Red Moscow

  Chapter 264 The New Infantry Brigade (2)

   Waiting for several newly promoted battalion commanders to split up their work, Sokov said to Belkin: "Comrade political commissar, I really didn't expect that the headquarters would pass the front army headquarters and directly reorganize our battalion into an infantry brigade."

"Comrade Brigadier, it can be seen that this is the affirmation of your ability and achievements by the superior." After Belkin finished speaking, he tentatively asked: "The expansion of the army is very convenient. The original squad leader was promoted Platoon leader, platoon leader is promoted to company commander, and company commander is promoted to battalion commander. Do you think we should report to the front army headquarters after we have completed the expansion, so that the commander can know what to do?"

"Comrade Commissar, what you said is very reasonable." Sokov considered that the expansion of the battalion into a brigade was an order from the headquarters directly over the head of the front army. As a member of the Bryansk front army, it was reasonable All should report to Rokossovsky. Thinking of this, he asked Lieutenant Maxim, the newly promoted commander of the communications company, to send a telegram to the front army headquarters, reporting the expansion in detail.

   When receiving the telegram from Sokov, Rokossovsky was also taken aback. He didn't expect that the base camp would bypass him and directly give Sokov an order to expand the troops. Although there is a lot of dissatisfaction in my heart, since it is the decision made by the superior, even if I am the commander of the front army, I have no right to change it. He handed the telegram to Ma Linin and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you think of this matter?"

Malinin carefully read the telegram sent by Sokov, and he naturally understood what Rokossovsky was thinking because he was thoughtful, and said quickly: "Comrade Commander, I think the expansion of the Istria battalion into an infantry brigade , is absolutely necessary. We all know what Sokov's command ability is. If he has always commanded a battalion, then his command ability will not be fully demonstrated. But now he is commanding an infantry brigade , I believe that he can make great achievements in the next battle."

  Rokossovsky naturally understood that letting Sokov command a brigade played a role that was definitely no less than that of an infantry army. The dissatisfaction in my heart just now was just because the superior didn't say hello to himself, so he gave Sokov an order directly. After Ma Linin finished speaking, he said with some concern: "They only have a few hundred people. Even if they are expanded into an infantry brigade, it is just a skeleton. I am afraid it will be difficult to form combat effectiveness in a short period of time. It is a pity that our current strength is limited, otherwise we can Allocate to him a portion of the force, so that his infantry brigade will be worthy of the name."

  What Rokossovsky said was exactly what Malinin was worried about. He thought for a while, and then said: "Comrade commander, do you think this is okay? I will send a telegram to Sokov and ask him what difficulties he has. Then we will discuss how to help him."

"It seems like this is the only way to go." Rokossovsky nodded, and said to Malinin: "After you send him a telegram, send a telegram to Major General Rotmistrov, urging his tanks to move forward first." The 7th Army hastened its march and must arrive at Kursk within two days to join Sokov's 73rd Infantry Brigade."

   After receiving Malinin's telegram, Rotmistrov really couldn't laugh or cry. Why didn't he want to rush to Kursk as soon as possible to join the troops occupying the city. However, the road traffic conditions are too bad, and the speed of the tank troops does not exceed five kilometers per hour. Even if they want to speed up, there is no way.

The Chief of Staff of the    Army asked him tentatively: "Comrade Commander, would you like to call back the Front Army Command and report to them the difficulties we have encountered?"

"No, there is only one infantry battalion standing in the city of Kursk. They can't stop the enemy's attack at all. We must rush to support them as soon as possible." After a short thought, Rotmistrov decided decisively He said: "Call back the front army headquarters and say that our army will speed up the march and rush to Kursk to join the friendly army within the specified time."

  Seeing that Rotmistrov's attitude was so resolute, the Chief of Army Staff couldn't persuade him anymore, so he agreed and turned around to send a telegram. And Rotmistrov ordered a staff officer: "Immediately organize people to cut down trees and lay a road ahead that can control the passage of tanks."

   After reading Malinin's telegram, Sokov handed it to Belkin and asked, "Comrade political commissar, take a look. What difficulties do we have in our brigade and need our superiors to help us solve?"

Belkin read the telegram, thought for a while, and then said: "Comrade brigade commander, after the rapid expansion of our brigade, there will be a serious shortage of grassroots commanders. See, can we ask the head of the front army to support us?" A batch of commanders, so that they can be added to the various combat units."

"That's right, we do lack commanders at all levels." Sokov stood up and walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back: "But the Front Army Command is also facing the same problem, even if we make a request in this regard , and may not be able to be satisfied. In my opinion, it is better to call back the chief of the front army, saying that we will find a way to overcome the difficulties we are currently facing."

"Comrade brigade commander," Belkin saw that Sokov said so lightly, and specifically reminded him: "There is a big gap in commanders at all levels in the brigade. We can promote the lack of company and platoon commanders from below. .But there is still a vacancy for a battalion commander, and no suitable candidate can be found in the brigade.”

Hearing what Belkin said, Sokov couldn't help but think of the former commander of the third company, Savyev. Although his ability was limited, he had participated in a lot of fierce battles and had rich combat experience. Let him serve as the commander of the fourth battalion. Long, it should still be barely competent. But he changed his mind. Vanya rescued nearly a thousand captured soldiers in the prisoner-of-war camp in the south of the city. Among them, there must be quite a few commanders. Perhaps a group of them can be selected to return to command positions at all levels. .

  Thinking of this, he said to Belkin: "Don't worry, Comrade Political Commissar, I plan to go and see the rescued prisoners of war, and see if we can pick out some suitable commanders from among them."

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Belkin tried his best to dissuade him and said: "Comrade brigade commander, I think it is inappropriate for an officer who has just come out of a prisoner-of-war camp to take such an important position. I think you should think of other ways." .”

Seeing that Belkin objected to his opinion, Sokov did not argue with him, but asked instead: "Comrade political commissar, since you are opposed to selecting officers from prisoners of war to serve as commanders at all levels, then you have suitable candidates, Are you coming to be the commander of the Fourth Battalion?"

  Belkin nodded after hearing this, and said in an affirmative tone: "Yes, I do know that there is such a person who is fully qualified for the post of battalion commander."

   "Who?" Sokov asked curiously.

   "Captain Briski, a platoon leader in a company of four." Belkin said with a smile: "I think he is qualified for the position of battalion commander."

  (end of this chapter)