red moscow

Chapter 2956

"These wounded soldiers will remain with the brigade's directly subordinate units for the time being after they are discharged from the hospital," Sokov said without hesitation. "Later, whichever battalion has a larger manpower shortage, these personnel will be transferred to fill that battalion. Does anyone have any objections?"

Since Sokov had already put it this way, the commanders present naturally dared not contradict him and instructed, "No objections!"

"Since there are no differing opinions, let's adjourn the meeting." Sokov waved his hand at everyone and continued, "I will call you all back for a meeting after the higher-ups have determined the time and location of the attack."

After all the battalion commanders had left, Belkin said to Sokov with a worried look on his face, "Comrade Brigade Commander, without the artillery battalion and tank company, we're afraid we'll suffer considerable casualties in this counterattack."

“That’s right. Without artillery and tanks, our brigade will definitely suffer considerable casualties during the assault.” Even the most skilled cook can’t cook without ingredients. No matter how capable Sokov is, without the assistance of artillery and tanks, capturing the enemy’s fortified positions will certainly result in significant losses. He specifically reminded Belkin and Karsokov: “Precisely because we lack artillery and tanks, the best way to reduce casualties during the assault is to strengthen pre-battle reconnaissance, identify the enemy’s weak points, and use them as our breakthrough point.”

"Don't worry, Comrade Brigade Commander." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Karsokov assured him, "I will send out the best reconnaissance team to scout the area where the battle is about to take place and find out the enemy's strength and deployment."

Sokov nodded after hearing this, then stood up and said to the two men, "I need to go to the field hospital. Can you find someone to show me the way?"

"Comrade Brigade Commander!" Upon learning that Sokov was going to the field hospital, Romanov immediately volunteered: "I know where the field hospital is, I'll take you there."

On the way to the field hospital, Sokov stared at Romanov, who was leading the way, and began to wonder if he should find a reason to send Romanov back to the rear, where, in any case, it was definitely much safer than the front lines.

Thinking of this, he asked, "Romanov, do you want to go back to work in the rear?"

Upon hearing Sokov's question, Romanov slowed his pace, turned to look at Sokov, and asked in a strange tone, "Comrade Brigade Commander, why do you want to work in the rear? You know, only by staying on the front lines can we better fight the German invaders."

When Sokov heard Romanov say this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself, thinking to himself that Romanov was a future big shot who almost reached the top. If something unexpected happened to him on the battlefield, then the future history would definitely be completely rewritten.

Sokov did not try to persuade Romanov again, but said indifferently, "Comrade Romanov, if you ever want to go back to work in the rear, you can tell me, and I will find a way to let you go back."

Although Romanov didn't understand why Sokov wanted him to work in the rear, he could tell that it was Sokov's good intention, so he nodded and said, "Okay, Comrade Brigade Commander, if I ever really want to go to the rear, I will definitely tell you."

After arriving at the field hospital, Sokov found the newly appointed director and the military representative of the hospital and asked bluntly, "Director, Military Representative, I would like to know how many wounded and sick soldiers are in the field hospital?"

The hospital director was very familiar with the number of wounded in the hospital, and upon hearing Sokov's question, he immediately gave the answer: "There are 1358 people in total."

Upon hearing the number the dean stated, Sokov was stunned. He hadn't expected there to be so many people: "Ah, there are so many wounded?"

“Comrade Brigade Commander,” the military representative interjected, “when our field hospital was moved here, we had more than 1200 wounded soldiers, of whom about 200 were seriously wounded. Due to the limited medical resources here, the seriously wounded were all sent to military hospitals in Moscow.”

Sokov frowned slightly: "Of the more than 1200 wounded, more than 200 have been evacuated. Shouldn't there be only about 1000 left? How come there are more than 300 extra?"

“Comrade Brigade Commander, I can explain this to you,” the hospital director said. “After our field hospital moved here, many friendly units stationed nearby had their wounded sent here for treatment because they did not have a field hospital.”

"Oh, I see." Sokov nodded and continued, "Our brigade may have combat missions soon. I'd like to ask how many wounded soldiers can be discharged from the hospital in a short period of time?"

