Red Moscow

  Chapter 2066

   Glushiko and Ivan soon arrived at the headquarters.

   After Sokov greeted the two to sit down, he and Ivan began to chat with Lieutenant Colonel Ivan: "Lieutenant Colonel Ivan, we have known each other for more than three years, why are you still a lieutenant colonel?"

Hearing Sokov's question, Ivan showed an embarrassing expression: "Comrade Commander, there are many reasons. First, I don't have your abilities, so naturally I can't be promoted as quickly as you; second, I was injured in Kharkov in the summer of 1942, and I was lying in the hospital for almost a year, which indirectly affected my promotion."

Sokov asked so directly, neither to show off to the opponent, nor to suppress the opponent, but to find out why a commander who was a major at the beginning of the war was only promoted after three years of war As a lieutenant colonel, is it due to lack of ability or other reasons.

  If it is due to lack of ability, then it would be more appropriate for Ivan to stay in the 118th Brigade as the deputy brigade commander. But if it is for other reasons, Sokov intends to give him a chance to see if he can grasp it. If he can grasp it, he can be appointed as brigade commander or division commander in the future.

   "Comrade Commander, I have an idea." Ivan said suddenly, "But I need your permission."

   "What idea?" Sokov asked back.

   "I heard that when you went to the 122nd Brigade, you conducted a training for new fighters to overcome the fear of battle, and the effect was not bad."

"Yes, I did carry out this kind of training in the 122nd Brigade, and the overall effect is not bad. At least those new tactics that have just put on military uniforms can experience the feeling of a bullet flying over their heads." Sokov said to Glushko said: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, if you think this training method is good, you can also promote it in your brigade."

After Glushko and Ivan looked at each other, Ivan said: "Comrade commander, before we came here, we had a special discussion. In addition to developing this training method for overcoming fear in the brigade, we also prepared Promote the three-three system assault tactics you invented before. As we all know, our troops adopt a multi-layer advance formation of skirmishers. When experienced veterans only attack, because they are worried about accidentally injuring their comrades in front, it is difficult to effectively use their firepower. So we plan to promote the three-three system assault tactics in the brigade."

   "Three-three system assault tactics?!" Bonejelin and Sidolin had confused expressions on their faces when they heard what Ivan said. Ponegerin even frowned and asked Sokov: "Comrade commander, don't you know what is the three-three system assault tactics?"

  Hearing the other party mention the strongest tactic of light infantry on the ground—the three-three system assault tactic, Sokov smiled on his face. Seeing that both Bornejelin and Sidolin were full of curiosity, he began to introduce the tactics of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to fight the invincible all over the world: "The three-three system assault tactics refers to dividing the squad into three combat groups. There are three people in each battle group. In order to facilitate mutual support, they are generally arranged in three echelons.

  The three-man combat team forms a triangular offensive formation, and each soldier has a clear division of labor, which is responsible for attack, cover and support. The squad leader, deputy squad leader, and team leader each lead a combat team to act. When the combat team attacks, two fighters are in front, and the team leader is behind, forming a triangle formation. Three combat teams form a combat squad, and three combat squads form a combat group. When attacking, they form a "skirmish line" formation. "

  After listening to Sokov, Ponejielin turned his head and asked Sidolin next to him: "Comrades, chiefs of staff, this is the first time I have heard of this tactic. How about you?"

"It's also the first time I've heard of it." Hearing the question from Bonejelin, Sidolin said with a wry smile, "I've been partnering with Comrade Commander for two years, and I've never heard of this tactic." Afterwards, he asked curiously, "Comrade Commander, what are the characteristics of this three-three system assault tactic?"

"The characteristics of the three-three system assault tactics are evacuation formation, unit coordination, and small group assault." Seeing that the tactics he mentioned aroused Sidolin's interest, Sokov continued: "In terms of firepower distribution, The echelon is clear and coordinated with each other. It is a perfect offensive and defensive formation, which can overcome the shortcomings of our army's skirmishers who are difficult to exert firepower when they advance in multiple layers. The interval between each battle group is kept at a reasonable distance, which avoids the The problem of excessive loss when encountering artillery coverage."

   Sokov stopped here on purpose, wanting to see how everyone reacted.

