Chapter 2031:

  Chapter 2031

   "Comrade Chief of Staff, your idea is good." Batov said to his chief of staff; "But whether it can be implemented is another matter."

   "Why?" asked the chief of staff puzzled.

"First of all, it is a question of whether there is a prisoner-of-war camp built by the German army near us." Batov said: "Secondly, even if there is, how should we occupy the prisoner-of-war camp? You know, the Germans are not fools. Once they notice Our intention may be to massacre the commanders and fighters detained in the prisoner-of-war camp before the prisoner-of-war camp falls, and after we occupy the prisoner-of-war camp, what we see will be corpses all over the ground."

The chief of staff thought about it, and there was indeed such a possibility. If they really sent troops to attack the prisoner-of-war camp, when the Germans saw that they could not guard them, they would definitely kill the commanders and fighters in custody. After fighting hard for a long time, they finally entered Then it was discovered that all the commanders and fighters to be rescued were killed, so the loss outweighed the gain.

  Thinking of this, he couldn't help asking: "Comrade Commander, how did the troops of the 48th Army liberate the prisoner-of-war camp? As far as I know, there were almost no casualties when the prisoners were rescued."

Batov shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and said helplessly: "I don't know what's going on, anyway, as far as I know, General Sokov liberated many prisoner-of-war camps. He was rescued. When I have a chance in the future, I will definitely ask him for advice in person.”

Sokov didn't know what happened in Batov's headquarters. He was asking Milesyev about the situation of the rescued commanders and fighters: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you said that among the 4,000 rescued commanders and fighters, those who can be incorporated into the army immediately No more than three thousand people?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Milesyev replied with a nod of his head: "Many commanders and fighters are very weak due to the torture of the Germans in the prisoner-of-war camp. After a period of rest, you will not be able to participate in any battles at all."

   Knowing that there are only 3,000 commanders and fighters who can be incorporated into the army, Sokov can't help but feel a little disappointed. But being able to add some troops to the two divisions and one brigade that is about to enter the war is better than nothing.

  Sokov turned to Kirilov and said: "Comrade Colonel, call the commanders of the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions and the commander of the 122nd Brigade and ask them to come over immediately. I will assign them combat tasks."

  The headquarters of the three commanders are not far from the church. After receiving the call from Kirillov, they all rushed to the temporary headquarters within ten minutes, ready to accept the combat order issued by Sokov.

   "Commanders, commanders," Sokov and others said to them after they arrived: "Not long ago, the superior issued a special order to us, asking us to collect as many prisoners as possible and send them to the front army headquarters..."

  As soon as Sokov said this, Tolstikov couldn't help but interjected and asked: "Comrade Commander, I don't know what the Front Army Command wants us to collect prisoners for?"

"General Tolstikov," Sokov knew that not only Tolstikov wanted to know the answer, but Onuprienko and Victor also wanted to know the answer, so he simply said: "Ba After the start of Operation Gradion, due to the huge results achieved by our army, the Allied forces had doubts. In order to dispel their doubts, the Supreme Command prepared to ask the Front Army Command to provide prisoners to show the Allies what we have achieved Results."

Hearing Sokov say this, Tolstikov showed a surprised expression on his face: "Is this true, Comrade Commander? The superior asked us to provide more prisoners just to show the Allies what we have done. The results obtained?"

   "That's right, that's true." Sokov nodded, and said affirmatively: "Only when the Allied forces see these prisoners of war, will they believe that the results we have achieved are real."

"Commanders, commanders," said Ponegelin, "the more prisoners we provide, the more the allied forces will truly believe in the results we have achieved, so in the next operation, I hope you can capture more prisoners." Many prisoners."

   "Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander." As soon as Ponejielin's voice fell, Onuprienko interjected: "We will definitely live up to your trust and strive to capture more prisoners."

   As Sokov's old subordinate, Victor has long been accustomed to Sokov's command style. When everyone was silent, he asked, "Comrade Commander, what combat mission do you plan to give us?"

