Sokov was also thinking about this matter in his mind. Two of his divisions were pinned down by the enemy in Kazachia Compass Town. Would it be necessary to send another division there?
"Comrade Commander," Seeing Sokov's delay in speaking, Samyko once again put forward his suggestion: "Except for the two divisions currently fighting in the Compass Town of Kazachya, the only one closest to Dergach is the Infantry Division. 254th Division, why not send them there.”
"I think it's okay." Since the plan couldn't change, Sokov wouldn't go all the way. He simply agreed to Samyko's proposal: "Chief of Staff, call Colonel Shechtman immediately. The phone call asked him to dispatch a regiment and rush to the forest outside Dergach to rescue the imprisoned Italian prisoners of war."
"Okay." Sameko agreed, then picked up the phone and said into the receiver: "I'm Sameko, call me to the 254th Division headquarters immediately, and ask for Colonel Shechtman."
When Schechtman received the call, although he did not understand why troops were sent to rescue Italian prisoners of war, his more than 20 years of military career had allowed him to develop a good habit of obedience. After he waited for Sameko to finish speaking, he did not ask any questions, but said directly: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, I will immediately dispatch troops to Dergach to rescue the Italian prisoners of war imprisoned by the Germans."
After giving the order to Shechtman, Samyko contacted the commander of the 84th Division, Major General Fomenko, and learned that a regiment of the division, accompanied by two tank battalions of the Tank Corps, were heading towards Kaza along the road. After setting off from Qiyaluopan Town, they would be able to enter the battlefield in two hours at the latest.
After Samyko put down the phone, he immediately came over and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Shechtman said that he immediately assembled the troops and rushed to Dergach in the shortest possible time; and Major General Fomenko Report to me that one of his regiments, accompanied by two tank battalions, is heading towards the Compass Town of Kazachia and will reach its destination in two hours at the latest.”
After hearing this, Sokov snorted softly and said: "I hope that by the time the troops of the 84th Division arrive at Kazachya Compass Town, the battle will not be over yet, otherwise at the post-war summary meeting, Major General Fomenko Severe punishment will be imposed.”
As the chief of staff of the army group, Samyko naturally knew what Sokov meant by severe punishment. He knew very well that once Fomenko was really punished for wasting the opportunity to fight, his future would basically end here. In the future, let alone promotion, it would be good to keep his current position.
Samyko, who couldn't bear it, coughed lightly, and then said tactfully to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the reason why General Fomenko has not sent troops to Kazachya Compass Town is still there. Reason. After all, after they take over October Town, they still need to clear out the enemies in the town and prevent possible counterattacks by the enemy..."
Sokov saw Samyko's intention and quickly waved his hand to stop him from continuing: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't have to plead for him. If the 188th Division cannot capture Kazach because of the untimely support of the 84th Division, Yaluopan Town, then the punishment of Major General Fomenko will be inevitable."
While the two were talking, the phone on the table suddenly rang without warning.
Sokov stared at the phone that suddenly rang, feeling an ominous premonition in his heart. He nuzzled at Sameko, signaling the other party to answer the phone.
Sameko picked up the phone, put it to his ear and said, "I am Chief of Staff Sameko, where are you from?"
"What? What did you say? Say it again?...Okay, I will report the matter to Comrade Commander truthfully..."
When Sokov heard what Samyko said from the side, he immediately realized that something was really wrong and asked quickly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what happened?"
Samek quickly covered the microphone with his hand and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Koida reported that the enemy who carried out the counterattack used a new type of weapon, which effectively suppressed our army's firepower. , causing some streets originally occupied by our troops to fall back into the hands of the enemy."
"New weapons, what new weapons?"
Sokov did not wait for Sameko to answer, then reached out to grab the microphone and asked into the microphone: "Colonel Koida, I am Sokov. Please report to me truthfully what new weapons the enemy used." "
Koida's anxious voice came from the receiver: "Comrade Commander, according to reports from commanders and fighters at the front, the submachine guns equipped by the enemies who counterattack are similar to our assault rifles. They are not only very powerful in firepower, but also have high shooting accuracy. It’s enough to suppress our army’s firepower.”
"Comrade Colonel, are you saying that the submachine guns used by the enemy are similar to our assault rifles?"
"That's right."
"The submachine gun seized from you?"
"The complete submachine gun has not been captured yet." Koida continued: "However, my men have interrogated several German prisoners, and they confessed that this is the MP-43 submachine gun of the new preparation unit."
Sokov thought, isn't the MP-43 submachine gun the famous STG-44 assault rifle? It is said that Kalashnikov was able to develop the AK-47 assault rifle, which was completely inspired by this assault rifle of the German army. After all, in real history, the STG-44 was the world's first large-scale assault rifle.
Sokov thought for a moment, and then ordered Koida: "Comrade Colonel, I order you to immediately send someone to my headquarters once you intercept the new German submachine gun. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Koida replied resoundingly: "Once the new German submachine gun is captured, I will send someone to your headquarters in the shortest possible time."
After reporting the work to Sokov, Koida remembered Major Guchakov who went to the headquarters, and quickly added: "By the way, Comrade Commander, has Major Guchakov arrived at your headquarters? "
"Yes, yes," Sokov replied. "He and his men arrived last night."
"Comrade Commander," Koida felt a little sad when he thought that Guchakov's battalion was almost wiped out in yesterday's battle. He cautiously said to Sokov: "Major Guchakov's troops are exhausted, and I really don't have any extra soldiers to supplement them. I wonder if you can transfer some of your troops to rebuild the first battalion?"
"Comrade Colonel, I don't have any extra troops. How can I replenish them for you?"
