The phone ringing in the headquarters woke Sokov who had just fallen asleep.
Before he could sit up from the cot, Sameko, who was sleeping on the table, grabbed the microphone first: "I'm Sameko, where are you?...What? What did you say?...Say it again?"
Sokov guessed from the serious expression on Samek's face that something big might have happened. He quickly got out of bed, put on his military coat and walked towards Sameko: "Chief of Staff, what happened?"
Samyko quickly covered the phone with his hand, turned to Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, the call was from Colonel Koida, commander of the 188th Infantry Division. He said that the enemy opposite them seemed to be moving."
"Is there anything unusual?" Sokov's first thought was whether the enemy would take advantage of the darkness to counterattack, and he quickly asked: "Is the enemy preparing to sneak attack them?"
"No." Samek shook his head and said, "He said the enemy seemed to be retreating."
"Retreat?" Sokov could hardly believe his ears. The Germans were actually retreating, and they were retreating in the middle of the night. This was too unreasonable. "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you hear clearly? Colonel Koida said that the enemy is retreating?"
"Yes, that's what he said." Perhaps in order to convince Sokov, he even handed the microphone over: "You can ask him personally."
In order to find out what was going on, Sokov quickly took the phone and asked directly: "Colonel Koida, this is Sokov. What is going on? Is the enemy really retreating?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, according to the intelligence I have obtained, the enemy is withdrawing from their defensive positions in an orderly manner." Koida guessed that Sokov would definitely ask about the source of the intelligence, so he took the initiative to say it before he could ask. : "This was reported to me by Lieutenant Colonel Majevo of the 562nd Regiment. He saw with his own eyes that the enemy withdrew from the barricade position."
"I understand, Comrade Colonel." Sokov couldn't understand why the Germans would choose to retreat at night. Not only was it easy for troops to have chaos everywhere, but the transfer of tanks and artillery was also a big problem. In order to find out what was going on, he ordered Koida: "Immediately send out manpower to conduct reconnaissance and find out what the Germans are doing?"
"Comrade Commander," Koida replied respectfully, "I have sent out scouts to conduct reconnaissance on the enemy. I believe it won't take long for accurate intelligence to be fed back."
Before Sokov could speak, the high-frequency phone next to him rang. Samyko quickly grabbed the phone: "I am Major General Samyko, where are you from?...Hello, General Zakharov, may I ask? Do you have any instructions for calling me so late?...Okay, I will report to Commander Sokov as soon as possible..."
Sokov heard Samyko mention his name when talking to Zakharov, and realized that his superiors might have some important notice. He quickly spoke to Koida quickly and said: "Colonel Koida, once If the scouts have any information, remember to report it to me as soon as possible."
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Koida replied loudly.
When Sokov hung up the phone, he found that Samyko had also ended the call with Zakharov, and asked anxiously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, General Zakharov called, did you say what the matter was?"
"General Zakharov said that the enemy has made changes in the northwest and north of the city and may launch a counterattack against our army overnight." Samyko reported to Sokov: "The front army command ordered us to be more vigilant to prevent the Germans from possible counterattacks."
Sokov frowned: "Colonel Koida reported to me that the enemy was retreating; but the front army headquarters informed me that the enemy might launch an attack on us overnight. Which intelligence is true?"
"Comrade Commander," Seeing Sokov's embarrassed look, Samyko said quickly: "I think the intelligence from the Front Army Headquarters should be accurate. Since they said that the enemy may attack us overnight, should we Inform the troops below to prepare for battle, so as not to be caught off guard by the enemy?"
"It is necessary to be ready for battle." Sokov said thoughtfully: "But it should not be defense, but offense."
"Not defense, but offense?" Sameko said in surprise: "Comrade Commander, don't you believe the intelligence provided to us by the front army headquarters?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, as a senior commander, we cannot blindly trust the intelligence provided by our superiors, we must also verify it." Sokov said righteously: "Whether the enemy wants to sneak attack or retreat, they will definitely not Only moving in one place, I think we need to contact other troops to find out what the enemy opposite them is doing."
