When Zhukov assigned the task to Sokov, Vitkov became more and more surprised when he heard it. He did not expect that Sokov's judgment was exactly in line with the actual situation.
After assigning the task of defending the city, Zhukov sat down at the table, poured a cup of hot tea himself, took a sip, and said to Sokov: "Misha, how many residents are there in the city now?"
If Zhukov asked how many troops were stationed in each defense zone, Sokov would definitely answer without hesitation, but he was confused about the number of residents in the city. He quickly turned his attention to Vitkov, hoping to get a satisfactory answer from him.
Unexpectedly, after seeing his gaze, Vetkov smiled bitterly and shook his head, spread his hands, indicating that he didn't know the specific number of residents.
"Why, don't you know the answer?" Seeing that neither Sokov nor Vetkov could answer the questions he asked, Zhukov's face showed an unhappy expression: "You are now the supreme commander in charge of Lugansk's defense. Do you even know how many residents there are in the city?"
Since Zhukov came to the headquarters, the political commissar of the division, Anisimov, who had never spoken, took a step forward and said cautiously: "Comrade General, please allow me to report to you." After obtaining permission, he continued: "Now, the total number of residents in the city is 47,365, of which 13,927 workers, all sent by superiors to resume production."
"Very good." Zhukov nodded with satisfaction in Anisimov's answer. He glanced at the old-fashioned political rank worn by the other party and asked casually: "What rank do you have? What position do you hold now?"
"Report to Comrade General," Faced with Zhukov's series of questions, Anisimov responded respectfully: "According to the adjusted military rank, I should be the rank of lieutenant colonel. Now I am serving as the political commissar of the 41st Division of the Guards'"
Sokov, who was standing next to him, heard the two talking about military ranks, and suddenly remembered an important question: Zhukov was awarded the rank of marshal on January 8, 1943, but Zhukov, who is standing in front of him, is still carrying the rank of a general. What is going on? Is there any deviation in some place because of his own reasons?
Zhukov asked with interest: "Since he is the political commissar of the 41st Division of the Guards, how can he know so much about the situation in the city?"
"Report to Comrade General, our division was the first to enter Lugansk." Anisimov replied: "From the day I entered Lugansk, I have often counted the number of people in the city so that the rationing certificates will be issued based on the number of people."
"Who is responsible for the security in the city?" Zhukov asked, "Are you or the police?"
"Short after we arrived in Luhansk, our superiors sent a police squad of more than 80 people and formed a 27-district in the city. Due to their limited number of people, we specially equipped them with two companies to deal with possible accidents."
"After I came to Lugansk's communications team, I heard a strange radio signal last night." Zhukov said to Anisimov: "Since you have always been in charge of the situation in the city, then you will send someone to catch the German spies lurking in the city."
"Comrade General, this may not be easy to deal with." Anisimov said in embarrassment to Zhukov's order: "The troops stationed in the city are now the 75th Guard Division of Colonel Gorishne. If we were to search for spies hidden in the city, it would be a bit inconvenient."
"There is nothing inconvenient." Zhukov waved his hand at Anisimov, and then said to Sokov: "Misha, immediately give Colonel Gorishne the order, saying that there may be German spies lurking in the city, and order him to fully cooperate with Lieutenant Colonel Anisimov and the police branch."
"I understand, comrade general." Sokov agreed verbally, but he knew very well in his heart how difficult it was to find hidden German spies in a city that was almost ruined. In order to narrow the scope of the search, he still asked Zhukov: "I want to ask, can I determine the approximate location of the enemy's radio station?"
If Zhukov said that the enemy's radio signal appeared in other directions, Sokov might have some carelessness. However, when he heard the enemy's radio signal appeared in the west of the city, he couldn't help but frown. You know, it was close to the defense zone of the 41st Division of the Guard. If the enemy's radio signal was not dug out as soon as possible, he would probably suffer a great loss in the future.
Thinking of this, he quickly said to Zhukov: "Comrade General, I think the matter of eliminating the German military spies in the city is of great importance. I must go to the headquarters of the 75th Guard Division in person. Please allow me to leave."
"Go." Zhukov agreed very happily, "You don't have to worry about the work here, including Colonel Vitkov and me."
"Also, the political commissar Lieutenant Colonel Anisimov is familiar with the situation in the city, and I need him to go with me."
"Go and go." Zhukov said: "You must be careful."
Sokov took Anisimov out of the command center and immediately asked: "Comrade Political Commissar, what do the residents in the west of the city do?"
"The factories that resumed work are all in the west of the city." Anisimov replied: "The people living in the west of the city are all workers and their families, and the total number accounts for three-fifths of the city's total."
Sokov calculated silently in his heart that there were about 30,000 people living in the west of the city. It was tantamount to finding one or several lurking German spies from so many people, which was tantamount to finding a needle in the sea. But no matter how difficult it was, he had to find a way to find these spies hidden among the residents, otherwise they could transmit the virtual and real things in the city to the Germans in the distance through radio waves.
"Where is the police branch?"
"Near the square west of the city, there is only one street away from the 75th Guard Division."
"Then let's go to Colonel Gorishne's command first to see how many mobile troops he has to mobilize." Sokov said, then came up and parked on the roadside jeep. After Anisimov also got on the bus, he ordered the driver to drive.
On the way, Anisimov asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, what should we do in Colonel Gorishne's command? Is it necessary to mobilize troops from him and conduct a search on the western defense line?"
Chapter completed!