If the troops attacking the Soviet position at this moment were not the German 305th Infantry Division, but the engineer battalion, the artillery regiment's artillery fire would not be able to destroy many enemies at all, because they were all in a combat group of three or five people, relying on the cover of bomb craters. Approaching the Soviet position step by step. Once they are bombarded, they can use the nearby bomb craters to hide in order to minimize casualties.
The officers and soldiers of the 305th Division followed the assault guns in groups and charged towards the Soviet positions. Now that the assault gun in front has been killed, they have become lambs to be slaughtered without cover. Hearing the scream of artillery shells in the air, those who reacted quickly jumped directly into the crater next to them, while those who reacted slowly were blown away by the shells in groups.
The artillery shells that fell in the German ranks exploded violently. In the deafening explosions, gunpowder smoke and flames rose into the sky. The German soldiers who were lifted into the air by the air waves were cut into pieces by a network of shrapnel and gravel. The fragments and flying blood rain were already vaporized by the high temperature generated by the explosion while they were still in the air. The soil mixed with broken limbs and weapon parts fell down like a goddess scattering flowers.
Fortunately, the Soviet artillery was limited, and the bombardment of the enemy only lasted a few minutes before ending abruptly. However, at least two hundred German soldiers lay on this Russian soil forever, unable to fight again. stand up. As soon as the Soviet artillery stopped, the surviving German soldiers got up from the ground and fled back desperately. They just wanted to escape as far away from here as possible.
Sokov, who was staying at the division headquarters, received a call from Savage and learned that the enemy had retreated. He just said lightly: "I know!" Then he put down the phone and spoke to the man sitting opposite. Lyudnikov said, "Comrade Colonel, the enemy's attack has been repelled by our artillery."
Upon learning that the enemy's attack had been repelled again, Lyudnikov showed a relaxed expression on his face. Since he led his troops into the barricade factory, there have been battles every day, but this is the first time he has seen such an easy battle like today. He nodded slightly and said to Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, I heard from the commander that you are very good at fighting, and I was quite unconvinced. I thought that even if you were good at fighting, how could you have as much combat experience as me?" Compared with people who have been in the army for more than 20 years? But after these two days of fighting, I think what the commander said is very reasonable. You are indeed a person who is very good at fighting. If nothing else, let’s talk about the army. The number of casualties is probably less than one-fifth of mine."
In response to Lyudnikov's compliment, Sokov smiled faintly and said modestly: "Comrade Colonel, you are so grateful. I have not been in the army for a long time and have never attended a military academy. I am also blind to these fighting methods." Elusive.”
"Speaking of military academy, I remembered one thing." Lyudnikov had studied at the famous Frunze Military Academy before the war. When he heard that Sokov had not attended a military academy, he said enthusiastically: "Wait for us Having repelled the German attack on Stalingrad, I suggest you go to the Frunze Military Academy to study and master more command skills, which will be very helpful for your future promotion."
Sokov remembered that the Frunze Military Academy moved out of Moscow shortly after the war began, but he was not sure where exactly it was moved. Hearing Lyudnikov mention this school at this moment, he couldn't help but ask curiously: "Comrade Colonel, I heard that the school has moved out of Moscow. I don't know where it has been moved to?"
"Tashkent." Lyudnikov replied briefly: "After the war broke out, the college moved to Tashkent and opened a crash course in cadre training. The study time was only three months." Perhaps worried about Sokov's concerns, he further It explained, "Even if you enter the military academy to study, it is impossible for your superiors to assign a new commander to replace you in such a short period of time. Therefore, you can still return to your original unit after studying."
Lyudnikov's words made Sokov's heart beat a little. He knew that he did not go to a military academy, and it was a lot of luck that he became the commander of the Guards Division. But if you still want to continue to be promoted, without the experience of studying in a military academy, it may be very difficult to go further.
"Comrade Colonel," Sokov asked tentatively: "If I want to study in the military academy, to whom should I apply?"
