The Soviet counterattack carried out in the north of the city became increasingly weak in follow-up. Faced with this unfavorable situation, Chuikov couldn't help but become anxious. He said to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I estimate that our army's counterattack will end in failure by tomorrow at the latest."
"Yes, Comrade Commander, the current situation is very unfavorable to our army." Krylov agreed very much with Chuikov's view: "The organization of this counterattack was very hasty, and at the same time there was a lack of necessary supplies to support our counterattack. As a result, our counterattack forces are unable to conduct effective operations."
"Sokov's troops were surrounded by German troops in Orlovka." Chuikov waited for Krylov to finish and then continued with a frown: "Judging from the current situation, the friendly forces outside the encirclement want to break through the German defenses. It is no longer realistic to rush to join forces with them. In order to prevent them from being surrounded and annihilated by the enemy, it is necessary to send troops to rescue them."
"It's very difficult, Comrade Commander." Krylov sighed and said helplessly: "Due to the fierce offensive of the German army, their retreat roads to the east or south have been completely cut off."
Chuikov asked: "Is there no way to rescue Sokov and the others from the enemy's encirclement?"
Krylov shook his head and said in a regretful tone: "General Guryev's 39th Guards Division attacked from south to north, and Major General Zho Rudev's 37th Guards Division attacked from east to west. Success. According to the reports of the two division commanders, with their current strength, they are unable to break through the German defense line and rescue Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and others."
When Krylov said these words, Chuikov tapped his fingers lightly on the table and did not speak for a long time. After a long time, he said with difficulty: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please call Colonel Koida immediately and inform him of Sokov's situation. At the same time, tell him that once our counterattack fails, the enemy may attack again." Relaunch the attack on the Red October Factory. Order him to fully assist General Guryev in defending the factory."
"Understood." Krylov nodded and replied: "I personally called Colonel Koida of the mixed regiment and asked him to immediately start the defense deployment of the factory."
Besides, Koida, who stayed at the Red October factory, learned from the wounded returned from the front that Sokov's troops had broken through four German defense lines in succession and successfully advanced to the Orlovka area. When he heard the news, Koida was still very happy. He even thought optimistically that maybe this counterattack could successfully crush the enemy's attack on the city and drive them far away.
But after receiving a call from Krylov today, he was stunned. Not only did his promising counterattack come to nothing, Sokov's troops were also trapped in Orlovka, and there was even a danger of their entire army being destroyed.
Political Commissar Mashkov saw Koida holding the microphone in a daze, and asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, I see you don't look good. What happened?"
Although Koida was already the commander of a mixed regiment before coming to the Red October Factory, Mashkov also liked to call him division commander. After all, he was the commander of the 184th Infantry Division before. At first, Koida was worried about the negative impact, and every time he heard Mashkov call him that, he would correct him. But today, the news he just heard was so shocking that he forgot to correct Mashkov's title.
Seeing that Koida was still silent, Mashkov repeated the question before Koida said with a sad look on his face: "Comrade Political Commissar, something happened, something big happened. Lieutenant Colonel Sokov The troops he leads are besieged by the Germans in the Orlovka area, and according to the Chief of Staff, they probably won’t be able to hold on for long.”
"What, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's troops were surrounded by German troops?" When Mashkov heard the news, he was suddenly startled into a cold sweat, but he still asked cautiously: "Comrade Division Commander, this news is reliable ?"
"It's absolutely true!" Koida nodded and said: "This is what General Krylov, the chief of staff of the group army, said personally. The Germans cut off Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's retreat. Now they are surrounded by the German army. Without any supplies, once they run out of ammunition and food, they will face the end of the entire army being destroyed."
The fourth battalion commander Brisky, who had always been regarded as a little transparent, was shocked when he learned the news that Sokov was in a desperate situation. He quickly asked: "Comrade Colonel, our brigade commander is surrounded by German troops. I don't know what the superiors will do." What measures have not been taken?”
"The 39th Guards Division to the south of Orlovka and the 37th Guards Division to the east are constantly attacking the German army." Koida pointed to the map and said to Briski: "They are trying to get through. A passage to cover the retreat of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and his companions, but so far, no progress has been made.”
"So," Briski was also a guerrilla commander who had fought in the German encirclement. Hearing what Koida said, his heart sank suddenly. He knew that Sokov's fate was worrying, so he tentatively said Question: "Is it possible, Brigadier and the others, that they will not be able to return here alive?"
