Burning Moscow

After I finished the call, I sat at the table and stared at the map lying in front of me for a long time. Then I sighed and said to Kirilov sitting opposite: "Comrade Military Commissioner, the current situation is really It's not optimistic!"

After hearing this, Kirilov was stunned for a moment, and then asked a little puzzled: "Why, Lida, what are you worried about?" Before I could respond, he began to ask and answer himself, "I'm worried that the German army is about to start. Offensive? Although they pushed the Tomir from three directions, but with our strength, they can block their offensive in a short time; even if they can't support it, they can retreat along the road to Kiev. ((Worry about the base Will the cultural relics fall into the hands of the Germans again? This worry is unnecessary. I believe that soon, the superior will send a special team to transport all the cultural relics stored here."

"What I am worried about is that our troops may be encircled by the Germans." When I saw all the people's attention attracted by me, I announced in shock: "According to various signs, we are currently in Fasti. The German army in Russia will take a surprise attack to cut off the roads in Kiev Zhitomir. Once this assumption becomes a manifestation, the troops we withdrew will have to go through rough roads and retreat back to Cherkassy."

"Is it really possible?" Bezikov asked with suspicion: "At present, the 38th Army and the 6th Army are deployed to the southwest of Kiev. When we see our situation is critical, they will definitely send troops to rescue. our."

After listening to Bezikov's overly idealistic assumptions, I poured cold water on him immediately: "Chief of Staff, if you hold this kind of thinking, then in the end we will not be able to escape the fate of being encircled and annihilated by the Germans."

"Ah?!" Bezikov was taken aback by my words. He opened his eyes wide and said in disbelief: "How can this happen?"

"How can it be impossible to show up?" As the house was full of my own family members, I didn't have too much scruples when I said: "The German 25th Armored Division defeated our 38th Army, which was fully loaded, steadily and retreated. Although the front army headquarters sent an additional 6o group army to the southwest of Kiev, the German army also added several armored divisions and infantry divisions. I doubt whether our two group armies can stop the German offensive."

Seeing that I have said the situation so seriously, I have personally experienced Kirilov, who has recovered Kiev and lost Kiev, and can't help it. He stood up, walked back and forth in the room with his hands on his back, seeming to be considering whether what I was saying was alarmist.

But Kistyakov, who hadn't spoken for a long time, asked hesitantly: "Will Kiev be lost again?"

"No, Kiev will not lose it." Before I could speak, Kirilov, who was pacing, stopped, looked at Kistyakov, categorically: "Although we have lost twice. Kiev, but this time I will never lose it again. Our commanders will shed their last drop of blood in order to defend this great city."

"Comrade Military Commissioner is right. In my memory, after Vatutin's troops regained Kiev, although the Germans made a frantic counterattack, Kiev has been firmly in the hands of the Soviets. Therefore, we waited for Kirilov. After speaking, I immediately echoed: "Kiev will never lose it. Regardless of the ferocity of the German offensive, it is not 1941 and they still do not have the power to take Kiev. "

"But, Comrade Commander," After hearing my analysis, Bezikov asked in amazement: "Didn't you say that our 38th and 6th Army Groups cannot stop the German offensive in the Fastiv area? But Now you say..." His words came to an abrupt end here, although I didn't finish them, but I heard the meaning of what he said in my heart, and he thought what I said was contradictory.

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff," I said, looking at Bezikov. "I did say that the 38th and 6th Army Groups could not stop the German attack and could not stop them from cutting off the Kiev Zhitomir road. But the reason was that it was blocked. No, it’s because there are no strong fortifications in the southwest of Kiev. In the face of the fierce German army, our troops can only retreat step by step. But once they return to Kiev, the situation will change. In addition to the city There is a complete defense system, and the commanders and fighters have the determination to fight to the end. Under such circumstances, it is impossible for the Germans to achieve the kind of victory they imagined."

After I analyzed the situation for them, I changed the topic: "Well, we should study how to transfer the cultural relics. Because Fastiv assembled the main force of the German army, the cultural relics were transported into Kiev through the Kiev Zhitomir highway. The route is not appropriate. The higher authorities mean that they intend to let the convoy transporting cultural relics cross the Dnieper from Cherkassy and head to a safe area."

Although Kistyakov was too familiar with the map in front of him, he still watched it for a long time before slowly saying: "I think the team can only go through the road that we have paved. Elkaser is the safest route."

Hearing this, Bezikov quickly moved his head over, looked at it for a moment, and added: "This road still has to pass near the German occupation zone. There is still danger." When he said this, he looked up. I, with some regret, said, "At that time, we only considered how to successfully attack and occupy Korowstville without being noticed by the Germans. We did not clear out the German troops in the small towns along the way. Now we have to transport cultural relics through this road. Will continue to be harassed by the German army."

"Although it is only a hundred kilometers from the base to the Kozon we control." Kistyakov said worriedly: "But to ensure the safety of transportation on this road, we must use at least one division to defend it. We are here. The two divisions in Cherkassy cannot be used. There are four infantry divisions and tank brigade in Zhytomyr. There is one infantry division and one cavalry division in Krostwiew. There is also an infantry division and two guards in the base. Regiment. Although the total strength seems to be quite a lot, under the current circumstances, no troops can be used at any point."

Just when we were troubled, Vatutin called again. He said to me sternly: "Comrade Oshanina, I will send a convoy of fifty trucks to your base tonight. The convoy will travel along the Kiev Zhitomir highway into Korost. After Weifu, turn around and go south to enter the base. You have to arrange manpower to do the security work along the way."

