Chapter 1429 Prepare for a rainy day

  Sokov's words made Sameko silent. Yes, the power of an assault rifle is great, but its powerful firepower output is based on the consumption of a large amount of ammunition. The ammunition of the weapons of the Soviet Union and Germany is not common. Even if the equipment of the German army is seized, if the fighters do not replace it with German weapons, the captured ammunition will not be able to be used.

  It is not realistic for commanders and fighters to use German weapons to fight. The weapons captured on the battlefield have limited ammunition. In such a fierce battle, these captured ammunition will soon be exhausted, and the weapons in the hands of commanders and fighters will also become useless fire sticks .

   Just when everyone was frowning, Yakov walked in from the outside. He came to the table and sat down familiarly. Seeing that everyone was frowning, he asked Sukov angrily, "Misha, did you encounter any difficulties?"

"Colonel Yakov," Hearing Yakov's question, Sameko said with a frown: "The situation is that we have encountered a little trouble in attacking Dergach's troops, and it will take us a long time to seize the city." Postpone. In this way, the 98th Guards Division, which is lurking in the depths of the German defenses, is in danger of being exposed."

"So that's what happened." Yakov said disapprovingly after hearing this: "Your 98th Guards Division is not far from the Oude River. If it is exposed, you can directly launch a counterattack against the enemy and seize the bridge. The main force of the army opens the way to the city."

"It's not difficult to capture the bridge over the Ud River." Sokov tapped the table with his hand and said to Yakov: "The difficulty is how to hold the bridge and ensure that the enemy cannot recapture the bridge before the main force of our army arrives." .”

Yakov misunderstood Sokov, and said with a puzzled face: "Misha, I remember that the 98th Guards Division was made an exception and reorganized as a Guards Division because of its outstanding record. Why, you didn't treat them well." confidence?"

"Our soldiers are very brave. If they have sufficient ammunition, I believe they can hold on for three to five days." Sokov said with a serious expression: "But they only carry two basic ammunition, and it is estimated that it will take half a day." If they can’t use it, they will use up the ammunition. Once they run out of ammunition, how can they block the enemy’s attack by fighting with bayonets?”

Yakov wanted to make some jokes with Sokov, but when he saw the other party's serious expression, he immediately contacted Sokov's troops at the northern hill during the Stalingrad defense war because they ran out of ammunition. And had to fight the bayonet with the enemy. In the end, although the enemy's attack was repelled, the troops paid a huge sacrifice.

   "We can find a way to deliver ammunition to them."

"Colonel Yakov is right," Lunev said before Yakov finished speaking, "We can find a way to deliver ammunition for the 98th Guards Division, such as airlift or even airdrop." OK."

"Comrade Military Commissar," Sameko shook his head and rejected Lunev's proposal: "The Oude River already belongs to the depth of the German army's defense. In addition to their complete ground defense system, they must also have strong anti-aircraft firepower. Our transport aircraft It is estimated that it was shot down by the enemy's anti-aircraft fire before it got close to the target."

When Lunev made a suggestion, he really ignored the issue of the German anti-aircraft firepower. Hearing what Sameko said at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious: “Then what should we do, should we just watch the 98th Guards Division being killed? Is the enemy wiped out?"

"Comrade Military Commissar, don't say any more about the annihilation of the 98th Guards Division by the enemy." Sokov reminded Lunev expressionlessly: "Even if they are surrounded by the Germans, Colonel Chuvashov can take them with him." The troops broke out."

"Comrade Commander," Sameko said to Sokov, "you can call General Konev and ask about the progress of the main force of the front yesterday. If the results they have achieved have put enormous pressure on the enemy, Then even if the 98th Guards Division was besieged, the enemy could not mobilize more troops, but besieged them."

   "It makes sense, I'll call General Konev and ask how their frontal attack is going."

   Sokov ordered the director of the Communications Corps to connect to the phone of the Front Army Command. When he heard Zakharov's voice coming from the receiver, Sokov hurriedly said with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army."

