Red Moscow

  Chapter 624 Promotion to Military Rank

  Khrushchev did not let Sokov wear the medal, but asked bluntly: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, do you know why we called you here?"

  Sokov was not a roundworm in Khrushchev's stomach. He couldn't guess why the other party called him here, so he shook his head and replied truthfully: "I'm sorry, Comrade Military Commissioner, I don't know."

"Come here!" Khrushchev took off one of the lamps hanging on the pillar, got up, came to the wall, pointed to the map on the wall, and said to Sukov: "Just as you were crossing the river, the Germans asked Austria There is an onslaught on the unnamed heights north of Erlovka."

"Unknown highland?" When Sokov heard what Khrushchev said, he was taken aback for a moment, then his whole body was shocked, and then he asked tentatively: "Comrade military commissar, you mean the one that I occupied when I led the troops to break through?" German positions."

"That's right, it's there." Khrushchev nodded, and continued to introduce to Sokov: "Last night, we received a telegram from General Rokossovsky, and learned that you , occupied an important stronghold north of Orlovka. If the troops of the two fronts move there at the same time, it is possible to realize the possibility of joining forces. After consulting the Supreme Command, the commander issued a new order to Chuikov Combat orders, let him immediately send troops to Orlovka, ready to join the friendly troops going south."

  Sokov was still at a loss when he heard this. He felt that since the position had been handed over to the friendly army, what happened next had nothing to do with him. My current primary task is to lead the troops back to the city to strengthen the defense of Mamayev Gang, lest it be occupied by the German army.

Khrushchev didn't notice Sokov's absent-mindedness, but continued: "Chuikov gathered his troops and attacked in the direction of Orlovka; while Rokossovsky also took advantage of the darkness to attack the unknown highland A large number of troops were mobilized in the direction. The enemy noticed our actions and immediately sent people to contact the troops stationed on the unnamed highland, only to find that the place had already fallen, so they mobilized heavy troops to Orlovka overnight, and after dawn, sent to the The unnamed heights have launched an attack."

  From Khrushchev's narration, Sokov finally understood what happened. When he led his troops away from the unnamed highland, he knew that sooner or later the enemy would find that his position had long since changed hands. He did not expect it to be exposed so soon. After Khrushchev finished speaking, he asked cautiously, "Comrade Military Commissar, is the position still in our hands?"

"Yes, the commanders and fighters of the Don Front Army are still sticking to their positions." Yeremenko, who was standing aside, interjected, "In order to prevent us from joining forces with our friendly forces, Paulus dispatched a large number of tanks and planes to try to recapture the unknown High ground. In just one hour, thousands of shells and aerial bombs fell on the unnamed high ground, turning the soil on the entire position upside down. The enemy thought that our defenders were destroyed by their artillery shells and aerial bombs. When the ammunition disappeared, the tanks opened the way and led the infantry towards our position."

  Although Yelymenko had already told Sokov that the position was still in the hands of friendly troops, when he heard this, the thought that the unnamed highland had been lost still flashed through his mind. He waited until Yelymenko had finished speaking before asking, "Comrade Commander, the casualties of the 298th Division must have been considerable."

   Yelymenko nodded, and said with a painful expression: "The 298th Division repelled two German assaults in a row, but their casualties exceeded half, and even the division commander Vasilyev was injured."

   "Ah, is General Vasilyev injured?" Sokov asked with concern when he heard that the commander he knew was injured, "Is his injury serious?"

"I didn't ask about this." As the commander of the front army, Yelymenko naturally didn't care about the injury of an ordinary division commander. He shook his head and continued: "But I didn't hear what Rokossovsky said. If the commander of the division is to be replaced, presumably he can continue to stay on the battlefield to command the battle."

  Sokov secretly muttered in his heart that it would be a matter of time before the German army launched an attack on the unnamed highland. Now that I have handed over the position to the friendly army, even if the fight there is in full swing, what does it have to do with me?

  With this question in mind, he asked cautiously, "Comrade Commander, I wonder if you told me to come to the headquarters. Do you have any instructions?"

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, let me explain to you." Seeing that Sokov asked this question again, Khrushchev took the initiative to say: "According to the German telegrams we intercepted and the information returned by the scouts, A conclusion has been drawn: the German army has transferred its forces northward that were intended to attack the Dzerzhinsky workers."

