Red Moscow

As the commander of the Guards Division, Sivalenko naturally considered the problem from a different angle. After his chief of staff had finished speaking, he said to the liaison officer: "Comrade Lieutenant, please go back and tell Colonel Rusuf that our division's task is to stick to the newly established landing field on the right bank of the Dnieper River. Before receiving the retreat order from the superior , even if the entire division is killed, they will never give up the town of Latseve.”

Seeing that Sivalenko's attitude was so firm, the liaison officer couldn't say anything more. After all, he was only following orders, and the other party disagreed, and he had no way to change his mind.

He said solemnly: "Understood, Comrade General, I will report what you mean to our regiment commander. Good luck!" After speaking, he raised his hand to salute Sivalenko, turned and walked out of the headquarters.

Watching the liaison officer of the 254th regiment walk out of the headquarters, the chief of staff of the division said worriedly: "Comrade commander, the enemy has too many tanks and artillery, and our only regiment, the 43rd Guards Artillery, is also adding reinforcements." On the way to Jingji Town, we suffered a lot of losses, and we are no match for the enemy in terms of firepower."

After listening to the Chief of Staff's words, Sivalenko sighed and said helplessly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you are right. Why don't I know that the strength of our division is far inferior to that of the Germans. But there is no way, Now the pontoon bridge retreating to the left bank has been blown up by German artillery fire, and we have no other way to go except to stick to the last person."

"However, we can still retreat into the defense zone of the 254th regiment." The chief of staff of the division said cautiously: "Then pass through the defense zone of the friendly army, circle back to the group army's garrison, and join the main force."

"No, absolutely not." Sivalenko replied simply: "If the troops behind us are comrades-in-arms who belong to the 24th Guards Army, then I will definitely lead the troops through their defense zone without hesitation. Retreat to a safe area. But the 254th Regiment behind us now belongs to the 27th Army. If we really pass through their defense zone and retreat to the main force of the army, there will definitely be a lot of gossip."

"What gossip?"

"Naturally speaking, our division's combat effectiveness is not good, and we need to rely on the help of friendly troops to escape from the enemy's danger safely." Speaking of this, Sivalenko's expression became serious: "This matter is related to the honor of our division. , so no matter how dangerous the situation is, I cannot retreat from the friendly line of defense.”

As the chief of staff of the division, he naturally knew how critical the situation was. Although the commanders and fighters were very brave, they had already paid a huge price to block the oncoming German tanks due to the lack of sufficient anti-tank weapons. The reinforcements on the left bank couldn't get through because the pontoon bridge was blown up. A company that had just crossed the river by chance, was killed and wounded by the intensive German artillery fire within less than ten minutes of entering the battle.

It was based on this consideration that he carefully suggested to Sivalenko: "Comrade commander, do you think we should contact the group army headquarters and listen to the meaning of the superior?"

Sivalenko thought for a long time, finally nodded and said: "Okay, get in touch with the Army Group Command on the left bank immediately, and see if Comrade Commander has any latest instructions."

After getting in touch with the other side through the telephone, Shumilov learned that it was Sivalenko who was calling, and quickly talked to him in person: "General Sivalenko, hurry up and report the situation there!"

"The situation is very fast, Comrade Commander." Sivalenko said: "The enemy has captured the town of Jingji, and is now storming the town of Ratsve, where we are located. The battle is still going on outside the town, but our commanders and fighters suffered a lot of casualties. Xiao, I want to ask, what instructions does the superior have next?"

"General Sivalenko," Shumilov said into the microphone, "I have issued a death order to Major General Priaskin, the director of engineering, to repair the bridge over the Dnieper River before dark. So that we can continuously cross the river with more troops from the left bank."

Shumilov's words made Sivalenko see a glimmer of life. He said a little excitedly: "Comrade Commander, so we can get reinforcements from the left bank after dark?"

