"Colonel Sivakov," realizing that the other party really had the intention to steal credit, Sokov sneered in his heart, but asked calmly on the surface: "I want to ask, who will unify the troops who have come here?" Where is the conductor?”
"I'm not sure about this yet." Sivakov shook his head and said, "I think Comrade Commander will definitely consider this issue and send suitable candidates to assume command positions."
Sokov didn't want to get entangled with the other party on this matter, so he changed the subject: "Comrade Colonel, now that our two divisions have joined forces, should the next defense area be re-divided?"
"It should, it should." Sivakov nodded repeatedly and said: "Colonel Sokov, you are familiar with this area. It is up to you to decide how to divide the defense zone."
Since the other party has put the initiative in his own hands, Sokov will naturally not let go of such a good opportunity. He put the map in front of Sivakov, pointed out the defense areas of several regiments, and said: "These are the defense areas of each regiment of our division. I can hand over the defense area of the 122nd Regiment to you."
"Okay, Colonel Sokov." Sivakov nodded, "I will immediately order the troops to move in and take over your defense."
Sokov left Ivanov in charge of the defense handover, and he and Anisimov returned to Mamayev Heights with the guard troops. As soon as he walked into the headquarters, Sidorin came up to him and asked with concern: "Comrade Division Commander, why are you and the political commissar the only ones back? Where did Comrade Deputy Division Commander go?"
"He and the commander of the friendly forces are handing over the defense." Sokov said as he walked towards the table with the telephone: "I came back because I have important things to report to comrade commander."
After the call was connected, Chuikov asked with some surprise: "Colonel Sokov, you called me again so soon. What's the matter?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, it is a very important matter." Sokov did not go around in circles, but said truthfully: "Colonel Sivakov told me that General Batov planned to send two infantry divisions as soon as possible. A tank brigade and two artillery regiments are coming to attack the central station."
After listening to Sokov's report, Sokov pondered for a long time before speaking: "Colonel Sokov, if after Batov's troops arrive, your superiors order your division to evacuate the existing defense area, what will you do then?" manage?"
"Comrade Commander," Sokov said firmly after holding on for so long in Stalingrad. Seeing that he had the opportunity to capture Paulus alive, he would never let the opportunity pass by. "I recommend that you take this opportunity." Report the matter to your superiors and let our division carry out the task of capturing Paulus alive."
Perhaps because he was worried that Chuikov was still looking forward and backward, he specifically added: "All the commanders and fighters of our army group fought bloody battles to defend this heroic city, which allowed us to capture Paulus alive in person, and also comforted those heroic spirits who sacrificed their lives."
"You make sense." Chuikov, who was still hesitant at first, immediately made up his mind when he heard what Sokov said: "I immediately called General Rokossovsky and reported the matter to him. report."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin learned the ins and outs of the matter from Anisimov when Sokov was on the phone. He was still somewhat uncomfortable with this kind of behavior by friendly forces. So as soon as he saw Sokov put down the phone, he immediately asked: "What should we do if the friendly forces really want us to withdraw our existing defenses?"
"If the target of the friendly forces' attack is the Central Railway Station, then let them go." Sokov was very satisfied with the "smoke bombs" he released. At least the friendly forces who wanted to take credit did not know the accuracy of Paulus' headquarters. Position: "I have ordered the 122nd Regiment to move south immediately and rush over to join the Belkin Regiment."
"But once the enemy discovers the movements of the 122nd Regiment, won't our intentions be completely exposed?" Sidorin reminded Sokov: "I think we should wait until dark before mobilizing the troops."
"No, we have to mobilize during the day." Sokov said with a sneer: "And we have to mobilize with great fanfare. I just want the Germans to find out that we are adding troops to the south of the city."
Seeing Sidorin's confused expression, Anisimov quickly explained to him: "Chief of Staff, I haven't finished what I just said. The reason why the division commander concentrated his troops is to prepare to drive as many enemies as possible To the south of the city, let them go head-to-head with the 64th Group Army heading north, so that we can use the power of friendly forces to eliminate more enemies."
