Chapter 881 The attack finally begins

  Time passed by every minute, and when the scheduled artillery preparation time came, there was no movement outside. Although everyone understood that the time was delayed because of the heavy fog, Golikov picked up the phone and called the Front Army Command to confirm whether the attack had been postponed.

   Seeing Golikov put down the phone, Ivanov couldn't wait to ask: "How is it, deputy commander of the front army, has the artillery preparation before the attack been delayed?"

"Yes," Golikov nodded, and said, "I have just told you that if the fog does not clear before the scheduled attack time, the artillery preparation time before the attack will be postponed until eight o'clock." " He looked up at his watch and added, "I hope that by eight o'clock, the heavy fog outside will have been blown away by the river wind."

  Everyone sat silently around the table, staring at the map on the table in a daze. Sokov suddenly heard Golikov ask himself in a low voice: "Colonel Sokov, do you know General Volsky?"

Hearing this unfamiliar surname, Sokov recalled all the generals he knew in his heart, and found that there was no such person in his memory. He shook his head blankly and asked back: "I'm sorry, the deputy commander of the front army Comrade, I have never heard of this man. If you have no objection, can you tell me his identity?"

   "He is the commander of the 4th Mechanized Army directly under the Front Army. According to the combat plan, he will work with Colonel Tanahishin's 13th Tank Army to launch a major assault on the enemy from the south side of the city."

  After listening to Golikov's introduction of the opponent's life experience, Sokov was even more puzzled: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, why did you suddenly think of him?"

"At the end of October, when our troops began to build up on the south side of the city, he unexpectedly raised objections." Golikov replied with a wry smile: "He felt that instead of deploying troops on the south side of the city, he would impose on the enemy A counterattack that does not have much effect, it is better to send troops directly to the city to strengthen the city's defenses, so as to crush the enemy's plot to seize the city."

  Golikov’s words aroused Sokov’s curiosity. To know whether to send troops directly into the city to strengthen the defense, or to deploy them in other areas as counterattack troops, there have always been great differences among the Soviet army. He guessed that Golikov's sudden mention of this matter to himself was probably just an introduction to lead to a more important topic later: "How did he change his mind later?"

"Wolski raised this point of view at the military meeting of the front army, which caused a lot of controversy. The commanders participating in the meeting were divided into two factions, some were in favor of supporting the city, and some were in favor of setting up a counter-offensive reserve outside the city Yes, the two sides are in dispute." Golikov continued: "Commander Yeremenko saw that the two sides had great differences, so he reported the matter to the headquarters of the Supreme Command. Ski called to Moscow and had an in-depth conversation with him."

   Hearing that Volsky had been summoned to Moscow because of this incident, Sokov was a little surprised. I thought that the commanders in the Soviet army are used to obeying, no matter how dissatisfied with the orders of their superiors, they usually have to be carried out unconditionally in the end. After Volsky put forward his views, not only was he not rejected, but he was even accepted. The reception of the Supreme Commander himself is really enviable. "Did he change his opinion when he came back?"

"Yes." Golikov nodded and said in a positive tone: "Although we don't know what the Supreme Commander himself talked to him, anyway, after he came back from Moscow, he seemed to be a different person, and he didn't talk to us again. Instead of singing the opposite tune, the troops are actively preparing for the counteroffensive.”

Just when Sokov thought the matter was over like this, he didn't expect Golikov to say unexpectedly: "When General Volsky went to Moscow, Comrade Khrushchev once asked whether you should take over The post of commander of the 4th Mechanized Army? And with the consent of Commander Yeremenko, if Volsky hadn’t adjusted his views after returning from Moscow, I’m afraid you would already be the commander of the Mechanized Army by now. "

Sokov was taken aback by this amazing news. He never dreamed that Khrushchev would propose himself the post of army commander. He couldn't help but stammered and asked, "Comrade deputy commander of the front army, are you kidding me?" Right? You know, with my current abilities, being a division commander is quite difficult, how can I be qualified for the post of army commander."

