The movement of the troops was completed in the early morning of the 17th. As part of Manstein’s troops were transferred to Italy, and the remaining troops suffered heavy losses in the early battles, in addition to two small-scale air strikes during the transfer of our army, the Germans There was no response from the ground forces.

After I saw the new defense plan of the group army, I couldn’t help but feel better. It seems that the historical error correction power is really great. It turns out that before the battle of Kursk, the defense line of our group army was easterly than the real defense line in history. Now, after such an adjustment by the Supreme Command, it unexpectedly returned to the standard historical trajectory without knowing it.

"Comrade Commander," maybe Bezikov discovered that I had been smirking at the map, so he asked me curiously: "What are you laughing at? Is there any new consideration for today's counterattack against Butovo? "

I quickly reduced the smile on my face, raised my head to look at him, and said in a concealed manner: "Chief of Staff, I was looking at the position of our army, and I found that as long as I didn’t move, I could fight as long as I launched an attack. The Germans retreat steadily."

Danilov, who was sitting at the table and napping, heard what I said and opened his eyes and asked: "Comrade Commander, if we really attack, can we hit Kharkov?"

"Kharkov?!" I repeated the place name Danilov had said, and then said in a mocking tone: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you are too small for the strength of our army. It is assembled in southern Kursk. Once the troops of these two fronts attacked the Germans, it would be a thunder blow. Do you think that Manstein, who was just repulsed by us and transferred a lot of troops away, can still block our fierce offensive? ?"

Regarding my point of view, Danilov just smiled and did not make any comments. Maybe in his head. I was thinking about the Battle of Kharkiv a few months ago. At that time, the Soviet army also occupied an absolute advantage in numbers, and it turned out to be the last. It's not that the Germans were beaten all over to find teeth and lost hundreds of thousands of troops. Also sacrificed several generals, including Khalitonov.

Thinking of the sacrificed General Khalitonov, I inevitably thought of the use of Ike’s body in exchange for the general’s body and captured wounded, as well as the past that Mainstein sent people to persuade him to surrender. Now the general trend of the German army is gone, and it is time for me and him to settle the general ledger.

Thinking of this, I said to Danilov with a serious expression: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I know what you are worried about. You are worried about our offensive this time. It may be like Kharkov in the past few months. The battle is the same, although it has gained all the advantages in the early stage, it will end in failure in the end."

After hearing what I said, Danilov nodded unexpectedly, and said frankly: "Yes, Comrade Commander, that's what I think in my heart. We just won the Defence of Stalingrad in the last battle. It is several times more powerful than the German army, and its weapons and equipment are comparable to that of the enemy. But in the end it ended in failure and lost a lot of viable strength. Although our strength looks equally strong this time, I still don’t feel in my heart. Be steadfast. I'm afraid that we will repeat the same mistakes again."

"Comrade Deputy Commander, you are a defeatist rotation." After listening to Bezikov, he could not wait to retort: ​​"The German forces in the battle near Kursk almost consumed all their vital power. Facing the attack we are about to launch, they have no resistance at all."

"Yes, I agree with the chief of staff's opinion." I said in agreement: "The strength of the last battle was due to the fact that our troops were too far away from the supply base and could not keep up with the logistics. That's why we have the advantage of troops and equipment. Down, a defeat was fought."

Kirilov next to him might be afraid that some of us would argue. He quickly turned the topic off, "That's right. Lida, the 67th Guards Division will launch an attack on Butovo at 8 o'clock. Will you go to the front in person?"

I waved my hand and said, "Comrade Military Commissioner, we need to detail the following commanders. Now that the task has been assigned, how to complete it is the task of their commanders, so we should not interfere too much in order to affect their performance. "

Just when I saw Povsky coming over, I turned my attention to him: "Comrade Colonel, are our artillery units ready?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Povsky replied: "The two artillery regiments and one guard rocket artillery battalion participating in the offensive are all ready. As soon as the time comes, they can bombard the enemy."

"Very good." The artillery confirmed, and then I asked Bezikov: "Chief of Staff, has the tank unit entered the designated position?"

Bezikov heard my question, thought for a moment, and then replied: "Due to road problems, the tank brigade is still on the marching road and has not reached the designated position for the time being."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, why is the tank brigade's movements so slow?" Danilov said with some dissatisfaction: "If today's offensive is delayed, can Colonel Berly afford this responsibility?"

"Comrade Deputy Commander, I can't blame the tank brigade for this." I know the situation of the tank brigade in Bere very well, so I heard Danilov angry and quickly explained to him: "The tanks of the tank brigade are here. After more than a week of fighting, many of them had malfunctions of varying degrees. After emergency repairs at the repair station, 80% of the tanks were barely kept in good fighting condition. In addition, the road to Butovo was hit by enemy aircraft. The bombing became bumpy, so our tanks were advancing very slowly."

"So, in the attack launched at eight o'clock, our tank brigade cannot participate in the war." Hearing this, Danilov said thoughtfully: "Since they cannot participate in the war, let them stay. At the repair station, all tanks are maintained."

"You can't say that, Comrade Deputy Commander." Hearing how helpless Danilov said, I smiled and said: "Maybe our tanks were not useful in the battle to liberate Butovo, but we still have to There are two small cities to regain. Let the tank brigade enter the designated position early, we can adjust the combat deployment according to the actual situation, and even connect several separate combat deployments together to form a series of attacks to bring the enemy as soon as possible. His defense tore a hole."

Danilov nodded after listening. Said: "Well, since this is the case, then wait until the battle begins. Let's see the actual effect."

