In the next few days, each division of the group army was seizing the time to rest and replenish.
For the commanders of each division, being able to get so many experienced veterans to replenish their troops at once makes them smile from their dreams. Although many of the newly recruited commanders and fighters are either injured or weak, this does not matter.
After all, as long as you rest for a while, you can participate in the battle.
However, the 270 members of the second lieutenant training company and the junior commander training company were not assigned to various units to serve as grassroots commanders according to Sokov's idea. Instead, they stayed in the units directly under the group army as an organic whole.
Originally, Sokov held a meeting of group army chiefs and planned to announce in public that the members of the two companies would be divided into parts and assigned to various divisions to serve as grassroots commanders. But as soon as his words came out, he was strongly opposed by Lunev:
"No, Comrade Commander, I firmly oppose dispersing the officers and soldiers of the two companies to each division."
Sokov and Lunev have been partners for such a long time, and the other party has never opposed him so firmly. He can't help but ask in surprise: "Why?"
"It's very simple. Our superiors gave us two organic companies. If you rashly disband them and assign them to each division, once the superiors know about this, I'm afraid it will cause unnecessary trouble."
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov said calmly in the face of Luniev's objection: "There are a total of 270 commanders and fighters in the two companies. No matter how strong their combat effectiveness is, they can only play the role of two companies on the battlefield. But
If they are dispersed into various divisions to serve as grassroots commanders, even if each person can only command one platoon, there will be 270 platoons. Calculated according to our army's three-three system, there will be ten regiments."
Runev did not pick up Sokov's topic, but continued to talk to himself: "As far as I know, the commander of the Volkhov Front, General Meretskov, has two companies like this.
Every time there is an emergency on the battlefield, he will dispatch these two companies to resolve the crisis. I think our two companies should also follow General Meretskov's approach and stay in the troops directly under the group army until
Use them at the most critical moment.”
In order to convince Sokov, after saying this, he turned to Samyko and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you agree with my opinion?"
In fact, Samyko had no idea how to use these two companies. But since Lunev had made his attitude clear, he would definitely not be able to do otherwise. He put the plans of Sokov and Lunev
After thinking about it carefully, I feel that each has its own reasons.
"I support the opinion of the Military Commissar." After some ideological struggle, Samyko still chose to support Lunev: "The second lieutenant training company and the junior commander training company should remain in the troops directly under the group army for the time being."
Sokov did not expect that his two partners would actually disagree with him on this matter. He couldn't help but feel dumbfounded: "Military Commissar, Chief of Staff, I didn't expect that your opinions are so unified."
"Comrade Commander, we have just recruited 40,000 rescued commanders and combatants." Samyko reminded Sokov: "There are many qualified grassroots commanders among them. I think there is absolutely no need to send new commanders there.
.”
Samyko's reasons convinced Sokov. He thought of the commanders and fighters who had just been incorporated into the divisions. There were indeed many experienced grassroots commanders among them. It was perfect for them to serve as company and platoon commanders. It was not necessary.
To add insult to injury, send a new commander there.
"Okay, Military Commissioner and Chief of Staff, since you two have the same opinion, I will obey the majority and temporarily keep the two companies in the directly affiliated troops."
After the liberation of Kharkov, both the Steppe Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army stopped operations and took the time to rest and replenish themselves in preparation for the next combat operation.
Yakov's hovercraft detachment all returned to Moscow shortly after the battle. In other words, for a long period of time, Sokov was unable to use the hovercraft to assist in combat.
Sokov personally took Yakov to the train station and accompanied him to the platform.
"Misha," Yakov specifically asked Sokov before getting in the car: "We are parting now, and I don't know when we will see each other again. If you need help with anything, just call me."
After hearing what Yakov said, Sokov immediately remembered that his army had added too many soldiers, so that there was a shortage of weapons, and asked tentatively: "Yasha, since we are friends, then you can return the weapons."
After the Equipment Department, remember to give us priority in replenishing the weapons we need for our troops."
Yakov looked at Sokov and said with a wry smile: "Misha, don't forget that during the Battle of Kursk, Comrade Ustinov looked at me and used it to equip the Guards.
