"There is no rush yet," Sokov waved his hand and said: "At present, the artillery and tank units are not in place. If we launch an attack in a hurry, we can only rely on infantry attacks, and the casualties will be huge. The current task is to strengthen Reconnaissance of train stations and department stores to find out the distribution of enemy forces."
"Comrade Division Commander, I will recommend you a person to be responsible for the reconnaissance of these two areas."
"who?!"
"Sergeant Vasily."
"Sergeant Vasily?"
"Yes."
"Tell me your reasons."
"He is a very good sniper." Sidorin said with some excitement: "In the battle to defend Stalingrad, he killed more than a hundred enemies."
"Yes, he is indeed an excellent sniper." When Sokov heard Sidorin say this, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. If the original historical development was followed, he should have killed 225 enemies in the Battle of Stalingrad. Now, because of his own fault, the number of enemies he killed has been reduced by half: "But what does this have to do with sending him for reconnaissance?"
"Comrade division commander, I think about it this way." Sidorin explained to Sokov: "Since Sergeant Vasily has been active in various areas of the city for a long time in order to kill the enemy, his familiarity with these places is absolutely He will not be worse than any of our scouts. Therefore, I think we should use this advantage of his to carry out reconnaissance missions in the areas we are about to attack."
Sokov thought about it carefully and felt that Sidorin's proposal was still very reasonable. So he picked up the phone and got through to Belkin's headquarters. As soon as he heard Belgin's voice, he asked bluntly: "Comrade Political Commissar, do you know Sergeant Vasily?"
"I know, Misha." Belkin replied: "Did something happen when you suddenly asked him?"
"That's it. I plan to send people to conduct reconnaissance in the direction of the Central Railway Station and the department store." Sokov said into the microphone: "The chief of staff recommended him to me. I thought about it carefully and felt that he should be responsible. It should be very suitable to command reconnaissance."
"But he is just a sniper," Belkin said with some embarrassment: "Is it appropriate to let him perform such an important reconnaissance mission?"
"Don't forget, he was an excellent sniper who made the German army afraid. In order to kill more enemies, he lurked in many places in the city." Sokov said: "I don't think there are many people. He must be more familiar with the terrain of this city than him. It is perfect to have such a person to carry out reconnaissance missions."
"Then what should I do with the acupuncture teams I originally sent?" Belkin asked: "Withdraw them all?"
"No, leave them all to the command of Sergeant Vasily." Sokov said confidently: "I believe that under Vasily's command, they will be able to better complete the reconnaissance mission and figure out the specific deployment situation of the German army. "
"Misha, there is something wrong here. I want to tell you about it first." Belgin said hesitantly: "Our regiment has several reconnaissance groups located near the train station and department store. There are two second lieutenants in it. Let's They were under the command of a sergeant and I was worried about their emotions.”
"What does this have to do with anything?" Sokov said disapprovingly: "In his Vasily building, in addition to the second lieutenant and the lieutenant, they also obey Vasily's command honestly. Don't the commanders of the reconnaissance team? Do you know that you must obey your superiors’ orders unconditionally?”
"Misha, I have an idea." Belkin waited for Sokov to finish speaking and immediately said: "Should Vasily be promoted to a military rank? After all, he has made considerable achievements in this defense battle. If There is no reward at all, and I’m worried that it will chill the commanders and soldiers.”
"You are right, Comrade Comrade Political Commissar." Sokov had long wanted to promote Vasily, but he had never found a reason. Now that Belgin mentioned this matter, he followed suit and said, "Then promote him to the rank of lieutenant." , so that I can legitimately command the second lieutenant in the reconnaissance team."
"I understand, Misha." Belkin replied: "I will convey your appointment immediately."
"Comrade division commander," Sidorin said cautiously when Sokov put down the phone, "I just heard that you promoted Sergeant Vasily to lieutenant."
"Yes." Sokov nodded and replied affirmatively: "Based on his achievements, it is very appropriate to promote him to lieutenant."
