"It's not necessary." Sokov simply rejected Weisbach's proposal: "There are only a few hundred enemies on the high ground now. If you three thousand people can't eat them, then don't be a division commander. Or Go back and be your deputy brigade commander honestly."
Sokov's words stimulated Weisbach, who said aggrievedly: "I just asked Colonel Atakuz, and he said that one-third of the commanders and fighters in the army are unarmed. In other words, they are ready to participate in the battle. Of the 3,000 people, I am afraid that one-third or more of the commanders and combatants will be unarmed. The more people we have participating in the battle, the greater the chance of victory."
What Weisbach said was beyond Sokov's expectation. He asked Atakuz sideways: "Comrade Colonel, is this true?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Atakuz replied truthfully: "My division was reorganized after the Battle of Kursk. Although it has as many as 8,000 people, one-third of it The commanders and fighters were unarmed."
"So many people don't have weapons, what should we do in battle?" Lunev was used to the well-equipped Sokov troops. Suddenly he heard that the 300th Division would be short of weapons. He thought it was incredible: "We can't let this happen. When our soldiers fight, they charge at the enemy with bare hands, right?”
"Comrade Military Commissar, the situation is similar to what you said." Atakuz looked at Lunev and replied with some embarrassment: "Due to the lack of weapons, our grassroots companies are all configured according to the standard of three people and two guns. .When one of the three men dies, the warrior without a weapon can pick up the weapon of the sacrificial warrior and continue fighting."
"Nonsense, this is simply nonsense." After hearing what the other party said, Lunev said angrily: "If no one among the three is sacrificed, will the soldier without weapons have to squat in the trench and stare helplessly? Watching your comrades fighting the enemy?"
"That's pretty much it."
"Colonel Atakuz, let me ask you a question." Sokov felt that the lack of weapons in the troops was not a problem. He could solve the problem by seizing them or asking his superiors to allocate them. What needs to be clarified now is whether the commanders and fighters of the 300th Division will all use weapons: "Will all soldiers use our army's weapons?"
"That's for sure, Comrade Commander." Atakuz replied: "Although the number of weapons distributed to us by our superiors is insufficient, every soldier has undergone military training and knows how to use weapons."
"Since the soldiers all know how to use weapons, it will be easy to handle." After Sokov said this, he ordered Weisbach: "Colonel Weisbach, immediately order people to collect the weapons of the drunken commanders and soldiers and put them away Weapons are given to commanders and combatants who are ready to go into battle.”
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Weisbach replied loudly: "I will arrange the manpower to handle this matter."
"You go back and make preparations. When the time comes, you can set off."
After sending away the two division commanders, Sokov asked Samoilov to move the radio station into the room, and then said to the radio operator: "Comrade radio operator, immediately send a telegram to the group army headquarters saying that we are at the Fesky Collective Farm. We found the enemy building fortifications on the high ground to the west, and asked them to monitor the area immediately to see if they could figure out the enemy's number."
The operator agreed and immediately started sending telegrams to the army headquarters.
While the radio operator was sending the report, Lunev walked up to Sokov and asked: "Comrade Commander, what do you think the number of this enemy group is?"
"I don't know, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov said expressionlessly: "Although I haven't figured out their numbers yet, I think they are not simple and we must not take them lightly."
"Why not simple?"
Sokov saw a map on the table. After looking down for a while, he found the location of Fesky's collective farm. Then he pointed at the map and explained to Luniev: "Comrade Military Commissar, take a look. The location where the enemy built fortifications was to the west of the Fisky collective farm. In other words, their connection with the Kharkov garrison was cut off by us.
In this case, not only did they not retreat, but they also built fortifications to the west of our army. They do this for two purposes: first, when our army launches an attack on Kharkov, they can attack our sides and rear, preventing us from attacking the city with all our strength; second, if our army attacks smoothly, the people in Kharkov city When the defenders are desperate, they can also assist the defenders in breaking out..."
After listening to Sokov's analysis, Luniev couldn't help but nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, Comrade Commander, what you said makes perfect sense. It seems that it is completely necessary to eliminate this enemy."
