Chapter 1009 The Situation Worsens (Part 1)

   Rokossovsky frowned after receiving the analysis information reported by Sokov. Upon seeing this, Malinin asked quickly, "Comrade Commander, what happened? Why does Colonel Sokov's report bother you so much?"

"Chief of Staff, look at what they reported." Rokossovsky put the telegram in front of Malinin and said to him: "Misha firmly believes that although the Voronezh Front and the Southwest Front are on the battlefield A series of victories were achieved on the battlefield, and the German army was defeated. But in fact, they were in danger, and there was a possibility of being counterattacked by the German army."

"How is this possible, Comrade Commander." Malinin said disapprovingly of the information reported by Sokov: "According to the summary of intelligence from various places, our military strength is eight times that of the German army, and our technical equipment is far more than that of the German army." The enemy. If they are still defeated by the German army under such circumstances, then the commander who commanded the battle can only be sent to a military court."

"I think so too, Comrade Chief of Staff." Rokossovsky agreed with Malinin's statement, but he also said with concern: "At the beginning of last year, I was wounded outside Moscow. I was sent to the hospital. During his stay in Moscow, he participated in the preparation meeting for the Southwest Front to attack Kharkov. I heard that he personally pointed out the mistakes of Marshal Timoshenko at the meeting and reminded Marshal, say that the attack on Kharkov may not be successful."

"Ah, I really didn't expect that Colonel Sokov had ever participated in such an important military meeting?" Malinin said in surprise, "That's right, in the summary of the battle later, it did mention Marshal Timoshenko's misjudgment. Timely elimination of the enemy in the salient that poses the greatest threat to our army will quickly split the front line when our army is counterattacked by the enemy, and as a result, the campaign launched by our army ended in failure."

If Rokossovsky had not mentioned that Sokov had participated in the last high-level military meeting, Malinin might have insisted on his point of view, but at this moment he became a little hesitant: "Comrade commander, then What do you say we should do, really report this matter to the headquarters of the Supreme Command?"

"This is exactly what I am hesitant about." Rokossovsky said rather helplessly: "Although I know in my heart what Misha discovered, the accuracy rate is very high. But I am worried about reporting to the After the base camp, I'm afraid it will attract reprimand from the superior."

   "You are right, Comrade Commander." Malinin naturally understood the reason why Rokossovsky said this. Now everyone has been optimistic about the battle in the Dnieper River Basin, thinking that defeating the German army is only a matter of time. But if anyone jumps out and sings the opposite at this time, he will disappear after being scolded, and he may be labeled as a "defeatist argument". "It's a real headache."

"I think it's better to report through the normal channels." After repeated thinking, Rokossovsky made a difficult decision: "In any case, if the base camp can warn Vatutin, it is the best Okay. If they ignore us, there's nothing they can do. But at least we did what we had to do."

  Sokov's analysis information was reported to the General Staff by Ma Linin through formal channels. The new Chief of General Staff, Antonov, reported the matter to Stalin again.

When Stalin learned of this, he was furious: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't you know that our army is attacking Zaporozhye, where Manstein's headquarters is located? And according to Vatutin's report, they only need two In three days, the city can be taken and the enemy can be driven across the Dnieper River.

But at this time, Rokossovsky handed in this irresponsible report, saying that the enemy is about to launch a counterattack against our army, and there is even the possibility of splitting our army's defense line, so that Vatutin's troops Be vigilant. "

  When Stalin had an attack, Antonov did not dare to speak, but just lowered his head and listened quietly to every word Stalin said. Suddenly I heard Stalin ask: "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, this absurd conclusion was definitely not made by Rokossovsky. Tell me, is it the product of some idiot's whimsy?"

   "Comrade Stalin!" Hearing Stalin ask himself, Antonov replied cautiously: "It is Colonel Sokov, commander of the 41st Guards Division."