"In theory." Shumilov didn't know when the engineers would be able to re-erect the pontoon bridge, but in order not to hurt Sivalenko's confidence, he could only say vaguely: "Maybe the time to repair the pontoon bridge can be advanced." , then you will be able to get enough reinforcements."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sivalenko said confidently: "We will do everything possible to block the German attack and wait for the arrival of the main force."

Shumilov originally wanted to tell the other party that it was still unknown whether the main force could arrive on time, but in order not to affect Sivalenko's confidence, he swallowed the words again. He changed the subject in time: "I heard that there is a unit near the 27th Army, which is stationed not far from the town of Ratsve?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sivalenko did not ask how Shumilov got the news, but replied truthfully: "The 254th Infantry Division under the 84th Infantry Division of the 27th Army The regiment is headed by Colonel Rusuf. Not long ago, he sent a liaison officer to contact me, saying that if the situation deteriorates and our department cannot continue to hold on, we can retreat to their defense zone."

"If, what I said is if." Shumilov said: "If the town of Ratsve is really unable to defend, will you lead your troops to withdraw to the friendly defense zone?"

"Certainly not, Comrade Commander." Sivalenko felt that since Shumilov asked about this time, he should express his attitude well: "Even if the entire division is wiped out, I will not lead If the troops withdraw into the defense zone of the friendly army, outsiders will have doubts about the combat effectiveness of our division, which will affect our honor..."

"General Sivalenko," before Sivalenko could finish, Shumilov interrupted him, "If the situation is very unfavorable to you, I think you should choose to retreat into the defense zone of friendly troops, don't think about it." What's the matter of face. What's the use of face if all the troops are exhausted?"

Shumilov's answer made Sivalenko feel puzzled. He didn't expect the commander to suggest that he withdraw to the friendly defense zone. For a while, he was speechless.

As Sivalenko's superior, Shumilov knew how hurtful it would be for the opponent to withdraw into the friendly defense zone when the battle was unfavorable, so he uncharacteristically explained to the opponent: "You give me Before making the call, I had a conversation with General Sokov. He once told me that our combat purpose is to wipe out as much of the German army as possible and weaken their strength, regardless of the gains and losses of a city or a place. Even if It's no big deal to abandon the town of Ratswe for a while. If we can liberate it once, we can liberate it a second time, and a third time...

Remember my words, once the battle is unfavorable and you cannot support in the town, you must withdraw from the battle in time and retreat into the friendly defense zone. The combat effectiveness of your division is among the best in the entire group army. I don't want to lose your elite troops in the first battle in the battle to break through the Dnieper River. "

After hearing Shumilov's words, Sivalenko's mind changed a little. Now that the commander has spoken, it doesn't make much sense for him to stick to the town of Radeve regardless of everything.

After finishing the call, Sivalenko called his division chief of staff aside and said to him: "Comrade chief of staff, when I just talked to the commander, he has made it clear that if the situation is not good for our army, we can take the initiative Abandon the town without hesitation and retreat to the friendly line of defense."

Seeing that Sivalenko's attitude changed 180 degrees after just a few minutes, the division chief of staff was also surprised: "Comrade division commander, you are not worried that once we withdraw into the friendly defense zone, Will it invite unnecessary gossip?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, our mission is to destroy more enemies. Even if we temporarily abandon the town of Ratsve, it is to fight the enemy better." Sivalenko said solemnly: "Even if there are some gossip , and don’t take it to heart.”

"Okay, Comrade Commander." The chief of staff of the division guessed that Sivalenko's change must be related to Shumilov's call, but he didn't ask too many words, just nodded and said, "I will send your The meaning is conveyed to all regiments."

The battle took place on the outskirts of the town. Although the German infantry attacked again and again under the cover of tanks, they were all repulsed by the Soviets who relied on crude fortifications for defense. It was not until around three o'clock in the afternoon that the German army broke through all the outer positions outside the town and approached the edge of the town.

