Red Moscow

For Manstein, both Klemenchug and Cherkassy were the two most important points on his Dnieper defense line. Klemenchug has been occupied by Sokov's troops, and the troops he sent have launched countless attacks on the right bank landing field, all of which ended in failure.

But just losing one point is not a serious injury to Manstein. Even if he cannot drive the Soviet army that established the landing field into the Dnieper River, he can still let his troops block the opponent's expansion path. But now the Soviet army has established a new landing site near Cherkasy, and tried to use it as a springboard to capture Cherkasy and completely break through his own Dnieper River defense line. This is absolutely intolerable to him.

The troops originally placed in the south of the landing field of the 27th Army consisted of five divisions including the armored division. However, in order to eliminate the Soviet landing field near Cherkasy as soon as possible, Manstein decided to transfer troops from here after repeated thinking to participate in the battle to eliminate the Soviet army near the Qijilin area.

He knew very well that if he moved troops from the front of Sokov's position, he might suffer a big loss if he was not careful. Therefore, he only transferred one division at first, and slowly moved in the direction of Qijilin to observe the movement of the Soviet army.

When the transferred divisions all evacuated the defense zone, the Soviet army on the opposite side showed no sign of attacking. On the contrary, they also overhauled the fortifications in the defense zone, laid minefields and stretched barbed wire in front of the position, putting on a defensive posture.

After hearing the news, Manstein thought for a long time, and he was a little worried. Since the Soviet army was building a large-scale construction project and put on a defensive posture, it proved that it would not attack. So he decisively issued an order, except for leaving an armored division and an infantry division in the distance to continue to serve as guards, the rest of the troops immediately rushed to the fighting area in the northwest direction.

In all fairness, if other Soviet troops were deployed on the landing ground, Manstein's decision was undoubtedly correct, because most Soviet commanders have dull tactical thinking and do not know how to actively look for fighters. The command is the main one. If the superior ordered them to set up a defensive position somewhere, no matter how good an opportunity is in front of them, the commander may not switch from defense to offense in time, and miss the opportunity in vain.

But the troops commanded by Sokov were different. They knew how to use every opportunity to hit the enemy hard. But before each battle, in order to prevent the enemy from being aware of their intentions, they often perform a series of feints. For example, the overhaul of the fortifications this time is to confuse the enemy.

Fortunately, Sukov's strategy successfully deceived Manstein. The German Marshal was eager to eliminate the Soviet landing field that threatened the safety of Cherkasy, and when he simply confirmed that Sokov's troops would not launch an attack and would not threaten the rear of his own troops, he decisively mobilized a large number of troops , to reinforce the troops attacking the 7th Guards Army.

Although the large-scale retreat of the German army was carried out at night, it was clearly seen by the Soviet scouts hidden nearby, and then the information was continuously sent back to the rear through the radio stations they carried.

After receiving the information from the scouts ahead, the head of the reconnaissance department rushed to see Sokov and Sameko after a brief arrangement.

Seeing the director of reconnaissance rushing over, Sameko immediately guessed that the other party must have brought information about the German army, so he quickly put down the things in his hand, stood up straight and asked, "Comrade director, do you have any important information?" Want to report the information to us?"

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." The chief of reconnaissance glanced at Sokov who was standing by the wall, his back turned to him looking at the map, and continued: "The scouts in front just sent back the situation, saying that the German army has a new attack. The troops began to retreat."

Sokov turned his back to the table and was looking at the map hanging on the wall. When he heard the reconnaissance director's words, he immediately turned around and asked, "Comrade director, hurry up and tell us how the situation is."

The head of the reconnaissance department nodded and began to report to Sokov and Sameko: "According to the scout's report, the enemy withdrew an infantry division before dark. They thought that the enemy would not move any more. , but two hours ago, they suddenly discovered that the tanks parked in the forest began to move in one direction, and they hurriedly followed. After walking for about half an hour, they found that the German tanks had entered a station, and We started to board the trains one after another on the platform.”

