Red Moscow

  Chapter 325 Chief of Staff takes office

  When Khrushchev and Lopatin went to visit the sick, Vanya also rushed over after handling the checkpoint matters. As soon as he saw Sokov and Belkin, he took the initiative to admit his mistake to them: "Brigade Commander, Comrade Political Commissar, I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I have caused you trouble."

"Captain Vanya, what did you do wrong?" Sokov looked at Vanya and said, "If you are here to apologize to us for what happened at the checkpoint. I can tell you that it is not necessary. Warrior They were doing their job and they did nothing wrong."

   "But, Comrade Brigadier." Vanya said with lingering fear, "Is that a general?"

"So what about the general? The general has to be reasonable, and it's their fault." After comforting Vanya, Sokov asked curiously: "Comrade Captain, I want to ask, you said our soldiers There was a conflict with General Lopatin's men, how many were there at that time?"

"There were eight soldiers on duty at the checkpoint. They asked General Lopatin to show their credentials. Who knew that the other party not only ignored them, but also had a very bad attitude. There was arguing and arguing, and I didn't know who would make the first move, and the two sides fought When Vanya heard Sokov ask about the conflict between the soldiers at the checkpoint and General Lopatin’s subordinates, he naturally wanted to report in detail: “Although their numbers are twice as many, our soldiers have never been defeated. .”

   Regarding the conflict at the checkpoint, he also planned to include seven guards under Lopatin. Sokov thought that the number of the two sides was roughly equal. After listening to Vanya's explanation, he realized that the opponent's number was twice as many as his subordinates. With such a disparity in numbers, Sukov felt that his subordinates were able to win and made Lopatin so angry that it was a great thing.

As soon as Vanya finished speaking, Sokov said with a smile: "It's really great, our fighters are really great. It's really amazing to be able to beat the opponent to the ground even when the number is at a disadvantage. It's a pity that I don't have the right to award them medals, otherwise, for this matter, I will definitely award a medal to each soldier at the checkpoint."

"Comrade Brigadier," Sokov had just finished expressing his stance, and Belkin reminded him in a low voice beside him: "If this is not conducive to unity, I think it's better not to say it. Otherwise, it will spread and affect the peace and harmony. friendly relations."

  Next, Sokov asked Vanya about the situation of the troops stationed in the tunnel: "Captain Vanya, which company of yours is stationed in the tunnel?"

"Each company has transferred two platoons into the tunnels to adapt to the environment." Vanya replied, "Although quite a few soldiers reported that they felt an inexplicable sense of oppression inside, I believe that as long as they are allowed to After a few days, they can still adapt to this kind of tunnel life."

"Lieutenant Vanya, I think it is necessary to say hello to you in advance." Sokov said with a serious expression: "If the battle starts near Mamayev Hill, the time our commanders and fighters stay in the tunnel is not We must stay in the tunnel for a few days or even a week, but for a month, two months or even longer. Therefore, all commanders and fighters must be mentally prepared, understand?"

   "Understood, Comrade Brigadier Commander." Vanya nodded in embarrassment.

"Comrade Captain," Belkin said to Vanya with a smile, "Actually, don't take the matter of staying in the tunnel so seriously. You can tell the soldiers to treat it as if you were staying in the subway. There will definitely be some discomfort at first, but after a long time, it will become normal.”

  The three were talking outside the tent. After visiting Chuikov, Khrushchev and Lopatin had returned with their people. Seeing that Chuikov was also in the crowd, Sokov couldn't help showing a surprised expression on his face.

   Khrushchev came to Sokov and said with a smile: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, General Chuikov said that he has nothing else to do, so when I am going to go back, I will send him back to the 64th Army headquarters by the way."

  Sokov didn't answer his words, but just glanced at Chuikov quickly, and saw that he looked much better than when he came back just now. Returning to the army at this time should not cause any serious harm to his body.

