Chapter 158 Unreliable mission

   Rokossovsky received a battle report in the name of Sokov when it was dark. After reading the above content, he put it on the table, and then asked Zakharov who was sitting across the table: "Comrade Deputy Commander, if you are asked to command the Istria battalion, you want to capture the outskirts of Popkovo?" four villages, how long do you need?"

Zakharov, who was reading the battle report of the 11th Guards Division, heard Rokossovsky's question, quickly put down the battle report in his hand, shrugged his shoulders, and said helplessly: "Comrade commander, although the German army is The troops in the outlying villages are very limited, but there are usually barbed wire fences and minefields outside these villages, and shelters with shooting holes have been built under many houses, and there are even tanks in the villages used as fixed forts. This clearing If I am in command of the peripheral battles, with the support of artillery and tanks, I am sure to take these four villages within three to five days."

After listening to Zakharov, Rokossovsky just smiled lightly, and then handed over the battle report he had read: "Look, Comrade Deputy Commander, this is just sent by the Istria Battalion According to the battle report, they have successfully captured four villages."

"It's impossible!" Zakharov heard Rokossovsky say this, and his first reaction was that the other party was joking with him, but after carefully observing the other party's face, he found that he didn't seem to be joking with himself, and hurriedly He looked down at the battle report in his hand.

"Major Sokov's style of play is very interesting." Ma Linin came over and handed a stack of battle reports just received to Rokossovsky, and said at the same time: "If we are commanding the battle, we will win the first After one village, the other three villages should be captured in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. However, Sokov adopted the method of dividing his troops and captured these three villages almost at the same time."

"I think his style of play is too risky." After reading Sokov's battle report, Zakharov began to express his opinion: "The whole battalion launched an attack on three targets at the same time. And were defeated by the German army one by one."

"Yes, it is very risky, but it is undoubtedly the most successful tactic." Rokossovsky commented on the results achieved by Sokov and the others: "Comrade Zakharov, you just said that The German army does not have many troops in these peripheral villages. If we attack in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, we can send troops to reinforce those villages that have not yet been attacked. In this way, our attacking troops have to Fighting a tough battle, even if you take the village, you will have to pay a huge price."

After reading the battle report in his hand, Rokossovsky put it on the table and said to Malinin: "Chief of Staff, send a report to Major Sokov, asking him to lead the troops to participate in the attack on Popkovo village tomorrow. "

"Comrade Commander," Malinin quickly reminded Rokossovsky after hearing Rokossovsky say this: "We are not planning to transfer the 323rd and 324th Rifle Divisions tomorrow to assist General Chernyshev's 11th Guards Division. , to seize the village of Popkovo. Why was it replaced by the Istrian battalion?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation has changed now, and our original combat plan must be adjusted accordingly." Rokossovsky picked up the battle report on the table and handed it to Zakharov next to him. Continued: "General Zhukov has just resumed the post of General Popov and let him continue to serve as the commander of the 61st Army. They will launch a full-scale counterattack tomorrow, so I decided to send the infantry that was going to attack the village of Popkovo to the 6th Army. The 323rd and 324th divisions were transferred to the right wing of our army to cooperate with the friendly forces to launch a counterattack against the German army."

"Can this work?" Regarding Rokossovsky's order, Malinin said hesitantly: "There are more than 2,000 Germans in the village of Popkovo, as well as tanks and assault artillery. The 11th Wei Division paid a terrible price. After paying two-thirds of the price, one battalion finally rushed into the village and town, but was driven out by the enemy before it could gain a firm foothold."

"Tomorrow, the 146th Tank Brigade can also be put into battle. With their assistance, I think the attack of the Istria Battalion will be smoother." Rokossovsky urged Malinin after speaking: "Chief of Staff, hurry up and send a telegram to the Istrian camp to prepare them to attack Popkovo."

  Sokov is in his command post, convening a meeting with his company commanders to comment on today's battle during the day. Suddenly the communications platoon leader Maxim came in from the outside and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Battalion Commander, a telegram from the headquarters."

  Sokov took the telegram from Maxim, quickly browsed through the content, and ordered: "Bring the map!"

  Belkin, who was sitting beside him, immediately took out the map from the map bag, unfolded it and put it on the table. Sokov leaned over to look at the map for a while, and then said to the company commanders: "Company commanders, the Army Command has just given us a new combat order, let us cooperate with the main force of the division to attack Popkovo tomorrow. .”

He tapped twice on the location of Popkovo with his finger, and continued: "Popkovo is located on a high ground overlooking the surroundings, and the Germans shelled Susinich from here. To ensure that To ensure the safety of the city, we must find a way to occupy this big village."

   "Comrade Battalion Commander," as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Vanya who was standing next to him asked, "Can you tell us how many Germans are there in the village?"

"According to the notification from the headquarters," Sokov glanced at the telegram beside him, and said unhurriedly, "There are about 2,000 people stationed in the village and town, as well as tanks and assault artillery. Prepare everything for the perimeter defense."

  I heard that there were 2,000 German troops in the village and town, which made everyone gasp. Andre murmured: "The strong side is defending, while the weak side is attacking. Isn't this going to send us to our deaths?"

"Captain Andrey!" As soon as he finished speaking, Belkin criticized him righteously: "Please pay attention to your words. The superior assigned us a task after careful consideration. How could we be sent to die? Such remarks must not be heard by the soldiers, otherwise it will affect our military spirit and morale."

  Andrei, who was criticized by Belkin, realized his slip of the tongue, and quickly took the initiative to admit his mistake: "I'm sorry, Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander. It was my mistake, and I will pay attention to it in the future."

"Don't worry, everyone, we are not fighting alone." Seeing the sad faces of the company commanders, Sokov quickly said with a smile: "The main force of the 11th Guards Division and the two artillery regiments participated in the attack. , and a tank brigade. I am sure that with the support of friendly forces we will be able to take Popkovo."

  (end of this chapter)