Burning Moscow

　　 After hearing Bogolyubov's promotion to me, I couldn't help being stunned. I just told me that my chances of serving as the commander of the front army were slim; in a blink of an eye, I was promoted to my rank again. I wonder if it counts as a slap for a sweet date?

　　 Seeing me standing in a daze, Zhukov coughed and asked in a stern tone: "Lida, why don't you speak? Don't you know what to say after getting promoted?"

　　 Zhukov’s words made me tremble, and I hurriedly said loudly: "Serve the Soviet motherland!"

After Zhukov looked me up and down, he smiled and said to Khrushchev next to him: "Comrade Military Commissioner, you know, the first time I saw Lida was when I was the commander of the Leningrad Front. At that time, she was still a sergeant and was commanding an anti-aircraft machine gun platoon, sticking to Pulkovo Heights. Unexpectedly, after just over two years, she had become one of the senior commanders of our army. The rank of general."

"Yes, Comrade Zhukov." Regarding Zhukov's statement, Khrushchev also said with a smile: "Although it is easier to promote positions and ranks during wars than in peacetime, if you don't have special abilities, don't say anything. It is almost impossible for a female comrade, even a male commander, to get such a quick promotion in such a short period of time."

The praise of the two made me very happy, but on the surface, I still tried my best to pretend to be humble and said: "Comrade Marshal, Comrade Military Commissioner, in the next battle, I will try my best to live up to it. The trust of superiors."

　　 While talking, a staff officer trot up to us, raising the telegram in his hand and reporting to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, the telegram of the 60th Army, the enemy launched an attack on their defensive positions."

Zhukov took the message and quickly read the above content, then looked up and told Bogolyubov: "Chief of Staff, you go and call General Chernyakhovsky back and tell him that in the face of the crazy German offensive, you can’t For passive defense, small-scale counterattacks must be implemented at any time to disrupt the German offensive steps."

　　 "Understood, Comrade Marshal." Bogolyubov readily agreed, "I'll send a telegram now."

　　 Looking at Bogolyubov’s departure, Khrushchev said with emotion: "Comrade Zhukov, I find that since you became the commander of the front, the enthusiasm of the chief of staff has become much higher than before."

　　 Khrushchev’s words surprised Zhukov. He asked in astonishment, "Has he been here before?"

"Comrade Zhukov, you should know that General Vatutin was a staff member." Regarding Zhukov's question, Khrushchev said vaguely: "And as long as he likes to do it himself, Comrade Bogolyubov can play in the headquarters. It’s not very useful, so it affects his enthusiasm for work to some extent. It’s good now. Since you came, he has regained the value of his existence, so his enthusiasm will be unprecedentedly high."

　　 Zhukov just hummed after listening, then turned around and walked to the wall, looked up at the map hung on it, and began to judge the next move of the German army based on the information he had obtained.

　　…………

　　 The 60th Group Army and the 1st Guards Army, which were in the main attack direction, were attacked by German superior forces. At the same time, the 18th and 38th Group Army on the left wing of the front army launched a fierce attack on areas where the German defense was weak. In just four days, Khmelnik, Vinnytsia, and Zimmerinka were successively liberated, and the defeated German tanks of the First Army were compressed to the vicinity of Kamenets Podolski.

　　 After receiving the good news from the front line, Khrushchev became a history teacher with great interest. He pointed to the map and said loudly to us: "...Kamenets Podolski is a historic city in western Ukraine. It is located on the Motrich River, a tributary of the left bank of the Dniester River. It is a military fortress in the past. The Turkish castle was built in the Middle Ages. It once belonged to Lithuania, the military and Turkey, and was merged into Tsarist Russia with Ukraine in 1793. It is an important road junction and railway junction..."

　　 Before he could finish speaking, Bogolyubov hurried over with a newly received telegram and said emotionally to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, good news, good news."

