After Sokov waited for Koshkin to leave, he lay on the bed again, preparing to close his eyes and sleep. But too many things happened tonight, which made his brain in an excited state and he could not sleep at all.
It wasn't until the sky outside the window lit up that he fell asleep in a daze.
Unexpectedly, not long after he fell asleep, he was awakened by a rapid knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Sokov, who was disturbed from his sweet dream, shouted at the door angrily: "Who is at the door?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the knocking on the door outside suddenly stopped.
Sokov got out of bed, came to the door barefoot, and opened the door suddenly, only to find a combat staff officer standing at the door.
"Comrade Staff Officer," Sokov knew very well that the appearance of the combat staff officer at his door meant that a battle was about to begin, so he lowered his tone and asked, "What happened?"
"Comrade Commander." The combat staff replied respectfully: "General Tsarev asked me to invite you, saying that the Germans are gathering on the right bank of the Dniester River and asking you if they can fire immediately."
"Comrade Staff Officer, please go back and tell General Tsarev." When Sokov learned that the battle was about to begin, he said to the staff officer: "If he feels that the opportunity to fight is ripe, he can immediately order the artillery to fire on the enemy."
He turned his head and glanced indoors, and added: "You go back to the headquarters first, I will clean up and then go over."
Ten minutes later, Sokov appeared in the headquarters after washing. He came to Smirnov and asked directly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, why haven't you fired on the German troops on the other side yet?"
"Comrade Commander," Smirnov saw Sokov coming and quickly reported to him: "General Tsarev said that the order for the artillery to fire on the enemy still needs to wait for you." After that, he
He shouted to one side, "General Tsarev, Comrade Commander is here, come here."
Tsarev, who was busy, heard that Sokov was coming and immediately ran over, "Comrade Commander, our artillery is ready to fire and is waiting for your order."
Sokov couldn't laugh or cry after hearing this. He said to Tsarev: "General Tsarev, you are the commander of the artillery. You can give the order to fire on the German army assembly area directly. You don't have to ask me for instructions on everything. Do you understand?
?”
"Understood, Comrade Commander. I immediately gave the order to the artillery and asked them to shell the assembled German troops." After Tsarev finished speaking, he sighed softly and said in a regretful tone: "It's really
It's a pity that such a silent dawn will soon be broken by the sound of our cannons."
"General Tsarev, we use the sound of cannons to break the silence of dawn today just so that we can have more dawns in the future and enjoy the silence of this moment." Sokov didn't want to talk nonsense with Tsarev, so he waved to him.
He ordered: "The fighter planes on the battlefield are fleeting, order the artillery to fire!"
When the rumble of artillery was heard outside the house, Smirnov asked Sokov for instructions: "Comrade Commander, according to the information fed back by our scouts, the German army on the other side only has an infantry regiment equipped with a small number of tanks and artillery. Under the artillery fire,
After the sudden attack, should we hold on to our position, or should we attack decisively and quickly establish a landing site on the right bank of the Dniester River?"
Sokov originally planned to follow the orders of the front army headquarters and focus on defense and only engage in small-scale battles with the enemy in certain areas. But at this moment, Smirnov's proposal made his heart beat. You know,
As the 27th and 52nd Group Armies entered the battlefield, the offensive width of their own troops has been greatly reduced. In other words, they can concentrate more troops for attacks in a certain direction.
Seeing Sokov staring blankly at the map on the table, Smirnov naturally understood that the other party was weighing the interests and did not rush him. It was not until he received a call from Colonel Papchenko that he could not help but urge Sokov
: "Comrade Commander, have you thought about it?"
Sokov raised his head, looked at Smirnov and asked: "Chief of Staff, do you think we should attack?"
Smirnov raised the microphone in his hand and said to Sokov: "I am talking to Colonel Papchenko, the commander of the 122nd Regiment. He said that he saw the Germans from his regiment command post.
The assembly area had turned into a sea of fire, and the enemy's casualties must have been huge. He felt that he should go out decisively to eliminate the remaining enemies and find a way to establish a landing site on the right bank."
Sokov did not give an answer immediately, but said to Smirnov: "Let him wait a moment." Then he called a staff officer and asked, "Where is Colonel Burgos, our director of armored forces?"
