Chapter 930 Sending off a comrade-in-arms (Part 2)

   "Report!" Sokov stood at the entrance of the cave where the headquarters was, and shouted loudly into it.

   "Come in!" As soon as he heard someone answer from inside, he opened the door curtain and walked in.

  As soon as Sokov walked into the headquarters, he immediately saw that it was full of people. Before he got used to the light in the cave and saw clearly who were there, he heard a familiar voice asking in surprise: "Colonel Sokov, when did you come back?"

  Sokov recognized that it was Chuikov's voice, and quickly turned to face the direction the other party was asking, and replied respectfully: "Report to Comrade Commander, I just returned by plane from Moscow."

   "It's just in time for you to come back. These commanders who have fought with us will withdraw to the rear with their troops to rest and replenish." Chuikov said with a heavy tone: "You say goodbye to them."

"By order of the Supreme Command," Chuikov went on, "Yermordin's 112th Division, Smekhotvorov's 193rd Division, Zholudev's 37th Guards Division, Guriev's The 39th Guards Division and the two infantry brigades will be withdrawn from the group army and transferred to the reserve force for reorganization."

  Sokov's eyes gradually adapted to the light in the room, and he could clearly see the officers standing aside not far away. It was the division commanders whose names Chuikov mentioned, and quickly raised his hands to salute them with a solemn military salute.

"Colonel Sokov," before Sokov could let go, Guriyev came over, reached out and pulled his hand from his forehead, held it tightly and shook it a few times, and said, "We are all going to the rear. Now, Stalingrad will be handed over to you, and I hope to hear good news about your defeat of Paulus as soon as possible."

   "Don't worry, General Guriyev." Sokov replied with a smile: "We will definitely not disappoint your expectations, and will completely wipe out this group of surrounded enemies in the shortest possible time."

As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Joludev interjected, "I think even if we want to evacuate the city, we should wait until tomorrow." Seeing Sokov's surprised face, he deliberately added, "Today It's Christmas Eve in the West, and I think the Germans will celebrate it, and we can take this opportunity to launch a night attack on them and teach them a lesson they will never forget."

"General Zolludev, your thoughts are a bit too wishful thinking." Krylov refuted Zolludev's proposal: "If our army didn't encircle Paulus's troops, maybe they would personally come tonight on Christmas Eve." But now, they even sleep with one eye open, so how can it be inconvenient for our army to sneak attack. I think your division should follow the original order and retreat across the Volga River before dark. As for the enemy in the city , leave it to us to deal with it.”

"I really can't bear to leave this city," Colonel Yermorkin, the commander of the 112th Division, said with emotion: "In order to defend this great city, we sacrificed so many good comrades-in-arms. We haven't let them see with their own eyes that we defeated The enemy is about to evacuate the city, I am really not reconciled."

"Colonel Yermorgin," Sokov said reassuringly, "in order to defend this city, we sacrificed tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians. Don't feel sorry, they will see us destroy this gang of French soldiers sooner or later." The day when Xisi invaders. You should go to the rear to make up for it, maybe one day, we will have the opportunity to fight side by side."

"Comrades, commanders," Chuikov stood up and said to the crowd: "We have spent many difficult days together. We fought tenaciously in order to defend the city. Now, you are leaving the army. To be honest, my heart is also It's not easy, and I can't bear to let you go.

  But no, comrades and teachers, an order is an order. Since the superior asked you to retreat to the rear to rest, then this order can only be carried out unconditionally. As for the enemies in the city, let the remaining troops of the group army do it. "

  The moment of parting has come. The division commanders who are about to return to the rear salute Chuikov and Krylov before leaving the headquarters, and then give them a warm hug. Even Sokov, who just arrived, they hugged and said sincerely: "Colonel Sokov, take care, I hope we will have the opportunity to fight side by side in the future."

   Seeing so many teachers leaving, Sokov also felt his nose sour, and tears rolled in his eyes, which tended to flow out at any time. He tried his best to use a steady tone, and said to each division commander: "I wish you a safe journey, complete your rest as soon as possible, and return to the battlefield as soon as possible. At that time, we will be able to fight side by side together again."

