When the Germans stormed into the city, four divisions of troops were tasked with defending the barricade factory. However, as the battle progressed, Gurdiev's 308th Division, Gorishny's 95th Division, and Smehotvorov's 193rd Division were all severely reduced in number, and Chuikov withdrew them to the east coast for reinforcements. At that time, the total number of the three divisions when crossing the river was less than 600.
The reason why Sokov did not focus on the barricade factory before was because he thought that the troops in the factory were enough to resist the attack launched by the German army. But today he suddenly discovered that the difficulties faced by the barricade factory were no worse than those of the Dzerzhinsky factory. If he did not enter the barricade factory with the troops, he was worried that the reinforcements would soon be wiped out.
Seeing that Chuikov rejected his request, Sokov was not discouraged and continued to explain his reasons: "Comrade Commander, the situation in the barricade factory is very complicated now. Although Comrade Belkin has served as a military officer before, He had been my political commissar before he became the head of the drawdown regiment. I am worried about his limited abilities when he is asked to carry out such an important task..."
"Okay, Colonel Sokov, you don't have to say any more." Although Chuikov was unwilling to let Sokov take risks from the bottom of his heart, thinking of the precarious situation at the barricade factory, if Belkin was the only one to lead the team for reinforcements, he would He was really worried. After interrupting Sokov, he thought for a long time, and finally sighed and said: "Okay, I agree that you will personally lead the team to reinforce the barricade factory. But you have to promise me that you must Come back alive!"
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Seeing that Chuikov agreed to his request, Sokov's heart hanging in his throat returned to his stomach again. He quickly assured Chuikov: "Not only will I come back alive, I will also crush the enemy's offensive and consume as much of their vitality in the factory as possible."
After Sokov ended his call with Chuikov, he immediately ordered the communications troops to help him connect to Belkin's headquarters. As soon as the call came through, he said directly to Belkin who answered the phone: "My comrade political commissar, your mission has come."
Belkin, who had not participated in any battles after withdrawing from the archives building, couldn't help but his eyes lit up when he heard that there was a combat mission, and he quickly asked: "Misha, what mission?"
"I just received a call from Comrade Commander, saying that the situation at the barricade factory is not good. The enemy, under the cover of tanks, launched a fierce attack on the defenders in the factory." Sokov said into the microphone: "Political Commissar Comrade, you immediately assemble your troops and rush to the barricade factory for reinforcements. I promised Comrade Commander that your troops will appear on the barricade factory’s position within two hours at most. How about that? Can it be done?"
"There is no problem in entering the position of the barricade factory within two hours." Belkin waited for Sokov to finish, then said thoughtfully: "I have a question: after we enter the barricade factory , fight independently, or obey the command of the factory commander?"
"Only Colonel Lyudnikov's 138th Division is left in the barricade factory. If you lead the team into the factory, I'm afraid you will have to give him command." The reason Sokov insisted on leading the team to the barricade factory was because he was afraid His troops were assigned to Lyudnikov's command, so that when the counterattack began, he would have no available troops. "In order to avoid this situation, I have proposed to Comrade Commander that I would personally lead the team there, and he has agreed."
"What, you want to go to the barricade factory too?" From Belkin's headquarters, the sound of gunfire coming from the direction of the barricade factory could be clearly heard, and seeing the billowing smoke, he said worriedly: "Misha, it's too dangerous there. You should stay at the division headquarters and take command. I'll just lead the team there."
"Comrade Political Commissar, you don't have to persuade me." Since Sokov has made up his mind to go to the barricade factory, no matter who persuades him, he will not change his mind. He stubbornly said: "I don't trust my troops to fight in a strange place." Perhaps thinking that Belgin said this out of concern for his own safety, he added later, "Don't worry. I will pay attention to safety on the battlefield."
Sokov had already said this, and Belgin knew that no matter how much he tried to persuade him, the other party would not change his mind, so he could only say helplessly: "Okay, Misha, since you have made a decision, then I I won’t say much else. Finally, I want to ask, should we wait for you to arrive before setting off? Or should we set off first and then meet up at the barricade factory? "
"The situation on the battlefield is not good for our army. Even if you enter the battlefield one minute earlier, it may change the entire battle situation." Sokov said into the microphone: "After the troops are assembled, you immediately take them into the barricade factory. I will rush over to meet you."
Seeing Sokov put down the microphone, Ivanov said with concern: "Comrade division commander, the barricade factory is very dangerous. Please bring more troops there."
"No need." Although Sokov wanted to send another regiment from here, for the sake of the overall situation, the troops at Mamayev Heights cannot be used casually. "I will bring a guard platoon over and let Samo Lieutenant Ilov is coming with me.”
Knowing that Sokov planned to take Samoilov with him, Sidorin quickly made a call to the guard battalion and told the battalion commander Tenev: "Comrade Major, the division commander is going to the barricade factory soon, please let Samoilov Lieutenant Husband took his platoon to escort the division commander."
"Understood, Comrade Chief of Staff." Tenev replied quickly: "I will ask Lieutenant Samoilov to prepare immediately."
After Sidorin arranged the accompanying troops, he looked at Sokov and said sincerely: "Comrade division commander, the situation at the barricade factory is not optimistic. Even with Commander Belgin's reduced regiment, if we want to change the situation there, we must I'm afraid it won't be easy. If you feel it's too dangerous, you must evacuate in time."
"Chief of Staff, thank you for your concern." Sokov smiled and nodded at Sidorin and said: "Don't worry, no matter what, I will come back alive. I have not defeated Faxi Temple, and I have not driven them away from our land. If you drive out, I will never die." He took a few steps toward the door with the assault rifle in his hand. Suddenly he remembered something important. He stopped quickly and told Sidorin, "By the way, Chief of Staff, There's another thing I almost forgot. Don't let Asiya know about my trip to the barricade factory. I don't want her to worry about me. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sidorin nodded and said, "I will definitely keep it a secret for you." However, Sokov's words reminded him, and he asked specifically, "We need to send some health workers to accompany you. Do you want to act together?"
"That's not necessary." Sokov shook his head and replied: "There are several health workers in the drawdown regiment, and there are also military doctors and health workers in the barricade factory. Our wounded can receive timely treatment, so you don't have to worry about these things. .”
