Red Moscow

In a blink of an eye, time came to September 16. Because General Yereomenko of the Bryansk Front failed to fulfill his promise to the Supreme Command to "crush Guderian", Guderian and Kleist's armored group Reunited at Lochvita, the Southwest Front was surrounded by the Germans.

On September 20, the leading troops of the German 6th Army rushed into Kiev. In less than a day, almost all of Kiev's area on the right bank of the Dnieper River fell into German hands. The 37th Group Army commanded by Vlasov received an order to move to the Yagotin area.

After receiving the order from the Front Army Headquarters, Colonel Del said anxiously to Vlasov: "Comrade Commander, since the Front Army Headquarters has given us a retreat order, should we immediately implement the order from our superiors? "

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Vlasov said with a straight face after hearing this: "Our main force has been entangled by the German army. Do you think we can withdraw just because we say withdraw?"

"However, almost all of the city of Kiev, located on the right bank of the Dnieper River, fell into the hands of the German army, and our troops were also dispersed." Del reminded Sokov: "We should follow the orders of our superiors and withdraw the headquarters to Asia. Gogin area, where dispersed troops will be accommodated in order to organize effective resistance."

Faced with Colonel Der's suggestion, Vlasov chose to refuse: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it is precisely because our troops were dispersed by the Germans that we cannot choose to retreat. If we are really in this situation, If we evacuate to the Yagogin area, then we will It affects the morale and morale of the troops. As a commander, you should understand that after the troops lose their morale and morale, they will only want to escape and have no intention of resisting. Once the troops lose their organization, they will be in danger in front of the enemy. Become a lamb to the slaughter.”

Seeing how stubborn Vlasov is, Colonel Del can only choose to obey no matter how dissatisfied he is. Who makes the other party his superior?

However, the headquarters' stay did not make the situation in the right bank city develop in a direction favorable to the Soviet army. On the contrary, it put the headquarters in danger.

The battle continued into the afternoon, and the 50th Infantry Division of the 17th Army, commanded by German General Werner Kinitz, appeared near the army headquarters. Although the surrounding guard troops put up tenacious resistance, the resistance was quickly crushed due to the gap in strength and equipment.

Seeing that the enemy was about to rush into the building, the security chief quickly transferred Sokov's special company up, hoping that they could block the German attack.

If Sokov is commanding a unit that has experienced hundreds of battles, has rich combat experience, and is equipped with sophisticated equipment, then there should not be much of a problem in blocking the German infantry division's attack. But unfortunately, two-thirds of his soldiers are recruits who have been in the army for less than a month, and most of them have never experienced the blood and fire on the battlefield. Many recruits heard bullets whizzing past their heads and saw their comrades beside them being killed. For a moment, they deserted out of fear.

The battle only lasted for ten minutes. Sokov's special company originally had more than 200 people, but there were only less than 50 people left, basically the original old team of the special company.

"Second Lieutenant Konstantin." Sokov knew that if he continued to fight, he would not be able to escape the fate of the entire army being annihilated. He quickly called Konstantin and told him: "You take the people here to hold on, and I will take the lead." Commander, they moved."

Constantine nodded, and with his platoon of soldiers, relying on the simple fortifications outside the headquarters, stubbornly resisted the German attack. Sokov rushed into the building with Zhukovin, Yegor and others, preparing to move Vlasov and others quickly.

"Captain Sokov," Vlasov couldn't help but frowned when he saw Sokov, whose face was blackened by gunpowder smoke, appearing in front of him: "Didn't you lead someone outside to block the enemy's attack? Why did you come to my place?"

"Comrade Commander," Sokov became anxious when he saw that things had reached the current stage, but there was no sign of transfer in the headquarters: "My troops are almost exhausted. If you don't leave, wait for the Germans to rush in." Then you can only be their prisoner."

Sokov thought about Vlasov being captured in the Battle of Lyuban. He used to be surprised that so many commanders and fighters successfully jumped out of the German encirclement. How could it be possible for Vlasov, the commander of the Assault Group Army? Will he become a prisoner? But judging from today's situation, he immediately understood that Vlasov knew that the situation outside had reached an irreversible situation, but still chose to stay here, just to gain a good reputation for himself as "not afraid of danger".