"Wait a minute, Comrade Director." Hearing this, Sameko interrupted the reconnaissance director: "Can they confirm which direction the train is going?"

"It has been confirmed, Comrade Chief of Staff." The chief of the reconnaissance replied: "There is a soldier among our scouts who was a road maintenance worker in this area before joining the army. The direction of travel is northwest, which is the Qijilin area."

Hearing this, Sokov turned his head to Sameko and said with a smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it seems that there are soldiers of various professions in the army, which is also a good thing for us. This will save Comrade Scouts a lot of money." Time for reconnaissance."

"Yes, Comrade Commander. This soldier who worked as a road maintenance worker has made great contributions, enabling our scouts to figure out the whereabouts of the enemy in the shortest possible time." After Sameko said these words , and asked the reconnaissance director: "Comrade director, can you find out how many troops the enemy has transferred?"

Regarding Sameko's question, the director of reconnaissance hesitated for a moment, and replied cautiously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, according to the information we have, the German army still staying in the defense zone now has only one infantry division and one armored division. And they’re all the kind that get weakened in battle.”

"Oh, there are only one infantry division and one armored division that were weakened in the battle left in the German defense zone?" Sameko asked in surprise after hearing this: "Comrade Director, is this news reliable?"

"Totally reliable, Comrade Chief of Staff." The chief of the reconnaissance department said convincingly: "We have as many as fifteen reconnaissance teams at the front, and they completely cover the entire defense area of ​​the German army. Therefore, how many people are left in the enemy's camp?" In terms of military strength, they should not be mistaken."

"Comrade Chief," Sokov interrupted suddenly, "after our army has captured Alexandria and Kirovgrad, I will definitely have the Military Commissar award you a medal. It is precisely because of your responsibility The reconnaissance work laid a solid foundation for our final victory."

Hearing what Sokov said, the chief of reconnaissance's face turned red with excitement, and his breathing became short of breath. After a while, he excitedly said to Sokov: "Comrade commander, this is what I should do. We are the reconnaissance department, and it is our duty to find out the enemy's strength and deployment. "

After Sokov praised the other party a few words, he saw that he could not get any more useful information, so he sent him away.

As soon as the head of the reconnaissance department left, Sameko asked impatiently, "Comrade commander, do we need to report the intelligence we have detected to the front army headquarters immediately?"

Sokov heard what Sameko said, and began to think in his heart: "If Konev reported the situation here at this time, he would definitely worry about the safety of the 7th Guards Army's rear, and he would definitely order himself to transfer troops. To contain the German army and ensure the safety of the new landing site."

Seeing Sokov's thoughts, Sameko tentatively asked: "Comrade commander, are you worried that if we report the situation here to the Front Army Command, General Konev ordered We sent troops to contain the enemy, thus ruining our original attack plan?"

Seeing that Sameko had guessed what was on his mind, Sokov nodded and said affirmatively, "Yes, that's what I think. Comrade Chief of Staff, do you have any good suggestions?"

Sameko thought for a while, then with a straight face, he said solemnly: "Comrade Commander, although according to the report of the scouts, the enemy only retained one infantry division and one armored division in the original position, and both of them are still there. It was weakened during the battle. However, this information has not yet been confirmed, and we cannot easily report the unconfirmed information to the superiors, otherwise it is easy to mislead the superiors."

"Yes, yes," the words awakened the dreamer, and Sameko's words gave Sokov confidence: "Although according to the collected reconnaissance information, there is only one infantry division left in the German defense area." And an armored division, but we need to verify this information repeatedly. Only after the final confirmation can it be reported to the front army headquarters, so as not to mislead the superiors."

After the two reached a consensus on this matter, Sokov then asked Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is there any latest news from Guchakov?"

Sameko shook his head and said: "The information was two hours ago. The first battalion had set off shortly after dark. The road they were traveling on happened to cross the route of the German army's transfer. I hope there will be no mistakes."

