Although the 84th Division performed poorly in the previous two days of fighting and was driven out of the city of Chigirin by the Viking Division's troops, Sokov was still full of confidence in the Rusov Regiment's defense of the town of Kinki.
.
Therefore, when Fomenko asked him for instructions whether to send troops to strengthen the defense of Jinji Town, he waved his hands and said: "General Fomenko, one regiment in Jinji Town is enough. If too many troops are deployed,
It cannot be deployed at all. If it is covered by German artillery fire, the troops will suffer unnecessary casualties."
Fomenko thought of the last time the 44th Regiment held firm in Jingji Town and was completely defeated by the Germans after holding on for less than half a day. He was worried that the Rusov Regiment would make the same mistake again, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, what if the German army attacks Jingji Town?"
We launched a fierce attack on the town, and I'm worried that Colonel Russov and the others won't be able to hold on for long."
"You don't have to worry about this." Seeing Fomenko's worried look, Sokov comforted him and said: "They have obtained the new rockets stored in the group army, and they have enough strength to withstand the enemy's fierce attack.
.Besides, their mission is only to hold off the enemy in the direction of Jingji Town for a few hours to cover the main force of the 7th Guards Army crossing the river."
Although Sokov had already said this, Fomenko still said worriedly: "Comrade Commander, I think it may not be that easy for the 7th Guards Army to cross the river in a large scale."
"Why?"
"It's very simple." Fomenko replied: "The Germans will never allow our army to establish another landing site on the right bank of the Dnieper River that can threaten their defense line. Therefore, they will definitely try every means to prevent the Guards from launching the second landing."
The 7th Army crossed the river."
Sokov wanted to refute, but then he thought about it and realized that what Fomenko said made sense. Once the 7th Guards Army established a second landing site on the right bank of the Dnieper River, it would seriously threaten the third landing site established by Manstein.
The safety of the Nieper River defense line. With Manstein's character, he would definitely nip this danger in the bud.
"You're right," Sokov tapped his fingers on the table, thinking about what methods the Germans would use to prevent the Guards from crossing the river, and said casually: "The Germans will definitely use various means.
, to prevent the Guards troops from crossing the river. But the question is, what method will they use?"
"The method used by the Germans yesterday was to block the river with artillery fire so that the engineering troops of the Guards could not erect the pontoon bridge." Fomenko said thoughtfully: "Now the artillery positions deployed by the German army on the river have been destroyed by reckless
The Sufu regiment has been destroyed. In a short period of time, they will definitely not be able to dispatch new artillery units to implement the task of blocking the river."
"Then what method will they use to re-block the river?"
Sokov originally said this casually, but as soon as he said it, he suddenly thought of a possibility. He couldn't help but trembled, and his pupils shrank violently: "In the air attack, the German army will definitely send out the air force to carry out the air attack on the troops crossing the river."
bombing."
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Fomenko also agreed with Sokov's speculation: "I think so too."
Seeing that the two people had the same idea, Sokov could no longer sit still. He asked the telegraph operator to help him contact Shumilov on the other side, intending to tell the other party about the situation and let him take precautions in advance.
After contacting Shumilov, Sokov said bluntly: "General Shumilov, my troops have occupied the town of Kinki and eliminated the artillery positions deployed by the Germans nearby. In a short period of time, the Germans
You can no longer block the river with artillery fire, so you can seize the time to repair the pontoon bridge and then move more troops across the river."
After learning that the German threat to the river had been eliminated, Shumilov couldn't help but be overjoyed and thanked Sokov repeatedly: "General Sokov, thank you, I really appreciate you and your men. In this way, our engineers will be able to
I can build a pontoon bridge on the Dnieper River leisurely."
Seeing that Shumilov did not seem to realize the seriousness of the problem, Sokov quickly reminded the other party: "General Shumilov, although my troops have destroyed the German artillery positions, if you want to successfully survive the third
Niebo River, I’m afraid it’s not an easy task.”
"Why?" Shumilov asked in surprise.
"The reason is very simple. The Germans will never allow another landing site for our troops to appear on the right bank of the Dnieper River." Sokov said into the microphone: "So they will definitely use all means to prevent your troops from crossing the river.
