Looking at the back of the Chief of Staff leaving, William Stemmermann took a deep breath, then stood up and said to Weller: "Your Excellency, Commander, I beg you once again to send troops to search the area where the reconnaissance aircraft pilot disappeared.
And strengthen the defense capabilities of corresponding areas."
After Weiler stared at William Stemmermann for a while, he frowned and said: "General William, didn't I say that if the Russians want to launch an attack, they must be in the direction of the bridgehead they established, because
There is a complete bridge there that can continuously transport troops and heavy equipment across the Oude River."
He patted the map on the conference table with his palm and said angrily to William Stemmerman: "General William, take a good look at the map. The area where you think the Russians may launch an attack is the Ude River.
The widest position, which fool do you think would leave a place with a bridge unused, but take greater risks and let his troops carry out a forced crossing?"
"Yes, it would be very convenient for the Russians to transport troops and equipment to the east coast from the bridge they control." Although Wheeler was resolute, William Stemmermann always insisted on his own
He believed that the Soviet army would launch an attack from other directions, "But don't forget, we are not facing ordinary Russian troops, but the 27th Army commanded by Sokov. Since the Battle of Stalingrad, it has been
Our army's nightmare, his elusive tactics have made our army commanders suffer a lot. So far, we have never heard of that unit ever defeating him.
Facing such an opponent, we must take all possible situations into consideration, lest it be too late to regret when something happens..."
Seeing William Stemmermann arguing with Wheeler, the division commanders nearby could not sit still. Although they were not dealing with William Stemmermann, but for the newly appointed commander Wheeler,
They were even more unfavorable. After hearing William repeatedly emphasize that the Russian troops fighting him were commanded by Sokov, the division commanders began to discuss in low voices, studying whether Sokov would actually launch an attack in other areas.
"Quiet, gentlemen, please be quiet!" Seeing that the teachers were actually holding a small meeting below, Weller slapped the table hard several times, "We are still in a meeting!"
When the conference room became quiet again, William Stemmermann said firmly: "Your Excellency, Commander, I strongly implore you: first, send troops to conduct reconnaissance where the pilot disappeared; second, strengthen the security of the area.
Defense force..."
Before William Stemmermann could finish speaking, a German officer broke in from outside. Everyone recognized him at a glance as a combat staff officer from the headquarters.
The combat staff officer came to Weller, raised his hand in salute, pulled out a folder from his armpit, handed a document inside to him, and said: "Report to your Excellency, Commander, the Russians are using intensive
artillery fire, shelling the ring fortifications located near their bridgehead, apparently preparing to launch an attack."
Weller took the document from the hands of the combat staff, shook it at William Stemmermann, and said proudly: "General William, I wonder what you think of this battle report? Until now, you still have
Do you think the Russians will choose other areas to attack?"
William Stemmermann was stunned. He didn't expect that things would develop beyond his imagination. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond to Weller's question. After Weller saw that William Stemmermann couldn't refute,
, and loudly announced the adjournment of the meeting.
Several division commanders of the 11th Army waited for Weller to leave the conference room, and then also walked out of the conference room. No one looked back at William Stemmerman, who was sitting in a daze.
Wilhelm Stemmermann did not notice that all the others had left. He was still thinking hard: Could it be that I really made a mistake in my judgment? If the Russians wanted to attack, they could immediately attack them after seizing the bridge.
Attack on Kharkov. According to the combat effectiveness of Sokov's troops, some troops should have rushed into the city at this moment. But they did not do so. After seizing the bridge, they turned to defense on the spot.
The situation is to fight a protracted war with one's own troops.
"General Weller," the chief of staff walked into the conference room from outside. Seeing that the meeting had adjourned, and only William Stemmerman was left sitting in his seat in a daze, he walked over and asked with concern: "The meeting has adjourned.
Why are you still sitting here?"