  Pornegelin raised his chin towards him and said, "Comrade Commander, that's a good point, let's continue."

"According to my calculations, a mortar shell falling into the attack formation can only cause one casualty; a shell of a 152 howitzer can only destroy two groups at most." When citing this set of data, Suo Kefu couldn't help blushing, and continued: "Even if encountering the most terrifying machine gun side fire, two combat squads will not be injured or injured, while ordinary skirmishers usually have dozens of casualties in the same situation. so much."

"I have seen this three-three system assault tactic with my own eyes, and the effect is quite good." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Ivan took the initiative to explain to him: "It is precisely because I have seen this tactic with my own eyes that I It was only then that I felt that in addition to implementing training to overcome fear of battle in the brigade, we should also promote this excellent three-three system assault tactic."

"Comrade Commander, I don't understand." At this moment, Pornejelin interrupted and asked, "If this tactic is really as good as Lieutenant Colonel Ivan said, why have you never used it in the past two or three years?" Has it been promoted in the army?"

Facing Ponegerin's question, Sokov hesitated for a moment, and then replied: "Although this tactic has many advantages, it has a fatal shortcoming. The perfect cooperation between various combat teams requires years of accumulated experience. You also know that the fighting has never stopped in the past few years, and it is common for troops that are in a state of combat at any time to reduce and replenish troops. Some new soldiers have joined the army and have not had time to get acquainted with their comrades or superiors. , I was sacrificed or injured in the battle, and when I returned to the army after being discharged from the hospital, I found that a group of new faces had changed. Tell me, how can I use this tactic casually when there is such a large turnover of personnel? What? If there is chaos on the battlefield due to lack of coordination, it will increase unnecessary casualties."

  Pornegelin thought over Sokov's explanation carefully, and found it quite reasonable. This kind of assault tactic that requires close cooperation requires skilled people to cooperate with each other to achieve the desired effect, but if the three-person team is always changing people, this kind of cooperation is out of the question. Next, he began to think about how to solve the problem of frequent flow of troops, so as to ensure the promotion of the three-three system assault tactics within the group army.

Before he could come up with a solution, he heard Sokov say to Glushko and Ivan: "Comrades, two lieutenant colonels, I agree to carry out training in your brigade to overcome the fear of battle and the three-three system of assault tactics. In the near future I don't arrange combat missions for you for the time being, just to give you enough time to increase the tacit cooperation among the team members, so that this excellent infantry assault tactic can fully play its role."

   "Comrade Commander," Sidolin asked curiously from the side, "Are you going to teach them this tactic yourself?"

  Sokov shook his head and said: "Lieutenant Colonel Ivan has seen this tactic with his own eyes, I think he will guide the soldiers." He turned to Ivan and asked, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, are you okay?"

"No problem, Comrade Commander." Lieutenant Colonel Ivan was very excited when he saw Sokov let him take charge of the training of the three-three system assault tactics: "I still have two veterans under my command, and they have seen you with their own eyes. This kind of fighters, they can help me carry out this training work."

   "That's really great." Sokov nodded and said, "Then you should train first. If you have any questions, you can call me directly. If you can't deal with it on the phone, I will go to your brigade in person."

After sending the two away, Sidolin asked Sokov for instructions: "Comrade Commander, since Lieutenant Colonel Ivan said your three-three system assault tactics so well, should we immediately promote it within the entire army?" Woolen cloth?"

   Regarding Sidolin's proposal, Sokov shook his head and rejected it: "No, Comrade Chief of Staff, the conditions are not yet ripe, and we cannot rashly promote it within the group army, otherwise it will have a counterproductive effect."

"Comrade Commander is right." Seeing that Sidolin seemed to want to persuade Sokov, Ponejielin intervened and said, "Although I have not seen this kind of tactic of the Commander with my own eyes, he has never tried it in recent years." Promoting it in the army shows that it is not an easy task to master this tactic. In my opinion, the 118th brigade is trying it out now, and if the effect is good, it will not be too late to promote it in the entire group army.”

Seeing that Sukov and Ponejielin did not agree to promote this kind of fighter at this time, Sidolin could not be reluctant, so he could only reluctantly agree, and said with some disappointment: "I really want to see this kind of fighter with my own eyes. Tactics."

   "Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov comforted him and said, "I don't want it for long, and you can see it with your own eyes."

