The officers and soldiers of the German 8th Armored Division probably never imagined that they would be attacked from the air before the Soviet troops who were launching a counterattack got into their trap. In just half an hour, an originally powerful armored force
The troops suffered heavy losses due to the indiscriminate bombing by the Soviet Air Force.
Sokov's headquarters would certainly not be able to see with their own eyes the sight of the German troops being bombarded by Soviet bombers. They could only understand what happened on the battlefield through the battle reports coming from below.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov, who was eager to know the battle situation, urged Samyko: "Immediately ask the director of the reconnaissance department to send a telegram to the reconnaissance team and ask them to report in a timely manner the specific situation of the bombing of the German armored division."
While Samyko was on the phone, Lunev came over and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I believe that the Air Force will be able to report back the results of the battle after it returns. You can't wait for a few hours, right?"
.”
"I can't wait, Comrade Military Commissar." In front of his partner, Sokov felt that there was no need to hide anything, so he said truthfully: "I want to know as soon as possible what damage this bombing has caused to the German 8th Armored Division.
What kind of harm."
"I think after the bomber group returns, the results will be tallied in time." Lunev said: "It is better to wait for the Air Force to tally the results, and it will not be too late for us to ask again."
"The statistics of the Air Force are inaccurate," Sokov said, shaking his head: "It was not completely bright, and so many aerial bombs were dropped, which caused the German lurking area to be filled with fire and smoke. The high-flying pilots
How can we see the situation on the ground? In my opinion, it is most appropriate for Sergeant Ivar's reconnaissance team to figure out the enemy's losses."
Sokov's thinking was correct. Although it was the Air Force that carried out the bombing mission, in order to confirm the results of the battle, it was really inseparable from the reconnaissance troops on the ground. And in order to understand the general losses of the German army, we could only use the troops hidden in the ground at this moment.
Nearby IVA reconnaissance team to complete.
Samyko soon came back and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I have called the director of the Reconnaissance Division, and he will immediately contact Sergeant Iva to ask them to verify the results achieved by the Air Force."
As soon as they finished speaking, Konev's phone call came: "Comrade Sokov, General Goryunov's air force has carried out indiscriminate bombing on the assembly point of the German 8th Armored Division. Now.
If you want to figure out the effects of the bombing, you can only rely on your people."
Sokov heard what Konev meant and quickly replied: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, please rest assured that I have ordered people to contact the reconnaissance team operating in that area to let them figure out the German army as soon as possible.
The battle damage status of the 8th Armored Division will be reported back in a timely manner."
Seeing that Sokov had considered everything that should be considered, Konev said happily: "Comrade Sokov, you have thought very carefully. It seems that I will leave the defense of the landing site on the right bank to you. Indeed,
It’s the right choice.”
Hearing Konev's praise for him, Sokov was naturally very happy. However, what he was worried about at the moment was that if Poltava could not be captured for a long time, then the supply transportation line provided by his superiors would be later destroyed by the Germans.
Seeing the possibility of cutting off, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask how the battle to attack Poltava is going?"
"The Germans relied on solid fortifications and carried out tenacious defenses. Our army's progress was very slow." After Konev briefly introduced the situation in the direction of Poltava, he immediately realized what Sokov was thinking.
He quickly reminded him: "Comrade Sokov, the battle in Poltava has nothing to do with you. Your task is to resolutely defend the landing site on the right bank until the main force of the front army arrives."
Sokov saw that his thoughts had been guessed by Konev. Although he was a little embarrassed, he still said shamelessly: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you have misunderstood. The reason why I asked about Poltava is because of the
The supply line has to pass through there, and if the enemies there cannot be eliminated as soon as possible, our transportation line may be cut off at any time."
Now that I have found a seemingly reasonable reason, it becomes easier to say the following: "You also know that the weapons and ammunition used by our group army commanders and fighters consume very much. Once transportation is abnormal, it will
It directly affects our combat effectiveness."