"Ah, has the meeting been adjourned?" The words of the chief of staff woke William Stemerman out of his thoughts. He said with some difficulty: "Maybe I was so absorbed in thinking that I didn't realize that the meeting had adjourned."
William Stemmermann stood up, smiled sadly at the Chief of Staff, and was about to walk out of the conference room. But he was stopped by the Chief of Staff: "General William, do you really think the Russians will launch an attack in other areas?"
Hearing this question from the Chief of Staff, William Stemmerman said hesitantly: "Chief of Staff, maybe I made a mistake. What the Russians can do now is to attack from their bridgehead position. That's impossible.
Attack from other directions."
The chief of staff also had the same idea as Kenff and Wheeler. He felt that if the Russians wanted to attack Kharkov, the best option would be to attack from the bridgehead position, because they could pass more troops and equipment through the bridge.
A steady stream of goods are transported from the West Coast to the East Coast.
"General William, you may be too tired recently." The chief of staff said to William Stemmerman in a sympathetic tone: "You should go back and rest quickly. Maybe you can get some sleep and all the problems will be solved."
Before the 299th Regiment of the 98th Guards Division could launch an attack, Lunev hurried back after receiving the news. He asked Sokov in surprise: "Comrade Commander, didn't you say you were preparing to attack from other areas?
Launch an attack on the enemy? Why are we now ordering artillery to bombard the circular position on the east bank and sending the 299th Regiment and tank battalion to move towards the east bank?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, since you have raised such a question, I don't want to hide it from you." Regarding his partner, Sokov answered truthfully: "We plan to launch a surprise attack on the Germans from other areas at night.
.But a few hours ago, some small accidents happened..."
"What accident?"
"A German reconnaissance plane was shot down by our fighter plane in the area where we were preparing to attack. The pilot of the reconnaissance plane has been captured by our army."
"Caught the pilot?!" After Lunev asked the question, seeing Sokov nodding in affirmation, he asked in confusion: "It's a good thing to catch the German pilot. Why are you still looking so sad?"
What does it look like?”
"Comrade Military Commissar, the situation is like this." Sokov explained: "Because the location where the enemy pilots parachuted was not more than one kilometer away from the lurking position of the 384th Infantry Division. Once the enemy sends troops to search for the parachuting pilots, then
Our latent troops will be exposed, causing our night attack on the positions on the other side to fail."
When Lunev heard this, he immediately guessed Sokov's intention and rushed to say: "Comrade Commander, I understand. In order to prevent the enemy from detecting the night attack area, you deliberately positioned the landing site on the east bank.
, launch an attack to attract the attention of the Germans."
"Yes, that's what I mean."
While the two were talking, Samyko walked over with a telegram. He handed the telegram in his hand to Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, I just received a report from the scouts behind enemy lines.
Please read the contents of the telegram sent quickly, it is really strange."
"What's weird?" Sokov casually took the message from the other party's hand.
After quickly browsing the above content, Sokov couldn't help being stunned. He thought he had made a mistake, rubbed his eyes vigorously, and continued to read the content on the telegram.
After reading it, he asked Sameko in surprise: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you think the content in the telegram is true or false?"
Seeing the shocked expressions on both Sokov's and Samyko's faces, Runev leaned his head over and asked curiously: "What happened?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, take a look." Sokov put the telegram in Lunev's hand: "It's so strange, the Germans are actually shooting their own officers."
"Shooted his own officer?" Luniev quickly unfolded the telegram in his hand, quickly browsed the contents, and asked his own question: "Why is this?"
"I don't know either." Sokov was telling the truth. He only remembered that after the failed assassination of Mustache on July 20, 1944, a group of German army officers were purged. But it was still August 1943 when the officer was shot dead.
Where to start?
"Comrade Commander," Lunev looked up at Sokov after reading the contents of the telegram and said seriously: "I think this is very important information and needs to be reported to the front army headquarters immediately.
It will be helpful for our army’s next move.”