Before Sokov finished speaking, he was interrupted by Golikov raising his hand: "Okay, Colonel Sokov, your ability is obvious to all the leaders of our front army. For months, so far, only your troops have defended the most complete area, no matter how the enemy attacks, they have never been able to occupy Mamayev Post. This alone is enough to be recorded in the annals of history."

   Regarding the evaluation given by Golikov, Sidolin sitting around them all nodded slightly, expressing their agreement with Golikov's statement. Sidolin also said: "Comrade commander, I think it is still unknown whether we can hold the Mamayev post without you."

"Even if we can defend the Mamayev Post, I'm afraid there will be a huge price to pay." Ivanov added: "It's likely that tens of thousands of commanders and fighters will be killed in the repeated tug-of-war with the enemy every day." On this hill. It is precisely because you built tunnels in advance that we were able to survive the fierce shelling and bombing of the enemy. I think all the commanders and fighters of the whole division should be aware of this."

Seeing that his words resonated, Golikov showed a smile on his face, and he continued: "The reason why I appear in your command post is not only to supervise you to carry out counterattacks against the enemy, but also to prepare to fight against the enemy. If necessary, let you take over the post of General Volsky and command the troops of the 4th Mechanized Army to break through the enemy's defenses and join forces with our army going south."

  The speaker is not interested, but the listener is interested. As soon as Golikov said this, Sokov suddenly remembered who this Volsky was. A few days later, it was the troops commanded by the heroic commander who successfully captured the Karachi Bridge, joined forces with the friendly forces going south, and encircled Paulus' 6th Army and 4th Panzer Army in Stalinger. Le and surrounding areas.

  Although he had the possibility of being promoted to army commander, Sokov was not happy at all. Because of the start of the big counter-offensive, letting me go to an unfamiliar army, but serving as the highest military officer, I am afraid that it will cause dissatisfaction among the commanders and fighters. At that time, if you treat yourself positively and negatively, the situation may get out of hand.

   It was precisely because of this consideration that Sokov shook his head and replied resolutely: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I feel that my ability is completely insufficient for such a position."

"Colonel Sokov, I understand your difficulties." Golikov interpreted Sokov's repeated refusals as his modesty, and comforted him by saying, "Don't worry, we have already reported this plan to the Supreme Commander. Myself. Even if we let you take over Volsky's position during the battle, no one will gossip."

"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, you have misunderstood me." Seeing that Golikov had misunderstood his intentions, Sokov explained to him: "I did not mean to be modest when I said that I am not suitable for the post of army commander. It’s because of two reasons.”

"tell me the story!"

"One is that my abilities are limited, and I have never had experience in commanding military-level units. Even if I want to be the commander of the army, I am afraid that I will have to return from further studies at the Frunze Military Academy." Sokov pointed his finger at Goli Cove said: "The second is that my command style is different from that of General Volsky. If I change the commander at the military level at this moment, I am afraid that it will cause confusion in the command system of the troops. It is precisely because of this consideration that I cannot At this time, he is serving as the commander of the army."

"I guessed that you would say that a long time ago." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Golikov smiled again: "When we repel the enemy attacking Stalingrad, I will definitely intervene in person. For this matter, I will arrange for you to go to Frunze Military Academy for advanced studies."

Seeing that Golikov did not mention the matter of making himself the commander of the army, Sokov felt at ease in his heart. Although promotion is something that everyone is looking forward to, if the timing is not right, his promotion may not be possible. It will bring disaster upon itself.

  The hour hand points to eight o'clock, but the attack still hasn't started. Golikov was worried, and made another phone call to Yeremenko to verify the matter. After finishing the phone call, he smiled wryly and said to everyone: "Commanders, I just spoke to Commander Yeremenko, and he said that due to the weather, our counterattack will be delayed for at least an hour. Take it easy."

