Red Moscow

In the evening, members of the 27th Army Command led by Trofimenko and Sameko finally arrived in the city of Otac and settled in the school that Smirnov had prepared for them a long time ago.

When the two sides met, first Trofimenko stepped forward to shake hands with Sokov, and then Chief of Staff Sameko, after shaking hands with Sokov, actually gave him a bear hug, and said excitedly while patting his back : "Comrade Commander, it's great to see that you are safe and sound. You don't know that after you were wounded and sent to Moscow, the division commanders were in a mess and said they would take the initiative to attack the enemy's positions. To avenge you."

"Comrade Sameko, please express my gratitude to those teachers and tell them that I am still alive and well."

"I won't tell you this." Unexpectedly, Sameko let go of Sokov, took a step back, shook his head and said like a rattle: "Now the 27th Army is under your command again, and the division commanders are almost all Your old subordinates, if you have anything to say, you can tell them directly."

Now that the two headquarters have been merged together, Sokov naturally has to redefine the division of labor, with himself as the commander of the combat group, Trofimenko as the deputy commander, Sameko as the chief of staff, and Smirnov as the deputy commander. chief of staff.

Regarding Sokov's arrangement, Sameko put forward his own meaning: "Comrade Commander, I think General Smirnov is older than me in terms of qualifications and age, and he should be the chief of staff of the combat group, and I Can act as his deputy."

"General Sameko, you are so humble." Smirnov said: "Although I am older than you in terms of age and qualifications, I am not as good as you in commanding operations. I will serve as your assistant. I have no complaints."

Seeing that Sameko seemed to want to say something, Sokov raised his hand to stop him, and said, "Chief of Staff Sameko, don't refuse, and be your chief of staff with peace of mind."

Next, Sokov informed the two of the recent combat situation.

When Trofimenko learned that Murovani Kurilivchi and Sokiriani had been taken, and the two cities were connected as a whole and became a combat group in Transnistria. When he saw the salient part of the German defense line on the right bank, he couldn't help saying in amazement: "My God, comrade commander, how did you do it? In such a short period of time, you broke through the enemy's defense line and established a A salient that threatens the overall German defense?"

"Comrade Deputy Commander," Sokov originally wanted to call Trofimenko's name, but felt that it was inappropriate, and decided to call the other party's position: "The enemy's defense line looks solid, but it is actually riddled with holes. As long as we grasp their weaknesses, we shouldn't have much problem breaking through their defenses."

"Then what are your plans next?" Trofimenko asked.

"Come and see here." Sokov pointed to the map and explained to Trofimenko the offensive route he and Smirnov had negotiated. The area north of Wengeny, going out to Romania."

After hearing this, Sameko showed an excited expression on his face. He raised his head and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, if our troops can enter Romania first, then we will have the opportunity to be recorded in history."

Hearing that he could get the chance to be included in the history books, Trofimenko was not calm anymore. He tentatively asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, when do you plan to order the troops to move west?"

"I don't know yet." Sokov shook his head and said with regret, "It depends on when the superiors can replenish ammunition and fuel for us. Without these things, our tanks and cannons can only become decorations." .”

"Comrade Commander, I have an idea." Trofimenko asked cautiously, "Do you want to hear it?"

Although Sokov's position is higher than that of Trofimenko, his qualifications are far behind that of the other party, so he politely responded: "Please tell me, General Trofimenko."

"We can gather all the ammunition and fuel and give it to one or several troops." Trofimenko said: "In this way, we can launch an attack on the enemy as soon as possible."

After listening to Trofimenko's proposal, Sameko nodded slightly, seeming to agree with the other party's proposal. He turned his gaze to Sokov, wanting to hear how he answered.

"No," but Sokov shook his head and replied curtly, "I don't agree."

"Why?" Trofimenko asked puzzledly, and then explained: "You know, in the early days of the war, we did this. The troops replenished with ammunition and fuel succeeded in tearing apart the main force. The encirclement of the German army allowed more commanders to escape."

"General Trofimenko," Sokov replied: "The situation today is different from when the war broke out, and our tactics must be adjusted in a timely manner according to changes in the situation.

You're right that giving all the ammunition and fuel to the Assault Troops does improve their combat effectiveness. But have you ever thought that we are attacking now, if the strengthened troops cannot break through the enemy's line of defense, and the troops behind are disarmed in disguise due to lack of ammunition, the situation will be unfavorable Our direction. "

Seeing Trofimenko's dejected look, he added: "General Trofimenko can't drink hot soup in a hurry, so we as commanders must be patient and wait for the troops to do all the battles." After preparing, it is not too late to attack the enemy."

"I understand, Comrade Commander." Trofimenko replied with a wry smile, "We will continue to advance deeper into the enemy's defenses after the superior has replenished us with enough ammunition and fuel."

While Smirnov was communicating with Sameko, Sokov suddenly received a call from General Koroteyev.

"General Sokov, it's Koroteyev." Koroteyev, who was still high-spirited some time ago, now spoke in a weak tone: "I'm asking you for help."

"General Koroteyev, we are friendly troops. If you have anything to do, please speak up." Sokov said neither humble nor humble: "As long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to help."

When Koroteyev made this call to Sokov, he was still very disturbed. A month ago, he was on an equal footing with the opponent, but he hadn't seen him for a few days, and Sokov actually became the commander of the combat group, commanding two armies to fight at the same time, which made him feel ashamed.

However, many forced crossings of the Dniester River organized by myself have failed, so I can only ask Sokov for help: "General Sokov, my troops have carried out forced crossings many times. Resistance resulted in our failure to cross the river."