"I didn't say it was inappropriate to promote him, but I said there were other people who should also be promoted." Sidorin said, pouting towards the other side of the room where the communication equipment was placed, and whispered: " For example, Lieutenant Maxim, the commander of the communications company, and Lieutenant Seryosha, the commander of the guard company, should they also be promoted in rank?"
Sokov stared at Maxim who was busy in the distance. He felt that he had made a lot of contribution to maintaining the smooth communication of the headquarters over the past year, but now he was still a second lieutenant. It was really unjustifiable. . "Chief of Staff, follow me!"
After Sokov and Sidorin arrived at the communications area, they raised their hands and clapped twice, and said: "Comrades, please stop." He only said it once, and both the staff and communications soldiers fell silent. They all turned their attention to him.
"Comrades, I have something important to announce to you." Sokov said loudly: "In view of the outstanding contribution made by Lieutenant Maxim, commander of the communications company, in ensuring smooth communications at the headquarters, after my consultation with the Chief of Staff, Based on his research, we decided to promote him to the rank of captain. Everyone applauds!" After saying that, he took the lead in clapping his hands.
Maxim burst into tears amidst the warm applause. This happiness came so suddenly. He did not expect that he would be suddenly promoted to two ranks at this time. After the applause stopped, he quickly raised his hand to salute Sokov and Sidorin, and said respectfully: "Comrade division commander and chief of staff, thank you for your trust in me. I promise you that I will definitely make the commander The department’s communications are always open.”
"Congratulations!" Sokov stepped forward, shook hands with Maxim, and said, "Continue working." After that, he turned around and walked towards his seat. Sidorin also shook hands with Maxim and quickly caught up with him.
Returning to the table, he said to Sokov: "Comrade Division Commander, in order to defend this city, the officers and soldiers of the entire division performed bravely and tenaciously. When the battle is over, should we also award medals and promote military ranks to those commanders and soldiers who have outstanding performance?" ?”
"Okay." Sokov had no objection to Sidorin's suggestion. He nodded and said: "Those who can survive the city defense battle are the backbone of our combat. In the future, we will use them to form more new troops, so the military rank cannot be too low. Take the time to organize one The promotion list is out, and after Paulus is eliminated, there will be an overall promotion."
"Comrade Division Commander, I've been too busy recently." Unexpectedly, Sidorin shook his head after hearing this. "Now that the new combat group has just been established, I have to be busy communicating with the commanders of each division every day. I don't have time to sort out the list. Could you please Let’s find someone else.”
"Substitute? Who should I replace?"
"How about the political commissar?" Sidorin suggested to Sokov: "Anyway, the deputy division commander and the political commissar don't have much work at ordinary times, so it is most appropriate to leave this matter to them."
"Okay, let's do it." Sokov readily agreed.
"Commanders at all levels in downsized regiments generally have lower military ranks," Sidorin reminded: "After the troops are mixed in this way, they will suffer more because they must obey those with higher military ranks than themselves."
"You are the most familiar with the commanders at all levels of the downsizing regiment." Sokov felt that it was most appropriate for Sidorin to be in charge of the promotion list, so he said to him: "You will be in charge. .”
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Sidorin promised: "I will sort out the list as soon as possible."
The phone on the table rang, Sokov picked up the earphone and put it to his ear, and soon heard someone inside saying: "I am Rokossovsky, find me your division commander, Colonel Sokov. "
"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov quickly asked respectfully: "What instructions do you have?"
Rokossovsky asked in an official tone: "Colonel Sokov, I have personally organized a combat group for you, and all the units are basically in place. When do you plan to launch an attack?"
"Thank you for your trust in me." Sokov first thanked Rokossovsky and then said: "We are still making preparations for the attack."
