The Soviet army easily captured the first line of defense, but it took a lot of time to capture the second line of defense. After all, there were not many infantrymen who followed the tanks into the second line of defense. As soon as they started, they were beaten by those
The defenders noticed something unusual, and a fierce exchange of fire broke out between the two sides.
Fortunately, the German lieutenant colonel in charge of the command had been crushed to death in the command post that was destroyed by a tank shot. The German army lost its unified command and could only fight independently. As the Soviet army's large forces moved from the first line of defense
When we come, the enemy's resistance is like snow under the sun, melting away without a trace.
Katukov walked out of the headquarters, pointed at the troops who were cleaning the battlefield, and said happily to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, when you proposed this plan, I thought it was too crazy, and I was worried that it might
It will not succeed. But now it seems that you are right. This unexpected tactic actually allowed us to easily regain those positions that we could not win after a whole day of fighting."
After speaking, he turned to the Chief of Staff and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately report to the Front Army Headquarters that we have successfully captured the position on the left bank of the Pena River and that the enemies have been driven across the Pena River."
After receiving Katukov's report, Vatutin was stunned. He called the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Ivanov, and asked: "Comrade chief of staff, I remember that a few hours ago, General Katukov
They are still complaining to me, saying that the enemy has relied on defensive positions along the coast to defeat their many attacks, and hopes that we can provide them with air support."
"Yes, Comrade General, it is indeed like this." Ivanov nodded and replied: "When General Katukov's troops launched an attack on the enemy entrenched on the left bank of the Pena River, they were attacked by the German Air Force.
The bombing caused their offensive that they had hoped to win to end in failure."
"But what's going on with this report?" Vatutin handed the telegram he received to Ivanov: "Just a few hours later, he actually told me that he had recaptured all the positions on the left bank of the Pena River.
, drove the enemy across the Pena River. Go and ask, what is going on?"
Fortunately, there was a dedicated telephone line between the front headquarters and Katukov's headquarters, so Ivanov did not have to ask what was going on by telegram. When he learned about it from Katukov over the phone,
After hearing the whole situation, he felt extremely shocked. Even after Katukov hung up the phone, he still held the phone and was stunned for a long time.
Seeing his chief of staff holding the microphone in a daze, Vatutin asked curiously: "Comrade chief of staff, what are you dazed about?"
"Comrade General, this is incredible." Ivanov woke up from his meditation, looked at Vatutin and said excitedly: "General Katukov adopted Major General Sokov's suggestion and readjusted the offensive tactics.
..." He told Vatutin in detail what he had just learned.
After hearing this, Vatutin felt that it was simply a fantasy. He was also muttering in his heart that Sokov's plan was too crazy. In the process of execution, as long as there is a slight mistake, it will cause difficulties.
Imaginary consequences.
He calmed down and felt that he should immediately report the good news about the recovery of the left bank of the Pena River to the Supreme Command, so that those who were suffering could get the good news as soon as possible. He connected to the General Staff through a high-frequency phone
, when he heard Antonov's voice coming from the receiver, he smiled and said: "Hello, Comrade Chief of General Staff!"
"It's very difficult for me, Comrade Vatutin." Antonov said in a serious tone: "The current situation in the Kursk area is very unfavorable to our army. In this case, it is very difficult for me to do so."
What are you in a good mood for?"
"Comrade Chief of General Staff, I guessed that you might be in a bad mood at the moment, so I wanted to tell you some good news."
"Good news, what good news?"
"Not long ago, General Katukov's First Tank Army, after a fierce battle, restored all our army's positions on the left bank of the Pena River and drove the enemy across the Pena River."
"What, all the positions on the left bank of the Pena River have been restored?" Antonov was particularly surprised when Vatutin said this: "This is really exciting news. How did you do it?"
"Comrade Chief of General Staff, to tell you the truth, this is a victory achieved by General Katukov following the advice of Major General Sokov. He..."
Before Vatutin could finish speaking, Zhukov's voice suddenly came from the receiver: "Comrade Vatutin, what did you just say? Katukov's troops were able to regain all the positions on the left bank of the Pena River because they obtained Soko
Major General Husband's help? Please tell us quickly, what is going on?"
Hearing Zhukov's voice, Vatutin was startled for a moment, and then thought that the other party had visited Sokov's headquarters before leaving Kursk. He must have been more concerned about Sokov's idea, and he could do it so easily.
Seize the left bank position that has been unable to be conquered for a long time.
After listening to Vatutin's story, Zhukov couldn't help but murmured: "This Misha can actually come up with such a crazy plan. Not only the enemy could not have thought of such a plan, but even I could not have thought of it. Therefore, his success
There is still a reason.”
Hearing Zhukov constantly praising Sokov on the phone, Vatutin was not in a hurry. After he finished speaking, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, according to various signs today, where will the next battle between us and the Germans be?
, it should be in the Prokhorovka region, can you provide us with more assistance?”
If Vatutin had proposed such a situation a few hours ago, Zhukov would have refused without hesitation. After all, the base camp had already dispatched Konev's 5th Guards Tank Army and the 5th Guards Army.
It was placed under the command of Vatutin, and it was really impossible to mobilize more troops.
But at this moment, Zhukov had a new idea in his mind. Since Sokov had so many clever ideas, if he transferred his troops to the Prokhorovka area, he might be able to create something in the next battle.
There might be new miracles. Thinking of this, he asked Vatutin: "Where is Major General Sokov now?"
"After he assisted General Katukov's troops to regain the position on the left bank of the Pena River, he should return to his headquarters. At this moment, he should be on the way." Vatutin felt that Zhukov would not ask Sokov about it for no reason.
, then asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, what are you asking him for?"
