red moscow

Chapter 2972

Zhukov ordered Rokossovsky to launch an attack on the city from the north of Volokolamsk, to recapture the city from the Germans, hold it firmly, and use it as a defensive stronghold.

When the commanders involved in the counterattack saw this order, their faces showed complex expressions. Panfilov, in particular, who had held out in the city for some time, knew better than anyone how many troops the enemy had and how many troops they had.

After Ma Lining finished explaining the battle plan to the commanders of the troops involved in the counterattack, he asked, "Comrades, everyone already knows about tomorrow's counterattack plan. If anyone has any questions, please ask them now."

As soon as Ma Lining finished speaking, the dozen or so commanders sitting at the table raised their hands almost simultaneously, asking to speak in public.

After exchanging a few words in hushed tones with Rokossovsky, Malinin turned his gaze to Panfilov: "General Panfilov, according to this counterattack plan, after we recapture Volokolamsk, your division will still be responsible for defending the city. What are your thoughts on this?"

Panfilov, whose name was called, stood up, glanced at the commanders present, and said, "As a soldier, I will resolutely obey orders from my superiors. Once Volokolamsk is recaptured, I will lead the officers and soldiers of the 316th Infantry Division to defend the city. But just now, when the Chief of Staff asked in public if we had any difficulties, I said no, which would be lying..."

Seeing that Panfilov was about to become a chatterbox, Rokossovsky quickly interrupted him: "General Panfilov, time is of the essence, you should get to the point."

Panfilov nodded and continued, “The difficulties our division faces are nothing more than two points: First, a severe shortage of manpower. When we first joined the battle, our division had 15,000 men, but after this period of fighting with the Germans, our manpower has been reduced to 6,000. Second, we originally had an artillery regiment, but it was also lost in the battle. What I want to say is that, regarding the replenishment of manpower, if the army group headquarters has difficulties, we can temporarily refrain from replenishing them. However, without artillery, it means that we do not have ideal anti-tank weapons, and it will be very difficult for us to withstand the onslaught of enemy tank formations.”

"General Panfilov!" Rokossovsky continued, "Don't worry, after your division moves into Volokolamsk, the army group's artillery will be your strong support. When the enemy launches a fierce attack, the powerful artillery fire will inflict heavy losses on them."

Sitting in the corner, Sokov watched Panfilov talking to Rokossovsky and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that the counterattack they would launch tomorrow would yield negligible results. Panfilov's first-class political instructor, Klochkov, while holding the recently captured station, uttered the famous words that would become widely known: "Russia may be vast, but we have nowhere to retreat—Moscow is behind us!"

In addition, General Panfilov would also be killed in battle two days later. The division was awarded the honorary title of the 8th Guards Rifle Division that same day, but sadly, Panfilov did not live to hear this exhilarating news.

Next, several commanders spoke, and they all agreed that the existing forces were limited, and that the counterattack in the Skirmanovo region had just ended, resulting in severe troop losses, exhaustion of the officers and soldiers, and insufficient ammunition to support a medium-sized battle.

After recording everyone's opinions, Malinin, representing Rokossovsky, addressed the audience, saying: "Comrades, as you all know, this counterattack operation was indeed somewhat rushed, and all units are facing shortages of manpower and ammunition. But we are in a difficult situation, and the Germans are not in much better shape either. Therefore, we must seize this rare opportunity, launch a decisive counterattack, and strive to achieve the desired results."

After Malining finished speaking, none of the commanders below responded to him. Everyone knew that to defeat the Germans, it was far from enough to just have grand words. They needed sufficient manpower and ammunition, as well as air force, artillery, and tank support during the battle. Only then could they possibly complete this counterattack mission.

The reaction was exactly what Malinin had expected. He instinctively turned to look at Rokossovsky, hoping the other man would say something to boost morale.

Rokossovsky understood his look, smiled slightly, and then said to Dovator, commander of the 3rd Cavalry Corps: "Dovator, after tomorrow's artillery preparations are over, your cavalry corps will launch an attack on the enemy's positions immediately. Do you have the confidence to break through the German lines?"

Upon hearing Rokossovsky's question, Dovator raised his hand and touched his nose, slowly saying, "Comrade Commander, our army's attack range is a full three kilometers, and this area is all open terrain with no cover. Although it is very advantageous for our cavalry to gallop, the cavalry, being such a large target, may also become targets for the Germans."

“Dovator, I chose your cavalry corps for the first wave of attack because of this,” Rokossovsky said, looking at Dovator. “You can sprint this distance in just three to five minutes. But if it were infantry, it would take them at least half an hour to cover these three kilometers.”

“I understand, Comrade Commander.” Dovator understood Rokossovsky’s reason for this arrangement: he believed that the cavalry, as the first wave of attack, could reach the German positions in the shortest time, when the Germans would not be ready and there would be a high probability of breaking through. “I cannot make any guarantees to you, but I can assure you that we will do our best.”

Rokossovsky nodded in satisfaction at Dovator's answer, then asked, "Does anyone else have any questions?"

The commanders inside remained silent.

Based on his past experience, Sokov believed that Rokossovsky would soon adjourn the meeting so he could leave.

To everyone's surprise, Rokossovsky's gaze swept around the room, but he never announced the end of the meeting. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Sokov: "Misha, what are your thoughts? You can share them with everyone!"

“Comrade Commander, the preparation time for this counterattack was too rushed, and the troops involved had just completed other combat missions not long ago. I’m afraid their morale, fighting spirit, and physical strength are not at their best.” Sokov said without hesitation, “I don’t think the chances of success in capturing Volokolamsk with such troops are very high.”