Although Koroteyev's 52nd Army was fighting on Sokov's left flank. But since the two forces had no affiliation with each other, Sokov had no idea what the other was doing. Hearing Koroteyev say this at this moment, he couldn't help being a little surprised. He asked back in surprise: "General Koroteyev, you haven't broken through the German defense line of the Transnistria yet?"

"Yes, General Sokov." The matter has come to this point, and Koroteyev felt that there was no need to conceal anything, so he replied truthfully: "We have launched many attacks on the right bank, but due to the German attack Tenacious defense, all offensive actions ended in failure."

"Then what can I do for you, General Koroteyev?"

"I have two ideas." Koroteyev said: "The first is to send a force through Otac, let them reach the right bank of the Dniester River, and go down the river to face the German defenses. The position is launched. Second, please send troops to flank the German defensive positions and cover my troops to cross the river."

The crossing of the river by the troops supporting Koroteyev can strengthen the attacking force on the right bank, and Sokov still understands this. However, he did not easily agree to the other party's request, but said euphemistically: "General Koroteyev, we are friendly forces, and it is natural to support you in combat. But now the troops I can use are limited, and I need to cooperate with you." Discuss with other members of the command and discuss a feasible plan before giving you an answer. Do you think it will work?"

After listening to Sokov's reply, Koroteyev couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, but he still tried to say in a calm tone: "Okay, General Sokov, I'll wait for your reply."

After putting down the phone, Sokov summoned several people in front of him, told them what Koroteyev asked him for help, and finally asked, "Tell me, what should we do?"

"Comrade Commander," Smirnov offered, as he had similar experience, "in my opinion, let General Koroteyev send a force to cross the river from Otats and go down the river. , to carry out a flank attack on the German river defense positions."

But Sameko put forward the opposite opinion: "I don't think it is necessary. If friendly troops are allowed to pass through our defense line, it may cause unnecessary confusion. I think it is more convenient for us to send troops directly."

"It's too easy for us to send troops directly." But Smirnov retorted: "Where do we have any troops that can be mobilized in our hands?"

"Isn't there two divisions in the city?" Sameko said: "I think one of the divisions will be drawn out to cross the river to attack the flanks of the German defensive positions, and cover the troops of the 52nd Army to cross the river."

"These two divisions are serving as reserves, ready to go into battle at any time." Smirnov raised his voice and said: "If there are huge casualties in the battle to support friendly forces, then they will not be able to participate in the next battle. "

But Trofimenko did not participate in the debate. He knew very well that all affairs in this room were decided by Sokov. No matter how many plans were discussed, he had to wait for his final decision.

After the debate between Sameko and Smirnov came to an end, Trofimenko looked at Sokov and asked, "Comrade Commander, which plan are you going to adopt?"

Sokov stared at the map, tapped his fingers on the table lightly, and said after a long time: "If the original battle plan is followed, the two divisions deployed in the city of Otac cannot be easily used. But things have changed and our plans will need to be adjusted accordingly."

"How to adjust?" Smirnov asked.

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov raised his head and told Smirnov: "You immediately call Colonel Surodenko of the 130th Division and order his troops to leave in an hour and go to the right bank to replace the 1st Guards Airborne Corps. The defense zone of the 3rd Division."

"What, let the 130th Division take over the defense area of ​​the 3rd Guards Airborne Division?" Smirnov asked in surprise, "Then where are you going to send Colonel Konev's troops?"

"Naturally let them go down the river to attack the flank of the German army holding the river defense position, and support the 52nd Army on the left bank to cross the Dniester River."

"Comrade Commander," Smirnov reminded him after listening to Sokov's order: "The 3rd Guards Airborne Division is one of the most capable troops. There were quite a few casualties."

"It doesn't matter." Sokov waved his hand at Smirnov and said, "From the current situation, we need to wait at least a week if we want to continue to attack westward. The 3rd Guards Airborne Division, even if it is supporting In the battle of the friendly forces, certain casualties were paid, and there was enough time for resupply."

"Okay, Comrade Commander." Now that Sokov has already said this, Smirnov can't refute him in public, so he can only bite the bullet and say: "I will immediately report to Colonel Konev and Su Luo. Colonel Tenko called to give them the latest combat missions."

"Wait a minute." Just as Smirnov picked up the phone and was about to make a call, Sokov stopped him: "Is there a tank unit on the right bank?"

"That's right." Smirnov nodded and gave Sokov an affirmative answer: "Now there are tank units of our army in the two landing sites on the right bank."

"Very good." Sokov took a closer look at the terrain downstream and felt that the terrain there was flat and fully capable of tank combat, so he planned to put all the tank units that had been idle for a long time into battle. "Anyway, if they are idle, they are idle. Why don't they join the battle? It's training."

After understanding Sokov's intentions, Smirnov nodded, "No problem, I will contact Colonel Burgos immediately and ask him to get the tank troops ready to attack."

After assigning the task, Sokov asked the director of the communications corps to connect to the 52nd Army, and Koroteyev who answered the phone said: "Comrade General, I have already deployed. In three hours, I will order a From the upper reaches of Transnistria, an army is attacking your enemy on the other side of the river.

Please be sure to send someone to monitor the movement on the other side of the river. Once you find that our attack has started, you need to start crossing the river. Only when we act at the same time can the crossing operation be successful. "

"Don't worry, General Sokov." Koroteyev heard the implication of Sokov's words. He was worried that his cooperation would not be timely, which would lead to another failure of the river crossing operation, so he assured the other party: "My troops I have already made preparations to cross the river, and as soon as your attack starts, my troops will respond positively."

"That's good!" Sokov said after receiving the other party's promise, "I hope our two troops can join forces on the right bank of the Transnistria before dawn tomorrow."