"What about our other defense zones?" Sokov asked.
"The main defense area will be taken over by Lieutenant General Korodeev's 52nd Army."
"Very good." After listening to Smirnov's words, Sokov decisively issued a new order: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately issue orders to all units and be sure to be ready to set off before seven o'clock.
"
"Comrade Commander," Smirnov thought Sokov did not hear him clearly, so he reminded him in a low voice: "The troops that will take over the defense of Golovanivsik Town will not arrive until after ten in the morning. According to the
Analyzing the current road conditions, it would be good if they could arrive at noon. In addition, I estimate that the defense change work in the main defensive areas will not be carried out until the afternoon at the earliest. If you ask the troops to be ready to set off before seven o'clock, is that right?
Isn’t it a little too early?”
"It's not early, Comrade Chief of Staff, it's not early at all." Sokov shook his head and explained to Smirnov: "The German troops who were attacked by us are gathering in the Uman area. In other words, before we
In the current defense zone, it is impossible for any more organized German troops to appear, so we only need to leave a small number of troops here, waiting to hand over defense to friendly forces, while other troops should seize the time to advance towards the Uman area and
Complete the new offensive deployment in the shortest possible time."
Just when Smirnov opened his mouth to say something, Shtemenko had already spoken first: "I think what Comrade Sokov said makes sense. Instead of letting the large troops stay in an area where fighting is unlikely to happen, it is better to
Taking advantage of the chaos of the Germans, push the front line deeper into the Uman area. This way, the final attack on Uman can be launched in the shortest possible time."
"One more thing." Sokov waited for Shtemenko to finish and then added: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you also know that the Germans have many missile launch sites in the Uman area. If they notice that we are
There are a large number of troops here. Another missile attack will cause huge casualties to our army.
If we quickly advance the front line deeper into the Uman area, it will inevitably threaten the safety of these missile launch sites. In order to prevent these missile launch sites from being completely destroyed by our army, the Germans will definitely move these missile sites to eliminate the enemy.
Threat to our military."
Smirnov had personally experienced the power of missiles. He thought more than once that if the missile had landed closer to the explosion, there would probably be no survivors in the army headquarters.
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Smirnov no longer made any comments, but nodded and said: "I immediately issued an order to the troops and asked them to be ready to set off before seven o'clock."
While Smirnov was on the phone, Shtemenko curiously asked Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, can you tell me your plan?"
Sokov nodded, pointed to the map and introduced to Shtemenko: "I plan to temporarily stop the attack on the Uman area, but wait for the three armies to complete their assembly before trying to launch a new attack."
Hearing Sokov's intention to suspend the attack, Shtemenko could not help but frown slightly: "Why don't you consider capturing Uman during the march? According to the information I received, most of the defenders of Uman have been transferred to
To the north, to block the First Front troops moving south. You know, when the Germans heard that the troops coming from the north were commanded by Zhukov, they would naturally put their main defense direction in the north. Now, when we attack from the south, we will suffer
The resistance will be much smaller.”
"Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, I agree with your statement." Sokov waited for Shtemenko to finish and patiently explained to him: "Marshal Zhukov's troops started attacking earlier than us, which inevitably caused the Germans to
There was an illusion that the attack from the north was the main direction of attack. And our attack from the south was just a diversionary operation. In this case, we captured Uman better than our comrades from the First Front Army.
, is completely possible.”
Seeing that Sokov's views coincided with his own, Shtemenko couldn't help but show a proud smile on his face. But the next moment, his smile froze on his face, and he only heard Sokov say: "But
Our current strength near Uman is too weak. Even if we try to capture the city while marching, it will end in failure. Therefore, I think we should let the vanguard force stop all attacks and switch to defense on the spot until the main force
After arriving, we will launch an attack on the city."