   "It's Sokov." Zakharov recognized Sokov's voice, and said with a smile, "You called so early, do you have any good news for me?"

  Zakharov's words made Sokov blush, and he said a little embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I think what I brought you is not very good news."

"Not so good news?" Sokov reported the battle report of the 254th Division's attack on Dergach yesterday after dark. Hearing what Sokov said, Zakharov felt in his heart He couldn't help thumping, and asked tentatively, "Comrade Sokov, did something happen to Gergach?"

"That's right." Sokov replied truthfully: "In the early hours of the morning, the enemy suddenly launched a fire attack on our army occupying the north of the city. Not quit the city."

"Ah, the enemy launched a fire attack on your troops that entered Jergach?" Zakharov was surprised, and asked angrily, "Why didn't you organize fire fighting, but handed over the city to the Germans?" ?”

"It's not that we don't put out the fire, it's that we can't do it at all." Sokov smiled bitterly and explained to Zakharov: "The enemy set the fire with a flamethrower, and it was on the windward side, so the fire spread quickly. Our commanders and fighters Not to mention fighting the fire, even if you escape a little slower, you will be buried in the sea of ​​flames, so there is no way to be driven out of the city by the enemy."

  After understanding the situation at the time, Zakharov became relatively calm. He asked curiously: "Comrade Sokov, did you call me so early just to tell me the bad news?"

   "Of course not, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov quickly stated the purpose of his call: "I just want to know the results of the attack by the main force of the Front Army yesterday, and what actions will be taken today?"

  The other end of the phone was silent. After a while, Zakharov asked: "Comrade Sokov, is my answer important to you?"

   "Yes, it's important!"

Seeing Sokov's straightforward answer, Zakharov said: "In yesterday's attack, we successfully wedged into the German defense line for eight to twelve kilometers. If today's attack goes well, some troops may be able to reach Kharkov. outside the city."

   After answering this question, Zakharov asked curiously: "Your army has been fighting independently. What is the purpose of asking this?"

"It's like this, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov asked the other party, and naturally he would not conceal his real purpose: "Because of the German arson, our troops had to withdraw from Jergach, so we asked Ha The time to launch the attack by Erkov will be delayed. However, the 98th Guards Division, which is lurking in the depths of the German defense, will face the possibility of being exposed due to the delay of our attack.

  According to our plan, once they are discovered by the enemy, they will decisively launch a fierce attack on the enemy along the Ude River, and seize the bridge on the river in the shortest possible time to ensure that the main force of our army can cross the Ude River smoothly. But if they are exposed prematurely, and our main force is unable to rush over for reinforcements, they will be in danger. "

Zakharov frowned slightly, and said: "Comrade Sokov, if I remember correctly, the 98th Guards Division has just been reorganized as a Guards Division. Is their combat effectiveness so weak that even the enemy's Can't even handle the attack?"

"It's not that their combat effectiveness is not good, but that the ammunition they carry is limited." Sokov explained: "Once they are encircled by the German army, the ammunition they carry will soon be exhausted, and then they can only Fighting with the enemy's bayonet, it is impossible to support the arrival of the main force."

Zakharov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, hummed lightly, and then said: "Comrade Sokov, I understand. When Commander Konev comes, I will report this matter to him . Find ways to strengthen the strength of the frontal attack to attract the attention of the German army, so that they dare not transfer too many troops from the front, but besiege the 98th Guards Division."

   Seeing that his purpose of calling had been achieved, Sokov couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief, and quickly expressed his gratitude to Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I thank you on behalf of the commanders and fighters of the entire army!"

After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, General Zakharov promised me that they will find ways to strengthen the strength of the frontal attack, so as to contain the main force of the enemy and prevent them from drawing too much. to besiege our 98th Guards Division."

