The day of counterattack finally arrived.
In the early morning of November 19, before dawn, the division political commissar Anisimov, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared at the division headquarters and excitedly asked Sokov: "Comrade division commander, will our big counterattack be today?" ?”
"That's right." Considering that Anisimov was rarely at the division headquarters recently and didn't know much about many things, Sokov introduced the plan of this major counterattack to him in detail. Considering that the major counterattack would not be effective immediately, and the troops in the city would have to endure a difficult period of time, Anisimov specifically reminded Anisimov: "Comrade Political Commissar, the German troops in the Don River Basin were attacked by our troops and stayed in the city. The German army may continue to attack us, so we must not underestimate the enemy or take it lightly just because the counterattack is about to begin."
Anisimov's smile gradually disappeared on his face, and he asked in confusion: "Why, Comrade Division Commander, do you think the Germans can still have the strength to continue to attack the city even if they are attacked by our three fronts?" Launch an attack?"
"They have such strength." Sokov continued, raising his voice. Whether he was saying this to Anisimov, he also hoped that Sidorin, Ivanov, and everyone in the command center They all heard their own words: "The enemy's defense lines are distributed between the Don River and the Volga River. Even if they are attacked on a large scale by our army, I am afraid that they will not pose any threat to them in a short period of time."
Regarding Sokov's prediction, Ivanov, who had been silent for a long time, opened his eyes in surprise: "No way, comrade division commander. You must know that our troops deployed in the direction of the Don River are two front armies, several How can one hundred thousand people not pose a threat to the enemy's defense line?"
"No matter how large-scale our army's counterattack is, as long as the Stalingrad Front south of the city does not move, Paulus will think that our counterattack, like the previous failed counterattacks, is a A diversionary action taken to prevent him from seizing the city." Sokov said in a contemptuous tone: "In this case, Paulus will definitely continue to attack the factory area north of the city according to his original plan. , launch a new attack."
Sidorin and Sokov have been together for a long time, so he naturally knows that Sokov's ability to foresee is very strong. It was as if no one expected that the enemy would attack Stalingrad, but he took the initiative to transfer troops to Stalingrad for garrison and built massive fortifications and tunnels on Mamayev Hill. If he hadn't taken precautions and built the tunnel in advance, Mamayev Hill might have been occupied by the Germans long ago.
It was based on this consideration that Sidorin took the initiative to stand on Sokov's side and reminded him proactively: "Comrade division commander, since you speculate that when the enemy is attacked by friendly forces on the Don River, he will still be attacked by the factories in the north of the city. If we are launching an offensive in the factory area, should we report this situation to the commander and ask him to remind the troops who are sticking to the factory area not to relax their vigilance just because our army’s counterattack is about to begin?”
"Chief of Staff, you are right, we should remind Comrade Commander to prepare all troops for combat." Sokov said: "Even if the German army desperately attacks our army, they must not be allowed to succeed. "
But before Sokov could call, Chuikov's call came in first. He said to Sokov emotionally: "Colonel Sokov, in a few hours, our friendly forces will launch a full-scale counterattack against Paulus' troops in the Don River Basin. What do you think? Are you considering moving the counterattack in the Mamayev Hills area to today?"
Sokov knew very well that in the original history, when the Soviet army counterattacked, the reason why Chuikov's 62nd Army did not participate in the counterattack was due to insufficient strength; more importantly, the frontal defense line was 25 kilometers wide. The depth is less than one kilometer. In such a narrow area, it is impossible to gather counterattack troops. Now that he has held on to Mamayev Heights, the enemy is unable to cut off the troops guarding the city, ensuring that the defense depth of the entire 62nd Group Army has increased to five kilometers. Chuikov was eager for his troops to launch a counterattack because there was enough space to assemble counterattack troops.
However, Sokov knew very well that the German army would launch the last fierce attack against the Soviet army north of the city today. If you rashly launch a counterattack when the enemy attacks, the final result will be to hit an egg with a stone. It was out of this consideration that he said resolutely: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I feel that the conditions for launching a counterattack today are not mature."
"Why, Colonel Sokov?" Chuikov, who was rejected, asked through gritted teeth, "Does the enemy on the other side scare you?"
"Comrade Commander, I was just about to call you, but your call came first."
Chuikov, who was a little surprised, asked, "What's the matter?"
"According to my analysis, even if our army launches a fierce attack on the German army in the Don River Basin, Paulus will still think that this is just a diversionary action to prevent him from seizing the city." Sokov said to him without being humble or condescending. The microphone said: "In this case, he will not send any troops to reinforce the area under attack. On the contrary, he will continue to concentrate his forces and launch an attack on the factory area in the north of the city, aiming to defeat the enemy in the shortest possible time. Destroy our troops in these areas..."
After listening to Sokov's analysis, Chuikov was silent for a long time again. After careful consideration, he then asked: "Colonel Sokov, do you really think that the enemy will continue to attack the factory area in the north of the city while the Don River defense line is under a full-scale attack by our army?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." In order to convince Chuikov, Sokov decided to take a risk. He said into the microphone: "If you are willing, I am willing to make a bet with you."
Perhaps Sokov's statement was relatively novel, which aroused Chuikov's curiosity: "Colonel Sokov, what bet do you want to make with me? What is the bet?"
"Comrade Commander, I say that the Germans will continue to attack the factory area today." Sokov said calmly: "If they attack, then I will decide when my troops will launch a counterattack based on changes in the battlefield situation. It’s decided and you are not allowed to interfere.”
"I can promise you this." Chuikov asked unconvincedly: "But what if you lose?"
Sokov held his breath and thought for a moment, then gritted his molars and said: "Comrade Commander, if the enemy does not launch an attack on the factory area before noon, I will be considered defeated. I will immediately command the troops and attack the horse." The enemy in front of Mayev Ridge launched an attack. Are you satisfied with this bet?"
"Very good, it's decided." Chuikov waited for Sokov to finish and then said cheerfully: "If the enemy really launches an attack on the factory area, then when will your division launch a counterattack against the enemy, I will never know. I will ask again. However, if the enemy does not launch an attack on the factory area before noon today, then your division will launch a counterattack against the enemy today."
"It's a deal," Sokov replied without hesitation.
