Smirnov picked up the phone and was about to contact Timofevich. Suddenly he thought of a question, stopped what he was doing, and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, if we directly call Timofevich
When Veitch issued the order, does it count as an overstepping of command? In this way, will Comrade Solomatin have a bad association?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you are right. If we bypass General Solomatin and directly give orders to Timofevich, it will be a leapfrog command." Sokov agreed: "If we do this
, even if General Solomatin doesn’t say anything, there will definitely be knots in his heart, which will have a negative impact on future operations. Also, if Solomatin gives different orders to the troops, I am afraid that
Mofevitch would also be in a dilemma, not knowing whose instructions to follow, leading to confusion in the chain of command."
After talking about the harm of skipping command, Sokov then ordered Smirnov: "Chief of Staff, then you contact General Solomatin and ask him to send the 219th Tank Brigade to meet the 13th Cavalry Division."
After Solomatin answered Smirnov's call, he called Colonel Timofevich to his headquarters and said to him with a serious expression: "Comrade Colonel, I just received a call from Army Chief of Staff Smirno
I received a call from General Husband, saying that the 13th Cavalry Division was blocked by the Germans on its way over, and I hope our tank brigade can come to respond."
Hearing what Solomatin said, Timofevich quickly asked: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask, how many tanks does the enemy have?"
"According to the report from the chief of staff of the group army," Solomatin said: "The enemy is only infantry hiding in the fortifications, and no tanks or armored vehicles have been found."
Knowing that the enemy did not have tanks or armored vehicles, Timofevich could not help but show a proud smile on his face. He said in a relaxed tone: "Comrade Commander, if the enemy has a large number of tanks or armored vehicles, our brigade will definitely not be able to attack such a large number of tanks or armored vehicles."
A big piece of bone. But now..." he laughed and said, "What the hell are these Germans doing with their fortifications? They all look like they haven't had enough to eat. Let our tanks teach them something.
It’s called fighting.”
Solomatin was worried that Timofevich would underestimate the enemy, and specifically reminded him: "Comrade Colonel, you must not take it lightly just because the enemy does not have tanks. This is very dangerous."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Timofevich assured Solomatin: "I will not underestimate the enemy. Since the Germans do not have tanks, they can only rely on anti-tank guns or anti-tank guns to deal with our tanks.
Hand. It will be daybreak soon, and the Germans’ intentions will be easily detected by us.”
At this time, the German infantry battalion blocking the 13th Cavalry Division did not know that it was about to be in disaster. The battalion commander was still drinking coffee comfortably in his command post and said to his men: "
It is said that the Russian cavalry is powerful, but in front of our fortifications and machine guns, they are a group of pitiful targets. If they do not attack, forget it, but if they want to attack, our soldiers will be like shooting on a shooting range.
They will be knocked off their horses one by one."
The reason why the German battalion commander made such a statement was entirely because when he ordered the soldiers to build fortifications yesterday, he encountered resistance from the soldiers. Everyone felt that since they were about to break through, why bother building fortifications? It was with this in mind
Psychologically, the fortifications built are somewhat perfunctory.
But even such crude fortifications still repelled the Soviet cavalry attack. The small victory made the German battalion commander swell. After taking a sip of coffee, he shook his head and said: "If our superiors hadn't ordered us to garrison,
With the combat effectiveness of our battalion, we can launch a countercharge and annihilate all the Russian cavalry on the opposite side."
The German officers and soldiers outside were secretly cursing the battalion commander a few hours ago, feeling that he was just looking for trouble when he ordered everyone to dig fortifications here. They could not help but complain in private. However, the attack of the Soviet cavalry made the officers and soldiers improve.
Being vigilant, they discovered that if the battalion commander had not been stubborn and insisted on building fortifications here, I am afraid that the entire battalion would have been destroyed by the impact of the Russian cavalry.
The soldiers who had been complaining and lying feebly in their tents were now staying in the trenches, monitoring the Soviet cavalry on the opposite side with heightened vigilance, preparing to give them a head-on blow when the enemy attacked.
As daybreak was approaching, the soldiers felt that the Russian cavalry on the opposite side would definitely attack them again, when they suddenly heard the roar of a tank engine behind them.
