red moscow

Chapter 2836

Sokov was secretly glad that when he led the troops to set out, Belkin had suggested to him that it would be best to bring the only three tanks in the brigade, saying that with tank support, the chances of defeating the enemy would be higher, but he refused. If he really brought the three tanks, and Rokossovsky asked him to leave the tanks behind, would he be able to disobey the other party's order?

Anyone who knows the history of the Battle of Stalingrad would think that Chuikov, who stayed in the city to command the troops, was in danger, but in fact, compared with Rokossovsky, he was in a small situation. From the movie, we can see that when the enemy's vanguard approached Chuikov's headquarters, he was able to send out several tanks to counterattack. And what about Rokossovsky? The only two armored vehicles sent out were directly bombed into wreckage by German tanks before they could gain a foothold.

Rokossovsky thought that Sokov would bargain with him after hearing this order, but he did not expect that the other party would agree so readily. He could not help but ask with some doubt: "Misha, are you really willing to hand over these troops to me?"

"Of course I'd like to give it up." Sokov answered without hesitation, "As long as the headquarters' safety can be ensured, I would agree to give you two battalions, let alone two companies."

Rokossovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's answer. He smiled and nodded: "Misha, if your subordinates had not provided us with timely artillery support and crushed the German attack today, it would be a question whether the headquarters would still exist at this moment. On behalf of all members of the headquarters, I would like to express my gratitude to you." After that, he took a step back, stood at attention and saluted Sokov.

Sokov did not expect Rokossovsky to salute him suddenly, and seemed a little flustered for a moment: "Comrade Commander, you're welcome. This is what I should do." As he said that, he hurriedly returned the salute to the other party.

Lobachev came over, shook Sokov's hand, and said with emotion: "Major Sokov, you don't have to be modest. It is because of everything you have done that our headquarters has been saved from the danger of destruction. To be honest, at that time, the German artillery shells had already landed next to this house and exploded, shattering the window glass. At that time, I was still thinking, am I going to die here today? Fortunately, your subordinates called for artillery support in time, repelled the enemy's attack, and saved us from the brink of destruction."

"Comrade Military Commissar, you don't have to be so polite." Seeing Lobachev also coming over to thank him, Sokov smiled and responded politely: "As a member of the 16th Army, I saw that the headquarters was in danger, so of course I had to do everything I could to rescue it."

"Comrade Commander," Malinin said, "It seems that our decision to form a new unit was correct. Look, in just a few days, Major Sokov has formed a combat-ready unit."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I was just lucky." Sokov replied with a smile, "The location where I received the troops happened to be the only way for the breakout troops to pass, so I was able to receive enough officers and soldiers to form my infantry brigade in a very short time."

As they were talking, another staff officer came in and reported directly to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, a troop has arrived outside. They say it was sent by General Panfilov to support us."

"Who is leading the team?" asked Rokossovsky.

"He is a major," the staff officer replied, "and is said to be the commander of the divisional guard battalion."

"Let him in."

Soon after the staff officer left, a major came in with him: "Comrade Commander, the person you want to see is here."

The man saluted Rokossovsky: "Hello, Comrade Commander!"

"Hello, Comrade Major." Rokossovsky shook his hand and asked with a smile, "Are you the commander of the guard battalion of the 316th Infantry Division?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The major nodded, and then said with some shame: "The division commander learned that the headquarters was attacked by the enemy, and ordered me to lead the guard battalion to support. Since there was no means of transportation, we could only march on foot, so the time on the road was a bit long."

"Comrade Major, when you return, please express my gratitude to your division commander on my behalf. Thank him for sending troops to support us in a timely manner after learning that we were in danger."

"Ah, you want us to go back?"

"Yes. The danger we are facing here has been eliminated. There is no need for you to stay." Rokossovsky said to the major: "General Panfilov has sent out his guard battalion. I guess he doesn't have many troops around him. If we are attacked by the enemy, it will be troublesome."

As soon as Rokossovsky finished speaking, Malinin came up with a telegram and reported to him: "Comrade Commander, I just received a telegram from the 316th Infantry Division."

"What did the telegram say?"

"The enemy broke through the positions of the 107th Infantry Regiment and entered the city from the north of Volokolamsk, and is engaging in a fierce battle with the 1075th Regiment which is defending the city."

After listening to Malinin's report, Rokossovsky could not help but frown, and then asked in return: "How about it, can they stop the enemy?"

"It's hard to say, Comrade Commander." Malinin said solemnly, "They lack sufficient anti-tank artillery weapons. I think it may not be easy to stop the attack of the German armored forces."

Rokossovsky did not respond to Malinin's words, but turned to the major and said, "Comrade Major, I am sure you have heard that the situation in the Volokolamsk direction has become worse. You should go back as soon as possible. From what I know about General Panfilov, as long as he has troops and sees danger somewhere, he will not hesitate to send his troops."

"What about the headquarters?" The major was naturally anxious when he learned that the German troops had entered the city of Volokolamsk. You know, Panfilov had no combat troops besides the staff, signalmen and some logistics personnel. If the enemy rushed to the vicinity of the division headquarters, the consequences would be very serious. However, he thought of his mission here and said with embarrassment: "If we leave and the enemy launches another attack, what should we do?"

"Comrade Major, you don't have to worry about this." Rokossovsky said to the major, "Did you see this Major Sokov? Before you arrived with your troops, the troops under his command successfully rescued the headquarters from danger. He also left the two infantry companies he brought for support to the headquarters. With the presence of this force, even if the enemy launches another attack, we are sure to stop them."

After hearing what Rokossovsky said, the major realized that he would not be able to stay. After saying a few polite words, he turned around and left the command center.

