Burning Moscow

After seeing my reply, Kistyakov suddenly approached my ear and whispered: "Comrade Commander, what are you going to do? The Germans are attacking Zhytomyr, even if we know what we are looking for. In Lutsk, under the current circumstances, we can only do nothing. Eight √一中文网√★√"

I did not answer him immediately, but waved at Razumeyeva to signal her to leave, and then quietly thought while eating: The German army has launched a full-scale attack on Zhitomyr, can we stop them, or say How long can last in Zhytomyr is unknown. Once the German forces occupy Zhytomyr, we must retake it without a month or two. During this period, the Germans had enough time to transfer cultural relics from Lutsk to other places.

If I could get back the Amber Room a few days ago, I really don’t care at all. I just need to consider if I defeat the Germans who stand in front of me and liberate more cities from their hands. But now that the Supreme Commander himself interviewed the Amber Room, the situation was different. I lost Zhytomyr, maybe I will be reprimanded by my superiors or be degraded or downgraded. But if the Amber Room disappeared out of thin air, I guess waiting for my own destiny is to be dismissed and sent to a military court.

Thinking of this, I looked up and saw that the staff had finished eating and went back to work. Only me, Kistyakov, Kirilov, and Bezikov and other insiders were left at the table. So I lowered my voice and said to them: "Comrade commanders, although we don't know how long we can last in Zhytomyr, we cannot stop looking for the job in the Amber Room. Comrade Military Commissioner, please give Traf again. When Major Jin called back, he told him that if the cultural relics stored in the vault were really an Amber Room, then he had to find ways to keep an eye on it. Even if the Germans moved things, he would have to lead people to track them and figure out that the enemy would move things. Where did it go."

"Don't worry, Lida." Kirilov nodded and said solemnly: "I will make your point clear to Major Trafkin. The Amber Room is our national treasure. If you can't get it back If we do, we will become sinners of history."

While we were discussing the Amber Room in a low voice, Akhromeyev came over to report to us that the Germans had attacked again. The German troops in this attack were the Eighth Armored Division and the 2o8th Infantry Division from the direction of Crosten to the north. While their troops were advancing towards the front of our army, they also dispatched several groups of planes, bombing nearby. Guarding the 67th defensive position and the rear guards 9o division.

Hearing such a report, Kistyakov frowned and asked Bezikov a little unhappy: "Chief of Staff, haven't we contacted the front command and asked them to send the air force to provide air cover for us?" Why are there only enemy planes on the battlefield, our fighter planes?"

"Comrade Deputy Commander," Bezikov said embarrassedly in the face of Kistyakov's criticism: "When I called, it happened that General Krasovsky of the 2nd Army of the Air Force was there, he told I said that because the enemy is launching a fierce attack on Kiev, his air force is used in that direction, and it may not be able to provide us with air cover in the short term."

After hearing this, Kistyakov slapped the table with his hand and said angrily: "Kiev is dangerous. Are we not dangerous here? We use the strength of a group army to fight against the enemy that is twice the direction of Kiev. The army, actually can't get air support, what's the matter?"

I was afraid that if Kistyakov went on speaking, he would say something outrageous, I quickly raised my hand to stop him, and then asked Bezikov somewhat puzzled: "Comrade Chief of Staff, even if the fighting in the southwest of Kiev is fierce, the Air Force The group army cannot provide us with large-scale air support, but one or two fighter squadrons can always be sent out?"

Bezikov shook his head again, and said: "Comrade Commander, you don’t know that Lieutenant General Bogolyubov, Chief of Staff of the Front Army, has not been in office for a long time. He still doesn’t understand the situation of the entire Front Army and is not aware of Zhitomir. It is of great significance to the defense of Kiev, so in terms of resource arrangement, he focuses on Kiev’s defenders."

After I listened to Bezikov’s words, I couldn’t help but sigh. In the last one or two months, after the reorganization of the Front Army, large-scale personnel adjustments have been made. Not only Khrushchev was transferred, but even before The talkative Ivanov Chief of Staff was also transferred. If it were in peacetime, such personnel changes would not have any impact, but now is the urgent time of war. After the new leader comes, it will take some time to get in touch with Vatutin. During this period, the entire front army will be affirmed. There will be some bad effects, and even cause the troops to defeat the war.

"What should we do?" Kistyakov said to me with a serious expression: "If we can't get air support, it will be difficult to stop the German offensive even if our commanders show great bravery."

I took a look at the few people around me. Only Kirilov and Akhromeyev had participated in the defense of Stalingrad with me, so I asked the two of them: "Comrade Military Commissioner , Major, both of you have fought with me in Stalingrad. Do you think Zhytomyr can become the second Stalingrad?"

Hearing my question, the two of them were shocked. Akhromeyev's rank is low. Before Kirilov spoke, he couldn't express his opinions casually, so he looked at Kirilov anxiously.

Kirilov noticed this little movement of Akhromeyev, and after a light cough, he said to me: "Lida, although we have fought in Stalingrad for a while, my main responsibility is In terms of political work, in the military, I have no right to speak. I think that this question should be answered by Major Akhromeyev."

Seeing that everyone turned their eyes to him, Akhromeyev hurriedly straightened his body and replied: "Comrade Commander, please pardon me, Zhytomyr cannot become the second Stalingrad. Because Paulus's was originally from Paulus. Although the Sixth Army is aggressive, but because the city is backed by the Volga River, they can only attack us from three directions. We can also pass through the Volga River behind us to bring the required soldiers, weapons, ammunition, and various Materials and resources are continuously transported into the city. Zhytomyr is a city on the Ukrainian plains. Although there are forests on both sides of the city, the Germans can encircle us and cut off our lines of communication completely. What if our troops Without logistical supplies, we will not be able to support it for a few days in the encirclement of the enemy."

