Red Moscow

In the next few days, the divisions of the group army are taking the time to rest and replenish.

For the commanders of the divisions, the fact that they can get so many experienced veterans to supplement their troops at once will wake them up from their dreams. Although there are quite a few newly recruited commanders and fighters who are either injured or weak, this is not a big deal, as long as they rest for a while, they can participate in the battle.

However, the 270 members of the second lieutenant training company and the junior commander's teaching company were not assigned to serve as grassroots commanders in various units according to Sokov's idea, but stayed in the units directly under the group army in an organized manner.

Originally, Sokov held a meeting of the chiefs of the group army and planned to announce in public that the members of the two companies would be divided into pieces and assigned to each division as the grassroots commander. But as soon as his words came out, he was strongly opposed by Lunev: "No, Comrade Commander, I firmly oppose the dispersal of the officers and soldiers of the two companies to the divisions."

Sokov and Lunev have been partners for such a long time, and the other party has never opposed him so resolutely. He couldn't help asking in surprise: "Why?"

"It's very simple. The superior gave us two established companies. If you disband them hastily and assign them to divisions, once the superior knows about it, it may cause unnecessary trouble."

"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov said calmly in the face of Lunev's objection, "There are 270 commanders and fighters in the two companies. No matter how powerful they are, they can only play the role of two companies on the battlefield. But If they were distributed to various divisions to serve as grassroots commanders, even if each person could only command one platoon, there would be 270 platoons, and based on the three-three system of our army, there would be ten regiments."

Lunev did not take up the topic of Sokov, but continued to say to himself: "As far as I know, there are two such companies under the command of General Meretskov, the commander of the Volkhov Front. Every time there is an emergency on the battlefield, he will send these two companies to defuse the crisis. I think our two companies should also follow General Meretskov's practice and stay in the troops directly under the group army. Use them when it matters most."

In order to persuade Sokov, after he finished speaking, he turned to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you agree with me?"

As for how to use these two companies, Sameko actually has no idea. But since Lunev has already expressed his attitude, it is absolutely impossible for him not to express his attitude. He thought over the plans of Sokov and Lunev carefully, and felt that each had its own reasons.

"I support the opinion of the military commissioner." After some ideological struggle, Sameko still chose to support Lunev: "The second lieutenant training company and the junior commander's teaching company should stay in the troops directly under the group army for the time being."

Sokov didn't expect his two partners to disagree with him on this matter, so he couldn't help but be a little bit dumbfounded: "Military Commissioner, Chief of Staff, I didn't expect your opinions to be so unified."

"Comrade Commander, we have just recruited 40,000 rescued commanders." Sameko reminded Sokov, "Many of them are qualified grassroots commanders. I don't think it is necessary to send new commanders over there." .”

Sameko's reasons convinced Sokov. He thought that the commanders and fighters who had just been incorporated into the divisions did have many experienced grassroots commanders. It would be perfect for them to serve as company and platoon leaders. Add another layer of superfluity, and send a new commander over there.

"Okay, military commissar and chief of staff, since the two of you have the same opinion, then I will obey the majority and leave the two companies in the direct army for the time being."

After the liberation of Kharkov, both the Steppe Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army stopped their operations, and seized the time to rest and replenish to prepare for the next combat operation.

Yakov's hovercraft unit returned to Moscow shortly after the battle. In other words, for a long period of time, Sokov was unable to use hovercraft to assist in combat.

Sokov personally sent Yakov to the train station and accompanied him to the platform.

"Misha," Yakov specifically asked Sokov before getting into the car, "We parted ways. I don't know when we will meet again. If you need help with anything, feel free to call me."

Hearing what Yakov said, Sokov immediately remembered that his army had replenished too many soldiers, so that there was a shortage of weapons, so he tentatively asked: "Yasha, since we are friends, can you return the weapons?" After the equipment department, remember to give us the weapons we need to replenish our troops first."

