Regarding Bely's concerns, Sokov said confidently: "Colonel Bely, don't worry. We can open up a row of platforms on the north slope for tanks to park, and then build two more platforms for tanks to attack. Channel. What do you think?"
Unexpectedly, Belei shook his head after hearing this, frowned and said: "Comrade Brigade Commander, without large-scale construction machinery, it will take at least three to five days to complete the platform you mentioned with just a thousand of us."
"What, it takes three to five days?" Sokov really didn't expect that it would take three to five days to build a platform on the north slope that can park tanks. If it really takes so long to repair, the day lilies are cold, and the Germans will not give themselves such a long time to strengthen the fortifications. He asked anxiously: "Colonel Bely, if we go all out, how long will it take to complete the construction of the platform?"
"Comrade Brigadier, I'm not pouring cold water on you. To complete such a project, large machinery such as excavators and bulldozers will definitely be indispensable." Bely still insisted on his point of view: "Even if there are no such construction machinery, there can be a batch of explosives. Okay, we can try blasting first and then clean up the soil at the blast point, which can also speed up the construction."
Sokov's troops had just broken through here. Not to mention the large construction machinery, even the explosives had been used up. Neither of the two options Bely mentioned could be adopted. Sokov suddenly became like a deflated rubber ball. Got to be listless. He looked at Bely and asked: "Colonel Bely, do you have any good ideas to reduce the losses of our tanks when the enemy shells them?"
"There is a way." Bely said thoughtfully: "Anyway, we only have a dozen tanks. If we place them at scattered points, even if the Germans bombard our position, they will not all be lost."
"It seems that this is the only way." Sokov said with some frustration: "Since we can't build a platform for tanks to hide on the north slope, let's build more anti-gun holes. When the enemy's shelling starts, the soldiers can Go into the cave to avoid the bombardment.”
Gurdiev was quite happy to complete Sokov's arrangement. In any case, it would be beneficial for his troops to suffer fewer casualties under the enemy's artillery fire, which would also be beneficial to the subsequent battle. He immediately called Sverin and said to him: "Comrade Political Commissar, I am responsible for the construction of the front fortifications. You can lead a regiment and follow Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to the north slope to dig anti-cannon holes."
When Sverin led the soldiers to dig anti-cannon holes on the north slope, Sokov stood in the trench, raised his binoculars, and silently looked at the 1st Battalion and the Guard Battalion, which had successfully crossed the river and were moving the wounded towards the north. . Bely walked up to him and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Brigade Commander, our troops are limited. Do you think we should let the first battalion or the guard battalion come back to help defend?"
Sokov actually had selfish motives when he asked Yakov to lead two battalions to escort the wounded. In any case, Vanya's battalion was his team. In this battle, he lost four-fifths of his troops, which made his heart bleed. That's why he asked Vanya to leave with the troops in the name of assisting in the transfer of the wounded, so that he could save more seeds for himself. Hearing Bely's suggestion at this moment, he quickly waved his hands and said: "No, Colonel Bely, there are not many remaining troops in these two battalions. If one of the battalions is sent back to assist in defense, who will escort it?" Wounded?"
Bely really couldn't refute Sokov's high-sounding reasons. He glanced at the soldiers busy on the north and south sides of the hillside, sighed softly, and said, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I'm worried that if this battle continues, there won't be many people left in the 308th Infantry Division."
Sokov looked around and saw that in addition to himself and Bely, Guchakov and his trusted telegraph operator were standing not far away. The other soldiers were standing far away and could not hear him at all. say. Seeing this situation, he said to Bely confidently and boldly: "Colonel Bely, no matter whether we stay here to fight the German army or not, Colonel Gurdiev's troops will be withdrawn to the rear for replenishment. And Wan If Niya's battalion stays to assist in defense, once the troops are exhausted, the battalion will be deactivated by the superiors."
