Red Moscow

The officers and soldiers of the German 8th Armored Division probably never dreamed that they were hit from the air before the counterattacking Soviet army got into their trap. In just half an hour, an originally powerful armored force suffered annihilation in the indiscriminate bombing of the Soviet Air Force.

Sokov's headquarters certainly couldn't see the scene of the German army being bombarded by Soviet bombers with their own eyes. They could only understand what happened on the battlefield through the battle reports from below.

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov, who was eager to know the situation of the battle, urged Sameko: "Immediately ask the chief of reconnaissance to send a telegram to the reconnaissance team, asking them to report in a timely manner the specific situation of the bombing of the German armored division."

While Sameko was on the phone, Lunev came over and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I believe that after the Air Force returns, it will be able to report back the results of the battle. You won't be able to wait for a few hours, right? .”

"I can't wait, Comrade Military Commissar." In front of his partner, Sokov felt that there was no need to hide anything, so he said truthfully: "I want to know as soon as possible that this bombing caused damage to the German 8th Armored Division." what harm."

"I think that after the bomber fleet returns to the voyage, the results of the battle will be counted in a timely manner." Lunev said: "It's not too late for us to ask after the Air Force has counted the results of the battle."

"The statistics of the Air Force are inaccurate." Sokov shook his head and said, "It wasn't completely bright in the first place, and with so many bombs dropped, the German army's hidden area was full of fire and smoke. How can we look at the situation on the ground? In my opinion, it is most appropriate for Sergeant Iva's reconnaissance team to figure out the enemy's losses."

Sokov's consideration was correct. Although the air force carried out the bombing mission, the reconnaissance force on the ground is really inseparable from the ground to confirm the results of the battle. To find out the general loss of the German army, it can only be done through the Iva reconnaissance team that is hiding nearby at the moment.

Sameko soon returned to report to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I have called the Director of Reconnaissance and he will immediately get in touch with Sergeant Iva to verify the results of the air force."

As soon as he finished speaking here, Konev called: "Comrade Sokov, General Goryunov's air force has bombed the assembly point of the German 8th Armored Division indiscriminately. Now If you want to figure out the effect of the bombing, you can only rely on your people."

Sokov heard what Konev meant, and quickly replied: "Comrade Front Army Commander, please rest assured that I have ordered people to contact the reconnaissance team operating in that area, so that they can find out the German army as soon as possible. The battle damage of the 8th Armored Division will be reported in a timely manner.”

Seeing that Sokov had considered all the things that should be considered, Konev said with relief: "Comrade Sokov, you are very thoughtful. It seems that I have entrusted you with the defense of the landing site on the right bank. It was the right choice."

Hearing Konev's praise for him, Sokov was naturally very happy. However, what he is worried about at the moment is that if Poltava cannot be taken for a long time, then the transportation line provided by his superiors for himself may be cut off by the German army, so he tentatively asked: "Comrade commander of the front army, I would like to ask , how is the attack on Poltava going?"

"The Germans relied on solid fortifications and carried out tenacious defenses. Our army's progress was very slow." After Konev briefly introduced the situation in the direction of Poltava, he immediately realized what Sokov was thinking. Quickly reminded him: "Comrade Sokov, the battle in Poltava has nothing to do with you. Your task is to resolutely defend the landing field on the right bank until the main force of the Front Army arrives."

Sokov saw that Konev had guessed his thoughts. Although he was a little embarrassed, he still said cheekily: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you have misunderstood. The reason why I asked about Poltava is because our army's The supply line has to pass through there, and if the enemy there is not cleared as soon as possible, our transportation line may be cut off at any time."

Now that a plausible reason has been found, it is easier to say the next thing: "You also know that the ammunition consumption of the weapons used by our army commanders and fighters is very high. Once there is an abnormal transportation, it will It directly affects our combat effectiveness."

