If only ordinary Soviet troops were stationed in Shumakovo at this moment, Haussel would have ordered the imperial division to continue attacking north without hesitation. After all, in his eyes, an imperial division was enough to deal with five or six Russian divisions. But at this moment, he had to make him cautious when learning that Shumakovo was stationed with his enemies.
Hauser was silent for a long time and asked the chief of staff of the division: "Chief of Staff, are you sure that the Russian troops stationed in the Shumakovo area are Sokov's 27th Army?"
"Yes, your rank." The Chief of Staff replied: "This is basically certain. But we are not sure how many troops they have gathered in the Shumakovo area."
"Send effective scouts immediately to conduct reconnaissance in this area." Haussel felt that if his troops wanted to continue to advance north, they must understand the Soviet army's deployment in the Shumakovo area. If they advance rashly, the tragedy in the previous few months would have the possibility of another occurrence.
"I understand, Commander." The Chief of Staff of the Division replied respectfully: "I will send a scout as soon as possible to conduct reconnaissance in the Shumakovo area."
"Chief of Staff, not as soon as possible, but immediately, immediately." Haussel said to the Chief of Staff in a stern tone: "On the battlefield, every minute is precious. If we understand the enemy's troops deployment one minute earlier, then we will have a greater chance of winning. Do you understand?"
"I understand." The chief of staff of the division replied loudly: "I immediately sent out a capable reconnaissance force to the Shumakovo area to reconnaissance to find out the Russians' defenses there."
At this moment, the Soviet troops that arrived in the Shumakovo area had increased to four divisions, namely Colonel Khokhlov's 182nd Division, Major General Fomenko's 84th Division, Colonel Koida's 188th Division and Major General Grizenko's 384th Division.
Sokov summoned four division commanders to his temporary command center for a meeting. He pointed to the map spread on the table and said to everyone: "Now, three lines of defense have been built in the Shumakovo area, namely the first line of defense that the 182nd Division defends, the second line of defense that the 84th Division defends, and the third line of defense that the 188th Division controls. We must have been noticed by the Germans when we enter this area, but in order to confuse the enemy and make them misjudgment, the regiment that your divisions are holding on the position can arrange more false positions so that the enemy thinks that each of our defense has a division's force, so that they cannot take the initiative to attack us before gathering enough troops."
"Comrade Commander," Lunev asked curiously after he finished speaking, "Are we just waiting for the enemy to launch an attack?"
"Comrade of the Military Commission," Sokov said to Lunev with a smile: "Passive defense has never been my characteristic. All my orders to make false moves to confuse the enemy in order to cover up actions in other directions. General Gritzenko!"
"Come!" Major General Gricenko, whose name was pointed, quickly straightened his back and quietly waited for Sokov's order.
"In my judgment," Sokov pointed to the map with a red and blue pencil and said to Gritzenko: "The enemy dared not easily attack the Shumakovo area before we figured out our deployment. And your division's mission is to quietly detour the enemy's flanks, launch an attack unexpectedly, and disrupt their attack."
"Comrade Commander," Grizenko heard Sokov's order and glanced at Lunev beside him, and then replied awkwardly: "The new rockets issued by our division were handed over to the military committee members. I wonder how many new rockets can you provide us for carrying out this roundabout mission?"
Sokov was very familiar with the power of the new rockets and knew that Grizenko's troops did not have any decent artillery. If the number of rockets they carried was too small, it would be very difficult to take the initiative to attack the German army. For this reason, he said: "In order to better complete this roundabout mission, in addition to returning all of your original rockets, I will also add some of them to you."
"Great, Comrade Commander, this is really great." Shortly after Grizenko arrived here, he heard that the squad went deep into the enemy's backbone and used rockets to destroy almost one battalion of the German army. He couldn't help but feel itchy. He learned that Sokov would provide him with a large number of rockets to carry out roundabout combat missions, and was overjoyed and said repeatedly: "We will never let you down."
Several other teachers were jealous when Sokov handed over such a difficult task to Gritzenko. Khokhlov stepped forward and said, "Comrade Commander, our division has been stationed here for the longest time and is also the most familiar with the environment. I hope you can assign similar tasks to us."
"Don't worry, comrade Colonel." Sokov comforted Khokhlov and said, "When the enemy is confused by us, I will let the main forces of your divisions also deviate to the enemy's flank and teach them a lesson." He drew a circle at Oboyan's position with his fingers, "Even if the Imperial Division cannot be wiped out completely, we must drive them from here to the south."
"Comrade Commander," the commanders present were puzzled by Sokov's statement. Colonel Koida asked everyone's questions on behalf of everyone: "Why should we drive the enemy south?"
"Everyone should know that Oboyan is an important assembly place for our army. Once a large number of German armor stays in this area, it will pose a huge threat to our army." Sokov continued: "But we have to drive them south and force them to turn to Prokholovka, then the threat to Oboyan can be greatly reduced."
"Comrade Commander, I don't understand why we should drive the enemy to Prokholovka?" Koida said in confusion: "The flat terrain in that direction is conducive to the development of large-scale German armored forces. Once they launch an attack from that direction, our defensive positions cannot stop them from detouring towards our rear. I am worried that in this way, all our troops will be trapped in the encirclement."
When it comes to siege, the faces of several commanders present changed. Some of them participated in the Kiev defense battle and luckily became the lucky ones who successfully broke through; some participated in the Kharkov offensive battle and experienced the feeling of being surrounded by the German army. At this moment, they learned that once the German army arrived at Prokholovka, their troops would be in danger of being surrounded, and they couldn't help but feel anxious. However, everyone understood that Sokov would not talk about Prokholovka for no reason, so they were ready to hear what he said and then decide whether he should persuade him.
