"That's right, Colonel Sokov." Golikov, who had just finished calling Yereomenko, happened to hear what Sokov said to Belkin, so he added next to him: "According to your Depending on the division's performance in the battle to defend Stalingrad, we will give priority to replenishing your troops and technical equipment."
Although the Front Army Headquarters made an exception and added four reinforcement battalions to its troops a few days ago, the shortage of troops in the entire division still exists. After listening to Golikov's statement at this moment, Sokov seemed to have received reassurance. He raised his voice and said into the microphone: "Comrade Political Commissar, did you hear what the deputy commander of the front army said? He will give priority to us." As for the replenishment of soldiers and technical equipment, you can go ahead with confidence and boldness."
After Sokov put down the phone, he said to Golikov with a relaxed expression: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, Commander Belkin and others will take active actions tonight to seize some independent positions from the enemy. It serves as a fire support point and contains the enemy's main force within the factory area."
"Is there any difficulty?" Golikov asked casually after Sokov finished speaking. He asked this just as a polite word. According to his inner thoughts, since he had promised to give priority to replenishing Sokov's troops, the other party would probably not put forward any more conditions, so he had no scruples in speaking: "Yes. Feel free to mention it, as long as it is within my ability, I will solve it for you."
Sokov heard from Golikov's question that the other party was just asking politely and did not necessarily want to solve the problem for himself. But he did not want to miss such a good opportunity, so he said without hesitation: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, the two tank battalions that the superiors have promised to support me must arrive at Mamayev Heights before noon tomorrow." He said. The reason why he emphasized the problem of the tank battalion was because there was no sign of the tank battalion for the whole day. He was worried that he would have too many dreams during the long night, so he specially reminded Golikov.
"No problem." Golikov didn't have any objections to this matter. After all, it was the front army headquarters who took the initiative to add two tank battalions to the Sokov Division. Although he told some of the situation, the tank battalions failed to arrive in time. position, but they still have to be sent sooner or later. In order to prevent Sokov from having any ideas, he also specifically explained: "The tank battalion did not arrive in time today. There may be some problem with fuel or ammunition. Don't worry, I will personally take care of this before noon tomorrow." , two tank battalions can cross the river and reach Mamayev Heights."
Seeing Golikov's promise to himself, Sokov continued to express his thoughts: "Also, can you give us a batch of flamethrowers?"
"A flamethrower?!" Golikov had a surprised expression on his face when he heard what Sokov wanted. He asked in surprise: "Colonel Sokov, I don't understand. You want a flamethrower?" What?"
Not only Golikov didn't understand, but also Sidorin and Ivanov were confused and couldn't figure out the situation. Everyone turned their attention to Sokov, hoping to hear a reasonable explanation from him. .
"In the next battle, street fighting will be the main one." Seeing everyone's confused expressions, Sokov explained to them: "Take the barricade factory as an example. Although the enemy has already blocked the road leading to them. The sewers in the occupied area were all destroyed by the explosion, but the sewers in the buildings they occupied can still be used normally. If the enemy escapes into the sewers after losing the surface position, with the equipment of our soldiers, we will kill them all If you take it out, you will definitely pay a huge price.”
When Sidorin heard this, he immediately understood Sokov's intention and quickly interjected: "As long as we find sewer pipes or fortifications where the enemy is hiding, our soldiers can use flamethrowers to deal with the enemy. Even if they cannot burn them to death , the flames will also consume all the oxygen in the sewer, causing the enemy to suffocate to death inside."
"It seems that the flamethrower is quite useful." Golikov took out a pen and paper, wrote down the matter in his notebook, and then asked without looking up: "Are there any more?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I believe you know Colonel Bely, the commander of the 84th Tank Brigade."
Hearing the question raised by Sokov, Golikov glanced at him in surprise, and then said: "I have heard of this person, but I have never seen him. Why did you suddenly mention him?"
