Red Moscow

Zakharov felt that Sokov's reminder was very timely. If the German army really opened a gap in the defense line of the 5th Guards Airborne Division, and passed through here, continuously transferring troops out, then the time to encircle and annihilate the German army The plan would fall through the cracks. As soon as he put down the phone, he immediately arranged for someone to contact the Airborne Division and ordered them to find out the situation at Komarovka.

Konev, who had just walked into the room, frowned slightly when he heard Zakharov calling and arranging verification work. As soon as Zakharov put down the phone, he asked, "Chief of Staff, what happened?"

"That's it, Comrade Commander." Zakharov introduced the situation reported by Sokov, and finally said: "General Sokov reminded me that the defense line of the 5th Guards Airborne Division may have been taken by the Germans. Breakthrough."

"It's impossible." Konev said with a look of shock: "If the defense line is breached by the Germans, we will definitely receive a report from the 5th Guards Airborne Division."

Zakharov pointed to the map and said: "I guess General Sokov's conjecture is correct. The Germans made a breakthrough from Komarovka, which we thought was impossible."

Konev stared at the map on the table and began to think. According to the intelligence analysis obtained, the German troops located in Heliki are most likely to break through from the junction of the 180th Infantry Division and the 5th Guards Airborne Division. The defense zone of the 18th Army. By doing this, the German army can effectively bypass the 239 Heights and join the German 1st Armored Division stationed in October Town as soon as possible.

He raised his head and looked at Zakharov, and said with a serious expression: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we need to remind the commanders below that today is a large army fighting, and any small omission may bring incalculable consequences .”

"You are right, Comrade Commander." Zakharov nodded and said, "I will remind the commander of the Airborne Division after the investigation results come out."

"By the way, there is one more thing." Konev suddenly remembered another important thing: "You tell Comrade Sokov that after dawn, you don't have to come to the headquarters of the Front Army. If he hadn't been vigilant and decisively ordered The divisional artillery regiment shelled the front of the hill, and maybe Hill 239 has fallen into the hands of the Germans."

"It's really dangerous." Zakharov was grateful, but at the same time he had a little doubt: "How did he know that the Germans would launch a night attack on the highland?"

Facing Zakharov's doubts, Konev hesitated for a moment, and then said: "It may be his innate observation ability, which can discover things that others cannot detect. To tell you the truth, for him to order the artillery without authorization , I am also very dissatisfied with the bombardment in front of the highland. I planned to reprimand him severely after he came to the headquarters at dawn. But I didn't expect that he was actually correct. If it weren't for his decisive action, I'm afraid The Germans in the encirclement can escape through the gap torn."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," a staff officer came over and reported to Zakharov: "I just received a report from the 20th Tank Army that their defense area was attacked by the Germans."

"What, the defense zone of the 20th tank army has been attacked." Zakharov immediately looked down at the map in front of him, quickly looking for where the enemy who might attack the tank army came from. After watching for a while, he felt that the enemy most likely to attack the 20th Tank Army was the German 1st Armored Division stationed in October Town, so he tentatively asked, "Is it the 1st Armored Division staying in October Town? "

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." The staff officer replied, "It's Baker's Heavy Armored Regiment from the southwest."

If it was an ordinary tank regiment of the German army, Konev, Zakharov and others would definitely dismiss it, but the Baker Heavy Armored Regiment was formed in mid-January 1944 under the order of Marshal Manstein. Its main tasks are Break through the defense of the Soviet army, open the road to the rescue of the Cherkasy encirclement, and take the spearhead of the rescue operation. The units of the regiment were drawn from various armored divisions, including the 503rd Heavy Armored Battalion equipped with 34 Tiger tanks, the 1st Battalion of the 23rd Armored Regiment equipped with 46 Panther tanks, and an armored artillery battalion equipped with self-propelled artillery. As well as a battalion of armored engineers and a battalion of mountain hunters.

