Red Moscow

After Katukov left, Bogolyubov smiled and said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Acting Commander, I wonder if you have noticed something interesting."

"Interesting thing?" Rokossovsky looked at Bogolyubov blankly and asked, "What interesting thing?"

"The earliest First Tank Army was established in 1942 on the basis of the 38th Army, and the first commander was General Moskarenko, the current commander of the 38th Army."

Although after the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, there were countless troops that were formed and then withdrawn, but Rokossovsky happened to know the history of the First Tank Army. He raised his eyebrows, and then said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what did you say The First Tank Army was originally placed under the command of the Stalingrad Front, but due to its mediocre record, it was withdrawn on August 6 of the same year, and it existed for less than half a month.

Today's First Tank Army was formed on the basis of the 29th Army on January 4, 1943. Under the command of Katukov, this unit has made great achievements. I believe that it will not be long before they will be awarded the honorary title of Guards Tank Army. "

Rokossovsky did not want to discuss Katukov's troops too much, but changed the subject in time and asked Bogolyubov: "Chief of Staff, have you called the Air Force Commander?"

"Yes, Comrade Acting Commander." Bogolyubov heard Rokossovsky ask himself, and quickly replied: "As long as the weather conditions permit, our aviation will rush to the Koroszyn area tomorrow to fight for it. The 60th Army to provide adequate air support."

"Very good." Rokossovsky nodded and said, "Judging from the current situation, the Germans also feel that they cannot defend the city, and are withdrawing troops from the city in an orderly manner."

"Comrade Acting Commander, I don't understand." Bogolyubov asked Rokossovsky his own question: "Since the Germans feel that they can't hold the city, why don't they simply retreat, but why do they withdraw from the city?" The troops stayed outside the city, and they still put on a posture of preparing to encircle our army? Don't they worry that these troops will be surrounded by our army outside the city?"

To Bogolyubov's question, Rokossovsky grinned silently, and then replied: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the reason is very simple. Once they lost the city, they immediately chose to retreat. Then we can leave a force there for defense, and move the main force south to reinforce the attacked 38th Army and the 3rd Guards Tank Army, so that the battle situation will develop in our favor."

"So that's how it is." Bogolyubov was also a smart man. Hearing what Rokossovsky said, he immediately guessed the German army's intentions: "Even if our army occupied Korosten, as long as their army stays In the vicinity of the city, we dare not easily dispatch our forces to the south for reinforcements, lest the enemy counterattack when the city is empty."

"Yes, that's the truth." Rokossovsky nodded and confirmed the other party's statement: "The Germans used this method to contain our troops, so that their attack in the middle can achieve greater success. Results."

"Comrade Rokossovsky," Vatutin, who was ignored by everyone, suddenly asked, "According to the battle reports we have received, General Moskalenko's troops are in a very bad situation. But you can neither The troops on the right wing were dispatched to the south for reinforcements, and the 1st Tank Army newly arrived in Kiev, and you ordered them to stand still, are you planning to watch the 38th Army be wiped out by the Germans?"

Perhaps because he felt that Rokossovsky's deployment had made a serious mistake, Vatutin said this with a wave of anger: "Have you ever thought that once the 38th Army is annihilated by the Germans, it will be against the Germans?" What effect does it have on the morale of our troops?"

"You are right, Comrade Vatutin." Regarding Vatutin's complaints, Rokossovsky was very tolerant, "If General Moskalenko's 38th Army is annihilated by the German army, it will be given The morale and morale of the Ukrainian First Front have had a negative impact. But, do you have so little confidence in your own troops?"

Rokossovsky's words stopped Vatutin, yes, do I have so little confidence in my troops? In any case, the 38th Army has four infantry divisions, several infantry brigades, as well as tank brigades, artillery divisions, cavalry and other units. Even if it is attacked by the German army, it is impossible to be wiped out in a short time.

What's more, to the south of them is Rebarco's 3rd Guards Tank Army. This force has a tank army and a mechanized army, which can provide the necessary support for the 38th Army who is in trouble at any time.

