"Report!" Sokov stood at the entrance of the cave where the headquarters was located and shouted loudly inside.
"Come in!" As soon as he heard someone inside answer, he opened the door curtain and walked in.
As soon as Sokov entered the headquarters, he immediately saw that it was full of people. Before he could adapt to the light in the cave and see clearly who was there, he heard a familiar voice ask in surprise: "Colonel Sokov, when did you come back?"
Recognizing Chuikov's voice, Sokov quickly turned to face the direction of the question and replied respectfully: "Comrade Commander, I just returned from Moscow by plane."
"You have come back just in time. These commanders who have fought with us will withdraw to the rear with their troops to rest and replenish." Chuikov said with a heavy tone: "You should say goodbye to them."
"According to the order of the Supreme Command," Chuikov continued: "Yermolkin's 112th Division, Smehotvorov's 193rd Division, Zoludev's 37th Guards Division, Guryev's The 39th Guards Division and the two infantry brigades must be withdrawn from the army, transferred to reserves, and reorganized."
Sokov's eyes gradually adapted to the light in the room, and he saw clearly the officers standing aside not far away. They were the division commanders whose names Chuikov had mentioned, and he quickly raised his hands to salute them with a solemn military salute.
"Colonel Sokov," before Sokov could put down his hand, Guryev came over, reached out and pulled his hand from his forehead, held it tightly and shook it for a few times, and said, "We are all going to the rear. Now, I’ll leave Stalingrad to you. I hope to hear the good news about your defeat of Paulus soon.”
"Don't worry, General Guryev." Sokov replied with a smile: "We will definitely live up to your expectations and will completely annihilate this surrounded enemy in the shortest possible time."
As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Zholudev interrupted and said, "I think even if we want to evacuate the city, we should wait until tomorrow." Seeing Sokov's surprised look, he specifically added, "Today It's Christmas Eve in the West, and I think the Germans will definitely celebrate, and we can take the opportunity to launch a night attack on them and teach them a lesson they will never forget."
"General Zoludev, your idea is a bit too wishful thinking." Krylov refuted Zoludev's proposal: "If our army did not encircle Paulus' troops, maybe they would personally do it tonight on Christmas Eve." . But now, they even sleep with one eye open, how could it be inconvenient for our army to launch a sneak attack? I think your division should follow the original order and withdraw across the Volga River before dark. As for the enemies in the city , just leave it to us to deal with it.”
"I really can't bear to leave this city," Colonel Yermolkin, commander of the 112th Division, said with emotion: "To defend this great city, we have sacrificed so many good comrades. Now they have not seen us defeat with their own eyes. The enemy is about to evacuate this city, and I am really unwilling to do so."
"Colonel Yermolkin," Sokov comforted the other party: "To defend this city, we have sacrificed thousands of soldiers and civilians. Don't feel sorry. Sooner or later, they will see us destroy this gang of lawbreakers." That day when the Xisi invaders invade. You should go to the rear with peace of mind to make repairs. Maybe one day, we will still have a chance to fight side by side."
"Comrades, division commanders," Chuikov stood up and said to everyone: "We have spent many difficult days together. In order to defend the city, we fought tenaciously. Now, you are about to leave the group army. To be honest, I feel sad in my heart. It's not easy to use, and I can't bear to let you go.
But no, comrades, teachers and commanders, an order is an order. Since your superiors have asked you to retreat to the rear to rest, you can only carry out this order unconditionally. As for the enemies in the city, let's leave it to the remaining troops of the group army. "
When the moment of departure arrived, the division commanders who were about to return to the rear saluted Chuikov and Krylov before leaving the headquarters, and then gave them a warm hug. Even Sokov, who had just arrived, said sincerely when they hugged him: "Colonel Sokov, take care of yourself. I hope we will have the opportunity to fight side by side in the future."
Seeing so many division commanders about to leave, Sokov also felt his nose was sore, and tears were rolling in his eyes, with the tendency to flow out of his eyes at any time. He tried his best to use a calm tone and said to each division commander: "I wish you a safe journey, complete your rest and recovery as soon as possible, and return to the battlefield as soon as possible. By then, we will be able to fight side by side together again."
