It was a happy thing that the troops were to be reorganized into a group army. Sokov quickly ordered Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, inform the commanders of each division and brigade to come to the headquarters for a meeting."
The various units stationed in the Red Army Village were not dispersed enough, so after receiving Vitkov's notice, all division commanders, brigade commanders, and their chiefs of staff and political commissars came to Sokov's headquarters.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Vitkov stood up and said to the commanders who were still talking: "Comrades, please be quiet. We are starting the meeting now."
Hearing what Witkov said, everyone shut their mouths and looked at Witkov standing in front, trying to figure out what big thing had happened that had called them here in such a hurry.
"Comrades, I have a piece of good news for you." Vitkov held up a telegram and said excitedly to everyone: "We have just received an order from our superiors that our Sokov Combat Group will be reorganized into the Sixth Army... "
Hearing this, Sivakov couldn't help but ask: "Isn't there already a Sixth Army? Why are we reorganized into the Sixth Army?"
"General Kharitonov's Sixth Army was jointly attacked by the German Skeleton Division, the Flag Guard Division and the Imperial Division in the battle some time ago. The troops suffered heavy losses, and even the commander Kharitonov was injured. ." Vitkov explained to everyone: "Now the superiors have announced that the headquarters of the original Sixth Army will be abolished, and our combat group and some of the troops of the original Sixth Army will form a new Sixth Army."
Sivakov asked the question on behalf of everyone: "After the new Sixth Army is formed, who will be the commander?"
"The base camp has decided to appoint Major General Sokov as the commander of the Sixth Army, and I will serve as the chief of staff of the army." When Vitkov said this, he pointed to Lunev who was sitting behind him and continued: "Let me introduce to you, This is Lieutenant General Lunev, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, who will serve as the military commissar of our army group."
Everyone was happy to hear that Sokov was still the commander, but when they heard that a deputy minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs would serve as the military commissar, they suddenly became silent.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Sokov understood what they were worried about. But since the superiors have sent Lunev here, it is obviously impossible for him to go back. The only way is to find a way for everyone to have a good relationship with him so that they can coexist peacefully in the coming years.
Sokov stood up and said to the commanders present: "Comrades, the Sixth Army is a unit with a glorious history. They have fought tenacious battles with the enemy on different battlefields. Now we have all become this unit. As a member of the glorious army, we must continue to carry forward the glorious tradition of this army..."
In fact, after the commanders present heard that the Military Commissar was the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, they couldn't help but worry about Sokov. After all, many of his tactics were not on the table. If the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs fought with him, I'm afraid that in the coming days, it will be simply impossible to defeat the enemy as easily as before.
Lunev came here to serve as military commissar, but he was actually very uneasy. Although he is the deputy minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he is the kind of deputy minister who ranks low. Moreover, there are only two squads of soldiers escorting him this time. He is very worried that he will be ostracized after arriving here.
But judging from the current situation, Sokov not only has no intention of ostracizing him, but also respects him very much. Faced with Sokov's overtures, Lunev felt that he should also express his kindness. After Sokov finished speaking, he stood up and said: "Comrades, when I learned that I could join your heroic unit and fight against the invaders with you, I was very excited. Because I have never been there before. He has never been on the battlefield and has no combat experience. In order not to affect Commander Sokov’s operational decisions, Commander Sokov will have the final say on all military matters in the future..."
Sokov never dreamed that Lunev would say these words. He looked at Lunev in surprise, wondering what the other party's purpose was in saying these words. Are you planning to really cooperate with yourself, or are you deliberately speaking sarcastically?
Before he could think of a reason, Lunev had finished what he wanted to say and sat back down in his seat. Vitkov asked the commanders in front of him: "Does anyone have any questions?"
Colonel Sheyko, political commissar of the 67th Guards Division, stood up and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I would like to ask which troops the base camp plans to integrate into the newly formed Sixth Army?"
"We still don't know exactly which troops will join." Witkov replied: "But I can tell you that our superiors will give us at least two additional infantry divisions, as well as several tank brigades and artillery regiments. We When appropriate, a group army artillery headquarters will also be established, with dedicated personnel to command all artillery."
"Then what is our next task?" Major General Merkulov asked.
"As before, continue to hold on to the current position." Vitkov said: "Be prepared to resist the German attack."
Seeing that everyone seemed dissatisfied with Vitkov's answer, Sokov stood up and said: "Comrade commanders, the defense is only temporary. When the time is right, we will still take the initiative to attack the enemy. Just like our previous section Time, the three German SS divisions were beaten to the point where they were cowering in Barvinkovo and did not dare to move."
Several Guards division commanders were jealous of the early results achieved by the 41st Guards Division. After hearing what Sokov said, they all stood up and asked Sokov for help: "Comrade Commander, if you want to attack the enemy next time, you must give this glorious and arduous task to our division to complete. .”
"Comrades, please sit down first." Sokov raised his hand and pressed down. After inviting everyone to sit down, he continued: "Don't look at the fact that our designation will soon become the Sixth Army. At that time, we The strength and equipment of our troops have not changed at all from before. Before we receive new reinforcements and reinforcements, we can only continue to hold on to our existing defensive positions as before and be prepared to welcome the enemy's attack."
Lunev frowned slightly when he heard Sokov said that he planned to continue to hold on to the Red Army Village. He thought that there were four Guards divisions here, plus three tank brigades and an artillery division. Even if he took the initiative to attack the enemy Attack will not be at a disadvantage. When he was about to speak, he thought of what Beria said to him when he left Moscow, and he obediently closed his mouth.