Seeing that Vatutin was silent, Rokossovsky continued: "Comrade Vatutin, I understand your feelings at this time. Seeing that the 38th Army is in danger, but no troops are sent to rescue them, my heart is the same. It is very contradictory. But as senior commanders, we often cannot act emotionally. At this moment, sending General Katukov’s First Tank Army to reinforce it can indeed rescue the 38th Army and slow down the speed of the German army’s advance to Kiev.

But after this battle, the First Tank Army will definitely pay a big price, and it needs to be replenished before it can participate in a large-scale counterattack against the German army. Now the base camp can use the reserve team is also very limited, if we have to wait for the superior to replenish us, the waiting time will be very long. "

Although Vatutin has made many mistakes in command this year, he is also an experienced commander after all. He is naturally very clear in his heart that the occupation of Kiev is only a starting point for the liberation of the entire Ukraine. If the German army has not completed its overall defense preparations, Just quickly advance to the depth of the German defense, then this battle will be protracted.

"Comrade Rokossovsky, you are right." At such a time, Vatutin could only bite the bullet and admit that Rokossovsky's approach was undoubtedly the most correct. The 38th Army and the German army attacking Kiev were exhausted. After the enemy has lost a large amount of vitality, and then put the vitality that has been recharged for a long time into the battle, the enemy's attack can be easily crushed, and the results of the battle can be expanded.

"Comrade Vatutin," Rokossovsky heard Vatutin's conciliatory meaning from the tone of the other party's speech, and said with a smile: "Anyway, you know the troops better. If I have any If you do something wrong, you can point it out, and we will discuss important matters."

Although Rokossovsky took over the command of the troops, Vatutin had a knot in his heart, but on the issue of dealing with the German army, the two reached a consensus: "No problem, Comrade Rokossovsky, I I will definitely do my best to help you command the troops well."

Seeing that the two commanders had reached a superficial cooperation, Bogolyubov, the chief of staff, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. In this way, when issuing various combat orders to the troops, the two would not hinder each other.

Early the next morning, the weather turned fine.

Lieutenant General Krasovsky, commander of the 2nd Army of the Air Force, immediately called the commander of the bomber division and ordered: "Comrade Colonel, the weather has cleared up, and you can attack."

As the order was issued, 124 fighter jets took off one after another. After completing formation in the air near the airport, they flew towards Korosten.

Considering that the bomber division may be intercepted by German fighter jets when performing its mission, Krasovsky sent two fighter jets from the aviation regiment to accompany it.

Arriving over the city of Korosten, the bomber plane swooped down from a high altitude and dropped bombs one after another on the German defensive positions. Those buildings that had long been vulnerable to Soviet artillery fire collapsed one after another in the explosion of aerial bombs and became ruins.

The Soviet troops on the ground immediately cheered when they saw their bombers bombing the German positions indiscriminately.

Cherniakhovsky, who was staying in the frontier observation post, saw the German position being shrouded in smoke from the explosion, and the corners of his mouth could not help but turn up slightly. The chief of staff next to him reminded him: "Comrade commander, when do you think our army will attack the enemy?"

"Don't worry, my Comrade Chief of Staff." Cherniakhovsky said without turning his head: "After our air force blows up for a while and destroys most of the fortifications on the enemy's position, it will be impossible to launch an attack again." It’s not too late, and the casualties of commanders and fighters can be reduced by then.”

"Comrade Commander," the chief of staff glanced at Major General Pukhov standing next to him, and reminded Cherniakhovsky in a low voice: "The commander of the 13th Army is still here."

The words of the chief of staff reminded Cherniakhovsky that he remembered that he was now fighting with the 13th Army, and he had to discuss some things with his friendly forces. He hastily put down the binoculars, and said to Pukhov apologetically, "I'm sorry, General Pukhov, I was so engrossed in watching it for a moment that I forgot that you were still by my side."

Pukhov's military rank and qualifications are higher than those of Cherniakhovsky. Even if he has any dissatisfaction, he can only hide it in his heart and how can he say it. He politely responded: "General Cherniakhovsky, can you tell me what you think about the next step?"

