Red Moscow

Sameko, who was standing next to Sokov, heard the conversation between Sokov and Zakharov clearly, but after Sokov put down the phone, he couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade commander, what's the situation?" So, what did General Zakharov say?"

Sokov looked at Sameko and said with a wry smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army told me that the main force of the Front Army is currently resting and will wait for the superiors to replenish them with enough soldiers, ammunition, fuel and a series of military supplies. Only then can we attack the enemy in Kharkov. He also reminded me not to attack the enemy lightly, so as not to cause unnecessary losses to the troops.”

"Then what should we do?" Sameko waited for Sukov to finish speaking, and said with a sad face: "Is it really necessary to wait for the entire front army to be replenished before launching an attack on the enemy? I worry that when the time comes Our opportunity has been missed, and no matter where we attack from, it will cause great losses to the troops."

"Comrade Commander, I think Chief of Staff Sameko is right. If we really have to wait until the main force of the front army is replenished before launching an attack on the enemy, we will miss the opportunity." Lunev interjected, "Facing the strong support Fortifications, the enemy is waiting in full battle, if we want to break through their defenses, we will inevitably pay heavy casualties."

"Comrade Military Commissar," Lunev basically didn't interrupt when discussing military operations. His performance today surprised Sameko: "Do you think we should attack the enemy?"

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Lunev nodded and said in a positive tone, "I think that even if the main force of the front army does not move temporarily, we should launch an attack on the enemy in October Town."

"But if we are the only army attacking, once the enemy is alarmed, they will come from all directions, and the battle will become extremely cruel." Sameko said worriedly: "Maybe we will not be able to capture October Town , nor can it be safely withdrawn from the battlefield."

But for Sameko's statement, Lunev immediately refuted: "The situation you mentioned refers to the general army. Do you think other troops can be compared with us?"

Lunev's words left Sameko speechless for a while.

Seeing that Sameko was silent, Lunev went on to say: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't forget that the assault rifles, new rockets and bazookas equipped by our troops can be said to be beyond this era. Advanced weapons. By the way, there is also a hovercraft, I forgot to mention. Since the equipment of these weapons, the overall combat effectiveness of our troops has been improved.

If we want to launch an attack, even if the enemy relies on solid fortifications for defense, our commanders and fighters can use new rockets and bazookas to destroy them in the fortifications. "

After saying this, Lunev turned his head to look at Sokov, and said in a firm tone: "Comrade commander, what do you think? Should we wait patiently for the main force of the Front Army to complete the supply, or should we seize the opportunity in front of us? Decisively attack the enemy? Time is running out, please make a decision as soon as possible."

Sokov, who was bowing his head in meditation, heard Lunev say this, looked up at the two, and continued to weigh the importance of this matter in his heart. But Sameko and Lunev, seeing that Sokov was thinking, did not interrupt him, but patiently waited for him to make a crucial decision.

Sokov took a deep breath, and then said: "I think Comrade Military Commissar is right. Now we have a rare opportunity. If we miss it like this, we will regret it in the future. I decided that at four o'clock in the afternoon , launched an attack on October Town, and must take down the town before the enemy reacts."

Sameko raised his hand and looked at his watch. There were still five hours before the attack time. It was still early, but the mobilization of troops was a waste of time in large corps operations. Five hours can only move the strength of one or two divisions to the position of attacking the starting position. Considering this, he tentatively asked: "Comrade Commander, if we attack at four o'clock in the afternoon, I am afraid that only one or two divisions will be able to participate in the attack. If they are besieged by the German army, this number of troops is simply not enough."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I think you made a mistake." Sokov said blankly, "Do you think we need to use two divisions or even more troops if we want to capture a town?"

Hearing what Sokov said, Sameko thought about it carefully. If it was just to capture a town from the Germans, there was really no need to use too many troops. One division should be more than enough. He quickly shook his head and replied, "I think it should be enough to use one division to capture October Town, which is occupied by the enemy."

Sokov nodded slightly, then picked up a red and blue pencil, tapped the location of October Town, and said to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately call the commander of the 84th Division, General Fomenko, and order his troops Move forward, be sure to arrive at the designated position before three o'clock, and be ready for battle."