   "How could a commander staying at Mamayev Post judge the enemy's situation thousands of kilometers away?" Stalin sneered and said, "Does he think he is a god?"

   "Comrade Stalin, there is one more thing that I haven't had time to report to you." Antonov said: "Actually, Colonel Sokov's 41st Guards Division is not in Mamayev Hill now."

   "Not at Mamayev Gang?" Stalin asked, "Then where are they?"

   "In Lugansk." Antonov replied: "It was Rokossovsky himself who ordered them to be transferred there."

Stalin walked quickly to the wall, looked at the map hanging on it, gestured the distance with his hands, and asked in surprise: "Lugansk is nearly 700 kilometers away from Mamayev Kurgan, Rokosovsky What did Kei send them traveling so far?"

   "It is said that they are worried that the enemy will really launch a counterattack, and Sokov's 41st Guards Division is the best at defense. Putting them there can block the enemy who may rush over."

   "Enemy, where is the enemy?" Stalin said disdainfully: "Even if they get to Luhansk, the distance from the battle here is more than 300 kilometers. Can you see the enemy?"

   "It is said that a few days ago, a wave of enemies attacked Lugansk." Antonov said cautiously: "Fortunately, Colonel Sokov and his guards were in the city at that time, and they blocked the enemy."

   "What, the enemy attacked Lugansk?" Stalin was very surprised, "When did it happen, how come I don't know at all?"

"Just a few days ago, the German army dispatched more than 400 people and quietly touched the vicinity of Lugansk. Fortunately, Sokov's guard company set up a defensive position there and fought against the sneak attacking enemy." Antonuo The husband reported: "After a fierce battle, fortunately, part of the 122nd Regiment of the 41st Guards Division arrived and successfully wiped out the invading enemy. However, Sukov's guard company also basically lost all casualties."

   "Where are the defenders in Lugansk?" Stalin asked displeasedly, "Why didn't they rush to reinforce Misha when they were attacked?"

   "It is said that as soon as the battle outside the city started, the garrison company in the city quietly withdrew without firing a single shot."

"This is not a retreat, but an escape." Stalin was angry: "Our comrades are fighting heroically against the enemy at the front, and the garrison company not only failed to support them, but even dared to escape without permission. Immediately give Vatutin an order to put this The company commander who was greedy for life and fear of death was shot, and the company was sent back to Lugansk and given to Sokov to command."

  Seeing that Stalin was speaking to Sokov, Antonov asked cautiously: "Comrade Stalin, do you need to convey the warning from Sokov to Vatutin?"

Stalin took a deep puff on his pipe, shook his head and said, "I don't think so. Now our army is attacking Zaporozhye. We cannot let this baseless analysis affect the morale of the army. "

   "Understood, Comrade Stalin." Antonov replied respectfully: "I will call Rokossovsky back immediately and convey your meaning to him."

  ...

   Sokov, who is far away in Luhansk, has no knowledge of what happened to the Front Army Command and Moscow.

  Asiya, who came with the main force of the division, went to the division headquarters to find Sokov.

  When Sidolin saw Assia walking in, he greeted with a smile: "Assia, you are here!"

   "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff." Assia greeted Sidolin politely, then came to Sokov, and said to him, "Misha, I have something to see you."

  Biely, who was talking to Sokov, heard that Assia said that he had something to ask Sokov, and thought that the two of them wanted to discuss a personal matter, so he stood up and prepared to leave. But Asiya stopped him: "Comrade deputy division commander, you don't have to go away, I'm talking about business with Misha."

   "Business?" Sokov asked a little puzzled: "What business?"

"Misha, some of the wounded who were injured in the battle a few days ago are quite serious." Assia frowned and said to him: "With the current personnel and equipment of our medical team, it is impossible to provide them with more serious injuries." Good treatment, I suggest sending people immediately and sending them to the division field hospital in the rear."

   "Chief of Staff," Sokov heard Assia mentioning the division field hospital, and hurriedly asked Sidolin, "Has the establishment of the field hospital now been completed?"

