After Zhukov inspected all the troops of the 27th Group Army, he agreed to Sokov's proposal. He no longer needed to spend a lot of manpower and material resources to build fortifications that had no purpose at all, but instead concentrated on training troops to improve them in a short time.
The combat effectiveness of the troops.
In the days that followed, Sokov concentrated on military training and imparted all the tactics and training methods he knew to the commanders of each division without reservation. Sokov knew that in such a short period of time, the commanders and fighters would have to
It is very difficult to master these technical and tactical levels, but in order to prevent his troops from being beaten to pieces by the Germans in the next Battle of Kursk, this is the limit of what he can do.
Just as the troop training work in the Koski area was in full swing, the German army began to use the railway to assemble troops towards Kharkov. One of the troops was the newly rebuilt Imperial Division, headed by flag captain Tansen. Due to the confidentiality of the German army
The work was rigorous. The Soviet army only knew that a large number of German troops were gathering, but they did not know that among these German troops there would be their own enemies.
After Sokov was transferred from the Sixth Army, the Supreme Command appointed Lieutenant General Shremin to take over the position of commander. However, after receiving the appointment, Shremin suddenly contracted a cold and has been receiving treatment in a military hospital in Moscow.
The internal work of the army was temporarily handled by Vitkov.
While Vitkov was acting as the commander of the group army, he also received another order from the Supreme Command: to build complete and solid fortifications in the existing defense zones to prevent possible attacks by the German army.
After receiving this order, Vitkov ordered the divisions to repair fortifications on the existing positions to prevent possible German attacks. Repairing the fortifications naturally required a lot of manpower and material resources, so Vitkov ordered the divisions to repair fortifications.
Except for a few troops left to serve as guards, the rest of the troops were devoted to the construction of fortifications.
Knowing that his troops were about to start building fortifications, Merkulov, the commander of the 67th Guards Division, specifically asked him for instructions: "Comrade Chief of Staff, our superiors ordered us to build fortifications in the existing defense area, but we still need to send a small team to the enemy's rear.
Reconnaissance and sabotage?”
"Comrade General," Vitkov immediately replied after hearing Merkulov's question: "Since the three SS divisions of the German army suffered a heavy blow from us, the remaining German troops have been hiding in the Barvinkovo area.
If you dare to move, even if we send a small team deep into the enemy's rear, it may be difficult to achieve any results, so I think we'd better forget it. Your division's top priority right now is to seize the time to repair the fortifications to prevent possible German attacks."
"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff." Merkulov also felt that the victory some time ago had already broken the Germans. I am afraid that they would not dare to act rashly before summer comes. "I will immediately start arranging the construction of fortifications."
Work."
Since then, both Vitkov and Merkulov regretted their hasty decision. If the 67th Guards Division still followed Sokov's original order and sent people to the enemy's rear for reconnaissance and sabotage at any time,
The Totenkopf and Flag Guard divisions stationed in Barvinkovo will definitely be found, quietly moving in the direction of Kharkov.
Although the Soviet troops stationed in Kharkov added a lot of soldiers from the rear, they were all new recruits without any military training, and after arriving in the army, quite a few of them did not even have weapons. But the soldiers in the army
The commanders did not care about this. They thought that the German army had suffered heavy losses not long ago and it was impossible to launch another attack in a short period of time. As for many soldiers without weapons, this could just allow them to concentrate on repairing fortifications.
But what the Soviet army never dreamed of was that in the early morning of April 28, the German troops stationed south and west of Kharkov suddenly bombarded the Soviet positions with fierce artillery fire. For a time, all forward positions were destroyed.
Shrouded in smoke.
After the Soviet commanders and fighters who were still sleeping were awakened, their shortcomings in lack of training were immediately exposed. If they were veterans and found that their positions were being shelled by the enemy, they would definitely hide in their shelters and not come out; soldiers on duty outside would definitely be nearby.
He hid in a nearby artillery-proof cave. But the soldiers on the position now were all new recruits without any training. As soon as they heard the sound of the cannon, they immediately panicked and rushed out of the shelter like headless flies.
Running around in the trenches until they were blown away by falling shells or cut down by flying shrapnel.