"Report to Comrade Commander," the staff officer replied respectfully: "Colonel Burgos has gone to the defense area of the 122nd Regiment. He said he was prepared to personally lead the tank brigade and teach the Germans an unforgettable lesson."
"Can I contact him?"
"Of course, Comrade Commander." The staff officer replied: "You can contact him by phone at his location. I will help you get through to his phone right now."
The call was quickly connected. Sokov put the receiver to his ear and said loudly: "Colonel Burgos, this is Sokov. Now I ask you, if you give the tank brigade an attack mission, how long will it take?
How long does it take to launch an attack on the German army?"
"Five minutes, Comrade Commander." Burgos replied on the phone: "The commanders and fighters of the tank brigade are ready to attack. As long as you give an order, they can immediately launch an attack on the German troops on the other side."
"Very good." Sokov was very satisfied with his answer and told him: "As soon as the bombardment is over, you will personally lead a tank brigade to attack the positions on the right bank of the Dniester River.
In the shortest possible time, break through the German defenses on the right bank. Do you understand?"
Regarding Sokov's order, Burgos said hesitantly: "Comrade Commander, the Germans have deployed many anti-tank fighters on the right bank. Without the cooperation of the infantry, we will not be able to pass through their defense line."
"As for the infantry, you can rest assured." Sokov knew that the tank troops without infantry cover were just lambs waiting to be slaughtered in the eyes of the German anti-tank fighters, so he comforted them and said: "I will send the infantry."
Follow your attack."
As soon as he put down the phone, Sokov called the headquarters of the 41st Guards Division again: "I am Sokov, find Ponedelin for me, and be quick!"
Under Sokov's urging, the staff officer who answered the phone quickly called for Ponedelin. "Hello, comrade commander! I am Ponedelin. What instructions do you have?"
"According to the current information our army has, the German army has only one regiment on the right bank of the Dniester River. They are equipped with less skilled tanks and artillery." Sokov said seriously: "So I changed my mind and planned to
Conduct an assault on the right bank and find a way to establish a landing site."
"Comrade Commander, although the Germans have a small number of troops, they will find that when our army launches an attack, their resistance will be very tenacious." Seeing that Sokov was determined to capture the right bank, Ponedelin proposed what he was currently doing.
Problem faced: "So I hope to be strengthened by tank troops. This will be very helpful for us to break through the enemy's defense line."
"There is no problem with that." Sokov replied readily: "I have already made an agreement with Colonel Burgos, the director of the armored forces. Once the shelling stops, he will immediately lead a tank brigade to launch an assault on the German positions on the right bank. And
Your 122nd Regiment will follow us, firstly to quickly establish a position on the right bank, and secondly to protect our tanks and eliminate those German anti-tank fighters."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Ponejelin quickly expressed his position: "I will call Colonel Papuchenko immediately and ask him to prepare for the attack. At the same time, I also plan to transfer the 124th Regiment to the area.
, used as a reserve team.”
"Well, you are very thoughtful, so let's do it."
After Sokov put down the phone, he said to Smirnov who was still holding the phone: "The chief of staff informed you that you should tell Colonel Papuchenko that as soon as the shelling stops, his regiment will follow the tanks of the tank brigade.
Launch an attack on the opponent. Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin will personally convey the formal attack order to him."
When Papuchenko heard what Smirnov said, he thought that the other party was perfunctory with him, but he dared not speak out in anger, so he could only bite the bullet and said: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, I will order the troops immediately
Be prepared to attack and be ready to follow our tanks and launch an assault on the enemy's positions at any time."
"By the way," before hanging up the phone, Smirnov suddenly remembered an important thing and quickly added: "Also, I have dismantled all the anti-tank mines you deployed at the bridge.
I accidentally blew up one of my own tanks."
After Smirnov reminded him, Papuchenko immediately remembered the anti-tank mines he ordered to place at the bridgehead. They were originally intended to block German tanks, but now it seems that these anti-tank mines are hindering his own tanks.
Tanks. He said hurriedly: "I understand, Comrade Chief of Staff, I will immediately send people to dismantle all those anti-tank mines."
Since the artillery was only attacking the assembled German troops and was not a formal artillery preparation before the attack, the artillery bombardment lasted less than ten minutes and then came to an abrupt end.