The division’s tens of thousands of assault rifles were all handed over to your army. I didn’t expect that not long after, you wanted weapons again, and I was worried that your wish might be in vain.”
Sokov had been mentally prepared for this matter. Hearing what Yakov said, he laughed: "Yasha, although the hope is slim, how can you know if it will work if you don't try it? Please wait until you see Us
Comrade Zinov later conveyed my wishes to him to see if he could make an exception and replenish us with a batch of weapons."
"Okay, I'll do my best."
After the two stood next to the train and chatted for a while, a conductor came over and said to Yakov respectfully: "Comrade Colonel, we are about to start the train. Please hurry up and get on the train."
"Misha, we'll see you later." Yakov extended his hand to Sokov and said friendly: "I wish you good luck!"
After seeing off Yakov, Sokov originally planned to return to his headquarters, but when the jeep passed Konev's headquarters in the city, Sokov changed his mind and quickly told the driver: "Stop, hurry up.
parking!"
As soon as the driver stopped the car, Sokov opened the door and got out of the car. He stood beside the car and looked at the building where the headquarters was located for a while, then turned to Samoylov: "Comrade Lieutenant, you
The driver and I will be waiting for me outside, and I'll be out soon."
After Sokov finished explaining, he walked towards the building. However, at the door, he was stopped by a lieutenant with his hand. The lieutenant asked Sokov politely: "Comrade General, do you have a pass?"
"Pass, what kind of pass? I don't have one."
"I'm sorry," the lieutenant said expressionlessly after waiting for Sokov to finish: "According to regulations, no one without a pass is allowed to enter."
Sokov raised his thumb, pointed at his nose with his fingertips and said: "I am Sokov, the commander of the 27th Army. I have something important to see with Commander Konev. Please make arrangements."
When he heard that the major general in front of him was the famous Sokov, the lieutenant immediately stood in awe. After raising his hand in salute, he said politely: "General Sokov, please wait here for a moment while I come in to help you."
Notification.”
"Excuse me, Comrade Lieutenant."
"No trouble, no trouble." The lieutenant said with a smile, "It's my honor to serve you."
A few minutes later, the lieutenant ran out of the building, and with him came a major.
After the major came to Sokov, he raised his hand to salute him and said politely: "Hello, General Sokov, Comrade Commander is in his office. Please come with me."
Sokov followed the major into the building. As he walked along the corridor, officers and soldiers came from time to time. When they saw the combination of the two, they immediately stood with their backs against the wall, making way for them, and
He paid attention to the two people and waited until they disappeared from his sight before moving forward again.
When Konev saw Sokov's appearance, he showed an unexpected expression on his face. He did not expect that Sokov would actually appear in his headquarters, so he smiled and asked: "Comrade Sokov, what are you doing?"
Come see me here, is there anything important?"
Sokov couldn't remember when a new round of offensive started after the Battle of Kharkov. The purpose of his coming here today was to figure out the direction and time of the new battle's attack.
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov said: "Although the Battle of Kharkov ended with the victory of our army, the battle will not end as long as the Germans do not withdraw from our territory. I am here today.
I came here to find out when the next battle will take place and in what direction."
"According to the order of the Supreme Command," Konev felt that Sokov would know something sooner or later, so he did not hide it, but said truthfully: "The next basic battle of our army will be carried out in the southwest left bank of Ukraine. The purpose
The goal is to destroy the enemy's southern group on the eastern front, move forward to the Dnieper River, and seize the landing site on the right bank of the river, so as to complete the task of liberating all of Ukraine on the right bank."
"So, we will soon break through the Dnieper River and destroy the enemies on the right bank."
"Although the mission is clear, the launch of the campaign will still take some time." Konev took the initiative and said without waiting for Sokov to ask: "Our army will probably reorganize in mid-October. After completing the reorganization task, we will
Attack the enemy."
As soon as Konev mentioned the adaptation, Sokov muttered in his mind: This adaptation probably refers to turning the Steppe Front Army into the 2nd Ukrainian Front Army. Konev has served as a general for long enough, and his epaulettes will soon have
Will add a star.
In order to prevent the other party from noticing that he had known about the adaptation for a long time, Sokov asked knowingly: "I would like to ask, will the adaptation of the army have any impact on us?"
