Zakharov felt that Sokov's reminder was timely. If the German army really opened a gap in the defense line of the 5th Guards Airborne Division and continuously transferred troops out through this, then the task of encircling and annihilating the German army would be
The plan would be completely frustrated. As soon as he put down the phone, he immediately arranged to contact the Airborne Division and ordered them to find out the situation in Komarovka.
Konev, who had just walked into the room, happened to hear Zakharov making arrangements for the verification work on the phone. He couldn't help but frown slightly. As soon as Zakharov put down the phone, he asked: "Chief of Staff, are you ready?"
What happened?"
"That's it, Comrade Commander." After Zakharov introduced the situation reported by Sokov, he finally said: "General Sokov reminded me that the defense line of the 5th Guards Airborne Division may have been occupied by the Germans.
Breakthrough."
"This is impossible." Konev said with a shocked face: "If the defense line is breached by the Germans, we will definitely receive a report from the 5th Guards Airborne Division."
Zakharov pointed to the map and said: "I guess General Sokov's speculation is correct. The Germans made a breakthrough from Komarovka, which we thought was impossible."
Konev stared at the map on the table and began to think. According to the intelligence analysis obtained, the German troops in Hiliki are most likely to break through from the junction of the 180th Infantry Division and the 5th Guards Airborne Division.
, after completing the breakthrough, quickly rush toward the defense area of the 18th Tank Army in the southwest direction. By doing this, the German army can effectively bypass the 239 Hill and join the German 1st Armored Division stationed in October Town as soon as possible.
He raised his head and looked at Zakharov, and said with a serious expression: "Comrade Chief of Staff, we need to remind the commanders below that today we are fighting with a large corps, and any small omission may bring incalculable consequences.
.”
"You are right, Comrade Commander." Zakharov nodded and said, "I will remind the airborne division commander after the results of the investigation come out."
"By the way, there is one more thing." Konev suddenly remembered another important thing: "Tell Comrade Sokov that there is no need to come to the front headquarters after dawn. If he hadn't been alert and decisively ordered
The division's artillery regiment carried out artillery bombardment in front of the high ground. Maybe Hill 239 has fallen into the hands of the Germans."
"It's so dangerous." While Zakharov felt lucky, he also had a trace of doubt: "How did he know that the Germans would launch a night attack on the highlands?"
Faced with Zakharov's question, Konev hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Maybe it is his innate observation ability that can detect things that others cannot detect. To tell you the truth, for him to order artillery without authorization
, I was also very dissatisfied with the artillery bombardment in front of the high ground. I was originally going to wait for him to come to the headquarters at dawn and reprimand him severely. But I didn’t expect that he was right. If it weren’t for his decisive move, I’m afraid that
The Germans in the encirclement can escape through the gap opened."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," a staff officer came over and reported to Zakharov: "We just received a report from the 20th Tank Corps that their defense area was attacked by the Germans."
"What, the defense area of the 20th Tank Army was attacked." Upon hearing this, Zakharov immediately lowered his head and looked at the map in front of him, quickly looking for where the enemies who might attack the Tank Army came from. After looking at it for a moment, he felt that it was most likely
The enemy attacking the 20th Tank Corps was the German 1st Armored Division stationed in October Town, so he asked tentatively: "Is it the 1st Armored Division stationed in October Town?"
"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." The staff officer replied: "It's the Baker Heavy Armor Regiment coming from the southwest."
If it were an ordinary tank regiment of the German army, Konev, Zakharov and others would definitely look down upon it, but the Baker Heavy Armored Regiment was formed in mid-January 1944 under the order of Marshal Manstein. Its main mission is
Break through the Soviet defenses, open the way to the rescue of the Cherkasy encirclement, and take on the spearhead of the rescue operation. The troops of the regiment were drawn from various armored divisions, including the 503rd Heavy Armor equipped with 34 Two Tiger tanks
Battalion, the 1st Battalion of the 23rd Armored Regiment equipped with 46 Panther tanks, an armored artillery battalion equipped with self-propelled artillery, as well as an armored engineer battalion and a mountain hunter battalion.