"From Oboyan to us, there are a large number of hills, swamps and rivers." Sokov said to everyone: "This terrain is not only not conducive to the development of the enemy's armored forces, but also affects our investment of sufficient tanks in this area. But if we switch to Prokorovka, the situation will change. Not only can the tank army of the Voronezh Front fight fight to the death with the enemy's armored forces here, but even the Fifth Army of Guards Tanks belonging to our Front can enter the battle. At that time, we can rely on our numerical advantage to defeat the enemy who was trying to rush towards Kursk."
After hearing Sokov's explanation, everyone stared at the map for a long time, and felt that Sokov's words were indeed very reasonable. Both sides could use Prokholovka's wide terrain and invest as many tanks as possible to engage in a huge decisive battle.
But if the large-scale decisive battle with the enemy is concentrated in Prokholovka, then his own troops will seem to be idle when they stay in Shumakovo. Therefore, after a moment of pause, Koida asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, if the enemy and us really start a large-scale decisive battle in Prokholovka, wouldn't it be difficult for us to make contributions here?"
"Don't worry, comrade Colonel." Seeing Koida's concern, Sokov comforted him and said, "As long as we severely damage the Imperial Division, it will be an amazing victory. As long as the enemy's attack deployment is disrupted, we can choose to launch an unexpected attack on the enemy at the right time."
If another commander said this, the commander present would have to wonder in his heart, thinking that the other party was bragging. But this statement was particularly persuasive when Sokov said it. Everyone felt that it was natural for their troops to attack the German army.
"General Grizenko," Sokov said to him again after assigning his respective tasks to each division, "I know that after your division's long march, all the commanders and soldiers were exhausted. I originally wanted to let you have a good rest, but it's not possible, Comrade General." Sokov sighed and said, "It's a rare fighter plane now. If you miss it like this, we will have to pay a greater price to eliminate these enemies in the future."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Seeing that Sokov trusted him so much, he actually said his heart to him. Gritzenko was very moved. He assured Sokov: "When I return to the army, I will ask the political commissar Lieutenant Colonel Jainego to do propaganda and agitation for the commanders and fighters. I believe that the commanders and fighters will always maintain the highest morale to complete the glorious task you assigned us."
Just as Sokov was about to announce the end of the meeting, Lunev interrupted and asked: "Comrade Commander, since you want to order the 384th Division to attack the enemy from the flank, should they be given some anti-tank weapons? After all, the enemy also has a tank regiment equipped with Tiger tanks?"
If Lunev didn't say it, Grizenko would forget that he still needed to deal with the enemy's tanks. At this moment, when Lunev asked for his request, he stared at Sokov intently, wanting to hear what he said.
But Sokov waved his hand and said, "I don't think there is any need for this. I have just said that in our direction, due to the limitations of the terrain, it is impossible for the enemy to invest a large number of armored troops. Therefore, even if they encounter the enemy's tank troops during the detour, they are only small troops on a small scale. With their existing anti-tank weapons, they can be completely dealt with."
"Okay." After hearing Sokov say this, Lunev felt that he was a little polite. If the 384th Division, which was carrying out roundabout operations, might encounter a large-scale German armored unit. Even if he didn't say it, with Sokov's personality, he would definitely arrange a large number of anti-tank weapons for the other party. He replied awkwardly: "Then follow your order."
Grizenko was somewhat disappointed when he saw that Sokov was unwilling to give him more anti-tank weapons. But after listening to Sokov's explanation, he felt that with the anti-tank power in his division, he should be fine to deal with the enemy's armored troops. After understanding this truth, he untied the knot, raised his hand to salute Sokov and Lunev, and turned around and walked out of the temporary command center.
As soon as he saw off several division commanders, Sokov received a call from Konev: "Thank God, Comrade Sokov, I finally heard your voice."
"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Hearing that it was Konev's call, Sokov quickly said respectfully: "Do you have any instructions?"
Since Sokov brought the guard company to Shumakovo and contacted the Front Command, he has entrusted Sameko to take charge. After hearing the report conveyed by Sameko, Konev was still a little uneasy and felt that some things needed to be asked by Sokov in person before he could feel relieved.
Today, I was originally contacting the troops below as usual, but the communications staff unexpectedly told him that he could call Sokov's temporary command. When Konev heard the news, he was overjoyed and quickly ordered the communications staff to answer Sokov's phone call, and he wanted to personally understand the real situation at the forefront.
"How is the situation on your side?" Konev asked: "Have the enemy attacked Shumakovo?"
"A small team once rashly broke into the defense zone of our unit, but it had been wiped out by us." Sokov replied lightly: "Then I ordered people to take the captured German armored vehicles and sneak attack an enemy camp in the night, and annihilate one of their camps with new rockets."
"Good job." Konev praised Sokov and then asked, "Do you have any plans next?"
Thinking of his combat plan, he would report it to the Front Command sooner or later. Since Konev asked about it, he would simply tell him. So Sokov replied: "Report to the Front Commander Comrade, I think I should defend Shumakovo and not carry out negative defenses. Therefore, while I arranged heavy troops to defend, I was also preparing to send one or two divisions to detour to the enemy's flanks and teach them a lesson."
Konev stared at the map in front of him and asked with a serious expression: "Which direction are you going to detour?"
Chapter completed!