"Comrade Commander," Krylov, who was originally in high spirits, became a little stuttered after hearing the bad news: "How long do you think it will be until shipping is interrupted?"
"Five minutes ago, I called the Meteorological Corps and asked similar questions." Yeremenko replied with a solemn expression: "In two days at most, that is, on November 9, the river transportation on both sides of the strait will be completed. It may be interrupted due to the appearance of a large number of ice floes. Therefore, in the remaining two days, the Volga Fleet and the Front Transport Team will increase their transportation efforts to increase the amount of your supplies."
After Krylov put down the phone, he reported to Chuikov with a grimace: "Comrade Commander, just now General Yereomenko said that due to the strong cooling and heavy snowfall, a large number of ice floes have formed on the river. Transportation may be disrupted."
"Call General Lobov, the Minister of Logistics." Chuikov waited for Krylov to finish, thought for a moment, and then ordered him: "Have him come over immediately. I want to ask about the amount of supplies currently stored in the city. How long will it last?”
Lobov didn't know what was going on. Hearing Krylov's harsh tone on the phone, he quickly handed over the work in hand to his subordinates and hurried to the headquarters. As soon as he entered the door, he heard Chuikov sitting at the table ask: "Comrade Logistics Minister, I want to ask you, how long can our supplies last?"
Hearing Chuikov's sudden question, Lobov immediately realized that something might have gone wrong. After quickly recalling the inventory situation everywhere, he replied seriously: "Comrade Commander, because we built an underwater pontoon bridge, the convoy has been A large amount of materials can be continuously transported into the city, so so far, the grain, meat, dairy products, etc. we have stored can last half a month; medicines can last ten days. As for ammunition,... "
Chuikov called Lobov to the headquarters. In fact, what he wanted to know most was the ammunition storage situation. Without food, people may still be hungry; if the gun has no ammunition, it will become a fire stick. When the enemy rushes up, We can only fight with them with bayonets. So when Lobov paused mid-sentence, he asked impatiently: "Comrade Logistics Minister, please tell me how long the ammunition we have in stock in the city can last?"
"If we calculate based on the intensity of the battle in the first two days," Lobov replied in an uncertain tone, "it can only sustain consumption for five to seven days."
Chuikov did not speak, but turned to look at Krylov, as if asking him: Is the storage capacity of so much ammunition enough? Krylov understood what Chuikov meant, shook his head slightly, and said: "Comrade Commander, I think five to seven days of ammunition reserves are too little. If shipping is interrupted for more than half a month, our soldiers will only have I can fight the enemy with bayonets."
Lobov didn't understand why Chuikov and the others asked about the inventory of materials inexplicably, so he couldn't help but asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, can you tell me why we asked about the inventory today."
"When the Chief of Staff just spoke to the commander of the front army, he learned that due to the recent heavy cooling and heavy snowfall, a large number of ice floes have appeared on the Volga River. As the number of ice floes increases, shipping on both sides of the river may be interrupted." When Chuikov said this, he paused for a moment, pointed at Lobov with his hand, and said: "Also, the underwater pontoon bridge that can pass cars can no longer transport supplies."
Listening to what Chuikov said, Lobov immediately understood why both Chuikov and Krylov looked worried. Their feelings were that in a few days, the transportation of materials on the river would be disrupted by ice floes on the river. Interrupt. His mind started working quickly, calculating how to increase the existing transportation capacity.
Unfortunately, after thinking for a long time, he felt that the daily transportation volume had reached saturation and there was no room for improvement. Thinking of this, he shook his head gently and said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, unfortunately, our transportation volume has reached the limit. It is obviously impossible to increase it."
"Comrade Logistics Minister," Chuikov was obviously dissatisfied with his statement, but he did not get angry at him, but said solemnly: "We don't know how long the ice floes on the river will interrupt transportation. If there are not enough ammunition and material reserves in the city, then we may face a situation where we run out of ammunition and food. Whether we can hold the city by then is unknown."