Hearing this sound, the soldiers all looked towards the rear in unison. They all felt that the tanks from their own side must have arrived. With the support of these tanks, they could launch a counterattack against the Soviet troops attacking the position.
But then, they heard the whistling sound of artillery shells piercing the air. Soon, a shell landed near the trench and exploded. A pillar mixed with soil and continuous material rose into the sky, and dust and snow rose upward.
It flew up, and then the goddess scattered flowers on the bodies of the German soldiers.
"What the hell is going on?" A second lieutenant dusted off the dust on his shoulders and said to himself: "Hell, how can our tanks fire at will? Do they think we are Russia?"
Human position?”
Before the second lieutenant could come up with an answer, another cannonball roared over, landed next to the second lieutenant and exploded, blowing his entire body into pieces.
Then, more artillery shells fell from the sky and exploded near the fortifications, bursting into countless dazzling fireballs and making deafening explosions. In an instant, the German position turned into an erupting crater, with black smoke rising.
It was wrapped tightly, and the black smoke exploded one after another, one after another. There were explosions and fire everywhere.
It turned out that Timofevich had learned lessons from previous battles. In order to break through the German positions as quickly as possible, he decided to cover the enemy with a wave of artillery fire before the attack began. In addition to an artillery battalion, there were also three tanks involved in the artillery bombardment.
The battalion has more than fifty tanks.
Timofevich, who was standing in the observation post, saw that enemy or weapon parts, and even wood fragments used in civil fire points, were being blown away by the air waves of the explosion. He couldn't help waving his fists and cheering loudly.
While the 219th Tank Brigade was using all its strength to bombard the German positions, Sokov, who was staying in the headquarters, suddenly felt his feet trembling slightly, and then there was a thunder-like rumble outside. He couldn't help but feel a little agitated.
He asked in surprise: "What's going on? Is there an earthquake?"
"It's not an earthquake, Comrade Commander." Smirnov reported to Sokov with a smile: "I just received a telegram from the sabotage team behind enemy lines. They have discovered the enemy's oil depot and ammunition depot and are preparing to carry out sabotage.
.If I guess correctly, the reason why you feel the ground shaking is entirely because the explosion of the ammunition depot and oil depot made too much noise."
Sokov was concerned about the return of all the personnel who participated in the mission. He quickly said to Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, send a telegram to ask what their casualties are? You know, from what happened just now
Judging from the movement, when blowing up two targets, if they are too close, your life will definitely be in danger."
After 20 minutes of shelling the German positions, Timofevich's troops launched a formal attack. Seeing his tank troops launching an attack on the German positions, the commander of the 13th Cavalry Division was overjoyed and quickly ordered his men:
"Brothers, our reinforcements are here! All of them are here. Listen to my command and attack the enemy's position."
The original crude fortifications of the German army had become pitted after a round of shelling. The German soldiers who were preparing to repair the fortifications were frightened when they first saw the Soviet tanks attacking. Then they saw what they had been defending.
The Russian cavalry actually launched an attack. They panicked and quickly picked up their guns and started shooting randomly.
However, these Germans forgot that they now had neither solid fortifications nor tanks or armored vehicles. Facing the Soviet assault force composed of tanks and cavalry, any resistance they had was in vain.
As the 219th Tank Brigade and the 13th Cavalry Division approached, the German troops on the position had completely lost their confidence to resist. Seeing the Soviet commanders and soldiers rushing up, they had no idea of resisting and directly dropped their weapons and surrendered.
When Stemerman learned about the gathering of large Soviet troops, he quickly contacted Giller through the walkie-talkie: "General Giller, I feel that something is wrong with the atmosphere today. The Russians are pressing towards us from all directions. If you
If we can't move any faster, I'm afraid there's a risk of the entire army being annihilated."
"Then what should we do?"
"The losses of the Baker Heavy Tank Regiment were very great. They could no longer pose a threat to the Russians, so it was difficult for us to open a gap." Faced with such a severe situation, Stemmermann decided to take a gamble: "You should turn around immediately and head towards
North Face Movement…”
"What, moving north?" Gille asked in surprise: "General, don't you know that we only need to advance two or three kilometers further west to return to the friendly defense zone?"
