Sokov knew very well that the Battle of Kursk was a watershed in the Soviet-German War. Before the battle, the German army had the strategic initiative and could independently choose the time and place to launch a strategic offensive. After the battle, the German army completely lost its strategic initiative and changed from strategic offensive to strategic defense. From then on, the Soviet army began a large-scale attack to recover its territory.

Even though he knew that this was a sure victory battle, Sokov remained cautious. If he really lost the battle, then the prestige he had not yet established in the army would be gone in an instant.

According to Sokov's plan, the 182nd Infantry Division, which is the vanguard of the entire army, should arrive thirty kilometers north of Oboyan on the morning of July 6 and build fortifications there.

Unexpectedly, before dawn, Sokov was woken up by the staff officer on duty: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Khokhlov called an emergency call, and something seemed to have happened."

When Sokov heard the staff on duty say this, his heart sank. He couldn't help but think: Could it be that the attack speed of the German army is much faster than in real history? Colonel Khokhlov and others had encountered the enemy who rushed over before they reached the designated position? Thinking of this, he put on his shoes while asking the staff: "Who else have you notified?"

"Before I came here, I had called the Chief of Staff and he said he would arrive at the command soon."

Sokov knew where Sameko lived, and it was farther from the command center. Even if he received the notice in advance, he might not be able to arrive at the command center earlier than himself. After putting on his shoes, he waved his hand hard and said, "Let's go to the command center."

When he walked into the command center, Sokov saw the microphone on the table, so he quickly walked over and picked up the microphone, put it in his ear, and said loudly: "I am Sokov."

"Hello, Comrade Commander! I am Khochlov."

"Comrade Colonel," Sokov asked sternly, "What's wrong?"

"Report to the commander, we have arrived at the area thirty kilometers north of Oboyan. When we were preparing to build fortifications, we were stopped..."

"What, was it stopped?" Sokov was furious when he heard Khokhlov say this. He sent troops to reinforce, but someone would actually stop his troops from building fortifications. He asked sternly: "Who is the person who prevents you from building fortifications? What right does he have to stop you?"

"It's me, I have the right to stop you from building a new defensive position in our defense zone." A strange voice suddenly came from the receiver: "You are Major General Sokov, the commander of the 27th Army, whom the colonel calls it, right?"

"Yes." Hearing the other party's tone of speech, Sokov immediately realized that the other party might have a bad origin, so he asked tentatively: "Who are you?"

"I am General Apanathenko, deputy commander of the Voronezh Front." The person on the other end of the phone said in a stern tone: "I want to ask you why, without authorization from our department, ordered the troops to build new fortifications in our defense zone without authorization? I want to ask you, what do you want to do?"

"General Apaneseko?!" After Sokov repeated this name, he immediately remembered his identity: one of the five generals of the Soviet army before the war, a veteran commander known as the "Far East Tsar". He quickly straightened his body and said respectfully to the microphone: "Hello, comrade general, do you have any instructions?"

"Major General Sokov," Apanesenko asked impatiently, "You have not answered my question yet. Why did you send troops without authorization from our department to build fortifications in our defense zone without authorization? What is your purpose in doing this?"

"Comrade General," although Apanashenko has been in the Far East since the outbreak of the war, and has no chance to participate in the formulation and implementation of combat plans, and the tactics he mastered have fallen behind in today's war. Even after his repeated requests, Stalin reluctantly arranged for him to be the deputy commander of Vatutin, who was much less qualified than him, and serve as the deputy commander of the Voronezh Front. However, no matter what, his rank is much higher than Sokov. Sokov responded politely: "According to my analysis, the enemy may achieve a breakthrough in the Oboyan area. In order to prevent the enemy from rushing to Moscow, it is absolutely necessary for me to build fortifications in the northern area of ​​Oboyan to block the enemy's attack."

Who knew that as soon as Sokov finished speaking, Apanashenko was angry: "General Sokov, who told you that our heroic commanders and fighters of the Voronezh Front could not resist the enemy's attack? You must know that your remarks are very dangerous. To put it lightly, you are talking nonsense; to put it seriously, this is simply a defeatist argument."

Hearing Apanashenko's accusations against him, Sokov couldn't help but smile bitterly. He didn't know how to explain it so that the other party could realize the seriousness of the current situation. Just as he was organizing the words in his mind, he suddenly heard Apanashenko say in a stern tone: "I order you to withdraw your troops immediately, otherwise I will report this matter to the Supreme Command, and you will be fully responsible for all the consequences."

Apanesesenko's words made Sokov angry. He did not expect that he had worked hard to formulate a combat plan to save the situation and sent the most elite troops to rush to the north of Oboyan to consolidate the defense, and would be criticized by others. If the other party was an ordinary commander, Sokov would have retorted, but the person who was talking to him was an old soldier with an qualification similar to Zhukov. Therefore, he chose to endure it in a 2nd year. After taking two deep breaths, he tried to say to Apanesesenko in a stable tone: "I'm sorry, Comrade General. I have obtained the permission of the commander of the front army, General Konev. If you have any questions, please communicate directly with General Konev."

"Major General Sokov," Apanashenko seemed particularly annoyed when he saw Sokov's words avoiding the important things, "Do you really want to violate my orders?"

"Sorry, comrade General." Sokov replied unashamedly: "Although your military rank is higher than mine, you are not my direct superior, so I have the right to disobey your orders. In order to prevent the enemy from advancing towards the depth of our defense, my troops will soon build new fortifications in the actual control area, and I hope you will not stop them."

"Rebel, you, a little major general, dares to disobey my orders." Apaneseko said in anger: "I will report this matter to the Supreme Command and ask them to remove you from office and investigate."

Sokov was not worried about Apaneseko's threat at all: "Comrade General, if you feel it is necessary to report to the Supreme Command, please let me know. Not only that, my troops must build new fortifications in the existing area today to fight against possible German troops."
Chapter completed!