"Comrade Minister of Logistics," Krylov saw Lobov's helpless look, raised his hand and patted him twice on the shoulder, and said to him: "While shipping has not been interrupted, you can go to the sailors and transport Go among the soldiers, talk to them, and ask them to make more contributions to defend the city."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the sailors and transport troops have done enough to protect this city." Chuikov was afraid that Krylov's words would arouse Lobov's resentment, so he came out to smooth things over: "The sailors risked the enemy's Shelling and bombing were carried out non-stop to transport supplies and soldiers to the city. In just a few months, they had hundreds of ships of various types, which were sunk by enemy aircraft or destroyed by artillery fire. More than a thousand sailors sacrificed their precious lives, and we have no right to ask them to do more."
"But, Comrade Commander, if we don't have enough supplies and ammunition." Krylov suddenly became anxious when he heard what Chuikov said: "There is simply no way to stop the German attack."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, if the enemy still does not launch an attack on the factory area tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, then we can reduce the supply of ammunition and materials to the various troops." Chuikov said solemnly: "We must keep the precious materials at the end. Used at critical moments.”
After Chuikov said this, he suddenly found that Ivanov, Guchakov and others who were escorting the prisoners were still standing in the room, so he walked over and asked Ivanov: "Comrade Colonel, what we just said, do you Did you hear everything?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Ivanov nodded vigorously and replied: "I heard it all. Don't worry, I will keep it confidential and will never disclose this matter to anyone."
"Comrade Colonel, you can report this to Sokov." Chuikov waved his hand and continued: "Let him understand that our supply of ammunition and materials will begin to decrease due to the interruption of shipping, and let him do something in advance. Good response.”
…………
An hour later, Ivanov took Guchakov and others back to Mamayev Heights.
After sending Guchakov and others back to rest, Ivanov returned to the headquarters alone. Seeing Ivanov walking in from outside, Sokov quickly stood up and greeted him: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you are back! How is it? Commander, are you satisfied with the gift we sent?"
"He was very satisfied and asked me to convey his gratitude to you." Ivanov said expressionlessly: "But there is still bad news, I want to tell you."
"Bad news?!" Sokov shuddered suddenly: "What bad news?"
"The transportation line on the river may be interrupted in two or three days." Ivanov quickly repeated what he heard at the headquarters to Chuikov and Sidorin, and finally emphasized: "Comrade Division Commander , I think we should strengthen our reserves of supplies and ammunition recently so that we will not be affected by shipping disruptions."
"So this is what happened." After figuring out what happened, Sokov couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had been thinking about this matter more than half a month ago and even took some corresponding measures. . Now seeing that the shipping on the Volga River may be interrupted at any time, he naturally does not need to worry too much: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, don't worry, the shrinking regiments in the division are all equipped with German equipment, weapons and ammunition. They can They can be obtained through seizures on the battlefield; as for the other three Soviet-style equipment regiments, don’t worry too much. In any case, we have been operating Mamayev Heights for almost half a year, and the ammunition stored in the underground warehouse is enough to maintain Required for half a month of fighting.”
"It can only last half a month?" Ivanov became anxious after hearing this. "Comrade Division Commander, should we immediately apply to the Army Group Headquarters and ask them to replenish us with more supplies and ammunition. Otherwise, I worry……"
"What are you worried about, my comrade deputy division commander?" Sokov interrupted with a smile before Ivanov could finish his words: "Are you worried that when our ammunition and supplies are exhausted, the supplies from the other side will not be able to be reached? Will it be shipped?"
"Yes, that's what I think." Ivanov did not hide his true thoughts at all: "If we don't hoard enough supplies, I'm worried that the situation of fighting the enemy with bayonets on the battlefield in the past two months will happen again. appearing again."
"You are too pessimistic, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." As a future person who knows the final outcome, Sokov said with confidence: "Even if the transportation on the Volga River is interrupted due to ice floes, this time will not be too long. I estimate For up to a week, our reserves can fully cope with any situation."