"Yes, this is a good idea." Sidorin's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard what Sokov said: "There are so many enemies near the German headquarters. If we want to eliminate them one by one, firstly, it will take too long, and secondly, The loss of soldiers is not small. But if we just drive them away, then the resistance we face will be much smaller. That's it, I immediately informed Commander Belkin and drove the 122nd Regiment to join us. Tell him the news and let him prepare for the response."
As soon as Sidorin picked up the phone, he suddenly remembered an important question. He quickly turned to ask Sokov: "Comrade division commander, after the two regiments merge, who should command the troops? Is it Lieutenant Colonel Belkin or Lieutenant Colonel Belkin?" Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko?”
If Sidorin hadn't mentioned it, Sokov really hadn't thought about this issue. He thought about it carefully in his mind and felt that although both of them were regimental commanders, Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko had served as regimental commander longer and had more experience in commanding large troops in combat than Belgin, so he made a decisive decision. Said: "Let Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko take command, and Belkin will serve as his deputy."
Belkin received a call from Sidorin. He first learned that the main force of the division had joined forces with friendly forces, and he felt particularly happy. But then he heard Sidorin say that the troops of the 122nd Regiment were moving towards his defense area, and he said in confusion: "Comrade Chief of Staff, didn't the division commander say that in order not to arouse the enemy's suspicion, we should not take too large measures here?" A military operation?”
"That was before, but the situation is different now." Sidorin felt that there were some important things that he could not hide from Belkin, so he said truthfully: "Now the 64th Army has invaded the city from the south, and The 65th Group Army, which has just joined us, will also send troops to participate in the attack on the railway station area. If we still follow the original plan, I am afraid that your regiment will either be ordered to evacuate or be placed under the command of another division."
Belkin did not want his troops to be transferred or assigned to other troops when victory was in sight, so he quickly asked: "Chief of Staff, please continue, what should we do next?"
"After the 122nd Regiment joins your regiment, your two regiments' mission is to try to drive the enemies around you to the south of the city and let the troops of the 64th Group Army destroy them." Sidorin said on the phone: "As for the unified command of the two regiments, the division commander has given clear instructions and handed it over to Lieutenant Colonel Papuchenko, with you as his deputy."
When he heard that he had become the deputy, Belkin was not unhappy at all and quickly replied: "I understand, Comrade Chief of Staff, I will carry out your orders well."
…………
After dark, Sokov received a call from Ivanov from the 124th Regiment position. As soon as he heard the other party's voice, Sokov asked first: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, what's the matter?"
"That's right, there are several commanders from the 65th Group Army who want to see you." Ivanov asked hesitantly: "Can I take them directly to Mamayev Heights?"
What was supposed to come finally came. Sokov sighed softly and said helplessly: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, you bring them here, I will wait for you at the headquarters."
After waiting for more than half an hour, Ivanov came to the headquarters with four officers wearing otter skin hats. Since they all wore new-style epaulettes, Sokov could see their military ranks at a glance. When he discovered that one of them was actually a major general, he couldn't help but be shocked. He thought that the other person must be the top commander assigned by Bartov. He quickly arranged his military appearance and walked over to salute the general: "Hello, general. Comrade, I am Colonel Sokov, commander of the 41st Guards Division, and welcome you to Mamayev Heights."
"Hello, Colonel Sokov." The general raised his hand in return and introduced himself to Sokov: "I am Major General Makarenko, commander of the 321st Infantry Division." Then he pointed to a colonel beside him. Adding, "This is Colonel Duchenko, my division political commissar."
After greeting Duchenko, Sokov turned his attention to the other two colonels and asked politely: "Excuse me, two colonels, which division are you the division leaders?"
A tall and thin colonel answered first: "I am Colonel Merkulov, commander of the 304th Infantry Division, and this is my political commissar Colonel Sheiko."