"
"Haven't the enemy's artillery been wiped out by you?" Shumilov asked in surprise: "What other methods can they use to prevent our army from crossing the river?"
"Air force!" Seeing that Shumilov had not yet realized the seriousness of the problem, Sokov could only remind him: "General Shumilov, have you forgotten that the Germans also have a powerful air force.
If they send out bomber formations to bomb the pontoons on the river and the troops crossing the river indiscriminately, I'm afraid your plan to cross the river will come to nothing."
Sokov's words made Shumilov take a breath. He realized that he had indeed neglected the most important thing, and quickly said to Sokov: "General Sokov, thank you for the reminder. But we are deploying by the river.
We have fired a lot of anti-aircraft artillery. If the German planes don't come, we will definitely not let them escape easily once they come."
Seeing that Shumilov had already arranged an anti-aircraft artillery unit by the river, Sokov felt that his obligations had been fulfilled. As for whether the other party could successfully cross the river, it had nothing to do with him. Before ending the call, he finally said: "Shumilov
General Milov, although I have no authority to issue any orders to you and your troops, I would like to remind you that you should do everything you can to get more troops across the river in the shortest time so that you can defeat the enemy
Before you come to your senses, establish a solid landing site."
"You are right, General Sokov." Shumilov said naggingly: "Every minute on the battlefield is precious. I will immediately order the engineers to repair the pontoon bridge so that the troops can move as quickly as possible.
Cross the river."
After ending the call with Shumilov, Sokov said to Fomenko: "General Fomenko, I have contacted General Shumilov, and he promised to send as many people as possible in the shortest possible time.
The troops crossed the river. Therefore, the Russov regiment only needs to hold on in Jingji Town for four or five hours, and friendly forces will take over their defense."
"I hope so." Fomenko did not believe in his heart that Shumilov's troops could cross the river before the enemy bombing began. But now that the matter was over, he could only say helplessly: "If the Guards are too late,
If it is too late to cross the river, the Rusuf regiment can only hold on as hard as possible in Jingji Town. Maybe by the time the friendly forces come to take over the defense, the troops will be almost exhausted."
Sokov knew very well that if the Germans really sent out the air force to carry out indiscriminate bombing of the Soviet crossing troops, Shumilov's troops' crossing operations might be hindered. By then, the Rusov regiment might be hindered.
The time to hold on in Jingji Town must be calculated in days. In this way, it is not impossible for the troops to be wiped out.
However, for the sake of the overall situation, Sokov did not dare to give them an order to retreat easily even if he knew that the troops would be wiped out. Because this would be equivalent to handing over the town of Jingji to the Germans.
A new artillery position was deployed and the river was blocked with artillery fire. Shumilov's troops were unable to cross the river.
"Once the enemy's air force is dispatched, I am afraid that the troops crossing the river will be massacred one-sidedly." After Fomenko expressed his worries, he took the initiative to ask Sokov: "Comrade Commander, do you think we should contact the air force immediately?
Ask them to dispatch a fighter formation to cover the friendly forces crossing the river?"
"General Fomenko, if my troops need air support, I will not hesitate to call General Goryunov and ask him to send fighter planes to support us. But..." Sokov shrugged.
He spread his hands and said to Fomenko: "But the troops that need air support now are not us, but General Shumilov's 7th Guards Army. If they need air support, it will be entirely up to General Shumilov."
Call Goryunov directly to prevent possible confusion."
Fomenko thought about it carefully and felt that what Sokov said was very correct. Suppose the commanders of the two group armies made a request to General Goryunov at the same time, allowing the other side's air force to dispatch to provide air cover for the ground troops, and the attack locations coincided.
, which may lead to confusing situations.
"General Fomenko," Sokov could no longer think about the friendly troops crossing the river at this moment. He planned to adjust his deployment to deal with various possible bad situations. He first said to Fomenko: "Wait until the friendly troops arrive in Beijing."
After taking over the defense of Rusov's regiment in Ji Zhen, you will withdraw the regiment to Chigilin and take charge of the defense of the city."
"Colonel Koida," after giving orders to Fomenko, he turned to Koida, who had become almost transparent, and said: "You have two regiments in this area now. You can station one of them in Ratseve."
near the town, while the other regiment stayed here to hold the position vacated by the Russov regiment."