"Needless to say, we are now affiliated with the 62nd Army. If you want to enter the military academy, you must naturally apply to Commander Chuikov." Lyudnikov said with a smile: "With his appreciation for you, I will definitely agree to your request."
"Comrade Colonel, do you know the conditions for admission?" Sokov waited for Lyudnikov to finish and immediately asked: "I don't know if I meet the admission standards."
"Colonel Sokov, since the academy mainly trains composite army commanders with extensive knowledge from regiment to corps levels, the admission requirements for students are extremely strict. The requirements are that they must have graduated from the High Command School of the Combined Arms of All Arms and served as commanders for more than two years. Battalion commander position, with practical experience in unit command, good combat literacy, under 38 years old, with the rank of captain or major." After Lyudnikov finished talking about the admissions criteria, he saw Sokov's With a slightly uncertain expression on his face, he added: "But don't worry. With your performance on the battlefield and your achievements, as long as you apply, I think Comrade Commander will definitely agree."
Originally Sokov was very confident about entering the Frunze Military Academy, but after hearing what Lyudnikov said, he seemed a little uneasy. He thought to himself: He has to go to the headquarters for a meeting tomorrow. Should he talk to Chuikov privately to see if he will allow him to enter the military academy?
While I was thinking wildly, the phone rang. Sokov glanced at the phones on the table and found that the phone in front of Lyudnikov was ringing. He thought it was a subordinate of the division who wanted to report to Lyudnikov.
Unexpectedly, Lyudnikov picked up the phone and listened for a moment, then said respectfully: "...Yes, Comrade Commander, he is right opposite me. Do you want to talk to him?...Okay, I immediately put him on the phone."
Sokov took the phone handed over by Lyudnikov and asked blankly into the phone: "Hello, Comrade Commander, do you have any instructions?"
According to his thoughts, Chuikov might want to ask whether the road from the barricade factory to the headquarters is safe. Unexpectedly, Chuikov asked on the phone: "Colonel Sokov, I heard that you gave Director Peter a design drawing. Is this true?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Hearing that Chuikov was asking about self-propelled artillery, Sokov immediately perked up: "I think we should also have a kind of technical equipment similar to the German assault gun, so I gave it to Peter Factory I made a sketch and wrote some design ideas to him."
"Do you think this kind of technical equipment can be deployed in the army after it is produced?" Chuikov asked.
"Comrade Commander, I think as long as the output can be guaranteed, this kind of technical equipment will soon be installed on a large scale in the army." Sokov replied: "This will help improve the strength of our artillery."
"But I think you may have forgotten one important thing." Chuikov waited for Sokov to finish and then deliberately reminded him: "Our transportation with the other side has been interrupted. I am afraid that many of the materials used to produce this new technical equipment cannot be used." Shipped in from outside.”
Sokov couldn't help but smile when he heard what Chuikov was worried about. He said into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, if I guess correctly, tomorrow night's meeting may be related to our army's future major operations. Don't you have confidence in us defeating the enemy? Anyway, I think the enemy will be defeated sooner or later. We can overcome some of the difficulties we are currently facing and we can find ways to overcome them.”
"Colonel Sokov," Chuikov ignored Sokov's joke, but said with a serious expression: "I had a careful discussion with Director Peter, and he said that if all reserve forces are used, it will take about two days. In time, a prototype of the automatic artillery can be produced. After the prototype is produced, it is up to you to test this technical equipment on the battlefield and provide the necessary data to Director Peter and others for their subsequent improvements."
After chatting about self-propelled artillery for a while, Chuikov was about to hang up the phone. Chuikov quickly stopped him and said hesitantly: "Comrade Commander, I still want to ask you something."
When Chuikov heard Sokov speaking to him in this tone, he immediately asked alertly: "Colonel Sokov, what happened to you? Why are you talking to me in this tone?"
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Sokov asked with a red face: "I want to study at the Frunze Military Academy to improve my command level. Do you agree with me to study at the Military Academy?"
