Red Moscow

  Chapter 443 Departure (Part 2)

  Since Sokov came to this war-torn era, he has led troops disguised as German troops to perform various tasks many times, and they have achieved good results. This time he was ordered to meet Rokossovsky's troops, and he instinctively felt that letting the soldiers wear German uniforms might avoid unnecessary casualties when passing through the enemy's defenses.

  So when he heard Belkin's question, he nodded and said, "That's right, Comrade Political Commissar, that's how I think about it."

  Belkin and Sokov have been partners for a long time. Hearing what Sokov said, he quickly took out his notebook and checked the number of German uniforms in the warehouse to see if they could meet the needs of the soldiers of the 192nd Battalion.

  But Sidolin said worriedly: "Comrade Brigadier, is it a bit too risky to let our troops disguise themselves as German troops? I am worried that I will be noticed when passing through the enemy's defense zone."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, you can rest assured that our brigade has disguised itself as the German army several times to carry out combat missions, and has achieved good results." Sokov said to him in order to dispel Sidolin's concerns: "We When passing through the enemy's line of defense, not only the soldiers of the 192nd Battalion were all wearing German uniforms, but there were also five real German armored vehicles. Even if they were discovered by the enemy, they would think they were troops ordered to go somewhere."

"Comrade Brigadier, the statistics have been calculated." Belkin frowned and said, "There are only two hundred sets of German uniforms that can be used in the warehouse. That is to say, you can only have two hundred soldiers at most disguised as German uniforms." people."

  Belkin's words made Sokov feel cold. According to his original plan, the operation would take 300 people. But now there are only two hundred sets of German uniforms in the warehouse, which means that the number of people will be reduced by one third.

   Seeing Sokov's sullen look, Belgin guessed what was on his mind, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Brigadier, why don't we take off the uniforms of those German soldiers who were killed?"

"No, you can't use dead people's uniforms." The reason why Sokov strongly opposes the use of dead people's uniforms is because there are holes and bloodstains on these uniforms. If soldiers wear them, as long as the Germans are not blind, they can immediately Found a flaw. "The bloodstains and bullet holes on those military uniforms will expose our soldiers."

  Belkin asked with some concern: "Comrade Brigadier, in this way, you can only take two hundred soldiers with you in the northward operation. If there is a battle with the enemy, will you be able to escape smoothly?"

Sokov thought for a while about Belkin's worries, then shook his head and said, "I think, even if there is a firefight with the enemy, there should be no problem if you want to escape." Seeing Sokov's confidence, Belkin didn't say anything more, but got up and left, and went to the warehouse to check the condition of the military uniform.

   "Comrade Brigadier, I would like to ask." After Belkin left, Sidolin asked curiously: "When will the troops you lead leave?"

"I think it will be two days at the earliest." After Sukov finished speaking, he saw a puzzled expression on Sidolin's face, and without waiting for him to ask questions, he said, "According to the plan of the headquarters, we should After the main force of the group army launches an attack on the enemy, it will choose a suitable opportunity to pass through the enemy's defense line and go north to join the troops of the Stalingrad Front Army. However, the troops participating in the attack are still gathering on the east bank and will arrive in the city before dawn tomorrow. That's pretty fast. We'll wait for their attack to start and catch the attention of the Germans, and then we'll sneak north, pass through the enemy's defenses, and join up with the friendly forces."

  ...

  Although the sailors of the Volga River Fleet have tried everything, after a day and night of hard work, they only successfully transported two of the three infantry divisions participating in the attack across the Volga River.

  In his headquarters, Chuikov received the commanders of the 95th and 112th Rifle Divisions and the commander of the 84th Tank Brigade. He first shook hands with the three commanders one by one, and then said in a solemn tone: "Commanders, according to the combat plan of the Front Army Command, we will launch an attack after dawn. However, because the 284th Infantry Division failed to cross the across the Volga, so I have to increase your offensive front."

Regarding Chuikov's statement, the two infantry division commanders were very calm, and only Colonel Bely, the commander of the 84th Tank Brigade, asked: "Comrade commander, I would like to ask, before the offensive began, was there artillery fire?" Are you ready?"

  The two infantry division commanders immediately turned their attention to Chuikov when they heard Colonel Bely's question, waiting quietly for the other's answer. You must know that if the troops are not supported by artillery when they attack, they will inevitably pay a huge price.

"Yes," Chuikov said, nodding his head, "although our artillery is stationed on the left bank of the Volga, on Mamayev Post on the right bank, we have artillery spotters who can monitor the artillery on the other side of the river." Provide shooting parameters to accurately strike German ground targets."

Knowing that there was artillery support, the two infantry division commanders both breathed a sigh of relief. Colonel Gorishny, commander of the 95th Division, said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, although our offensive front has expanded, as long as there is artillery support , I believe my fighters will be able to complete this counterattack mission satisfactorily."

  After Gorishny finished speaking, Colonel Yermogin, the commander of the 112th Division, said not to be outdone, "Comrade Commander, and our division, can also complete this counterattack mission well."

Regarding the statements of the two division commanders, Cui Kefu nodded in satisfaction, and then said: "You must be exhausted after not resting all night, so go back to your respective units to rest." He raised his hand and looked at his watch, "Our offensive will It officially starts at 12:00 noon, and before that, your soldiers can take the time to sleep."

  The counter-attack carried out by the 62nd Army was ready to start at twelve noon. Following Chuikov's order, the five artillery regiments deployed on the left bank of the Volga fired at the German defensive zone at the same time. For a while, fire and smoke enveloped the German defensive positions.