Even though this unit is just a regiment, they are a nightmare for the Soviet army. In previous battles, Soviet tanks were beaten by Tiger and Panther tanks and were unable to fight back. The shells fired by T-34
It cannot pose an actual threat to the Tiger and Panther tanks, but the armor-piercing projectiles fired by the German tank artillery can smash them into wreckage at extremely long distances. With this sophisticated equipment and the high quality of the combatants, the German armored forces have the advantage
It was brought into full play.
Since the formation of the regiment, they have destroyed and captured 267 Soviet tanks at the cost of destroying 1 Tiger tank and 4 Panther tanks.
Hearing that it was the Baker Heavy Armored Regiment, Zakharov couldn't help but feel a little confused. He quickly asked Konev for instructions: "Comrade Commander, what should we do?"
Konev was silent for a long time, and then said: "Our tanks are no match for German tanks in the field. If we attack rashly, we will definitely suffer heavy losses. Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately give an order to the 20th Tank Corps to let them rely on
The existing defenses used anti-tank guns and rocket launchers to destroy the attacking German tanks."
"Okay, Comrade Commander, I will pass on your order immediately."
While Konev and Zakharov were worrying about the Baker Heavy Armored Regiment, good news came from Sokov. The German troops occupying Hill 239 had been eliminated by the combined forces of the 41st Guards Division and the 116th Infantry Division.
.
"Comrade Commander," Smirnov said with joy on his face: "Our troops have retaken Highland 239 and eliminated the enemies who occupied the position."
"Order the 116th Division to leave one regiment to take over the defense of the highlands, and the rest of the troops to immediately withdraw from the highlands and turn to the original defense area of the 124th Guards Regiment." Although it was a joy to regain the position, Sokov's face showed a look of joy.
With less than a hint of joy, he said with a solemn expression: "I think the enemy in October Town may take action now that the war is going on."
"But, Comrade Commander." Regarding Sokov's statement, Smirnov raised his own questions: "Are you saying that the enemies stationed in October Town are afraid of the 21st Guards Infantry on their flanks?
Army and the 5th Mechanized Army, don’t you dare to act casually?”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly." Sokov explained to Smirnov: "Since the Germans have launched a surprise attack on Hill 239, the enemies outside the encirclement will definitely take action to cooperate with their breakout.
.The enemy closest to Highland 239 is stationed in October Town. If my guess is correct, they will launch a fierce attack on the defense area of the 41st Guards Division after dawn, so it is necessary for us to strengthen the area in advance.
Defense force.”
If Sokov had said this yesterday, or even a few hours ago, Smirnov would have been doubtful. But everything that is happening now shows that Sokov's judgment is accurate, so he simply believed it.
Sokov nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will convey your intention to General Kurishenko and ask him to prepare for the battle."
"Also." Sokov saw that Tsarev was not in the headquarters, and told Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, by the way, tell General Tsarev, in addition to the artillery responsible for blocking the front of 239 Heights,
, the remaining artillery must be ready to provide artillery support to the 122nd Regiment at any time."
After recording Sokov's order, Smirnov casually asked: "Comrade Commander, do you have any other instructions?"
Unexpectedly, Sokov actually nodded and continued: "If the 1st Armored Division in October Town launches an attack, I'm worried that the 41st Guards Division may not be able to stop it. Let the 233rd and 252nd Infantry Divisions be ready to fight.
Be prepared to send them for reinforcements if necessary."
"Comrade Commander, I don't think this is necessary." However, Smirnov felt a little fussy about Sokov's deployment: "You must know that there are many defense fortifications from the past in the defense area of the 122nd Guards Regiment.
These fortifications are built with one meter thick reinforced concrete and can even withstand the bombardment of 155mm artillery. I believe they can hold on."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," seeing that Smirnov was too optimistic about the situation, Sokov reminded him: "From the battle just now, haven't you seen how poor the combat effectiveness of the 41st Guards Division is now?"
"I think the soldiers acted very bravely in the battle to retake the high ground."
"You can't win a war just by being brave." Seeing that Smirnov still didn't understand what he meant, Sokov explained to him: "Look, in order to regain the 239 heights occupied by the enemy, we
Four regiments of troops were mobilized before and after. The German troops who stood firm on the top of the mountain were not only cut off from support by our artillery fire, but also had no heavy weapons, but they still caused our troops to suffer heavy casualties."
