Although the problem was solved, Sokov felt that he could not easily bypass the ambushed German troops, so he ordered Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately tell the Director of the Reconnaissance Division and the Director of the Intelligence Division to make sure to carry out the investigation in the shortest possible time.
Know clearly the number of the German ambush troops and the size of the troops."
"Comrade Commander," Samyko asked with some surprise after hearing Sokov's order: "Didn't we give up the counterattack against the enemy? Is it still necessary to find out the enemy's number and size?"
"Of course it is necessary, Comrade Chief of Staff." Seeing that Samyko did not understand what he meant, Sokov explained to him: "I looked at the terrain there carefully, although our troops advancing from the ground could not find it.
The enemy's hiding location, but for the air force, it couldn't be easier to discover their location."
When Samek heard this, he suddenly realized: "Comrade Commander, do you plan to request the Air Force to bomb the enemy's ambush troops?"
"That's right." Seeing that Samek guessed his intention, Sokov nodded and said: "If our air force can destroy this German force, then the pressure our landing site will bear in the coming days will be
It will be greatly alleviated.”
After saying this, Sokov called the director of the communications corps over and asked politely: "Comrade director of the communications corps, can we speak directly to the front army headquarters?" The reason why Sokov asked this was because the communication was via telegraph.
, not only is it slow, but it is also difficult to explain the problem clearly.
"Comrade Commander," Sameko said before the director of the communications corps could speak: "We are hundreds of kilometers away from the front army headquarters. I'm afraid we won't be able to contact them by phone for a while. If anything happens, we'd better use the telegraph.
."
Unexpectedly, as soon as Sameko finished speaking, the director of the Communications Corps unexpectedly said: "Comrade Commander, yes, our phone here can directly communicate with the Front Army Headquarters. Not only the Front Army Headquarters, but also Marshal Zhukov's
Can call directly."
The words of the director of the communications corps confused Samek. He asked in surprise: "Director of the communications corps, do you know what you are talking about? We are hundreds of kilometers away from the front army headquarters. How are your telephone lines laid?
"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," the director of the communications corps looked at Sameko and said with a smile: "Actually, establishing telephone contact with the front army headquarters is not as complicated as you think. There are originally dedicated lines between our cities.
After we occupy the city, as long as we re-activate these communication lines, we can establish communication links with the front army headquarters."
Although Sokov seemed to understand what the director of the communications corps said, he knew in his heart that at this moment he could talk to Konev, who was hundreds of kilometers away. He quickly ordered the director of the communications corps: "Help me pick up the phone immediately.
Pass the front army headquarters."
After the call was connected, Zakharov on the other end of the phone was very surprised to learn that Sokov was going to talk to him. As soon as he heard Sokov's voice coming from the receiver, he couldn't wait to ask: "Soko
Comrade husband, where are you now?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," Zakharov's question made Sokov confused: "Where else can I be? Of course it is in Klemenkoug."
"Are you in Kremenchug?" Zakharov asked in surprise: "Then how did you establish telephone contact with the front army headquarters?"
Sokov glanced at the director of the communications corps standing next to him, and replied with a smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, this is all the credit of my director of communications corps. He made use of the city's original communication lines to be able to operate like this."
Within a short period of time, we will establish telephone contact with the front army headquarters."
After the two chatted for a while, Zakharov asked Sokov about the purpose of the call: "Comrade Sokov, you are calling me so late. Is there anything important you have to do?"
"I have something and I would like to ask for your help and the commander's help."
When Zakharov heard that Sokov wanted something from him, he immediately became energetic and said quickly: "If you have any questions, just ask. As long as we can do it, we will do our best to help you."
"The situation is like this. There is a German armored unit ambushed on the west side of the No. 1 outpost of the right bank landing site." Sokov said straight to the point: "The purpose of the enemy lurking there is to prepare the counterattack force of the nearby 1st Mechanized Army.
, I hope that the front army headquarters can dispatch the air force to attack the German armored forces in that area..."