   Sokov, who was staying in his headquarters, received a report from the observation post on the top of the hill, and learned that a counterattack in the direction of the factory area had begun. Although Sokov didn't know what kind of troops Chuikov would use to counterattack the German army, he knew very well in his heart that as soon as the offensive started, the attention of the German army would be attracted by Chuikov's attacking troops. This army has an opportunity to take advantage of it.

  Sokov stared at the map, thinking over and over in his mind where the troops he was leading should pass through the sparse German defense zone and go north to meet the southward troops of the Stalingrad Front.

  Seeing Sokov standing motionless in front of the map, Sidolin knew that he was considering a course of action, so he walked over and asked, "Comrade Brigadier, from where do you plan to cross the enemy's line of defense?"

   "I don't know, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov looked up at Sidolin and replied truthfully: "All I can do now is wait."

Regarding Sokov's answer, Sidolin asked in puzzlement: "Comrade Brigadier, how could you not know? You must know that the counterattack by the army group is about to start, but you don't know what to lead the troops from?" place through the enemy's lines?"

Facing Sidolin's question, Sokov replied unhurriedly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't look at me accepting the task of leading troops north to join friendly forces. But under the current circumstances, I don't know Stalinger From where will the troops of the Le Front Army go south, and where should we join them. Before I get the exact situation, I can't determine where I should cross the enemy's line of defense."

  After listening to what Sokov said, Sidolin immediately realized that he had misunderstood Sokov, and quickly apologized to him, saying: "I'm sorry, Comrade Brigadier, I was thinking too superficially..."

"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, there is no need to say the following." Sokov said magnanimously: "The main force of our right wing is about to launch a large-scale counterattack against the enemy, but I am indifferent at the moment. some ideas."

  In order to make up for his fault, Sidolin took the initiative to ask Sokov: "Comrade Brigadier, do you think it is up to me to call the headquarters to find out where you are going?"

Regarding Sidolin's kindness, Sokov shook his head and refused: "Thank you, Comrade Chief of Staff. But there is no need to make this call, because judging from all indications, General Rokossovsky's troops have not yet been able to break through the enemy. defense, so we can only stand still for now.”

  Because the attention of the German army was attracted by Rokossovsky's troops, the blockage encountered by the 62nd Army's counterattack was much weaker than expected. At least the troops were not bombed by the German Air Force during the offensive, and were able to successfully break through the German first line of defense.

  The German army discovered that the Soviet army in the city was also taking action, trying to join the Stalingrad Front Army, which was attacking from the north, and quickly mobilized troops to strengthen the defense line facing the city. In this way, it will be a bit difficult for the Soviet army to advance further.

  Cui Kefu was extremely anxious when he saw that the troops' attack was blocked. He saw that the 95th Infantry Division on the left wing was wedged into the German defense line farther than the 112th Division, so he considered asking Gorishni's troops to increase their offensive strength to support the 112th Division on the right wing. He asked Gorishny on the phone: "Comrade Colonel, how is the situation there, can you continue to advance deep into the enemy?"

"It's very difficult, Comrade Commander." Gorishny complained to Chuikov: "Don't look at our division has been wedged into the German defense line for three kilometers, but the enemy's resistance is increasing. It is very difficult for us to continue to advance. of."

"Comrade Colonel," Chuikov directly chose to ignore Gorishny's complaints: "At present, Colonel Yermogin's 112th Division is repeatedly competing with the enemy for the first line of defense. You should find a way to help them. .Once the enemy recovers the lost positions, you will be a lone army, in danger of being cut off by the enemy at any time."

Gorish didn't understand what Cuikov said. He also wanted to break through the German defenses as soon as possible and go north to join the friendly forces. The current position has already taken a lot of effort. It is almost impossible to continue to attack forward.

  However, Cuikov's reminder still aroused his vigilance. If the 112th Division on the right was really repelled by the Germans, then the enemy could attack from his own side. My main force is concentrated on the front, and the flanks are relatively weak, unable to withstand the German attack at all. Once the German army intercepts the army, the troops are in danger of being divided and wiped out. Thinking of this, he quickly expressed his position to Chuikov: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will find a way to support the friendly forces on the right."

   Seeing Chuikov put down the phone, Krylov quickly reminded him: "Comrade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov's northward team is still on standby. Look, when will they start?"

"Wait a little longer, Comrade Chief of Staff." Chuikov immediately replied after hearing Krylov's words, "We still don't know where General Rokossovsky's troops will break through the German defense line. We have to wait until we know the exact location of their breakthrough before sending Sokov's troops out in time."

"Comrade Commander, I think it's better to call the Front Command." Krylov suggested to Chuikov: "Let's ask the commander to contact General Rokossovsky to find out what's going on with them. How, so that a corresponding deployment can be made.”

   "Good idea," Cuikov turned his head and told his communications director: "Colonel Yulin, help me get through to the Front Army Command immediately. I want to talk to Comrade Commander immediately."

A few minutes later, the call to the headquarters of the Front Army was connected. When Chuikov heard Khrushchev's voice coming from the receiver, he immediately said: "Hello, dear Nikita Sergeyev. Strange! This is Chuikov, is Comrade Commander here?"

"The 284th Infantry Division of Lieutenant Colonel Batyuk is gathering by the river, and Comrade Commander has gone to check the preparations for crossing the river." Khrushchev asked on the phone: "Comrade Chuikov, what do you need from him? "

"That's right, Comrade Military Commissar." Chuikov said respectfully, "I want to know the progress on General Rokossovsky's side and where they plan to break through the German defenses so that they can arrange troops to fight with them." Join us."

After figuring out the purpose of Chuikov's call, Khrushchev said pleasantly: "Comrade Chuikov, please don't hang up the phone, give me two minutes, I will ask the chief of staff about the situation of the Stalingrad Front Army, and then I will tell you in detail."

  (end of this chapter)