After reading Rotmistrov's battle plan, Konev raised his head and asked Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you think of General Rotmistrov's plan?"
"I think it's feasible." Zaharov said plausibly: "Using two hundred tanks to form a powerful assault group and advance deep into the German defenses along the railway can destroy all resistance along the way..."
Before he could finish speaking, Konev interrupted him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, General Rotmistrov also organized an armored assault today, but his troops were defeated in less than an hour.
He suffered a devastating blow from the Germans and lost nearly two hundred tanks. What makes you think that the armored assault he is planning to organize tomorrow will be successful?"
Hearing Konev's question, Zakharov analyzed to him the reason why the 5th Guards Tank Army failed in today's offensive: "I think the failure of today's offensive is probably due to General Rotmistrov's tactics.
Related. He divided more than two hundred tanks into three wedge-shaped formations and spread them out on a wide battlefield. He was unable to form a firepower advantage at a certain point. On the contrary, they were defeated by the German troops who had already ambushed them..."
Konev patiently listened to Zakharov's analysis and asked rhetorically: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you considered that once the enemy discovers General Rotmistrov's attempt, concentrate their armored and anti-tank forces?"
With firepower and interception along the railway line, can our attack still be successful?"
Facing Konev's doubts, Zakharov seemed very embarrassed. According to his idea, Rotmistrov concentrated so many tanks to carry out the assault, even if there were German tanks and anti-tank firepower blocking the way, he could still
Easily break through the enemy's defense. If someone else said this, Zakharov would definitely regard the other person as a panicked person. After all, walking around is a defeatist argument and should be severely punished.
But this was said by Konev, and he had another idea in his mind. He did not want this plan, which seemed to have a high success rate, to be so easily denied by Konev, and he quickly said: "Comrade Commander
, According to my judgment, the Germans never imagined that we would adopt such an assault method, and their troops along the railway could not stop the attack of General Rotmistrov's troops."
This time, after listening to Zakharov's analysis, Konev did not deny his analysis. Instead, he stared at him for a long time and finally said: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, since you are interested in Rotmistro,
General Hu is so confident, then you can tell him that after our research and decision, we agree that he will use this tactic to attack the enemy tomorrow."
Zaharov didn't expect that Konev would actually agree to Rotmistrov's battle plan, and he couldn't help showing a look of astonishment on his face. Seeing Zaharov standing there without moving, Konev couldn't help but frown.
Frowning: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what's wrong with you? Why haven't you called General Rotmistrov and told him that we have approved his combat plan."
"Okay, okay." Zakharov, who was still dazed, replied in a panic after listening to Konev's words: "I'll call General Rotmistrov right now and get this done."
Notify him of the news."
While Zakharov was on the phone, Konev sat at the table, staring closely at the map in front of him, lost in thought.
After Zakharov finished the call, he saw that Konev was still staring at the map in a daze, so he couldn't help but ask: "Comrade Commander, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking, what on earth is Sokov planning to do?" Konev was awakened by Zakharov's shout. He raised his head and glanced at the other party, but his mind couldn't help but return to Sokov again. He pointed
Looking at the map, he said to Zakharov: "The troops on the left are supported by the assault group army and are fully capable of breaking through the enemy's defenses and rushing into the city to join the troops on the right. In this way, they will have enough power to control Kharkov
The western urban area.”
"Comrade Commander," Zakharov, as the Chief of Staff of the Front Army, naturally understood the distribution of German troops in Kharkov. He waited for Konev to finish and immediately expressed his opinion, "In any case, Soko
The husband faced the German 11th Army and the 42nd Army, plus several armored divisions. If his troops really occupied the west of the city, they would inevitably trigger a crazy counterattack by the Germans, and then his troops would be in danger of being encircled.
"
"You're right, Comrade Chief of Staff." Even though Konev was dissatisfied with Sokov's current conservative style of play, he knew very well that if he forcibly ordered Sokov to expand the results, it would be detrimental to him.
This army group brought disaster. "If Sokov's troops really control the west of the city, I am afraid that not only the 11th Army and the 42nd Army will launch an attack on them, I am afraid that Huot's armored forces will also be thrown into battle."
Seeing that Konev understood this, Zakharov showed a smile on his face, "Fortunately, General Rotmistrov's tank troops will be able to rush into the city tomorrow. With such a large support army, we can
I think Sokov will definitely take the opportunity to expand the results of the battle, and then the main force of the front army will be able to quickly approach the outskirts of Kharkov and start a decisive battle with the enemy's main force."
The topic turned around and returned to Rotmistrov. No matter how you look at it, the 5th Guards Tank Army plays a decisive role in whether Kharkov can be captured in a short time.
Konev pointed at Zakharov with his hand and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please tell Sokov again that tomorrow General Rotmistrov's troops will launch an attack from the northwest of the city. Once
The tank troops broke into the city, and his troops must take active action to cooperate with friendly forces to achieve greater results."
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Zakharov said smoothly: "I will tell Comrade Sokov the news immediately."
A few minutes later, after answering the phone, Sokov put down the phone and stared at the map on the table in a daze.
Tsvetayev asked curiously: "Comrade Sokov, I wonder what General Zakharov said on the phone?"
Since Tsvetaev was his friendly army, Sokov had nothing to hide from him. He pointed to the northwest of Kharkov and said: "The chief of staff of the front army told me that General Rotmistrov
The tank group army will launch an offensive along the railway line from the northwest tomorrow morning. Let us take active actions after the friendly forces enter the city to expand the results."
Hearing what Sokov said, Tsvetayev seemed a little excited. He quickly asked: "So, the troops at the left landing site will also enter the city tomorrow? Do you think we should do it before dark today?"
Transport all the artillery divisions to the east bank of the Oude River to establish new artillery positions?"
"It's not necessary." Unexpectedly, Sokov shook his head and said, "I don't think General Rotmistrov's troops will be able to enter the city tomorrow."
"Why?" Tsvetayev asked in surprise.
Sokov pointed his hand to the west of Kharkov and said with a wry smile: "It's still this damn sunflower field. The Germans will definitely deploy strong defenses here to make Rotmistrov
The general's tank group suffered heavy losses."
"It's not that serious, right?" Tsvetayev said dubiously: "Anyway, General Rotmistrov's tank army has nearly a thousand tanks. How many tanks do the Germans have left now? They
How is it possible to block our armored assault? General Sokov, I think you are overly worried."
Sokov understood that facts speak louder than words, so he did not argue with Tsvetayev, but smiled and said: "Comrade General, we will wait and see. Tomorrow, you will know whether my analysis is correct."