The time that passed in a blink of an eye on weekdays is now passing so slowly. It's been really tough hours. When the pointer finally pointed to eight o'clock, I nodded to Povsky, who was standing next to him with the microphone, indicating that the artillery could start shelling the German positions in Butovo.

Povsky, who knew everything, immediately said loudly into the microphone: "Commander ordered that the artillery fire at Butovo immediately!"

Although we are tens of kilometers away from Butovo, when Povsky’s order was given, I could vaguely hear the rumble of artillery from outside, as if seeing the dense shells fired by our artillery. The enemy's position exploded into a sea of ​​flames.

I sit at the table. Although I was looking at the map, I glanced at the telephone placed in the middle of the table from time to time. I hope Colonel Baksov, who is in charge of the army’s offensive, can call me immediately and report to me that the army is already there. Successfully occupied Butovo.

But I also know this is impossible, because the shelling is still going on, how can the infantry attack? I only hope that after the shelling is over, the 67th Guards Division will be faster, before the enemy reacts. He rushed into the city. After repeated battles between the enemy and ours, almost all the buildings in the city collapsed, so the possibility of street fighting is unlikely. As soon as the troops rushed into the city, then the victory was in hand.

After a while, I suddenly heard Bezikov's voice: "The preparations for the bombardment are over. Our troops should start a charge. I believe it won't take long for good news to come."

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Danilov also said: "The positions outside Butovo cannot be supported by our powerful artillery fire. I believe it will not take long for the troops to be able to Successfully regained Butovo."

Although I sat there without saying a word. But my mood is more tense than anyone else. Although the city of Butovo is not big, it has become the focus of contention between the enemy and ours. The troops under the command of Shederikov last time. Although Butovo was once regained, under the fierce German offensive, the troops with heavy casualties had to abandon their positions and withdrew from the city.

I waited for almost ten minutes and saw that the phone on the desk hadn't ringed yet. He called the Director of Communications Lopukhov in front of him, pointed to the phone on the table, and asked in a serious tone: "Comrade Major, what's the matter with this phone? Why doesn't it ring? Is there something wrong?"

Lopukhov didn't dare to speak, picked up the microphone and listened for a while, and then reported to me: "Comrade Commander, everything is normal on the phone and there is no problem."

"Lida," Kirilov said to help Lopukhov's siege: "There must be no problem with the phone, you are too impatient. This battle has not been going on for long, and Colonel Baksov just wants to report the situation to you It’s not so fast, at least half an hour or even an hour has to be waited."

I heard Kirillov say this, knowing that I was too impatient, so I waved to Lopukhov to let him return to his post, and then tried to say to Kirillov in a calm tone: "Comrade Military Commissioner This is the first battle of our group army after it has been replenished. I would like to see how the actual combat effectiveness of the troops that have replenished the recruits through combat."

"Colon Baksov is also an old commander. He knows how to lead troops. I believe his performance will not let you down." Seeing that I still feel restless, Kirilov quickly comforted me: "According to reconnaissance, the German defenders in the city have only one regiment with an incomplete structure. Can they stop the onslaught of one of our main divisions?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Bezikov also echoed Kirilov's opinion and said: "During the period of time as the acting commander of Lieutenant Colonel Sergeikov, I believe he has taken you through various methods. The tactical thinking of the army has been instilled into the commanders below. Although this is our offensive, I believe the casualties will not be too great."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Danilov said suddenly, "I cannot agree with you."

Danilov's words stunned all of us. After a while, Bezikov asked in amazement: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I don't know what my point of view is wrong?"

"The slogan of'less bloodshed' to win victory was immediately criticized by ******* as an incorrect slogan that led the army to delusion and win easily after the arduous and heavy Finnish campaign." Danilov quoted the classics as saying: "In the battle for the liberation of Butovo, if we instill this kind of erroneous thinking in the commanders and soldiers, it will make the troops become passive when there are large casualties in the offensive."

To be honest, this is the first time I have heard of this so-called "less bleeding" view, so I also looked at Danilov blankly, wanting to hear what he would say next.

Danilov turned his face, looked at me and said, "Comrade Commander, I know that many battles have been under your command, and there have been many situations where the greatest results have been achieved at the least cost. But have you ever thought about it? If all the commanders have your thoughts, how will the next battle be fought?"

After Danilov finished speaking, I shook my head and said, "Comrade Deputy Commander, I don't understand what you mean."

"The slogan of'less bloodshed' to win victory was immediately criticized by ********** as an incorrect slogan that led the army to delusion and win easily after the arduous and onerous battle in Finland~www .lightnovelpub.net~Danilov quoted the classics as saying: "In the battle for the liberation of Butovo, if we still instill this wrong idea into the commanders and soldiers, it will cause the troops to become more casualties in the offensive. Be negative. "

To be honest, this is the first time I have heard of this so-called "less bleeding" view, so I also looked at Danilov blankly, wanting to hear what he would say next.

Danilov turned his face, looked at me and said, "Comrade Commander, I know that many battles have been under your command, and there have been many situations where the greatest results have been achieved at the least cost. But have you ever thought about it? If all the commanders have your thoughts, how will the next battle be fought?"

After Danilov finished speaking, I shook my head and said, "Comrade Deputy Commander, I don't understand what you mean."

Danilov turned his face, looked at me and said, "Comrade Commander, I know that many battles have been under your command, and there have been many situations where the greatest results have been achieved at the least cost. But have you ever thought about it? If all the commanders have your thoughts, how will the next battle be fought?"

After Danilov finished speaking, I shook my head and said, "Comrade Deputy Commander, I don't understand what you mean." (To be continued.)