did not get carried away. He reminded Bely: "Comrade Colonel, immediately deploy defenses to prevent the enemy's counterattack. I will lead my troops to join you as soon as possible."
After finishing his call with Bely, Sokov felt that he should report the news to Chuikov that the troops had moved out to Orlovka, so he ordered the radio operator: "Radio operator, send a report to the group army headquarters and tell me The troops have successfully broken through the German fourth line of defense and advanced to Orlovka."
Although it was not completely light yet, there was a busy scene in Chuikov's headquarters. The radio operator was looking into the microphone, desperately calling the commanders of each unit; busy staff officers were constantly walking in or out. The three leaders of the group army were sitting at the table, looking down at the map in front of them, discussing in a low voice the focus of today's attack.
Krylov said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, we have verified Lisa's report. The enemy is indeed showing signs of gathering troops. Once our counterattack fails, they can concentrate their superior forces to attack Dzerzhinsky." The factory launched an attack to try to establish a stronghold here..."
"Our troops have been exhausted." Military Commissar Gurov frowned and said: "If the German army really launches an attack with such a large force, then Major General Rudev's 37th Guards Division will not be able to stop it at all. of."
Facing Gurov's worries, Chuikov's face was also clouded. He knew that the counterattack against the German army was about to end in failure. Once the German army regains control of the battlefield, it is unknown how many defensive areas will be lost.
Just when everyone was at a loss, a communications staff officer walked over quickly, straightened his body and reported to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we just received a telegram from Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. They have successfully broken through." The Germans reached the fourth line of defense and advanced to the Orlovka area."
The huge headquarters suddenly became silent. Everyone had an unreal feeling when they learned that Sokov's troops had broken through the German fourth line of defense and successfully reached Orlovka. Krylov did not reach out to receive the telegram, but looked at Chuikov and asked with some surprise: "Comrade Commander, did I hear you correctly? The staff officer said that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops have successfully advanced to Orr. Lovka region?”
Chuikov did not speak, but snatched the telegram from the staff officer's hand. After reading it carefully, he leaned over to look at the map on the table. After a while, he slammed his hand on the table and said with some excitement: "It's great, it's simply great! Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops went out to Orlovka to have a thorough understanding of today's battle situation. It will be very beneficial.”
Hearing what Chuikov said, Krylov still found the matter a bit strange, so he whispered to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, as far as I know, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops only captured it after dark yesterday. The third direction. And there was no fighting all night. How could they break through the enemy's fourth line of defense without any noise and advance to Orlovka? I think there is something wrong with this telegram and it needs to be updated Check it out.”
After Chuikov waited for Krylov to finish speaking, he handed over the telegram in his hand and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, then go and verify the authenticity of this telegram."
After Gurov waited for Krylov to walk away, he asked Chuikov in a low voice: "Comrade Commander, do you think the contents of this telegram are true?"
Upon hearing Gurov's question, Chuikov nodded without hesitation: "I think it's true."
"Since it is true," Gurov glanced at Krylov who was instructing the telegraph operator to send a report, and couldn't help but asked curiously: "Then why did you ask the chief of staff to send a message to verify it?"
"Comrade Military Commissar," Chuikov explained to Gurov: "Although I think Sokov's message is authentic. But when did they launch an attack on the enemy's fourth line of defense, and when did they break through the enemy's position? , and went to Orlovka, but did not give a detailed explanation. I asked the chief of staff to verify it, just to find out what was going on, so that I could be well aware of it when I assigned today's combat mission."
"So that's it, I understand." Gurov said understandingly: "Anyway, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's victory came too suddenly. We must understand the real situation."
About ten minutes later, Krylov came back with the telegram he had just received, and said happily: "Comrade Commander, we have figured it all out. In the early hours of this morning, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov ordered the guard battalion to Taking advantage of the darkness to lurk in front of the German positions, after carrying out the rocket attack this morning, the lurking troops launched an attack on the enemy. In just ten minutes, they captured the German fourth line of defense. At the same time, Colonel Bely commanded The tank battalion also rushed towards Orlovka quickly before dawn, eliminated the enemies there and established a support point."
