Red Moscow

Sokov originally wanted to reject Tsvetayev's proposal. After all, the river here is wide and there are no bridges. It is easy for the artillery to cross the river, but if you want to come back, I am afraid it will not be so easy: "Comrade General, the Uggah in front of us There is no bridge on the De River. If the enemy counterattacks us after we have spent all our efforts to transport the artillery to the other side of the river, and our troops cannot stop them, isn't it equivalent to giving the artillery to the enemy for nothing? "

Hearing what Sokov said, Tsvetayev felt that there was some truth to it. After all, there was no bridge on the river, and he could only rely on Colonel Yakov's hovercraft to transport them to the opposite bank one by one. Once the defenders on the east bank landing field cannot stop the enemy's attack, these artillery will not have time to be transported back, and they will all fall into the hands of the Germans.

"You're right, General Sokov." Tsvetayev said with a wry smile, "I thought the problem too simply..."

"Wait a minute, Comrade General." A bold idea suddenly appeared in Sokov's mind, and he said to Tsvetayev: "I suddenly had a new idea, maybe we can transfer the artillery to the river. The landing field on the other side."

"But, but..." Tsvetayev was confused by Sukov's words, and he asked inexplicably, "Didn't you just say that it is easy for artillery to cross the river, but it is very difficult to come back."

"Yes, I did say that." Sokov did not deny what he had said, "but now I have a bold idea, and I can use artillery units to attract the attention of the Germans."

Seeing Tsvetayev's bewildered expression, Sokov continued: "Didn't Marshal Zhukov order us to find a way to rush into the city before dark? I have decided that the right-wing landing field will complete this task, while the left-wing The troops on the landing ground consolidate the existing area.

In order to create an illusion for the enemy, I think a hovercraft can be used to transport an artillery regiment across the river, making the enemy think that we are preparing to strengthen the attacking firepower of the left landing field, so as to achieve the purpose of rushing into the city as soon as possible. In this way, they will concentrate their forces on our left wing, while the right wing will inevitably become empty, and the assault troops on our right wing landing field will be sure to tear through the enemy's defense line and rush into the city smoothly. "

"Just by transferring the artillery to the east bank, I am afraid that the enemy will not pay attention to it." Regarding Sokov's plan, Tsvetayev thought for a while, and then put forward his own opinion: "I think it is possible to concentrate two aviation With the strength of the division, we carried out violent bombing of the German positions in front of the left wing troops, making the enemy mistakenly think that we will use this place as a breakthrough, and they will inevitably deploy forces from other directions to block the advance of our left wing troops."

After listening to Tsvetayev's proposal, Sokov couldn't help feeling inwardly: Ginger is still too hot. If according to Tsvetayev's proposal, the two air divisions that provide air cover are all facing the German positions. With intensive bombing, I am afraid that the Germans will wishful thinking that their troops will choose the breakthrough in that direction.

"Okay, Comrade General." Sokov nodded and said, "I agree with your opinion, gather the planes of the two aviation divisions together, and carry out a violent bombing of the German positions in front of the left wing, causing a serious blow to the enemy." It's an illusion that we're going to put the breach there."

The troops responsible for providing air cover for the right-wing landing site were from the Steppe Front Army. If they wanted to change the direction of attack, they would naturally need to negotiate with Konev.

When Sokov got through to the Front Command, it was Zakharov who answered the phone. After he recognized Sokov's voice, he quickly lowered his voice and asked Sokov, "Comrade Sokov, have you heard about the Kharkov incident?"

When Sokov heard this question, he was taken aback for a moment, and then he realized that Zakharov was asking about the bearded man reporting wrong information to the military attaches of various countries, so he nodded quickly. After nodding his head, he realized that he was on the phone, and the other party couldn't see his movements, so he quickly added: "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I have already obtained this information from Marshal Zhukov."

"Comrade Sokov," the receiver was silent for a while, and then Zakharov's voice came out again: "Now your troops are the closest to Kharkov. I wonder if you can enter the city before dark?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, and Sokov has no confidence to answer Zakharov's question at all, so he can only say vaguely: "We will do our best."