"Your offensive power is weak, and the Germans' defensive power will not be too strong." Shtemenko pointed to the south of the city and said: "I estimate that they only have one regiment in this direction. If you carry out a strong attack,
, with your strength, I believe you can completely break through the German defense line and establish a support point in the city."
Sokov knew very well that the possibility Shtemenko mentioned existed. However, the number of troops entering the city was limited. Once the Germans launched a crazy counterattack, this support point would soon be lost, and the troops holding on here would
There is no way to escape the fate of the entire army being annihilated.
"Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff," Sokov said sternly: "I believe that with the combat effectiveness of the airborne soldiers, it is entirely possible to break through the German defenses and establish a support point in Uman City. But what happens next? Their numbers
With limited troops and almost exhausted ammunition, how long can it last in the face of the German army's crazy counterattack?"
Shtemenko fell silent after hearing this, while Sokov struck while the iron was hot and said: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, look at how hard the battle in Golovanivsik Town was. We successively mobilized one and a half divisions.
The strength of the troops has not yet completely captured the entire town. I think the battle in Uman City will be more cruel and tragic than the battle in a small town."
"So, you plan to wait until the main force of the group army reaches the Uman area before launching an attack on the enemy?" Shtemenko asked tentatively: "Am I correct in my analysis?"
"Of course you are correct, Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff." Sokov felt it was necessary to further explain Shtemenko and let him order his combat intentions: "Although at this moment, launching the outpost troops to attack Uman, we can achieve
Certain results were achieved. However, due to their insufficient strength and ammunition, as well as the lack of heavy firepower support, even if they managed to occupy a supporting point in Uman City, they would not be able to expand their results and would instead be in danger of being annihilated.
And when the main force of our group army reaches the outside of the city and then attacks the enemy, even if they have enough time to strengthen their defenses, it will be difficult to sustain them under our powerful firepower. When we launch the attack again, we can quickly expand the attack.
Result."
Shtemenko had to consider Sokov's statement carefully. After thinking for a long time, a smile appeared on his face: "You have considered the problem very comprehensively. We just think about what we are doing now."
Before the enemy recovers, they send troops to occupy a strong point. And you are not only thinking about establishing a strong point, but also thinking about how to expand the results of the battle."
He paused for a moment and then continued to ask: "Comrade Sokov, please tell me truthfully, if you launch an attack on Uman, how long will it take to win it?"
"I think we can win it in three days." Smirnov, who had just finished the phone call, answered first.
"Three days?!" Upon hearing this deadline, Shtemenko's eyebrows raised: "Can Uman be captured in three days?"
"Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff," Sokov analyzed the situation on the battlefield and felt that the Uman garrison was limited, especially the defensive force facing his direction, which was even more weak. If he really launched an attack, his own
The troops are fully capable of taking it down in a short period of time. The three days Smirnov said was somewhat conservative. He hesitated for a moment, and then said decisively: "I think if our army goes well, it will take 30 hours."
It can resolve the battle."
Hearing what Sokov said, both Shtemenko and Smirnov had expressions of astonishment on their faces. Smirnov said that three days was shocking enough, but Sokov did not expect
The time it was said was even more outrageous.
Shtemenko asked with a smile: "Comrade Sokov, are you really sure that we will capture Uman within 30 hours?" Before Sokov could answer, he said directly, "If there is
If I am sure, I will report to the base camp and say that you can capture Uman within 30 hours."
When Sokov heard what the other party said, he felt a little guilty: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, I think to be on the safe side, it is better to report within three days. If something unforeseen happens during the battle, 30 hours
There is simply no way to resolve the battle."
The reason why he said this was that he had a limited time to take over the 53rd Army, and commanders at all levels were still unable to carry out the orders given to him without compromise. Another point was that there were too many new recruits in the unit, and its combat effectiveness was severely reduced.
It was so diluted that the combined combat effectiveness of the 49th and 57th armies was no longer comparable to Major General Afunin's 18th Guards Army.