Burgos, who had long been prepared for battle, immediately led a tank brigade and launched an assault towards the German positions on the other side. Seeing that the tanks had already driven onto the bridge, the commanders and fighters of the 122nd Regiment also came out of the hidden fortifications.
He came out, holding his weapon and shouting "Ula", and bravely rushed to the German position on the other side.
The German troops, who had been stunned by the Soviet artillery fire, never dreamed that just after the shelling, the smoke had not dispersed, and the Soviet troops on the other side, under the cover of tanks, launched an attack on their positions, and were suddenly overwhelmed.
I was caught off guard.
A few surviving fire points saw the Soviet infantry entering the firing range, and immediately opened fire in an attempt to prevent them from approaching their positions. Unexpectedly, these exposed fire points became the targets of Soviet tanks. After a series of shelling,
All the firepower points were destroyed, and none of the soldiers inside were spared.
The machine gun firepower on the position was muted. Although sporadic shooting could cause certain casualties to the Soviet army, it had no effect on changing the situation of the battle.
Soon, the commanders and fighters of the 122nd Regiment rushed into the German position under the cover of tanks, jumped into the trench, and started fighting in the trench with the surviving German troops.
Although the German troops holding on to their positions were desperately resisting, they were at an absolute disadvantage in terms of strength and equipment. However, the shelling that had ended not long ago had reduced their morale to the extreme. In less than twenty minutes, the commanders and soldiers of the 122nd Regiment occupied the area.
All German positions on the right bank were occupied.
Seeing that the position had been occupied, Colonel Papuchenko immediately called Ponedelin and reported: "Comrade division commander, I have good news for you. Our regiment has successfully occupied the position on the right bank of the Dniester River and established a
A solid landing ground.”
"Well done, Colonel Papuchenko, you are so well done." Ponedelin firmly remembered what Sokov said and established a landing site on the right bank of the Dniester River as a future landing site.
The starting point of the attack, "Now that the enemy's position has been occupied, stop advancing and switch to defense on the spot. Seize the time to repair the fortifications, improve the defense system, and prevent possible counterattacks by the Germans."
Although Colonel Papuchenko still had some unfinished ideas, since it was the division commander who gave the order, he could only obey unconditionally: "Yes, comrade division commander, I immediately ordered the troops to stop advancing, switch to defense on the spot, and seize the time to repair the fortifications.
Improve the defense system.”
After Ponedelin ended the call with Papuchenko, he immediately reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I am honored to report to you that Colonel Papuchenko's 122nd Regiment has successfully occupied
We have occupied the German positions on the right bank, and in accordance with your orders, we have established a stable landing site to serve as a starting point for our offensive."
"Very good, Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin, you did a good job." Sokov now only wants to establish a landing site on the right bank of the Dniester River to prepare for future attacks, and does not intend to continue to move forward, because
The result of this will be that he will become a key target of the German army: "Your next task is to consolidate the right bank and be prepared to resist the German counterattack."
"Comrade Commander," Tsarev expressed confusion about the order issued by Sokov: "Since we have broken through the German defense line on the right bank, why not take the opportunity to expand the results? You know, we can
The area of the landing site has expanded by dozens or even hundreds of square kilometers."
"General Tsarev, I don't know if you have thought about it carefully." Sokov looked at Tsarev and said: "Yes, with the strength of our group army, even if we double the area of the landing site, there will be no problem.
.
But have you ever thought that the friendly forces on the left and right wings are now more than ten or twenty kilometers behind us. If we advance forward again, we will become a lone army. If the Germans roundabout from both sides, we will fall into them.
surrounded by.
Now, after capturing the German positions on the right bank of the Dniester River, we are concentrating our efforts to establish a reliable landing site. First, it can be used as a starting point for future attacks; second, we wait for the friendly forces on the left and right to advance forward and level the entire front.
Eliminate possible threats to our left and right."
After listening to Sokov's words, Tsarev finally understood the other party's intention. He nodded and said: "I understand, Comrade Commander. You are worried that if we go deep alone, we will be surrounded by the German army.
This has led to a reversal of the situation on the battlefield. Now concentrating our efforts to consolidate the occupied areas will be very helpful for our subsequent operations."
