Chapter 2731: Riding a Tiger Is Difficult to Get Off

Sokov and Pokryshkin came out of the racecourse and stood on the roadside waiting for the bus to take them back.

"Comrade Sokov, no, you should be called Captain Sokov now." Pokryshkin said: "Can you tell me what kind of meritorious deeds you have accomplished to get basically the highest level of Lenin's rank?" Medal, and was promoted to captain."

Sokov knew that Pokryshkin was the future Air Marshal. If he and Victoria were stuck in this era and couldn't leave, having a good relationship with him would be of great help to him in the future. Therefore, he told Pokryshkin what happened in the small town truthfully.

After hearing this, Pokryshkin's eyes widened in surprise: "What, you captured 12 German tanks by yourself?"

"How can I do that on my own," Sokov said modestly: "Aren't there two T-34 tanks to assist me in the operation? Otherwise, how could I have captured 12 German tanks by myself? "

"Captain Sokov, I really underestimated you before." Pokryshkin said sternly: "If it were anyone else, let alone 2 tanks to assist, even if there were 20 tanks to assist, we would have to capture 12 German tanks Tanks are simply impossible. To put it bluntly, even if they win, it will be a tragic victory. Even if our tank troops pay huge casualties, they may not be able to capture so many German tanks. "

Sokov wholeheartedly agrees with Pokryshkin's statement. The reason why he was able to capture so many German tanks and assault guns single-handedly was largely due to luck. Because the Germans saw the two Soviet tanks in front and behind them, they thought they were surrounded. The armored troops had no way of fighting on such a narrow street. If it can't be used, it will be a living target. The German commander may not have wanted to die in vain, so he decisively ordered the troops to surrender. If what he had encountered at that time was not a German armored force, but an infantry force, then it would have been a different outcome.

"Captain Sokov..."

Sokov interrupted: "My name is Mikhail, my friends call me Misha."

Pokryshkin immediately understood what Sokov meant and quickly changed his words: "Okay, I will call you Misha from now on. You can also call me Alexander."

"Well, okay, I'll call you Alexander from now on."

"I feel ashamed to say that the first time I took off for combat, I made a mistake and shot down the plane piloted by my comrade Pustego."

Hearing the name Pokryshkin mentioned, Sokov couldn't help but be a little surprised, because Pustgo was also a future air marshal. Pokryshkin shot down his plane for the first time he took to the skies. , presumably will be severely punished. Then he asked cautiously: "I wonder how your superiors dealt with you later?"

Pokryshkin grinned silently and continued: "Of course it is the most severe punishment. The commander of the aviation regiment ordered me to be locked up in a small dark room and said that I would be sent to a military court. But The next day, we received an order from our superiors to provide ground troops with To provide necessary air cover, because there were not enough pilots, the regiment commander showed mercy and released me from the small dark room. Fortunately, I was lucky. This time I successfully shot down a Me-109 in the air. A fighter jet can be regarded as a meritorious service."

"Well done!" Sokov gave Pokryshkin a thumbs up and said with emotion: "I think air superiority is very important in future battlefields. If air superiority on the battlefield is in the hands of the enemy, We cannot launch active attacks and can only hide in defensive positions and defend passively.”

"Comrade, I think what you said is wrong." Unexpectedly, as soon as Sokov finished speaking, a strange voice came from beside him: "Even if we don't have air supremacy, we can still launch a fierce attack on the enemy, and even defeat the enemy." Completely defeated.”

Sokov turned around and saw that the person speaking was a captain, with a higher military rank than himself. He could only smile faintly, and then said tactfully: "Comrade Captain, I don't know if you have been on the battlefield. If you have seen our armor, You wouldn’t say such a thing when the troops were indiscriminately bombarded by German bomber formations during the assault and completely lost their assault capabilities.”

