Red Moscow

After eliminating the enemies who had entered the village south of the city, the Germans stopped for a few days and did not send anyone to attack or harass them. Instead, they concentrated their forces and launched a fierce attack on the Soviet Sixth Army and the Popov Rapid Group.

The Sixth Army and Popov's rapid group, which was already at the end of their strength, could not withstand such a blow from the German army. The towns, residential areas, and some villages they occupied were all lost under the attack of the German army.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Popov personally called Vatutin and reported to him: "Comrade Vatutin, the situation is not good. There are more and more German troops around us, and the offensive is getting fiercer. It felt like we had fallen into a trap for the Germans."

"Nonsense, how is this possible?" Even though the situation on the battlefield was extremely critical, Vatutin still refused to believe Popov's judgment, thinking that this was just a flashback of the German army to cover the withdrawal of their main force Dnieper River, so he scolded Popov: "General Popov, have you been frightened by the German counterattack and become so panicked? If you really feel that you are not qualified for your current position, I can find you Someone to replace you."

Popov didn't dare to refute, so he could only say a few perfunctory words before hanging up the phone.

The chief of staff standing aside heard the conversation between Popov and Vatutin and asked tentatively: "Comrade commander, what should we do next?"

"Order all the troops to stop their offensive actions against the German army and turn to defense on the spot." Popov knew that Vatutin was now stubborn, and no matter what he said, the other party would not listen. If he continued to follow his orders, Your own troops are in danger of being wiped out at any time. So he decided to take a risk with his own head: "If the superior wants to hold the responsibility, I will bear it alone."

The chief of staff, who originally wanted to persuade him, changed his mind when he heard what Popov said so decisively, nodded vigorously, and replied: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will convey your order immediately."

When Popov's rapid group turned to defense, the commander of the Voronezh Front Army in Kharkov, Golikov, also noticed that something was wrong. He called Vatutin himself and said worriedly: "Vatutin Comrade Tujing, I found that the situation there seems to be a little bit wrong, the enemy's counterattack against you is getting stronger and stronger. If you continue to fight like this, within a week, you will be in danger of being eaten by the German army."

"Comrade Golikov, please don't tell such a joke, it's not funny at all." Although both Rokossovsky and Popov called, Vatutin should be more vigilant and not fall into the trap of the Germans. It was a trap, but Vatutin certainly didn't take it to heart. He even felt that the other party had the intention of taking credit from him by saying this. Hearing Golikov say the same thing at this moment, he became a little impatient: "The enemy is far weaker than our army in terms of strength and equipment. They launched counterattacks in individual areas to cover their main force withdrawing across the Dnieper River." , the final victory must belong to us.”

"Comrade Vatutin, I beg you to be sober." Seeing that Vatutin has been dazzled by a series of victories, Golikov persuaded earnestly: "You have indeed made good progress in the early stage, but now The situation has changed. As you occupy more areas, you leave more troops for defense, which greatly weakens the offensive power of your troops. Also, your vanguard has been thousands of kilometers away from the logistics base. Once they Without sufficient supplies, they will be in the same situation as Paulus in the twenty days before them."

"Comrade Golikov," Vatutin said stubbornly, "I want to remind you of one thing. I am the commander of the Southwestern Front, not you. Therefore, it is up to me to decide how the Southwestern Front will fight. .Now the German army has long been defeated under my attack. As long as we launch another offensive, the enemy will completely disintegrate."

"What a stubborn guy." Seeing that he could not convince Vatutin, Golikov could only put down the microphone in dismay, and said to his chief of staff: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you heard me and Vatutin talk Did you have a conversation with Jing?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Chief of Staff Major General Pilipenko nodded quickly and replied, "I heard your conversation. General Vatutin is so stubborn."

"That's right, with Vatutin's character, I dare to say that sooner or later he will destroy the entire Southwest Front Army." After Golikov finished speaking, he ordered Pilipenko: "Chief of Staff, you give all the units under the Front Army Issue an order to let them hurry up to repair the fortifications and prepare for the German attack. Especially Kharkov, that is the focus of our defense. We will send a tank army and an infantry division in. We must defend at all costs The city."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Major General Pilipenko nodded and said, "I will urge the defenders in the city to build fortifications to make the city capable of street fighting. It's fine if the Germans don't come. Once they come , we will leave them in a quagmire like in Stalingrad."

When Pilipenko was about to deliver an order, he suddenly remembered an important matter, so he tentatively asked Golikov: "Comrade Commander, judging from the current situation, the most dangerous thing is the Sixth Army and the Poles. Bove fast cluster, look, can we do something?"

"Khalidonov, commander of the Sixth Army, is Vatutin's old friend and subordinate." Golikov replied with a wry smile: "With his character, he will definitely obey Vatutin's orders unconditionally, even if Knowing that there is a fire pit in front of him, he will jump into it without hesitation."

"What about Popov's rapid cluster?" Pilipenko then asked Golikov: "Are you just watching them being wiped out by the German army?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, let me remind you that we are the Voronezh Front, not the Southwest Front." Although Golikov wanted to remind Popov, let him stop the attack on the German army and turn to the defense on the spot, waiting for the arrival of reinforcements. rescue. But considering that if I really call Popov, even if the intention is good, I am afraid that I will be punished afterwards. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble for himself, he decided to stand by and watch: "We have no right to command other people's troops, do you understand?"

Pilipenko knew that Golikov was right, and if Vatutin was really crossed, contact Popov directly and make a proposal to him. If the base camp knew at this time, Golikov would definitely be punished.

Just when he was disappointed, he suddenly heard Golikov say: "But you can contact Colonel Sokov, his troops are now stationed in Lugansk, maybe at a critical moment, Lapopov can help .”