Sokov knew very well that the Battle of Kursk was a watershed in the Soviet-German war. Before the battle, the German army had the strategic initiative and could independently choose the time and place to launch a strategic offensive; after the battle, the German army completely lost its strategic initiative and switched from strategic attack to strategic defense. From this point on, the Soviet army began its campaign to regain its territory. Scale attack.
Although he knew that this was a must-win battle, Sokov remained cautious. If he really loses the battle, the prestige he has not easily established in the army will be wiped out in an instant.
According to Sokov's plan, the 182nd Infantry Division, the vanguard of the entire force, should arrive thirty kilometers north of Oboyan on the morning of July 6 and build fortifications there.
Unexpectedly, before dawn, Sokov was woken up by the staff officer on duty: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Khokhlov made an emergency call. It seems something happened."
Sokov's heart sank when he heard what the staff officer on duty said. He couldn't help but wonder to himself: Could it be that the German army's assault speed was much faster than in real history? Before Colonel Khokhlov and the others reached the designated position, Just encountered the charging enemy? Thinking of this, while putting on his shoes, he asked the staff officer: "Who else did you notify?"
"Before coming here, I called the chief of staff and he said he would be at the headquarters soon."
Sokov knew that the place where Samyko lived was further away from the headquarters. Even if he received the notice in advance, he might not be able to arrive at the headquarters earlier than himself. After putting on his shoes, he waved his hand vigorously and said : "Let's go to the headquarters."
When he walked into the headquarters, Sokov saw the microphone on the table, so he quickly walked over, picked up the microphone, put it to his ear, and said loudly: "I am Sokov."
"Hello, Comrade Commander! I am Khokhlov."
"Comrade Colonel," Sokov asked sternly, "what happened?"
"Reporting to Comrade Commander, we have arrived at an area thirty kilometers north of Oboyan. When we were preparing to build fortifications, we were blocked..."
"What, you were stopped?" Sokov couldn't help but get angry when he heard what Khokhlov said. He sent troops to reinforce, but someone actually stopped his troops from building fortifications. He asked sternly: "Prevent you from building fortifications." Who is the person building the fortifications, and what right does he have to stop you?”
"It's me. I have the right to prevent you from building new defensive positions in our defense zone." A strange voice suddenly came from the receiver: "You are the commander of the 27th Group Army Sokov that the colonel said Major General, right?"
"Yes." Hearing the careless tone of the other party's words, Sokov immediately realized that the other party might have a complicated background, so he asked tentatively: "Who are you?"
"I am General Apanashenko, deputy commander of the Voronezh Front." The person on the other end of the phone said sternly: "I want to ask you why you ordered the troops without authorization from our ministry. Build new defenses in our defense zone? I want to ask you, what exactly do you want to do?"
"General Apanashchenko?!" After Sokov repeated the name, he immediately remembered the other party's identity: one of the five generals of the Soviet army before the war, with the veteran qualifications of being called the "Tsar of the Far East" commander. He straightened up quickly and said respectfully into the microphone: "Hello, Comrade General, what are your instructions?"
"Major General Sokov," Apanashenko asked impatiently, "you haven't answered my question yet. Why did you send troops to build defenses in our defense zone without authorization from our ministry?" Fortifications, what is your purpose for doing this?”
"Comrade General," although Apanashenko has been staying in the Far East since the outbreak of the war and has not had the opportunity to participate in the formulation and execution of combat plans, and the tactics he has mastered have become outdated in today's wars, even in After his repeated requests, Stalin reluctantly arranged for him to be the deputy of Vatutin, who was much more junior than him, and serve as the deputy commander of the Voronezh Front. But in any case, his military rank is much higher than Sokov. Sokov responded politely: "According to my analysis, the enemy may achieve a breakthrough in the Oboyan area. In order to prevent the enemy from rushing towards Moscow, I definitely have It is necessary to build fortifications in the northern area of Oboyan to block the enemy's attack."
Unexpectedly, as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Apanaschenko became angry: "General Sokov, who told you that our heroic commanders and fighters of the Voronezh Front could not stop the enemy's attack? You know, you are like this Your remarks are very dangerous. To put it mildly, you are talking nonsense; to put it seriously, this is simply a defeatist argument."
Hearing Apanashenko's accusations against him, Sokov couldn't help but smile bitterly. He didn't know how to explain it to make the other party realize the seriousness of the current situation. Just as he was organizing vocabulary in his mind, he suddenly heard Apanashenko say in a stern tone: "I order you to withdraw your troops immediately, otherwise I will report the matter to the Supreme Command, which will lead to You will be solely responsible for all consequences."
Apanashchenko's words made Sokov angry. He did not expect that he would be criticized by others after he worked hard to formulate a combat plan to save the situation and sent the most elite troops to the north of Oboyan to consolidate defenses. . If the other party was an ordinary commander, Sokov would have retorted. But the person he was talking to was an old soldier with similar qualifications to Zhukov, so he chose to endure it. After taking two deep breaths, Trying to use a calm tone, he said to Apanashenko: "I'm sorry, Comrade General. I got permission from the commander of the front army, General Konev, to build fortifications north of Oboyan. If you have any questions, Please communicate directly with General Konev."
"Major General Sokov," Apanashchenko looked particularly annoyed when he saw Sokov's evasive words: "Do you really want to disobey my order?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade General." Sokov replied in a moderate tone: "Although your military rank is higher than mine, you are not my direct superior, so I have the right to disobey your orders. In order to prevent the enemy from defending our army Advancing in depth, my troops are about to build new defenses within the actual control area, and I hope you will not stop them again."
"Rebellion, rebellion, you, a little major general, dare to disobey my order." Apanashenko said angrily: "I will report this matter to the Supreme Command and ask them to remove you. Investigate."
Sokov was not worried at all about Apanashenko's threat: "Comrade General, if you feel it is necessary to report it to the Supreme Command, then please do so. Not only how can I say it, but my troops must be here today." In some areas, new defenses were built to resist possible German troops."
"Just wait." Apanashenko said viciously: "I will soon let you understand the consequences of disobeying your superiors' orders. I hope you will not regret it then."