At this moment, Sokov suddenly heard someone whispering inside: "Chief of Staff, who is calling?"

"It's Comrade Sokov."

"Give me the phone, I want to speak to him."

After a while, Konev's voice came from the receiver: "Comrade Sokov? I'm Konev!"

"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army."

"Presumably, you are very aware of the current situation." Konev didn't go around in circles, and asked straight to the point: "Tell me truthfully, will your troops be able to rush into the city before dark?"

To Konev’s question, Sokov didn’t dare to answer yes or no casually, so he could only say euphemistically: “Comrade Commander of the Front Army, we are making preparations before the attack. Heiqian charged into the city."

Sokov said it very euphemistically, but in Konev's ears, it meant something else: "We will definitely be able to rush into the city first before dark." The reason why he thought so was wishful thinking Because the performance of Sokov's troops on the battlefield has always been very eye-catching.

Konev laughed cheerfully, and then asked Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, if there is anything we can help you achieve this task, please feel free to ask."

"That's right. I'm calling you to ask you to ask the aviation division supporting us to change the direction of attack."

"Change the direction of attack?" Konev asked with some surprise, "Where do you plan to change to?"

"It is our troops on the right-wing landing field who are getting the air cover of the aviation division." Sokov said into the microphone: "Now I would like to ask you to let the aviation division support the troops on the left-wing landing field and bomb the German positions in front of them. "

"Oh, isn't there an aviation division sent by the Voronezh Front?" Konev said puzzledly, "Is it not enough for one aviation division to cover one of your combat directions?"

"No, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, the situation is not what you imagined." Sokov quickly explained: "I plan to use the strength of two aviation divisions to carry out indiscriminate bombing of the German positions in front of the left-wing landing field. Create an illusion that we will choose there as a breakthrough."

"Comrade Sokov, if I remember correctly, in the battle results you reported, the troops on the left landing field are now less than one kilometer away from the main road in Kharkov. As long as they launch a strong offensive, it is enough to break through the enemy defense, why would you consider giving up that direction?"

"There are many reasons, Comrade Front Army Commander." Sokov said: "One is that the troops on the left-wing landing field are too few. After they occupy a vast area, they have to allocate a lot of troops to defend, which leads to participation in the offensive. The number of personnel has been greatly reduced. Under such circumstances, even if we are close to the city, it is very difficult to completely break through the enemy's defense line."

"Since you don't plan to break through from the left flank, why do you need to mobilize the strength of two aviation divisions to bomb the enemy's defensive positions?"

"The reason is very simple. The enemy must have been tricked when they saw that we dispatched so many planes, thinking that we chose that direction for the breakthrough. In order to block our attack, they will definitely deploy forces to strengthen the defense there, and the right wing Defenses are inevitably weakened."

"You make sense." Konev is also a smart man. When he heard this, he understood Sokov's intention to do this. It was to divert the attention of the German army so that the right-wing troops would not attack. met with too much resistance. However, he was still very worried about whether the enemy would be tricked: "But, will the enemy be fooled?"

"In addition to mobilizing the fighter planes of two aviation divisions to bomb the enemy's positions, we have also taken other measures." In order to dispel Konev's worries, Sukov said: "I just ordered the hovercraft to send an artillery regiment to the ground." Encountering the east bank of the Oude, this would give the Germans a further illusion that troops on the left landing field would break through their lines."

"It seems that you have considered all the issues that should be considered, not bad." After hearing Sokov's words, Konev praised him, and finally said: "I will contact the Air Force immediately and let them change The direction of attack will make the enemy think that the left wing is our attack direction."

Since it was to cooperate with Sokov's troops to attack the city of Kharkov, it is the current priority. Before Konev put down the phone, Zakharov picked up the phone next to him and notified the Air Force Commander to send him Aviation divisions change the direction of attack in order to confuse the enemy.

