red moscow

Chapter 2870

When Rokossovsky decided to call on two militia annihilation battalions that were about to arrive at the headquarters to reinforce the position of the 1073rd Regiment, Sokov's speculation became a reality, and the German army began to bombard the position of the st Battalion again.

Sokov said to the battalion commander Yefim on the other end of the microphone: "Captain of the First Battalion, except for a few observation posts, all other soldiers should retreat to the anti-artillery caves."

"Yes, I will pass on your order immediately."

After putting down the microphone, Sokov said to Belkin and Karsokov with a relaxed expression: "Deputy Brigade Commander, Chief of Staff, you can see now that the Germans have bombarded the positions of our three battalions in order to divert our attention and make us think that they will choose one of the three battalions as a breakthrough point for the attack. After they have completed the assembly, they will launch an attack from the fourth battalion's defense line, thus breaking through our defense line in one fell swoop."

Karsokov looked down at the map for a few seconds, then looked up and said to Sokov, "Comrade Brigade Commander, if the Germans really want to choose the position of the Fourth Battalion as their breakthrough point, then we should make some preparations in advance to crush the enemy's attack."

Sokov nodded slightly, then asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, what preparations do you think we should make?"

"Of course, we should have the artillery unit send artillery observers to the Fourth Battalion's position. When the enemy launches a full-scale attack, they can provide firing parameters for the artillery in the rear." Karsokov said excitedly, "The German tanks and armored vehicles can bully infantry without heavy weapons, but when they encounter our 122mm heavy artillery, they are simply moving targets."

The Germans had done so many things, and they must have assembled a lot of armored troops in the forest in front of the Fourth Battalion's position. If the Fourth Battalion's officers and soldiers did not get artillery support, they would not be able to stop the enemy's attack. Since Karsokov mentioned the artillery at this moment, Sokov naturally followed suit and quickly ordered him, "Comrade Chief of Staff, call Lieutenant Artyom, the artillery staff officer, over immediately. I want to ask him how he plans to use artillery to support the Fourth Battalion."

Lieutenant Artyom, who received the call, did not dare to delay and trotted to the brigade headquarters.

As soon as he entered the tent, he raised his hand to his forehead and reported: "Comrade Brigade Commander, Lieutenant Artyom of the artillery staff has been ordered to report!"

"Comrade Lieutenant, come here." Sokov called Artyom to his side and pointed to the map on the table and said to him, "According to the intelligence analysis we have, the enemy may gather a certain number of armored forces and choose the position of the Fourth Battalion as their breakthrough point. You know, infantry without heavy weapons cannot stop the enemy's tanks at all. Therefore, whether the Fourth Battalion can hold its position depends entirely on your artillery."

"Comrade Brigade Commander, please assign the tasks." Artyom quickly stood up and said to Sokov with a firm expression: "We will definitely cooperate with the comrades of the Fourth Battalion to crush the German attack."

Sokov smiled and nodded, then said, "Comrade Lieutenant, how much ammunition does the Second Artillery Battalion have left?"

"Each gun has two bases." Seeing that Sokov only asked about the Second Artillery Battalion equipped with heavy artillery, but not the First Artillery Battalion equipped with 76.2mm cannons, Artyom asked tentatively: "Comrade Brigade Commander, the First Artillery Battalion has more artillery and more artillery shells. Don't you plan to let them go into battle?"

Sokov shook his head and expressed his thoughts: "The caliber of the artillery of the First Artillery Battalion is a bit small. Unless intensive artillery fire is used, it will not be able to cause heavy casualties to the German armored forces. If artillery fire is really used, the shells of the First Artillery Battalion will probably be used up after this battle. Without shells, once a certain area needs artillery support, they can only watch helplessly. The Second Artillery Battalion is equipped with 122mm heavy artillery, which is perfect for dealing with German tanks."

"Then I will return to the troops immediately and arrange for the artillery observers to go to the Fourth Battalion's position and provide firing parameters for the Second Artillery Battalion."

Shortly after Artyom was sent away, the German artillery bombardment of the 1st Battalion's position stopped.

Hearing the artillery fire outside stop, without waiting for Sokov to speak, Karsokov grabbed the phone on the table and called the first battalion command post.