   "By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff." At this moment, Ponegerin remembered an important thing: "Has the enemy from the north launched an attack on our defense zone?"

   "No, Comrade Deputy Commander." Sidolin shook his head and said, "So far, everything is calm. The commander at the front reported that the enemy is only building fortifications, and there is no sign of attacking us."

"Although the enemy is building fortifications, the construction of fortifications on our side cannot stop." Sokov told Sidolin: "Once the enemy launches an attack on us, without strong fortifications and a complete defense system, It can't stop the enemy at all."

   "I understand." Sidolin nodded and said, "I will explain."

   "Also," Sokov continued to ask: "If I remember correctly, today should be the day when General Chuikov's troops forcibly crossed the Vistula River. How, did they succeed in crossing the river?"

   "I don't know, I haven't received any relevant reports yet." After Sidolin said this, he offered: "How about I call the Front Army Command to find out about their situation?"

"Forget it." Seeing that Sidolin was going to pick up the phone, Sokov raised his hand to stop him: "Since the Front Army Command has not yet notified, it means that General Chuikov's 8th Guards Army's crossing operation is not going well. Let's not make this call lightly, otherwise Comrade Marshal will get angry."

"Comrade Commander, although we don't know the exact location of General Chuikov's troops crossing the river." Sidolin said: "But according to your analysis, the locations they chose should not be conducive to the deployment of mechanized troops, and the Germans cannot deploy them." The position of the heavy troops, if they carry out forced crossing, they should not receive too much resistance."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, you can't say that." Pornejelin shook his head and retorted: "The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly. Even if you think carefully in advance, accidents may still happen. Therefore, the Eighth Guards Army I am not at all surprised that the crossing was not successful and the landing field on the left bank could not be established within the time originally planned."

  In the evening, Malinin called and informed Sokov of the situation of the 8th Guards Army. On the phone, he introduced in detail the course of the battle and the news that the opponent had established a landing field with a width of 10 kilometers and a depth of 5 kilometers on the left bank. Finally, he said: "The task of the group army tomorrow is to continue to consolidate and expand the landing field. ..."

After listening to Malinin's story patiently, Sokov asked tentatively: "Chief of Staff of the Front Army, if General Chuikov wants to consolidate and expand the existing landing field, he needs to send more troops and heavy equipment to the left bank as soon as possible, otherwise It will be difficult for the defenders on the landing ground to achieve their intended goals."

"You're right, Comrade Sokov." Malinin said on the phone: "General Chuikov also thought about it, so he ordered the engineers of the Army Group to work overtime to erect the pontoon bridge, preparing to use a large bridge that can pass tanks and artillery. A pontoon bridge connects the two banks."

"The Germans are absolutely unwilling to allow our army to establish a landing field on the left bank. So they will definitely try their best to drive our army away from the left bank." Sokov analyzed to Malinin on the phone: "To do this, they There must be a way to destroy the pontoon bridge connecting the two banks. So I ask you to tell General Chuikov that the forces protecting the pontoon bridge must be strengthened, otherwise the troops on the left bank will be driven into the Vistula River by the enemy because they cannot get enough supplies. "

"Comrade Sokov, your guess is correct." Malinin said: "After General Chuikov reported the situation to us, he also considered strengthening the protection of the pontoon bridge to ensure that more troops and equipment can be transported to the left bank as soon as possible. Go. And the pontoon bridge connecting the two sides will also become their protection focus.”

   What happened next, Sokov knew very well in his heart that the pontoon bridge on the Vistula River was blown up by German planes less than a day after it was built. The 8th Guards Army has only one anti-aircraft artillery division, and it is naturally unable to do what it wants to be responsible for air defense missions in river basins with a width of tens of kilometers.

  But knowing it is one thing, whether to tell Ma Lining is another matter. If you really said it, I'm afraid it will arouse Malinin's suspicion. You don't even know the specific landing place of Chuikov's troops. How do you know that the pontoon bridge will be blown up by German planes? Instead of taking the time to explain to your superiors, it is better not to say anything, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble for yourself.

   But before hanging up the phone, Sokov still asked a question he cared about: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I don't know what's going on in Warsaw. Did the citizens really stage an uprising?"

  (end of this chapter)