"Please rest assured, Comrade Commander." Sokov thought for a moment and then replied loudly: "We will immediately send anti-tank fighters carrying rocket launchers to the Dzerzhinsky Factory to support the 37th Guards Division."
"Comrade Commander." Seeing Sokov agreeing to Chuikov so readily, Ivanov stamped his feet anxiously beside him. As soon as Sokov put down the phone, he couldn't wait to say: "Our rocket launchers and ammunition are limited. If they are used to support the 37th Guards Division, then we will face an insufficient number of rocket launchers when we counterattack. "
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." Although rocket launchers are not used much nowadays, Sidorin often hears Sokov mention that rocket launchers can not only attack tanks, armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers at close range. , and can also use direct aim to destroy enemy fortifications. If such good weapons are given to other troops, what will our own troops use in the counterattack? It is out of this consideration that he echoed Ivanov's statement: "At present, we cannot get replenishment of rocket launchers and ammunition. Once they are exhausted, what weapons will we use to deal with it after the counterattack begins? Where are the enemy tanks, assault guns and fortifications?”
"Chief of Staff, Deputy Division Commander, I understand what you mean." Sokov was naturally aware of Sidorin and Ivanov's dissuasion. But for the sake of the overall situation, he had to send people to support. However, before sending reinforcements, he had to explain the reason to his two deputies: "The enemy is launching a fierce attack on the Dzerzhinsky factory. If we do not support General Zorudev and the others, once the factory is occupied by the enemy, we will The counterattack plan will have to be adjusted. At that time, the direction of our attack will no longer be the enemy in front of Mamayev Heights, but the enemy occupying the Dzerzhinsky Factory, even if all our divisions are wiped out , we must also regain the lost factories.”
After hearing what Sokov said, Sidorin and Ivanov shut up. They knew very well that Sokov was telling the truth. Once the Germans occupied the Dzerzhinsky factory, the adjacent barricade factory would also be in danger. If the city falls before the major counterattack achieves results, I'm afraid no one will be able to reap the benefits.
Seeing that the room was calm again, Anisimov asked tentatively: "Comrade division commander, the distance from Mamayev Heights to Dzerzhinsky Factory is not very close. If there was a ring railway in the past, we would Maybe it only takes ten minutes to reach the destination. But now it takes at least two hours to walk to the factory. If we send people there now, can we make it in time? "
"I feel that General Rudev's defense line may not be able to sustain for such a long time." Sokov said simply: "I immediately called Commander Belkin and asked him to send the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion over. .”
"What about the barricade factory?" Sidorin asked: "Once the anti-tank platoon leaves, the anti-tank force in the barricade factory will be weakened."
"The Second Battalion also has an anti-tank platoon, which allows Berkin to move them to the front." Sokov said: "In this way, we will have enough time to dispatch anti-tank platoons from Mamayev Heights to the barricade factory. Tank troops."
Hearing that Sokov had considered all the issues that should be considered, Sidorin nodded, "Comrade division commander, since you have given careful consideration, I will call Commander Belkin immediately and ask him to He sent a battalion of anti-tank platoons to the Dzerzhinsky factory to support General Zorudev’s troops.”
Unexpectedly, after Belkin received Sidorin's call, he asked doubtfully: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't you know that the enemy is also launching a fierce attack on us? If at this time, the anti-tank platoon is transferred, So who is going to deal with the enemy tanks?”
Seeing Sidorin's troubled expression, Sokov knew that he must have hit a snag in front of Belkin, so he walked over and took the microphone from his hand and said to Belkin: "My comrade political commissar, It was my order to send the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion to support the Dzerzhinsky Factory. The enemy is currently storming the Dzerzhinsky Factory. If they do not receive support from the anti-tank platoon, their defense line may be overrun. Enemy tanks break through.”
"Misha, I understand what you mean." When Belkin heard Sokov's voice, he knew that this order could not be changed. He sighed and said: "I can send the anti-tank platoon to support General Rujeev, but I have a condition.”