"There must be some influence, Comrade Sokov." Konev explained to Sokov: "Your army has six infantry divisions. Any combat tasks are assigned directly to the division commander by you or the chief of staff.
Orders. After the change, there will be an additional infantry corps structure between the group army and division-level units. In this way, when you issue combat orders in the future, you only need to notify the two army commanders, and they will pass on your orders.
.”
Sokov thought about it carefully and realized that when he was commanding the battle, he would have much less worry. What combat tasks each division had, he only had to convey them to the commander of the infantry corps to which the division belonged, and the commander would deploy the tasks assigned by him one by one.
To the division-level units below. Thinking of this, he nodded and said: "You are right, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, if the establishment of the infantry corps is increased, it will greatly reduce my burden and improve my ability to direct operations.
s efficiency."
“The Supreme Command handed over the glorious task of liberating Ukraine to five fronts: the Central Front, the Voronezh Front, the Steppe Front, the Southwestern Front and the Southern Front. It also appointed two Marshals of the Soviet Union, Zhukov and Vasilevsky, as representatives of the base camp.
Coordinate the combat operations of various front armies.
As early as half a month ago, the Steppe Front Army, the Voronezh Front Army and the Southwest Front Army received instructions from the headquarters of the Supreme Command at the same time, in which the future combat plans of the three front troops were issued.
The planned direction of our Steppe Front is to attack Krasnograd and Upper Dneprovsk. The rapid troops should move forward to the Dnieper River and occupy the ferries.
The mission of the Voronezh Front is to attack Kremenchug. The troops of the Southwest Front should move in the general direction of Barvinkovo and Pavlograd, and go forward to the line of Zaporozhye and Pologhi to intercept the direction of the enemy Donbas group.
West's retreat."
After Konev finished speaking, Sokov asked with some worry: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, since the Supreme Command has formulated such a plan, it should be implemented immediately. Why wait two months? This is not a good idea.
Did the Germans leave enough preparation time?"
"Comrade Sokov, why don't I want to lead the army to advance to the Dnieper River immediately, but it can't be done. We have just ended the Battle of Kharkov. Not only are the troops attrition serious, but also because of the continuous fighting, the commanders and soldiers are already exhausted.
It takes some time to rest.”
Sokov knew that Konev was telling the truth, but the Germans would not stop preparing for war just because the Soviet commanders and fighters were exhausted. On the contrary, they would use this precious time to strengthen their defenses and make them more capable.
When the Soviet army launched an offensive, it paid an even heavier price.
"Comrade Commander, I am worried that the enemy will use this time to brutally destroy cities and villages, blow up factories, businesses and bridges, burn crops, take away livestock, and forcibly drive our people to serve as their slaves."
"Comrade Sokov, I know that the situation you mentioned is entirely possible." Konev said awkwardly: "But our commanders and fighters are already exhausted, and weapons and ammunition also need to be replenished. If they are allowed to do this in such a
At this time, attacking the enemy is tantamount to asking them to die."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov said after Konev finished speaking, he immediately put forward his own plan. "If you order a unit to keep in contact with the Germans at all times, they will probably not care about destroying cities and villages.
Factories, businesses and bridges.”
"Your proposal is good, but which troop do you think should be sent to carry out this glorious and arduous task?"
Sokov quickly faced Konev, straightened his body and replied: "If you have no objection, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, our army is willing to undertake this arduous and glorious task."
"Are you going to attack the German army?" Konev asked doubtfully, "Is it possible?"
"It can be done!" Sokov replied confidently: "Our army has added nearly 40,000 soldiers in the past two days, and most of them are veterans with rich combat experience, and all of them have a deep hatred for the Germans.
, if we let them go to the battlefield, they will definitely be able to exert their super fighting power."
"Comrade Sokov, the combat effectiveness of your unit has always been obvious to all." Although Sokov's military exploits are outstanding, Konev is still worried that the opponent's strength is insufficient. If he attacks rashly, not only will he fail to achieve victory, but he will also be defeated by the German army.
Counterattack will shake the morale of the army. "But the enemy is the entire Southern Army Group. Can you deal with them?"
