When Sokov returned to the headquarters at Mamayev Heights, Sidorin and others were overjoyed. After all, the fighting in the Workers' New Village was more brutal than at Mamayev Heights. If Sokov had stayed there, the division would have Several heads of the department were worried.
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin asked on behalf of everyone: "When you come back this time, you won't go back to Workers' New Village again, right?"
Regarding Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko's command ability, Sokov is relatively assured. He believes that even if he is not in Workers' New Village, Papuchenko can command the troops to defend there. So he waved his hand to Sidorin and said: "The troops there are under the command of Papuchenko, so I won't go there for the time being."
Political Commissar Anisimov placed a cup of hot tea in front of Sokov and said with a smile: "Comrade Commander, you must be tired. Hurry up and drink a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."
After thanking Anisimov, Sokov took a sip of hot tea from the cup, and then said to his colleagues sitting around the table: "Comrades, the commander has assigned us a new task."
"New mission?!" Hearing what Sokov said, everyone looked at each other. They and Samoylov had the same idea, thinking that Chuikov was planning to transfer troops from Mamayev Heights to strengthen the defense somewhere. Ivanov frowned and asked: "Comrade division commander, where does the commander plan to transfer our troops to reinforce?"
"I received a call from the commander today and rushed to the headquarters immediately." In order to let everyone understand what happened, Sokov told them what happened today one by one, even at the headquarters He also talked about the nearby elimination of a German squad disguised as Soviet troops. He finally said: "...After my efforts, although we do not need to launch an offensive against the Germans in the old city south of the city, we need to immediately form a small team to go deep into the enemy's rear to destroy their ammunition depots. .”
"Don't we have four detachments behind enemy lines?" As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Anisimov continued: "We just sent a telegram to the detachments and asked them to carry out this task. "
Regarding Anisimov's proposal, Sidorin remained silent, while Ivanov said impatiently: "I think what the political commissar said makes sense. Anyway, we have troops operating behind enemy lines, so we can let them go." Accomplish this mission.”
Unexpectedly, Sidorin went on to say: "In my opinion, in order to complete the task assigned by superiors, I am afraid that several small teams behind enemy lines will not be able to do it. We must reorganize a capable small team."
"Why?" Anisimov asked puzzledly: "We already have several small teams behind enemy lines. If we send out new troops, wouldn't it be unnecessary?"
"The chief of staff is right!" Seeing that Sidorin saw the problem, Sokov stood up to help him: "The Germans' offensive against the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory is fierce, and they consume energy every day. A large amount of ammunition. Except for the ammunition carried with them, the rest of the ammunition is stored close to the battlefield. In order to prevent possible sneak attacks by our army, their ammunition depots must be heavily guarded. The small team carrying out the surprise attack mission may be destroyed at any time. danger.
The few small teams originally sent out only made sneak attacks on the enemy and destroyed the enemy's transportation and communications. If they are asked to carry out such an arduous task, I am afraid it will be beyond their capabilities. Therefore, we must reorganize such a small force. "
"Comrade Commander, let's put it this way," Anisimov said solemnly: "It is possible that none of the soldiers who perform this mission will come back alive."
"Yes!" Sokov nodded and said helplessly: "Although it is a near-death mission, someone must carry it out, so we must send the most capable soldiers to form a new team to destroy The enemy’s ammunition depot.”
"It's a pity that we have used up all the new rockets," Sidorin said with regret: "Otherwise, as long as we fire two rockets at the enemy's ammunition depot from a few kilometers away, all problems will be solved."
Hearing Sidorin mention rockets, Sokov felt a glimmer of hope in his heart. He quickly said to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, call Lieutenant Grisa and ask him to Come to me immediately.”
"Lieutenant Grisa?!" Although the candidate for the commander of the newly formed team has not yet been discussed, as soon as Sidorin heard the name mentioned by Sokov, he asked tentatively: "Comrade division commander, we plan to let him To command this squad?"
"Yes, that's how I think about it." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "He has just returned from behind enemy lines and has a better understanding of the situation behind enemy lines. I think he is the most suitable candidate."
A few minutes later, Grisa arrived at the division headquarters. After he entered the door, he gave a ring salute to everyone, and then respectfully asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, what are your instructions?"
"Comrade Lieutenant, the thing is like this," Sokov quickly told Grisa in detail about the headquarters ordering him to send people to destroy the German ammunition depot, and finally said: "After repeated consideration, I feel that it is the responsibility of the commander to destroy the German ammunition depot." The commander of this small team is the most suitable. Do you have any comments?"
"No objection." Grisa replied: "I firmly obey your orders!"
"Lieutenant Grisa, I think it is necessary to remind you." Sidorin stood up and said: "This mission is very dangerous, and no one in our team may come back, so we must be mentally prepared in advance. "
"I understand." Grisa nodded first, hesitated for a moment, and then looked at Sokov and said, "Comrade division commander, I think the small team carrying out this mission should be able to return smoothly."
"Comrade Lieutenant!" Regarding Grisa's confidence, Ivanov asked in a skeptical tone: "Why are you so confident?"
Sokov originally only had doubts in his heart, but when he heard what Grisa said, his suspicions were immediately confirmed. He did not beat around the bush, but asked directly: "Lieutenant Grisa, please tell me the truth. Are there any new rockets hidden somewhere behind enemy lines?"
Hearing Sokov's question, Grisa couldn't help but grinned and replied with some embarrassment: "Comrade division commander, I really can't hide anything from you. Yes, we do still have three rockets left. During the transfer, they were all buried in the forest. I think we can take out all the rockets and use them to destroy the enemy's ammunition depot. In this way, we can complete the tasks assigned to us by our superiors with zero casualties."