Shtemenko did not have time to ponder Sokov's psychology. After all, he came here as a representative of the base camp this time. He was only here to observe how Sokov commanded the battle and could not participate in direct command. So he said casually: "Okay
, then I will report to my superiors and say that you can liberate Uman within three days."
When Shtemenko called Moscow, Ponedelin approached Sokov and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Commander, the German army has been operating defense operations in the Uman area for a long time. With our current strength, how can we
It is not an easy task to win it in three days. The deputy chief of staff reported to the superiors that we can liberate the city in three days. If we cannot complete the task by then, what should we do?"
Regarding Ponedelin's worries, Sokov said disapprovingly: "Don't worry, Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin. He was attacked by our army from the town of Golovanivsik, but the German army did not send troops to support, so I judged
"The German defense force south of Uman is limited. Once we gather the troops of three armies and launch attacks from two areas at the same time, we can quickly rush into the city of Uman."
At this point, Sokov stopped, glanced at Shtemenko who was on the phone, and whispered: "Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, since you are an old soldier, you naturally understand the traditions of the Russian army.
When capturing a city, as long as the flag is planted on the top of the municipal building, it means that the city is occupied by us."
"Well, that makes sense." Ponejelin felt that what Sokov said was very reasonable. If the task of occupying the city cannot be completed within three days, the army's tradition can be used to plant flags.
Declared occupation of the city.
Sokov is reluctant to occupy a city by planting flags. After all, this is only a nominal occupation and does not truly fully control the city. Unless it is absolutely necessary, he will never do it.
Use this method to complete the occupation of Uman.
Seeing Shtemenko finish the phone call and Sokov was about to speak, a communications staff officer hurried over and handed a newly received telegram to Smirnov.
Smirnov casually took the telegram and lowered his head to read it. After looking at it for a moment, surprise appeared on his face, and he quickly started reading again, as if he was worried that he had missed some important information.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov saw this and asked quickly: "What information makes you so happy."
"Comrade Commander, the telegram was sent by Lieutenant Colonel Baryshev of the 15th Guards Airborne Regiment." Smirnov reported to Sokov excitedly: "Half an hour ago, there was a man from Ukraine.
Civilians in Manchester arrived at their defense zone. The civilian claimed to be an intelligence agent of the underground resistance organization and had important information to hand over to our military commander."
"What kind of information?"
"It is said to be information related to the Uman city defense." Smirnov explained: "Since the other party provided a micro film, they did not have development equipment there, so they could not know what the specific information was in the film."
The corners of Sokov's mouth raised slightly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, if this member of the underground resistance organization really provides us with a detailed city defense map, it will be of great help to us in liberating Uman."
"Comrade Commander," Smirnov suggested to Sokov: "We should immediately send a telegram to Lieutenant Colonel Baryshev and ask him to send someone to send the intelligence agent and the film immediately. We have equipment to develop film here.
, so that we can find out what kind of information is in the film."
To Smirnov's proposal, Sokov readily agreed: "Okay, okay, send a telegram to Lieutenant Colonel Baryshev immediately and ask him to send someone to send the intelligence agent and the film."
"Comrade Sokov, you are lucky." Shtemenko came over and said to Sokov with a smile: "If this intelligence agent can really provide the German city defense information, it will be very helpful to you in liberating the city.
.”
Hope rekindled in Sokov's heart. Even though he rejected the idea of resolving the battle in 30 hours in front of Shtemenko, if the intelligence agent could really provide him with a detailed city defense map of Uman,
Then you can formulate targeted combat plans based on the German defense situation, and use your troops more rationally in siege operations.
Smirnov quickly came back from the communication area and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, in addition to replying to Lieutenant Colonel Baryshev, I also sent a telegram to Major General Afunin and Rumian respectively.
Major General Tsev called and asked them to send people to pick up the vehicles transporting the intelligence agents along the way to ensure that the intelligence could be safely delivered to the headquarters."