"I have fought side by side with Colonel Bely before, and together we broke through the enemy's encirclement from the north of Orlovka." Sokov grinned and explained to Golikov the relationship between himself and Bely: "After returning to the city, we were responsible for the defense together at the Red October Factory until his troops were transferred to the Barricade Factory and the Dzerzhinsky Factory for mobile defense. I heard a few days ago that all his tanks had been He was lost, and all his tank troops have been turned into infantry. Therefore, I would like to make another request to you, allowing him to return to Mamayev Heights to participate in our counterattack in the near future."
For Golikov, Sokov's request is not too much. The tank brigade commanded by Bely has lost all its tanks. If it wants to resume the battle, it must withdraw to the rear for repairs. However, Golikov considered that the tank brigade was now being used as infantry in Chuikov's hands. If he transferred them rashly, it would cause Chuikov's dissatisfaction. This was a troublesome matter.
So he thought for a long time, and finally sighed and said: "Colonel Sokov, this matter is of great importance. I must report it to Commander Yeremenko. Only after obtaining his consent can I mention this matter to Chuikov. "
Golikov's words somewhat disappointed Sokov. He did not expect that Golikov also had a forward-looking character and was not decisive at all. No wonder he was soon surpassed by a group of commanders with lower positions than him. Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Golikov, Sokov still said with a smile on his face: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I think there is no need to alarm Commander Yereomenko with Colonel Bely's transfer. I think as long as you call Commander Chuikov, maybe he will follow your order and let Colonel Bely lead the remaining troops to Mamayev Heights."
"I'll call Chuikov directly." After hearing Sokov's suggestion, Golikov showed a troubled expression on his face: "Is this appropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate." Sokov decided to give it a try and said, "You are the deputy commander of the front army. You give orders to the commander of the group army. Will they still fail to implement them?"
However, after listening to this, Golikov shook his head simply and said: "Colonel Sokov, after a long and brutal battle, the 62nd Army has suffered a very heavy attrition, so every commander and combatant is very valuable." Yes. Even if there are only a few dozen or even a dozen people left in Colonel Bely's tank brigade, moving them away from the existing defense area will still have a certain impact on the overall defense."
Seeing that Golikov was still hesitant, Sokov couldn't help but feel anxious. However, on the surface, he tried his best to remain calm and tried hard to persuade Golikov: "How about you call Commander Chuikov first and ask? Ask, if he doesn’t agree, it won’t be too late for you to report to the front army headquarters.”
Sidorin had been in contact with Belly and had great trust in his abilities. Seeing that Sokov was trying hard to get Belly's tank brigade to join his own battle order, he stood up and said, "Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." , you’d better call Commander Chuikov and talk about it first. If he agrees, of course everyone will be happy; if he doesn’t agree, it’s not too late to report it to the superiors.”
"Okay, since you are so insistent, let me give it a try." Seeing Sokov and Sidorin insisting on their opinions, Golikov decided to help them. But before making the call, he pointed at Sokov and said helplessly: "Colonel Sokov, are you the superior or am I? Why do I feel like I have to obey your orders in everything?" ?”
"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, you are joking. Of course you are our superior." Sokov quickly said with a smile: "Didn't you just say that if you have any requests, just ask you? I think there is a difference. With Colonel Lei’s cooperation, I will feel more confident when launching a counterattack.”
After the call was connected, Golikov identified himself to the officer who answered the phone and asked the other party to notify Chuikov to answer the phone. After a while, Chuikov's voice came from the receiver: "Hello, the deputy commander of the front army informed me that I am Chuikov. What instructions do you have?"
"General Chuikov!" Golikov said politely: "I have been staying at the headquarters of Mamayev Heights since last night. Do you know this?"
"I know." Chuikov was able to understand the fighting situation on the south side of the city in time because Golikov was at Mamayev Heights, but he didn't know when the other party was going to say it and whether he was at Mamayev Heights. What does it have to do with it, so he asked in confusion: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask, does what you want to say have anything to do with this?"