When a voice came out of the receiver, he immediately said loudly: "This is Lieutenant Colonel Karsokov, Chief of Staff. Where is your battalion commander, Captain Yefim? Let him answer the phone?"

"Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff." Captain Yefim's voice came from the receiver: "What instructions do you have?"

"What's the situation there? Has the enemy launched a ground attack?"

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff," Yefim replied, "I just went out to check, there is no movement in front of the position, no trace of the enemy."

"Keep observing and report any situation to the brigade headquarters in time." After saying this dejectedly, Karsokov put down the phone.

"Comrade Brigade Commander," Karsokov turned to Sokov and said, "The commander of a battalion reported that the enemy's shelling of their position has stopped, but no signs of enemy attack were found in front of the position."

Belkin, who was standing nearby, finally agreed with Karsokov's guess after hearing what Karsokov said. He believed that the enemy should divert their attention by bombarding the positions of the three battalions, so as to buy precious time for them to assemble in the forest in front of the fourth battalion's position.

However, he still held on to a glimmer of hope and said to Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, before we get the reconnaissance report from the Fourth Battalion, I think our guess can only be a guess."

Sokov looked at Belkin. He knew that Belkin would still stubbornly stick to his own opinion before receiving the official reconnaissance report. He did not argue with Belkin, but turned his head to Karsokov and said, "Chief of Staff, call Major Vasya, the commander of the Fourth Battalion, and ask him why the scouts he sent out have not returned yet?"

When he said this, Sokov's tone was somewhat dissatisfied. After all, the reconnaissance site was only one kilometer away from the position. Even if the scouts were as slow as a snail, the intelligence should have been transmitted by now. But until now, the Fourth Battalion had not called again, which must have made him feel uncomfortable.

Karsokov had just brought the phone to his face and was about to crank the handle when the phone rang, startling him.

He quickly grabbed the microphone and put it to his ear: "I am Lieutenant Colonel Karsokov, Chief of Staff. What can I do for you?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I am Major Vasya, the commander of the Fourth Battalion. I have important intelligence that I need to report to you immediately."

Karsokov quickly covered the microphone with his hand and said to Sokov, "Comrade Brigade Commander, it's the call from the fourth battalion commander." After that, he released his hand covering the microphone and asked, "What important information?"

"My scout reported that a large number of German troops were gathered in the forest in front of my battalion's position," said Vasya. "He roughly counted at least thirty tanks and an equal number of armored vehicles, and the infantry had about a battalion of troops." "Major Vasya, is what you said true?" asked Karsokov.

"Of course it's true." Vasya answered in a positive tone, "The reconnaissance team I sent out was discovered by the enemy on its way back. After a fierce battle, only one scout escaped, and he told me the information."

Because the microphone in Sokov's hand leaked sound, Belkin and Karsokov could hear his conversation with Vasya clearly.

Belkin muttered quietly beside him: "They were all in the same reconnaissance team. Why did others die while he came back alive? Could this be a conspiracy by the Germans, to send spies who defected to them back to spread rumors in the army in order to undermine the morale of our army?"

Sokov could not help but frowned slightly at Belkin's statement. He felt that the other party was too sensitive. Just because the reconnaissance team encountered the enemy, the rest of the scouts were killed and only one person escaped, he started to doubt the survivor. This was very inappropriate.

He waved his hand at Belkin and said, "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, don't be so nervous. This scout was able to escape because other scouts stayed behind to perform blocking tasks and covered his escape."

After saying this, Sokov said into the microphone again: "Major Vasya, send someone to bring the scout here immediately. I want to ask him something in person."

"Okay, I'll get him there as soon as possible."

Half an hour later, Major Vasya's voice came from the door of the tent: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I am here on orders, please give me your instructions!"

Sokov originally thought that Vasya would send the deputy battalion commander or a company commander to send the scouts over, but he came here in person. He couldn't help but ask curiously: "Major Vasya, why are you here with me instead of staying in your own command post?"

"Comrade Brigade Commander, I'm worried that when the scout comes, there will be no one to receive him and he will make a wasted trip."