Don't look at this unit as just a regiment, but they are a nightmare for the Soviet army. In previous battles, the Soviet tanks were beaten by the Tiger and Leopard tanks without the slightest ability to fight back. The shells fired by the T-34 could not pose an actual threat to the Tiger and Leopard tanks, while the armor-piercing shells fired by the German tank artillery could. They were smashed into wreckage at an extremely long distance. With this excellent equipment and high-quality combat personnel, the advantages of the German armored forces were brought into full play.

Since the formation of the regiment, they have destroyed and seized 267 Soviet tanks at the cost of destroying 1 Tiger tank and 4 Panther tanks.

Hearing that it was the Baker Heavy Armored Regiment, Zakharov couldn't help being a little confused. He quickly asked Konev for instructions: "Comrade Commander, what should we do?"

Konev was silent for a long time, and then said: "Our tanks are not opponents of German tanks in field battles. If we attack rashly, we will definitely suffer heavy losses. Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately give an order to the 20th Tank Army to rely on them. Existing fortifications, using anti-tank guns and rocket launchers, destroy German tanks in the assault."

"Okay, Comrade Commander, I will pass on your order immediately."

While Konev and Zakharov were worrying about Baker's Heavy Armored Regiment, Sokov reported good news. The German troops occupying Height 239 had been wiped out by the joint forces of the 41st Guards Division and the 116th Infantry Division. .

"Comrade Commander," Smirnov said with a beaming face, "our troops have recaptured Height 239 and wiped out the enemies occupying the position."

"Order the 116th Division to leave a regiment to take over the defense of the high ground, and the rest of the troops immediately withdraw from the high ground and turn to the original defense area of ​​the 124th Guards Regiment." With less than a hint of joy, he said with a solemn expression: "I think the enemies of October Town may make some moves for the sake of the war."

"But, Comrade Commander." Regarding Sokov's statement, Smirnov raised his own doubts: "Didn't you say that the enemy stationed in October Town, because they were afraid of the 21st Guards infantry on their flanks, Army and the 5th Mechanized Army, don’t you dare to act casually?”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly." Sokov explained to Smirnov: "Since the Germans have launched a surprise attack on Height 239, the enemy outside the encirclement will definitely take action to cooperate with their breakthrough. The enemy closest to Highland 239 is stationed in October Town. If my guess is correct, they will launch a fierce attack on the defense area of ​​the 41st Guards Division after dawn, so it is necessary for us to strengthen the defense area in this area in advance defensive force."

If Sokov had said this yesterday, or even a few hours ago, Smirnov would still have doubts, but everything that is happening now shows that Sokov's judgment is accurate, so he simply believed it. Sukov said, nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will convey your meaning to General Kurishenko and let him prepare for the battle."

"Also." Seeing that Tsarev was not in the headquarters, Sokov told Smirnov again: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you tell General Tsarev by the way, except for the artillery that is responsible for blocking the front of Height 239. , the rest of the artillery must be ready to provide artillery support for the 122 regiment at any time."

After recording Sokov's order, Smirnov asked casually, "Comrade Commander, do you have any other orders?"

Unexpectedly, Sokov nodded and continued: "If the 1st Armored Division in October Town launches an attack, I am afraid that the 41st Guards Division may not be able to stop it. Let the 233rd and 252nd Infantry Divisions fight well. Prepare and send them for reinforcements if necessary."

"Comrade Commander, I don't think this is necessary." However, Smirnov felt a little fussed about Sokov's deployment: "You must know that there are many defense fortifications in the defense area of ​​the 122nd Guards Regiment. These fortifications are built with one-meter-thick reinforced concrete, which can even withstand the bombardment of 155mm artillery, I believe they will be able to defend."

"Comrade Chief of Staff." Seeing that Smirnov was too optimistic about the situation, Sokov reminded him: "Didn't you see how poor the combat effectiveness of the 41st Guards Division is from the battle just now?"

"I think the soldiers were very heroic in the battle to retake the high ground."

"Wars cannot be won only by being brave." Sokov saw that Smirnov did not understand what he meant, so he explained to him: "Look, in order to regain the 239 Heights occupied by the enemy, we The troops of four regiments were used back and forth. The German army standing on the top of the mountain was not only cut off by our artillery fire, but also did not have any heavy weapons, but it still caused our army to pay great casualties."