After he paused for a moment, he asked Sokov tentatively: "Comrade Commander, if the 300th Division has just been re-established, their combat effectiveness must not be complimented. Do you think it is possible to mobilize other troops from Dergach to eliminate this unit?" An enemy?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, since I have given the combat order to the 300th Division, how can I mobilize other troops to take over their attack?" Sokov said to Lunev with a serious expression: "The consequences of doing so , will not only damage the commander's prestige; at the same time, it will also chill the commanders and fighters of the 300th Division."
Sokov's words made Lunev realize that he had not considered the problem carefully enough, which would bring about a series of adverse consequences. He quickly changed the topic and said: "By the way, how should the 300th Division's insufficient weapons be solved? It's a request. Will your superiors allocate some more weapons and ammunition?"
"Our army and the German army are currently in a fierce battle, and the consumption of weapons and ammunition by each unit is astronomical." Hearing Lunev's question, Sokov couldn't help but began to worry: "Even if we apply to our superiors, under the current situation Under such circumstances, it may take a month or two before we can be provided with the weapons we need."
"What, a month or two later?" Lunev was stunned by the time Sokov said. He knew Sokov's ability very well. Even in a difficult battle, as long as Sokov's troops participate, It will never take more than a month: "By then our army might have liberated Kharkov and driven the enemy far away from the edge of the city."
"It seems that we can only replenish weapons and ammunition for the 300th Division through seizures..."
Before Sokov finished speaking, he heard a rush of footsteps outside the door, and then a soldier with branches tied to his head and body rushed in from outside. After entering the door, he came directly to Captain Mikhailev and said excitedly: "Comrade Captain, good news, we found a German ammunition warehouse in the south..."
"Ammunition warehouse?!" Before Mikhailev could speak, Sokov, who was worrying about the equipment of the 300th Division, heard the soldier's report and rushed over, grabbed the opponent's lapel and asked loudly: "What do you mean? Where is the German ammunition depot?"
The soldier was caught by a stranger who rushed out from beside him. He was startled at first. When he saw clearly that the person who captured him was actually Sokov, he replied in a panic: "Comrade Commander, it's south of the farm, a few meters away." It’s about five kilometers from here.”
Sokov let go of the opponent's shirt, took a step back, and then asked: "What weapons are there in the warehouse? How many are there? Are there any enemies nearby?..."
After listening to Sokov's series of questions, the soldier paused for a moment, and then began to report: "Comrade Commander, the warehouse mainly contains submachine guns and rifles used by infantry, as well as a certain number of MG42 general-purpose machine guns. Although there is no statistics on the number, but according to In my judgment, there should be no problem in equipping two divisions.”
Lunev couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard this, and said to Sokov repeatedly: "Comrade Commander, did you hear that? Our scouts discovered a German arsenal south of the farm, which contained enough equipment to equip two divisions. equipment. In this way, the problems we are facing can be solved."
But instead of being happy, Sokov frowned. He stared at the soldier and asked: "Comrade soldier, the two divisions you mentioned, do you mean our army's division, or the German army's division-level organization?" At that time? The Soviet army's organic division numbered 8,000 men, while the German army's one division numbered 15,000 men, so Sokov had this question.
"Of course it is the formation of a German division!"
"you sure?!"
"OK!" the soldier explained: "After we entered the warehouse, we took a rough look at the area where the arms were placed, and we can roughly calculate how many weapons there are. Comrade Commander, this is the basic skill of our scouts, and we will never do it. Incorrect."
Hearing the soldier's answer so conclusively, a smile appeared on Sokov's face. He raised his hand and patted the soldier's shoulder twice, and said with a smile: "Comrade soldier, you are good. Wait for this time After the battle, I will definitely award you with honors."
After Sokov said this, he shouted to the door: "Samoilov."
Following the shouting, Samoilov ran in from outside, straightened his back and asked: "Comrade Commander, what are your instructions?"
"Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov ordered him: "Go out and invite Colonel Weisbach and Colonel Atakuz, and tell them that I have something important to inform them."
