Chapter 1260 Side attack

  The tank battle outside Prokhorovka took longer than Sokov expected. In fact, this is also easy to understand. About this battle, there are only a few understatements in the history books, and it does not say how long the battlefield lasted. As for how many tanks were used by both sides, it is still a topic of endless debate.

Although Sokov did not witness the battle with his own eyes, according to the information he has, there are more than 400 Soviet tanks outside the city of Prokhorovka, while the German tanks and self-propelled guns add up to more than 100. . Except here, the Soviets and Germans in other directions each have hundreds of tanks. If these numbers are added up, even if it does not reach a thousand, it is not far from this number.

  Because the battle outside Prokhorovka has not ended for a long time, after General Poluboyarov's tank army arrived at the designated position, it was basically in a state of doing nothing. Looking at the tank soldiers under him, all sitting on the tanks, watching the infantry building fortifications boredly, Poluboyarov felt that he should ask Sokov to arrange some work for himself, which was better than being idle and boring now.

"Comrade Commander, this is Poluboyarov." As soon as the call was connected, General Poluboyarov said straight to the point: "It has been two hours since our army entered the designated position. Apart from the two small convoys, there was no sign of the Germans."

"It's a good thing for you that you don't see the shadow of the Germans." Sokov replied with a smile: "In this way, you will have enough time to maintain the tanks, and when the battle starts, you can use the best state into combat."

"But when will we be able to go into battle?" Poluboyarov muttered, "Now whether it is our east or west, friendly forces are fighting fiercely with the enemy. But our soldiers Stay where you are and watch the action, so everyone will be emotional."

  Since the enemy has not appeared for a long time, it is indeed a bit inappropriate to let General Poluboyarov's tank army stay in place and do nothing. But for a while, no suitable combat mission could be assigned to the tank army, so Sokov could only say helplessly: "Comrade General, don't worry, there are many opportunities to fight, and your task now is to make good use of it." Take a break. But at the same time, you have to send tank squads to intercept the enemy's transport convoy, preventing them from delivering ammunition and fuel to Prokhorovka. As long as you cut off the enemy's supply line, the enemy will not be far from defeat .”

"Okay, Comrade Commander." Since Sokov said so, Poluboyarov could only bite the bullet and replied: "I will send a tank squad to intercept the enemy's transport convoy and cut off the enemy's supply line. "

   As soon as Sokov put down the phone here, he saw Colonel Mashkov, political commissar of the 188th Division, appearing in the headquarters. Since the 188th Division was stationed here, Mashkov has been staying in the grassroots units, and his political workers have done propaganda and agitation work for the soldiers to boost morale.

  Seeing him appearing in the headquarters at this moment, Sokov raised his eyebrows and asked casually: "Colonel Mashkov, why are you free to return to the division headquarters today?"

   "Comrade political commissar." Keida also saw his political commissar for the first time after coming here. He asked curiously, "Did something happen?"

"Yes, there is indeed a problem." Mashkov nodded, picked up a cup of tea on the table, drank it up, and then said: "After repeated battles, the 568 regiment is now only There are more than 300 people left. If the German army chooses the area they are defending next time they attack, I am worried that the position may be lost."

   "What, there are only more than 300 people left in the 568th regiment?" Keida was taken aback by the number Mashkov said. You know, when the troops first entered here, the 568th Regiment had more than 1,800 people. Now less than two days have passed, the regiment has only a fraction of its original size.

Koyda picked up the phone, ordered the communications soldiers to connect to the regiment headquarters of the 568th regiment, and directly asked the regiment commander who answered the phone: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I heard that there are only more than 300 people left in your regiment. Is this true?" Is it?"

  The head of the lieutenant colonel quickly replied: "Yes, comrade commander. There are only more than 300 people left in our regiment..."

"Why didn't you report it?" Before the other party finished speaking, Keida burst into flames: "Do you know that if the defense line of the whole division is breached due to the lack of troops in your regiment, can you bear the responsibility? "

"Comrade commander, even if there is only one of us left, we will never let the Germans pass through our position." The lieutenant colonel assured Koyda: "Please believe me, we will try our best to hold the position. "

"Nonsense, you are simply nonsense." Keida continued to growl and said, "If the political commissar hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known that your regiment was so severely downsized. If you were wiped out by the German army in such a silent manner, by then Who should be responsible for the loss of positions?"