"There are many reasons for our army's heavy casualties." Smirnov said after organizing the words in his mind: "First, the German army has occupied a favorable terrain, and secondly, our army's equipment is poor. It's an old weapon..."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, you are right about one thing. Many new fighters of the 41st Guards Division use outdated weapons." Sokov said with a serious expression: "A group of soldiers who have not received special military training, The recruits with little combat experience still use old-fashioned weapons. Do you think such a unit can stop those Germans who have experienced many battles and are armed to the teeth? What's more, the German 1st Armored Division is powerful. Even if we It is very difficult to win when the military strength is superior, let alone the current situation where the military strength is at a disadvantage."

After Sokov finished speaking in one breath, seeing that Smirnov was still a little hesitant, he quickly added: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't forget that behind the German 1st Armored Division, there are still troops with greater combat effectiveness." The powerful Banner Guard Division is no weaker than the Viking Division."

Sokov's words made Smirnov realize the seriousness of the problem. He nodded quickly and said, "I understand, Comrade Commander, I will immediately notify the 233rd and 252nd divisions to prepare for battle."

Seeing Smirnov calling the commanders of the divisions, Sokov couldn't help but sigh secretly. If he was commanding the well-equipped and well-trained 27th Army, he wouldn't have to worry about the Viking Division or the Banner Guard Division at all. , Randomly draw out one or two divisions, and you can beat the opponent to the ground. It's a pity that such a good army was almost exhausted in a series of battles shortly after he left.

After finishing the call, Smirnov answered Sokov and reported to him: "Comrade Commander, I have already called the two division commanders of the 233rd and 252nd divisions and ordered them to prepare for battle. At the same time , I also issued a preparation order to the two tank regiments directly under the group army and the three guard rocket battalions, so that they can provide powerful artillery support for the troops holding their positions if necessary."

"You are very thoughtful, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov realized that Smirnov made up for his negligence, and quickly expressed his gratitude to the other party: "Thank you!"

"Comrade Commander, you are very polite." Hearing Sokov thank him, Smirnov looked a little embarrassed: "This is my job, you don't need to say thank you."

After a short pause, Smirnov cautiously asked an important question: "Comrade Commander, what if, what I said is what if. What if the German army opened a gap in our defense line by storming, and the German army trying to break out Master, what should we do?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, what we can do at that time is to put all our strength into smashing the German army's attempt to join forces at all costs." Sokov replied with a straight face and no expression: "As long as one of us is alive, we will absolutely The enemy in the encirclement cannot be allowed to pass through our defense zone smoothly."

"I think that in addition to relying on positions for defense, we can also adopt proactive tactics."

Sokov asked in surprise, "How do you take the initiative?"

"Don't we have two tank regiments?" Smirnov suggested to Sokov: "When the enemy attacks the position of the 41st Guards Division, it is absolutely possible to send tank regiments to attack from the German flank and catch them off guard. "

Regarding the plan proposed by Smirnov, Sokov frowned and thought for a while, and finally shook his head and rejected: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think this kind of plan is not advisable."

"Why?" Smirnov asked puzzled.

"As far as I know, the German 1st Armored Division is equipped with a lot of Tiger and Leopard tanks, while our tank regiment is all T-34. Their tanks can operate at a distance of 800 meters to 1,000 meters. It can easily penetrate the frontal armor of our tank, but our tank must be at a position of 500 meters before it can penetrate the armor of the Tiger tank."

Sokov shook his head and said: "Our tank regiment will suffer a lot if we confront the German armored forces head-on."

"But if we just stick to our positions, we are passively defending." Smirnov said unwillingly: "In that case, our defensive battle would be too useless."

"You can't say that, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov explained: "I just oppose the tank troops to attack, which is tantamount to letting them die, but we can adopt other methods, turning passive defense into active defense. "

"Oh, turn negative into positive?!" Sokov's words aroused Smirnov's interest: "Comrade commander, can you tell me what we should do to achieve this goal?"