Sokov knew that Vasya was telling the truth. If he met an irresponsible staff officer, he would probably block the scout out of the door when he heard that the scout wanted to see him. He hummed and asked, "Where is the scout now?"

"Let him in quickly."

Soon, a middle-aged warrior with a beard, who looked to be in his early forties, appeared in front of Sokov.

"Comrade soldier," Sokov asked after Vasya introduced the man's identity, "Tell me, what did you see in the forest in front of the position?"

"The enemy has assembled about thirty tanks, equally skilled special vehicles, and a battalion of infantry, and seems to be preparing to attack our battalion's position." The scout said to Sokov: "The team leader said that such an important situation needs to be reported to the battalion headquarters in time to avoid being discovered by the enemy. Who knew that when we were retreating, we encountered a German patrol and a battle broke out. The team leader and other soldiers stayed behind to cover me while I sent out the intelligence. When I left the forest, there were still gunshots coming from inside, but they soon disappeared. I think the team leader and the others must have died."

By this time, Sokov's guess was confirmed. The Germans did intend to launch an assault on the defense line of the Fourth Battalion. As for the artillery bombardment in other areas, it was just to divert the Soviet army's attention.

Now that he had figured out the German army's intentions, Sokov began to assign tasks. In addition to asking Vasya to strengthen precautions, he also specifically told the other party: "Comrade Major, don't worry. Although the Germans use your battalion's position as a breakthrough point, you are not fighting alone. Not only will we send a reserve force to support you, but I have also contacted the artillery, and they will immediately send artillery observers to your battalion to provide firing parameters for the artillery in the rear."

"That's great, Comrade Brigade Commander." Hearing what Sokov said, Vasya's face was full of joy. "If the enemy can get artillery support during the attack, I think we will be more confident in holding our position."

Belkin said to Vasya with a serious expression: "Major Vasya, the enemy is about to attack, you'd better return to the position quickly."

As soon as Vasya left, Belkin took the initiative to ask Sokov: "Comrade Brigade Commander, let me take charge of the task of leading the reserve troops to reinforce the Fourth Battalion's position."

Sokov knew very well that the existence of the reserve was nothing more than to replenish the casualties of the four battalions in time, so he gave up the original plan to form the fifth and sixth battalions. Now it was not appropriate to draw a considerable number of troops from the reserve to strengthen the defense of the fourth battalion without a strong commander. As the deputy brigade commander, Belkin was obviously the best candidate to command this unit.

He nodded and said to Belkin, "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, we must do everything we can to crush the enemy's attempt to break through from the direction of the Fourth Battalion. You will lead reinforcements this time. You can select as many people as you need from the reserve. In addition, you will also appoint the commanders at all levels of the reinforcements."

"Don't worry, Comrade Brigade Commander," Belkin assured Sokov, "I will never let a single German pass through the Fourth Battalion's position."

When the tent was quiet again, Karsokov asked Sokov, "Comrade Brigade Commander, since we have roughly figured out the Germans' intentions, should we report this to the army headquarters immediately?"

"Don't worry for now, Comrade Chief of Staff." Karsokov's proposal was rejected by Sokov, who shook his head. "Although the enemy is gathering in the forest in front of the Fourth Battalion's position, we don't know when they will launch an attack. Reporting to the army headquarters hastily may affect the correct judgment of the superior commander. I think it will not be too late to report to the superior after the enemy launches a ground attack on the Fourth Battalion's position."

"Well, Comrade Brigade Commander." Karsokov did not contradict Sokov, but said very cooperatively: "Then it won't be too late to report after the enemy starts the attack."

Sokov nodded and continued to look down at the map in front of him, wondering what other measures he could take to make the Germans pay a greater price in the face of the fierce German attack.

After looking for a while, he looked up at Karsokov and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, I remember we still have a few tanks, right?"

"Yes, Comrade Brigade Commander, there are still three tanks." Karsokov guessed Sokov's intention and asked tentatively: "Do you plan to put these tanks into battle in the near future?"

Sokov nodded. "It would be a waste to leave the tanks here to be used as fixed artillery positions. When the enemy tanks are hit by artillery fire, we will have these tanks attack from the flanks and try to cause greater damage to the enemy."

(End of this chapter)