It is not unusual for companies to be transferred from the headquarters' security forces to enrich the combat troops. Sokov thought that Samyko would not have any objections to his arrangement. Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Samyko said anxiously: "Comrade Commander, our guard force only has nine companies." , but from the beginning of the Battle of Kursk to the present, we have successively enriched five companies into combat troops. Now the remaining four companies cannot be used anymore. Otherwise, if something happens, we can There are no troops to use.”
Samyko's words reminded Sokov that although there are many troops directly under the group army now, if there is really a danger, for example, the headquarters is attacked by the enemy, the only troops that can protect their own safety are these guards around them. force. After thinking about this, he nodded slowly and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what you said makes sense. I don't think I will consider transferring companies from the guard force for the time being. As for replenishing Guchakov's 1st Battalion, soldiers, I’d better think of another way.”
Samyko thought about his suggestion of recruiting new soldiers, which was rejected by Sokov. He was curious about how the other party would supplement the soldiers of the rebuilt first battalion: "Comrade Commander, how do you plan to solve the problem of soldiers?"
Sokov was not a god, and he did not know how to spread the beans to form an army. He had no good solution in the hurry, so he could only say with a wry smile: "Major Guchakov and the others must be exhausted after fighting for most of the day. , let them stay at the headquarters to rest for a while. When our superiors give us additional troops, we will immediately start the reconstruction work of the first battalion."
Sameko nodded in agreement, and then asked: "Comrade Commander, now that the 188th Division has entered the Compass Town of Kazachia, it is only a matter of time to eliminate the enemies in the town. Do you think it can be done by Will you report to the front army headquarters in person?"
Sokov couldn't help but be startled and thought, isn't it your job to report the results of the battle to the front army headquarters? Why did you ask me to report in person today? But after a while, he understood Sameko's intention. Today's attack on October Town was not reported to the front army headquarters in advance. Then, the plane he was riding in was beaten down by the German Air Force, and Konev and others were allowed to fight for him. Worry. By calling Konev personally to report the results of the battle, he could take the opportunity to resolve the grudge in the other party's heart.
After the call was connected, Sokov heard Zakharov's voice coming from the receiver, and he asked awkwardly: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff, this is Sokov. I want to find General Konev. I don't know. Has he rested?"
"No, of course not." Zaharov replied: "Since the Battle of Kursk, he only sleeps for two or three hours at most every day. He is looking at the map at the moment. What can you do?"
"It's like this. The 84th Division of our group army liberated October Town, and the 188th Division has now invaded Kazachiya Compass Town. It is only a matter of time before the town is liberated." Sokov said quickly: "I We just want to report our results to General Konev.”
"Your troops have entered the town of Kazachya Compass?" Zakharov searched the map with his hand and said in surprise: "Your troops have penetrated more than 40 kilometers into the enemy's defense? Have you arranged any troops? Protect their left and right wings?”
"I have sent the 84th Division and a tank brigade that captured October Town to follow up." Sokov replied: "Even if the Germans reinforce the town of Kazachya Compass, they are still capable of defeating the enemy."
After listening to Sokov's explanation, Zakharov felt a little more at ease. He glanced at Konev who was standing at the door chatting with Susekov, and then shouted: "Comrade Commander, Sokov The Major General wants to speak to you."
Konev and Susekov walked over together. When he reached for the phone, he frowned and asked, "Does he want to see me for anything?"
When Zakharov handed the microphone to Konev, he said quickly: "Major General Sokov reported that his 84th Division occupied the town of October, and the 188th Division also entered the town of Kazachya Compass. "
When Konev heard this, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. He quickly took the microphone from Zakharov's hand, put it to his ear, and said urgently: "Sokov, I am Konev, your unit." Did you really break into Kazachia Compass Town?”
"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov replied: "Although the enemy is still resisting in the town, it is only a matter of time before they are eliminated."
"What are the casualties among the troops?" Konev asked.