"Preparations? What preparations?" Rokossovsky heard this and asked impatiently: "Colonel Sokov, don't you know that in other areas, our army is fighting hard with the enemy? In order to ensure that you The attack was successful, I personally dispatched so many troops to you, but when the matter came, you said that the conditions were not mature, what on earth is going on?"
"Three infantry divisions have arrived one after another." Sokov heard Rokossovsky getting angry, but he did not panic, but replied truthfully: "But the important tank brigades and artillery regiments are still there. Marching on the road. I plan to wait until they are all here before attacking the enemy."
"If the tank brigade and artillery regiment are delayed, are you prepared not to attack?" After listening to Sokov's report, Rokossovsky became even more angry: "If you feel that you cannot command so many troops , just tell me as soon as possible so that I can send someone to take over your command."
"No, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you misunderstood," Sokov quickly explained to Rokossovsky: "The area we want to attack is mainly made of stone buildings, which are very strong. It must be destroyed with artillery fire, so our attack can only wait until the artillery and tanks arrive before officially entering the battle."
"Then tell me, how many days will your preparations take?"
"It will take a few days, it all depends on the marching speed of the tanks and artillery." Sokov replied: "If they can arrive one day earlier, we can launch an attack on the enemy one day earlier."
"I give you two days," Rokossovsky said on the phone: "After two days, I hope to hear with my own ears the news that you have launched an attack on the enemy."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Sokov replied: "I believe that we will be able to attack the enemy in two days."
"Very good." Rokossovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's answer, nodded, and finally said: "I wish you good luck!" and hung up the phone directly.
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin, who heard the conversation between Rokossovsky and Sokov, saw Sokov put down the phone and asked quickly: "Do you think two days of preparation time are enough?"
"That's enough," Sokov said confidently: "We don't necessarily have to concentrate all the troops around the train station. Even though the terrain here is wide, so many troops will not be able to deploy here. "
He drew a circle on the location of the central railway station with a pencil and said to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, look, I will first send a division to attack the railway station from the front to attract the enemy's attention. At the same time, I will deploy some troops. Detour from the direction of the family area and hit the enemy's flank hard. The enemy is attacked from two sides by our army and will not be able to hold on for long, and the defense line will collapse."
Before Sidorin could comment, Chuikov's call came in. He yelled loudly on the other end of the phone: "Colonel Sokov, what's the matter with you? Why do you have so many troops in your hands, but you are so afraid of wolves and tigers that you dare not launch an attack? He even told Rokoso General Vski said that you will wait for the artillery and tanks to arrive before attacking the enemy. Are you going to stop fighting without the support of tanks and artillery?"
"Comrade Commander," Sokov said calmly in the face of Chuikov's series of accusations: "You also know that the buildings in the central area are extremely strong. If our soldiers attack, they will not be able to get artillery and tanks. If we don't provide cover, they will be knocked down one by one by the enemy as if they are trying to target. I'm worried that if this happens, all of our people will die, and we may not be able to reach those areas occupied by the enemy."
"Okay, okay, stop talking." After Chuikov listened to Sokov's excuse, he waved his hand impatiently and said: "I don't care how you make preparations, anyway, you have promised General Rokossovsky that If we launch an attack in two days, I will no longer pursue this matter. I wish you good luck!"
"Comrade Commander, you haven't finished speaking yet." Sidorin waited for Sokov to put down the phone and immediately pushed the map in front of him and said to him: "Please continue."
Sokov pointed to the map and continued: "After all the troops of our division arrive in the southern area of the city, we will divide the troops into two groups. Drive the enemies in the city as far as possible to the south of the city, and let them fight to the death with the friendly forces heading north. ; On the other side, we will launch a tentative attack towards the department store."
"A tentative attack?" Sidorin asked in confusion, "Comrade Commander, what do you mean?"
"Let the Belkin regiment attack the outer positions of the department store and clear the obstacles for us." Sokov continued: "While the battle was going on, except for the division that attacked the train station, the rest of the troops continued to attack the department store. Directional covert movement.”