After Sokov asked everyone to sit down, he asked curiously: "I wonder if several division commanders and political commissars came to my headquarters overnight. Do you have any advice?"
"That's right, Colonel Sokov." Major General Makarenko spoke first: "We are here under the orders of Commander Batov to assist you in capturing the Central Railway Station."
Sidorin keenly heard from the other party's words that the other party was here to assist him in fighting, and couldn't help but interrupt and asked: "Comrade General, I would like to ask, since you are attacking the train station, who will unify it?" Where are you in command of these troops? Is it you?"
Unexpectedly, when the other party heard Sidorin's question, he shook his head and said, "It's not me."
"Who is that?" Sidorin continued to ask: "I wonder when the commander responsible for unified command will arrive at Mamayev Heights?"
"He is already here." Major General Makarenko replied with a smile.
"What, he's already here?" Sidorin couldn't help being shocked. His eyes swept over the other three colonels, secretly wondering who among them would be the top commander of the several troops.
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you don't have to guess." Since Sokov did not introduce Sidorin to Makarenko, he did not know Sidorin's name and position, so he could only refer to him by his military rank: "Served as The man who is the supreme commander, far away and right in front of us, is the commander of your division, Colonel Sokov.”
When Sokov heard what Makarenko said, he couldn't help being a little dumbfounded: "Comrade General, what do you mean? I will be the supreme commander of several troops?"
"Yes, Colonel Sokov." Major General Makarenko nodded and explained to Sokov: "Before we came here, Commander Batov personally told us that from now on, the infantrymen 23. The 304th and 321st divisions, as well as a tank brigade and two artillery regiments are under your command, and a new Sokov battle group will be formed."
Makarenko's words surprised Sokov. He never dreamed that Batov would put so many of his troops under his command. He was silent for a long time and then asked tentatively: "Comrade General, are you telling the truth? Is General Batov really preparing a combat group and giving it to me to command?"
"Yes, Colonel Sokov, that's exactly what it is."
"But. You are a general, and I am just a colonel." Sokov quickly glanced at the general star on Major General Makarenko's shoulder, and said with some embarrassment: "It is not appropriate for a colonel to command a general. Bar?"
"There is nothing inappropriate." Makarenko said carelessly: "As long as it is an order from a superior, let alone a distinguished colonel commanding us, even if an unknown captain commands us, we will resolutely Obedient." At this point, he turned and asked his colleagues sitting next to him: "Guys, are you right?"
The other three colonels replied neatly: "Yes!"
However, Sokov was still hesitant. The combat group he commanded was already larger than an army. If he didn't get the permission of a higher-level commander, it might be unfair. He hesitated for a long time and then asked: "Comrade General, the establishment of the combat group is only General Bartov's intention. I still need to report to Commander Chuikov and get approval from the front army headquarters."
"Colonel Sokov, don't worry, these things have been arranged a long time ago." Major General Makarenko said to Sokov with a smile: "Actually, the establishment of a combat group and you as the supreme commander are not General Batov proposed it, but it was proposed by the front commander General Rokossovsky. General Batov just conveyed the order from his superiors to us. And I believe that the front command also informed the matter General Chuikov."
"Comrade Division Commander," Sidorin leaned close to Sokov's ear and whispered to him: "This matter is of great importance. I will call the commander immediately to verify."
"Okay, you go." Sokov took advantage of Sidorin's call, looked at Makarenko and asked: "Comrade General, I would like to ask, where is your troops?"
"Still on the way." Makarenko replied: "I estimate that we will be able to arrive at today's meeting place at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. A few of us are here to report to you first."
Sidorin finished the phone call quickly, came back with a cheerful face, and said to Sokov in a low voice: "Comrade division commander, I have verified with the commander that this is indeed the case. He is about to call you to inform you. Who would have thought that our phone call came first. Since so many troops are under your command, shouldn't it be time for you to assign combat missions to everyone?"
