Red Moscow

The first battalion led by Mikhaiev was divided into two groups after leaving the position. One was composed of the first company and the third company led by Mikhaiev. attack;

On the other side, Captain Yegor's second company, their mission is to use new rockets to destroy the German artillery positions and relieve the pressure on the friendly forces who are holding outposts.

The Germans never dreamed that just as they were about to attack the outpost again, there were suddenly gunshots and explosions behind them. Before the German commander sent someone to find out what happened, he saw a Soviet army appear in his field of vision.

The equipment of this unit was different from the Soviet army he had seen before. The submachine guns equipped by the Soviet army not only had a fast rate of fire, but also had high shooting accuracy. His troops were quickly beaten back step by step. Seeing that the situation was not good, the German commander hurriedly fled to the south under the protection of several soldiers.

Because the commanders and fighters of the first company and the third company were clearing out the enemy on the starting position of the attack, it was too late to send people to cut off the enemy's escape route to the south, so that such a big fish escaped from under their noses.

When the German officers and soldiers found that their retreat was cut off, they could only retreat in the direction of the outpost. They tried to rely on the bomb craters at the foot of the mountain to stop the Soviet attack.

The troops led by Mikhaiev were progressing smoothly, and the second company led by Yegor also came to a position one or two kilometers away from the German artillery positions. Yegor found a commanding height, raised his binoculars and looked into the distance, and soon discovered the German artillery position hidden on the edge of the woods.

After figuring out the location of the enemy's artillery position, Yegor immediately issued an order to the troops, "Set up the launch tube and prepare to shoot at the enemy's artillery position."

Seeing the soldiers busy and busy, Yegor felt a lot of emotion in his heart. In the past, to destroy the enemy's artillery position, it was necessary to dispatch troops several times larger than the enemy's security force. After a fierce battle, it was possible to rush into the enemy's artillery position. If they were unlucky, before they broke through the infantry positions covering the artillery, the enemy artillery had moved to a new location.

Since the introduction of new rockets, no matter how tight the German defense is, commanders and fighters can use new rockets to destroy the enemy's artillery positions one or two kilometers away.

Yegor knew that time was running out, and when he saw that the launching tube was erected, he immediately ordered to fire. With the order issued, more than a dozen rockets soared into the air, and after drawing beautiful white smoke bands in the air, they fell into the German artillery positions and exploded. Soon, the German positions were blown up into a sea of ​​flames.

After Guchakov sent reinforcements to the friendly forces on the left, he felt that the matter was of great importance. After all, he sent troops to attack without receiving any orders. If the superior wants to hold him accountable in the future, he may be in trouble. Thinking of this, he ordered the communications soldier to connect to the group army headquarters, intending to report the matter to Sokov himself.

Sokov was very surprised when he received Guchakov's call, and asked quickly, "Comrade Major, what's the matter?"

"That's right, Comrade Commander." After hearing Sokov's voice, Guchakov hesitated for a moment, thinking that he should tell the truth. After all, he had been captured by the German army twice, and many people felt that he is distrustful. If he sent troops to attack without authorization this time and did not report to Sokov in time, if someone made a fuss about this in the future, even if he jumped into the Dnieper River at that time, he might not be able to wash away his grievances. "I just sent a troop to reinforce the friendly army."

"What, you sent a troop to reinforce the friendly army?" Sokov learned that Guchakov had made an arbitrarily assertive decision to send a troop to reinforce the friendly army before reporting to himself, and said displeasedly, "Don't you I don’t know, the enemy’s artillery fire is constantly bombarding the No. 1 outpost, so let the troops enter the outpost at this time, wouldn’t they be sent to die?”

"You misunderstood, Comrade Commander." Guchakov heard a trace of dissatisfaction from Sokov's tone, and immediately realized that the other party had misunderstood, and quickly explained: "I did not send troops directly to support the outpost. Instead, they were sent to attack the German flanks and disrupt their offensive steps."

Sokov realized that he had misunderstood Guchakov, and with the character of the other party, he would certainly not foolishly send his troops to the outpost to die, so he asked in a slow tone: "Then tell me, how did you do it? "

Guchakov agreed and began to introduce the situation of sending troops to Sokov. Finally, he said: "Comrade Commander, this is how we provide reinforcements to friendly forces. In addition, I have one more thing to ask you for instructions!"