With that said, Sokov got through to Chuvasov's headquarters and asked straight to the point: "Comrade Colonel, I didn't disturb your sleep, did I?"
"No, Comrade Commander." Chuvashov quickly replied: "I was already lying down, but the commander of the first battalion, Major Shamrih, called me and said that something seemed wrong with the enemy opposite them."
"Oh, something's wrong." Sokov asked, "What's wrong?"
"It stands to reason that after we capture the enemy's position, the enemy will definitely increase their troops overnight in order to prevent us from expanding our victory." Chuvashov reported on the phone: "But according to Major Shamrih's report, their scouts It was found that not only did the enemy not increase its troops, but there were signs of moving troops away."
"Comrade Colonel, are you sure the enemy is moving their troops away?"
"Comrade Commander, I am not sure about this yet." Chuvashov said cautiously: "Therefore, I ordered Major Shamrih to send out reconnaissance troops again to conduct reconnaissance on the enemy and find out what their true intentions are. "
"If you have any news, report it to me immediately."
After putting down the microphone, Sokov said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it seems that my judgment is correct. Not only will the enemy not launch a night attack on us, on the contrary, they seem to intend to use the cover of night to withdraw the troops." Out of Belgorod.”
Although the intelligence obtained from both sources indicated that the German army was using the cover of darkness to retreat, Sokov could not easily report the matter out of caution. After all, Zaharov had just warned himself not long ago that the enemy might carry out a night attack. In such a short period of time, he directly told Zaharov that the enemy was not preparing to attack, but was preparing to retreat. Isn't this tantamount to questioning the authority of the front army headquarters and slapping Konev in the face? !
Therefore, before making the official report, Sokov decided to find out the true situation, so he called several other division commanders to understand their front-side situations in order to make a correct judgment.
After Samyko made the call, he reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I have called the commanders of the other three divisions. Except for the Gritsenko Division in the north, the rest of the divisions have found the opposite side. The enemy is making strange movements. It doesn't look like they are preparing to attack, but on the contrary, it looks like they are preparing to retreat."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," based on the summary of the various units, Sokov can basically conclude that the Germans want to break through the Soviet defenses at night and retreat south to Kharkov, where the defense system is more complete: "Things It was already clear that the enemy's action was not to carry out a night attack on our army, but to use the cover of night to quietly leave Belgorod.
If the news is true, I think we should report it to the front army headquarters immediately and let them adjust their combat deployment in time to avoid being escaped by the enemy. "
Seeing Sokov reaching for the microphone, Samek quickly grabbed his hand and said nervously: "Comrade Commander, I think it's better to wait."
"Wait a little longer?" Sokov said displeasedly: "What are you waiting for?"
"Waiting for the reconnaissance report from the 188th Infantry Division." Sameko said with concern and gritted teeth: "If Colonel Koida's report still says that the enemy is preparing to retreat, we will have to pursue the enemy. Now The commanders of each division should be notified immediately to prepare for battle, and as soon as they receive the order to attack, they should immediately launch an attack on the retreating German troops."
"Okay then." Sokov felt that what Samyko said made sense, so he nodded and said: "Then we will continue to wait for the reconnaissance report of the 188th Division, and at the same time issue combat orders to each unit, allowing them to do whatever they want at any time. Good preparation for attack."
Koida's reconnaissance report did not arrive, but Zhukov's call came.
Zhukov asked on the phone: "Misha, how is the situation there? Is the enemy about to launch an attack?"
"Comrade Marshal," since it was Zhukov who called, Sokov felt that he had to report the actual situation to him: "Although the enemies on the other side of our defense line have made changes, I feel that they are not trying to attack us. , but intends to quietly withdraw from Belgorod under the cover of night."
"What, what are you talking about? The enemy will not attack us overnight, but is preparing to use the cover of night to quietly evacuate Belgorod?" Zhukov said unhappily: "How can you make such a ridiculous guess? "
"Comrade Marshal, I think my guess is not absurd at all." Sokov knew very well that if he wanted to convince Zhukov, he had to provide real evidence, otherwise he would not easily believe his words: "I am in the city There are four infantry divisions, two marine brigades and one infantry brigade. Except for the enemy on the opposite side of one division's defense area, there is no movement, and the enemies in other areas have abnormal behavior."