  Ever since everyone knew the counterattack plan, they have been calculating in their hearts every day how long it is until the counterattack. But just as the victory was about to come, unexpected changes took place because of climate changes.

"Comrades, don't worry." Seeing that everyone was a little depressed after hearing the news announced by Golikov, Sokov got up and said with a smile: "Although the time for the counterattack will be delayed due to the weather." .But the enemy is completely defeated by us, it is only a matter of time."

"Comrade Commander," Anisimov waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and asked tentatively, "Do you really think that the counterattack launched by our army can completely smash the enemy's attempt to seize the city and win the final victory? "As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly realized that there was a deputy commander of the front army sitting here. If the other party pursued him, he could send himself to a military court in the name of panic. He hurriedly said to Golikov again, "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, I am just making an analogy. In fact, I am full of confidence in our army's defeat of the enemy."

"Comrade Commissar." Before speaking, Sokov looked at Golikov's face, and seeing that he was not angry, he said to Anisimov with a relaxed expression: "I think our army, The enemy in the Stalingrad area will definitely be wiped out."

In order to alleviate the awkward atmosphere in the room, Sokov pointed at the radio hanging at the door, and continued: "Comrade political commissar, I asked you to install the radio in the tunnel to let the soldiers know the situation outside in a timely manner. But since the last time a bomb fell on the door and almost knocked down our division headquarters, this broadcast has never sounded. In my opinion, you might as well break through the defense of the Romanian army on the Don River, and Tell all the commanders and fighters in the tunnel the good news of the heavy damage to the enemy, so as to boost morale."

"Comrade commander, if you don't tell me, I have forgotten that there is a broadcast in the tunnel. I will arrange for people to tell all the commanders and fighters in the tunnel through the broadcast of the results of the friendly army." Anisimov stood Standing up, facing Golikov, he asked, "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, allow me to go to work?"

   "Go, go." Golikov nodded to Anisimov and said with a smile, "Hurry up and tell the commanders and fighters the good news, so that everyone will be happy."

   After Anisimov left, Golikov looked at the radio hanging at the door, and asked Sokov with some concerns: "Colonel Sokov, will the sound of the radio affect your command of operations?"

"No, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Without waiting for Sokov to answer, Sidolin rushed to answer: "The volume of the broadcast at the door is specially adjusted. Every time it broadcasts, it can make everyone in the room People can hear what is said clearly, but it will not affect our command operations because of the loud volume."

   Not long after, there was a voice from the radio at the door. It was Anisimov himself who was broadcasting the results of the friendly army in the Don River Basin. Golikov listened carefully for a while, and found that he could hear what was said on the radio clearly, but at the same time, the volume would not be too loud, which would affect Sokov and the others giving orders.

   It was almost nine o'clock, and when Golikov was considering whether to call Yeremenko to ask if the artillery preparation time would be postponed, the phone on the desk rang suddenly, which startled him. Sidolin, who was sitting opposite, picked up the microphone and listened for a while, then told Golikov with a look of surprise: "Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army, good news. The observation post on the top of the mountain reported that the fog outside is gradually dissipating, probably In another ten or twenty minutes, the visibility will return to about 100 meters."

   "This is really good news." Everyone smiled when they learned that the fog was clearing. Golikov picked up the phone with a relaxed expression, dialed the front army headquarters to check with Yeremenko when the shelling started.

  At half past nine, the phone on the desk rang again. The call this time was made by Andrei, the commander of the first battalion standing in the urban area. He excitedly reported to Sukov: "Comrade commander, I heard the rumble of artillery from outside. It should be our artillery. Bombard the enemy's positions and prepare for the attack. I think our big counter-offensive has begun!"

"Comrade Captain, it's up to you to say that." When Sokov heard Andrei say that the shelling had begun, he naturally understood that the Stalingrad Front's counterattack had begun. He suppressed the excitement in his heart and pretended to be nonchalant The expression said: "You observe the enemy's movements at any time, and if there is any change, remember to report to me in time."

  (end of this chapter)