After seeing off several division commanders, Chuikov called Sokov back to the headquarters and asked straight to the point: "Colonel Sokov, please tell me the truth. Have you developed anything during the month you were in Moscow?" New technical equipment?”
"Self-propelled artillery has begun mass production. In addition to the original 76 mm artillery, 86 mm, 100 mm, 122 mm and 152 mm caliber artillery have also been added." Sokov felt that the matter of self-propelled artillery was not a top secret. , so he confidently and boldly said to Chuikov and Krylov: "I believe that it will not be long before this self-propelled artillery can be deployed on a large scale, thereby increasing the mobility of our army's artillery."
"Yes, with self-propelled artillery, the mobility of artillery has been greatly improved." Krylov agreed: "They can quickly establish artillery positions anywhere, and after the attack, they can immediately Diversion makes it impossible for enemy artillery to counterattack them, thereby greatly improving the survivability rate on the battlefield."
"It is certainly a good thing to have self-propelled artillery." Chuikov was obviously not as optimistic as Krylov. He said with a straight face: "But our army's logistics supplies are subject to the traffic conditions on the roads. In winter, the ground is frozen, and the movement of vehicles is still difficult. There is not much of a problem, but if there is a spring thaw and the roads become muddy, logistics and transportation will be greatly affected."
"Commander, Chief of Staff, I actually developed a new type of transportation this time." Although Sokov felt that the development of the hovercraft was still a secret, Chuikov and Krylov still It is appropriate to disclose something: "If the new transportation vehicles can be mass-produced and installed in the troops, it will help improve the poor logistics of our army."
Sokov's words aroused the curiosity of Chuikov and Krylov. After the two looked at each other, Chuikov asked: "Colonel Sokov, can you tell me what kind of transportation it is?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, it's not convenient for me to disclose the specific situation to you at the moment." Sokov said selectively: "But this kind of transportation can be used in various complex terrains, even during the Spring Festival thaw. , even when the ground becomes muddy, logistics transportation and troop delivery are still guaranteed."
"Oh, there is such a means of transportation?" Krylov asked curiously: "Colonel Sokov, can you tell me what kind of means of transportation it is?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov felt that he had said enough, and if he said anything more, it would involve leaking secrets, so he could only say vaguely: "This involves confidentiality, and I cannot disclose it to you casually. , please forgive me. But I can tell you that this kind of vehicle can not only drive on existing roads, but also travel quickly in rivers, swamps and snow, transporting materials and soldiers to designated places in a timely manner. Location."
When Sokov said this, he was praying secretly in his heart, hoping that the Weapons and Equipment Department could complete the development of the hovercraft before the Kharkov Battle began, so that it could be mass-produced and equipped with troops to increase the mobility of the troops.
Chuikov was filled with hope when he learned that the new type of transportation could travel quickly on rivers, swamps and snow. He secretly thought that if such a vehicle could really be developed, then the replenishment of soldiers and supplies would become a piece of cake.
Chuikov was silent for a while and then asked a question that concerned him: "Colonel Sokov, when do you think this new type of transportation can be used in large-scale troops?"
Sokov often went to the research and development test site of the hovercraft during this period. He knew very well that a prototype vehicle would be produced in mid-January next year. After another month of operational testing, it will be put into mass production around the end of February. The third Battle of Kharkov was carried out from February 19 to March 15. It is hoped that the transportation of the Soviet army will be improved by then. situation. Even if you can't turn defeat into victory, at least don't lose so miserably. You must know that in real history, Manstein destroyed 52 Soviet divisions with inferior forces, thus reversing the German army's unfavorable situation.
Facing Chuikov's question, he said cautiously: "Comrade Commander, according to my judgment, by about mid-to-late February, a large number of new transportation vehicles will appear in our home to improve our army's material transportation and troop delivery situation. .”
After Chuikov and Sokov chatted for a while, he turned to Krylov and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it's getting late. Please send a few people to escort Colonel Sokov back to Mamayev Heights."