Sokov knew something about the fact that the German army was about to concentrate its superior forces to attack the Dzerzhinsky factory. He was still worried that if Chuikov saw that the 37th Guards Division standing there could not withstand the German attack, he would You will not let yourself be a firefighter and lead troops to reinforce. At this moment, when Khrushchev said that the enemy's troops were transferred to the north, his face immediately showed a pleasant expression: "Comrade Military Commissioner, if the enemy's troops are really transferred to the north, doesn't it mean that the number of enemies in the factory area will decrease. We Will the pressure on our troops be greatly reduced?"

"You're right, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov." Yeremenko said with a smile: "The enemy's forces moved north, and the strength they used to attack several factory areas was weakened. We think we can take advantage of this Opportunity, give the Germans another counterattack."

"What, do you want to fight back?" Sokov heard Yelymenko say this, his jaw almost fell to the ground in surprise, he thought to himself that the scars were healed and the pain was forgotten. The counterattack carried out a few days ago, just now After being beaten to shame by the Germans, before he could catch his breath, he couldn't wait to launch a new counterattack. He immediately realized that Yelyomenko and the others had brought him here, which must have something to do with this new counterattack.

Sokov's guess was soon confirmed. Khrushchev put a hand on his shoulder and said kindly: "Misha, after repeated research, we feel that if we want to The most suitable place to launch a counterattack against the German army again is the area around Mamayev Hill and the Red October Factory where your infantry brigade is holding on."

Knowing that his superiors really planned to launch a counterattack against the Germans in the area he was in charge of, Sokov only felt his scalp go numb, thinking that in the absence of air support and tank cover, he could rely on his subordinates to fight back against the Germans. Thousands of infantry, if you want to counterattack the German army, it is like hitting a stone with a pebble.

After Khrushchev finished speaking, seeing that Sokov hadn't made a statement, he asked with a smile: "How about it, Misha, are you confident in this counterattack? I think if your father is still alive, he will definitely be able to do so." Satisfactorily complete all the tasks of the superior."

  Sokov was going to propose an opposition plan and told Khrushchev that they did not yet have the conditions for a counteroffensive. Unexpectedly, when the other party brought out the "father" that he had never met, in order not to embarrass his "father", he could only swallow the words when they reached his mouth.

He coughed softly, and said tactfully: "Comrade Military Commissioner, to launch such a counterattack, at least tens of thousands of troops are needed, and the cooperation of artillery, tanks and air force is also required. But now, my subordinates only have two Three thousand people, without the cooperation of the air force and tanks..."

"Don't worry, Misha. We won't let you fight alone." Khrushchev comforted Sokov: "Colonel Gurdiyev's 308th Infantry Division will join forces with Lyudnikov after being supplemented. Colonel Fu’s 138th Infantry Division will enter the city together to participate in your counterattack. Moreover, the troops attacking from the direction of the Red October Factory will be supported by tanks.”

   "Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov waited for Khrushchev to finish speaking, and asked respectfully, "Since several troops are participating in this counterattack, I wonder who you plan to appoint as the commander?"

Khrushchev pointed to Sokov and said: "Anyway, that is your territory. Before the German army attacked Stalingrad, your troops have been stationed there, and you are most familiar with the terrain. Therefore, this For the counterattack this time, I think it's perfectly appropriate for you to command it."

Seeing that Khrushchev had entrusted himself with such an important task, Sokov said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Military Commissar, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for me to command the troops. The commanders of the other troops participating in the war are all colonels, and I'm just a lieutenant colonel, and I have no experience in commanding a group of commanders who rank higher than myself."

"What's inappropriate, don't think I don't know. Several of your commanders now have the rank of colonel." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Khrushchev exposed his lie: "Since you think the military rank is too low, let us adjust it for you."

When Khrushchev said this, he gave Yeremenko a wink at Yeremenko who had returned to the table, and the latter nodded after seeing it, and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Sukov, since you are fighting with the Faxi Temple invaders In the battle, the bravery and heroism shown, as well as the great results achieved. In addition to awarding you the Order of the Red Banner, you will be officially promoted to the rank of colonel."

  Sokov didn't expect that he had just won the Order of the Red Banner, and he was promoted to colonel before he warmed up in his arms. Things happened so fast that he felt as if he was in a dream.

Seeing Sokov standing there in a daze like a goose after hearing the news of his promotion, Khrushchev and Yeremenko smiled at each other, then stretched out their hands to him, and said sincerely: " Misha, I congratulate you on your higher rank."

  Khrushchev's words made Sokov wake up from the shock. He quickly held the other party's hand and said excitedly, "Thank you, thank you, Comrade Military Commissar."

  (end of this chapter)