"What conditions?" Sokov asked briefly.
"Can the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion be transferred to General Zholudev?" After Belkin made this request, he was afraid that Sokov would not agree, so he took the initiative to analyze to him: "The anti-tank platoon of the second battalion will be transferred from After entering the barricade factory, they have been idle. If they are ordered to take over the work of the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion, they will not only need a familiar process, but may even cause unnecessary confusion."
"Then what did you think about it?"
"It's very simple." Belkin continued: "Directly transfer the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion to the Dzerzhinsky factory. This can avoid confusion during the defense change. At the same time, the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion does not have to be in the Dzerzhinsky factory. In an unfamiliar location, get familiar with the environment again.”
Belkin's words gave Sokov a wake-up call. He immediately realized that there were some problems with his deployment. He could clearly send the currently idle 2nd Battalion anti-tank platoon to the Dzerzhinsky factory, but he did not. It is simply superfluous to add more than necessary.
Thinking of this, Sokov smiled sheepishly, and then said into the microphone: "Comrade Political Commissar, you are right, then let the anti-tank platoon of the second battalion go to reinforce the Dzerzhinsky factory, and the anti-tank platoon of the first battalion will The tank platoon continues to hold its position. In addition, I will dispatch soldiers from the division guard battalion who know how to use rocket launchers and rush over to reinforce you."
Sidorin waited for Sokov to put down the phone and immediately asked him for instructions: "Comrade division commander, who do you think will lead the troops to reinforce the barricade factory?"
"Comrade Commander, can I say a few words?" Anisimov on the side couldn't help but interjected and asked: "Didn't the commander order us to reinforce the Dzerzhinsky Factory? Why have you turned into a reinforcement barricade? factory?"
"Comrade Political Commissar," after hearing Anisimov's question, Sokov turned to him and explained to him: "The barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory are not far apart. We will transfer reinforcements to the barricade factory. , we can achieve the purpose of reinforcing them at any time."
"Comrade Division Commander," Seeing that his words were interrupted by Anisimov, Sidorin repeated his question again: "Do you plan to send troops to reinforce?"
"Let the guard battalion commander Major Tenev lead the team." Sokov considered that after Tenev came to his division, he was almost transparent and rarely assigned any combat tasks to him. I am afraid that in his heart There is also resentment. Plan him to carry out this mission: "Ask him to lead two guard platoons, carry five rocket launchers and supporting ammunition, and rush to the barricade factory as soon as possible."
"Comrade Division Commander, there are almost a hundred people in the two guard platoons." Hearing this, Ivanov couldn't help but remind Sokov: "Isn't it a little too little to only carry five rocket launchers?"
"No less, no less." Sokov shook his head and said: "I asked them to go to the barricade factory not only to deal with the enemy's tanks, but also to prepare to deal with the enemy's infantry. Therefore, I plan to let them carry thirty more new-type missiles. rocket missile."
"I think Commander Belkin will be very happy if he knows this news." Upon learning that Sokov also planned to let the reinforcements carry new rockets, Ivanov showed a knowing smile on his face: " But if this happens, the Germans who attack the barricade factory will suffer."
Seeing Sidorin making a phone call to Major Tenev, the commander of the guard battalion, Sokov could not help but shake his head secretly. He originally thought that as long as the Stalingrad Front counterattacked, he could use the additional troops provided by his superiors to attack the front. Romanian troops counterattacked. But the plan could not keep up with the changes. First, the German army and the Romanian army exchanged defenses, and then they stormed the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory, forcing themselves to redeploy some of the troops and technical equipment originally prepared for counterattack to reinforce these two critical situations. of factory.
"Comrade division commander, what are you thinking about?" Anisimov saw Sokov staring at Sidorin on the phone in a daze, and couldn't help but ask: "Are you worried that our troops will not be able to defend the factory?"