"Of course I have been on the battlefield." The captain pointed to the medal on his chest and said: "Our battalion was ordered to block the German attack. Under the cover of tanks, aircraft, and artillery, the enemy launched attacks on our positions again and again. , but they were all repulsed by us. We even launched a timely counterattack when the enemy retreated and regained some positions occupied by the enemy. "

"Comrade Sokov! You are here, I am still looking for you everywhere." When Sokov was thinking about how to refute the other party, he heard a familiar voice calling him. He turned around and saw that it was Vlasov. .

Sokov raised his hand and saluted Vlasov: "Hello, Comrade General, nice to see you again."

Not only Sokov saluted Vlasov, but Pokryshkin, who was standing nearby, as well as the captain and some officers who questioned Sokov, all saluted Vlasov at the same time, because they all recognized him. Vlasov's identity.

When Vlasov shook hands with Sokov, he smiled and said: "Comrade Sokov, I congratulate you on receiving the Order of Lenin, which represents the highest honor, and on your exceptional promotion to captain!"

"Thank you, Comrade General!"

"According to the order of my superiors, I will return to Kiev tomorrow." Vlasov looked at Sokov and asked: "How about it, are you willing to go back with me?"

Sokov's heart was immediately alarmed. The Battle of Kiev was about to begin. If he followed Vlasov back to Kiev, he would be in danger of death. Even if he managed to escape the German encirclement, when Vlasov rebelled in the future, he would definitely be implicated as his subordinate.

Just when Sokov was thinking about how to reply, Pokryshkin said: "General Vlasov, I think Misha is very willing to return to Kiev with you."

"Misha?" Vlasov raised his eyebrows and asked in surprise: "Who is Misha?"

"Here, he is." Pokryshkin pointed at Sokov and said with a smile: "His nickname is Misha."

Vlasov turned his head and looked at Sokov and said: "Comrade Sokov, we have known each other for such a long time, but I still don't know your full name. Can you tell me your real name and father's name?"

"Report to Comrade General, my real name and father's name are Mikhail Mikhailovich."

"Well, I remember it. I will call you Misha from now on." Vlasov continued to ask the previous question: "You haven't replied to me yet, are you willing to follow me back to Kiev?"

Sokov looked at the people around him and found that they all had an eager expression on their faces, and they were just about to shout: "Go with him, go with him."

At this moment, Sokov realized a problem. It would be a foolish move to reject Vlasov in public. In any case, Vlasov was now a favorite of Stalin. If he rejected his kindness, it would probably make other commanders have bad associations. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and answer: "Comrade General, I am willing to obey your orders and go to Kiev with you."

"That's great." Vlasov said: "I will leave tomorrow morning, and you can be ready to leave at any time after you go back."

"Take the whole company with you?" Sokov asked tentatively.

"No need." Vlasov shook his head and said, "There are enough guards in my new unit, so leave the soldiers you brought with you to the garrison headquarters. You will return to Kiev with me and my guards tomorrow."

"Yes, Comrade General."

When Vlasov saw the bus taking Sokov and his men back, he raised his hand and patted Sokov on the shoulder and said, "I still have things to deal with, you go back first. When we leave tomorrow morning, I will ask the guards to call you."

On the bus back to the garrison headquarters, Sokov said nothing, thinking about how he could survive after going to Kiev this time.

After arriving at the place, Sokov and Pokryshkin got off the bus.

The two came to the yard, and Pokryshkin asked: "Misha, I think you seem to be worried, can you tell me?"

Sokov took out a cigarette box and handed it to Pokryshkin. When the other party took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, he lit a match to help him light it, and then lit one for himself, and then said: "Alexander, what do you think of the situation in Kiev?"

"Although the German offensive is fierce, it may not be easy for them to take Kiev." Pokryshkin said confidently: "Anyway, our regular army and militia there have a total strength of more than 1 million. Even if we can't crush the enemy's attack, it should be no problem to stop them, right?"

Sokov looked around and saw that there was no one around, but he still lowered his voice and spoke to Pokryshkin "Alexander, do you know why General Zhukov was dismissed from his post as Chief of the General Staff?"

"I don't know." Pokryshkin shook his head and asked, "Do you know the reason?"