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I just checked. Your brigade is still part of the Bryansk Front." Khrushchev waited for Chuikov and Lopakyo to come to him, and asked, "I miss you guys. Now that you have already arrived in Stalingrad, it will be a matter of time before you are incorporated into our front army. Now that the commanders of the 62nd and 64th Army Groups are in front of you, tell me which army group you want your troops to be incorporated into.”

Sokov waited for Khrushchev to finish speaking, and he replied without hesitation: "Report to Comrade Military Commissar, based on the analysis of the current battle situation, if the war is going on in the city, the position of our brigade will be exactly at the No. 62nd Army's combat area. Therefore, I hope that my troops will be included in the army under the command of General Lopatin."

   After listening to Sokov's decision, Lopatin showed a surprised expression on his face. He didn't expect the other party to choose his own troops. When Chuikov heard what Sokov said, he showed a hint of disappointment on his face. Although he had never seen the combat effectiveness of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, a unit that can be upgraded from a company-level unit to an infantry brigade must have Many impressive achievements. He even dreamed of incorporating this unit into his own command, so after Khrushchev offered to send him back to the army headquarters, he specifically proposed to come here to meet Sokov.

   Khrushchev was also surprised by Sokov's decision. He turned his head and glanced at Chuikov beside him, feeling sorry for him. He understood very well that Chuikov was an excellent senior commander, but he lacked troops capable of conscripting and fighting well under his command. If the 73rd Infantry Brigade could be placed under his command, it would definitely shine on the battlefield. Unexpectedly, Sokov chose Lopatin's 62nd Army without hesitation, which is a pity.

  Don't look at Lopatin's dissatisfaction with Sokov because of the conflict at the checkpoint. But now it is a good thing to have such an elite army join his command. Considering this, he temporarily put aside his grievances with Sokov, pretended to be magnanimous and asked, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, since you and your troops have been assigned to my command of the 62nd Army , then if you have any difficulties, just bring them up, and I will solve them for you."

"Comrade Commander," Sokov looked at Lopatin and said respectfully: "The infantry brigade lacks a large number of grassroots commanders. I wonder if you can add a batch to us?" After he finished speaking, Seeing Lopatin's embarrassed face, he suppressed the smile in his heart and continued, "If you can't add so many commanders for a while, you can first arrange a brigade chief of staff for our brigade. You know, if When Commissar Belkin and I were out, there wasn't even a person in charge at the brigade."

  Hearing this, Khrushchev turned to Lopatin and asked, "General Lopatin, can you satisfy Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's request?"

"It's very difficult, Comrade Military Commissar." Lopatin said with a bit of tears and laughter: "You can learn more about the situation on the front line every day. Those units that are fighting **** battles with the German army not only lack soldiers, but also the commanders. The same is lacking. In many companies that suffered heavy casualties, we even had to temporarily promote a group of combat backbones to serve as the military chief officers of the company, so as to ensure that the troops would not lose their combat effectiveness due to the lack of leaders.”

Khrushchev waited for Lopatin to finish complaining, then sighed softly, turned to Chuikov and asked, "General Sokov, although the 73rd Infantry Brigade is not under your command, anyway, they have saved Your name. Can you see if a military commander has been drawn from your unit to supplement the chain of command of the infantry brigade?"

Regarding the request made by Khrushchev, Chuikov only thought for a moment, then nodded, and said: "No problem, although our current situation is not optimistic, but I can transfer 30 grassroots commanders to enrich the Soko Lieutenant Colonel Husband's unit. Also, Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin, the chief of operations of the group army, can come to the 73rd Infantry Brigade to serve as the brigade chief of staff."

  "Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin?" Khrushchev did not raise any objections to the candidate proposed by Chuikov, but asked Chuikov curiously: "Does he have a son who serves as an orderly in your army headquarters?"

"That's right, Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin's son, little Sidolin, has just turned sixteen this year." Chuikov replied, "I think he is too thin, so I didn't let him go to the combat troops below, but stayed behind. It's at Army Group Headquarters."

