It was the 9th Grenadier Regiment and the 5th Assault Artillery Battalion of the Viking Division that attacked the 84th Division in the city of Chigilin. Although they did not invest as many troops as the 84th Division, in the face of their powerful offensive,
The Soviet army, which lacked heavy weapons, finally had no choice but to retreat and retreat to the suburbs.
Fortunately, after the defeated Soviet army withdrew from the city, the German army did not pursue the victory, allowing the commanders and fighters of the 84th Division to regroup on the outskirts of the city, which made Fomenko feel lucky.
The troops withdrew to the village previously occupied by the Belkin Regiment, found a spacious wooden house, and established the division headquarters.
After all this was done, Fomenko ordered the three regiment leaders to come over and discuss the next step with them.
"Comrades, today is a day of shame for our 84th Division." After the three regiment commanders arrived, Fomenko said bluntly: "We were actually driven out of Chigilin City by enemies with fewer numbers than us.
This is simply a great shame and humiliation for all the commanders and fighters of our division."
After he finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence.
The first to break the silence was Colonel Rusuf, the commander of the 254th Regiment: "Comrade Division Commander, there is a reason why our troops were defeated by the enemy. Our army lacks heavy weapons such as artillery, and the enemies who attacked us were hiding.
Outside the range of the machine gun, use artillery to bombard our army's firepower points. When our army's firepower points are almost destroyed, we will send infantry to attack, making it impossible for us to resist their attack."
"Colonel Rusov," before he could finish speaking, Fomenko interrupted him and said sternly: "Are you going to use such a reason to defend your superiors to cover up our failure?"
Originally, Rusov wanted to say a few more words, but after being scolded by Fomenko, he obediently shut his mouth and wanted to hear what the other party planned to say next.
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander," after reprimanding Rusov, Fomenko targeted Belkin again: "If your regiment can move faster and occupy more areas after entering the city, then it will be able to force the enemy to
When attacking, we have to disperse our forces. In this way, we will be more sure of crushing the enemy's attack."
Hearing Fomenko call his name, Belkin raised his head and said seriously: "Comrade division commander, I think I must explain one thing to you. The commanders and fighters of our regiment acted very quickly in the battle to capture Chigilin.
But in any case, this is a city that the Germans have occupied for two years. Not only do they have more troops than we do, but they are also more familiar with the city than we do. Before we can further expand our victory, their counterattack begins.
If I had not made a decisive decision and ordered the Second Battalion to stop the attack in time, retreat to the First Battalion, and defend the streets occupied by the Second Battalion, our regiment might have been wiped out or driven out of the city by the enemy before the main force of the division arrived."
"Comrade Division Commander, there are many reasons for the defeat of our division." Mano was pleased to see the tense atmosphere in the room, and quickly came out to smooth things over: "Our commanders and fighters fought tenaciously in the face of the German army's crazy attack, but the enemy's strength
It was so strong that we finally had to withdraw from the battle."
"The political commissar is right. This defeat is indeed due to the fact that the German army is too powerful." The division chief of staff felt that he should also express his position at this moment, so that everyone could have a clear understanding of today's defeat: "According to our interrogation
The captured prisoners, who came to reinforce and attack our troops, are the elite Viking division of the Germans. If not for their appearance, we would have taken the city before noon tomorrow based on the combat effectiveness of the city's defenders.
"
The combat effectiveness of the Viking Division is obvious to all in the Soviet army. Even some Soviet troops who have suffered losses from them panic when talking about this unit. If their superiors do not provide them with coordinated operations, they will not have the guts to fight against the Viking Division.
.The 84th Division, which now has great achievements in combat, still suffered heavy losses after encountering this force.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Fomenko calmed down somewhat after getting angry. He turned to look at the Chief of Staff who had just spoken and asked, "Does the headquarters have any instructions?"
The chief of staff quickly replied: "I received a telegram from General Samyko. He asked us to regroup with the 188th Division and launch an attack on Chigilin tomorrow."
"What, launching an attack on Chigilin?" After hearing the news, Fomenko almost jumped up from his seat: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do your superiors know our actual situation?"
"Comrade Division Commander, I have made a detailed report to the Army Headquarters on our situation here." The Chief of Staff replied: "Although this telegram was sent by General Sameko, he specifically stated at the end of the telegram that
This is what Comrade Commander means."