　　 All our attention was attracted by his shout. Zhukov looked at him and asked blankly: "Chief of Staff, is there any good news?"

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." When Bogolyubov passed the telegram to Zhukov, he deliberately raised his voice and said to everyone: "The troops of the 1st Army of the German Tanks were divided and surrounded by our army in Kamenets Podol. The Ski Area, including the famous'Hitler Division' and the 7th Armored Division of the German Army..."

　　 "What, the 7th Armored Division is surrounded by us?" Zhukov heard Bogolyubov's words and quickly snatched the telegram, looking impatiently. After reading the above content, he slapped the telegram on the table and said excitedly: "It's great, it's simply great. This is really a narrow road, so that we can fight with the 7th Armored Division. This old enemy has settled the ledger."

　　 Zhukov’s words aroused my great interest. In order to find out what happened, I asked Khrushchev in a low voice: "Comrade Military Commissioner, why do you say that the Seventh Armored Division is the enemy of us?"

　　 Khrushchev was taken aback when he heard my question, and then he was relieved: "I remember, you joined the army only after the war broke out, so it is normal for some things to be unclear.

　　In the early days of the war, the 7th Armored Division was in Belarus, cutting off the retreat of the Minsk defenders, resulting in them being encircled and annihilated. Then, near Smolensk, the division repeatedly repelled the troops we were going to rescue, resulting in the annihilation of the encircled troops. Later, in August, they crossed the Dnieper River again and surrounded our four armies in Vyazma with several other armored divisions..."

　　 I watched Khrushchev’s angry expression on his face when he was telling the story of our military defeat, and I knew how embarrassed the Soviet army was when it was beaten by the 7th Armored Division. Now that the Fengshui turns, the Seventh Armored Division is trapped in our encirclement, and our chance for revenge has finally arrived.

After Khrushchev briefed me on the situation, he walked in front of Zhukov, looked at the map on the table, and said thoughtfully: "Comrade Zhukov, as long as he captures Kamenets Podolski, our troops will be able to set foot on the border of the past. Who can reach the border first, this will be of great significance. Therefore, I suggest that General Katukov’s Tank 1st Army should start from the main The offensive direction was transferred to the left flank of our army and launched the final onslaught on Kamenets Podolski."

　　 As long as we capture Kamenets Podolski, our troops will be able to set foot on a long-lost border. Khrushchev’s proposal is very tempting, so that I am a little moved. I quickly turned my eyes to Zhukov, wanting to hear what kind of decision he would make.

Zhukov stood up and walked back and forth for a few laps. He stopped to look at Khrushchev and said, "Comrade Military Commissioner, I cannot deny that your proposal is very tempting. To be honest, I am too tempting. I really want to get such an honor, but under the current circumstances, it is not appropriate to transfer the 1st Tank Army from the main offensive direction."

After speaking, he walked quickly to the table, called me, Khrushchev, and Bogolyubov to the table, pointed to the map and said to us: "Look, the German army is concentrating its superior forces and attacking The 60th Army and the 1st Guards Army in the main attack direction are trying to drive them back to the starting point of the offensive. At present, we are continuing our forces here and are preparing to launch a new round of offensive. Once the troops of General Katukov are transferred to the left flank, then We have prepared for a long time of attack, and we will fall short."

　　 Hearing Zhukov's words, Khrushchev's face showed a disappointed expression. He said regretfully: "Oh, if this is the case, chances are that the honor of reaching the border first will be received by Marshal Konev."

　　 Just as he said, I suddenly heard a strange noise and looked in the direction of the sound, and found that it was Zhukov who broke the red and blue pencil in his hand. Seeing Zhukov’s gaffe, I couldn’t help being surprised, and then I guessed the reason for his gaffe. During the Korsun-Shevchenkovsky battle, due to Vatutin’s command error, Stalin was furious. , Handed over the command of the two fronts to Konev of the holy family. Konev was promoted to marshal by Stalin himself because of his outstanding achievement of the campaign goal. If in this battle launched by the three fronts at the same time, Konev led the command troops to reach the border first, then he would overtake Zhukov, who was the deputy commander, in the limelight. This point is psychologically unacceptable to Zhukov. of.