Seeing that there was no fighting at the headquarters, Sokov felt that there was no point in him staying any longer, so he asked Rokossovsky tentatively: "Comrade Commander, will you allow me to return to my unit?"

"Wait a moment." After saying this, Rokossovsky turned his head and asked Malinin beside him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you think it is better for the infantry brigade to stay in its current position or move to other defensive areas?" "Comrade Commander, I was just thinking about this issue." Malinin said with some embarrassment: "If they continue to stay where they are, they can form a pincer attack with the 316th Infantry Division. If there are any problems, they can be rescued in time. But now our 5th Army on the left has been fighting hard with the Germans in the Borodino area for several days. It can no longer hold on and may retreat at any time."

When Rokossovsky heard this, he immediately understood what Malinin, who had been hesitating, meant to say, so he said directly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, are you worried that if the infantry brigade continues to stay where it is, as the 5th Army retreats, their flanks will be exposed to the enemy?"

Rokossovsky did not express his opinion, but looked at Sokov and said, "I think it is better for Misha to make the decision himself."

"Major Sokov, what do you think?" Since Rokossovsky had already spoken, Malinin asked Sokov according to procedure: "Do you plan to stay where you are, or move to a new location?"

Sokov's eyes rolled and he immediately had his own idea. If the 5th Army's troops were repelled by the Germans, then their flanks would be exposed to the enemy. But if they stayed where they were, they could take in a lot of defeated soldiers and strengthen their team. So he said seriously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think it's best for my troops to stay where they are. If we retreat rashly, the flanks of the 316th Infantry Division will be exposed to the enemy, and they will be under greater pressure to hold on to Volokolamsk."

After listening to Sokov's reasons, Malinin whispered a few words to Rokossovsky, then stood up and said to Sokov: "Major Sokov, after discussion, the commander and I have decided to agree with your decision and let the infantry brigade continue to stay in place to perform defensive tasks. But I remind you that if you find that you can't hold on and need to move, remember to inform the headquarters in advance so that we can have a clear idea. Do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov replied, "If I really planned to move my position, I would definitely report it to the headquarters in advance."

"Very good, very good." Malinin said "very good" twice in a row, then turned to look at Rokossovsky to see if he had anything else to say. Seeing Rokossovsky shaking his head, he said to Sokov, "Major Sokov, it's getting late. You should go back to the defense zone first. Remember to keep in touch with us at any time."

After Sokov saluted several people, he turned and walked out of the command center.

When we arrived outside the headquarters, the two company commanders and the guard platoon leader immediately came up to us and asked with concern, "Comrade Brigade Commander, are we going back to our defense zone now?"

"You two, take the troops and stay here." Sokov pointed at the two company commanders and said to them, "From now on, you will be under the direct command of the headquarters."

After hearing what Sokov said, the two company commanders looked at each other in bewilderment, and then asked aggrievedly: "Comrade Brigade Commander, you don't want us anymore?"

"It's not that we don't want you, but we need you more here." Sokov was worried that the two company commanders would be upset, so he explained to them: "The headquarters is weak in strength now. If they are attacked by the German army again, they will not be able to stop the enemy with their strength. Leaving you here is to allow them to hold out longer when the enemy attacks, thus buying precious time for the reinforcements to arrive. Do you understand?"

Although the two company commanders were unwilling, Sokov had already given the order, and they could only obey unconditionally: "Okay, Comrade Brigade Commander, we obey your order!"

At this time, a captain came out of the headquarters. After he came to Sokov, he asked politely: "Comrade Major, where is the unit you left for the headquarters? Comrade Chief of Staff ordered me to come and take it over."

Sokov pointed to the two company commanders in front of him and said, "They are the commanders of the two companies. If you have any questions, just negotiate with them directly."

The captain nodded to Sokov, and then said to the two company commanders: "Comrades, please follow me. I will take you to see the defense zone you are responsible for."

Seeing the two company commanders leave, the guard platoon leader became a little anxious. He approached Sokov and asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, what about me? How do you plan to accommodate me?"

"You are my guard platoon leader, so of course you will follow me back to the infantry brigade." Seeing the guard platoon leader's anxious look, Sokov said jokingly, "I left behind the two companies I brought with me. I can't go back alone, right? If we encounter the Germans, won't I become their prisoner?"

The guard platoon leader grinned and said, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I will go and gather the guard platoon right away."

An hour later, Sokov and his guard platoon returned to the infantry brigade's base.

When Sokov entered the tent, Belkin immediately asked impatiently: "Comrade Brigade Commander, you are back. How is the situation at the headquarters? Has the attacking enemy been repelled?"

"Of course." Sokov nodded. "Before I arrived with my troops, the enemy attacking the headquarters suffered heavy casualties due to the precise strikes of our artillery fire and was forced to retreat from the vicinity of the headquarters."

Karsokov glanced outside the tent and asked in surprise, "Comrade Brigade Commander, why is there only the guard platoon outside? Where are the two companies you took to rescue the headquarters? Where did they go?"

"I left those two companies at the headquarters." Sokov explained to the two men, "The headquarters is weak in manpower. If it encounters another German attack, it will not be able to protect itself, so I left those two companies behind."

Fortunately, the infantry brigade was receiving officers and soldiers entering the defense zone every day, so the loss of two companies with more than 300 people was not a big deal for Belkin and Karsokov. Therefore, the two of them just said "oh" and did not express any extra opinions.

"Did anything happen in the brigade during my absence?" Sokov was worried that his question was not clear enough, so he emphasized: "Did the enemy launch an attack on the positions of the three battalions?"

"No, there has been no fighting since you left," Karsokov replied. "Although there were fighting on our left and right wings, somehow our defense zone was calm. Apart from the German scouts nearby, there was no sign of the enemy attacking."

(End of this chapter)