"General Pukhov," said Cherniakhovsky, calling Pukhov to the table, pointing to the map spread out on it, "you see, the Germans pulled out of the city two Two divisions are now placed in the northwest and southwest directions of the city. When I plan to launch a final attack on the city, I will send troops to detour to the two wings of the city and drive these two divisions of the Germans away."

"Well," Pukhov nodded, and said, "Do you want my troops to be responsible for one of the directions?"

"That's right, that's what I meant." Seeing that Pukhov understood his intentions, Cherniakhovsky nodded and said with certainty: "The task of attacking the city and turning around from the left wing will be completed by my troops. .You just need to send troops to detour from the north of the city and drive away the enemies on the right flank of our army."

For Cherniakhovsky's arrangement, Pukhov felt that it was reasonable. The task he had received was to send some troops to the north after the liberation of Korosten to directly threaten Chernobyl and Puri. Piat, echoing the troops of the Belarusian Front going south, forced the German army to divide its troops for defense.

"No problem." Pukhov replied straightforwardly: "I immediately sent troops to detour to the north of the city to drive away the enemies entrenched on the right flank of our army."

While Pukhov was on the phone, Cherniakhovsky ordered his chief of staff: "Chief of staff, order the 161st, 167th and 195th Infantry Divisions to launch the final attack on the city immediately; The 232nd and 237th Divisions detour to the south of the city to drive away the enemies on the left flank of our army. The 303rd Division, as the general reserve of the group army, will not be used for the time being.”

"What about the 107th and 121st divisions?"

"These two infantry divisions made great sacrifices in the battle to attack the city." Cherniakhovsky said: "They can be temporarily withdrawn for a period of time, and they can participate in the battle after they have been replenished." It is not too late to attack the Germans."

Unexpectedly, after listening to the chief of staff, he said in embarrassment: "Comrade commander, I am afraid this is difficult to handle. Anyway, the 107th and 121st infantry divisions have suffered great casualties in the battles of the past few days. Now that victory is in sight, but they are ordered to withdraw, I am worried that the commanders and fighters will be emotional."

Why didn't Cherniakhovsky know that withdrawing the two infantry divisions that were seriously damaged in battle at this moment would be suspected of killing donkeys. But considering the overall situation, since these two divisions are no longer able to participate in the next street battle, instead of letting the remaining commanders and fighters be consumed in the street battle, it is better to withdraw them for repairs, and then go into battle after regaining their strength. Late.

After thinking about this, he said to the chief of staff with a straight face: "Chief of staff, please tell the two division commanders that this is my order. As my subordinates, they can only unconditionally execute my order, not discuss it. Is the order reasonable. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade Commander." The chief of staff quickly replied, "I will immediately convey your meaning to the two division commanders."

The bombing had just ended, and before the smoke cleared, the three infantry divisions who received the order launched their final attack on the city filled with gunpowder. For a moment, the deafening Ula sound resounded throughout the battlefield.

And those German officers and soldiers who were shrouded in gunpowder smoke and hadn't fully recovered from the bombing could not help becoming panicked when they heard the sound of Ula getting closer. They couldn't see where the enemy was, so they could only point in the direction of the sound in the smoke, and frantically pulled the trigger, trying to stop the Soviet attack.

However, their shooting attracted even more intense firepower. In addition to shooting from machine guns, submachine guns, and rifles, they were also bombarded by 82mm mortars. Many soldiers who were shooting desperately were pulled up from the ground by the blast waves and thrown high into the air. fell down.

The German defense line was quickly broken through, and the attacking Soviet army flooded over the dilapidated German positions like a rising tide, rushed into the streets quickly, and fought with the retreating German troops.

The German army in the city lost the courage to resist. They escaped from the bombed or about to collapse buildings one after another, and fled along the road to the west of the city in a hurry, trying to escape from this place of death as soon as possible.

The German officers and soldiers who left the fortifications and crowded the streets full of bricks and rubble became the targets of the Soviet troops who rushed forward. After bursts of intensive gunfire, groups of German officers and soldiers fell in a pool of blood.

The battle progressed to noon, the sound of gunfire and explosions in the city began to become sparse, and the resistance of the German army was being destroyed little by little. The city was liberated by the 60th Army, as a red flag flew from the top of the municipal building.