"You have done a good job. Instead of sending troops directly to the outposts to die, it is better to attack the enemy's artillery positions, attack the flanks and rears of their attacking troops, completely disrupt their attacking rhythm, and firmly grasp the initiative on the battlefield It's in our hands." Sokov finished speaking in one breath, and then asked: "If there is anything else, just say it."

"Comrade Commander, I know that you trust Lieutenant Mikhaiev so much that you even appointed him as the deputy brigade commander of the infantry brigade." After organizing the vocabulary in his mind, Guchakov said carefully: "But never Judging from the current situation, he seems not interested in the position of deputy brigade commander. On the contrary, his interest in being a battalion commander is very high."

"Comrade major, are you saying that Captain Mikhaiev is only willing to be his first battalion commander, and has no great interest in the position of deputy brigade commander?"

"That's right, that's it."

Sokov began to think about it. He remembered that when he arranged Mikhaiev in the infantry brigade, Mikhaiev was very satisfied with the position of deputy brigade commander, but now he has no interest in this position. Woolen cloth?

After thinking for a long time, he finally thought of a possibility. The reason why the other party was willing to stay in the first battalion for a long time instead of fulfilling the position of deputy brigade commander in the brigade headquarters was probably because he felt that the deputy brigade commander was just a vain job. There is no real power, and it is not as good as the feeling of being a battalion commander.

After figuring out what was going on, Sokov said thoughtfully: "Comrade Major, you don't have to worry about this matter. I will talk to Captain Mikhaiev in person when the battle is over."

"Yeah, I got it."

"Comrade Major," Sokov noticed that the other party was about to put down the microphone, and hurriedly continued: "Once the Mikhaiev Battalion has completed their mission, let them withdraw their positions immediately. This is just the beginning, and the battle you will face next , it will be even more cruel and tragic."

"I understand, Comrade Commander." Guchakov said with a serious expression: "At this time, the enemy's forces are limited, and they can only launch an attack on outpost No. 1. Once they have assembled enough forces, they will attack ours. The defense zone starts to attack, and then it will be the moment to test us."

"Comrade Major, I hope your performance will not disappoint me."

Colonel Chuvashov, who was standing next to him, saw Sokov put down the phone, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, look, do you need to report this matter to General Solomatin?"

Sokov thought for a while, then shook his head and said, "There is no need for this. I think the troops standing firm at the outpost will report what happened to General Solomatin."

"Comrade Commander." Seeing that Sokov was unwilling to talk about this matter, Chuvashov changed the topic in time: "I don't know where the Chief of Staff are? If they can arrive earlier, then you can be here." Build your own headquarters."

Chuvashov's words reminded Sokov that he felt the need to contact Sameko to find out where he was. He hurriedly called the radio operator and told him, "Send a telegram to the chief of staff immediately and ask where they have arrived."

The call back came quickly: "We've reached the outskirts of Poltava."

Knowing that the other party had reached the outskirts of Poltava, Sokov was overjoyed, which meant that he would have the opportunity to meet Sameko and the members of the headquarters in two hours. Thinking of this, he ordered the radio operator: "Call back to the chief of staff and ask him if our army has liberated Poltava."

The call back came very slowly this time, and I waited for twenty minutes.

When the operator came over with the telegram, Sokov couldn't wait to grab the telegram from the other party's hand and browse it quickly. Chuvashov, who was standing aside, stared closely at Sokov, trying to figure out what was written in the telegram from the change of expression on his face.

Sokov quickly finished reading the telegram, stuffed it into Chuvashov's hand, and then walked quickly to the table, looking down at the map spread out on it. Chuvashov unfolded the telegram and carefully browsed its contents.

The telegram said that the battle in Poltava was still going on, the enemy was fighting very tenaciously, and the progress of the offensive 5th and 7th Guards Armies was very slow. So far, it has been unable to break through the outer positions of the German army and rush into the city.

"Comrade Commander," Chuvashov came to Sokov's side, carefully put down the telegram, and said, "Comrade Commander, if the friendly forces are unable to take Poltava for a long time, they will have a huge impact on our logistical supplies." It has been greatly affected. You must know that the weapons equipped by our group army cannot be separated from fast and reliable transportation."

