Faced with Konev's insistence, Stalin did not change his mind: "Okay, I will discuss it with the General Staff at the base camp and then decide." After saying that, before Konev could speak again, Stalin said
Ended the call.
After hanging up the phone, Stalin picked up the matches on the table and prepared to light the pipe in his mouth. But out of anger, he struck several matches and failed to light the pipe. He was so angry that he threw out the matchbox.
Throwing it on the table, the matchbox hit the table hard, and the matches in the box splashed everywhere.
Antonov, who was standing aside, quickly stepped forward, picked up a match on the table, struck it and helped Stalin light the cigarette butt. After doing all this, he asked tentatively while clearing away the messy matches on the table.
: "Comrade Stalin, what happened to make you so angry?"
"It's not that Konev." Stalin gritted his teeth and said: "I said that the Germans were breaking through the defense area of the 27th Army. In order to facilitate unified command, I was going to put the 27th Army under his command, but he said
Refused."
After Antonov figured out the reason for Stalin's anger, he cautiously said: "Comrade Stalin, in fact, General Konev has his own reasons for doing this."
"What's his reasoning?" Stalin said angrily: "On weekdays, when they call me one by one, they keep asking me to send more troops to them. Now I have taken the initiative to transfer the 27th Army to Konev, and he
Actually don’t want it.”
Antonov waited for Stalin to finish and then said: "Comrade Stalin, if you had offered to return the 27th Army to Konev a few months ago, he would have been grateful. But since Comrade Sokov
After being wounded and hospitalized, and Lieutenant General Trofimenko taking over the command, the unit's combat effectiveness dropped off a cliff.
During the liberation of Kiev and the later battles, this unit lost nearly two-thirds of its troops. Now the troops are all new recruits, and their combat effectiveness is even worse. In addition, this unit is too far away from Konev, and it is difficult to take over.
It won't be of much use after that, so he refuses your kindness."
Antonov's explanation made Stalin calm down again. He thought about it carefully, and it seemed that it was really the case. "What you said makes sense, Comrade Antonov." Stalin took a long drag on his cigarette.
After he calmed down a bit, he continued: "The same troops, the same equipment, but because of different commanders, the same troops received two completely different treatments."
"That's right, Comrade Stalin." Antonov understood what Stalin wanted to express, and added: "When Sokov was the commander, the 27th Army could be said to be the most elite unit. Every battle they participated in
In each battle, good results were achieved. However, since Lieutenant General Trofimenko took over, the entire army seemed to have changed. In the following battles, although the commanders and soldiers still performed bravely, they
It’s hard to win.”
"Then tell me, will the 27th Army be returned to Konev?"
"I don't think it's necessary." Antonov felt that as the chief of general staff, he should express his true thoughts on this matter: "First, the 27th Army is too far away from Konev's troops and it is not easy to command.
Secondly, the current combat effectiveness of this unit cannot be complimented. If they are forcibly transferred to Konev's unit, I am afraid it will hinder everyone."
"Okay, Comrade Antonov, since you said so, then I will not assign the 27th Army to Konev for the time being." Stalin specifically told Antonov: "You will call Konev later.
Call him and tell him what I mean."
Antonov knew that this matter was of great importance and did not dare to neglect it. After coming out of Stalin's office, he called Konev: "Hello, General Konev! I am Antonov, the Supreme Commander himself.
Let me tell you that after our research, we will not transfer the 27th Group Army to you for the time being, and you can launch an offensive against the enemies in the encirclement according to the original plan."
"Comrade Chief of General Staff, this is great." Konev learned that his superiors would not assign the 27th Army to his command for the time being, and the boulder hanging in his mind finally fell to the ground: "This way, we can concentrate our energy
The attack on the German army was launched."
"General Konev," Antonov heard the joy in Konev's voice, and couldn't help but curiously asked: "The 27th Army used to be your unit, why do I feel that you are avoiding this army now?
The troops meet."