After listening to Sokov's explanation, Bely finally understood why the other party asked Yakov to take two battalions to transfer the wounded. It turned out to be to preserve the seeds of his own army. But this approach is understandable. Based on the situation in Stalingrad, even if the superiors send new troops into the city, Sokov's infantry brigade will not receive priority supplies. Therefore, he has no regard for Sokov's preservation of strength. The default attitude is adopted.
After Sokov explained the truth to Bely, he couldn't help but sweat in his hands. He was deeply afraid that Bely would argue with him over this matter, and it would be difficult for him to step down. Fortunately, he was lucky. The most worrying situation did not happen. Belei just nodded and said: "The First Battalion has indeed suffered a lot of losses in the two days of fighting. Let them retain more troops and connect with them." The battle down here is still very helpful.”
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Guchakov, who was standing silently next to him, suddenly shouted to Sokov: "Look, someone seems to be coming from the other side of the river."
After Sokov stopped talking to Bely, he raised his binoculars and looked across the river. He saw a jeep driving in the distance, passed by the transferred troops, and stopped by the river. After the car stopped, an officer and two soldiers carrying submachine guns got out of the car. They boarded a wooden boat parked on the shore and headed towards the south bank of the river.
"He is a captain." Guchakov has very good eyesight. Even without a telescope, he can clearly see the rank mark on the opponent's collar badge. He leaned close to Sokov's ear and said: "Comrade Brigadier, will you? Is he a liaison officer sent by friendly forces?"
"It's possible." Sokov nodded, and suddenly thought of the guard platoon leader Samoilov who never looked back, and couldn't help but said to himself: "Hell, Samoilov has been gone for a long time. Why haven't you come back yet?"
After the three commanders landed, they walked up the hillside. But not far away, he was stopped by soldiers of the 308th Division for interrogation. I don’t know what he said. The soldiers who blocked the road immediately gave way to him and pointed towards the hillside, as if they were showing him the way.
After a while, the three commanders and soldiers climbed up the hillside, jumped into the trench, and walked towards Sokov's position. Guchakov quickly stood in front of Sokov and asked warily: "Stop, which part are you from?"
The leading officer quickly raised his right hand to signal the two soldiers following him to stop, and then said to Guchakov: "Comrade Lieutenant, I am Captain Askel, deputy battalion commander of the 1st Battalion of the 995th Regiment of the 292nd Infantry Division. , was ordered to come to see Lieutenant Colonel Sokov."
Guchakov did not let down his guard because of the other person's words. Instead, he extended his hand to the other person and asked: "Comrade Captain, where is your military ID?"
Askel did not get angry at Guchakov's aggressiveness, but rather cooperatively took out his military ID card from his pocket, handed it to Guchakov, and said politely: "Comrade Lieutenant, this is my Military ID card.”
When Guchakov was cross-examining Askel, Sokov thought to himself: Although he demoted Guchakov to the rank of corporal, he still wore the rank of lieutenant, so that uninformed people thought he was Still a lieutenant. It seems that after returning to Mamayev Heights, he should be changed to the rank of corporal to prevent others from making mistakes again.
After checking the documents, Guchakov turned to Sokov behind him and said: "Comrade Brigade Commander, there is no problem, he is one of our own."
Sokov stepped forward, took the military ID card from Guchakov's hand, flipped through it, handed it back to Askel, and said in a friendly tone: "Hello, Captain Askel. I wonder if you came to my camp, what’s the matter?”
"That's right, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." Since he was on the battlefield, in order to prevent the target from being exposed, Askel did not salute Sokov, but straightened his body and replied: "I am the commander of the division, Korogotsky." I have come to contact you based on the order of the colonel. The division commander asked me to tell you that our division is moving here and will reach the river in about three hours. He wants to ask you not to give up this position until we arrive. .”
"Captain Askel," Sokov said in a mocking tone with his hand toward the commanders and fighters who were busy on the north and south sides of the hillside: "Don't you see that our commanders and fighters are building fortifications?"
