Sokov's troops and Malankin's Guard Division defended a narrow area of ​​nine kilometers wide and fifteen kilometers deep. The German troops who met outside Prokholovka City had already formed a siege against them.
Sokov knew that the German army would be defeated by the Soviet army, which had the advantage of numbers, if they could not stay outside Prokholovka for two days, so he was not worried at all. But Malankin didn't think so. As soon as it got dark, he hurried to Sokov's temporary command.
"General Sokov," Marantin said anxiously as soon as he saw Sokov's face: "Do you understand our current situation?"
"What's the situation?" Sokov asked casually.
Seeing Sokov's confused look on his face, Malankin stomped his feet in a hurry. He quickly came to the table, pointed to the map spread on the table, and said to Sokov: "General Sokov, although we blocked the 6th and 19th Armored Divisions of the German Army, the Skeleton Division, the Flag Guard Division and the 7th Armored Division have already detoured to our rear. In other words, the troops of our two divisions have been trapped in the German encirclement."
"Yes, our defensive positions are now surrounded by the Germans." Sokov took a casual look at the map on the table and said disapprovingly: "But what does this matter? Due to the limited military strength of the Germans, the encirclement they formed to us is full of loopholes and poses little threat to us."
"The Germans now have loopholes in the encirclements formed by us due to insufficient troops." Marantine said anxiously: "But once they successfully seized Prokorovka City and turned around to attack us, I was worried that we would not last for two days."
Sokov didn't expect Marantin to be so pessimistic. His troops are now only formally surrounded by the German army. It is not difficult to break this siege. He asked tentatively: "General Marantin, I don't know what you mean..."
"You must break through immediately." Seeing Sokov asking for his opinion, Malankin immediately replied without hesitation: "With the German encirclement not reliable enough, we will break through in two groups. You lead the troops to break through the north, retreat to the bank of the Pushore River, and meet with your other troops. And I will lead the troops to break through the south and meet with the main force of the 69th Army."
After hearing Malankin's proposal, Koida, who was standing aside, couldn't help but lit up his eyes. He felt that the other party's statement was very correct. He should take decisive breakthroughs before the German army attacked Prokorovka City without forming a real siege on his troops, so that he could successfully break through the German army's defense at a very small price.
However, he looked at Sokov who was looking down at the map, and swallowed the words to his mouth. Although he and Malankin were both division commanders, Malankin was from a friendly army and was not under Sokov's jurisdiction. Even if what he said was wrong, Sokov would not say anything. Therefore, Koida could only look at Malankin for help, and kept hinting at the other party with his eyes, persuading Sokov to take a breakout action.
After seeing Koida's expression, Maranthin showed a faint smile on his face. He did not continue to persuade Sokov to take a breakthrough action, but said to Sokov: "General Sokov, can I ask Colonel Koida's opinion on breaking through?"
Sokov felt that it was not an exaggeration to Maranthin's request, so he readily agreed: "Yes."
"Col. Coida," Marantine coughed softly, cleared her throat and asked, "When do you think we should choose to break through?"
Koida thought for a while and replied: "I think we should choose the time to break through at around 3 am. That is the time when people are most tired, and the Germans are no exception. They would never have thought that we would take the breakout action unexpectedly at this time. I believe that we can definitely use the smallest price to highlight the enemy's encirclement."
Sokov couldn't help laughing when he heard the conversation between the two. He thought Marantin was very smart. When asked Koida's opinion, he did not ask whether he should break through, but asked when he should break through. In this way, the breakthrough operation became a foregone conclusion. The only difference was when to break through.
After Koida expressed his opinion, seeing that Sokov did not speak and thought the other party was not against breaking through, he asked excitedly: "Comrade Commander, I think it is up to you to decide when the troops break through. Tell me, when should we break through."
"From the current distribution of German troops, even if we break through now, it is not easy for the enemy to keep us." Sokov said this, deliberately paused for a moment, and then continued: "But..."
When Sokov said the word "but", Koida's heart couldn't help but skip a beat. He knew that the breakthrough was going on. Sokov might have opposed it, but he dared not speak, so he could only listen quietly as Sokov continued to say: "I don't think we have to break through at all."
"What, there is no need to break through?" Sokov's words stunned Marantin and Koida. After a while, Marantin said cautiously: "General Sokov, if we do not take advantage of the favorable opportunity of the dispersed German forces, quickly break through their siege and return to the main force. When they seize Prokorovka City and turn back to deal with us, we will be in danger of destruction of the entire army."
"General Marantin, do you think the Germans can seize the city of Prokholovka?" Sokov said disapprovingly: "Since the enemy cannot capture our city, how could they turn around and attack us?"
"General Sokov, it seems that you are full of confidence in your friendly forces defending Prokholovka City." Marantin continued: "No one can tell what is happening on the battlefield. If we really wait until Prokholovka City falls and we will take a breakout action, it will probably be too late."
"General Malankin, I want to remind you. Once both of our troops have carried out a breakthrough operation, the 6th and 19th Armored Divisions of the German Army, which confront us in the front, can quickly rush up to occupy the empty positions. Once they occupy the positions, they will definitely leave some of the troops, and then the main force will directly pounce on Prokholovka City. As far as I know, the defense battle of Prokholovka City is very difficult. If the 6th and 19th Armored Divisions are rushing over again, do you think our friendly forces can still defend the city?"
Malankin was shocked and stunned. He thought about how to get his troops out of the German encirclement as soon as possible, but forgot to think that once he gave up his position, the two German armored divisions confronting him could drive straight in and rushed directly outside Prokholovka City, and the balance of victory would tilt towards the German army.
After understanding this truth, Malankin took a deep breath, and then asked Sokov with a serious expression: "General Sokov, then what do you think we should do?"
"Breakthrough can indeed help us get rid of the danger of being eliminated by the enemy. But once we break through, the war in Prokholovka will change." Sokov replied calmly: "So, I think we should still hold our position. As long as we are here, the enemy will have to leave two armored divisions to confront us, thereby weakening their power to attack Prokholovka."
"I understand, General Sokov." Marantin had made up his mind at this moment. He could not break through and he had to continue to hold on, so that he could restrain more enemies and reduce the pressure for the friendly forces in Prokholovka City. However, he was cautious and asked Sokov carefully: "General Sokov, how long do you think we need to stick to it?"
Chapter completed!