"What a great job!" After Chuikov waited for Krylov to finish speaking, he immediately praised Sokov: "When Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops arrived at Orlovka, they were able to contain some of the German troops. The troops will be very beneficial to our counterattack during the day."
"But, Comrade Commander," Krylov reminded Chuikov cautiously when he saw Chuikov was so happy: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops must have lost a lot of strength after successive battles. If we don't give them If reinforcements are sent, it will probably be difficult to defend Orlovka.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Chuikov couldn't help but frowned when he heard the word reinforcement: "We have assigned the guard battalion responsible for guard duty to Sokov. Where can we find the troops to reinforce him?"
After Krylov stared at the map on the table for a while, he said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Gurdiev's 308th Infantry Division is located four or five kilometers east of Orlovka. We can order them to move closer to Sokov's troops and jointly defend Orlovka."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Gurov couldn't help but interrupt after hearing this: "I would like to ask, who will be in unified command after the two armies join forces? Is it Colonel Gurdiev or Lieutenant Colonel Sokov? school?"
"Needless to say, of course it's Sokov." After Chuikov said this, he couldn't help laughing: "Although Sokov is only a lieutenant colonel, he is now commanding several colonels. He can command the general. Well, it’s settled, let Colonel Gurdiev lead the troops to move closer to Orlovka.”
Krylov agreed and was about to call Colonel Gurdiev when Chuikov suddenly asked: "By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff, what's going on with Sokov's troops lurking in front of the enemy's position? "
In fact, even if Chuikov didn't ask, Krylov planned to report Sokov's new tactics to Chuikov at the appropriate time. Since the other party asked about it at this moment, he answered truthfully: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov took advantage of the cover of night to deploy Major Tenev's guard battalion in the grass in front of the German position. According to him, this can shorten the time Attack distance, rush to the enemy's position in the shortest time, and catch the enemy by surprise."
"I really didn't expect that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's tactics are quite effective." After hearing this, Chuikov couldn't help but said with emotion: "We still understand the defense situation of the German fourth line of defense to some extent. Even if it's a It would take at least several hours to attack them with a fully equipped infantry regiment. Unexpectedly, Sokov and the others actually resolved the battle in ten minutes. It seems that this new tactic should be adopted throughout the entire army as soon as possible. Promotion.”
…………
After receiving the telegram from the headquarters, Sokov immediately spoke to Bely on the phone: "Colonel Bely, I just received a telegram from the headquarters, saying that Colonel Gurdiev's 308th Infantry Division will move from Come over from the east to join us, please be careful to identify them and don't start a fight with your own people."
"Don't worry, comrade brigade commander." Bely assured Sokov: "It's daylight now, and there will be no more friendly fire. I will send a tank company to meet the comrades of the 308th Infantry Division."
After notifying Bely, Sokov planned to lead his troops to Orlovka. Considering that he had too few troops, he called Guryev for help: "Hello, comrade general, this is Sokov. Lieutenant Colonel Koff.”
When Guryev heard Sokov's voice, he couldn't help but said with a smile: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I heard that your troops have successfully broken through the German fourth line of defense and advanced to Orlovka." Region, is there such a thing?”
"Yes, Comrade General, the information you have is completely correct." After flattering the other party, Sokov continued: "I am calling you because I have something to ask you for help."
"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov," Guriev seemed to be in a very good mood when he learned that Sokov's troops had arrived in Orlovka. He said carelessly: "If you have anything to do, just say it. As long as I If we can do it, we will certainly satisfy your request.”
"That's it, Comrade General." In order to make up for his lack of troops, Sokov planned to abandon the position he occupied: "My troops are limited. In order to strengthen the defense force in the direction of Orlovka, I plan to move the third and third All the troops in the fourth line of defense have been mobilized. As for the vacated defensive positions, I hope you can send people to take over the defense."
Guryev thought it was a big deal. When he learned that he had been asked to send people to take over the defense, he immediately patted his chest and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, in addition to leaving one platoon on each of the two lines of defense, Waiting for my troops to pick up the defense, the rest can be transferred to the Orlovka area."