Knowing that it was Sokov's intention, Fomenko stopped complaining. As a division commander under the 27th Group Army, he knew Sokov's character very well. If he was not sure of victory, he would never issue such an order.
The order. Thinking of this, he asked tentatively: "Are we and the 188th Division the only troops participating in the attack tomorrow?"
"In addition to us and the 188th Division, there are also the 384th Division, the 1st Artillery Division, and the Air Force." The Chief of Staff reported to Fomenko: "In addition, enough new rockets and rocket launchers will be delivered to us overnight.
Make sure our offense is successful."
After listening to the chief of staff's report, Fomenko took the telegram in his hand and read it carefully. The content above was the same as that reported by the division chief of staff. It took him less than a minute to read it.
This telegram.
When he raised his head again, a smile appeared on his face, and he said to the three regiment leaders: "Comrade commanders, if the troops promised by Comrade Commander can arrive at the specified time, we can definitely arrive at noon tomorrow.
I will launch an attack on Qijilin where the enemy is entrenched, and I am sure to annihilate the defenders in the city."
No one refuted Fomenko's statement, but they all took it for granted. According to everyone's thinking, three infantry divisions plus an artillery division, under the cover of the air force, launched an attack on the city where the German army was entrenched.
Even if there are some setbacks, the city can be captured in a short time.
As for the idea of not being able to capture the city, it never occurred to anyone. If so many troops, with the support of the air force, couldn't capture a small city, then what qualifications did they have to become a member of the 27th Group Army?
"The first thing we have to do now is to contact Colonel Koida's 188th Division." The division chief of staff said at the side: "Based on the message from our superiors, they should be nearby, and we should send people to look for them as soon as possible.
them."
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, what you said makes sense." Fomenko agreed with the statement of the division chief of staff. "I will send my adjutant and a few soldiers to find the 188th Division later.
their whereabouts and strive to establish contact with them as soon as possible.”
But before Fomenko could dispatch his adjutant, the division chief of staff received a call from the checkpoint outside the village. After hearing this, he showed an expression of surprise on his face and said repeatedly: "Comrade Captain, immediately send someone to take down the friendly comrades."
Send it to the division headquarters as quickly as possible!"
After putting down the phone, he said with some emotion: "Comrade division commander, the checkpoint at the entrance of the village reported that more than a dozen friendly commanders and fighters had arrived at the entrance of the village. The officer leading the team said they were from the 188th Division and were ordered to come to contact us.
.”
"Where are the people? Hurry up and ask the sentries to send them to us."
"Don't worry, comrade division commander." The chief of staff replied: "I have already given orders to the checkpoints and asked them to send friendly comrades to the division headquarters as soon as possible."
Seven or eight minutes later, an officer wearing a steel helmet and poncho, led by a sentry, strode into the division headquarters. After his eyes quickly glanced at everyone's epaulettes, he stopped at Fomenko.
He stood at attention, raised his hand in salute, and said: "Hello, General Fomenko, I am Captain Griza, commander of the fourth company of the second battalion of the 562nd Regiment of the 188th Division. I was ordered to come here to establish contact with you.
.”
"Hello, Comrade Captain." Fomenko stepped forward and shook Grisa's hand, and said warmly: "On behalf of the commanders and fighters of the entire division, I welcome you."
When Grisa let go of Fomenko's hand and was about to speak, a familiar voice suddenly came from beside him: "Griza, didn't you see me? Why didn't you say hello to me?"
Grisa looked around and found that the speaker was actually Belkin. He couldn't help raising his eyebrows and quickly raised his hand to salute Belkin: "Hello, comrade colonel. It's so nice to see you here.
What a surprise."
"How can I not be surprised to see you here again?" Belkin said, stepping forward and pulling Grisa's hand from his forehead, pulling it towards his face, and giving the other person a warm kiss.
Hug: "My old friend, how are you doing lately?"
"Very well, thank you for your concern, Comrade Colonel."
Seeing that Belkin and Grisa were so affectionate, Fomenko asked Belkin curiously: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander, do you know this friendly captain?"
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." Belgin naturally did not hide the friendship between him and Fomenko: "When I was partnering with the commander of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, Grisa was me.