But at this moment, Sokov would not give him a chance to pretend to be 13. If he were allowed to continue pretending, not only would he be captured by the Germans, but he might also become a prisoner himself, which he did not want to see. He turned around and said to Zhu Kewen and others behind him: "Second Lieutenant Zhu Kewen, take your men, commander and chief of staff and leave here immediately."

Zhu Kewen nodded, and then ordered Chuersin, Jiubro and others to leave the headquarters with Vlasov and Colonel Del, and move in the direction where the enemy has not yet been found.

With the transfer of Vlasov, the staff officers and communications soldiers in the headquarters also dispersed. Some ran away with Sokov, Vlasov and others, while others took off their military uniforms. He fled to a nearby house, intending to take shelter there and wait for peace outside before finding a way to leave Kiev.

When leaving the headquarters building, Sokov and Vlasov's small force numbered about seventy people. However, due to constant encounters with sporadic enemies along the way, some commanders and soldiers were sacrificed during the battle, and some were dispersed. When they arrived at a building near the Dnieper River, less than ten people were left.

Sokov looked back at the survivors around him. Apart from Vlasov, Colonel Der, Second Lieutenant Zhukovin, and three prisoners, only Romanov and a communications staff officer with little combat effectiveness were left.

Sokov walked to the window, raised his telescope and looked at the bridge across the Dnieper River. He saw that the German troops had appeared at the bridge. They occupied favorable terrain and even set up machine guns on the sandbag fortifications. If you want to force your way through, I'm afraid you'll be beaten into pieces by German machine guns before you even get to the bridge.

"Captain Sokov, what's the situation outside?" Even at this point, Vlasov still didn't realize the seriousness of the problem. He was still asking Sokov: "When can we cross the bridge and reach the Dnieper River?" Go to the left bank?”

"Comrade Commander, you can see for yourself." Sokov handed him the telescope in his hand and said with a wry smile: "The Germans have taken control of the bridge and have set up machine guns. With just a few of us, there is no way we can get through. ”

Vlasov raised his telescope and looked in the direction of the bridge, then frowned: "We must find a way to cross the bridge as soon as possible. Otherwise, when the Germans completely control the city on the right bank and strengthen the defense of the bridge, even if we want to I can’t leave anymore.”

Colonel Del had a bitter smile on his face when he heard what Vlasov said. He secretly thought that if Vlasov could follow his own advice and lead the headquarters to move at noon, he would have reached the location designated by his superiors at this moment. But now, the headquarters must have been taken away by the Germans. If the few remaining people here cannot cross the bridge across the Dnieper River as soon as possible, the final outcome will be either sacrifice or becoming prisoners of the Germans. Both of these situations are what Colonel Del does not want to see.

"Captain Sokov," Second Lieutenant Zhu Kewen also realized the seriousness of the problem. He quickly reminded Sokov: "Although the place where we are now is safe for the time being, as long as the Germans control the right bank city, A comprehensive search will be launched and our situation will become extremely difficult."

"I know, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Sokov said with a wry smile: "Do you think I don't want to leave this hellish place quickly? But look, the Germans have taken control of the bridge. With just a few of us, do you think we can Can you make it through?"

"Comrade Captain, are we just going to stay here and wait for death?" Romanov came over and said in a stern tone: "I think we should find a way to leave here before the Germans completely control the right bank city."

Sokov looked at Romanov sideways and asked expressionlessly: "Do you have any good ideas, Comrade Romanov?"

Romanov was stunned by Sokov's words. He shook his head and said, "Comrade Captain, even if we don't have any good solutions for the time being, we should try hard."

Colonel Del was unwilling to sit here and wait for death, so he proposed to try to attack the bridgehead occupied by the Germans to see if there was any hope of a successful breakout.

Sokov didn't say a word. After all, there were only nine people left. Even if they were all filled up, it wouldn't be enough for the German machine guns to fill the gap between their teeth.