Although Akhromeyev’s words did not clearly state the outcome after the siege, everyone knew in their hearts that the Southwest Front Army was wiped out by the Germans in Kiev in 1941, and more than 700,000 Soviet soldiers were killed or missing in the battle. Or were captured, even the commander, military commissar, and senior commander of the chief of staff were all killed, so that the entire front army was later rebuilt.

"Major, are you too alarmist, right?" Bezikov heard Akhromeyev's remarks and said a little bit unconvinced: "Zhtomyr is more than 100 kilometers away from Kiev. If Rostwiev came out, the distance would be even closer. Even if the German army cuts off our transportation line, Kiev’s troops will be able to get through it in a short time..."

As soon as his words fell, Razumeyeva rushed in from the outside. From the anxious expression on her face, I knew something must have happened, so I quickly stopped Bezikov and continued. At the same time, he asked loudly, "Captain Razumeyeva, what happened?"

Razumeyeva put a telegram in front of me, and said with some breath: "Comrade Commander, the emergency call from the 77th Guards Division, the Germans occupied Kanivka."

As soon as she said her words, the whole room suddenly became quiet, and everyone focused on her. Even if I don’t look at the map, I know what Kanifka’s fall means. Although this is only a small town with only a few hundred inhabitants, because it is located in the middle of the Kiev-Zhytomyr highway, it is not an exaggeration to say that it is the main throat leading to Kiev. Now that the enemy has occupied this place, it is tantamount to completely severing the connection between Kiev and us.

Kistyakov grabbed the telegram and quickly read the above content, then looked up to Bezikov and said: "Chief of Staff, you go personally contact the 77th Guards Division, and ask them to send troops immediately to bring Kaniv The card was taken back from the enemy's hand."

Bezikov gave a hum, but his foot did not move. Seeing that the other party did not execute his order immediately, Kistyakov was thinking about getting angry, but now that Bezikov's eyes were looking at me, he immediately said with his heart: "Comrade Commander, look, Kanivka. If this small town is not retaken as soon as possible, waiting for the enemy to establish a stable fortification here, then it will completely cut off the connection between us and Kiev."

"Comrade Deputy Commander, it is necessary to retake Kanivka." I agreed with his opinion after a little thought. "In order to ensure that our back road is not cut off by the Germans, the town must be controlled within us. In his hands."

"Understood," Bezikov said quickly, "I will telegraph General Askarepov so that he will send troops to capture Kanivka." As he walked out, he would pull Zumeyeva was still standing there and greeted each other, "Captain, come with me to the telecommunication room."

After Bezikov and Razumeyeva left, I walked to the wall and looked up at the map hanging on it. The effect you see when the map is hung on the wall is different than the one you see when it is spread out on the table. Although the north and south sides of Zhytomyr are forests, the German army can only attack from the east and west sides, but we are already surrounded on all sides. In the cold winter, letting troops pass through the snow-filled forest and retreat to a safe area will cause non-combat attrition to be no less than a fierce battle.

Seeing me staring at the map, Kistyakov walked to my side and said, "If the Germans only attack from the west, our troops can still rely on the existing fortifications to resist. , Until they retreated into the city to fight them in the street. But judging from the actions of the German troops in the Fastif area today, it is entirely possible for them to cooperate with the enemy in the west, attacking from our rear, and coming one thing to the other to achieve Capture the goal of Zhytomyr."

"Zhytomyr can't be lost." I stared at the map on the wall and said: "Once the enemy has occupied Zhytomyr, then they will have a bridgehead to attack Kiev. Waiting for them to continue to supply more troops. When the land is transferred to Kiev again, I am worried that the tragedy of 41 years will repeat itself."

Kistyakov agreed with my statement. He also added: "Although the strength of our army has improved greatly compared with 41 years ago, if you want to siege Kiev by the fanciful German army, you must There are still some difficulties."

I raised my hand on the position of Zhitomir, slapped heavily, and then said categorically, "Because of this, even if we defeat the Sixth Guards Army, we must not allow the enemy to occupy Zhitomir. ."

"Then what about our supplies?" Kistyakov asked.

I pointed my finger at the position below Zhytomyr and said: “From the current situation ~ www.wuxiaspot.com~ we can only follow the original plan to deliver the weapons, ammunition and materials we need from Cherkassy. Come here. Although there are fewer supplies that can be replenished due to the road, it is better than not being able to get at all."

Kistyakov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and then said: "The 225th Guards Regiment should not be out yet, so I will go to them and have a chat with Lieutenant Colonel Yersov by the way and tell him The importance of protecting this line of communication."

I nodded and added: "Comrade Deputy Commander, please tell Comrade Yersov that they are defending not only a line of communication, but the way of life for our group army. As long as there are supplies that can pass through this road. Continuously sent to Koroslav and Zhytomyr, we can persevere in the enemy's siege until we achieve the final victory."

"Understood, Comrade Commander." After I finished speaking, Kistyakov immediately stated his position: "I will pass your words on to Lieutenant Colonel Yersov." After speaking, he nodded at me. , Then turned and walked out of the headquarters.

In the evening, Tawart Kiradze called and brought us bad news. He told us that due to the enemy's uninterrupted fierce offensive, the 67th Guards Division’s defenses were breached in many places, and the German First Panzer Division's troops were wedged into our defense positions two to five kilometers deep. (To be continued.)