His subordinates later came with the 27th Army Group. I really didn’t expect to meet him here today.”
Fomenko knew something about Sokov. He knew that when he was transferred to the 27th Army as commander, he brought dozens of subordinates over to enrich the grassroots commanders of each division. It was said that they were ordinary subordinates.
But anyone with a discerning eye knows in their hearts that these subordinates are Sokov's cronies.
Fomenko did not expect that the captain of the friendly army who came to contact him was actually Sokov's confidant. Naturally, he was a little more enthusiastic about Grisa's attitude: "Comrade Captain, you must have traveled so long.
You're thirsty. Come here." His last words only greeted a staff officer standing at the door. The staff officer hurriedly stepped forward, leaning forward slightly, waiting for the other party to assign him a task.
"Go and pour the captain a cup of hot tea and get some food." When Fomenko said this, he looked at Grisa and said with a smile: "I think Comrade Captain must be tired and tired at the moment.
Hungry."
When the staff went out to prepare things, Fomenko came back to Grisa, looked at him and asked: "Comrade Captain, I wonder where your division is now?"
"Is there a map?"
"Yes." After the chief of staff removed the debris on the map, he made a gesture of invitation to Grisa: "Comrade Captain, do you think this map is suitable for use?"
Grisa glanced down at the map for a few times, and soon found a position he was familiar with. He quickly pointed to Fomenko and said: "General Fomenko, the troops of our division are now stationed here."
The chief of staff quickly raised his head to check where the 188th Division was sitting. After seeing clearly, he gestured with his hand, and then reported to Fomenko: "Comrade Division Commander, we are only less than eight kilometers away."
Fomenko hummed, and then said to Grisa: "Comrade Captain, our superiors have ordered us to launch an attack on the city at noon tomorrow. Have you received such an order?"
"Yes, Comrade General, we have received such an order." Grisa said to Fomenko with a serious expression: "In the area where our division is stationed, some separated commanders and fighters of your division were found. Through conversations with them, the division commander
I know that you have suffered heavy losses in the city. It just so happened that at this moment, he received the attack order from the headquarters, and he quickly dispatched multiple liaison teams to search for your whereabouts."
Having said this, Grisa couldn't help grinning: "In the end, I was lucky enough to find you here." As he said that, he took out a piece of paper from the pocket of his military uniform and handed it to Fomenko, "This is
The contact code of our division’s radio station.”
Fomenko took the piece of paper, without even looking at it, and handed it to his chief of staff, instructing him: "Order the radio operator to send the report immediately and establish contact with the 188th Division as soon as possible."
While the radio operator was sending the report, the staff officer brought refreshments to Grisa. Fomenko greeted warmly: "Comrade Captain, you have worked hard, please have something to eat."
In order to find the whereabouts of the 84th Division, Grisa and his men had been struggling outside for several hours. They were already tired, hungry and thirsty. When they saw the tea, biscuits, rusks and canned beef stew in front of them, they
He couldn't help but swallowed. However, he was not in a hurry to eat. Instead, he raised his head to express his gratitude to Fomenko, and then said: "Comrade General, there are more than a dozen of my subordinates outside. They may also be thirsty and hungry at the moment."
, I wonder if you can...?"
Although Grisa did not finish what he said, Fomenko did not understand what he meant, and quickly ordered the staff officer: "Comrade staff, there are more than a dozen friendly comrades outside, please prepare some food for them by the way.
.”
"Yes, comrade division commander." The staff officer nodded, "I'll do it right away."
After hearing Fomenko's arrangements and seeing the staff leave, Griza picked up the food on the table and started eating. While eating, he asked curiously: "Comrade General, will only our two divisions participate in the attack tomorrow?"
?”
If another low-level officer asked this question, Fomenko would not only not give him an answer, but would also scold him. But the officer sitting in front of him now is one of Sokov's cronies.
Fomenko will naturally treat it differently. Fortunately, the order to attack tomorrow is not a top secret, so there is no need to worry about leaking the secret even if it is told to Griza.
Fomenko smiled and said: "Comrade Captain, the city defenders have received reinforcements. We will definitely not be able to capture the city with just the strength of our two divisions. The headquarters also ordered the 384th Division and the 1st Artillery Division to come over overnight.
When all the troops are here, it won't be too late for us to attack the enemy."