"Comrades, come and see." Sokov called several people to the front of the map, pointed to the position where they were going to attack and said: "According to the report of the scouts, the German army has an infantry regiment and an incomplete formation here." Motorized regiment, your task is to wipe them all out."

After carefully looking at the situation of the enemy and ourselves near the offensive site, Tolstikov said to Sokov carelessly: "Comrade commander, don't worry. The strength of our two divisions and one brigade will eat up the German army. These two regiments are not a problem at all."

Seeing that Tolstikov was showing signs of underestimating the enemy, Sokov couldn't help but frowned slightly, and then said: "General Tolstikov, although the German army has suffered repeated defeats in Belarus, their strength is still not to be underestimated." Look. You can’t just take it lightly because they have suffered heavy losses, it will be a disadvantage, and sometimes it hurts more when a wounded beast bites.”

As Sokov expected, Tolstikov was dazzled by the recent series of victories, and he was full of contempt for the German army that was about to attack. Completely wiped out the enemy, unknowingly, had the thought of underestimating the enemy.

  Hearing what Sokov said at this moment, he immediately realized that his thoughts were too dangerous, and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He blushed and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, you are right. I do have some thoughts of underestimating the enemy. But please rest assured, I have already realized my problem, and I will pay more attention to it."

   Sokov raised his hand to look at the time, and said: "Commanders, now that the mission has been clarified, you should return to your respective troops as soon as possible. You will lead the troops to the starting point of the attack in an hour."

   "Comrade Commander," Onuprienko asked tentatively, "I think the Germans should have fortifications in this area. I don't know if we can get artillery support for this attack?"

"There is no artillery support." Sokov shook his head and said, "The Germans are very cunning. Every time our army's artillery preparations start, they will retreat from the first line of defense through the communication trench and retreat to the second line of defense. Our army's artillery shells hit the open space, causing a waste of nothing."

   "However," Onuprienko said with some hesitation: "There is no artillery preparation to destroy the enemy's fortifications. When we launch an attack, we will inevitably pay a lot of casualties."

"General Onuprienko, you don't have to worry about this." Sokov comforted the other party and said, "Lieutenant Colonel Victor's 122 Brigade just obtained a batch of new rockets today to deal with German fortifications." , the effect is far better than artillery preparation.”

   "New type of rocket?!" Hearing the term Sokov said, Onuprienko was stunned for a moment, and then said with a look of shock: "The kind of rocket that can be launched at any place?"

   "That's right, it's that kind of rocket." Sokov added: "It's perfect for hitting German fortifications and firepower points at close range."

   "Since there are such powerful weapons, why not use them in the battle to liberate Minsk?" Onuprienko asked curiously.

"The reason is very simple." The person who stood up to speak this time was Ponejelin: "Because of this new type of rocket, it was just delivered by a hovercraft yesterday. When we attacked Minsk, we didn't have this weapon, so naturally we didn't use it." gone."

   "I don't know how many?" Onuprienko continued to ask.

"There are seventy new rockets delivered this time." Sokov said to Onuprienko: "Although the number is a little small, I think it is more than enough to deal with the two regiments of the German army." .”

Onuprienko originally wanted to say that it would be impossible to destroy two regiments of the German army with 70 rockets, but after thinking about it, maybe the commander said that destroying the German army's fortifications was enough, so he didn't say anything more. what.

After everyone left, Kirillov said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, we have all seen the power of the new rockets. Why don't we equip the troops with more equipment? You know, if every troop has With the introduction of new rockets, whether it is attacking the German field fortifications or solid city defenses, it can greatly reduce the casualties of our army."

"Comrade Colonel, it's not that I don't want to equip every unit, but that I can't do what I want." Sokov smiled wryly and explained to Kirillov: "Nowadays, due to the shortage of some materials, the production capacity of this new type of rocket has been greatly reduced. Lower, if it weren't for my friendship with Colonel Belkin, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get all these seventy coins."

  When Sokov said this, he secretly sighed in his heart, if only Yakov was still in the weapons and equipment department, so that he could get more weapons he wanted. Although Belkin has now taken over Yakov's position, since he has just left, he is still the kind of soft-spoken person, and he has no ability to get many of the weapons he wants.