"Comrade Chief of General Staff, you and I are both friends, and I won't hide this from you." Since Antonov asked, Konev naturally told the truth: "Since Lieutenant General Trofimenko took over
After taking up the post of commander of the 27th Army, he abandoned the tactics used by Sokov and even banned the following troops from using similar tactics. His order made the commanders below not understand how to fight.
, it’s surprising that such an army can win the battle.”
Since Konev mentioned Sokov, Antonov naturally wanted to ask: "By the way, what is Comrade Sokov doing now?"
"He is commanding the troops to block the German attack on Hill 239." Konev reported to Antonov: "The Germans tried to break through our Hill 239 and open a way to escape, but Sokov's commanders and fighters
, how can it be possible for the enemy to escape easily? They are fighting on the high ground at the moment, preparing to block the enemy's escape route like a gate."
"Oh, it turns out that Sokov's troops are holding on to Hill 239." Antonov said with emotion after hearing this: "I believe that General Sokov will do everything possible to block the Germans' retreat."
…………
After daybreak, Stemmermann learned that the 57th Infantry Division, located on the left flank of the breakout force, had been raided by the Soviet cavalry, and the troop attrition was very serious. After reporting the situation, the division commander tentatively asked Stemmermann:
"Your Excellency, Army Commander, it would obviously be unwise for our division to continue to attack southward according to the original plan."
"Mr. Division Commander," Stemermann said sternly regarding the thoughts of the 57th Division Commander: "The task of your division is to operate on the left wing of the main force, attract the attention of the Russians, and contain part of their forces to serve as the main force.
Create conditions for a breakout.”
After hearing this, the division commander seemed extremely hesitant. As a commander, he would never watch his subordinates die here for such reasons. So he solemnly told the other party: "You let
The troops should seize the time to rest and start fighting as soon as the order is given."
Stemmerman hung up the phone and immediately received a report from the Army Chief of Staff: "The 72nd Infantry Division and the Viking Division, after several hours of fighting, have successfully broken through the Russian defense line and are advancing to the north.
"
Stemmermann glanced at the map and found that the vanguard of the breakout had completely deviated from the pre-planned route. However, he did not get angry because he knew very well that in order to break through the Soviet defense lines, he just blindly
A ground attack is obviously ineffective. It is better to let the officers and soldiers choose a weak point in defense to launch an attack.
"Your Excellency, Army Commander," after the Army Chief of Staff finished his report, he saw Stemerman staring at the map in a daze and asked tentatively: "Now that the 72nd Infantry Division and the Viking Division are making good progress, do you think we should transfer all the troops?"
The troops all turned in that direction. If we had acted quickly, we would have reached the Gniloydikichi River and joined the oncoming friendly forces before their reinforcements arrived."
While the two were feeling proud, a staff officer suddenly came over and handed the telegram in his hand to Stemmermann: "I just received a telegram from Marshal Manstein."
When Stemmermann received the telegram, he was still secretly happy. He felt that it must be Manstein who informed them that the reinforcements were staying at a certain place and asked him to lead his troops to join them. But after reading the content clearly, he
But his eyes darkened and he leaned back. Fortunately, the chief of staff caught him in time and prevented him from falling to the ground.
"Your Excellency, Army Commander," the Army Chief of Staff asked in a panic, "What happened?"
Stemmermann handed the telegram in his hand to the chief of staff: "Look, the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division, which were preparing to rescue us, are now unable to come."
When the Chief of Staff heard what Stemmermann said, he couldn't help but be startled and wondered what the hell was going on. Didn't it mean that the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division were moving towards Hill 239, coming to relieve his troops?
Why did you suddenly say you can't come? What's going on?
With this question, the chief of staff opened the telegram and read it. When he saw it, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. It turned out that the oil depot and ammunition depot that supplied the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division were attacked by the Soviet army.
The tank had been completely destroyed. Without fuel and ammunition, the tank was just a pile of scrap metal with little use, so it was understandable that it could not come to join forces.