   "Yes, Comrade Commander, it has been roughly completed." Sidolin asked Sokov for instructions: "Look, when will they also rush to Lugansk?"

"Wait a little longer." Sokov waved his hand and said, "The situation here is still unclear, so let them stay in Stalingrad obediently. I will notify them when they come over." After talking about this, he specifically confessed to Sidolin, "Immediately arrange vehicles to send the wounded back to Stalingrad."

   "Okay, Comrade Commander." Sidolin nodded quickly and replied, "I will immediately arrange vehicles to evacuate the wounded."

"Assia." Seeing Assia was about to turn around and leave, Sokov hurriedly chased after her, and said to her in a low voice: "You'd better ask Ada to **** the wounded back. When you reach Mamayev Post, let her temporarily Don't come back."

  Assia asked nervously: "Does this mean there is going to be a war here again?"

"Yes," Sokov nodded slightly, and said in a low voice: "If there is a real fight, I'm afraid the scale of the fight will not be small. If Ada stays here by then, I'm worried that she will be in danger. "

   "Don't worry, Misha." Assia assured Sokov, "I will definitely arrange for Ada to **** the wounded back."

   Right after Asya left, Sokov received a call from Rokossovsky from the Front Army Command: "Misha, this is Rokossovsky."

"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Hearing Rokossovsky's voice, Sokov immediately realized that the other party's call must be related to the analysis information he reported, but he still deliberately pretended to be confused: " Do you have any instructions?"

"Misha, although I think your analysis is very reasonable." Rokossovsky said with some embarrassment on the other end of the phone: "But now on the battlefield, the situation is very favorable to our army. Under these circumstances, it is not convincing to inform Vatutin of the possibility of the enemy's counter-offensive after they have captured Zaporozhye."

From the tone of Rokossovsky's speech, Sokov heard the helplessness of the other party. After all, in the eyes of most people, the situation is very good. Any dissenting remarks may affect the morale of the troops. and morale, must be banned. So he said understandingly: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I understand, I will not mention this matter again in the future."

"Misha, it's good that you can understand my difficulties." Rokossovsky continued: "There is another news to tell you, the supreme commander himself has personally ordered to shoot the company commander who took the lead in escaping, and send the His troops will be sent back to Luhansk, under your command. It is up to you to decide how to use this force."

  Before hanging up the phone, Rokossovsky said with some hesitation: "Misha, Luhansk may go to war, so I ask you to take care of Ada. I hope she can live and reunite with me."

   "Don't worry, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov thought to himself that he had asked Assia to arrange for Ada to return to Mamayev Post, and there should be no danger there.

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin heard Sokov and Rokossovsky's phone call, and learned that a company would be sent to Luhansk soon, so he tentatively asked Sokov: "Seryozha The company's guard company has basically been wiped out, see if you can add this new company to Seryozha's guard company."

"No, absolutely not." Sukov thought that at the height of the battle, the company would dare to run away without saying anything, and he was angry: "How can such a force take them away?" What about joining the guard company? In my opinion, they should be sent to the most dangerous place and let them fight the Germans face to face. Only those who survived are eligible to become candidates for the guard company.”

"Also," Sokov felt that since his superiors were unwilling to warn him in order not to affect Vatutin's command, he could only provide vigilance and strengthen the defense of the Luhansk area, so he specially emphasized to Sidolin Said: "Send more reconnaissance teams to carry out reconnaissance around the surroundings, and timely understand the movements of both the enemy and ourselves. At the same time, each regiment should also do a good job of containment. All commanders and fighters who fled from the west, regardless of their ranks and ranks, have been incorporated into the army. troops of our army."

   "Comrade commander, what should we do if they refuse to accept the recruitment?"

   "Arrest all the officers and hand them over to me." Sokov sneered and said, "If I come forward, they are still stubborn, and I will make them regret it."

  (end of this chapter)