Konev knew that the reasons Sokov said were far-fetched, but he had to admit that they were all facts. Why Sokov's troops could win repeatedly on the battlefield, except for the tactics used by Sokov
In addition, it is also related to the weapons used by the soldiers. These weapons can form a firepower advantage on the battlefield. Once there is a problem with ammunition supply, the combat effectiveness of this unit will drop off a cliff.
"Okay, Comrade Sokov." Konev felt the need to express his attitude to reassure Sokov: "I assure you, no matter whether the troops of the 5th and 7th Guards Armies can win the wave,
Altava, there will be no problems with your logistical supplies, do you understand?"
"That's great." After receiving Konev's promise, Sokov couldn't help but feel ecstatic. As long as the logistics supply is normal, let alone the enemy who attacks from the front only has two or three divisions, even if it is replaced by two or three armies,
Still beating them to pieces. "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, if you can ensure that our logistics supplies are normal, I can also promise you that as long as one of us is alive, we will never let the Germans get close to the Dnieper River.
.”
After dawn, without waiting for the intelligence feedback from the Iva reconnaissance team, members of the 53rd Army Headquarters appeared in Sokov's headquarters.
Sokov once met General Managarov and recognized him from the crowd at a glance. He quickly stepped forward to shake hands with him: "Hello, comrade general, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 27th Army, I welcome you.
!”
"Hello, General Sokov." Although Managarov has a higher military rank than Sokov, he came here to accept Sokov's command, so he kept a very low profile: "My troops and I
From now on, I accept your command."
"Look at what you said, Comrade General, how can I command you?" Although Sokov knew in his heart that Konev had given an order to put the 53rd Army under his command so that he could better defend the landing site on the right bank.
After Managarov received Konev's order, he would obey it unconditionally, but he still had some resistance in his heart. After all, regardless of whether Sokov's military rank was lower than his own, and his military experience was older than his.
Sokov understood Managarov's psychology clearly. In order for the other party to cooperate with him better, he politely said: "Although the superiors issued such an order, I feel that I do not have the ability to command two people."
The troops of the group army. Therefore, from now on, we will only fight together, instead of letting you follow my command."
Hearing Sokov say that the two sides were just fighting together, Managarov's face showed a smile. He let go of Sokov's hand and said with a smile: "General Sokov, let me introduce it to you."
Members of my headquarters so that future dealings with you can be more convenient."
As he spoke, he introduced Sokov in turn: "This is my military commissar, General Gorokhov, and this is General Tsarev, who is also my military commissar."
There are two military commissars in the 53rd Army? When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but glance quickly at Lunev who was standing aside, and said to himself: "Why did my superiors only assign me one military commissar?
"
Managarov did not notice that Sokov was distracted, and continued to introduce him: "This is General Derevyanko, the chief of staff of the group army."
The last one, before Managarov could introduce him, Sokov said first: "Comrade General, you don't need to introduce this one. He is the deputy chief of staff of the group army, General Smirnov. I have met him before.
A few times." After saying that, he stretched out his hand to Smirnov, smiled and said, "Hello, Comrade General, it's nice to see you again."
"Me too, General Sokov."
After the two sides exchanged greetings, Managarov and others stayed in Sokov's headquarters. Whether it was assigned to Sokov's command or coordinated operations, the headquarters of both sides must be under the same roof, and many things can be achieved.
Communicate in a timely manner to avoid delaying the fight.
Fortunately, the church was large enough to accommodate the new group of commanders. Sammeko made timely adjustments and divided the church hall into two, with the two army headquarters each occupying half. Such an arrangement would
You can command the troops independently and communicate in a timely manner when problems arise.
While the two sides were deploying, Managarov asked Sokov: "General Sokov, how do you plan to arrange my troops?"
"Comrade General, the area of the landing site is not large enough now. If all the troops are transferred there, I am afraid it will not be possible to deploy." Sokov politely said to Managarov: "So so far, I have only deployed three
The infantry division was accompanied by an infantry brigade and General Solomatin's 1st Mechanized Corps. Apart from this, all troops remained on the left bank."