Just then, another liaison officer walked into the headquarters of the 15th Guards Division.

Seeing the person coming, Sivalenko was stunned, and hurriedly stepped forward and asked politely: "Hello, Comrade Colonel, are you the liaison officer sent by the 84th Division?"

After the other party raised his hand to salute Sivalenko, he replied: "Hello, General Sivalenko, I am Colonel Belgin, deputy commander of the 84th Infantry Division and commander of the 258th regiment. contacted."

Sivalenko didn't expect the 84th Division to send someone to contact this time, even the deputy division commander, and he was secretly surprised. After calling Belkin to sit down, he asked politely, "Colonel Belkin, I wonder if you have any advice when you come to my division headquarters this time?"

"General Sivalenko." Time was running out, and Belkin didn't go around in circles, but said straight to the point: "I came to contact you on the order of the commander, Major General Sokov."

Knowing that the colonel in front of him was sent by Sokov, Sivalenko couldn't help but respect: "Colonel Belkin, I wonder if General Sokov has any good suggestions?"

"Comrade Commander feels that if you continue to stick to the town of Ratseve, I am afraid that the troops will suffer heavy casualties." Belgin said with a straight face: "So he hopes that you will take the initiative to abandon the town of Ratseve before dark and put Leave the town to the enemy."

"What, leave the town to the enemy?" Regarding Belkin's intentions for coming this time, Sivalenko imagined many possibilities in his heart, but he didn't expect that the other party would let him give up the town, and immediately jumped up from the town : "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. Even if we fight to the last person, we will never voluntarily give up the town."

Regarding Sivalenko's reaction, it seemed that Belkin had expected it long ago. He smiled slightly, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip unhurriedly, and said, "Comrade General, you may I wonder why General Sokov would give you such a proposal?"

Sivalenko was taken aback, and asked instinctively, "Why?"

Belkin did not immediately answer this question, but asked instead: "Comrade General, I want to ask you, if you take advantage of the time when the enemy's attack is repelled, you command the troops to withdraw from the town. After the enemy finds out, what will you do?" What's the reaction?"

Sivalenko thought for a while, and replied: "I will definitely feel that there is some conspiracy. I will send a small army into the town to search first. After confirming that there are no enemies in the town, I will send a large army into the town."

"That's right, that's exactly what it is."

"Colonel Belgin, I don't understand." Sivalenko said with a blank face: "After we voluntarily surrendered the town to the enemy, what should we do?"

"You withdraw from the town before dark, and when the enemy finishes their search, it will be completely dark. In this case, the Germans will enter the town and choose buildings that are still intact to accommodate the officers and soldiers participating in the attack. "

"That's right, it should be like this."

"Are there any residents in the town?"

"No more." Sivalenko shook his head and replied, "When our army took over the defense from the 254th Regiment, I sent people to search carefully, and there was not a single resident in the town."

"Since there is not a single resident, then even if we destroy the entire town, it's no big deal, right?"

"Why do you want to destroy the town..." Sivalenko stopped short in the middle of his question, with a shocked expression on his face: "Colonel Belgin, you are not going to tell me that you plan to Heavy shelling of the town at night?"

Seeing that Sivalenko had guessed Sokov's intentions, Belkin nodded with a smile, and said in a positive tone: "You are right, General Sivalenko. This is how our commander thought about it. The town was left to the Germans, and when they settled their troops there to rest, they bombarded the town by surprise, killing as many of the enemy as possible."

When Sivalenko heard this, his breathing became short of breath: "Colonel Belkin, so you have already deployed the artillery to bombard the town?"

"Yes, our First Artillery Division bombarded the town fiercely after the German troops entered the town, using artillery fire to destroy as many enemies as possible." Belgin said somewhat proudly: "Wait for the artillery fire to destroy the town. The enemy is almost wiped out, and we can take the town back from the hands of the surviving enemies after dawn."