After the intensive bombardment, the German army launched an attack on the Soviet position under the cover of tanks. The three SS divisions of the German army were at the forefront. The Imperial Division first broke through the Soviet defense in the west of the city.
, followed the broken troops and rushed towards the city.
The Flag Guard Division and the Skeleton Division attacking from the south encountered stubborn resistance from the Soviet army, and the battle fell into a stalemate for a while. If it were a month ago, the Soviet troops standing south of Kharkov would definitely have been unable to resist.
It could withstand the attacks of two German SS divisions. However, since the Totenkopf division had suffered heavy losses not long ago, Hausser reduced the original officers and soldiers of the division to one regiment, and added two additional infantry regiments of the Wehrmacht to the army.
A nondescript skeleton master appeared.
Although the Banner Guard Division did not suffer a heavy blow from Sokov's troops, they were severely reduced in number after a long battle, which affected the combat effectiveness of the troops. It was precisely because of various reasons that the troops stationed in the south of the city were able to barely withstand the ground.
Live the German offensive.
Sokov, who was far east of Moscow in the Kosky region, naturally had no way of knowing that the German army had launched another attack in the direction of Kharkov. At this moment, he was chatting with Chief of Staff Samyko.
"Comrade Commander," Samyko asked Sokov with a smile: "Have you ever seen the military parade in Red Square?"
"No." Sokov shook his head and said with regret: "During the military parade on Red Square on November 7, 1941, I was still a corporal. I was stationed in the town of Khimki with a squad of soldiers.
I am not qualified to participate in the military parade; during the military parade in 1942, I was commanding the troops to fight Paulus’ troops at Mamayev Heights, and it was even more impossible to participate in the military parade. In half a year, a new round of military parade will begin. I don’t know.
Will I have the opportunity to participate in the military parade then?"
"You don't have to wait another half a year," Sameko said: "In two days, it will be May Day. There are two military parades on Red Square every year, one is the 'May Day Military Parade' on May 1st, and the other is on November 7th.
'October Festival Military Parade'. I heard that some commanders from our front army might be transferred to the viewing platform to watch the military parade."
Hearing what Samek said, Sokov showed a surprised expression on his face: "Really?"
"Of course it's true." Sameko nodded and said, "This is what I heard secretly from a friend when I went to the front army headquarters for a meeting yesterday."
Sokov had some expectations at first, wondering whether he would be invited to the viewing platform to watch the ceremony, but then he thought about it, the military parade would be held the day after tomorrow, but he had no news at all, so it seemed that there was no hope.
Sokov had no hope of participating in the military parade, but Samyko did not give up. He asked Sokov tentatively: "Comrade Commander, do you think it is necessary to call General Konev and ask about this time?"
Will those people be dispatched to participate in the military parade on Red Square the day after tomorrow?"
Sokov seemed very hesitant about Samek's proposal. He felt that if his superiors really planned to let him go to the Red Square to watch the ceremony, they would have called him to inform him long ago. How can he be sure that there has been no news until now? Thinking of this, he
The hand that had already held the microphone retracted again.
Just when Sokov was hesitant, the phone on the table rang. He grabbed the receiver, put it to his ear, and said nervously: "I'm Sokov."
"Major General Sokov, this is Konev." Konev's serious voice came from the receiver: "I have something urgent to tell you."
When Sokov heard this, his heart beat faster than expected. He thought to himself: Did Konev notify him to attend the Red Square ceremony later to prepare himself in advance? Thinking of this, he pretended to be calm.
He asked: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, what instructions do you have?"
"I just received the battle report from the General Staff." Konev said sternly: "The German army suddenly launched an attack on Kharkov. After more than five hours of fighting, the German army attacking from the west
They have broken through our army's defense zone and rushed into the city to start a battle with our army. The troops holding on to the south are now struggling to hold on, and I believe they will not be able to hold on for long."
Sokov, who was still smiling at first, became furious after hearing the bad news. She kicked up a chair in front of her and knocked it over to the ground. She cursed: "Idiots, they are all a bunch of idiots."
, I fought for them for so long, but the fortifications built could not even stop the enemy's attack."
There was a reason for Sokov's anger. In real history, Kharkov was lost in mid-March. But due to Sokov's proactive attack, the German army's attempt to capture Kharkov was shattered and even severely damaged.