Sokov knew very well that if the first battalion was seen through by the German army, then the plan he had made in advance would be completely in vain. And the troops performing the task will also encounter great danger.

Thinking of this, he pointed at Sameko with his hand and ordered: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call Major Guchakov immediately and ask him if there is any latest news."

Knowing that the success of the first battalion's operation was related to the next battle, Sameko quickly picked up the phone on the table and called the headquarters of the 73rd Infantry Brigade.

Although it was already midnight, the call was connected quickly. The person who answered the phone was Chief of Staff Askel. He recognized Sameko's voice and immediately asked respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff. The Brigadier is resting. Do you need me to wake him up to answer the phone?" ?”

Considering the situation in the brigade, Sameko, as the chief of staff of the brigade, Askel, should be very clear, so he said casually: "No need, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I just want to ask you something: Is there any news about the First Battalion? ?”

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." Askel replied simply: "No news at all."

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," Askel's answer had long been expected by Sameko, he asked tentatively: "Tell me the truth, the marching route of the first battalion overlaps with the route of the enemy's transfer, is it true? Isn't there any danger?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Askel comforted Sameko and said, "This operation was personally directed by Captain Mikhaiev. He is a commander with rich command experience, and he speaks German. Well, even if there are any troubles on the road, I believe he can handle them with ease."

Sameko originally wanted Askel to send a telegram to Mikhaiev to find out about the march of the troops. But after thinking about it, if the first battalion had already had contact with the German troops at this time, wouldn't it put them in danger if they sent a telegram at this moment? Thinking of this, he could only change his words and say, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, if you have the latest news about Captain Mikhaiev, please inform me in time."

"Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Askel replied, "As soon as there is news about them, I will definitely report to you as soon as possible."

"Okay, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I'm waiting for your news." Sameko finally emphasized: "Tonight, the commander and I are on duty at the headquarters. If you have any news, please call in time."

After putting down the phone, Sameko said to Sokov with regret: "Comrade Commander, I asked Lieutenant Colonel Askel, the brigade chief of staff, and he said they didn't have the latest news about the 1st Battalion either."

Seeing Sokov frowning slightly, he quickly added: "However, Lieutenant Colonel Askel assured me that Lieutenant Mikhaiev is a commander with rich command experience, and his German is outstanding. Ability to handle any emergencies along the way. You can rest assured."

Things have come to this point, no matter how worried Sokov is, he can't change anything, he can only say helplessly: "Hey, Comrade Chief of Staff, we can only resign ourselves to fate now, I hope Captain Mikhaiev and the others can go smoothly. Enter Pavlish and seize the enemy's transshipment depot."

Just as the two were worried about the fate of the Mikhaiev camp, the phone on the table rang without warning. Sameko stared at the phone and said excitedly to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, maybe the call is from the Infantry Brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Askel is going to report to us about the situation of the First Battalion."

Sameko grabbed the microphone, pressed it to his ear and asked excitedly, "Is this Lieutenant Colonel Askel? I'm Sameko. Do you have any good news for me?"

"What Askel?" Unexpectedly, the voice coming from the microphone was not Askel: "I am Zakharov, and you are Chief of Staff Sameko, right?"

"Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff." Hearing that the person on the other end of the phone was Zakharov, Sameko's heart skipped a beat. He winked at Sokov who was sitting next to him, and asked tentatively: " Do you have any instructions?"

"Comrade Sameko," Zakharov asked sternly on the other end of the phone, "I heard that the enemy south of your landing site is moving on a large scale. Is that the case?"

Sameko glanced at Sokov again, seeing that the other party had come to his side, he couldn't help replying with some guilt: "That's right, General Zakharov, the enemy to the south of our landing field is indeed shifting."

"Since the enemy is moving, why didn't you report it in time?" Zakharov said angrily: "Do you know that maybe because you didn't report in time, there will be deviations in the formulation of the combat plan by the Front Army Command?"

Seeing that Sameko was speechless for a moment, Sokov reached out to take the microphone in his hand and whispered in his ear, "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I am Sokov."