Sameko picked up the phone on the table, and before speaking, he held the microphone and asked Sokov one last time: "Do we need to report to the Front Army Command about our attack?"

"I don't think it's necessary." Sokov shook his head and said, "We're relying on our own strength for this attack. We don't need the cooperation of friendly forces, nor do we need friendly forces to cover our flanks. Notifying the front army headquarters is equivalent to It's superfluous."

After Sokov finished speaking, Sameko let go of his hand covering the microphone and said into the microphone, "I am Major General Sameko, Chief of Staff of the Army Group. Please speak to your division commander, General Fomenko."

After a while, the person who answered the phone was replaced by General Fomenko, and Sameko said loudly: "Comrade General, the commander ordered that your division immediately move to the south, and must reach the southern forward position before three o'clock in the afternoon. , and make all preparations for battle."

"Move the troops to the forward position in the south?" Fomenko asked in surprise when he heard Sameko say this: "Comrade Chief of Staff, may I ask, what is the mission of our division?"

"At four o'clock in the afternoon, your division launched an attack on the German troops entrenched in October Town. You must annihilate or drive away the defenders in the town and occupy the town in the shortest possible time."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, do you have any information on the enemy's strength and defensive disposition?"

"No." Sameko replied very simply: "We don't know how many troops the enemy has in October Town, and how the defense deployment is. Fortunately, there are still five hours before the offensive begins. Such a long time, you It is absolutely possible to send out scouts to carry out reconnaissance on the enemy there."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I have another question." Fomenko continued to ask: "Why did you launch an attack on the enemy in October Town at four o'clock in the afternoon?"

"There are two reasons." Sameko replied: "According to what we know, the German defenses in the town are quite lax. Our people broke into the town unintentionally and even captured a dozen of their prisoners. The enemy arrived I don’t know anything now. The second point is that it took only four hours from the time of the attack to the darkness. In such a short period of time, it is difficult for the Germans to respond in time and send troops to reinforce October Town. Therefore, you There is enough time to take down the town. And it is almost dark at that time, the enemy can't figure out the situation, and absolutely dare not continue to attack at night, so you can get valuable rest time."

After saying these words, Sameko picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of water, then asked, "Are there any other questions?"

"Can we prepare for artillery fire before we attack?"

"General Fomenko, all our shells were exhausted long before we attacked Belgorod." Although a batch of shells were seized after the liberation of Belgorod, Sameko wanted to put them away. Save it for the most critical moment, so he said without hesitation: "Even without the support of artillery fire, you can use the new rockets to destroy the enemy's fortifications and eliminate the enemies hiding in the fortifications when you attack. Understand? "

"Understood, Comrade Chief of Staff." Fomenko really had no problems this time: "I will immediately order the troops to prepare for departure."

"Okay, Comrade Commander." After putting down the phone, Sameko said to Sokov: "The task has been assigned, and General Fomenko's troops will be ready to go as soon as possible."

"Thank you." Sokov finished his sentence, pointed at the location of October Town with a pencil, and said to Sameko and Lunev: "Look, from Belgorod to Kharko The road in the town of October just passes through the middle of October Town, and the town is surrounded by forests, lakes and swamps. It is very difficult to go around. As long as we occupy October Town and build a solid defense here , Even if the enemy launches a crazy counterattack, we have the ability to block their attack."

"Comrade Commander, I have another idea." As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Lunev interjected: "We can use a hovercraft to transport a small force to the road south of October Town. They will The enemy responsible for blocking reinforcements in October Town has already intercepted the enemies who escaped from the town, so that the 84th Division, which is in charge of attacking, can successfully annihilate the enemies in the town."

Lunev's plan was quickly approved by Sokov: "Comrade Military Commissar, your proposal is good. Detour an army to the south of the town to cut off the enemy's retreat. But I want to send your troops to the south of the town. Let’s modify the plan so that the troops that detour to the enemy’s rear are all disguised as German troops, so that they can enter the town ostentatiously and assist our army in capturing October Town.”.

"Wonderful, it's really wonderful." Sameko slapped his hands and said, "Why didn't I think of this method. You know, if the defenders in the town see a team wearing the same uniform as themselves appearing behind them The army must have thought that they were reinforcements and would not arouse any suspicion, so that they could enter the town smoothly, assist the frontal attack troops, and capture October Town from the enemy."