Kirovograd's resistance has continued, but the reinforcements they hoped for have never arrived, and Timoshenko in Alexandria is also worried about this.
To the north, the Soviet Army on the Northern Route, composed of the 19th Army and the 23rd Army, seemed to have been interrupted after its first two divisions suffered devastating blows from the Romanian armored and cavalry units.
It was unable to break through the enemy's interception. Moreover, its commander sent a telegram complaining that the enemy armored division had been lingering on its flank, preventing it from attacking the enemy's interception with all its strength.
In the south, the Soviet Army on the Southern Route, composed of the Seventh Army and the 34th and 41st Divisions, was also blocked by four Romanian divisions at a place called Dolinger, 20 kilometers away from Kirovograd.
As for the east side where his headquarters is located, he finally organized nearly three divisions of troops in an attempt to relieve the siege of Kirovograd. But it still had no effect. The two Romanian divisions prevented his troops from advancing a step.
Timoshenko, feeling agitated, called his adviser.
"Send a telegram to General Norkov in the south and ask them when they can break through the enemy's interception, and tell them that Kirovograd will not be able to hold out much longer."
"Yes, Comrade Commander."
The staff officer who did not dare to express his anger hurriedly rushed to send the report as if he was running away.
After the staff officer left, Comrade Comrade Moklov, the political commissar, walked in. He asked anxiously, "How is the battle situation now?"
Faced with the political commissar's inquiry, Timoshenko shook his head. "There is still no change. At present, all ministries are blocked around Kirovograd and have been unable to break through the enemy's interception."
"Let's think of another way."
"I have sent a message to the frontline commanders, asking them to do their best to reinforce Kirovograd. However, there is still no progress."
Hearing Timoshenko's words, Moklov couldn't help but suggest, "Otherwise, we can allocate troops to increase the intensity of the attack."
After hearing the political commissar's suggestion, Timoshenko said directly. "Where can we mobilize troops now, my comrade political commissar. At present, the troops in our military region are basically on the front line, and the troops left behind have been mobilized to the minimum. Already
There are no more soldiers."
It makes me angry when I think about it. The huge Kiev Military District has nearly 300,000 troops, but now it’s hard to mobilize anyone.
After hearing Timoshenko's words, Moklov couldn't help but continue. "I also know that troops cannot be drawn from the rear. I mean to draw some troops from each division on the front line and put them on the battlefield.
.”
"This won't work. If we have fewer troops, it will be useless, and if we draw too many troops, it will affect the front line. This is absolutely unworkable."
Faced with the political commissar's suggestion, Timoshenko immediately rejected it.
"We can quietly mobilize them and let them set off at night. It should be OK."
Unwilling to give up, Moklov still insisted on his plan.
"Comrade Moklov, do you know the consequences of this?"
Seeing that the political commissar kept insisting, Timoshenko was also a little angry. He suppressed his anger and said, "Let me analyze the consequences of this for you. First of all, if troops can be mobilized nearby within two days' journey, only
The troops on the border are still facing off against the enemy. According to your plan, at least one regiment from each division is required to be effective. And with so many regiment-level troops mobilized, it can be said to be very difficult to deceive others.
Even if the enemy does not discover it, as long as the troops appear to fight in Kirovograd, it will be impossible to keep this secret, and at this time the enemy will definitely launch an offensive on the border. If we fail to relieve Kirovograd by then, our
There is a very high possibility that the troops will be surrounded by the enemy, and such a huge responsibility is enough to make us sinners of the Soviet Union. So Comrade Political Commissar, please don't mention this suggestion."
After hearing Timoshenko's explanation, Commissar Moklov finally understood the terrible consequences, so he rarely defended himself. "The current war situation has not changed yet, and I am afraid that Moscow will be impatient."
"I know this. If I lose the battle, I will take my own responsibility."
Hearing Timoshenko's words, Commissar Moklov was almost furious. You can shoulder this responsibility as long as you want, and Moscow must believe it. By then, neither of us will be able to escape.
Just as Commissar Moklov was complaining in his heart, a red phone rang.
This made both of them look a little frightened. It was not that they were afraid of the red phone, but that the phone was connected to Moscow.
But it was impossible not to answer, so Timoshenko picked up the phone. A middle-aged voice with a Georgian accent came from the phone. "Hello, is this Timoshenko?"
This voice immediately brought Timoshenko back to his senses, and he quickly replied, "It's me, Comrade Stalin."
"Are there any difficulties for the troops?"
"No, Comrade Stalin."
"Then we must resolve this battle as soon as possible."
"Yes, Comrade Stalin."
Just a few words made Timoshenko's back wet.
"Who's calling?"
"It's Comrade Stalin."
Timoshenko's words made Moklov look even more frightened. "Comrade Stalin called to inquire about the situation of the war?"
"No, he only asked me if the troops had any difficulties, and asked me to resolve this battle as soon as possible."
Moklov's expression turned even uglier after hearing Timoshenko's answer. "It seems that Comrade Stalin already knows the current war situation, and he is expressing his dissatisfaction."
"This is the current battle situation that has shown that the hope of victory is slim. It would be good to maintain an undefeated state. Moreover, this battle also shows that our army has not yet reached the level of the imperial powers. I believe that the committee members in Moscow
You should also see it.”
At this point, Timoshenko had an idea in his mind, that is, what did Stalin's last words mean? He didn't think that Comrade Stalin was far away in Moscow to express his concern, and to ask himself through various relays.
Is there any difficulty in the army? Then he must be dissatisfied with the result of the battle, so he needs to do something.
So what exactly is it?
Timoshenko has never been able to guess the intention. In fact, it's not that he can't guess, but that there are some things he can't say.
Just when Timoshenko was wondering, the battle in Kirovograd finally subsided. The Romanian army completely defeated the defenders and occupied this key city. The last organized unit was wiped out by the Romanian army.
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Now that the Soviet Union's war situation in Ukraine has fallen into total passivity, Timoshenko has made up his mind. On the day after the fall of Kirovograd, a telegram was sent from Alexandria, where his headquarters is located, to