After sending away several division commanders, Chuikov called Sokov back to the headquarters, and asked straight to the point: "Colonel Sokov, please tell me the truth. During the month you were in Moscow, did you develop anything? New technical equipment?"

"Mass production of self-propelled artillery has begun. In addition to the original 76mm artillery, 86mm, 100mm, 122mm and 152mm caliber artillery have been added." Sukov felt that the self-propelled artillery was not a top secret Therefore, he boldly said to Chuikov and Krylov: "I believe that it will not be long before this kind of self-propelled artillery can be deployed on a large scale, thereby increasing the mobility of our artillery."

"Yes, with self-propelled artillery, the mobility of artillery has been greatly improved." Krylov agreed: "They can quickly establish artillery positions anywhere, and after they are finished, they can immediately The diversion makes it impossible for enemy artillery to counter them, thereby greatly increasing survivability on the battlefield."

"Having self-propelled artillery is certainly a good thing." Chuikov was obviously not as optimistic as Krylov. He said with a straight face: "However, our army's logistical supplies are subject to the traffic conditions on the roads. In winter, the ground is frozen, and the driving of vehicles is slow." There is no big problem, but if there is a spring thaw and the roads become muddy, logistics and transportation will be greatly affected."

"Commander, Chief of Staff, I have actually researched a new type of transportation tool this time." Although Sokov felt that the development of the hovercraft was a secret, it was still a secret for Chuikov and Krylov. It can be properly disclosed: "If the new transport vehicles can be mass-produced and installed in troops, it will help improve our army's poor logistics."

  Sokov's words aroused the curiosity of Chuikov and Krylov. After they looked at each other, Chuikov asked, "Colonel Sokov, can you tell me what kind of transportation it is?"

"Sorry, Comrade Commander, it is not convenient for me to disclose the specific situation to you at the moment." Sokov said selectively: "But this kind of transportation can be used in various complex terrains, even if it encounters the Spring Festival thaw When the ground becomes muddy, logistics transportation and troop delivery are still guaranteed."

   "Oh, there is such a means of transportation?" Krylov asked curiously: "Colonel Sokov, can you tell me what kind of means of transportation it is?"

"I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov felt that he had said enough, and if he said anything else, it would involve leaking secrets, so he could only say vaguely: "This involves confidentiality, I can't just disclose it to you , please forgive me. But I can tell you that this kind of transportation can travel not only on the existing roads, but also in rivers, swamps and snow fields, and can transport materials and troops to designated places in a timely manner. Location."

  When Sokov said this, he was secretly praying in his heart, hoping that the Weapons and Equipment Department could complete the development of the hovercraft before the start of the Kharkov campaign, so that the troops could be mass-produced and equipped to increase the mobility of the troops.

  Knowing that the new type of transportation can actually travel quickly on rivers, swamps and snow, Chuikov was full of hope. He thought to himself, if such a means of transportation could really be developed, then the replenishment of soldiers and supplies would become a piece of cake.

  Chuikov was silent for a while, and asked a question he cared about: "Colonel Sokov, when do you think this new type of transportation will be able to deploy troops on a large scale?"

   During this period of time, Sokov often went to the research and development test site of the hovercraft. He knew very well that the prototype vehicle would be produced in the middle of January next year. After another month of running tests, it will be put into mass production at the end of February, and the third Kharkov campaign will be held from February 19th to March 15th, hoping to improve the transportation of the Soviet army by then situation. Even if you can't turn defeat into victory, at least don't lose so badly. You must know that in real history, Manstein wiped out 52 divisions of the Soviet army with inferior forces, thus reversing the unfavorable situation of the German army.

Facing Chuikov's question, he said cautiously: "Comrade Commander, according to my judgment, by mid-to-late February, a large number of new transportation vehicles will appear in my home to improve the transportation of materials and troops in our army. .”

   After chatting with Sokov for a while, Chuikov turned his head and asked Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it's getting late. Send some people to **** Colonel Sokov back to Mamayev Post."