   "Comrade Commander," Ponegelin continued, "I think that if possible, it is best to equip the troops with assault rifles. Having good equipment is also very helpful for improving the combat effectiveness of the troops."

"Comrade Deputy Commander, you also know that Colonel Belkin has just gone to the Weapons and Equipment Department not long ago, and he has not yet gained a firm foothold." Sokov deliberately explained to him in order not to misunderstand Ponejielin: "If you want him It may take a long time to provide us with weapons in large quantities like Yakov did."

When Ponegelin heard it, he felt that what Sokov said was very reasonable, "That's right, Colonel Belgin just went to the Weapons and Equipment Department, and he has no say in many things. Even if he wants to give us weapons and equipment, I'm afraid it will be powerless .”

   While talking, I suddenly heard someone outside asking loudly: "Comrades, is this the headquarters of the 48th Army?"

   "Hey, the chief of staff is here!" Pornegerin had a surprised expression on his face when he heard the voice: "So, the rest of our troops are here too."

  The next moment, Sidolin strode in from the outside.

  Seeing Sokov and Ponejielin, he raised his hand to salute, and said: "Commander, Comrade Deputy Commander, I have brought all the troops."

   "Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said enthusiastically, extending his hand to the other party: "We warmly welcome you!"

   "Comrade Commander," Sidolin shook hands with Sokov and Ponejielin respectively, and asked curiously: "I just saw troops gathering outside. Are there any new combat missions?"

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, there are indeed new combat missions." Sokov took Sidolin to the table, pointed to the map spread out on it, and explained to him: "Not far from here, the stationed There was an infantry regiment of the German army and an incomplete motorized infantry regiment, and I gave combat orders to the commanders of the two divisions and one brigade, asking them to annihilate this group of enemies and capture as many prisoners as possible.”

  When it came to capturing prisoners, Sidolin thought of the order from his superiors, and asked tentatively, "Comrade Commander, do you intend to send more prisoners to the Front Army headquarters?"

  Sokov nodded and gave Sidolin an affirmative answer: "That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff, that's what I'm thinking about, trying to find ways to provide more prisoners to the Front Army Command."

   "By the way, Comrade Commander, I've always had a question in my mind that I can't figure out." Ever since Sidolin received a call from the Front Army Command asking the troops to provide a large number of prisoners, his heart was full of doubts. At this moment, seeing that Sokov sent two divisions and one brigade to attack the nearby German army just to capture more prisoners, he couldn't help but ask the question in his heart: "I want to ask, do you know why the superior asked us to provide prisoners? ?”

  Hearing the question asked by Sidolin, Sokov first turned his head and smiled at Ponejielin, and then said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you should explain to the Chief of Staff."

   Sokov had said the same thing many times, and he really didn't want to say it anymore, so he handed the matter over to Ponegerin to explain.

"Comrade Chief of Staff, according to our analysis, the situation is as follows." Since Sokov entrusted himself with the task of explaining, Ponejielin did not refuse, so he repeated what Sokov said to everyone. Repeated it again, and finally said: "...The purpose of the front army command to collect a large number of prisoners is very likely to show our allies the results of the battle. Because of this, Comrade Commander decided to send two divisions and one brigade to annihilate The enemy near us will capture more prisoners as soon as possible and hand them over to the front army headquarters."

  After listening to Ponegerin's explanation, Sidolin looked stunned: "So that's the case. I finally understand why the superior issued such an order."

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin looked at Sokov and said, "Although we will use two divisions and one brigade in the battle that is about to start, the enemy has two regiments after all. See if the troops I brought Here, will you deploy more troops to participate?"

"It's not necessary." Sokov simply rejected Sidolin's proposal: "If two guard divisions and an infantry brigade can't eat up the two regiments of the German army, then their combat effectiveness will be too poor. I'm going to consider whether to change them into a reserve team and leave the opportunity to make contributions to other troops."

  (end of this chapter)