"Okay," Sokov felt that this was really strange and that he should report it to Konev immediately to see if he could figure out what was going on, so he ordered the director of the communications corps: "Get me through to the front headquarters.
, I have important matters that need to be reported to Commander Konev immediately."
After listening to the call, the person who answered the phone was Zakharov. After he recognized Sokov's voice, he said euphemistically: "Comrade Sokov, I'm really sorry, our attack has not yet achieved the desired results, so there is no
I will inform you promptly and hope you will not have any emotions."
After hearing what Zakharov said, Sokov realized that the other party had misunderstood, and quickly explained: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, you have misunderstood. I am not calling you to inquire about the progress of friendly forces, but to have important information."
I will report the situation to you and Comrade Commander."
Knowing that Sokov was not calling to inquire about any news, Zakharov slowed down and asked: "What is it, Comrade Sokov?"
"According to the report of our scouts behind enemy lines, they saw the German army shooting a group of officers." Sokov said into the microphone: "The number is about sixty."
"The Germans are shooting their own officers?" Zakharov asked in surprise: "What is going on? Why are our own people killing our own people?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Konev's voice came from the receiver: "Why do our own people kill our own people?"
Zakharov quickly reported Sokov's report to Konev. After listening, Konev took the microphone from Zakharov's hand, put it to his ear and asked: "Comrade Sokov
, I am Konev, tell me: Which German unit is shooting its own officers? What is the reason for shooting these officers?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov also didn't know much about the matter. Naturally, he couldn't give Konev an accurate answer. He could only report to Konev based on the contents of the telegram: "The scout asked Konev
I reported that because the enemy had set up security around them, they could not get close and could only observe through binoculars. Among the officers who were shot, the highest rank was two major generals, followed by more than 40 school-level officers and more than a dozen lieutenants.
Grade officers. The reason why they were shot is unknown. The unit number is the 282nd Infantry Division..."
"Thank you, Comrade Sokov." After Konev recorded what Sokov said with a pen, he continued: "I have written down everything you said, and we will try to figure it out.
what's going on."
Just when Sokov was about to put down the microphone, he heard Konev asking again: "Comrade Sokov, I have dispatched fighter jets in the direction of your troop movement as agreed. What is the situation now? They have arrived at the designated location.
Yet?"
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I am preparing to report this matter to you." Sokov said: "Our fighter plane shot down a German reconnaissance aircraft in this airspace. The pilot has been captured by our army. Because he was responsible for
He was seriously injured, and rescue operations are still being carried out at this time, so it is impossible to determine whether the enemy is aware of the mobilization of our troops."
"Whether you are aware of it or not, you should take corresponding measures." Konev asked coldly: "Have you taken any measures?"
"The artillery of our group army is bombarding the German army's circular position on the east bank with fierce artillery fire. At the same time, an infantry regiment and a tank battalion are ready to attack. As soon as our army's artillery fire stops, they will immediately attack the enemy
Launch an attack."
"An infantry regiment and a tank battalion?" Konev couldn't help but frowned when he heard this: "Comrade Sokov, do you think you can break through the German defensive positions with just this strength?"
"No, they can't break through the German defensive positions at all." After Sokov answered this question simply, before Konev asked again, he continued: "The attack we launched was just a diversion.
Action to attract the attention of the Germans so that they have no time to pay attention to the area where our army is preparing to implement a breakthrough."
"Comrade Sokov, I wonder if you have ever considered allowing troops with inferior strength and equipment to attack the German circular position. They may be surrounded at any time..."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I have taken these issues into consideration." Sokov had already guessed that Konev would raise this question, so he answered confidently: "The area where they are fighting is not far from the landing site on the east coast.
, even if there is an emergency situation, they can quickly retreat to their starting position before the enemy completes the encirclement of them."
"Comrade Sokov, it seems that you have considered all the issues that should be considered." Konev was very satisfied with Sokov's reply. He nodded with a smile and said, "Then I wish you good luck.
, I hope to hear your good news soon."
This chapter has been completed!