"Wait a minute, Comrade Sokov." Unexpectedly, Zakharov heard this and interrupted Sokov's words: "Counterattack, what kind of counterattack? Why didn't I receive your report?"
Sokov knew that before carrying out various large-scale military operations, the action plan must be reported to the front army headquarters for record. When Zakharov heard that he had a counterattack plan but did not report it, he would naturally be very unhappy.
He quickly explained: "Chief of Staff of the Front Army, please listen to my sophistry... No, it's an explanation. The counterattack plan was formulated by General Solomatin, commander of the 1st Mechanized Army, but after he reported it to me, I rejected it.
.As a result, the counterattack plan was terminated, so I did not report the counterattack plan to you."
Sokov's explanation aroused Zakharov's curiosity: "Comrade Sokov, tell me why you deny this counterattack plan?"
"The situation is like this. The counterattack plan of the 1st Mechanized Army is to completely crush the enemy who is trying to seize the No. 1 outpost position and consolidate the defense there." Sokov explained: "For a small position, using so many
I don’t think it’s necessary to deploy many elites to fight back.”
"I think General Solomatin's plan is very good." Zakharov asked puzzledly: "Comrade Sokov, can you tell me the reasons for your opposition?"
"The reason is very simple. The area of the No. 1 outpost is too small." Sokov said in a moderate tone: "Since there are no solid permanent fortifications on it, if there are fewer troops, it will not be able to stop the enemy's ferocious attack;
If we deploy more troops, we will inevitably suffer heavy casualties under the enemy's fierce artillery fire. It is out of this consideration that I decided to simply abandon the No. 1 outpost position and let the mechanized army defend the second line position with all its strength."
"Then do you think the troops of the mechanized army can block the enemy's advance in the second-line position?"
"Absolutely, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Upon hearing Zakharov's question, Sokov quickly explained to him: "The terrain in front of the second-line position is flat, and the attacking enemy will be exposed to our army's firepower from a long distance. When
After our army relies on the terrain to kill a large number of the enemy's effective forces, it can also use armored assault to crush the enemy's new attacks and cause them greater casualties."
Konev, who had just returned from the 7th Guards Army, saw Zakharov talking on the phone and asked the staff officer on the side: "Who is the chief of staff calling?"
Seeing that it was Konev, the staff officer asked him how he dared to hide it, and quickly answered truthfully: "It was a call from General Sokov, the commander of the 27th Group Army."
Konev knew that Sokov would not take the initiative to call if there was nothing important. He quickly walked to Zakharov and asked him: "Is it Sokov who called?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Zakharov covered the microphone with his hand and said to Konev: "Solomatin planned to launch a counterattack against the enemy in front after dawn, but Sokov vetoed it.
."
"Why?" Konev asked puzzled.
"General Solomatin's counterattack is just to crush the enemy attacking outpost No. 1 and consolidate the position as much as possible to block the German attack." Zakharov spoke very quickly to introduce the situation to Konev.
: "But Comrade Sokov feels there is no need to waste our precious troops just for a small position."
"Sokov did the right thing." As soon as Zakharov finished speaking, Konev expressed his attitude: "The importance of a small position is not as important as we imagined. If we had assembled here
With a large number of troops, firstly, it is easy to suffer heavy casualties under the enemy's artillery fire; secondly, once the enemy cuts off the route of retreat, this unit will become a lonely force."
After Konev finished expressing his views, he then asked: "What else did Sokov say?"
"His scouts discovered a German armored unit to the west of Outpost No. 1. From various indications, this unit set up an ambush here to prepare to attack the counterattack force of the mechanized army."
"Give me the phone." Konev stretched out his hand to Zakharov and continued: "Sokov called at this time, probably because he wants us to deal with this German armored force."
"Let us deal with it?" Hearing what Konev said, Zakharov became more and more confused: "We are hundreds of kilometers away from the landing site on the right bank. Even if we put on our wings and fly over, I'm afraid it will be too late."
"The infantry is definitely too late, but the air force can." Konev took the microphone and put it to his ear: "Comrade Sokov? I am Konev. If you need help, just ask.