Yakov looked at Sokov and said with a wry smile: "Misha, don't forget that during the Battle of Kursk, Comrade Ustinov, for my sake, used the equipment that was originally intended to be used to equip the guards. The tens of thousands of assault rifles in the division were handed over to your group army. I didn’t expect that after a while, you wanted weapons again, and I was worried that your wish might come true.”

Sokov had already been mentally prepared for this matter. Hearing what Yakov said, he laughed: "Yasha, although the hope is slim, but if you don't try it, how will you know if it will work? Please, when you see Us After Comrade Zinov, I will convey my intention to him and see if he can make an exception and add a batch of weapons to us."

"Okay, I'll do my best."

After the two stood by the train and chatted for a while, a conductor came over and said to Yakov respectfully: "Comrade Colonel, we are leaving soon, please hurry up and get on the train."

"Misha, we will meet later." Yakov held out his hand to Sokov and said friendlyly, "Good luck!"

After sending Yakov away, Sokov originally planned to return to his headquarters, but when the jeep passed Konev's headquarters in the city, Sokov changed his mind and quickly told the driver: "Stop, hurry up!" parking!"

As soon as the driver stopped the car, Sokov opened the door and got out of the car. He stood by the car, looked at the building where the headquarters was located for a while, and then turned to Samoilov: "Comrade Lieutenant, you and the driver are waiting for me outside, and I will come out soon."

After Sokov finished his explanation, he walked towards the building. But at the door, he was stopped by a lieutenant who stretched out his hand, and the lieutenant asked Sokov politely: "Comrade general, do you have a pass?"

"Pass, what pass? I don't have one."

"I'm sorry," the lieutenant said blankly after Sokov finished speaking, "According to regulations, no one without a pass is allowed to enter."

Sokov raised his thumb, pointed to his nose and said, "I am Sokov, Commander of the 27th Army. I have important matters to see Commander Konev. Please make arrangements."

When he heard that the major general in front of him was the famous Sokov, the lieutenant was immediately in awe. After raising his hand to salute, he said politely: "General Sokov, please wait here for a while, and I will go in to inform you."

"Excuse me, Comrade Lieutenant."

"No trouble, no trouble." The lieutenant said with a smile: "It is my honor to serve you."

A few minutes later the lieutenant ran out of the building, along with a major.

After the major came to Sokov, he raised his hand to salute him, and said politely: "Hello, General Sokov, Comrade Commander is in his office, please come with me."

Sokov followed the major into the building. When he was walking along the corridor, officers and soldiers came oncoming from time to time. When they saw the combination of the two, they immediately stood with their backs against the wall, made way for them, and He stared at the two of them, and only walked forward again when they disappeared from his sight.

Seeing Sokov's appearance, Konev had an unexpected expression on his face. He didn't expect Sokov to appear in his headquarters, so he asked with a smile: "Comrade Sokov, what are you doing?" Come here to find me, is there anything important?"

Sokov couldn't remember at all when the new round of offensive started after the Battle of Kharkov. The purpose of his coming here today is to find out the direction and time of the attack of the new campaign.

"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov said, "Although the Battle of Kharkov ended with our army's victory, as long as the Germans do not withdraw from our land, the battle will not end for a day. I am here today Come, I want to know when and in what direction the next battle will unfold."

"According to the order of the Supreme Command," Konev felt that Sokov would know something sooner or later, so he did not conceal it, but said truthfully: "The next basic battle of our army will be carried out in the southwest left bank of Ukraine. It is to destroy the southern group of the enemy's eastern front, go out to the Dnieper River, and seize the landing field on the right bank of the river, so as to complete the task of liberating all of Ukraine on the right bank."

"So we will soon break through the Dnieper and destroy the enemy on the right bank."

"Although the task is clear, it will take some time for the campaign to start." Konev said without waiting for Sokov to ask questions: "Our army will probably carry out the reorganization in mid-October. attack the enemy."

As soon as Konev mentioned the adaptation, Sokov murmured in his heart: This adaptation probably refers to the transformation of the Steppe Front Army into the Ukrainian Second Front Army. Will add a star.