After exchanging a glance, the hospital director and the military representative turned their attention back to Sokov and tentatively asked, "Comrade Brigade Commander, do you intend to reinstate these wounded soldiers who have recovered and been discharged from the hospital to the troops and send them to fight?"

“Yes.” Sokov did not hide anything and said truthfully, “Our brigade originally had a reserve force, but it was transferred by the headquarters, which resulted in a significant decrease in the number of soldiers in our brigade. Therefore, I can only consider using those wounded soldiers who have recovered and been discharged from the hospital to replenish the troops.”

"Comrade Brigade Commander, when will the combat mission begin?"

Sokov said briefly, "I don't know the exact timing of the operation. But I just want to know how many wounded soldiers can recover and be discharged from the hospital within a week?"

“Three hundred!” The hospital director held up three fingers and said, “That’s about the number of wounded who will be discharged within a week.”

Upon hearing the number the dean stated, Sokov couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed: "What? Only three hundred people? That's far too few!"

“Comrade Brigade Commander, I know three hundred men are too few, but I have no other choice.” The hospital director explained to Sokov, “Although I can mobilize more wounded soldiers to be discharged from the hospital and participate in the upcoming battle, their wounds have not fully healed. If they participate in high-intensity combat, it will probably aggravate their injuries. Perhaps after one battle, many of them will have to return to the hospital for treatment.”

"I understand." After the dean finished speaking, Sokov nodded with a wry smile and said helplessly, "Then we can only use these three hundred people for now."

……

Five days later, Sokov received a call from Malinin.

Malinin said bluntly on the phone: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, your troops should enter your offensive starting positions in the northwest before dawn tomorrow, and immediately launch an assault on the enemy after the artillery preparation is over."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, could you be more specific?" Sokov asked cautiously. "The places you mentioned are too general. I'm worried that the troops might get lost when they get to the positions."

"Don't worry, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov," Malinin said confidently. "I will send someone to guide you and prevent you from getting lost."

“That’s wonderful,” Sokov said. “With the guides you’ve sent, we should be able to reach the designated attack point in a very short time.”

At two o'clock the next morning, a major arrived at Sokov's command post. Startled awake, Sokov looked at the unfamiliar major and tentatively asked, "Comrade Major, who are you, and what brings you here?"

"Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov!" The major saluted Sokov and said politely, "I am the liaison officer sent by Chief of Staff Malinin, and I am here to lead your troops to the daytime attack starting point."

After confirming the other party's identity, Sokov called Karsokov over and instructed him: "Chief of Staff, immediately call the battalion commanders and tell them to assemble their troops within an hour and proceed to the attack starting point designated by the higher command as soon as possible."

Although Sokov only gave an hour to assemble, it was the middle of the night, and almost all the officers and soldiers were asleep. The battalion commanders, who received the phone call, spent nearly two hours assembling their troops.

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov," the liaison officer said somewhat sarcastically to Sokov, seeing that the troops had already assembled, "You said it would only take an hour to assemble, but your troops took a full two hours. That's quite a fast assembly speed."

Upon hearing the liaison officer's words, Sokov blushed slightly, but he did not refute him. Instead, he politely said, "Comrade Major, now that the troops have completed their assembly, please lead the way and take us to the attack starting point designated by our superiors."

Fortunately, the liaison officer did not cause any more trouble. Instead, he nodded and acted as a guide, leading Sokov's infantry brigade to the location designated by his superiors.

Here, at the starting point of the attack arranged by Malinin, there were several long trenches. Sokov ordered all the battalions to enter the trenches and wait there for the attack to begin.

Just as dawn was breaking, the telephone in the temporary command post rang.

Karsokov picked up the microphone and listened for a moment, then a look of shock appeared on his face. He turned to Sokov and said, "Comrade Brigade Commander, Captain Nazorov, the commander of the Third Battalion, reports that a large number of armed personnel have been discovered in front of their positions!"

