With the maintenance station moved into the machinery factory, the work efficiency has been greatly improved after being able to use various original equipment of the machinery factory at will.
Originally, according to Adil's estimate, only 15 of the destroyed tanks of the 219th Tank Brigade could be repaired at best, but with the strengthening of maintenance machinery, more than 20 tanks were repaired within two days. And based on various signs, at least
There are still five to eight tanks that can be repaired.
After learning the news, Samyko said to Sokov emotionally: "Comrade Commander, I really didn't expect that moving the maintenance station to the machinery factory would have such a good effect. According to Adil, at least
Two-thirds of the tanks that were destroyed can be repaired."
"Yes." Sokov also said with emotion: "In the past, there were always people who criticized the comrades in the maintenance station for their low work efficiency, but they never thought about the circumstances under which the comrades in the maintenance station repaired the comrades in the battle for them.
The damaged tank. I went to the factory yesterday to take a look. Just hoisting the turret of the tank, without the cooperation of the crane, would have required at least seven or eight workers and took two to three hours to complete. The crane in the machine shop was intact.
, which is of great use in hoisting the turret, greatly shortening the installation time and improving work efficiency.”
"General Sokov is right." Managarov, who went to inspect with Sokov yesterday, couldn't help but interjected when he heard this: "The working environment of the maintenance station is too simple, and the equipment required is amazing.
Yes, after moving to the machinery factory, this problem was easily solved. By the way, I asked station manager Adil yesterday and he said that German tanks can also be repaired."
Samyko stared at Managarov and said with some surprise: "The structures of tanks are all similar. Since the repair station can repair our army's tanks, it can naturally repair German tanks."
Managarov did not answer, but turned to wink at his chief of staff, Derevyanko. Seeing Managarov's look, Derevyanko quickly said: "General Sokov,
I would like to ask if those German tanks that were destroyed in the defense zone of the 28th Guards Division can be assigned to my group army after being repaired by the maintenance station?"
To be honest, Sokov didn't have much interest in German tanks. The tanks destroyed by the 28th Guards Division were basically all Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks. The number of Panther tanks was pitifully small, and even more Tiger tanks.
He couldn't even see a shadow. So after hearing Derevyanko's request, he said generously: "General Derevyanko, continue these tanks were destroyed in the defense zone of the 28th Guards Division. Then wait for repairs."
After the station is repaired, I will definitely replenish all of them for you, and we won’t want any of them.”
In the defense area of the 28th Guards Division, more than 30 German tanks were destroyed. Even if only half of them could be repaired, there were still 15 tanks. This was tantamount to timely rain for the 53rd Army, which lacked tanks. But if Soko
The husband was causing trouble and insisted on dividing the car into several cars, but they could not find any reason to refuse.
At this moment, hearing that Sokov made such a generous statement, he actually didn’t want any of them, and gave them all to them after restoration. Derevyanko couldn’t help but be overjoyed, and expressed his gratitude to him repeatedly: “Thank you, thank you, General Sokov,
On behalf of all the officers and men of the 53rd Army, I would like to thank you for your generosity."
The reason why Sokov agreed to give all the repaired German tanks to the 53rd Army was not because he was so generous, but because he understood that if he did not try to strengthen the 53rd Army, they would become a thorn in his own defense.
Shortcomings.
"General Derevyanko," Sokov waited for Derevyanko to finish and then asked: "How is the progress of the enemy who launched the attack from the southeast?"
"The enemy's attack has been contained by our heroic 252nd Infantry Division." Derevyanko replied proudly: "In any case, the 252nd Division is also a unit that has won the high honor of 'Kharkov'.
There is absolutely no need to worry if they hold on to the Kremenchug Reservoir."
Sokov had no objection to Derevyanko's statement. The German army had only one division attacking in the southwest. If the 252nd Division could not stop it, it would probably be revoked by the Supreme Command.
This is a situation that the commanders and fighters of the 53rd Group Army and the 252nd Division are not willing to see. In order to protect the honor they have obtained, when facing the German attack, they will definitely stimulate their greatest potential and fight with
The enemy fought bloody battle to the end.