"Ask him what to do?" Zhukov sneered, "You are about to fight the enemy in the Prokhorovka area. With your current strength, you will definitely not be able to stop the large-scale German armored forces. I will definitely
I will do my best to provide you with more troops."
After hearing what Zhukov said, Vatutin immediately realized that the other party might be planning to assign Sokov's troops to his command. Although he did not have much affection for this commander who became a general at a young age.
, but now that the war is imminent, the more strength you have in your hands, the more confident you will be in fighting the war.
He quickly said: "Comrade Marshal, it would be great if Major General Sokov's troops could also be assigned to the command of our front army."
Sokov, who was being discussed by the two men, was taking a jeep back to the army headquarters in Shumakovo with General Polubyarov.
On the way, General Polubyarov was full of praise for the tactics implemented by Sokov: "Comrade Commander, at that time I thought your plan was too bold, and I was full of doubts about whether it could be executed smoothly.
. But I didn’t expect that when the war actually started, everything was carried out according to your plan. The Germans did not suspect this troop that emerged from our defense area at all, and allowed them to enter their defense area.
."
"Actually, I also took advantage of a loophole." Faced with General Polubyarov's praise, Sokov said modestly: "There is a gap between the German SS and the Wehrmacht. When the defenders see a
When the SS troops emerged from our defense area, the first thing they thought of was not to attack and flank our offensive troops with them, but to stay in the fortifications and watch the other side fight to the death with our troops. Wait until you see the SS troops.
After the troops penetrated our army's queue, they were worried that their actions just now would cause dissatisfaction on the other side, so they could only allow the other side's tanks and infantry to enter their defense zone."
After hearing Sokov's words, General Polubyarov pondered for a moment and asked thoughtfully: "Comrade Commander, if I understand you correctly, what you mean is that if the soldiers rush out of our defense zone,
The troops are not the SS but the Wehrmacht, so is it possible that our plan cannot be implemented?"
"That's it, Comrade General." Seeing that General Polubyarov understood his intention, Sokov nodded and said: "If the defenders find out that it is the National Defense Forces who appear on the battlefield, they will first find a way to find out.
The opponent's number, and then flank our offensive forces with them. In that case, my plan will put our offensive forces in danger."
When the car they were riding in was still five or six kilometers away from Shumakovo, a three-wheeled motorcycle came towards them. Samoilov looked at it carefully, turned to Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander,
He is a communications staff officer at the headquarters."
When he learned that it was the communications staff of the headquarters who was looking for him, Sokov immediately realized that something important was about to happen, so he ordered the driver: "Park the car on the side of the road."
Not long after the car stopped, the motorcycle drove over and stopped next to the jeep. The staff officer sitting in the sidecar jumped out as soon as the car stopped, trotted to the window, and lifted
After saluting with his hands, he said: "Comrade Commander, I have your urgent telegram."
"Emergency telegram?!" Sokov opened the car door and stretched out his hand: "Bring it to me and see."
The staff officer took out a folder from his briefcase, pulled out a telegram from it, and handed it to Sokov. After doing all this, he raised his hand in a salute, turned around and left on his motorcycle.
Sokov opened the telegram and saw that it was a note from Chief of Staff Samyko: "Comrade Commander, I have just received a notification from my superiors that Marshal Zhukov will call you in half an hour, please return to the Commander as soon as possible.
department."
After reading the telegram, Sokov said to everyone: "The chief of staff told me that Marshal Zhukov will speak to me in half an hour and ask me to return to the army headquarters immediately."
"What important things will happen?" General Polubyarov asked curiously: "You know, Marshal Zhukov has not left the headquarters for a long time."
From the moment he saw the telegram, Sokov realized everything he had done in restoring the position on the left bank of the Pena River. Zhukov understood it. He was anxious to call himself, and he must be preparing to arrange new arrangements for himself.
mission. However, he did not tell the truth in front of his subordinates in the car. He just told the driver: "Let's drive. We need to return to the army headquarters as soon as possible."
After rushing back to the army headquarters, Sokov told Samyko and Lunev about the battle to regain the positions on the left bank of the Pena River. Before he finished speaking, the high-frequency phone on the table rang. Samyko
He did not take the initiative to answer the phone as usual, but looked at Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, it should be Marshal Zhukov calling."
Sokov walked to the phone, took a deep breath, put the phone to his ear and said: "I am Major General Sokov, where are you from?"
"I am Zhukov." After a moment, Zhukov's voice came from the receiver: "Misha, I heard that not long ago, you assisted General Katukov's troops and successfully regained all positions on the left bank of the Pena River.
, you are really amazing."
"Comrade Marshal, you are really commended." When Sokov heard Zhukov praising himself, he quickly said humbly: "What I did was just a small effort, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."
"Misha, you did a good job." Unexpectedly, Zhukov continued to praise him: "It is precisely because of your bold plan that the casualties of our army have been reduced to a minimum. On behalf of those commanders and soldiers who survived, thank you!"
What Zhukov said was not a rhetorical statement, but something from the bottom of his heart. It was precisely because of Sokov's seemingly absurd but extremely effective tactic that the attacking troops lost at least hundreds or even thousands of lives.
As well as many technical equipment, for this point, it is reasonable for Zhukov to say thank you to him.
"I just met Comrade Beria not long ago." Zhukov continued: "I heard him say that according to your analysis, the next battle location between our army and the Germans will be in the Prokhorovka area.
Am I right?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Although Sokov thought Zhukov's question was strange, even if he didn't say it, a commander at his level should know where the German army's next attack target is. But since Zhukov asked
, he still answered truthfully: "I think so."
"Since the Germans have been driven across the Pena River, it would be a waste to station such a large force in the Shumakovo area." Zhukov said slowly: "I plan to transfer them to Prokho.
Do you have any different views on the Lovka region?"
This chapter has been completed!