Red Moscow

  Chapter 712 Sewer Defense (Part 2)

Seeing that Zinchenko understood his intentions, Sokov turned around and said to the second lieutenant who reported: "Comrade second lieutenant, you go back later and tell Lieutenant Colonel Papchenko that although our night attack was successful, the Germans It will soon be discovered that we used the sewers to win. According to my estimation, the enemy will definitely learn from our tactics in the next step and send people to attack you through the sewers. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen the defense in the sewers .”

The second lieutenant had obviously participated in the work of laying mines and building fortifications in the sewer, and as soon as Sokov finished speaking, he asked cautiously: "Comrade commander, is it like setting up minefields and building sandbags in the sewer below the factory gate? "

"No, no, no, the defense of each place must be adjusted according to the characteristics of each place, and it cannot be copied blindly." After the second lieutenant finished speaking, Sokov waved his hand and said: "The mine reserves in the factory are not unlimited. Therefore, we cannot deploy the same minefields in Workers’ New Village.”

Sokov was worried that the second lieutenant would not understand what he was saying, so he took out a pen and paper and explained to him while drawing a sketch: "Almost all the buildings in the workers' new village were destroyed by the enemy's artillery fire, so you can no longer look like them." As yesterday, set up defensive positions in buildings."

   "Then where should we set up the defensive position?" The second lieutenant asked respectfully, "Do we need to urgently build fortifications outside the Workers' New Village?"

"You just need to choose a few important locations, build defensive positions in the ruins, and organically connect these defensive positions through one or two sewers." Sokov said to the second lieutenant: "Once you are bombarded by the enemy , you can quickly drill into the sewer to avoid the enemy's shelling.

   Except for the sewers connecting the firepower support points, all other unused passages are blocked with sandbags to make it impossible for the enemy to pass. In order to prevent the enemy from secretly clearing the blocked passage, you can lay mines in front of, behind and in the middle of the sandbags. In this way, as long as the enemy moves the sandbags, they will be blown up by the mines. "

   "Comrade Commander," the second lieutenant frowned and asked, "Why don't we deploy firepower points in these areas, but completely seal off the passages?"

"There are at least 20 or 30 passages that you want to block. Even if only five people are deployed to defend the fortifications in each passage, then at least one company is needed." Sukov built fortifications under the factory area, It was a last resort, but in Gongxin Village, he felt that there was no need, so he could patiently explain to the second lieutenant: "If we really do this, no matter whether the enemy comes or not, the commanders and fighters of this company must stick to it. Besides, this kind of firepower can deal with a small number of enemies, but if more enemies come, they won't be able to last long."

  After Sokov’s explanation, not only the second lieutenant understood his painstaking efforts, but even Peter and Zinchenko nodded thoughtfully, thinking that Sokov’s words were very reasonable.

  The second lieutenant took the sketch drawn by Sokov, saluted him, then turned and walked out the door, trying to convey Sokov's order to the regiment commander Papchenko as soon as possible. Unexpectedly, as soon as he walked out the door, he heard Sokov calling him, so he stopped quickly, turned his head to look at Sokov, and thought to himself: What will happen if the teacher calls me?

"Comrade Second Lieutenant," Sokov came to the second lieutenant and asked in a low voice, "Do you have any cigarettes on you?" German cigarettes."

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The second lieutenant quickly reached into his pocket, took out two packs of cigarettes, handed them to Sokov, and said with some embarrassment: "I only have two packs with me. Someone will bring it to you later."

Sokov asked the second lieutenant for cigarettes entirely to satisfy Peter's desire to taste German cigarettes. He thought that the other party could at best give him half a pack, but now seeing that there are two packs, it was already a pleasant surprise, so he waved his hand and said : "Enough is enough, two packs are enough, thank you, Comrade Second Lieutenant."

   After the second lieutenant left, Sokov re-entered the duty room. Peter, who was talking to Zinchenko, looked at Sokov and asked curiously: "Comrade Colonel, I would like to ask, why did you plant mines in the middle of the sandbags besides the front and back of the sandbags?"

Seeing not only Peter, but even Zinchenko looking at him curiously, Sokov felt that it was necessary for him to educate the two of them: "Comrade director, we planted landmines in front of and behind the sandbags to prevent the enemy from approaching. Sandbags. But if they clean up these mines, they will immediately organize their manpower to remove all the sandbags blocking the passage. At this time, the mines hidden in the middle of the sandbags can blow up the enemies who moved the sandbags. The enemy found that we were in the middle of the sandbags and had also laid mines, so they didn't dare to act rashly, so they had to choose unblocked areas to detour..."

  After Sokov's explanation, the two factory directors finally understood Sokov's true intention. Peter nodded, and said: "There are too many sewer entrances and exits in Workers' New Village. If we send people to defend every place, I am afraid that the strength of a regiment will not be enough. But if only a few passages are left, not only our army's attack will become difficult." It is more concealed, but it will also confuse the Germans who try to sneak attack us through the sewers."

  There are actually more important reasons why Sokov didn’t rush to Workers’ New Village with the second lieutenant immediately, but stayed here to chat with Peter and the others. Taking advantage of Peter's joy, he tentatively asked, "Peter, the director of the factory, I would like to ask, how many damaged tanks can you usually bring back to the factory every day?"

  Peter, who was in high spirits, immediately restrained the smile on his face when he heard Sokov's question, and asked vigilantly, "Comrade Colonel, why are you asking this?"

"Comrade Director," Sokov took out the German cigarettes from the second lieutenant from his pocket, stuffed them into Peter's hand, and said with a smile: "You said you want to try German cigarettes, and I have already made them for you. Here you go, taste it and see which one is better than our domestic cigarettes."

Peter took the cigarette with a puzzled expression, tore open the package, took out one in his mouth, shook the cigarette case to Sokov, asked him if he smoked, saw Sokov shook his head, and turned to Zinchenko . Zinchenko took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and immediately lit a match, first for Peter and then for himself.

   "How is it, Director Peter?" After seeing Peter take a few puffs, Sokov asked with a smile, "How do you feel about the taste of German cigarettes?"

   "Not bad." Peter nodded slightly, and said, "I heard from others that German cigarettes smell like horse manure, but I think it's pretty good."

   Hearing what Peter said, Sokov thought to himself: I think German cigarettes smell like horse manure. I really don’t understand how you are so used to smoking. Seeing that Peter was in a good mood, he asked again: "Master Peter, I would like to ask, can you provide me with a few repaired tanks in the next two or three days?"

Unexpectedly, when Peter heard Sokov's question, his face immediately changed: "What kind of ghost cigarette is this, why is it so difficult to smoke." Mie said viciously, "I will never smoke again."

  (end of this chapter)