"What, you want to enter the Frunze Military Academy?" Chuikov said with some surprise: "There is a war now. As the commander of a division, how can you leave your combat post casually?" He reminded Sokov kindly, "Although the situation in the city is unfavorable to our army, we will soon take major military operations to reverse this unfavorable situation. If you leave at this time, you will not only give up the honor that is easily available, but you will even be attacked. Criticism.”
"Comrade Commander, you misunderstood." Sokov did not want others to misunderstand that he wanted to be a deserter, so he quickly explained to Chuikov: "I mean, I will go to Fulong after defeating the enemy who attacked Stalingrad." Study at the Chicago Military Academy. But I heard from Colonel Lyudnikov that in order to enter the academy, I must get your permission."
"Since you have defeated the enemies in Stalingrad and then studied at the Frunze Military Academy, there is nothing wrong with it." Chuikov felt relieved when he learned that Sokov was not leaving Stalingrad now. He promised Sokov: "As soon as the enemy is defeated, I will personally recommend you to study at the Frunze Military Academy."
"Thank you, Comrade Commander, thank you very much." Hearing that Chuikov agreed that he would go to Frunze Military Academy to study after the Battle of Stalingrad, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed. He knew very well that as long as he went Studying for three months is very helpful for my future, so I constantly express my gratitude to Chuikov.
Seeing Sokov put down the phone with a smile on his face, Lyudnikov immediately reached out to him and said friendly: "Colonel Sokov, please accept my heartfelt blessings and wish you good results in the academy. "
While shaking hands with Lyudnikov, Sokov said with a smile: "Comrade Colonel, the commander only agreed to recommend me to study. Whether I can enter the academy will have to wait until we defeat the enemy who attacked Stalingrad. Just known."
"The commander has agreed to recommend you to enter the Frunze Military Academy, and it's almost done." Lyudnikov said with a smile: "You know, the most famous generals today: Zhukov, Rokossov Ski, Konev, Vasilevsky and others all studied at the Frunze Military Academy. If you can enter this academy, you will definitely gain their trust and respect."
The people Lyudnikov mentioned were all famous generals in the Great Patriotic War, especially the first three, who were even called the "Troika of the Soviet Army." Not to mention Vasilevsky, he is the future chief of general staff. Being able to be called alumni with these famous generals will be very helpful to your future.
It is certainly a joy to study at the Frunze Military Academy. But not long after Sokov was excited, he turned his attention back to the defense of the barricade factory. For him, the top priority right now is to resolutely hold the barricade factory and wait for the arrival of the Soviet counterattack.
Sokov calmed down and said to Lyudnikov: "Comrade Colonel, I now have an idea. When I go to the headquarters for a meeting tomorrow, if all the commanders above the regiment level are there, once the enemy launches a sneak attack at night, then Who will command the troops? Without a unified command, I am afraid the troops will fall into chaos."
Regarding Sokov's statement, Lyudnikov thought for a moment and felt that it was really possible, so he asked humbly: "Colonel Sokov, tell me, what should we do?"
"I think it will be enough for us to take Lieutenant Colonel Guzman of the 650th Regiment and Commander Belkin of my regiment with us when we go to the meeting." Sokov suggested to Lyudnikov: "As for the remaining Two infantry regiment commanders and one artillery regiment commander were asked to stay in order to deal with possible enemy situations."
After two days of getting along, Lyudnikov already has great trust in Sokov. Although he doesn't obey what he says, at least he won't go against it. Therefore, he only thought about the plan proposed by Sokov for less than a minute, then nodded and said: "You are right, when we go to the meeting, the factory cannot be without a regimental commander sitting here. Just follow the instructions As you say, only Lieutenant Colonel Guzman and Commander Belkin, the commanders of the 650th Regiment, will accompany us to the meeting, and the remaining commanders will stay in the factory to deal with possible emergencies."
