Chapter 499: Set off

  Chapter 499 Departure

  Guriyev is very self-aware, thinking that since the Germans can break through the factory wall once, they can break through the second and third times. The first time I was beaten back by my own troops, when they rushed into the factory area for the second and third time, would I still have enough troops to help the workers' troops in the factory?

It is precisely because of this consideration that after Guriyev finished the call with Peter, he called Chuikov and gave him a detailed report on the situation here at the Red October Tractor Factory, and finally said: "Commander Comrade, my troops are fighting fiercely against the enemy who is attacking the residential area, and I have no extra strength, but I am helping the workers to hold the factory. Can you send us a reserve team?"

"General Guriyev," Chuikov said dumbfoundedly when he heard Guriyev's request, "if I still have a reserve force in my hands, do you think the Supreme Command will transfer you from the First Guards Army to me?" Commander? You know, the guard force defending the headquarters of the Army Group is no more than one company, and I don’t know if they will be able to withstand a sneak attack by the German army.”

After hearing Chuikov's reply, Guriyev said unwillingly: "Comrade commander, I understand your difficulties, but you should know that the area of ​​the Red October Tractor Factory is about the same as a small and medium-sized city. It is limited and can only be used for the defense of residential areas and the front of the factory, and the defense of the rest of the area cannot be defended by the workers in the factory alone."

Chuikov said that there were no troops to reinforce the Red October Factory, but as soon as he put down the phone, he started discussing with Chief of Staff Krylov: "Chief of Staff, just now General Guriyev reported that a German army broke through the Red October The northern wall of the factory rushed into the factory area. The destroyer battalion in the factory and the guard company of the Guards Division joined forces to drive the enemy out of the factory area. I guess the enemy will make a comeback soon. If you think about it, we can still From where to mobilize strength to help the Red October Factory?"

"It's not easy, Comrade Commander." Regarding Chuikov's question, Krylov said embarrassingly: "The south and north of the city were attacked by the German army at the same time. With the deployment of the troops, the enemy's artillery could not be used, and they could only rely on infantry to attack. The situation in the north of the city where we are located is much worse. The troops standing in the factories are facing the German infantry covered by tanks and artillery. ..."

After listening to Krylov's talk about the actual situation in the north of the city, Chuikov asked unwillingly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there nothing we can do? You know, once the Germans occupy the Red October Tractor Factory, they can directly Rush to the Volga and drive us all into the river."

   "Comrade Chief of Staff," Gurov, who seldom expressed his opinions, suddenly said, "Although the south and north of the city have been attacked by the German army, the Mamayev Hill in the middle seems to be calm so far."

   A word awakened the dreamer, and Gurov's words woke up Chuikov and Krylov. The battle between the south and the north of the city was in full swing, but Mamayev Gang was calm, as if it had been forgotten by the Germans. But Cuikov quickly figured out the reason. This is all due to the small teams sent by Sokov. The results they achieved successfully disrupted the enemy's offensive deployment. Before a small detachment was formed, it was impossible to launch an attack on Mamayev Gang with all its strength.

  Krylov's reaction was not slow, almost at the same time that Chuikov came up with the answer, he also wanted to understand what was going on. He stared at the map for a while, and then asked Chuikov cautiously: "Comrade Commander, since there is no fighting on Mamayev Kurgan, can you ask Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to send a force to support the Red October?" What about the tractor factory?"

Seeing the embarrassed expression on Chuikov's face, Krylov quickly added: "I know that the Supreme Command once ordered that the task of the 73rd Infantry Brigade is to stick to Mamayev Post. Before, no one could easily mobilize this army. But now is a special period, and we are not mobilizing the entire army, but asked Lieutenant Colonel Sokov to send some of them to support the Red October Tractor Factory. When the reinforcements from the other side arrive, let them return to the building."

"Okay, I'll give it a try." Cuikov knew very well that once the Red October Tractor Factory fell, the Army Group Command would be exposed to the German army. Let's discuss with my husband to see if we can borrow some troops to strengthen the defense of the Red October Tractor Factory.

After the call was connected, Chuikov briefly introduced to Sokov the crisis facing the Red October Tractor Factory, and then asked tentatively: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, the current situation of the Red October Factory is very bad. See if we can send troops to strengthen the defense of the factory area?" Afraid of Sokov's objection, he specially emphasized, "The troops sent to us by the headquarters are already on their way, and as soon as they cross the Volga River, I will let them Return your troops."