   "Comrade Colonel, give me the phone." Seeing Koyda yelling into the microphone, Sokov walked up to him and held out his hand to him: "Let me have a word with Comrade Lieutenant Colonel."

  Kuida did not dare to refute, so he could only obediently hand the microphone in his hand to Sokov. Sokov put the microphone close to his ear and said kindly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I am Sokov."

   "Hello, Comrade Commander!" The lieutenant colonel became nervous when he heard that the speaker was replaced by Sokov: "Do you have any instructions?"

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I admire your determination and courage to sacrifice your life in order to defend our great motherland. But..." Sukov felt that fighting the enemy should not be blindly head-to-head. Some strategies, euphemistically say: "Sacrificing for the country is never the way to win the war, the way to win the war is to make your enemies die for their country!"

  The Lieutenant Colonel never dreamed that Sokov would say such a thing, and he didn't know how to reply for a while.

Seeing that the lieutenant colonel did not speak, Sokov continued: "The war will end sooner or later. Those of us who live until the day of victory cannot become idle just because the war is over. On the contrary, we have a lot of work We must rebuild the cities and farms that were destroyed by the war. Not only our own, but even the enemy’s cities and farms, we have an obligation to help them rebuild.”

   "Comrade Commander, I don't understand." The lieutenant colonel became more and more confused as he listened: "Why do we help the enemy build cities and farms?"

"The reason is very simple. When the enemy was defeated by us, their land was also occupied by us." Sokov explained to the lieutenant colonel: "Now that the war is over, we should devote our energy to building those lands. Occupied land. Do you understand?"

After Sokov's simple and straightforward explanation, the lieutenant colonel finally understood what he meant: "Comrade commander, I understand. This should be what you often taught us before. In battle, we must know how to preserve ourselves and eliminate The enemy achieves the greatest victory at the least cost."

   "That's right, that's what it means." Seeing that the other party understood his intention, Sokov showed a gratified smile on his face: "How about it, can you still persist?"

Hearing Sokov's question, the lieutenant colonel hesitated for a long time before he said: "Comrade commander, I have limited troops now, and the wounded account for a large proportion. If the enemy attacks our regiment's position again One attack, we may be able to block it. But if there are too many attacks, we may not be able to hold the position."

Sokov noticed a hint of frustration in the lieutenant colonel's tone, so he comforted him and said, "Comrade lieutenant colonel, don't worry. I will send troops to take over your defense as soon as possible, but before that, you need to ask I promise, I will never lose ground to the enemy."

Knowing that Sokov was about to send troops to take over his defense, the lieutenant colonel couldn't help being overjoyed, and he quickly replied: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, as long as there is one of us, we will definitely not give up the position to the Germans. "

   "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Sokov felt that it was important to switch defenses, but if the new troops took over the defense and were attacked by the enemy before they had time to familiarize themselves with the environment of the position, they might suffer. In order to avoid this situation, he specifically said to the lieutenant colonel: "After the defense is handed over, you must leave a few commanders and fighters who are familiar with the position, and let them help the friendly troops get familiar with the environment as soon as possible. How, can it be done? "

   "No problem, Comrade Commander." The lieutenant colonel said solemnly: "I will personally lead people to stay, assist the commanders and fighters of the friendly army, and come to familiarize themselves with the environment of the position."

  Koida waited for Sokov to put down the phone, and immediately said anxiously: "Comrade Commander, my three regiments are suffering heavy casualties. Which troops do you plan to send to take over their defense?"

Sokov glanced at Koyda, and then said: "In addition to your 188th Division, there are also two regiments of the 182nd Division, an infantry brigade and two marine brigades stationed in this area. .From among them, any troops can be drawn to take over the defense of the 568th Regiment."

  Koyda knew the troops that Sokov mentioned, and he knew the combat effectiveness of each troop, so he waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and then asked again: "Then which troop do you plan to send over?"

