For example, the German Army Group South advanced towards the Dnieper River with powerful armored forces, broke through the defense line of the Soviet Southwest Front, and surrounded the Soviet 26th, 6th and 12th Army Groups. Although the Soviet army after fierce fighting,
The main forces of the 6th and 12th Army broke out of the encirclement, but the main force of the Soviet army in the lower bend of the Dnieper River south of Kiev lost its cover.
In other words, in the Uman area south of Kiev, the Southwest Front Army Headquarters was unable to go south to provide support. Before the mobile troops detached from Army Group Center moved south, Army Group South's own 1st Armored Group and 17th Army were already there.
The May Day City in Ukraine gathered together and completed the encirclement of the Soviet 6th and 12th Group Armies and the first part of the 18th Group Army in the Uman area.
After the mobile troops from Italy and Spain set off, the German Army Group South had concluded the Battle of Uman, annihilating 20 Soviet divisions, capturing 103,000 prisoners, and capturing 317 tanks and 858 artillery pieces.
This is the joint area between the Soviet Southwest Front Army and the Southern Front Army, but the two Soviet front armies are unable to solve this problem.
At the same time, a series of fierce battles had already begun outside Kiev. The armored vanguard of Army Group South had broken through to Zhitomir on the outskirts of Kiev. However, due to the lack of strength of the infantry regiment, Zhengcaizhi did not attack Kiev.
Axis launched a general attack.
From the Soviet point of view, many of the main forces of the Southwest Front, which suffered heavy losses, were surrounded by German troops. The main force of the German Army Group Center may move south at any time and form a north-south pincer attack on Kiev. In that case, all the main forces of the Southwest Front would have to be encircled.
.
Southwestern Front Army Headquarters.
Commander Kilponos and the new chief of staff Tupikov are listening to the report and suggestions of the Chief of Operations Colonel Bagramyan.
Kilponos was named by Zhukov to be brought back from Siberia. Also named with him was the former chief of staff Pu'erkayev.
Unfortunately, on the second day after arriving in Siberia, Puerkayev contracted a serious illness due to unsuitable soil and water conditions, and later died of serious illness on the train back.
Because of this matter, Kilponos already had feelings for Stalin, but no one had noticed it yet...
At this moment, the Chief of Operations made a bold but also helpless suggestion for him.
This method will preserve the remaining main force of the Southwest Front as much as possible under the most unfavorable circumstances and make adequate preparations for in-depth defense.
"This is also a hopeless solution, but it is better than being completely annihilated by the German army." Colonel Bagramyan spread his hands and said very bachelorly.
However, Kilponos was very hesitant about this. He knew that under the current situation, if he proposed to abandon the defensive position and shrink the defense, it would definitely touch Stalin's nerves. Kuznetsov, the commander of the Northwest Front half a month ago, was
He was dismissed by Stalin because he advocated shrinking defense.
And he himself was thrown to Siberia to fend for himself by Stalin just because he proposed this idea.
His old partner Puerkayev also died in the Far East because of this...
Thinking of this, Kilponos couldn't help but clenched his fists, trembling slightly with anger.
"Comrade Commander, the current situation is at a critical moment. The armored regiments of the German, Italian, and Spanish armies are encircling and encircling them very quickly. Our troops have suffered serious losses. Among the four armies, some divisions and regiments have lost their lives.
Only one-half or even one-third are left, and some troops simply leave only one designation."
The new colonel minister said excitedly: "If we delay again, the consequences will be disastrous, and we will be responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of officers and soldiers!"
Kilponos just sat quietly, listening to Bagramyan's speech. Once upon a time, he was so similar to the new minister, and he was so passionate.
It's a pity that the freezing Siberia is so cold that it has wetted and cooled his scalding pulse and boiling blood...
Immediately afterwards, Colonel Bagramyan talked about the plan to shrink the defense and repeatedly pointed out its importance.
Kirponos's new chief of staff, Tupikov, was persuaded by this young man: "Okay, I'll send a telegram to Comrade Leader Stalin. However, I am afraid that I will ask for a retreat at this time... In short, we
You have to be prepared."
Stalin's answer came back quickly that afternoon. It was an extremely simple telegram: "Hold Kiev to the death."
Sure enough! Kilponos looked at the contents of the telegram and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
In the headquarters of the Southwest Front Army, everyone fell into silence again.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Kilponos sighed and finally spoke: "I'd better send a telegram to Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov and let him persuade Comrade Stalin."
Hearing this, everyone immediately thought of Zhukov, who had returned to serve in the General Staff. They believed that this famous general with the best reputation in the Soviet military would definitely have a solution.
After Zhukov received the report from the Southwest Front Army, he carefully studied the movements of the German troops and the remaining strength of the Southwest Front Army. He was completely convinced that Kirponos's conclusion was correct. The German army would concentrate its main force to attack Kiev and seek to gain the upper hand here.
Annihilate most of the Southwest Front Army and Southern Front Army.
Zhukov was so heartbroken that he remained at the General Staff Headquarters in mid-to-late July and was not sent to support the Western Front. He immediately called Stalin and asked for an interview.
Then, he came to Stalin's office alone, bringing a strategic situation map, a proven troop deployment map of the Allied Powers group, and other relevant information.
"It is impossible for the German troops in the direction of Moscow to carry out a large-scale offensive campaign in the near future because they suffered too many losses in Smolensk and lack the strength to supplement each group army and protect the left and right wings of Army Group Center. Moreover, I have also instructed Timoshin
Comrade Brother, during this period, he repeatedly launched the battle to recapture Smolensk to contain and consume the strength of the German army."
Zhukov said bluntly: "In Ukraine, the battle will likely start in the Dnepropetrovsk and Kremenchug areas, because the German tank group has arrived in this area. The enemy is likely to attack the Southwest Front guarding Kiev.
Attack from the flanks and rear."
"What is your suggestion?" Stalin asked directly without any nonsense.
"Immediately dispatch reinforcements from the Far East to make up for the losses during this period. At the same time, the Southwest Front must immediately withdraw across the Dnieper River and gather no less than five reinforced divisions in reserve for them in the rear."
Stalin immediately asked: "So what should Kiev do?
Zhukov paused for a moment. He knew what the words "abandon Kiev" meant to Stalin. But he also understood that he could not act emotionally at this time. As the chief of general staff, he had the responsibility to recommend what he considered to be the current
The only right decision.
So he bluntly said: "Kiev has to give up!"
After an awkward silence, Zhukov saw that Stalin had not spoken, so he controlled his emotions and continued to report: "In the west, we need to continue to organize counterattacks to recapture the Yelnia salient occupied by the enemy. Otherwise, this bridgehead will
May be used by the Germans to attack Moscow."
"Where is the counter-assault? What nonsense!" Stalin exploded: "We also want to hand over Kiev to the enemy, you can't even think of that!"