"Do we need to send troops to support them?" Although Derevyanko said it with confidence, Sokov still asked with concern: "Now we still have several divisions outside the city. If necessary, even if
Open your mouth and I will send troops to reinforce the Kremenchug Reservoir as soon as possible."
"No need, no need." It was Managarov who spoke this time. He said with a smile: "General Sokov, my 299th Infantry Division and the troops directly under the group army are always on standby. Once the reservoir
If the war on one side becomes unfavorable to our army, they will rush over in time to provide reinforcements."
"General Managarov, I don't think there is much problem with the Kremenchug Reservoir." Samyko, who had just received a phone call, suddenly said excitedly: "The enemy who attacks there will retreat soon.
Already."
"The enemy who attacks there will retreat soon?" Samyko's words surprised everyone. Derevyanko asked curiously: "General Samyko, can you tell me how you got it?"
Did you come to this conclusion?"
"The reason is very simple." With a smile on his face, Samek suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and replied: "I just received a call from the front army headquarters. Half an hour ago, the troops of the 5th and 7th Guards Armies were
The troops have successfully captured Poltava and completely wiped out the defenders in the city."
After listening to Samyko's words, everyone lowered their heads and looked at the map in front of them. The liberation of Poltava meant that the 27th and 53rd Army were no longer alone behind enemy lines and could be surrounded at any time. With the front army
The main force advances towards the Dnieper River, and they will become the main force attacking the right bank.
After everyone looked at the map for a while, Managarov raised his head first, looked at Sokov and asked: "General Sokov, how long do you think it will take for the main force of our army to reach the Dnieper River."
Sokov, who had just read the map, was very excited. He led his troops to resist the German attack here for more than half a month, and finally waited for the time to counterattack. Hearing Managarov ask himself, he replied: "General
Comrade, although Poltava has been liberated by our army, it will take at least three to five days for the main force to reach us."
"It will take another three to five days?" Although Managarov could also calculate the time for the friendly forces to arrive, he felt a little disappointed when he heard Sokov said that it would take another three to five days. "It seems that our soldiers are still there.
It will take some time.”
"Comrade General, the necessary waiting is necessary." Sokov said to Managarov: "Due to the unsatisfactory traffic conditions, the supplies we have received are limited and are simply not enough to support us in launching a large-scale attack. We
We can use the period of waiting for friendly forces to stockpile a large number of weapons, ammunition and various military supplies needed for the troops to attack, so that we can support our attack for a long time after it starts."
When it came to weapons and ammunition, the expression on Sameko's face became solemn: "Comrade Commander, if we want to launch an attack on the enemy, our ammunition reserves on the right bank can only last for about a day."
"Only a day's reserve?" Sokov shook his head and said: "If we launch an attack on the Germans, the battle cannot end in one day. Comrade Chief of Staff, we must seize the time to stock up on weapons, ammunition and supplies before the offensive war begins.
Various military supplies to ensure their use in future operations."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Sameko nodded and said, "I will immediately contact the logistics force and ask them to send as much supplies as possible to the right bank."
"General Managarov," Sokov ordered to go to Samyko, then turned to Managarov and said: "How is the ammunition reserve of your army?"
Managarov didn't know how to answer this question, so he could only look at his chief of staff, hoping that he would answer. After seeing Managarov's eyes, Derevyanko nodded slightly, and then spoke
Report to Sokov: "General Sokov, I'm ashamed to say that the ammunition we have is barely enough for a defensive battle. If it is used for offense, I'm afraid it won't last even half a day."
"This is not possible, General Managarov." Sokov felt that this kind of matter should be communicated directly to Managarov: "After the main force of the front army approaches the Dnieper River, Commander Konev will definitely
Order us to launch an attack on the enemy and establish a wider landing site on the right bank. If you do not have enough ammunition, not only will you not be able to complete the tasks assigned to you by your superiors, you may also be repulsed by the enemy."