Konev knew that the reasons Sokov said were far-fetched, but he had to admit that they were all facts. The reason why Sokov's troops have been able to win many battles on the battlefield is not only related to the tactics used by Sokov, but also related to the weapons used by the soldiers. These weapons can form a firepower advantage on the battlefield. Once there is a problem with ammunition supply, the combat effectiveness of this unit will drop off a cliff.

"Okay, Comrade Sokov." Konev felt the need to express his attitude and reassure Sokov: "I assure you, no matter whether the troops of the 5th and 7th Guards Army can take Bo Ertava, there will be no problems with your logistical supplies, do you understand?"

"That's really great." Having received Konev's promise, Sokov couldn't help feeling ecstatic. As long as the logistics supply is normal, let alone two or three divisions of the enemy attacking from the front, even if it is replaced by two or three armies, Still beat them all over the ground looking for teeth. "Comrade Front Army Commander, if you can ensure that our logistics supplies are normal, I can also promise you that as long as one of us is alive, the Germans will never be allowed to approach the Dnieper River."

After dawn, members of the 53rd Army headquarters appeared in Sokov's headquarters before the intelligence feedback from the Iva reconnaissance team came back.

Sokov once met General Managarov, and he recognized him from the crowd at a glance, and hurriedly stepped forward to shake hands with him: "Hello, Comrade General, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 27th Army, I welcome you. !"

"Hello, General Sokov." Although Managarov's military rank is higher than that of Sokov, he is under Sokov's command this time, so his posture is very low: "My troops and I From now on, accept your command."

"Look at what you said, Comrade General, how can I command you." Although Sokov knew in his heart, although Konev had ordered the 53rd Army to accept his command so that he could better defend the right bank landing field. After receiving Konev's order, Managarov would obey Konev's orders unconditionally, but he still had some resistance in his heart. After all, Sokov was older than him regardless of his military rank.

Sokov just figured out Managarov's psychology. In order for the other party to better cooperate with him, he said politely: "Although the superior issued such an order, I don't think I have the ability to command the two. The troops of the group army. Therefore, from now on, the two of us will only fight together, instead of letting you obey my command."

Hearing Sokov say that the two sides were only fighting together, Managarov smiled, let go of Sokov's hand, and said with a smile: "General Sokov, let me introduce you Members of my headquarters, so that it will be more convenient for future dealings."

As he spoke, he introduced to Sokov one by one: "This is my military commissar, General Gorokhov, and this is General Tsarev, who is also my military commissar."

The 53rd Army has two military commissars? Hearing this, Sokov couldn't help but cast a quick glance at Lunev who was standing aside, and said to himself, "Why did the superior only assign me a military commissar?"

Managarov didn't notice that Sokov was distracted, and continued to introduce him: "This is General Derevyanko, Chief of Staff of the Army Group."

The last one, before Managarov was introduced, Sokov said first: "Comrade General, you don't need to introduce this one. He is General Smirnov, the deputy chief of staff of the Army Group. I have met him before." A few times." After speaking, he stretched out his hand to Smirnov and said with a smile, "Hello, Comrade General, it's nice to see you again."

"Me too, General Sokov."

After the two sides exchanged pleasantries, Managarov and others stayed in Sokov's headquarters. Whether assigned to Sokov's command or coordinated operations, the headquarters of the two sides must be under the same roof, so that many things can be communicated in a timely manner, so as not to delay the fighter plane.

Fortunately, the area in the church is large enough to accommodate a group of new commanders. Sameko made timely adjustments and divided the church hall into two, with the two army headquarters occupying half each. With such an arrangement, the troops can be commanded independently, and they can also communicate in a timely manner when any problems arise.

While the two sides were deploying, Managarov asked Sokov: "General Sokov, how do you plan to arrange my troops?"

"Comrade General, the area of ​​the landing site is not large enough. If all the troops are transferred there, I am afraid it will not be possible to deploy." Sukov politely said to Managarov: "So far, I have only deployed three An infantry division with an infantry brigade and General Solomatin's 1st Mechanized Corps. Otherwise, all troops remained on the left bank."