"Comrade Division Commander," the person who asked the question this time was Colonel Sidorin, Chief of Staff of the 41st Guards Division. He stood up and asked: "Now that you have assumed the position of commander of the group army, who will take over the position of division commander?" Woolen cloth?"
Sokov really couldn't answer Sidorin's question. He shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands: "Comrade Colonel, please forgive me for not being able to answer your question. I think the superiors may send someone to take over." It’s my job.”
If it is true that he no longer serves as the commander of the 41st Guards Division, it will be a great regret for Sokov. In any case, he and this unit have become inseparable in the battle to defend Stalingrad. of a whole. Although this division is still under his command now, who knows whether it will be suddenly transferred by his superiors one day in the future and placed under the command of other group army units. Whenever he thought of this, he felt extremely disappointed.
After the meeting, when Lunev saw that there were only three of him, Sokov and Vitkov in the room, he asked the question in his heart: "Comrade Commander, I don't understand. With our existing troops, it is completely possible." Launching an attack on the enemy, why do you choose to stand still?"
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov no longer called him Deputy Minister since the other party was now the Military Commissar of the Army Group: "Yes, our troops look quite large, and there are also tank brigades and artillery divisions. But because Now is the thawing season, the roads have become muddy, and the mobility of our tanks has been restricted. If we launch an attack on the enemy in this situation, our tanks will be stuck in the mire and unable to move, and they will become German aircraft. and targets for artillery bombardment.”
Regarding Sokov's statement, Lunev expressed doubts: "Comrade Commander, if what you said is true, then how did the enemy attack us?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, if you are interested, you can check the weather during the period when the enemy was most active and see what the temperature was?" Sokov did not get angry, but replied with a smile: "The weather was cold at that time, and the land was It was so frozen that enemy tanks and armored vehicles were able to move freely.”
"Comrade Military Commissar, the commander is right." Seeing that Lunev seemed to have some misunderstanding about Sokov, Vitkov quickly came out to smooth things over: "A few days ago, the German 6th Armored Division dispatched an infantry battalion and An armored battalion was preparing to attack the Red Army village, but when they got halfway, they were unable to move forward because the road was muddy. At that time, we sent a company to use the new rockets and rocket launchers we carried to destroy the German armored battalion. battalion and severely damaged the accompanying infantry battalion.”
"Oh, why didn't I see such a battle report?"
Vitkov glanced at Sokov and replied: "I think this battle report may still be in the front army headquarters, and there is no time to report it to the general staff."
"Well, it's possible." Lunev thought that all he knew about Sokov's troops was through the battle reports in the General Staff Headquarters. If it was a smaller battle, the other party might not report it at all. He paused for a moment and then asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, when do you think it is most appropriate for us to launch an attack on the enemy?"
"After our superiors give us additional troops, especially tanks and artillery." In response to Lunev's question, Sokov explained to him: "We have strong enough firepower to launch an attack on the enemy. There will be no situation where we cannot defeat the enemy's offensive because of insufficient firepower configuration."
Before Luniev came here, he was just a civilian officer and had little combat experience. When Sokov said this, he seemed a little confused. Fortunately, Vitkov saw his embarrassment and explained to him: "Comrade Military Commissar, the situation is like this. The enemy has indeed built strong defenses in Barvinkovo. If we launch an attack, we do not have enough tanks. and artillery, the attacking force was unable to break through the enemy's trenches."
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov felt that instead of spending a long time explaining to Lunev here, it would be better for him to go to the front and see for himself. Then he would understand what is going on: "To defeat the enemy, just Bravery is not enough, you also need reasonable tactics and sufficient firepower."
Seeing Luniev nodding his head in understanding, Sokov continued: "Comrade Military Commissar, if you are interested, how about I go to the front with you to watch the next battle?"
Lunev was a civilian officer with no combat experience and had never seen the cruelty of the battlefield. Therefore, after hearing Sokov's proposal, not only did he not feel the slightest fear, but he nodded seriously and replied: "No problem. , Comrade Commander, remember to call me when you attack Barvinkovo next time. I want to see with my own eyes what the most elite SS division of the German army looks like."
"There will be a chance."
Vitkov said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, if we want to capture Barvinkovo, we will need at least two thousand new rockets."
"Two thousand?" After hearing the number proposed by Vitkov, Sokov couldn't help but frowned. "I don't know if the military factory in the rear has such a large production capacity. I'm afraid that even if I request it from my superiors, I won't get it. The desired amount.”
"Necessary applications are still needed." Vitkov reminded Sokov: "Today, the entire army has only more than 800 new rockets. With such ammunition reserves, I am afraid that it will not be possible to capture Barvinkovo."
"Okay, I will send a telegram to Commander Rokossovsky later and ask him to help us apply." Sokov said helplessly: "I think if he comes forward, it will be much better than us." .”
When Lunev heard this, he asked curiously: "I want to ask, what is a new rocket? Is it the kind that is fired from a rocket launcher?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, how can I explain it to you?" Vitkov said with a wry smile: "If you are interested, I will take you to the area where the rockets are stored. Then you will know what the new rockets look like. That’s it.”
"Is this weapon important?" Runev continued to ask.
"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar." Vitkov nodded and replied in a positive tone: "This new rocket is indispensable for the reason why we have achieved so many results."