Hearing what Sokov said, Koida felt somewhat disappointed, but he said reluctantly: "Comrade Commander, according to my observation, Major Guchakov is a very good commander. If Just because the troops were wiped out, it would be inappropriate to let him sit on the bench in the rear office."
"Colonel Koida, I want to remind you something. I am the commander, and you are just a division commander. In the army, does the commander command the division commander, or does the division commander command the commander? How do we arrange Guchakov , this is my business, I don’t need to report it to you.”
Koida, who was criticized by Sokov, was silent for a long time before he said: "Comrade Commander, I beg you, never let an excellent commander like Major Guchakov sit on the bench in the rear department. , it’s a waste.”
Sokov smiled: "Colonel Koida, you don't have to worry about Guchakov anymore. It's impossible for him to return to your 188th Division. His superiors have made new arrangements for his work."
"New arrangements?" Koida asked in surprise when he heard what Sokov said: "Comrade Commander, can you tell me how the superiors arranged his work?"
"General Konev, commander of the front army, recently rebuilt the 73rd Infantry Brigade with a reserve team." Sokov said with a smile: "Major Guchakov was favored by General Konev and directly appointed him Serves as Commander of an Infantry Brigade.”
"Ah, Major Guchakov has become the brigade commander?" This shocking news surprised Koida. But for his subordinates to be appreciated by their superiors and entrusted with important tasks, it is still a good thing and an honor for him. After taking a deep breath, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, please represent me and congratulate Major Guchakov on his appointment as the commander of the infantry brigade."
"I will, Colonel Koida." Sokov was worried that Koida would forget the business and quickly reminded him: "Also, don't forget to find a way to seize a new submachine gun equipped by the German army and send someone to Send it to headquarters."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Koida assured Sokov: "I assure you that the new submachine gun you need will be on your table intact within two hours at the latest. "
Hearing Koida say that the German assault rifles would be delivered in two hours, Sokov suddenly thought of the 84th Division rushing to the Compass Town of Kazachya, and quickly asked: "Colonel Koida, Please tell me truthfully, can you defend the town?"
"Comrade Commander, although the enemy's counterattack has caused us some trouble, we are capable of defending the town." Koida said confidently: "No matter what kind of offensive the enemy will launch next, our commanders and soldiers will be like nails." Just the same, being firmly anchored in the town will never leave the town that many commanders and soldiers captured with their blood and lives to the Germans again."
"Very good, Colonel Koida." Sokov said approvingly: "I believe you will be able to crush the enemy's attack. I wish you good luck!"
Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Samyko asked worriedly: "Comrade Commander, do you really think that the 188th Division can block the enemy's attack?"
"Why not?" Sokov asked rhetorically: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you forgotten that during the Battle of Kursk, the 188th Division stubbornly blocked the attacks of the German 6th and 19th Armored Divisions and killed a large number of enemies? The effective force made a huge contribution to our final annihilation of the 19th Armored Division."
After Sokov finished speaking, he saw that Samyko's brow was still filled with sorrow, so he comforted him and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry, Major General Fomenko's 84th Division is now rushing to Kazachya Compass. The town. Can’t we defend the town even with the strength of our two divisions?”
He paused for a moment and then continued: "If neither division can stop the enemy's counterattack on the town, then I will seriously consider whether these two division commanders are qualified and whether a new division commander should be replaced to lead this town. Two troops.”
"General Konev, commander of the front army, recently rebuilt the 73rd Infantry Brigade with a reserve team." Sokov said with a smile: "Major Guchakov was favored by General Konev and directly appointed him Serves as Commander of an Infantry Brigade.”
"Ah, Major Guchakov has become the brigade commander?" This shocking news surprised Koida. But for his subordinates to be appreciated by their superiors and entrusted with important tasks, it is still a good thing and an honor for him. After taking a deep breath, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Commander, please represent me and congratulate Major Guchakov on his appointment as the commander of the infantry brigade."
"I will, Colonel Koida." Sokov was worried that Koida would forget the business and quickly reminded him: "Also, don't forget to find a way to seize a new submachine gun equipped by the German army and send someone to Send it to headquarters."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Koida assured Sokov: "I assure you that the new submachine gun you need will be on your table intact within two hours at the latest. "
Hearing Koida say that the German assault rifles would be delivered in two hours, Sokov suddenly thought of the 84th Division rushing to the Compass Town of Kazachya, and quickly asked: "Colonel Koida, Please tell me truthfully, can you defend the town?"
"Comrade Commander, although the enemy's counterattack has caused us some trouble, we are capable of defending the town." Koida said confidently: "No matter what kind of offensive the enemy will launch next, our commanders and soldiers will be like nails." Just the same, being firmly anchored in the town will never leave the town that many commanders and soldiers captured with their blood and lives to the Germans again."
"Very good, Colonel Koida." Sokov said approvingly: "I believe you will be able to crush the enemy's attack. I wish you good luck!"
Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Samyko asked worriedly: "Comrade Commander, do you really think that the 188th Division can block the enemy's attack?"
"Why not?" Sokov asked rhetorically: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you forgotten that during the Battle of Kursk, the 188th Division stubbornly blocked the attacks of the German 6th and 19th Armored Divisions and killed a large number of enemies? The effective force made a huge contribution to our final annihilation of the 19th Armored Division."
After Sokov finished speaking, he saw that Samyko's brow was still filled with sorrow, so he comforted him and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry, Major General Fomenko's 84th Division is now rushing to Kazachya Compass. The town. Can’t we defend the town even with the strength of our two divisions?”
He paused for a moment and then continued: "If both divisions cannot stop the enemy's counterattack on the town, then I will seriously consider whether these two division commanders are qualified and whether a new division commander should be replaced to lead this town. Two troops.”
