Sokov, who was staying at the headquarters, did not know that Krylov and the others encountered German snipers on the way, and were still discussing with Bely where the tank brigade should be deployed.
The phone on the table rang, and Sidorin picked up the phone casually: "I'm Sidorin, where are you from?...What, say it again?"
After answering the phone, Sidorin said to Sokov with a livid face: "Comrade Commander, something happened."
Seeing Sidorin's expression, Sokov couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat. He knew something must have gone wrong, and he quickly asked: "What happened?"
"General Krylov's convoy was attacked by German snipers on the road, and the accompanying personnel suffered heavy casualties."
The originally relaxed atmosphere in the room suddenly disappeared. After Sokov's facial muscles twitched violently a few times, he tried his best to ask in a calm tone: "Is there anything wrong with General Krylov?"
"General Krylov is fine." Sidorin continued to report: "But his military commissar General Vasilyev died."
"What on earth is going on?" Bely asked with a confused look on his face: "Didn't it mean that General Krylov's convoy will pass through our defense zone at two o'clock? It's just past one o'clock now."
"Lieutenant Colonel Starcha reported to me that General Krylov said that they passed through our defense area at 12 noon." Sidorin explained to Bely: "Maybe it was when the Army Headquarters notified us , got the time wrong."
"Nonsense, it's just nonsense. How could such an important thing be done wrong?" Anisimov said angrily: "We should report this matter to the Army Headquarters immediately, otherwise our superiors will be held responsible and we will not be able to explain. Cleared."
"Yes, this matter should be reported to the group army headquarters immediately." Bely also agreed with Anisimov's opinion. He also specifically reminded: "Misha, Comrade Commander, not long ago, I called you specifically to tell you that you must We must protect the safety of Generals Krylov and Vasilyev. As a result, General Vasilyev has died now. If the report is not reported in time, the consequences will be very serious."
"Chief of Staff," the obedient Sokov immediately ordered Sidorin: "Contact Lieutenant Colonel Starcha immediately and ask him to rush to the scene of the accident immediately and figure out the ins and outs of the incident. I will call Commander Chuikov and tell him This unfortunate incident was reported to him."
"Comrade Commander," Sokov reported to Chuikov who answered the phone as soon as the phone call from the Army Group Headquarters came through: "Something happened. General Krylov's convoy was attacked by a German sniper."
Chuikov couldn't help but trembled when he heard this, and quickly asked: "Is General Krylov okay?"
"General Krylov is fine." Before Chuikov could breathe a sigh of relief, Sokov added in time: "But the accompanying General Vasilyev and more than 20 soldiers unfortunately died."
When he learned that Krylov was safe and sound, Chuikov was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Sokov's next words. He couldn't help shouting into the microphone angrily: "What the hell is going on? Colonel Sokov, I didn't tell you this." , saying that Krylov and Vasilyev are going to pass through your defense area, so that you can protect their safety?
How did you promise me in the first place? Say that you will arrange for the troops to be alert and ensure that they do not suffer any harm. Now that General Vasilyev has died, tell me, how should this matter be resolved? "
General Vasilyev was killed by a German sniper in his defense zone. Sokov must have had some responsibility, but it was not the main responsibility. In order to prevent Chuikov from angering his subordinates, he decided to explain the matter clearly: "Comrade Commander, you told me that the convoys of Generals Krylov and Vasilyev will pass by our division at two o'clock. defense area. After receiving your order, I immediately arranged for the troops to rush to that area to guard the area. The troops set off before one o'clock, but before they arrived, the tragedy had already happened. "
Chuikov, who was furious, couldn't help but raise his hand to look at his watch when he heard what Sokov said. He realized that it was not two o'clock yet and realized that it was very inappropriate for him to be angry with Sokov. He turned to look at the new chief of staff, Major General Vladimilov: "Chief of Staff, according to the plan, at what time will Krylov and General Vasilyev pass through the defense area of the 41st Guards Division?"
Vladimirov opened the record book, took a look, raised his head and reported to Chuikov: "The time to pass through the defense zone should be between 12 noon and 2 pm."
After hearing this, Chuikov raised his hand and slapped his forehead hard. He realized that he had been negligent and had mistaken the time when his old partner passed the defense area of the 41st Guards Division, which led to this tragedy.
After taking two deep breaths, Chuikov said apologetically into the microphone: "I'm sorry, Colonel Sokov, I made a mistake. General Krylov and his companions should have passed through your division's defense area at 12 noon. The time period is two o'clock in the afternoon. But I beg you, nothing can happen to General Krylov again, and you must ensure his safety."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Since hearing the news of General Vasilyev's death, Sokov has been feeling uneasy. At this moment, hearing Chuikov mention Krylov's safety again, he took the initiative and said: "I will personally escort General Krylov to his headquarters to take up his post."