With the help of the hovercraft, the artillery of the Soviet Artillery Regiment was successively transported across the Ude River, and a suitable location was selected to establish a new artillery position. This situation was quickly reported to their superiors by the German scouts.

The officers and soldiers of the 42nd Army who were in direct contact with Sokov's troops saw that the Soviet Army had not only intensified their bombing, but also established artillery positions on the east bank. A little panicked, he hurriedly reported this information to the commander of the 8th Army, Weller.

After receiving the report, Weller said to his chief of staff: "Chief of staff, what's the matter, am I right? The right-wing bridgehead established by the Russians on the east bank of the Ud River is their main starting position for attack. Now blocking The position in front of them is being brutally bombed by the Russians. Moreover, the Russians are still hurrying to build artillery positions by the river, presumably their shells will fall on our army's defense line."

Although it was not hot in the headquarters, after listening to Wheeler's words, the chief of staff raised his hand to wipe off the cold sweat on his forehead, and replied with some embarrassment: "Your Excellency, your analysis is accurate. The attack on the right flank of the corps was launched, and their attack on the left flank was nothing more than a diversionary operation."

Seeing that the chief of staff finally reached a consensus with himself, Wheeler nodded with satisfaction, and continued: "Immediately draw troops from our left wing to strengthen the 42nd Army. We must let them hold their positions, and we must not let the Russians rush into the city." .”

"However, Your Excellency, Commander." But when the chief of staff heard that Wheeler planned to transfer troops from the left wing to reinforce the bombed right wing, he said with some hesitation: "Drop troops from the left wing to reinforce the 42nd Army. Isn't the strength weak?"

"Don't worry, my chief of staff." Weller said triumphantly: "The Russians on the left have no strength to continue their attack. You can safely and boldly mobilize troops."

The chief of staff saw that Weller was so confident, and it was hard to refute him, so he called the 11th Army at William Stemmerman: "General William, I am the chief of staff of the group army, and now I am conveying the commander's order to you: Immediately Take a division and go to the right flank to support the 42nd Corps, where things are going badly."

But after hearing this, William Stemmelmann said hesitantly: "Chief of Staff, the situation on the right wing is not good, and we are not much better here? If I transfer troops to the right wing, the Russians suddenly attack me. Attack, how should I deal with it?"

"General William Stemmelmann," said the chief of staff with a smile on hearing William Stemmelmann's question, "according to my experience of fighting the Russians, they do not have the strength to attack in two directions at the same time." Attack. Since they chose to attack on the right flank, the troops on the left flank will not make any moves, so you can rest assured."

Since it was the order issued by Weller, although William Stemmelman was dissatisfied, he did not dare to object casually. He could only call the commander of the 198th Infantry Division. Attacking 42nd Army.

The scouts lurking near the German positions discovered that the enemy was mobilizing troops, and immediately reported to the Army Intelligence Office by telegram. The chief of intelligence, who received the report, came to the headquarters and reported to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we have just received a telegram from the scouts, and the enemy seems to be mobilizing troops."

"Mobilize troops?" Sameko grabbed the telegram in the other party's hand and asked wonderingly: "How did the Germans mobilize troops at this time?" After reading it, he was a little surprised and picked up the phone on the table. , dialed Sokov's temporary headquarters, and said with some emotion, "Comrade commander, I want to tell you some good news. The Germans really fell into your trap. Now there is a troop landing from the front of the right wing. Transferred away, presumably to go to your direction to strengthen the defense there."

"That's really great." Don't look at Sokov's eloquence in front of Konev and Tsvetayev, but he has no idea in his heart, and he is deeply afraid that something will happen, and everything he has done will be in vain up. After listening to Sameko's report at this moment, I couldn't help feeling ecstatic: "Comrade Chief of Staff, since the enemy has dispatched troops to leave, their defensive strength will inevitably weaken. When the time is right, you must immediately launch an attack. Storm into the city before dark."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sameko said to Sokov: "Since the enemy's strength has become weak, we will be able to rush into the city before dark and successfully complete the tasks assigned to us by our superiors. "