"I just called Mamayev Gang and asked them to send someone to pick up Colonel Sokov." Krylov replied with a smile: "If my calculation is correct, in a few minutes, we will pick up Colonel Sokov." Colonel Koff’s people should be here soon.”
"When did you make the call?" Chuikov asked curiously, "Why didn't I notice it?"
"When Sokov first entered the headquarters," Krylov replied with a smile: "I considered that he was alone, and if there was no one to take care of him, he might be in danger, so I secretly gave him Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin made a phone call and asked him to send someone to pick up Sokov.”
"So that's it." After figuring out what was going on, Chuikov nodded, and then said to Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, during the month when you were not here, the German army launched at least one attack on your division's defense area every day. Three attacks. But your commanders and fighters performed extremely tenaciously. They successfully smashed every German attack without taking a step back."
Sokov was not interested in Krylov's formulaic remarks. He only cared about the casualties of the troops. He clearly remembered that the last time he was injured and hospitalized, in just over half a month, the acting brigade commander Colonel Vitkov almost spent all his money. Since I had been away for such a long time this time, I didn't know whether Sidorin and Ivanov would make the same mistake again and use up all their precious soldiers.
Not long after waiting, the soldiers who came to pick up Sokov from Mamayev Heights arrived. Seeing the living Sokov, Samoylov, who was leading the team, said excitedly: "Comrade division commander, I have been ordered to take you back to Mamayev Heights. Don't worry, no matter what happens on the way, I will definitely take care of you." You will be escorted back to the division headquarters safely."
"Wait a minute, Comrade Lieutenant." Sokov raised his hand to interrupt Samoilov's flattery, frowned and asked, "Is the situation there not good?"
"No, no, Comrade Division Commander." When Samoylov heard this question, he immediately shook his head like a rattle: "The situation at Mamayev Heights is normal. Although the enemy has launched attacks on our positions many times, the Under the tenacious resistance of our soldiers, they were all repulsed."
"Where are the casualties of the troops?" Sokov asked impatiently.
"There are casualties, but they are still within a tolerable range." Samoylov reported to Sokov: "The casualties of each regiment reached one-third, but we still have enough troops to hold the position."
"Let's go back to the division headquarters." After Sokov said goodbye to Chuikov and Krylov, he took Samoylov and his men and walked towards Mamayev Hill.
"Comrade division commander," Samoilov said to Sokov on the way back, "you will not leave again when you come back this time, right?"
"Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov did not immediately answer Samoilov's words, but asked: "Why do you ask?"
"Comrade division commander, you don't know." Samoylov said aggrievedly: "You have been away for too long this time, and there are some rumors in the division that you are going to be transferred, which has greatly affected the emotions of the commanders and soldiers. But now, you are back in our army, I believe everyone will be very happy."
When we arrived at the entrance to the north hill of Mamayev Hill, it was already dark. But Samoilov, who was responsible for escorting Sokov, still established contact with the sentry through passwords. When the sentry saw Sokov appearing in front of him, he couldn't help but get excited and murmured: "You won't leave again when you come back this time, right?"
"No, no." Sokov shook his head and said, "I will stay with you until the day when the Faxi Temple invaders are completely defeated."
After the sentry waited for Sokov and the others to enter the tunnel, he immediately reported to the regiment commander Yershakov on the phone: "Comrade regiment commander, I have good news for you. Division commander, comrade division commander is back."
"What, the division commander is back?" Upon hearing the news reported by the sentry, Yershakov jumped up from his seat. In order to avoid an own incident, he asked specifically: "Are you sure the division commander is back?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." The sentry replied respectfully: "I am definitely not wrong. The division commander even chatted with me for a few words before entering the tunnel. In this case, it is impossible to admit someone's mistake. It’s impossible.”
"I'm smart." After Yershakov received the sentry's affirmative answer, he quickly put down the phone and called to the regiment chief of staff who was closing his eyes and concentrating: "Don't sleep, come with me to greet the division commander."
