Red Moscow

Zakharov's presumptuous assertion made Konev feel very uncomfortable, but in front of many subordinates, he couldn't get angry at the other party, he could only try to control his emotions, and tried to ask in a calm tone: " Why? Please explain to me, why is this?"

When Konev asked this question, he didn't realize that his voice was particularly loud because of his emotional agitation, covering up other voices in the headquarters. And Shumilov realized that Konev was enraged by something. In order to avoid being affected by Chi Yu, he could only turn around and pretend to order his chief of staff: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately notify the troops standing on the landing site, let They took advantage of the time when the German army was defeated, and seized the time to rush to repair. Remember, you must find a way to lay minefields in front of the position."

When Shumilov ordered his chief of staff, the two generals from the air force did not dare to stay any longer. One went to the radio operator and pretended to give orders to his troops; while the other general did not even shake the handle of the phone. He just grabbed the microphone and stuck it to his ear, talking nonsense in a serious manner.

But the actions of these people were not noticed by Konev at all. He was eager to know why Zakharov had the courage to make such a big decision without discussing with himself. . He was even thinking in his heart that no matter what Zakharov said, he would let him amend this wrong order.

Zakharov heard the anger in Konev's tone, and he couldn't help being a little embarrassed, but in order to remove the thorn in the opponent's heart, he patiently explained: "Comrade Commander, shortly after you left the headquarters, Marshal Zhukov coming!"

"Zhukov is here?!" Hearing what Zakharov said, Konev immediately realized that he might have missed the chief of staff. The adjustment of the troops might be at Zhukov's behest. He asked quickly, "What did he say?"

"Marshal Zhukov said that our original plan for crossing the river had some shortcomings." Zakharov said: "He pointed out to me specifically that the 69th Army, which was crossing the river on the left wing of the 7th Guards Army, was in Berkshire. Rhodes suffered a lot of losses in the battle, and his combat power was greatly weakened. He also fought bravely in the later defense and suffered a lot of casualties. Now he needs to rest and replenish.

However, General Gargan's 57th Army has sufficient personnel and excellent equipment. It would be a waste to let them serve as the reserve team. As for the troops taking over the landing field on the right bank, since General Sokov's 27th Army is fighting the enemy ahead, the chances of participating in the battle are not high. For this reason, he decided that the 69th Army of General Kryuchenkin would take over the defense of the 27th Army's landing field on the right bank. "

"Okay." After listening to Zakharov's explanation, Konev's dissatisfaction disappeared, but he still said worriedly: "The forced crossing conditions from the mouth of the Orely River to the Vladimir Dniprovsk area are more difficult. Not only The river is wide and there are no islands nearby. So remind General Gargan to prepare for the worst."

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Zakharov saw that his explanation was indeed effective, and quickly replied loudly: "I will immediately notify General Gargan and let him hurry up to prepare equipment so that he can cross the river smoothly in the future."

"Also," Konev continued: "According to the plan, General Sarokhin's 37th Army should cross the river on the right side of Shumilov's troops. Will there be any changes to their river crossing plan?"

"That's not true." Zakharov shook his head and said, "They still follow the original plan. Their task is to forcefully cross the Dnieper River from the march on the right side of the 7th Guards Army, and cooperate with friendly forces to capture and expand The landing field in the Mishulin Rog area, turning it into a landing field with combat significance."

Hearing that Zakharov remembered the original plan so clearly, Konev nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the troops stationed at the landing site on the right bank have been adjusted. You need to notify Sokov immediately of this matter. He knows what he knows. Understand?"

Zakharov realized that if he did not tell Sokov earlier that the troops who were going to take over their defense had changed, then the plan made by Sokov might have an adverse effect on the next offensive operation. Zakharov, who understood this truth, quickly and loudly replied: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will immediately notify General Sokov so that he can have a clear understanding of the situation near Kremenchug." .”