Seeing that Sokov didn't speak, Colonel Del became a little anxious: "Captain Sokov, why don't you speak? The most precious thing for us now is time. If we can't get out of danger before the German army completely controls the right bank of the city, , then we are completely finished.”

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov found that not only Colonel Shidel was eager to break out, but also Vlasov, who had been trying to pretend to be 13, was looking at him expectantly, wanting to hear how he would express his position. He could only say helplessly: "If we charge towards the bridge, we will die in vain. It is better to stay here and find a way to cross the river after dark."

Vlasov did not hear the answer he wanted, and he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. He said: "We are voting now. If you agree to cross the bridge immediately, please raise your hands." After that, he raised his hands first. Colonel Del followed closely behind, and the communications staff member hesitated for a moment and also raised his hand.

The remaining five people all turned their attention to Sokov and wanted to follow his instructions.

"Comrade Commander," Sokov felt very pleased to see that his subordinates chose to stand with him. He said to Vlasov: "It is still six to three, and the vast majority of people are opposed to blindly taking risks. , I think we should wait until after dark."

But Vlasov was unwilling to stay here. He was preparing, as the commander of the army group, to order Sokov to lead people to open the channel and cover him to reach the left bank of the Dnieper River smoothly. At this moment, there was a burst of intensive gunfire outside, which made everyone's nerves tense.

Zhu Kewen looked down and then said with surprise: "It's our troops. There are about two platoons of troops. They are heading towards the bridge."

Hearing what Zhu Kewen said, Vlasov's face showed joy: "Second lieutenant, carefully observe what's going on outside. Once our troops break through the German defenses, tell me immediately. We can follow them and cross the bridge to catch up." To the other side of the river."

The ideal is plump, the reality is skinny. Although the small force that suddenly appeared found that the Germans had established defenses at the entrance of the bridge, they still charged them without hesitation with bayonets drawn. Although the commanders and fighters acted bravely, they all fell on the road to the bridge under the crazy fire of the German mg34 machine guns.

They saw the commanders and fighters of two platoons. Under German machine gun fire, they did not last even three minutes before they were completely wiped out. The faces of Vlasov and Colonel Del were full of shock. They were all thinking that if Sokov had just obeyed his order and led people to charge towards the bridge, then at this moment, they would be the only two bare commanders left.

"Comrade Commander, Comrade Chief of Staff." Seeing the change in the attitudes of the two men, Sokov quickly said: "Although the situation seems to be very unfavorable to us, it does not mean that we have no way to escape. I am still that In other words, wait until dark before finding a way to cross the river."

"Captain Sokov," at this time, Colonel Del couldn't say anything else, so he could only nod and say: "What you said makes sense, just do what you said. Let's find a way to cross the river after dark. ”

While Vlasov and Colonel Del went to the corner to rest, Zhukoven asked Sokov in a low voice: "Comrade Captain, do you have any good ideas to cross the river safely?"

"No." Sokov shook his head and said: "Now the bridge has been blocked by the Germans. We can't pass through the bridge and can only consider crossing from the river. But the river is too wide and the current is fast. Swimming across it is obviously not possible. It’s unrealistic. For now, we can only find a way to find a boat and cross the river quietly. "

"Where can I find the boat?"

Sokov thought for a while and replied: "I remember that there is a dock about a few hundred meters away from here. Maybe you can find a boat there."

"Captain, you are right. Walk a few hundred meters downstream and there is indeed a pier. There are many ships parked there all year round." Zhu Kewen said: "As long as the Germans do not control it, after dark, We can get a boat there and transport everyone to the other side of the river, there should be no problem.”

As time passed by, and seeing more and more German troops arriving at the bridge, Sokov couldn't help but feel anxious. If the situation continues to develop like this, the Germans may control the downstream docks before dark, and their plan to cross the river may fail. What should they do?

Zhu Kewen also considered the issues that Sokov considered: "Comrade Captain, as you can see, there are more and more Germans at the bridge. I'm worried that if they search along the river, they will definitely find the dock downstream. Then our plan to cross the river will come to nothing."