"That's right." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "Wait a dozen more hours, and our Stalingrad Front will launch a counterattack against the enemy from the south of the city, and then in the shortest time , to join forces with the Southwest Front and the Don Front moving south. But if the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory fall at this critical moment, all the efforts made in the middle of the night will be in vain."
"I think our troops should be able to defend the Barricade Factory and the Dzerzhinsky Factory." Anisimov said with some lack of confidence: "Anyway, they also know that our army's major counterattack has begun, and the enemy The destruction is right in front of them. Therefore, no matter how fierce the enemy's attack is, they will find ways to support it and wait until victory comes."
Belkin received Sokov's order and was about to call the second battalion commander, Captain Brisky, but a new round of German attacks began again. Lyudnikov called him and said in a panic: "Commander Belkin, the enemy has launched a new attack. It seems that they will never give up until they take the factory. With my current situation With the strength of these troops, it may be difficult to stop them, and I hope to get your help.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." Since the snow outside was not that heavy, Belkin could see the situation outside from his command post. He saw groups of German soldiers wearing white camouflage uniforms, fighting on tanks and assaults. Under the cover of artillery and armored vehicles, he rushed towards the last line of defense of the barricade factory. He quickly said into the microphone: "We will continue to fight side by side with you and completely crush the enemy's attack."
Belkin thought that there were not many artillery shells left in the artillery regiment, and it would be a waste for the second battalion to stay on the artillery position. He quickly called Briski and told him: "Comrade Captain, this is Belkin. Commander, I will give you two orders now."
"I think Commander Belkin will be very happy if he knows this news." Upon learning that Sokov also planned to let the reinforcements carry new rockets, Ivanov showed a knowing smile on his face: " But if this happens, the Germans who attack the barricade factory will suffer."
Seeing Sidorin making a phone call to Major Tenev, the commander of the guard battalion, Sokov could not help but shake his head secretly. He originally thought that as long as the Stalingrad Front counterattacked, he could use the additional troops provided by his superiors to attack the front. Romanian troops counterattacked. But the plan could not keep up with the changes. First, the German army and the Romanian army exchanged defenses, and then they stormed the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory, forcing themselves to redeploy some of the troops and technical equipment originally prepared for counterattack to reinforce these two critical situations. of factory.
"Comrade division commander, what are you thinking about?" Anisimov saw Sokov staring at Sidorin on the phone in a daze, and couldn't help but ask: "Are you worried that our troops will not be able to defend the factory?"
"That's right." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "Wait a dozen more hours, and our Stalingrad Front will launch a counterattack against the enemy from the south of the city, and then in the shortest time , to join forces with the Southwest Front and the Don Front moving south. But if the barricade factory and the Dzerzhinsky factory fall at this critical moment, all the efforts made in the middle of the night will be in vain."
"I think our troops should be able to defend the Barricade Factory and the Dzerzhinsky Factory." Anisimov said with some lack of confidence: "Anyway, they also know that our army's major counterattack has begun, and the enemy The destruction is right in front of them. Therefore, no matter how fierce the enemy's attack is, they will find ways to support it and wait until victory comes."
Belkin received Sokov's order and was about to call the second battalion commander, Captain Brisky, but a new round of German attacks began again. Lyudnikov called him and said in a panic: "Commander Belkin, the enemy has launched a new attack. It seems that they will never give up until they take the factory. With my current situation With the strength of these troops, it may be difficult to stop them, and I hope to get your help.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." Since the snow outside was not that heavy, Belkin could see the situation outside from his command post. He saw groups of German soldiers wearing white camouflage uniforms, fighting on tanks and assaults. Under the cover of artillery and armored vehicles, he rushed towards the last line of defense of the barricade factory. He quickly said into the microphone: "We will continue to fight side by side with you and completely crush the enemy's attack."
Belkin thought that there were not many artillery shells left in the artillery regiment, and it would be a waste for the second battalion to stay on the artillery position. He quickly called Briski and told him: "Comrade Captain, this is Belkin. Commander, I will give you two orders now."