"The reasons for the heavy casualties of our army are many." Smirnov organized the vocabulary in his mind and said: "First of all, the German army occupies a favorable terrain, and secondly, our army's equipment is poor. Many soldiers use
It’s an outdated weapon…”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you are right about one thing. Many new soldiers of the 41st Guards Division use outdated weapons." Sokov said with a serious expression: "A group of people who have not received special military training.
New recruits with little combat experience are still using outdated weapons. Do you think such a unit can stop the Germans who have experienced hundreds of battles and are armed to the teeth? What's more, the German 1st Armored Division is powerful, even if we
It is difficult to win when the troops are superior, let alone the current situation where the troops are at a disadvantage."
Sokov finished speaking in one breath. Seeing that Smirnov was still a little hesitant, he quickly added: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't forget that behind the German 1st Armored Division, there are still more powerful troops.
The powerful Flag Guard Division is no weaker than the Viking Division."
Sokov's words made Smirnov realize the seriousness of the problem. He nodded quickly and said: "I understand, Comrade Commander, I will immediately notify the 233rd and 252nd Divisions to prepare for battle."
Seeing Smirnov calling the commanders of each division, Sokov couldn't help but sigh secretly. If he was still commanding the well-equipped and well-trained 27th Army, he wouldn't have to worry about the Viking or Flag Guard divisions at all.
, just pick out one or two divisions, and you can beat the opponent to pieces. It's a pity that such a good unit was almost exhausted in a series of battles not long after he left.
After making the call, Smirnov reported to Sokov in front of him: "Comrade Commander, I have called the two division commanders of the 233rd and 252nd Divisions and ordered them to prepare for battle. At the same time,
, I also issued war preparation orders to the two tank regiments and three Guards rocket launcher battalions directly under the group army, so that they can provide powerful artillery support to the troops holding their positions if necessary."
"You are very thoughtful, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov realized that all his oversights were made up for by Smirnov, and he quickly expressed his gratitude to the other party: "Thank you!"
"Comrade Commander, you are so polite." Hearing Sokov say thank you to himself, Smirnov seemed a little embarrassed: "This is my job in the first place, you don't need to say thank you."
After a pause, Smirnov cautiously asked an important question: "Comrade Commander, if, I mean if. Suppose the German army opened a gap in our defense line through a fierce attack, and the German army tried to break through.
Let’s meet, what should we do?”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, what we can do at that time is to devote all our efforts to crush the German army's attempt to join forces at all costs." Sokov replied with a straight face and an expressionless face: "As long as one of us is alive, we will absolutely
We cannot allow the encircled enemy to pass through our defense zone smoothly."
"I think in addition to relying on our positions for defense, we can also adopt proactive tactics."
Sokov asked in surprise: "How to take the initiative?"
"Don't we have two tank regiments?" Smirnov suggested to Sokov: "When the enemy attacks the position of the 41st Guards Division, we can send a tank regiment to attack from the flank of the German army and catch them by surprise.
"
Regarding the plan proposed by Smirnov, Sokov frowned and thought for a while, and finally shook his head and refused: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think this plan is not advisable."
"Why?" Smirnov asked puzzled.
"As far as I know, the German 1st Armored Division is equipped with a lot of Tiger and Panther tanks, but our tank regiment is all T-34. Their tanks can range from 800 meters to 1,000 meters.
The distance can easily penetrate the frontal armor of our tanks, while our tanks must be at a distance of 500 meters to be able to penetrate the armor of Tiger tanks."
Sokov shook his head and said: "In a head-to-head confrontation with the German armored forces, our tank regiment will suffer heavy losses."
"But if we just hold on to our position, we will be passively defending." Smirnov said unwillingly: "In that case, our defensive battle will be too useless."
"You can't say that, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov explained: "I just opposed the tank troops sending out an attack, which would be equivalent to letting them die, but we can adopt other methods, turning passive defense into active defense.
"
"Oh, turn negative into positive?!" Sokov's words aroused Smirnov's interest: "Comrade Commander, can you tell me what we should do to achieve this goal?"
This chapter has been completed!