Regarding Konev's instructions, Zakharov did not dare to neglect. As soon as he finished talking with the other party, he ordered the communications staff to help him connect to the 27th Army Headquarters. He planned to personally explain the situation to Sokov. .

The person who answered the phone was Sameko. When Zakharov said he wanted to find Sokov, he quickly handed over the receiver to Sokov and said, "Comrade Commander, your phone number is General Zakharov is calling."

Sokov took the microphone and greeted Zakharov with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I wonder if you have any good news to inform me? Is it General Gargan's 57th Army, which has already left their station?" let's go?"

When Zakharov heard Sokov's question, the muscles on his face twitched violently a few times, and then he said with an unnatural expression: "General Sokov, your guess is correct. General Gargan's 57th Army has indeed Departed from the station..."

"Great, this is really great." Sokov said excitedly without waiting for Zakharov to finish: "Just wait for General Gargan's troops to take over the defense of our landing site on the right bank, and we will be able to fully defend the landing field on the right bank." Launch an attack on the enemy."

"General Sokov, you made a mistake." Zakharov saw that Sokov had misunderstood, and quickly poured cold water on him: "It is true that the 57th Army has moved from the station, but their destination is not you. The right bank landing field established, but to change defenses with the 69th Army located in the area from the mouth of the Orely River to Upper Dniprovsk.”

"What, are they going to change defenses with the 69th Army?" Sokov immediately became anxious when he heard this: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, since the 57th Army has taken over the defense of the 69th Army, which unit do you plan to use? To replace our landing field on the other side of Klemenchug?"

"Naturally General Kryuchenkin's 69th Army."

"Why?" Sokov asked a little angrily, "Didn't it be agreed that General Gargan's 57th Army would take over the defense of our landing field on the right bank, why has it suddenly become the 69th Army now?"

If another commander was changed, Zakharov would not be interested in explaining, and would hang up the phone after giving the order. Regardless of whether the other party can understand the spirit of the superior, the order must be carried out unconditionally. But the person who is talking to him now is Sokov, who has repeatedly made military exploits on the battlefield. If he does not explain the situation to the other party, I am afraid that the battle plan developed to the south of the landing field may be stranded.

It was precisely out of this consideration that Zakharov forced a smile and explained to Sokov: "General Sokov, I think you should know that General Kryuchenkin's 69th Army is liberating Belgorod. In the battle against Germany, he suffered huge casualties, and later he participated in defensive operations, and the casualties were also not small.

When we formulated the combat plan to cross the Dnieper River, we ignored this key issue, but placed them in the most difficult position for crossing the river. If they cross the river with their current strength, it may be very difficult to break through the German Dnieper River defense line. Therefore, Marshal Zhukov directly ordered that we send General Gargan's 57th Army to replace General Kryuchenkin's 69th Army at the crossing point. "

After Zakharov explained the reason for the matter, he paused for a moment, and continued to say: "General Sukov, I think you also understand in your heart that if you really attack the enemy, then stick to the landing field I am afraid that there are not many opportunities for the troops to fight. And such a mission is undoubtedly very suitable for troops like the 69th Army that have suffered heavy casualties."

Although the superior temporarily adjusted the troops to take over the defense, which made Sokov feel very uncomfortable, but he also had to admit that what Zakharov said was very reasonable. As long as one's own troops attack Alexandria and Kirovgrad, the landing field behind them will be very safe, and the enemy will not be able to spare any troops to attack.

Sokov sighed and said rather helplessly: "Understood, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army. We will take this factor into consideration when we formulate our battle plan."

Sameko, who was next to him, vaguely heard some conversations between Sokov and Zakharov. When he saw Sokov put down the microphone, he asked with concern, "Comrade commander, what new instructions do you have from your superiors?"

Sokov looked at Sameko and Lunev standing in front of him, heaved a long sigh, and said with a wry smile: "The Chief of Staff, Comrade Military Commissar, something unexpected happened, and our battle plan may need some adjustments." .”