"I saw it." Askel came up from the north side of the hillside. If Sokov hadn't pointed it out, he wouldn't have paid attention to the south side of the hillside. There were also a large number of commanders and soldiers digging fortifications. He couldn't help but curiously asked: "Chinese Comrades, are you planning to build defenses here?"
"Yes, Comrade Captain, as you can see, we are building fortifications here." Sokov replied: "Although we have occupied this enemy position, I don't know where the troops should go next. Transfer, so we stopped here, sending people to find friendly forces, while improving and consolidating the defenses here to prepare for resisting the enemy's attack."
After Askel waited for Sokov to finish speaking, he suddenly said unexpectedly: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, thank you! On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 292nd Infantry Division, thank you and your men!"
"Why do you want to thank us?" Askel's words confused Sokov. He thought to himself, I don't seem to have dealt with the 292nd Division, why do they want to thank me? With this question in mind, he asked curiously: "Captain Askel, it seems that we have never had any interactions before. Is there anything you deserve to be grateful for?"
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Askel saw Sokov's confused look and guessed that he must not be aware of the previous battles that took place here, so he said truthfully: "To tell you the truth, a division of our group army , had launched an attack on this highland a few days ago, but after a fierce battle, the attacking infantry division did not achieve any results, and only a dozen soldiers survived."
Askel's words surprised Sokov. He did not expect that his analysis was not far from the real situation. Before he could speak, Askel continued: "According to the orders from our superiors, if we continue to relieve the garrison in the city, then by tomorrow, our division will launch an attack on this high ground. And you successfully succeeded Capturing this high ground has saved most of the commanders and fighters of our division from the fate of sacrifice. Shouldn't we still be grateful to you?"
After Sokov laughed dryly twice, he asked: "Comrade Captain, I would like to ask, how many people are there in your division now?" The purpose of his question is very simple. If the number of people in the 292nd Division that is about to take over the defense is If the situation is limited, it is entirely possible for the superiors to ask their troops to stay and help defend.
Fortunately, Askel's words put Sokov's heart back in his stomach: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, our division has more than 8,000 people and is equipped with an anti-tank gun battery and a mortar battery, which is enough to stop German attack of any size.”
Sokov knew in his heart that although the offensive level of the Soviet army was worrying, when it came to fighting defensive battles, they usually performed well. If this position is handed over to the 292nd Division, maybe they can really block the German attack. Thinking that the friendly forces still had three hours to arrive here, Sokov couldn't help but feel extremely anxious. He was worried that once the German army launched an attack before the friendly forces came to take over the defense, the troops on the position would not be able to withdraw if they wanted to.
However, he did not show this anxiety on his face, but pretended to be nonchalant and asked: "Captain, will the superiors only send one of your divisions to defend here?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel." In response to the question raised by Sokov, Askel politely replied: "With my rank, I cannot know more about the situation. As for whether there are other troops to assist in the defense , you can wait until you meet our teacher and confirm it to him personally."
"There is one more question," Sokov couldn't help but ask, thinking of Samoylov who had not returned for a long time: "I sent a second lieutenant and several soldiers to look for your troops north. But when they arrived So far, they haven’t come back yet, have you seen them?”
"No." Askell answered simply: "I received a call from the head of the regiment, so I brought people here to contact you. As for the people you mentioned, I don't know them. where."
"Comrade Brigade Commander," Bely, who was standing aside, was worried that Sokov would continue to ask questions, so he quickly interrupted him and said, "It seems that Captain Askel doesn't know much, so don't embarrass him. ." As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed at the busy commanders and fighters on both sides of the hillside, and asked, "Since we will soon hand over defense to friendly forces, do we still need to continue to build fortifications?"
"That's for sure, Colonel Bely." Sokov said quickly: "The terrain in the south is not conducive to defense. If we don't build defensive fortifications before the enemy appears, once the enemy launches an attack, we won't be able to wait for a while. When we regain our senses, their tanks will rush in front of us, then drive us down the hillside and rush us to the river to eliminate them."