Karsokov's words shocked Sokov: "What, a large number of armed personnel? Are they Germans?"

Upon hearing Sokov's question, Karsokov immediately spoke into the microphone and asked, "Comrade Captain, the brigade commander is asking if the armed personnel in front of your position are German?"

“I’m sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff, I can’t confirm it,” Nazorov replied. “It’s too dark, and visibility is limited; I can’t see clearly.”

"Then you should send someone over to investigate and find out who the other party is."

“Our position is only two or three hundred meters away from theirs. If anyone goes out from their position, they will definitely be spotted by the enemy,” Nazorov complained to Sokov. “Therefore, I cannot send anyone to scout.”

Sokov cursed under his breath, then walked over to Karsokov, grabbed the microphone, and said, "Captain Nazorov, I'm going to your battalion immediately to see if there's any way to find out who they are."

After hanging up the phone, Sokov, accompanied by his liaison officer and two guards, walked along the trenches toward the area where the Third Battalion was located.

Soon, Sokov arrived at the area where the Third Battalion was located and met Nazorov.

"Commander, you've arrived!"

Sokov nodded and continued to ask Nazorov, "Comrade Captain, how many armed men were there?"

“I can’t see very clearly,” Nazorov replied, “but I estimate there are at least two companies of soldiers.”

After Nazorov finished speaking, Sokov turned to the liaison officer and asked, "Comrade Major, are there any other units in this area besides our brigade?"

“No.” The liaison officer shook his head and said, “There are no other units in this area besides your brigade.”

"Besides our brigade, are there no other units?" Sokov clearly didn't believe the liaison officer's statement, because he knew very well that coordination and cooperation among Soviet troops were poor. If a friendly force appeared ahead of the 3rd Battalion and communication wasn't established in time, misunderstandings were very likely to occur. Therefore, he asked the liaison officer in a stern tone, "Major, are you sure there are really no other units of ours here?"

“Yes, Lieutenant Colonel, I can say with certainty,” the liaison officer said with absolute certainty. “There are absolutely no other troops here besides you.”

Seeing the liaison officer's certainty, Nazorov quickly moved closer to Sokov and said, "Comrade Brigade Commander, it's obvious that this unit in front of our position is the enemy. Do you think we should eliminate this enemy before or after the attack begins?"

Although the liaison officer had assured him that the armed personnel in front of the 3rd Battalion's position were undoubtedly German, Sokov remained uneasy. Although it was too dark to clearly distinguish friend from foe even through binoculars, the direction they were facing was clearly towards the enemy position. What enemy would be so foolish as to expose their back to the enemy while lying in ambush in front of their own lines?
"No rush," Sokov waved his hand and said to Nazorov and the liaison officer, "I think it's better to wait until dawn to find out their true identities before making a decision."

Nazorov naturally wouldn't object to Sokov's order; he immediately and loudly replied, "Yes, sir!"

The liaison officer, however, was anxious: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I have already told you that there are no other troops of ours in this area besides you. They are undoubtedly the enemy. I suggest that we launch a decisive attack before dawn, before the enemy realizes your arrival. This way, we can completely annihilate this enemy force at minimal cost."

Sokov sneered upon hearing this: "Comrade Major, although you have repeatedly emphasized that there are no other troops in this area besides us, who can guarantee that they are not on our side? I still maintain that it is not too late to make a decision after it is light and we have found out their true identities."

"Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, have you considered that if we don't eliminate this enemy force quickly, they might become an obstacle to your advance when the offensive begins..."

Sokov had no interest in arguing with the liaison officer. He raised his hand to interrupt him, saying calmly, "Major, it's too early to conclude whether we're the only unit in this area. I'm prepared to return to headquarters immediately and call Chief of Staff Malinin to ask if any of our own troops are present in the area. If his answer is the same as yours, and there are no other friendly forces besides ours, I will order the troops to attack this unidentified force."

Although the liaison officer had many grievances, since Sokov was already preparing to go back and call Malinin to find out the situation, he couldn't say anything more and could only obediently follow behind Sokov towards the temporary command post.

(End of this chapter)