If someone else said this to Managarov, he would definitely get into a fight. But now that the person who said this was Sokov, he could only accept it calmly. After all, he fought against the Germans near the Dnieper River at the beginning of the year.
The attack ended in failure due to lack of ammunition.
"You are right, General Sokov." Managarov nodded and said: "Without enough ammunition, it is indeed impossible to attack the enemy. Don't worry, we will take advantage of this time to stock up on weapons and ammunition...
"
Before Managarov could finish what he said, the phone on the table rang. Samyko picked up the phone and listened for a moment, then said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, General Konev is here to see you.
"
Hearing that it was Konev who was looking for him, Sokov stood up abruptly and reached for the phone, not even caring about the chair that had overturned due to the sudden force.
"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I am Sokov."
"Comrade Sokov!" After taking Poltava, Konev was in a particularly happy mood: "You must have heard about the liberation of Poltava?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I have heard about it." Sokov replied mechanically: "I wonder what your next step is?"
It was impossible for Konev to disclose his combat intentions to Sokov at this time. He only said in general: "I intend to order the main force of the front army to move in the direction of Kremenchug and Dnipropodzerzhinsk.
And cross the Dnieper River from this area. Once the main force arrives, your group army may be the first to attack the enemy. How about it? Are there any difficulties?"
Sokov did not expect Konev to be so straightforward. After a brief silence, he replied: "Reporting to Comrade Commander of the Front Army, if we want to launch an attack on the enemy, our strength is barely enough, but in terms of weapons and ammunition..."
"How long will your weapons and ammunition last?"
"If it is used for defense, it can last for about three days." Sokov replied: "But if it is used for offense, I'm afraid it won't last even one day."
The difficulties raised by Sokov made Konev fall into deep thought. He vaguely remembered that since the 27th Army entered Kremenchug, the supplies it had received were of the lowest level. The weapons and ammunition it now possesses can only be
The possibility of sustaining a day's offensive needs indeed exists.
Thinking of this, Konev said into the microphone: "Comrade Sokov, I know all about your difficulties, and I will solve them for you as soon as possible. But now you must seize the time to send out a reconnaissance team to find out the enemy's troop deployment.
, prepare for the next attack."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you can rest assured of this." Sokov replied confidently: "We have never stopped reconnaissance of the enemy. As long as the time is right, we can immediately launch an attack on the enemy."
"What is the situation of the 53rd Army?" Konev continued to ask: "Do they have the ability to attack the enemy?"
"It's still a matter of ammunition." Sokov glanced at Managarov and reported to Konev: "If we launch an attack, our ammunition can last for one day, but they can only last for half a day."
"What, are their conditions so bad?" Sokov's words surprised Konev.
"That's right, before you called, we were discussing the issue of ammunition." Sokov replied calmly: "The ammunition they have, if used in an attack, may not last even half a day. Therefore, let
If we fight in the front line, we must first be replenished with enough ammunition."
"You are right, Comrade Sokov." Konev agreed very much with Sokov's statement. As the commander of the front army, he naturally knew better than more people the reasons for the Soviet army's tragic defeat at the beginning of the year, and one of them was insufficient ammunition.
One of the reasons is that he does not want his troops to make the same mistake again. "Without enough ammunition, there is no way to attack the enemy. Please tell General Managarov that I will notify the logistics department and increase the number of attacks on you two."
The supply strength of the group army ensures that sufficient weapons and ammunition can be stockpiled before the attack begins."
Sokov put down the phone and said to Managarov: "Comrade General, I have already agreed with the commander of the front army to ask the logistics department of the front army to increase supplies to us in the near future to ensure that sufficient supplies can be stocked before the offensive operation begins.
ammunition."
"This is great, General Sokov." When Managarov learned that Poltava had been liberated, he eagerly wanted to command his troops and launch an attack on the German army. However, due to insufficient ammunition, the enemy
The enemy's attack can only remain on paper plans. Now that Konev has made a commitment and is willing to provide sufficient supplies for his troops, there is nothing to worry about in the next battle. "When the offensive operation begins,
After that, the troops of our group army will definitely ensure that your flanks will not be attacked by the enemy."