"That's right, General Giller." Stemerman patiently explained to Giller: "Although we are only two or three kilometers away from friendly forces, the Russians will definitely try their best to cause sabotage in order to prevent our rendezvous.
, I am afraid that our effective strength has been exhausted and we will not be able to break through their last defense."
He slapped the map with his hand and then said: "But our attack to the north will definitely give the Russians the illusion that we will return to the north of the encirclement and rush over to join the friendly forces there."
General Stemermann's plan was completely beyond the expectations of the Soviet commanders. They thought that the enemies inside and outside the encirclement would definitely find ways to join forces, so a large number of newly arrived troops were thrown in the direction of the breakthrough to prevent
The German troops jumped out of the encirclement.
Unexpectedly, the German army would move all the way north. As a result, those defenses that were not defended by many troops were like fake fortifications, and were broken through by the German army one after another. Konev realized that he had fallen into the trap of the German army, and quickly mobilized his troops to stop the German army who was preparing to break through.
As soon as the tasks here were assigned, I received a call from Stalin. The Supreme Commander himself said angrily on the phone: "General Konev, we have announced to the world that in Korsun-Shevchin
The heavy German army group in the Kovsky area has been surrounded by our army.
But not long ago, we received a report from the front line that the besieged Soviet army group had broken through the front line of the 27th Army and was fleeing towards its own troops. Tell me, how much do you know about the situation of your neighboring troops?
"
From the tone of Stalin's speech and the harsh language, he understood that the Supreme Commander himself was anxious and uneasy, and it seemed that the cause was caused by someone's incomplete report.
Faced with Stalin's concerns, Konev quickly reported: "Comrade Stalin, please rest assured, I assure you that the surrounded enemy will not be able to escape. Our front army has taken measures. In order to protect the relationship with the 1st Ukrainian Front Army
In order to drive the enemy back into the encirclement, I have ordered the 5th Guards Tank Army to advance towards the formed breakthrough area. At this moment, they are successfully completing their mission."
After listening to Konev's words, Stalin's tone softened: "Comrade Konev, I believe in the combat effectiveness of the 5th Guards Tank Army, but have you ever considered that if your troops advance north, they may cross
The dividing line between the front armies."
Konev replied: "Yes, Comrade Stalin."
Stalin said: "That's good. Our base camp will discuss it and then call you."
Half an hour later, Stalin called me again and said: "Can all the troops operating in front of the besieged group, including the 27th Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front, be transferred to you so that you can command and destroy the besieged group?"
"
Konev did not expect that Stalin would propose such a plan, and immediately replied: "Comrade Stalin, it is difficult to transfer the 27th Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front to me now. First of all, this army is on the other side of the encirclement.
Just opposite our troops, they were moving in a different direction.
Moreover, the entire logistics supply of the army, as well as communications with the front army headquarters, are carried out through Baitzerkoviy and Kiev. Therefore, it will be very difficult for me to command the army, passing through Kremen along the circumference of the entire encirclement circle.
Communicating with Chuuk, Kiev, and Baitzerkovi is complicated. Fighting is currently taking place in the breakthrough corridor, and it is impossible to establish direct communication with the 27th Army. In addition, the strength of the Army is very weak and is distributed over a wide front.
, it simply cannot prevent the besieged enemy from breaking through."
Konev's repeated excuses made Stalin very dissatisfied. He said to Konev in a tough manner: "General Konev, this is a decision of the high command, and you must obey the order. In order to reduce your burden, the 27th
After the army group is placed under your command, Vatutin's 1st Ukrainian Front will still be responsible for the logistical supplies. Do you understand?"
"Comrade Stalin, I understand what you mean." Faced with the pressure exerted by Stalin, Konev did not choose to compromise, but continued to argue: "I do not agree to transfer the 27th Army to me because of two
The coordination plan of the front army has been destroyed, and the transfer of the army has become more difficult. The outcome of the battle makes me very worried. You know, even if the 27th Group Army is transferred to me, I will not be able to supplement the necessary troops for them."