However, Zhukov was silent for a while, raised his head and looked at Khrushchev standing in front of him, and said with a firm expression: "Comrade Military Commissioner, please remember that our task is to defeat the fascist invaders and remove them from ours. Drive out from the country. As for whose troops arrive at the border first, what does it matter? Anyway, they are all Soviet troops."

　　 After finishing speaking, he grabbed the broken pen in his hand and threw it on the table, and said blankly: "Okay, we will discuss when we will launch a new round of offensive against the Germans."

　　 Bogolyubov frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "Comrade Marshal, today is the 19th. I think we can restart the attack on the Germans in two days."

"Can the offensive be launched the day after tomorrow?" Khrushchev expressed doubts about Bogolyubov’s statement: "We must know that the enemy’s offensive against us is still very fierce. Our troops in many areas have to temporarily retreat. Withdrawn."

"Comrade Military Commissioner, what you see is only temporary imagination. In the past few days of the German offensive, we have received a large number of supplements from the rear. In addition to the soldiers, there are many tanks." Bogolyubov Confidently said to Khrushchev: "Our army will have enough strength the day after tomorrow to launch a new attack on the enemy."

"Why, Chief of Staff, have the superiors supplemented the front army?" Zhukov waited for Bogolyubov to nod and confirm, and immediately ordered: "The new troops will be added to the two army groups in the main offensive direction; As for the tanks," he thought for a while, and then decided decisively, "all will be supplemented to the 3rd Army of Rebarko's Guards Tanks, and they will be the main assault force after the new offensive begins."

　　…………

　　 When renewing the attack on the German army in the main attack direction, Zhukov chose to start at 6 o'clock in the morning on March 21. But two hours before the start of the attack, something unexpected happened.

Chernyakhovsky called Zhukov and reported to him: "Comrade Marshal, after preparing for strong artillery fire, the Germans suddenly attacked our defensive positions. Although our commanders and fighters made a tenacious defense. , But there are still a large number of enemies who rushed into the depth of our defense through the gap between our army and the 1st Guards Army."

"What, the German army rushed to the depth of your defense from the junction of your two armies?" Zhukov was taken aback by Chernyakhovsky's report. He frowned and looked at me before continuing. Asked: "Comrade General, can your troops stop them?"

"It may be a little difficult~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Chernyakhovsky replied with some embarrassment: "The Germans rushed into our defense deep forces. There were at least two armored divisions and one infantry division, and ours The main forces are concentrated on the front of the defensive positions, ready to launch an offensive against the Germans. Since the enemy chose the weakest area of ​​our army's defense, it may be possible to delay their advancement; as for blocking them, I think this is unrealistic. "

"Why is this happening?" Zhukov was particularly dissatisfied with Chernyakhovsky's answer. He raised his voice and asked: "Couldn't one of your army groups be able to stop the three German divisions? Besides, you are not fighting alone. As long as your troops block them, I will inform General Grechko of the 1st Guards Army to let his troops attack the German flanks from another direction to ensure that you can encircle the German troops."

"Comrade Marshal," Chernyakhovsky said after a moment of silence, seemingly determined: "We captured several German officers in the battle. According to the captive's confession, we broke into our defense. The deep forces are not for offensive, but for breaking through. They are ready to venture out between us and the 1st Guards Army, venting a path, rushing out of the encirclement that our army may form, and rushing towards Ternopil. ."

"What, they are going to rush to Ternopil?" Zhukov heard this, cast his eyes on me again, and asked dubiously into the microphone: "Comrade General, are you sure that the captives did not lie? Maybe they deliberately Spread such false information so that we can misjudge the situation on the battlefield." (To be continued.)