Lunev was far away from Sokov, and did not hear the content of the phone call. He asked with concern, "What happened?"

"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov explained to Lunev: "The Chief of Staff of the Front Army, General Zakharov, just called me and said that it was the 57th Army that was supposed to take over the defense of our landing field on the right bank. Order to replace the 69th Army from the mouth of the Orely River to Upper Dniprovsk. The 69th Army will take over the defense of our landing field on the right bank."

"What, the 69th Army will take over our defense work?" Lunev knew somewhat about the situation of the 69th Army. After hearing the bad news, he frowned and said, "As far as I know, the General Lyuchinkin's troops suffered huge casualties in the battles for the liberation of Belgorod and Kharkov. If they take over the defense, then we will have a huge problem in the security of the rear when we develop to the south of the landing field hidden danger."

Sokov didn't speak, but just looked down at the map on the table, wondering how to ensure the safety of his rear when attacking. But Sameko and Lunev were afraid of disturbing his thinking, so they deliberately lowered their voices while discussing.

After a few minutes, Sokov raised his head and said to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think the military commissar is right. It's not that I don't trust General Kryuchenkin's troops, but their losses are too great. However, once they are suddenly attacked by the German army, it is still unknown whether they can stop them. Therefore, if I don’t deploy troops to help them defend, I have no idea.”

For Sokov's statement, Sameko agreed. He nodded, and then asked, "Comrade commander, which division do you plan to leave on the landing ground to assist the friendly forces in their defense?"

"I think it's the 98th Guards Division of Colonel Chuvashov," Sokov said. "Since the occupation of Kremenchug, the division has only been responsible for the defense of the city and has not participated in any battles. I think it is very appropriate to leave them on the landing field to assist the 69th Army in its defense."

As Sokov's deputy, Sameko always felt that Sokov's decisions were very correct and applicable, so he nodded and said, "I agree with Comrade Commander. Wait until the vanguard of the 69th Army arrives." After Kremenchug, he ordered Colonel Chuvashov to hand over the defense of the city to the opponent, and set off to the landing field on the right bank as soon as possible, looking for a suitable place to build a defensive position."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov waited for Sameko to finish speaking, and then went on to say: "Our original plan was to use the 98th Guards Division as the reserve force of the entire army. But the latest developments have disrupted Our plan, I think, is to reselect troops to serve as new reserves."

"I agree!" Sameko immediately agreed.

"The most taboo thing in a large corps operation is this kind of temporary adjustment and deployment." Lunev on the side murmured: "Hundreds of thousands of people are crowded and marching on the banks of the Dnieper River. Huge casualties."

"That's right, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov, who was talking to Sameko, heard Lunev's complaints, nodded and said: "The situation you said is indeed easy to happen, and such frequent mobilization of troops , It is easy for commanders and fighters to become exhausted, making them unable to participate in new battles in a short time."

"Comrade Commander," Sameko asked respectfully, "Which division do you plan to use as the new reserve?"

"Chief of Staff," Sokov did not reply to Sameko immediately, but asked instead: "Do you have any good suggestions?"

In fact, Sameko has been wondering in his heart, which army should be used as the reserve team? Hearing Sokov's question, he hesitated for a moment and replied: "Comrade Commander, I have in mind the 84th Division of General Fomenko, but since the division was liberating Chigirin and later defending the town of Kinki In the battle, they all paid huge casualties, as the reserve team of the entire group army, the number is too small."

"Since one division is not enough, let's add another division." Sokov thought of this westward advance operation. Regardless of the heavy casualties of the 84th Division, Major General Gritsenko's 384th Division was also fighting against the Viking Division. , paid a huge sacrifice, and said casually: "Just add the 384th Division, and these two divisions will serve as the reserve team of the group army."

"That's fine too." In Sameko's heart, he planned to use Major Guchakov's 73rd Infantry Brigade as a reserve team. Since Sokov had already named the 384th Division, he could only obey the other party's orders. "I'll call the two teachers later and tell them about it."