"I came to Mamayev Heights on the orders of Commander General Yeremenko and Military Commissar Comrade Khrushchev to supervise the counterattack of the 41st Guards Division." Golikov spoke into the microphone. The official voice said: "Now they are encountering some difficulties. I hope you can help them solve it."
Although Chuikov didn't know what Golikov would say next, he still replied respectfully: "Deputy Commander of the Front Army, as long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to solve it for them."
"Colonel Sokov told me that he hopes that Colonel Bely of the 84th Tank Brigade can return to Mamayev Heights with the remaining troops to assist them in their counterattack against the German army." Golikov asked tentatively. : "I wonder if there is any problem?"
Chuikov never dreamed that Golikov called him for this purpose. He couldn't help but said in surprise: "What, let Bely's tank brigade rush to Mamayev Heights?"
"Yes." Golikov replied briefly: "Is there any difficulty?"
"Deputy Commander of the Front Army," Chuikov said with some embarrassment: "Although all the tanks of the tank brigade have been lost and there are only more than a hundred commanders and fighters left in the brigade, they are still an important combat unit to me. Once they are transferred away, I'm afraid there will be loopholes in our defense in the factory area. Once the enemy seizes these loopholes and launches a fierce attack on us, I'm worried..."
"There is nothing to worry about, General Chuikov." After learning that there were only more than a hundred people left in Bely's tank brigade, Golikov made up his mind and could not waste the precious tank troops as ordinary infantry. If they are all transferred to Mamayev Heights, they might be able to play a greater role. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "Judging from the current situation, the enemy will soon switch from offense to defense. In other words, they will not launch an active attack on you. You can draw strength from other places. But take over the defense of the tank brigade, and then let them rush to Mamayev Heights as quickly as possible."
"I understand, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Since Golikov had given the order, Chuikov naturally could not disobey it. He could only bite the bullet and replied: "I will immediately notify Colonel Bely and ask him to rush to Mama. Yevgan, accept a new combat mission."
"How's it going, Colonel Sokov?" After Golikov put down the phone, he turned to look at Sokov and asked: "I shamelessly got Colonel Bely back from Chuikov. I hope that in the next battle Zhong, please don’t disappoint me.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed to learn that Colonel Bely and the remaining commanders and fighters of the tank brigade would soon be able to return to Mamayev Heights. Even though the tanks of the tank brigade were all They have already lost everything, but with my own ability, there is no big problem in getting a batch of tanks for them. He expressed his position to Golikov: "I will definitely let the tank brigade achieve immortal feats in this counterattack."
"Colonel Sokov," Golikov obviously didn't believe Sokov's promise. He asked, "You just heard that all the tanks in the tank brigade are fighting to defend the factory. Lost. Do you plan to use these tank soldiers as ordinary infantry?"
"How can that be possible, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Hearing Golikov's concerns, Sokov replied with a smile: "I still have a batch of tanks in hand, which can be handed over to Colonel Bely. Once the tank troops are batched, they will be able to play their role."
"Colonel Sokov, what did you say, tank?!" Golikov couldn't help but frowned when he heard this: "I want to ask, where did you get the tank?"
"I got them from the warehouse of the Red October Factory. Now these tanks are parked in the Workers' New Village." Sokov did not hide anything from Golikov, and said truthfully: "But the soldiers who drive and use the tanks are not Skilled, so these tanks can only be used as fixed turrets and cannot be used for offense. But as long as Colonel Bely comes back with his people, I can give these tanks to them and let them use them to perform offensive tasks. "
After Golikov figured out the origin of the tank, he nodded slightly and said, "Colonel Sokov, I feel relieved when you say that. I believe that Colonel Bely and his men, after getting the new tank, He will definitely be able to give full play to the role of these tanks, severely attack the enemy, and establish immortal achievements. When he arrives at Mamayev Heights, let him come to see me. I want to have a good talk with him."
"yes!"