After ending the call with Chuikov, Sokov took a platoon of guards and rushed to the outskirts to meet with Krylov.
Seeing Sokov rushing over in a hurry, Krylov did not give him a good look: "Colonel Sokov, what are you doing here? The Germans have already achieved their goal. Even if you come here, you will not change." Can’t remember what happened.”
"I'm sorry, General Krylov." Sokov considered that the situation would worsen and he might still have a way to turn to Krylov, so it was necessary to explain the misunderstanding clearly: "For General Vasilyev's sacrifice, I also felt very sad. But Commander Chuikov informed me that you would pass through this area at two o'clock in the afternoon. As soon as I received the order, I immediately dispatched troops and rushed here to serve as a guard. "
"What, Chuikov told you that we won't pass here until two o'clock?"
"Yes, General Krylov."
"What on earth is going on?" Krylov heard Sokov say this, with a confused expression on his face.
"Comrade General, let me explain to you." Krylov was angry when Bely assumed the position. He thought Sokov was quibbling, so he quickly stood up and smoothed things over by saying, "The time Comrade Commander notified us is indeed the time. Two o'clock in the afternoon. Division Commander Sokov just called to verify and found out that the time you passed through should be between twelve noon and two o'clock in the afternoon."
After explaining the misunderstanding clearly, Krylov's anger gradually calmed down. He held Sokov's hand and said with some embarrassment: "I'm sorry, Colonel Sokov. I misunderstood you. Please forgive me."
Sokov took a quick look at the corpses of the soldiers on the side of the road and said to Krylov: "Comrade General, I have promised Comrade Commander that I will escort you to take office safely. As for the remains of these comrades, My men will be buried properly.”
Krylov was anxious to take office, so he did not oppose Sokov's proposal. He stepped forward and held the hand of Bely, who was responsible for handling the aftermath, and said gratefully: "Colonel Bely, everything here is left to you."
On the way to the headquarters of the 21st Group Army, Sokov, who was eager to get help from friendly forces, said bluntly to Krylov: "Comrade General, I think the German army may launch a counterattack against our army in the near future. The troops of the Southwest Front have been struggling for a long time. After the battle, there was a shortage of soldiers and ammunition, and it may be difficult to withstand the German attack..."
"Colonel Sokov," Krylov interrupted before Sokov could finish his words: "Are you a little nervous? The enemy has already been defeated by our army's repeated attacks. We I don’t think they have the ability to organize any decent counterattack, so you should stick to Lugansk honestly.”
Seeing that Krylov did not believe his statement, Sokov was not upset. He asked tentatively: "Comrade General, I would like to ask, if Luhansk is in danger, can I ask you for help?"
Before setting off, Krylov carefully studied the defensive zone of the 21st Army and found that Luhansk was right on the edge of the Army's defense zone. Therefore, he pondered for a moment about Sokov's request, then nodded and said: " No problem. As reported to Colonel, we are all friendly forces. As long as there is danger where you are, we will definitely take the initiative to support you."
When the convoy arrived at the headquarters of the 21st Army, Army Commander Chistyakov, who had not yet had time to hand over his duties, led a group of members from the headquarters to greet Krylov at the door. When he saw Sokov getting out of the car behind Krylov, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure and stepped forward to shake hands with Krylov and say hello.
When Chistyakov led Krylov inside, he asked curiously: "General Krylov, why are Colonel Sokov here too? Is he also the commander of the 21st Army now?" Member?"
"No, General Chistyakov. He was just ordered to escort me here to take office." Krylov waved his hand and replied: "Now that I have arrived, his mission has naturally been completed. By the way. , how is the situation in the defense zone?"
"Something is not good, Comrade Krylov." Chistyakov said with a serious expression: "I just received a report from the troops below that the enemies opposite them are gathering and seem to be preparing to launch a major operation."
"The enemy plans to take a big action?" Krylov repeated Chistyakov's words and asked in confusion: "General Chistyakov, what does this mean?"
Seeing that Krylov did not understand what he meant, Chistyakov sighed softly and said: "Based on the current situation, the Germans are very likely to launch a large-scale counterattack. The defense area of our army group, You may be attacked first, General Krylov, you have a heavy responsibility."
"What, the enemy may launch a large-scale counterattack?" Krylov was stunned by Chistyakov's words: "General Chistyakov, are you not wrong? The enemy is under the powerful offensive of our army. We have been unable to organize a decent resistance for a long time, how can we launch a counterattack? I think you must have made a mistake."