Vatutin’s words really made me dumbfounded. I told him earlier that the road in Kiev Zhitomir might be cut off by German troops from Fastiv at any time. He actually sent a convoy to sway along the road. It’s true. I thought the Germans would not take any action.

After putting down the phone, I cried and said to Kistyakov and the others: "Comrade Deputy Commander, the situation is terrible. Comrade General has sent a convoy and will arrive here tonight, ordering us to send someone to respond."

"Leave this to me." Bezikov took the initiative to call for instructions: "I called the commander of the 77th Guards Division and asked him to send a battalion of infantry and a tank company to meet this convoy."

The more I worry about what is coming, I worry that the convoy will be attacked by the German army on the road, and it was really attacked by a German army. Although the German army has only more than 100 people with a few armored vehicles, it is not every car. Only a convoy of three fighters can handle it. If it were not for the troops of the 77th Guards Division to arrive in time, it is estimated that their entire army would be wiped out. But even so, when the convoy arrived at the base, 21 of the original 50 trucks were left.

Akhromeyev brought in a captain from outside and introduced to me: "Comrade Commander, this is Captain Morozov, the captain of the transport team from Kiev."

After I saw the person coming, I immediately walked over and proactively extended a hand to him, and said friendlyly: "Hello, Captain Morozov, I didn't expect we would meet here."

Morozov was the captain of the transport team I knew during the Battle of Kursk. Because I admired him a lot, I also thought about digging him to me as a battalion commander, but later for various reasons, Let me have no chance to implement this plan, but his rank has also been promoted, from lieutenant to captain. He saluted me first, then shook my hand and said excitedly: "Comrade General, if your troops hadn't arrived in time, I think our transport team might have been wiped out."

"Comrade Captain," I asked curiously, "Are you solely responsible for this transportation?"

Unexpectedly, Morozov shook his head and said, "No, Comrade General. This time it was led by a major. He also had an order in his hand. There was a marching route map drawn up by the superior, clearly stating that it was in the convoy. After loading the materials, which route should I return to Kiev?"

I heard that the person in charge of the convoy had a marching route, and I knew that Vatutin probably did not intend to let the convoy go to Cherkassy. After all, the road detoured there was too far. I looked at Morozov and asked, "Captain, where is your major?"

"Sacrifice!" After Morozov said these words, he lowered his head and stared at his toes and said: "The truck he was riding in was hit by a fire, and the command he was carrying was also burned in the fire."

Without the marching route map drawn up by the superior, the convoy would not know how to return to Kiev even after loading the cultural relics. While I ordered Akhromeyev to take Morozov to rest first, I called Vatutin.

Hearing my voice, Vatutin asked directly: "Comrade Oshanina, has the team arrived at the base?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." I quickly replied: "The convoy was attacked by the Germans on the road, and nearly half of its vehicles were lost. The major who led the team also died. Worse, he carried him with him. The order was burned, and we don’t know from which direction the convoy should be arranged."

"What did you do?" Vatutin caught fire immediately after hearing my report. "Didn't you let you send people to meet them? Why would the team suffer such a big loss?"

I knew that Vatutin was angry, so I didn't defend myself, and I could only endure his thunderous anger without saying a word. After finally waiting for him to calm down, I hurriedly asked: "Comrade General, I don't know which route the convoy should return to Kiev or other places after the loading is completed."

Vatutin sighed and said to me: "I'm sorry, Comrade Oshaninna, I was a bit emotional just now, I was mad at you, it was mine, please forgive me!" After apologizing, he paused for a moment. , Then said: "According to the original plan, the convoy should transport 6o tons of gold and some precious oil paintings. After returning from the base to Korostviv, it will continue to drive north, pass through the forest and then turn to the east and enter Kiev."

After listening to Vatutin's explanation of the convoy's marching route, I nodded secretly. I felt that his arrangement was far safer and more convenient than the Kiev Zhitomir highway or the Cherkasy crossing. I thought about it, and then asked him for instructions: "Comrade General, there are only 21 trucks left in the fleet. The original transportation plan may need to be adjusted. I think the 6o tons of gold must be transferred first, but the oil painting can wait a little bit. Now, you might as well transfer some of the marble sculptures of ancient Greece and Rome. What do you think?"

Regarding my proposal, Vatutin thought about it for a while ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ and readily agreed: "Well, Comrade Oshaninina, then, as you said, first transfer the gold and a part of the sculpture. As for oil paintings, when the current situation stabilizes, I will arrange a convoy for transportation."

After deciding on the supplies to be transported and the marching route, I asked Akhromeyev to come in and told him: "Major, you go take the manpower and help Captain Morozov and the others load the car. Remember, first load all the 6o tons of gold on the truck, and then install a part of the sculptures of ancient Rome and ancient Greece. As for the marching route, after the loading is completed, I will personally explain it to Captain Morozov."

When I gave orders to Akhromeyev, Bezikov kept looking at the map. After Akhromeyev left, he raised his head and said to me: "Comrade Commander, although the road in this forest is hidden, it does not rule out the danger of being exposed by the Germans. Therefore, I suggest sending troops to escort. ."

"The road between the forests may be difficult to withstand tanks. Just send a motorized battalion to **** them." I simply said: "Let them carry more anti-tank weapons, so that even if they encounter German tanks, they won’t be without The power to fight back."

After listening, Bezikov nodded repeatedly, and said in agreement: "This arrangement is very reasonable. As long as there are infantry with anti-tank weapons, even if we encounter German armored units, we can all retreat." (To be continued. .)8