Hearing what Sokov said, General Derevyanko, the chief of staff, raised his own question: "General Sokov, I think the number of troops deployed at the landing site on the right bank is a bit too small. We can definitely send two or three more infantry.
The division will go over and strengthen the defense there."
"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov shook his head and said, "I have just said that the area of the landing site is not large enough. If we gather too many troops there, firstly, we will not be able to deploy effectively, and secondly, we will not be able to deploy effectively.
It is easy to make huge sacrifices under enemy artillery fire or bombing."
"So you are worried about this." After hearing Sokov's reasons, Derevyanko said disapprovingly: "We can dig more air-raid shelters and bomb shelters, so that even if we are bombed and shelled by the Germans,
We can also minimize casualties."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov continued: "The terrain of the landing site on the right bank is mostly forests, lakes and swamps. Do you think it is possible to dig air-raid shelters and bomb shelters on a large scale in such a place? Maybe they were dug just this morning.
Well, in the afternoon it was completely submerged by water rising from the ground."
Sokov's words made Derevyanko not know how to answer for a while. After being silent for a while, he continued to ask: "General Sokov, then I would like to ask, is it a bit unreasonable for you to leave so many troops on the left bank?
Such a waste?"
"It's not a waste at all." Sokov felt that the other party had not yet understood the current situation, so he explained to him: "Once the Germans are unable to seize the landing site from the front, they will definitely cross the Dnieper River from other areas and detour back to ours.
rear, to cut off the connection between the troops at the landing site and the left bank. You know, except for Kremenchug, all crossing points are in the hands of the Germans. We have no way of knowing in advance where they will cross the river. Therefore, we
What we can do is to build a defense line around Klemenkoug to crush the German conspiracy."
When Derevyanko heard that Sokov's words seemed to make sense, he then asked: "General Sokov, how do you plan to deploy the troops of our group army?"
Regarding the formation of troops, Samyko was naturally responsible. Sokov turned to Samyko and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it is up to you and General Derevyanko to negotiate how to deploy the troops of the 53rd Army.
.”
"Comrade General," Sokov said to Managarov after Samyko and Derevyanko went aside to study the defense deployment of the troops: "There is only one division in the city now, and the defense force is a little weak.
.How about you transfer two divisions to the city to strengthen the city’s defense?”
When Managarov heard what Sokov said, he knew that the other party wanted him to put more troops in a safe area, and he was very moved. However, he knew very well the psychology of the commanders and soldiers below. Everyone thought about making achievements all day long.
, if you are stationed in the city of Kremenchug, it is indeed much safer than the outer positions, but the chance of establishing meritorious deeds will be greatly reduced.
After thinking about this, Managarov thanked Sokov and said to him: "General Sokov, thank you for your kindness, but I think it is more appropriate for my troops to be placed outside the city."
Before Sokov could speak, he continued: "You know, there are many new recruits in my army. It is necessary for them to go to the battlefield and listen to the sound of gunfire, so that they can quickly become an excellent warrior. If
Since they are placed in the city, they will probably have very little time to participate in the battle. Maybe by the end of this battle, they will still be nervous recruits as soon as they go to the battlefield."
"Okay, Comrade General. Since your troops are not willing to stay in the city, then I will arrange for other troops." Since Managarov rejected his kindness, Sokov did not force it. He was thinking in his mind,
The commanders and fighters who were rescued from outside the city of Kremenchug last time can be allowed to return to the city and take charge of the city's defense tasks while recovering from their injuries.
"Comrade Chief of Staff, Comrade Chief of Staff." Just as Sokov and Managarov were talking, they suddenly heard a somewhat panicked voice: "Telegram, telegram from the front."
Hearing the shouting, Samyko and Derevyanko both raised their heads and looked in the direction of the sound. Derevyanko saw clearly that the person shouting was a communications staff officer under his command.
, couldn't help but frown, he stood up, walked to the other party, and asked with a straight face: "Comrade Lieutenant, what happened? You are yelling here, you don't understand any rules."