Weisbach and Atakuz, who were busy gathering troops, were very puzzled when they heard Samoilov saying that Sokov wanted to see them. They whispered to each other: "Comrade Commander, there will be a meeting with us if he comes to us." What's going on?"
"Will we be asked to cancel the military operation in the early morning?"
"This is impossible." Weisbach, who knew Sokov, immediately retorted: "Comrade Commander always follows his words, and the orders he gives will never be canceled without reason." "There is no need. ." Sokov simply rejected Weisbach's proposal: "There are only a few hundred enemies on the high ground now. If you three thousand people can't eat them, then don't be a division commander and go back and be honest. Be your deputy brigade commander."
Sokov's words stimulated Weisbach, who said aggrievedly: "I just asked Colonel Atakuz, and he said that one-third of the commanders and fighters in the army are unarmed. In other words, they are ready to participate in the battle. Of the 3,000 people, I am afraid that one-third or more of the commanders and combatants will be unarmed. The more people we have participating in the battle, the greater the chance of victory."
What Weisbach said was beyond Sokov's expectation. He asked Atakuz sideways: "Comrade Colonel, is this true?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Atakuz replied truthfully: "My division was reorganized after the Battle of Kursk. Although it has as many as 8,000 people, one-third of it The commanders and fighters were unarmed."
"So many people don't have weapons, what should we do in battle?" Lunev was used to the well-equipped Sokov troops. Suddenly he heard that the 300th Division would be short of weapons. He thought it was incredible: "We can't let this happen. When our soldiers fight, they charge at the enemy with bare hands, right?”
"Comrade Military Commissar, the situation is similar to what you said." Atakuz looked at Lunev and replied with some embarrassment: "Due to the lack of weapons, our grassroots companies are all configured according to the standard of three people and two guns. .When one of the three men dies, the warrior without a weapon can pick up the weapon of the sacrificial warrior and continue fighting."
"Nonsense, this is simply nonsense." After hearing what the other party said, Lunev said angrily: "If no one among the three is sacrificed, will the soldier without weapons have to squat in the trench and stare helplessly? Watching your comrades fighting the enemy?"
"That's pretty much it."
"Colonel Atakuz, let me ask you a question." Sokov felt that the lack of weapons in the troops was not a problem. He could solve the problem by seizing them or asking his superiors to allocate them. What needs to be clarified now is whether the commanders and fighters of the 300th Division will all use weapons: "Will all soldiers use our army's weapons?"
"That's for sure, Comrade Commander." Atakuz replied: "Although the number of weapons distributed to us by our superiors is insufficient, every soldier has undergone military training and knows how to use weapons."
"Since the soldiers all know how to use weapons, it will be easy to handle." After Sokov said this, he ordered Weisbach: "Colonel Weisbach, immediately order people to collect the weapons of the drunken commanders and soldiers and put them away Weapons are given to commanders and combatants who are ready to go into battle.”
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Weisbach replied loudly: "I will arrange the manpower to handle this matter."
"You go back and make preparations. When the time comes, you can set off."
After sending away the two division commanders, Sokov asked Samoilov to move the radio station into the room, and then said to the radio operator: "Comrade radio operator, immediately send a telegram to the group army headquarters saying that we are at the Fesky Collective Farm. We found the enemy building fortifications on the high ground to the west, and asked them to monitor the area immediately to see if they could figure out the enemy's number."
The operator agreed and immediately started sending telegrams to the army headquarters.
While the radio operator was sending the report, Lunev walked up to Sokov and asked: "Comrade Commander, what do you think the number of this enemy group is?"
"I don't know, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov said expressionlessly: "Although I haven't figured out their numbers yet, I think they are not simple and we must not take them lightly."
"Why not simple?"
Sokov saw a map on the table. After looking down for a while, he found the location of Fesky's collective farm. Then he pointed at the map and explained to Luniev: "Comrade Military Commissar, take a look. The location where the enemy built fortifications was to the west of the Fisky collective farm. In other words, their connection with the Kharkov garrison was cut off by us.