Hearing what Sokov said, the chief of staff, General Derevyanko, raised his own doubts: "General Sokov, I think the troops deployed on the right bank landing field are a bit too small, and we can send two or three more infantry Division in the past, strengthen the defense force there."

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov shook his head and said, "As I said just now, the area of ​​the landing field is not large enough. If we gather too many troops there, firstly, we will not be able to deploy effectively. It is easy to pay a huge sacrifice in the enemy's artillery or bombing."

"So you are worried about this." After hearing Sokov's reasons, Derevyanko said disapprovingly: "We can dig more air-raid shelters and bunkers, so that even if we are bombed and shelled by the German army, We can also keep casualties to a minimum."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov continued: "The terrain of the landing site on the right bank is mostly forests, lakes and swamps. Do you think it is possible to dig air-raid shelters and bomb shelters on a large scale in such places? Maybe they just dug this morning. Well, it was completely submerged by the water emerging from the ground in the afternoon."

Derevyanko didn't know how to answer Sokov's words for a while. After he was silent for a while, he continued to ask: "General Sokov, then I would like to ask, is it a little bit of a problem for you to leave so many troops on the left bank?" Such a waste?"

"It's not a waste at all." Sukov felt that the other party hadn't figured out the current situation, so he explained to him: "Once the Germans can't seize the landing site from the front, they will definitely cross the Dnieper River from other areas and detour to our from the rear, to cut off the connection between the troops on the landing ground and the left bank. You must know that, except for Klemenchug, all the crossing points are in the hands of the Germans. We cannot know in advance where they will cross the river. Therefore, we What can be done is to build a defensive line around Klemenchug to crush the German conspiracy."

Derevyanko heard that what Sokov said seemed to make sense, and then asked: "General Sokov, how do you plan to deploy the troops of our army?"

Regarding the formation of troops, Sameko is naturally in charge. Sokov turned to Sameko and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how to deploy the troops of the 53rd Army is up to you and General Derevyanko to negotiate." .”

"Comrade General," Sokov said to Managarov after Sameko and Derevyanko went to the side to study the defensive deployment of the troops: "Now there is only one division in the city, and the defense is a little weaker. Why don't you send two divisions to the city to strengthen the city's defenses?"

Hearing what Sokov said, Managarov was very moved when he knew that the other party wanted him to put more troops in a safe place. However, he was very clear about the mentality of the commanders and fighters below. Everyone thought about making meritorious deeds all day long. If they were stationed in the city of Klemenchug, it would indeed be much safer than the outer positions, but the chances of making meritorious deeds would be greatly reduced.

After trying to understand this truth, Managarov thanked Sokov and said to him: "General Sokov, thank you for your kindness, but I think it is more appropriate for my troops to be placed outside the city."

Before Sokov could speak, he continued: "You know, there are a lot of new recruits in my army. It is necessary to let them go to the battlefield to listen to the sound of guns and guns, so that they can quickly become an excellent soldier. If you put They are placed in the city, and I am afraid that they will have very little time to participate in the battle, and maybe by the end of this battle, they will still be nervous recruits as soon as they go to the battlefield."

"Okay, Comrade General. Since your troops don't want to stay in the city, I'll arrange other troops." Since Managarov rejected his offer, Sokov didn't force it either. He was thinking in his heart that the commanders and fighters who were rescued from outside Klemenchug last time could allow them to return to the city and take charge of the city's defense tasks while recuperating from their injuries.

"Comrade Chief of Staff, Comrade Chief of Staff." Just as Sokov was talking to Managarov, he suddenly heard a panicked voice: "Telegram, a telegram from the front."

Hearing the shout, both Sameko and Derevyanko raised their heads and looked in the direction of the sound. Derevyanko saw clearly that the person yelling was one of his communication staff officers, he couldn't help frowning, he got up and walked in front of the other party, and asked with a straight face: "Comrade Lieutenant, what happened? You're yelling and yelling and you don't understand the rules."