"I heard that General Zhukov told Comrade Stalin that Kiev's terrain was special and not conducive to defense at all. He suggested abandoning Kiev and withdrawing all troops to the left bank of the Dnieper River to deploy defense to prevent the German army from launching an attack on Moscow. But unfortunately, Comrade Stalin did not listen to General Zhukov's advice at all. Instead, he dismissed him from his post as Chief of the General Staff and demoted him to the Reserve Front to serve as the commander."

Although more than a month had passed since Zhukov was dismissed, it was impossible for a grassroots officer like Pokryshkin to know about it. Therefore, he was shocked when he heard Sokov say this: "What, Marshal Zhukov was demoted to the Reserve Front? When did this happen?"

"In mid-to-late July, I don't know the exact time."

"That's a pity." Pokryshkin sighed softly, and then said: "Before General Zhukov became the Chief of the General Staff, he was the commander of the Kiev Special Military District. I have heard from many commanders that he is a very capable leader. I didn't expect that he would be demoted to the Reserve Front. I'm afraid he will hardly have a chance to turn things around."

"Alexander, I don't agree with you." Sokov shook his head and said: "Gold will shine everywhere. Although General Zhukov is only commanding the Reserve Front now, maybe one day the troops he commands will achieve impressive results. At that time, the Supreme Commander himself will re-commit him to important tasks."

"I hope so." Pokryshkin remembered what Sokov had just said: "Since you know that the situation in Kiev is not optimistic, why did you agree to General Vlasov's proposal and follow him to Kiev?" He originally He still wanted to say that this was to die, but in order not to affect Sokov's mood, he swallowed the last sentence.

"Alexander, there were so many people around at that time. If I rejected General Vlasov in public, wouldn't it make it impossible for him to step down?" Sokov explained to Pokryshkin: "If I really reject him, even if I reject him in public, I will not be able to step down." If General Rasov doesn't say anything, I'm afraid the other officers who saw him will gossip elsewhere, which may have a worse impact on me."

"So, that's why you agreed to General Vlasov?"

"Yes, that's true."

Pokryshkin sighed after hearing this, raised his hand and patted Sokov on the shoulder, saying in a sympathetic tone: "Misha, I wish you good luck! I hope that by the end of the war, I will still be able to help you." I can see you again."

"Alexander, don't worry." Sokov said with a forced smile: "I've always had better luck. I believe I will have a chance to live until the end of the war."

The two chatted for a few more words, and then saw Andre and Dennis walking out of the building with the soldiers.

Regarding the current situation, Sokov hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Are you going to patrol again?"

"Yes, Comrade Company Commander." Dennis nodded and said, "The captain of the garrison headquarters told me that due to their shortage of manpower, they hope we can patrol once every morning and evening."

Sokov wanted to make a few complaints, but suddenly remembered that when Vlasov returned to Kiev tomorrow, he would only bring himself and his guards with him, which meant that the subordinates he brought to Moscow could only stay at the garrison headquarters.

Thinking of this, he said to the two of them: "Second Lieutenant Dennis, Andre, let me tell you something now."

"What's going on?" Andre asked curiously.

"I will return to Kiev tomorrow together with General Vlasov." Sokov said to the two men: "As for you and the rest of the soldiers, you will continue to stay in Moscow. That is to say, from now on, you will officially Become a member of the Garrison Command."

"Ah, let us stay?" Dennis asked in surprise: "Is this true?"

"Of course it's true."

Andrei suddenly saw the Order of Lenin hanging on Sokov's chest, and a shocked expression flashed in his eyes: "Sokov, where did you pick up the Order of Lenin?"

"What you picked up? Comrade Kalinin personally awarded it to me." When Sokov spoke, he raised his hand and patted the cloth bag containing his clothes: "I was also rewarded with a new military uniform."

Andre urged: "Hurry up and take a look at the new military uniform."

When Sokov took out the new military uniform from the bag and showed it to everyone, Dennis noticed the rank on the collar badge: "This is the captain's uniform. Comrade company commander, where did you get it?" "