"Then what should I do?" the chief of staff asked worriedly: "Are we just waiting to be annihilated by the Russians?"
"We can't sit still and wait for death. We have to find a way to break out." Stemerman is also a decisive person. Since the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division in the west cannot come for reinforcements, there will be no big impact in attacking Highland 239.
Therefore, he decisively ordered him: "Chief of Staff, notify all division commanders to immediately lead the troops to move north after dark, follow the 72nd Infantry Division and the Viking Division, and jump out of the opened gap.
Russian encirclement."
Just as the Chief of Staff agreed, he heard Stemmermann say again: "Also, Chief of Staff, I have decided to lead a force to stay, not only to cover your retreat, but also to take care of the wounded who are left behind."
"What, your Excellency, Army Commander, do you want to stay?" The Army Chief of Staff heard that Stemerman wanted to stay with the wounded, and quickly persuaded him: "It is too dangerous here. I think you should follow the main force as soon as possible.
Please transfer, lest something unexpected happens to you, which may cause problems in the unit's command system."
"No, I can't leave." Stemmermann said sadly: "We have lost tens of thousands of officers and soldiers in this area, and I am really not willing to leave in such a dejected manner."
Seeing that the Army Chief of Staff wanted to persuade him, Stemmermann waved his hand and said feebly: "Chief of Staff, time is running out, hurry up and carry out my order."
Seeing that Stemmermann had made the final decision, the Army Chief of Staff knew that no matter how much he tried to persuade him, he could not change the other party's mind, so he could only reluctantly agree, and then follow Stemmermann's order to give his subordinates
The commanders of each division called and ordered them to move north after dark and follow the leading troops to break through the Soviet defenses.
…
The German army was considering an overnight breakthrough, while Sokov was discussing an overnight attack with several commanders in his headquarters.
"General Selivanov," Sokov looked at the commander of the cavalry corps, Selivanov, and said with a smile: "The snow is still deep in many areas now, which seriously affects the charging speed of the infantry, so tonight
When attacking German positions, you still need to rely on your cavalry to break through the enemy's defense lines and hunt down the fleeing enemies."
Regarding the order issued by Sokov, Selivanov fell into deep thought.
After a while, Selivanov raised his head, looked at Sokov and said: "General Sokov, too deep snow will not only affect the movement speed of the infantry, but also have a great impact on the cavalry. You know
, the target for soldiers on horseback is too big, the Germans only need a few machine guns to cause considerable casualties to your attacking troops."
"General Selivanov, I do not deny what you said." Sokov said decisively: "Without the support of artillery, our commanders and fighters have become fearful?" He paused for a moment,
He continued, "Don't worry, comrades, before your attack begins, we will fire a few rounds at the German civil fire points. After destroying them, you can launch the attack with confidence and boldness."
"Great, this is really great." Selivanov said yes repeatedly, and at the same time assured Sokov: "As soon as the artillery fire from the group army's artillery stops, we will launch an attack immediately."
"Wait a minute, General Selivanov." Sokov interrupted the other party's words in time: "Unless your cavalry stays within one or two hundred meters of the German position, then after the shelling is over,
Just rush into the enemy's position quickly. Otherwise, when you rush to the position, you will be intercepted by German firepower, and you will definitely pay heavy casualties."
"Then what should we do?" Selivanov asked.
"After the shelling is over, you should not take any action for the time being and continue to stay where you are." Sokov said: "The Germans will definitely think that as soon as the shelling is over, our troops will launch an attack and will quickly enter the position and do what they want.
In order to be prepared to resist our army's attack. At this time, if we give them another round of artillery bombardment, we can blow them up and knock them off their feet."
Sokov's words made Selivanov's eyes light up: "Wonderful! It's so wonderful! Why can't I think of such a good way? General Sokov, you are right, usually our army
As soon as the bombardment ended, the enemy returned to their position from their hiding place and made preparations to block our army. Your secondary bombardment was completely unexpected by the enemy and would definitely cause them great harm.