If any other commander had dared to say such a thing in public, he would have either been thrown out by Rokossovsky's men or branded a German spy, since such statements would undermine morale. But after listening, Rokossovsky merely glanced at Sokov and said calmly, "Your brigade also has targets to capture in tomorrow's operation. I wonder if you have the confidence to take these areas controlled by the Germans?"

“I will do my utmost, Comrade Commander,” Sokov assured Rokossovsky. “Even if we suffer heavy casualties, we will find a way to take the position back from the Germans.”

After the meeting, Belkin, who had come with Sokov, immediately pulled Sokov aside to a quiet corner and asked in a low, anxious voice, "Comrade Brigade Commander, do you really think our brigade has the strength to take over the designated area?"

“What’s impossible?” Sokov retorted. “We just formed an artillery battery, and with their assistance, our chances of completing our superiors’ mission have greatly increased.”

“I’m afraid one artillery company is far from enough,” Belkin asked with a worried expression.

“That’s enough, Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander,” Sokov said confidently. “The areas we’ve been ordered to attack are mostly settlements and villages; the enemy can’t possibly deploy any heavy forces there. Our counterattack will definitely succeed.” Sokov was chatting with Belkin when he suddenly saw Panfilov and Yegorov come out. He quickly said to Belkin, “Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, go back to the car and wait for me. I’ll come find you after I’ve finished dealing with things here.”

Although Belkin didn't understand why Sokov had suddenly changed his mind and told him to go back to the car first, he didn't ask. Instead, he nodded and turned to walk towards where the car was parked.

"General Panfilov, hello!" Sokov quickly approached Panfilov after Belkin left. "I am Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, commander of the infantry brigade. We were just having a meeting together. May I have a few words with you privately?"

Panfilov remembered Sokov, and upon hearing this, he immediately realized that the other man must have something important to say to him. He quickly extended his hand to Sokov and said in a friendly tone, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I remember you. Your troops are deployed on the left flank of my division, providing us with protection. I've always wanted to meet you, and I never thought I'd finally get to meet you today."

As Sokov shook hands with Panfilov, he kept his eyes on Yegorov beside him and said in a low voice, "Comrades Commanders, I have some good news to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Panfilov raised his eyebrows and tentatively asked, "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, is there some good news?"

"Can you promise me you won't tell anyone this?"

Panfilov and Yegorov were taken aback. After exchanging glances, they agreed to Sokov's suggestion: "Yes, of course. We will definitely not tell anyone about this, so don't worry."

After receiving their promises, Sokov continued in a low voice, "I have received reliable information that your division will soon be awarded the honorary title of '8th Guards Rifle Division'."

After hearing Sokov's words, the two men's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

“Lieutenant Colonel Sokov,” Panfilov asked in a trembling voice, “is everything you’re saying true?”

“Of course it’s true.” Sokov nodded, saying with certainty, “This is information I obtained through special channels, but the official announcement will have to wait a few days. Please keep it a secret until then. Understand?”

“Don’t worry, Lieutenant Colonel Sokov.” Panfilov thought to himself that whoever received this information must be a very important person. If he leaked the news before the higher-ups officially announced the awarding of the honorary title of Guards Division to the 316th Infantry Division, it might cause trouble for the person who provided the information. Therefore, he sincerely assured Sokov, “We will absolutely not reveal this matter to any more people before the higher-ups officially announce the order.”

Sokov nodded, shook hands with Panfilov and Yegorov again, and then turned and walked away.

He thought to himself: In his previous life, Panfilov tragically died in battle before his superiors could officially award his infantry division the honorary title of Guards Division, and he never learned of this exciting news. In this life, by revealing the news about the Guards Division to Panfilov in advance, even if he were to die, he could probably rest in peace.

As Yegorov watched Sokov's retreating figure, he thoughtfully asked Panfilov, "Comrade Division Commander, do you think what Lieutenant Colonel Sokov said might be true?"

“I think it’s definitely true,” Panfilov said with certainty. “He wouldn’t bother deceiving us about something so trivial. Let’s wait a few more days, and we’ll know the answer.”

Sokov returned to the jeep, and Belkin asked curiously, "Comrade Brigade Commander, I saw you just went to see General Panfilov. What did you want to see him about?"

“We are comrades-in-arms with General Panfilov’s troops.” Sokov naturally wouldn’t tell Belkin the truth, but instead laughed and said, “I saw Division Commander Panfilov at the meeting today, so of course I had to go up and say hello to him.”

Belkin didn't believe a word Sokov said, not even a punctuation mark. If it really was just a greeting to a friendly commander, why would he send me away? Presumably, he didn't want me to know what he was saying to Panfilov.

Belkin saw through the situation but didn't say anything. He simply patted the driver lightly on the shoulder and said, "Driver, let's go."

A dozen minutes later, the jeep returned to the brigade command post.

Outside the command post stood a dozen officers. Sokov looked closely and realized they were his battalion commander, deputy battalion commander, and several company commanders.

As soon as the jeep came to a stop, Captain Yefim, the battalion commander, quickly stepped forward and personally opened the door for Sokov. Worried that he might bump his head, he even placed his hand above the door to shield him.

After getting out of the car, Sokov thanked Yefim and then asked the others curiously, "Why aren't you all staying in your own units? What are you doing here?"

"Comrade Brigade Commander," Yefim said with a smile, "we all know that you and the Deputy Brigade Commander went to the Army Group Headquarters to receive combat missions. I would like to ask, what are the specific combat plans?"

Sokov did not immediately answer Yefim's question. Instead, he looked at his subordinates beside him and said loudly, "Comrades, I think you are all eager to know what kind of meeting the army group headquarters has called us to today. So let's all go into the command post. I will not only explain it to you in detail, but also assign you combat tasks."

Upon hearing Sokov's words, the commanders cheered and rushed into the brigade headquarters, waiting for Sokov to assign them combat missions.

(End of this chapter)