"In my opinion, let Colonel Chuvashov's 84th Marine Brigade go there." The reason why Sokov chose this unit without hesitation was because there was Shamrikh he brought with him. Waiting for people, the position led by these old subordinates is undoubtedly reassuring: "As we all know, the combat effectiveness of the navy has always been stronger than that of the army. I think it is completely appropriate for them to take over the defense of the 568 regiment."

"You are right, Comrade Commander." Koyda agreed with Sokov's statement: "In our army, the quality of naval commanders and fighters is the highest. They not only have high academic qualifications, but also They have also undergone rigorous training, and their combat effectiveness is definitely better than those of the army who only learned how to shoot guns and then were sent to the battlefield. I have no objection to Colonel Chuvashov's troops taking over the defense."

Since Koida had no opinion, Sokov still habitually asked for the opinions of the division commissar Mashkov: "What about you, comrade commissar of the division, do you think it is appropriate for the Marine Brigade to take over the position of the 568th regiment?" ?"

"It's suitable, it's just too suitable." Mashkov confirmed that Sokov will send a marine brigade to take over the defense of the 568th regiment. No matter how fierce the attack is, don't even try to break through our army's defense."

  Sokov personally called Colonel Chuvashov and asked with a smile, "Comrade Colonel, how do you feel today?"

   "Unfortunate, Comrade Commander, my heart is very uncomfortable."

   "Why?" Sokov asked curiously.

"At a position four or five hundred meters away from us, friendly troops have been fighting with the Germans, while our sailors are all staying in the fortifications doing nothing." Colonel Chuvashov said with a wry smile: "Comrade commander, to tell you the truth , I heard the gunshots and explosions outside, and felt as if eighteen cats were constantly scratching their paws. If this continues, I will probably go crazy, Comrade Commander, I beg you, Hurry up and assign us combat missions."

   "Comrade Colonel," Sokov felt very relieved when he heard that Chuvashov was eager to fight. The military chief of the army was eager to fight, and his soldiers must be unable to bear it. He said slowly: "I have an important task now, and I want to give it to you to complete."

  Knowing that Sokov was going to hand over the task to himself, Chuvashov immediately cheered up: "Comrade Commander, please tell me."

"The 568th Regiment, which sticks to the far right wing, has been severely reduced after days of fighting, and it is already difficult to withstand the enemy's onslaught." Sokov restrained the smile on his face and said seriously: "In order to ensure that the position is not lost, we It is decided to send your brigade to take over the regiment's defense."

   "Great, this is really great." Hearing that there was a battle, Chuvashov almost jumped up, and he said repeatedly: "Comrade Commander, I will take the troops to take over the defense of the friendly army."

"Comrade Colonel, wait a moment." Sukov heard that the other party was in a hurry to leave, and remembered that he still had something to tell the other party, so he stopped him: "After you take over the defense, the head of the regiment will continue to stay in the position Now, to help you familiarize yourself with the environment. His rank and position are lower than yours, and everything on the battlefield will be up to you."

  When Sokov just said that the head of the 568 regiment would stay, Chuvashov was still quite worried. If there were two military chiefs, he would be responsible for the problem. If there is an emergency, who has the final say? If the battle fails, who should bear the responsibility? Fortunately, what Sokov said next gave Chuvashov a reassurance. As long as he had the final say on the battlefield, there would be no problem.

  The unit to take over the defense has been selected, but this is not enough. After all, infantry are the only ones holding their positions. Even with the help of rocket launchers, which have crossed the ages, it is still very difficult to block the onslaught of the enemy's armored forces. Recalling that not long ago, General Poluboyarov felt that his troops were boring, so he took the initiative to ask himself for military service. At that time, considering that they were not needed for the time being, he rejected Poluboyarov. To stick to the position at this moment, the cooperation of the tank army is definitely needed, so Sokov ordered someone to connect to the headquarters of the tank army.

"General Poluboyarov," Sokov said into the microphone, "immediately mobilize a tank battalion, turn around from the right side of our defensive position, and find a suitable place to hide. Wait until the enemy's armored forces attack When our position launches an attack, you attack decisively, beat their left flank severely, and crush their attack on our position."

  (end of this chapter)