Sokov knew how to be cold-hearted. He clearly knew that once the Red October Tractor Factory fell, his flank would be exposed to the German army. In fact, even if Cuikov didn’t say anything, he was still considering whether to send troops to strengthen the defense in that direction. To delay the advancing speed of the German army to the Volga River. Hearing Chuikov's request at this moment, he immediately said without hesitation: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will send a battalion of troops to support the Red October factory."

Sokov's reply was beyond Chuikov's expectations. According to his thinking, because Sokov could use the order of the Supreme Command as a cover to refuse his request to transfer troops, but he did not expect the other party to respond so readily. accepted. Can't help but feel a little surprised. Considering that the infantry brigade suffered more than 3,000 casualties within half a month when Vitkov acted as the brigade commander, he couldn't help but ask with some hesitation: "Your deployment of troops to support the Red October Factory will not affect Mamayev's efforts. Gang's defense?"

"No, Comrade Commander." When Sokov proposed to Chuikov to transfer the 42nd Guards Regiment to Linock, he had already planned to let the troops support the right-wing factory area at any time, "I have already prepared The strength of a battalion can be sent to the Red October Tractor Factory immediately."

"Great, this is really great." Sukov's reply gave Chuikov a reassurance. In this way, the defense of the Red October Factory can be strengthened. At least there is no need to worry until the reinforcements arrive. The enemy has stormed into the factory area again. "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, without further ado, arrange for the troops to leave as soon as possible."

Sokov put down the phone, stood up and said to Vitkov who was sitting next to him: "Comrade deputy brigade commander, just now the commander called and said that the Germans had stormed into the Red October Tractor Factory. The guard company of the Guards Division repelled. I will now take the commanders and fighters of the 4th Battalion to support them. After I leave, you and the chief of staff will be responsible for the work in the brigade."

"What, you're going to the Red October Tractor Factory?!" Witkov couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise when he heard Sokov say this, "But, Comrade Brigadier, your injuries haven't healed yet, how can you go to the battlefield?" Woolen cloth?"

Knowing that Sokov was going to lead the team to the Red October Tractor Factory in person, Sidolin also came over to persuade him: "Comrade Brigadier, don't say you are injured, even if you are not injured, there is no need for you to go out in person. I Look, let the fourth battalion commander, Captain Briski, lead the troops there."

"If we just let Captain Briski lead the team, they might be dismantled and incorporated into the Guards Division. Then don't expect them to be reorganized." Facing the dissuasion of the two, Sokov said tactfully: " And I personally led the team there, at least to ensure the integrity of the troops, and when the reinforcements from the other side arrive, I can bring the fourth battalion back."

"Your wounds haven't healed yet." As the deputy chief of staff of the group army, Witkov naturally knew that commanders at all levels had indeed forcibly incorporated friendly troops into their own troops during the most intense battles, so he didn't stop Suo Kefu led the team to the Red October Tractor Factory, but asked worriedly: "Can you support it?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Brigadier Commander," Sokov felt warm in his heart when he felt Vitkov's concern for him, "After I arrive at the Red October Tractor Factory, I will stay in my command post all the time. It shouldn't be a problem."

Seeing that Sokov had made up his mind, Sidolin did not persuade him any more, but reminded: "Comrade Brigadier, if you take the Fourth Battalion away, the defense of Beigang will become weak. See if we can transfer a company of troops from Vanya's first battalion to strengthen the defense of Beigang?"

"Yes." Vanya's 1st Battalion is mainly responsible for the defense of the anti-slope position on the south hill, and the number of troops that can be deployed each time is limited. Therefore, even if a company is transferred to the north hill, their combat effectiveness will not be affected, so Soko The husband agreed very simply: "Chief of Staff, you can call Captain Vanya and ask him to transfer a company to the Beigang position."

  Sokov explained a few more words before preparing to leave the headquarters. But when he reached the door, he stopped suddenly. Seeing him standing still at the door, Vitkov guessed that Sokov might have something to tell him, so he hurriedly asked, "Comrade Brigadier, what else do you have?" something?"

"That's right, Comrade Deputy Brigadier Commander." Sokov turned around, faced Vitkov and said with some embarrassment, "Don't tell Assia about the fact that I took the troops to the Red October Tractor Factory, lest she Worry about me."

   "Don't worry, Comrade Brigadier Commander, I will keep this matter from her." Witkov nodded and extended his hand to Sokov: "I wish you an early and safe return!"

  (end of this chapter)