"Comrade Commander, how can you be so sure that the floating ice will only interrupt shipping for a week." Ivanov asked tentatively: "Do you have any scientific basis for saying that?"
"It's very simple. The reason why ice floes appear on the river is because of the recent heavy cooling and heavy snowfall." Sokov said lightly: "In the coming days, I estimate that it will continue to snow, and the entire river will freeze." Ice. As long as the ice on the river can withstand the weight of the car, transportation on the other side will resume. In a week at most, you will see supplies from the east bank flowing into the city. And because it is passable, With the increase in land area, the city will receive more supplies.”
Sidorin now has a sense of blind trust in Sokov. He believes that since the division commander believes that shipping will only be interrupted for a week, then the original transportation will resume after a week, and there is really nothing to worry about.
"Comrade Commander," Krylov, who was originally in high spirits, became a little stuttered after hearing the bad news: "How long do you think it will be until shipping is interrupted?"
"Five minutes ago, I called the Meteorological Corps and asked similar questions." Yeremenko replied with a solemn expression: "In two days at most, that is, on November 9, the river transportation on both sides of the strait will be completed. It may be interrupted due to the appearance of a large number of ice floes. Therefore, in the remaining two days, the Volga Fleet and the Front Transport Team will increase their transportation efforts to increase the amount of your supplies."
After Krylov put down the phone, he reported to Chuikov with a grimace: "Comrade Commander, just now General Yereomenko said that due to the strong cooling and heavy snowfall, a large number of ice floes have formed on the river. Transportation may be disrupted."
"Call General Lobov, the Minister of Logistics." Chuikov waited for Krylov to finish, thought for a moment, and then ordered him: "Have him come over immediately. I want to ask about the amount of supplies currently stored in the city. How long will it last?”
Lobov didn't know what was going on. Hearing Krylov's harsh tone on the phone, he quickly handed over the work in hand to his subordinates and hurried to the headquarters. As soon as he entered the door, he heard Chuikov sitting at the table ask: "Comrade Logistics Minister, I want to ask you, how long can our supplies last?"
Hearing Chuikov's sudden question, Lobov immediately realized that something might have gone wrong. After quickly recalling the inventory situation everywhere, he replied seriously: "Comrade Commander, because we built an underwater pontoon bridge, the convoy has been A large amount of materials can be continuously transported into the city, so so far, the grain, meat, dairy products, etc. we have stored can last half a month; medicines can last ten days. As for ammunition,... "
Chuikov called Lobov to the headquarters. In fact, what he wanted to know most was the ammunition storage situation. Without food, people may still be hungry; if the gun has no ammunition, it will become a fire stick. When the enemy rushes up, We can only fight with them with bayonets. So when Lobov paused mid-sentence, he asked impatiently: "Comrade Logistics Minister, please tell me how long the ammunition we have in stock in the city can last?"
"If calculated based on the combat intensity of the previous two days," Lobov replied in an uncertain tone, "it can only sustain consumption for five to seven days."
Chuikov did not speak, but turned to look at Krylov, as if asking him: Is the storage capacity of so much ammunition enough? Krylov understood what Chuikov meant, shook his head slightly, and said: "Comrade Commander, I think five to seven days of ammunition reserves are too little. If shipping is interrupted for more than half a month, our soldiers will only have I can fight the enemy with bayonets."
Lobov didn't understand why Chuikov and the others asked about the inventory of materials inexplicably, so he couldn't help but asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, can you tell me why we asked about the inventory today."
"When the Chief of Staff just spoke to the commander of the front army, he learned that due to the recent heavy cooling and heavy snowfall, a large number of ice floes have appeared on the Volga River. As the number of ice floes increases, shipping on both sides of the river may be interrupted." When Chuikov said this, he paused for a moment, pointed at Lobov with his hand, and said: "Also, the underwater pontoon bridge that can pass cars can no longer transport supplies."