"Colonel Chuvashov, you are right." Sokov stared at the map in front of him without raising his head and said, "If the friendly forces cannot capture Poltava quickly, it means that we will soon There will be a shortage of ammunition and insufficient food. Once you encounter a strong offensive from the German army, you may be repelled."

Chuvashov agreed with Sokov's statement in his heart. At the beginning of the year, the millions of troops of the Soviet Union and Germany once fought a decisive battle in the Dnieper River Basin. It was because of the serious shortage of logistical supplies that the Soviet army suffered a disastrous defeat when they had an advantage in numbers and equipment. If there is no reliable supply line, then the fiasco at the beginning of the year risks being repeated here again.

"Comrade Commander," Chuvashov was silent for a long time, and finally plucked up the courage to ask: "Then what should we do next? Should we continue fighting?"

"Of course, of course continue to fight." Sokov looked up at Chuvashov and said to him with a solemn expression: "Since the friendly forces cannot capture Poltava, let us complete this task."

Sokov's words startled Chuvashov: "What, you plan to take part in the attack on Poltava?"

"That's right, that's how I thought about it." Sokov's idea was very simple. As long as he relied on the existing troops, held on to the landing field on the right bank, and prevented the enemy from crossing the Dnieper River again, then he could lead the troops still in Mere Forces of the French fortress, participated in the attack on Poltava. "Maybe our joining will be the last straw that breaks the camel's back."

Chuvashov has no doubts about Sokov's statement. What he worries about is that, don't see that many troops are deployed on the landing field now, but facing the powerful German army, their strength still appears A little weak. If the Germans launch a crazy attack, it is still unknown whether the landing field can be defended.

He asked solemnly: "Comrade Commander, do you think the troops currently deployed at the landing field on the right bank can stop the German attack?"

"Does it need to be said?" Sokov replied in an affirmative tone: "I can definitely hold it."

Seeing the worry flashing across Chuvashov's face, Sokov smiled slightly, picked up the pencil on the table, drew a few strokes on the map, and said to Chuvashov: "Comrade Colonel, the defenders on the landing ground only need to If I can stop the German attack for three days, I will be sure to break through the outer positions of Poltava and take the lead in entering the city."

Speaking of this, he stood up straight, threw the pencil on the table, and then said: "As long as our army can occupy Poltava in a short period of time, the combat troops standing on the right bank landing field will be able to continue to gain energy." The supply of soldiers and weapons and equipment will not only be able to smash the enemy's attack, but can even turn defense into offense and launch an attack on the enemy's hinterland."

Chuvashov was convinced of Sokov's statement. He thought to himself: In fact, even if the remaining troops of the Army Group no longer came to Klemenchug, troops from the 53rd Army would come to assist. defensive. At that time, let alone stick to it for three days, even if it sticks to it for half a month, I'm afraid it won't be a big problem.

He coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and then said: "Comrade Commander, I think you seem to have forgotten the 53rd Army. Even if the rest of our troops don't rush over, we must hold on to the landing field on the right bank and Klemen Hill." Ge, it's not a big problem."

One word awakened the dreamer. Sokov, who was worried that the existing troops would be difficult to defend the landing site on the right bank, raised his hand and slapped himself on the forehead. The existing troops defended, but forgot that General Managarov's 53rd Army was heading towards Klemenchug, and Solomatin's 1st Mechanized Army was just their vanguard.

"Comrade Colonel, thank you for your reminder." Sokov thanked Chuvashov and said, "How can I forget that General Managarov's 53rd Army is coming. With their assistance, let alone stick to the three God, I am afraid that if you stick to it for a longer time, there will be no problem."

Having made up his mind, Sokov called the radio operator again and told him: "Send a telegram to General Konev, the commander of the front army, and say that I voluntarily request to participate in the battle to attack Poltava, and beg for his permission."

After listening to the telegram dictated by Sokov, the telegrapher quickly sent the telegram without any nonsense.

After Chuvashov saw the operator send the telegram with his own eyes, he asked with some concern: "Comrade Commander, do you think Commander Konev will agree to your request?"

"If I had made such a request a few days ago, he might not have agreed." Sokov smiled lightly and said, "But now that the offensives of the 5th and 7th Guards armies are not going well, the commander of the front army is very embarrassed. Unable to hang on, he hopes to take some kind of action to quickly take the city and open the way to the Dnieper River."