Sokov was worried about how to raise the issue of replenishing troops to Konev. Since the other party had questions, he said downhill: "First attack the first battalion and the tank battalion in the town, and basically wipe out the whole army. Although they only There were only a dozen left, but they still fought tenaciously against the enemy.
Comrade Commander of the Front Army, the battalion commanded by Major Guchakov was a heroic unit. They once made great achievements in the Battle of Kursk, but they were wiped out like this. I feel very sad. I was wondering if you could give us some additional troops so that I can rebuild the battalion. "
"I don't have any soldiers." Konev heard Sokov's request and said displeasedly: "Don't forget, your army just received more than 30,000 soldiers last week, and they are all veterans with combat experience. "
After Sokov waited for Konev to finish speaking, he said with a playful smile: "Commander of the Front Army, you must know that not only the first battalion is a heroic unit, but their commander, Major Guchakov, is also an excellent commander. , has rich command experience. If he can return to the battlefield as soon as possible, he will definitely be able to achieve more meritorious deeds. But if you can't supplement us, I'm afraid he will only be able to sit in my command post for a long time. On the bench. You know, it is simply a crime to let such an excellent commander sit idle in the war."
It may be Sokov's last words that deeply touched Konev. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Major General Sokov, to be honest, I still have a reserve team in my hand, which was just recruited by It is composed of new recruits and rescued commanders and fighters. But I can't give it to you directly, otherwise the commanders of other group armies will come to me for soldiers when they know about it. unity among us.”
Sokov couldn't help but feel happy when he heard Konev said that he still had a reserve team, but when he heard the next words, his heart suddenly became cold. Konev was right. If he directly transferred soldiers from the reserve force to help rebuild Guchakov Camp, once other group army commanders knew about it, it would definitely cause trouble. After all, our troops have been under constant pressure for a long time. There were many losses during the battle.
Just when Sokov was disheartened, he heard Konev continue: "Major General Sokov, I have been thinking about one thing these past two days. Isn't your group's original 46th Infantry Brigade organized into a close-in force?" Are you guarding the 98th Division? In this case, you will no longer have a brigade structure in the infantry of your group army. I think it is necessary to reorganize an infantry brigade. As for the designation, I will use the 73rd Infantry Brigade that you commanded before. "
Hearing this, Sokov's eyes moved with disbelief: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you said you want to rebuild the 73rd Infantry Brigade?"
"That's right," Konev replied affirmatively.
"But," being able to rebuild the 73rd Infantry Brigade is a great thing for Sokov. After all, when he was stationed in Stalingrad, the unit designation he commanded was the 73rd Infantry Brigade. But the most troublesome thing now is the problem of soldiers and weapons and equipment. He asked tentatively: "How to solve the problem of soldiers and weapons and equipment?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Sokov." Konev said with a smile: "I won't give you an empty number. The reserve team I just mentioned only needs to change their number. Become the 73rd Infantry Brigade?"
Listening to Konev's cheerful laughter coming from the receiver, Sokov couldn't help cursing in his heart: What a cunning old fox, no, it should be a cunning rabbit. The most cunning animal in Russia is the rabbit, and everyone likes the fox. A kind animal.
He was scolding Konev secretly in his heart, but he said with a smile: "Commander of the Front Army, thank you for rebuilding the 73rd Infantry Brigade. I assure you that this unit will play a great role in the next battle." role and achieved remarkable and huge results.”
After Sokov said this in one breath, he suddenly remembered a key question: "By the way, Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask, who is the brigade commander of the rebuilt 73rd Infantry Brigade?"
"The deputy brigade commander is a colonel, and the brigade commander's position is temporarily vacant." Konev said: "Since you spoke so well of Major Guchakov, let him serve as the brigade commander."
"However, Guchakov is only a major, and his deputy brigade commander is a colonel." Sokov said with some lack of confidence: "It is not appropriate to let a colonel accept the command of a major. ?”
"There's nothing inappropriate." Konev said carelessly: "Your military commissar, Lieutenant General Lunev, doesn't his military rank be higher than yours? In the army, you can't just look at the military rank, but also at the commander's ability. Since you have always spoken well of Major Guchakov in front of me, let him assume the position of brigade commander."