"Little Sidorin will stay at your headquarters," Khrushchev waited for Chuikov to finish speaking, and immediately ordered him to say, "Let Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin rush over to report immediately. If the infantry brigade does not have a chief of staff, It's really inappropriate."

After Khrushchev left with Chuikov and Lopatin, Vanya asked anxiously: "Comrade Brigadier, why didn't you choose General Chuikov's 64th Army just now, but chose the 62nd Army. You know, Once we become a member of the 62nd Army, those soldiers who have clashed with the commander may be punished by their superiors."

"Didn't I just say that? The location of our brigade is in the combat area assigned to the 62nd Army." Sokov naturally would not tell the two that Lopatin would soon be dismissed and sent He went to the court-martial, and the person who replaced him was Cuikov who was rescued by himself. Seeing that Vanya was worried about his subordinates, he patted his chest and assured him, "Comrade Captain, don't worry. As long as I, Sokov, am the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, no one will be able to embarrass our soldiers."

  Early the next morning, the soldiers on duty at the checkpoint called Sokov, saying that there was a car full of commanders, and asked if they could rest assured. Hearing what the sentry said, Sokov guessed that the military cadres sent by Chuikov had arrived, so he quickly ordered the sentry: "Let go, let go immediately. In addition, you are sending a person to the brigade headquarters with the car, lest they be on the way. Intercepted again."

  After putting down the phone, Sokov smiled and said to Belkin: "Comrade Commissar, if I guessed correctly, the commanders sent by Chuikov should have arrived. Let's go out to meet them."

Knowing that the commanders at all levels sent by Chuikov to the brigade had arrived, Belkin was also very happy. After a brief wash, he put on his military uniform and followed Sokov to the outside of the tent, waiting for a truck full of commanders. arrival.

   After waiting for a few minutes, a truck stopped not far from Sokov and the others. As soon as the car stopped, the soldier standing on the front pedal jumped out of the car, raised his hand to salute Sokov, and reported: "Comrade Brigadier, I have been ordered to deliver the car, please instruct!"

   "Thank you, Comrade Soldier." Sokov nodded at the soldier: "There is nothing for you here, you can go back to your post."

  When the soldier turned to leave, the door on the side of the co-pilot was pushed open from the inside, and a young and not-so-light lieutenant colonel came out. He stood beside the car and looked at where Sokov and Belkin were for a moment, then walked over, raised his hand first and saluted and said, "Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. I am the chief of operations of the 64th Army Lieutenant Colonel Dolin was ordered to report to you!"

"Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff." Knowing that the lieutenant colonel in front of him was the chief of staff sent by Chuikov, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed. All commanders and fighters welcome your arrival."

After the handshake between Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin and Belgin, Sokov continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, let me briefly introduce the situation of the infantry brigade. Our brigade consists of four battalions, and each battalion has three subordinates. Each company has three platoons... Since we expanded our troops in Kursk when we were upgraded from an infantry battalion to an infantry brigade, the strength of a battalion is equivalent to a regiment of a friendly army."

"The strength of a battalion is equivalent to a regiment of a friendly army?" Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin couldn't help interjecting when he heard Suokov say this: "Then our company is equivalent to a battalion of others. Already?" Seeing Sokov nodding in affirmation, he frowned and added, "The troops are so overstaffed, I'm worried that it won't be easy to command in battle."

   "Do you have any good suggestions?" Belkin asked with a smile.

"Each company has three platoons, and each platoon has more than a hundred people." Lieutenant Colonel Sidolin said thoughtfully: "I suggest that the existing platoon be divided into three platoons, that is, Change the original three platoons in each company to nine platoons, and as for the platoon leaders of these new platoons, let the commanders I brought in be the commanders."

   "No problem," Sokov did not object to Sidolin's proposal. On the contrary, he said bluntly, "You are the chief of staff of the brigade. How to adjust the formation of the troops is up to you."

  (end of this chapter)