"Abnormal performance?" Zhukov asked curiously: "What's abnormal?"
"If it is to attack, then the enemy will definitely mobilize troops from other areas. How can we draw away the troops at the junction of the two armies?" Sokov said confidently: "Based on this, I feel that the enemy may take advantage of the night. cover and quietly evacuate Belgorod."
"Misha, don't you think that your guess is too ridiculous?" Zhukov curled his lips and said to Sokov: "There are at least tens of thousands of enemies in the city. If you want to retreat at night, due to the poor visibility, Not high, they will inevitably be in chaos during their retreat, and once they are attacked by us, they will be in danger of being annihilated."
Sokov knew that without accurate intelligence, he would not be able to completely convince Zhukov, so he could only say euphemistically: "Comrade Marshal, I just heard a report from my subordinates that the enemy seems to be planning to retreat. I also think this is unrealistic. . But now it seems that my judgment should be correct."
If the news is true, I think we should report it to the front army headquarters immediately and let them adjust their combat deployment in time to avoid being escaped by the enemy. "
Seeing Sokov reaching for the microphone, Samek quickly grabbed his hand and said nervously: "Comrade Commander, I think it's better to wait."
"Wait a little longer?" Sokov said displeasedly: "What are you waiting for?"
"Waiting for the reconnaissance report from the 188th Infantry Division." Sameko said with concern and gritted teeth: "If Colonel Koida's report still says that the enemy is preparing to retreat, we will have to pursue the enemy. Now The commanders of each division should be notified immediately to prepare for battle, and as soon as they receive the order to attack, they should immediately launch an attack on the retreating German troops."
"Okay then." Sokov felt that what Samyko said made sense, so he nodded and said: "Then we will continue to wait for the reconnaissance report of the 188th Division, and at the same time issue combat orders to each unit, allowing them to do whatever they want at any time. Good preparation for attack.”
Koida's reconnaissance report did not arrive, but Zhukov's call came.
Zhukov asked on the phone: "Misha, how is the situation there? Is the enemy about to launch an attack?"
"Comrade Marshal," since it was Zhukov who called, Sokov felt that he had to report the actual situation to him: "Although the enemies on the other side of our defense line have made changes, I feel that they are not trying to attack us. , but intends to quietly withdraw from Belgorod under the cover of night."
"What, what are you talking about? The enemy will not attack us overnight, but is preparing to use the cover of night to quietly evacuate Belgorod?" Zhukov said unhappily: "How can you make such a ridiculous guess? "
"Comrade Marshal, I think my guess is not absurd at all." Sokov knew very well that if he wanted to convince Zhukov, he had to provide real evidence, otherwise he would not easily believe his words: "I am in the city There are four infantry divisions, two marine brigades and one infantry brigade. Except for the enemy on the opposite side of one division's defense area, there is no movement, and the enemies in other areas have abnormal behavior."
"Abnormal performance?" Zhukov asked curiously: "What's abnormal?"
"If it is to attack, then the enemy will definitely mobilize troops from other areas. How can we draw away the troops at the junction of the two armies?" Sokov said confidently: "Based on this, I feel that the enemy may take advantage of the night. cover and quietly evacuate Belgorod."
"Misha, don't you think that your guess is too ridiculous?" Zhukov curled his lips and said to Sokov: "There are at least tens of thousands of enemies in the city. If you want to retreat at night, due to the poor visibility, Not high, they will inevitably be in chaos during their retreat, and once they are attacked by us, they are in danger of being annihilated."
Sokov knew that without accurate intelligence, he would not be able to completely convince Zhukov, so he could only say euphemistically: "Comrade Marshal, I just heard a report from my subordinates that the enemy seems to be planning to retreat. I also think this is unrealistic. . But now it seems that my judgment should be correct."