"Comrade Commander," Koida waited for Sokov to finish and immediately reminded him: "Didn't you say that the troops of the 15th Guards Division would take over the defense area of the Rusov Regiment?"
"I have thought about it carefully. Although it is possible for the 15th Guards Division to take over the defense area of the Rusov Regiment." Sokov said cautiously: "But in any case, the other party is not under my command. If on the battlefield
The situation has undergone unexpected changes, and I am worried that the situation will get out of control because I cannot command this force."
Koida had no objection to Sokov's statement. He even thought that if a friendly commander gave him an order, he would probably ignore it. After all, the other party would give him an order.
If you are not your immediate superior, even if you disobey orders, the other party will have nothing to do with you.
When Koida left the headquarters and returned to his unit to adjust deployment, Sokov called Major General Gritsenko, commander of the 384th Division, and asked: "Comrade General, how is the situation there?
Any trace of the Germans?”
"No, Comrade Commander." Gritsenko replied simply: "Since the enemies who reinforced Chigilin were repelled by our army, we have never seen any trace of them again. Not only can we not see them here,
Even at the friendly outposts, there was no sign of the Germans."
Gritsenko's words reminded Sokov, and he suddenly remembered that the opponent's troops were now deployed on the second line, and in front of them was a regiment of the Koida Division. Since no trace of the Germans has been found so far, it seems that they are
We don't plan to launch an attack from this direction.
"Comrade General," Sokov considered that once the 7th Guards Army established a foothold on the right bank, his troops would definitely not be able to stay in this area. The troops would have to be withdrawn sooner or later anyway, so it would be better to move some unimportant ones first.
The troops at the position quietly retreated a certain distance: "Since there is no trace of the Germans in front of your position, you will leave one regiment to serve as a guard on the position, and the remaining troops will slowly withdraw towards Qijilin.
, resting in the city."
Although after the fierce battle the day before yesterday, Gritsenko couldn't wait to have his troops withdraw to the city to rest, but now when he heard Sokov giving him such an order, he couldn't help but become hesitant.
After a while, he asked: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask why you withdrew our division to Qijilin City to rest and recuperate at this time?"
Sokov was stunned by Gritsenko's question. He hesitated and asked: "Why, Comrade General, don't you plan to withdraw the troops to rest?"
"That's not the case, Comrade Commander." Gritsenko quickly explained to Sokov: "I just feel strange, why is it necessary to withdraw our division to the rear to rest at this time?"
Faced with Gritsenko's suspicion, Sokov was a little dumbfounded, but he still patiently explained to him: "Comrade General, our troops have recaptured the towns of Ratseve and Kinki and are covering the guards.
The main force of the 7th Army is crossing the river. Once the friendly forces complete the large-scale crossing of the river, they will establish a new landing site in this area.
With the completion of the landing site, our mission has come to an end, and we must evacuate here. Anyway, there is no war there, so why not let you retreat to the city to rest for a while. Even if things change in the future, you will be needed.
When they return to battle, the rested troops will unleash even more powerful combat effectiveness in the battle.
Comrade General, do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand, I understand." Gritsenko still didn't understand what Sokov meant at this moment. He nodded quickly and said: "Comrade Commander, I completely understand what you mean. I will immediately arrange for a regiment to stay for defense, and then
Personally lead the other two regiments back to Qijilin City."
When Sokov was arranging matters related to the retreat, the radio operator reported to him: "Comrade Commander, there is a call from the front army headquarters, have you answered it?"
When he learned that the call was coming from the Front Army Headquarters, Sokov knew that there must be something important, and quickly ordered the operator: "Get through to the Front Army Headquarters immediately and ask them what they need?"
When Sokov put on the headphones handed over by the operator, he immediately heard Zakharov's voice: "Hello, is this Comrade Sokov? I'm Zakharov."
"Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov asked quickly: "Do you have any instructions?"
"I heard that you have captured the towns of Ratsewe and Kinki one after another. Is it true?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army. My troops are prepared to rely on the existing defense system to resist the German attack and cover the river crossing operation of the 7th Guards Army."