Since Konev has already said this, it would be too pretentious to shirk it anymore, so Sokov readily agreed: "Okay, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I will formally appoint him after the troops arrive. Major Guchakov assumed the position of brigade commander.”
After Samyko waited for Sokov to put down the phone, he asked in surprise: "Comrade Commander, what did you just say, let Major Guchakov serve as brigade commander? Are there any brigade-level units in our army?" "
"You heard that right, my comrade chief of staff." After learning that his superiors would send him a new unit, and at the same time appoint Major Guchakov, who is quite capable of commanding, as the top commander of this unit, he simply Kov was in a particularly happy mood. He said to Samyko: "Commander Konev told me that he planned to reorganize a reserve unit of the front army into the 73rd Infantry Brigade, and Major Guchakov would serve as it. Brigadier position.”
"What, let Major Guchakov serve as the brigade commander?" Samyko said in surprise: "But let a major serve as the brigade commander, is this appropriate?"
"There is nothing inappropriate." In any case, Guchakov is his direct descendant, so Sokov naturally wants to support him: "Although Guchakov's military rank is not high, he can do a lot of things in terms of command. On the one hand, I think he is fully qualified for this brigade commander position."
How could Samyko not know that Guchakov was a direct descendant of Sokov? At this moment, seeing that Sokov clearly supported Guchakov as the brigade commander, he did not say much, but asked curiously: "Comrade Commander , I wonder when the newly-built 73rd Infantry Brigade will arrive with us?"
"They will set off overnight. It is estimated that they will arrive here at noon tomorrow."
"Report!" Samoilov suddenly came in from outside and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, Major Guchakov and Captain Seryosha are back!"
When he learned that Guchakov and his old friend Seryosha were back, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed and asked repeatedly: "Lieutenant Samoilov, where are they?"
"Their convoy has just arrived and is getting off the bus." Samoilov replied: "They will be able to come in in a few minutes."
A few minutes later, Guchakov, Major Bunch and Seryosha walked into the headquarters side by side and saluted Sokov.
Seeing the appearance of the three people, Sokov quickly stepped forward to shake hands with them one by one, and punched their chests twice with his fists. He said emotionally: "I feel much better when I can see you come back alive." .”
"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander." Guchakov lowered his head and said sheepishly, "It's all my fault. The entire battalion was almost wiped out in the battle."
Although Sokov learned from Koida that there were only a dozen people left in the Guchakov camp, he still asked with concern: "How many people are left in your camp?"
"Report to Comrade Commander," Guchakov replied: "There are still 32 people left in our battalion. Captain Narva, the commander of the first company, and Captain Yegor, the commander of the second company, are both still alive."
After listening to the other party's answer, Sokov turned his head and glanced at Samek with a questioning look, as if he was asking the other party, why was there a deviation in the situation reported by Colonel Koida?
Samyko understood what Sokov meant and quickly stepped forward and asked: "Major Guchakov, Colonel Koida reported to me that there are only a dozen people left in your battalion, and the first company commander has died. Why now?" The first company commander is still alive, and there are more than twenty people?"
"Report to Comrade Commander," Guchakov replied: "There are still 32 people left in our battalion. Captain Narva, the commander of the first company, and Captain Yegor, the commander of the second company, are both still alive."
After listening to the other party's answer, Sokov turned his head and glanced at Samek with a questioning look, as if he was asking the other party, why was there a deviation in the situation reported by Colonel Koida?
Samyko understood what Sokov meant and quickly stepped forward and asked: "Major Guchakov, Colonel Koida reported to me that there are only a dozen people left in your battalion, and the first company commander has died. Why now?" The first company commander is still alive, and there are more than twenty people?"
Samyko understood what Sokov meant and quickly stepped forward and asked: "Major Guchakov, Colonel Koida reported to me that there are only a dozen people left in your battalion, and the first company commander has died. Why now?" The first company commander is still alive, and there are more than twenty people?"