I will definitely assist you with all my strength."
Although Zakharov covered the microphone with his hand, Sokov heard the conversation between him and Konev. When he heard Konev's voice, he said straight to the point: "
Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask you to dispatch the air force to bomb the German armored units that are setting up an ambush. If our air force can severely damage the German armored units, then the pressure we will bear in the subsequent landing site defense battle will be greatly reduced.
Alleviate.”
"No problem." Konev readily agreed to Sokov's request, but he still reminded Sokov: "There is no problem in sending out planes to bomb the German armored forces. But in order to improve the bombing effect, you have to
It is necessary to provide the numbers of the German troops and their troop distribution. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Konev agreed to dispatch air force support, and Sokov couldn't help but feel ecstatic. As for providing the air force with the enemy's troop numbers and troop distribution, this is what it should do. The air force can only understand
Only after knowing the distribution of the German troops on the ground can we carry out targeted bombing: "Before dawn, I will definitely report the detailed enemy situation to you."
"Very good, very good!" After Konev said "very good" twice, he said: "Comrade Sokov, then I wish you good luck!"
When Konev put down the phone, General Chistyakov, the representative of the base camp, walked in from outside. He happened to hear Konev's last words and asked quickly: "General Konev, you were just talking to the 27th
Group Army Commander Sokov is on the phone?”
"Yes, General Chistyakov." Konev did not hide anything, nodded and replied truthfully: "I was indeed talking to Comrade Sokov just now."
"It's so late, does he have anything important to do?"
"Yes, General Chistyakov." Since Chistyakov is the representative of the base camp, the questions he raised must be answered, so Zakharov said: "He asked us to dispatch the air force after dawn.
Bomb the German armor lurking on the west side of Outpost No. 1."
"What are the enemy's armored forces lurking on the west side of Outpost No. 1 doing?" Chistyakov asked vigilantly after hearing this: "Isn't this a German conspiracy to deliberately reveal false information to us?"
"I don't think so." Konev shook his head and replied: "Sokov is a very cautious person. The information he reported has been verified repeatedly, and its credibility is very high."
If it were someone else, Chistyakov might have asked for some more details, but since Konev had already endorsed Sokov, he did not continue to dwell on the matter, but changed the topic: "Konyev
General Husband, will you send the air force to attack that hidden armored force?"
"Yes." Konev nodded and replied: "The anti-aircraft firepower in Poltava is extremely powerful, and our air force cannot play a big role there. Instead of sitting by and watching the battle, it is better to send them there
Go to Sokov and participate in the battle to defend the landing site."
After Konev finished speaking, without waiting for Chistyakov to speak again, he turned around and said to Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please call the Air Force Commander General Goryunov immediately and let him have a call."
Psychological preparation. After Sokov sends detailed information, they will immediately launch an attack on the German armored forces in the landing site."
"I will call General Goryunov right now." After hearing Konev's order, Zakharov suddenly beamed: "The air defense firepower in Poltava is strong, and our air force fighter jets were lost.
Quite a few, and in the end the air operations had to be stopped. Because of this, Goryunov was in a very bad mood, and it is said that he drank in hiding in his office every day."
"It's not okay to hide in the office and drink every day." Konev warned Zakharov: "Later, you tell him on the phone that if he continues to drink, be careful that I will fire him from his job. It's simply too much.
It’s outrageous, but you just suffered a small defeat, how can you end up giving up on yourself?”
"Comrade Commander, you are worrying too much." Zakharov replied with a smile: "As soon as Goryunov hears the order we give him, his whole person will immediately become energetic. At that time, you can forget it.
Even if he is not prohibited from drinking, he will take the initiative to avoid drinking so as not to affect his command of the troops in combat."
Konev raised his hand to look at his watch, and then urged Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it's getting late. It will take a lot of time to refuel the plane and hang bombs. Get in touch with General Goryunov quickly.
Let him start preparations now. Once the information provided by Sokov and others arrives, the bomber formation can launch a timely attack."
This chapter has been completed!