"I just called Mamayev Gang and asked them to send someone to pick up Colonel Sokov." Krylov replied with a smile: "If my calculations are correct, I will pick up the cable in a few minutes." Colonel Koff's men should be here soon."

   "When did you call?" Chuikov asked curiously, "Why didn't I notice?"

"It was when Sokov first entered the headquarters," Krylov replied with a smile, "I considered that he was alone, and he might be in danger if no one responded, so I secretly gave Lieutenant Colonel Sidorin made a phone call and asked him to send someone to get Sokov."

"So that's the case." After figuring out what was going on, Chuikov nodded, and then said to Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, during the month you were away, the German army attacked your division's defense area at least every day. Three strikes. But your officers and fighters were extremely tenacious, and they managed to crush every German attack without retreating a step."

   Sokov was not interested in Krylov's formulaic words. He only cared about the casualties of the troops in his heart. He clearly remembered that the last time he was injured and hospitalized, the acting brigade commander, Colonel Witkov, almost lost all his money in just over half a month. I have been away for such a long time this time, and I don't know whether Sidolin and Ivanov will repeat the same mistakes and run out of their precious soldiers.

   After waiting for a short time, the soldiers from Mamayev Gang to pick up Sokov arrived. Seeing the living Sokov, Samoilov, who led the team, said excitedly: "Comrade Commander, I was ordered to pick you up and take you back to Mamayev Post. Don't worry, no matter what happens on the road, I will definitely help you." I will safely **** you back to the division headquarters."

   "Wait a minute, Comrade Lieutenant." Sokov raised his hand to interrupt Samoilov's flattery, and asked with a frown, "Is the situation there not good?"

"No, no, Comrade Commander." Samoilov immediately shook his head like a rattle when he heard this question: "The situation on Mamayev Post is all normal. Under the tenacious blocking of our soldiers, we were all repulsed."

   "What about the casualties of the troops?" Sokov asked impatiently.

   "There are casualties, but they are still within a tolerable range." Samoilov reported to Sokov: "The casualties of each regiment reached one-third, but we still have enough troops to hold the position."

   "Let's go, let's go back to the division headquarters." After saying goodbye to Chuikov and Krylov, Sokov took Samoilov and his subordinates and walked towards Mamayev Post.

   "Comrade Commander," Samoilov said to Sokov on the way back, "You will not leave again this time, will you?"

   "Comrade Lieutenant," Sokov did not immediately answer Samoilov's words, but asked instead: "Why do you ask that?"

"Comrade commander, you don't know." Samoilov said a little aggrieved: "You have been away for too long this time, and there are some rumors in the division that you are going to be transferred, which has greatly affected the emotions of the commanders and fighters. But now it’s all right, you’re back in our army, and I’m sure everyone will be very happy.”

  When I came to the entrance of the northern hill of Mamayev Hill, although it was already dark. But Samoilov, who was in charge of escorting Sokov, established contact with the sentry through passwords. Seeing Sokov in front of him, the sentinel couldn't help getting excited, and asked in a murmur, "You won't leave again after you come back this time?"

   "No, no." Sokov shook his head and said, "I will stay with you until the day when the Faxi Temple invaders are completely defeated."

  The sentry waited for Sokov and the others to enter the tunnel, and immediately reported to the regiment commander Yershakov by phone: "Comrade commander, I have good news for you. Division commander, comrade division commander is back."

   "What, the division commander is back?" Hearing the report from the sentinel, Ershakov jumped up from his seat. In order to avoid an oolong incident, he deliberately asked: "Are you sure the division commander is back?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The sentinel replied respectfully: "I am absolutely not mistaken. Before entering the tunnel, the division commander chatted with me a few words. In this case, it is impossible to admit someone is wrong. It's impossible."

   "I'm smart." After receiving the affirmative answer from the sentinel, Ershakov quickly put down the phone and called to the chief of staff of the regiment who closed his eyes and meditated: "Don't sleep, hurry up and meet the division commander with me."

  (end of this chapter)