In order not to let the other party realize that he knew the fact of the reorganization, Sokov asked knowingly: "I want to ask, does the reorganization of the army have any impact on us?"

"There must be some influence, Comrade Sokov." Konev explained to Sokov: "Your group army has six infantry divisions under its jurisdiction, and you or the chief of staff will directly give the division commander any combat missions. Order. After the change, there will be an additional infantry unit between the group army and division-level units. In this way, when you issue combat orders in the future, you only need to notify the two army commanders, and then they will pass on your orders .”

Sokov thought about it carefully, and when he commanded the battle by himself, he would have to worry much more. What combat tasks each division has, as long as it is communicated to the commander of the infantry army to which the division belongs, the commander will deploy the tasks assigned by him to the division-level units below one by one. Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "You're right, Comrade Front Army Commander, if the infantry corps is increased, it will greatly reduce my burden and improve the efficiency of commanding operations."

"The Supreme Command handed over the glorious task of liberating Ukraine to the Central Front, the Voronezh Front, the Steppe Front, the Southwest Front, and the Southern Front. They also appointed Soviet Marshal Zhukov and Vasilevsky as representatives of the headquarters. Coordinate the combat operations of all front armies.

As early as half a month ago, the Prairie Front Army, Voronezh Front Army, and Southwest Front Army received instructions from the headquarters of the Supreme Command at the same time, in which the future combat plans of the three front army troops were issued.

The intended direction of our Steppe Front Army is to attack Krasnograd and Upper Dniprovsk. The rapid troops should go out to the Dnieper River and occupy the crossings.

The task of the Voronezh Front is to attack Kremenchug. The troops of the Southwest Front should move in the general direction of Barvinkovo ​​and Pavlograd, move forward to the front line of Zaporozhye and Pologi, and cut off the direction of the enemy Donbas Group. West retreat. "

Sokov waited for Konev to finish speaking, and asked with some concern: "Comrade Front Army Commander, since the Supreme Command has formulated such a plan, it should be implemented immediately. Why wait two months? This is not for Did the Germans leave enough preparation time?"

"Comrade Sokov, why don't I want to lead the army to advance to the Dnieper River immediately, but it can't be done. We just finished the Kharkov campaign. Not only was the number of troops severely reduced, but also because of continuous combat, the commanders and fighters were already exhausted. It will take a while to rest."

Sokov knew that Konev was telling the truth, but the Germans would not stop preparing for war just because the Soviet commanders and fighters were exhausted. On the contrary, they will use this precious time to strengthen their fortifications, so that the Soviet army will pay a heavier price when they launch an offensive.

"Comrade Commander, I am afraid that the enemy will use this time to brutally destroy cities and villages, blow up factories and bridges, burn crops, take away livestock, and forcibly drive our people to serve as their slaves."

"Comrade Sokov, I know what you said, it is entirely possible." Konev said awkwardly: "But our commanders and fighters have long been exhausted, and weapons and ammunition also need to be replenished. At this time, launching an attack on the enemy is tantamount to letting them die."

"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov waited for Konev to finish speaking, and immediately proposed his own plan, "If an army is ordered to maintain contact with the Germans, they will not care about destroying cities and villages, factories and bridges."

"Your proposal is good, but which troops do you think should be sent to carry out this glorious and arduous task?"

Sokov hurriedly faced Konev, straightened his body and replied: "If you have no objection, Comrade Front Army Commander, our army is willing to undertake this arduous and glorious task."

"Are you going to attack the German army?" Konev asked suspiciously, "Is it possible?"

"It can be done!" Sokov replied confidently: "Our army has added nearly 40,000 soldiers in the first two days, and most of them are veterans with rich combat experience, and all of them have deep hatred against the Germans. , if they are allowed to go to the battlefield, they will definitely be able to display super fighting power."

"Comrade Sokov, the fighting power of your department has always been obvious to all." Although Sokov's military achievements are outstanding, Konev is still worried that the opponent's strength is insufficient. Anti-killing will shake the morale of the army at that time. "But the enemy is the entire Southern Army Group, can you deal with them?"