   While he breathed a sigh of relief, Sameko asked the question he was worried about: "Then how to replenish ammunition for them?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, have you forgotten my hovercraft?" Yakov interrupted again: "Don't forget, each of our hovercraft can carry 30 soldiers or eight tons of cargo. Even if we only dispatch ten hovercraft, It can provide the defenders with 80 tons of ammunition, and the wounded can be brought back with them when they return.”

  Yakov's words made Sameko's eyes light up, and he quickly turned to Sokov and said excitedly: "Comrade Commander, I think Colonel Yakov's plan is feasible. How about we try it?"

Sokov did not reply to Sameko immediately, but turned to Yakov and asked: "Yasha, I know that the load of the hovercraft is very large. What I am concerned about now is whether your ammunition and supplies have been safely delivered to the guards. The 98th Division?"

  Hearing Sokov's question, Yakov hesitated for a while, and then replied: "I don't think there should be a big problem."

"Yasha, I don't want your people to encounter any danger because of transporting supplies." Sokov said seriously: "You know, the hovercraft is a top-secret device of our army. Commanders at the level of General Nev are not qualified to know the existence of this kind of technical equipment. If any danger occurs during the delivery of supplies, resulting in damage to the hovercraft or even being captured by the German army, I am afraid that you and I will not be able to escape. responsibility."

"Misha, I think that as long as we find a way to avoid the enemy, our hovercraft will be able to transport supplies to the 98th Guards Division smoothly, and we can also help them transport the wounded back." The delivery of supplies by the 98th Guards Division is a very dangerous thing, but Yakov is not willing to give up easily.

"It's not easy to find a way to avoid the enemy." After Yakov finished speaking, Sokov shook his head and said, "The enemy has been operating in Kharkov for almost two years. All the way, the enemy has set up obstacles. No, I have no right to let you and your people take risks..."

   Before Sokov could finish speaking, Sameko suddenly exclaimed: "Comrade Commander, it is not impossible to find a way to avoid all enemies."

  Sokov turned to look at Sameko with a surprised expression on his face.

Seeing that Sokov's attention was attracted by himself, Sameko continued to say: "Comrade Commander, don't forget that when the 98th Guards Division passed through the enemy's line of defense, although some people were wearing German uniforms, But if they can avoid the suspicion of the enemy, they must pass through a road that is ignored by the enemy. If we use this passage to provide supplies for the 98th Guards Division, I think it should work. "

Seeing that Sameko agreed with his opinion, Yakov felt that this was a rare opportunity to make contributions, so he said to Sokov while the iron was hot: "Misha, just promise me. I assure you, we will pay attention to it." It's safe, there will never be an accident on the road, and you will be blamed for us."

   Judging from the current situation, the plans of Sameko and Yakov are feasible to a certain extent. Thinking of this, Sokov no longer insisted on his opinion, but nodded, and then told Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, then you should immediately send a telegram to Colonel Chuvashov and ask him to send some people who are familiar with the road. Soldiers have returned to serve as guides for Colonel Yakov's hovercraft unit."

  Seeing that Sokov agreed to his plan, Sameko was overjoyed. He quickly agreed, and turned to the communication area to send a telegram.

"Yasha," Sokov approached Yakov and whispered to him while Sameko was sending a telegram, "I hope you can send this matter to the 98th Guards Division." Hand it over to other comrades."

  Although Yakov understood what Sokov meant in his heart, he still asked instinctively, "Why?"

"I don't want you to be in danger." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, seeing Yakov's disapproving expression, he quickly said with a straight face: "Yasha, you are different from other comrades. Your Your status is very special. If something unexpected happens to you during the delivery of supplies, I will certainly not be able to continue as the commander of the group army, and I am afraid that General Konev's position as the commander of the front army will also be affected."

After Sokov said these words, Yakov was silent. He knew very well that what Sokov said was correct, and his status was special. If there were any troubles on the battlefield, his father would definitely Blame the relevant commanders, and then many people will be implicated.

  After trying to understand the truth, he nodded slightly, and replied with difficulty: "Okay, Misha, I'll listen to you, and leave this task to other comrades."

  (end of this chapter)