"Yes, Comrade Captain, your guess is correct." Koida shook his head and said, "Unless a miracle happens, the chance of Lieutenant Colonel Sokov and his friends coming back alive is zero."
As soon as Koida finished speaking, he suddenly heard a woman calling from the door: "Asiya, Asiya, what's wrong with you, wake up quickly!"
"What's going on?" Koida couldn't help but have a look of anger on his face when he heard the shouting from outside the door. "Who is making a noise outside? Don't you know this is the headquarters?"
Unlike Koida's anger, Briskey's face changed drastically when he heard the shout at the door. He didn't say anything, but rushed out of the door in a few quick steps.
Seeing Briski rushing out of the room as if his butt was on fire, Koida also felt strange, and quickly followed Mashkov out of the room. They came to the door and saw a female officer squatting on the ground in the corridor outside the door, holding an unconscious female health worker in her arms, while Briskey stood aside and whispered to the female officer. What are you talking about.
"What happened?" Koida recognized the female officer squatting on the ground. She was Lieutenant Ulanova of the Women's Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion. Looking at the female health worker lying in her arms, Koida felt a little confused. She asked displeasedly: "Comrade Ulanova, why did this female health worker faint here? Is she feeling unwell?"
"Comrade Colonel," Briski stopped talking to Ulanova, looked at Koida and replied: "This female health worker is the brigade commander's wife Asiya. I guess she may have accidentally walked outside the door. He overheard our conversation and fainted because he was worried about the safety of the brigade commander.",
Knowing that the female health worker who fainted in front of him was actually Sokov's wife, Koida's old face turned red. In order to make up for his mistake, he quickly called on Brisky and Ulanova to carry Asya into the house. , placed on a bench against the wall.
After all this was done, Ulanova first asked: "Comrade Colonel, is it true that Lieutenant Colonel Sokov can't come back?"
"That's right, Comrade Lieutenant, I guess the chance of coming back is low." Koida didn't know what Ulanova and Asya heard outside the door, but she still patiently explained what Sokov was facing. He told her the dilemma, and finally emphasized: "Unless a miracle happens, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov will not be able to come back."
When Ulanova heard Koida say this with such a sure tone, she also felt that Sokov might not be able to come back. She could only sigh softly and said: "There are too many wounded people sent in recently. Even if With the help of doctors, nurses and us from the factory, Asya has not slept for two or three days. She asked me to accompany her here to see Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, but unexpectedly she heard such bad news. She fainted because she was tired and couldn't bear the stimulation."
Koida stared at Asiya lying on the bench. After thinking for a moment, he turned to Mashkov and said: "Political Commissar, judging from Comrade Asiya's physical condition, he may not be suitable to stay on the front line. You think, should we say hello to the Army Group Headquarters and send her to the other side of the Volga River?"
"Comrade Commander, I agree with you." Mashkov nodded and said: "Given Comrade Asiya's current condition, she is not suitable to stay in the city any longer. She should be transferred out as soon as possible."
"Comrade Colonel," Brisky knew that the situation in the city was very dangerous, but Sokov was still alive. If Asya was hastily sent to the other side of the Volga River, Sokov might criticize him once he came back, so he He said cautiously: "I think we should contact the brigade commander to find out what the situation is like there. Then we can decide the next step, what do you think?"
"Comrade Division Commander, I think Captain Briski is right." Mashkov felt that Briski's proposal was very good, so he said to Koida: "Although Lieutenant Colonel Sokov was caught in the encirclement of the German army, in the past From what I know about him, he has always been good at creating miracles, and maybe he can lead his troops to jump out of the enemy's encirclement."
"Okay, Captain Briskey, you immediately ask the radio operator to send a report to Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to learn about their current situation." Koida specifically told Brischi: "In order not to worry him, Asiya There’s no need to mention it to him about fainting.”
Sokov's call back came quickly. For reasons of confidentiality, Sokov did not reveal his intention to break out to Koida and others, but simply said: "Don't worry, everything is under my control."
After reading the contents of the telegram, Briski breathed a sigh of relief. He said to Koida: "Comrade Colonel, I believe the brigade commander. Since he said that everything is under his control, then he can definitely take it with him." The troops stand out from the enemy's encirclement."