Those three SS divisions that captured Kharkov. He originally thought that this new enemy-friendly situation could be maintained until the original Battle of Kursk broke out. But now it seems that he was too naive and thought about the problem too much.
too easy.
When Konev heard Sokov getting angry, he could only smile bitterly and said: "Yes, I also think that the troops staying in Kharkov are a bunch of idiots. In the past two months, the base camp has been constantly
However, in the face of the powerful German offensive, their resistance was unsatisfactory. I am calling you just to ask if there is any way to remedy the situation."
"What else can be done to remedy this?" The German army was already approaching the city. Even if reinforcements were to be sent out at this moment, water from afar would not be able to quench their thirst. He said angrily: "The only way is for the Sixth Army to decisively attack and launch an attack."
Balvinkovo's posture to attract the attention of the German army."
Konev really listened to Sokov's suggestion: "Major General Sokov, what you said is a good idea. As long as the Sixth Army moves, the German troops attacking Kharkov will definitely be worried.
If your rear is attacked, you will definitely temporarily stop the attack on Kharkov. I will immediately report your method to the General Staff."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov felt that it was very inappropriate to rashly let the Sixth Army launch an attack without knowing the strength of the enemy, so he continued to ask: "I want to ask, what about the attack on Kharko?"
What is the serial number of my husband’s German unit?”
"The one attacking from the west is the Imperial Division..."
"What, what did you say?" Sokov was stunned when he heard the number of the Imperial Division: "Didn't the Imperial Division be completely wiped out by us? Now another Imperial Division appears from somewhere?"
"According to General Golikov's report, they interrogated the prisoners and learned that this was the new Imperial Division that had been reorganized not long ago. The division commander was flag captain Tansen. He was previously a regimental commander of the Imperial Division and was sent to the hospital because of his injuries.
Went to Berlin for treatment." In order to let Sokov figure out what was going on, Konev explained to him everything he knew about the situation: "Since you wiped out the Imperial Division, Germany has
In order to save face, they appointed Tansen, who had just recovered from an injury, as the new division commander, and reorganized the Imperial Division by transferring manpower from the Berlin SS and some wounded soldiers from the original Imperial Division who had just recovered from an injury."
"So that's it," Sokov learned that the German army had rebuilt the Imperial Division, so the German troops attacking from the south must be the other two SS divisions that had been severely damaged by him. He asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army
, If I am not mistaken, the enemies attacking Kharkov from the south should be the Skeleton Division and the Flag Guard Division, right?"
"Major General Sokov, you guessed it right." Konev nodded and said: "The enemies attacking Kharkov's southern defense line are indeed the Flag Guard Division and the newly replenished Skeleton Division. But they
During the attack, they encountered strong resistance from our army, and so far, they have not yet broken through our defense..."
Sokov remembered that in real history, when the German army attacked from the south of the city, it encountered stubborn resistance from a Soviet infantry division. For 48 hours, it was unable to advance a step. If the soldiers of that division were not completely lost, there would be no more soldiers.
Ammunition, the German troops attacking from the south will pay a heavier price if they want to break through their defense lines.
I have bought precious time for the friendly forces for one and a half months, and I don’t know if General Golikov has prioritized supplying the infantry division south of the city. If they have received enough ammunition and soldiers, I believe that with the bravery and tenacity of the commanders and soldiers, they will be able to
It is possible that the German army could be blocked south of Kharkov for two days or even longer.
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I feel that it is not enough for the Sixth Army to take an offensive behind the enemy's rear." Sokov was the commander of the Sixth Army not long ago. He naturally knows how to fight in order to pose a greater threat to the German army.
, then tactfully said to Konev: "They still need the cooperation of friendly forces, such as the 64th Army on their right wing and the Southwest Front further north. If these troops assume a posture of attacking Barvinkovo and Izyum,
It will definitely cause panic in the German army."
After Konev quickly recorded what Sokov said, he said to him: "Major General Sokov, your proposal is very constructive and is very helpful in rescuing our friendly forces from the current predicament.
Help, your opinion, I will report it to the General Staff immediately and let them find a way to resolve the danger in the Kharkov area."
