"What, your troops have crossed the Dnieper River?" Hearing me say this, Vatukin was shocked. After a moment of silence, he asked nervously: "Where did you cross the Dnieper River?"

"In a section between Cherkassy and Kanivu." I briefly reported to Vatutin the situation of the troops crossing the river. In order to prevent him from directly ordering all troops to cross the river from the area, I also specially emphasized in the end. Said: "Comrade General, although the place where we cross the river is not defended by the Germans, the terrain is not suitable for the deployment of large forces, especially the deployment of armored forces. After all research, we plan to choose the location of crossing the river in another place."

"Why, do you plan to cross the river from other places?" After I finished speaking, Vatutin asked slowly: "I want to hear, what location do you think is the right place?"

"Kaniv!" I replied decisively: "We plan to send troops to carry out a forced crossing from this area of ​​Kaniv. After we seize the city, we will build it as an offensive point for our attack on Kiev.

"Although the surface of the Kaniv river is very narrow, the current is too rapid," Vatutin asked worriedly, even though he understood my plan. "If the German army has heavy and conservative troops on the other side, you are sure that the troops can succeed. Cross the river?"

Regarding Vatutin’s concerns, I hesitated for a moment, and then answered confidently: "Comrade General, don’t worry, I think our troops will definitely be able to cross the river. Because according to the combat plan, when a troop is forced to cross the river frontally, , The 67th Guards Division that has crossed the river will go up the river and attack the German flanks, making them unable to look at each other."

"How many divisions do you plan to send to take on the task of frontal forcing?" Vatutin continued to ask: "Also, what kind of fire support can they get during the forcing?"

"Although our troops are advancing towards the banks of the Dnieper River overnight, the only troops that can be reached before dawn are the 52nd Division of the Guards of Major General Nekrasov. As for the fire support they can get? "Speaking of this, I paused for a moment, and turned my eyes for help to Kistyakov next to me. He quickly wrote a few numbers on the paper, and then handed them to me. I glanced at the above content, and then said: "Before the attack, we will use the firepower of an artillery regiment to cover the German positions on the other side. After the attack begins, the tanks of the 22nd Guards Brigade will stop. On the shore, destroy the enemy’s exposed firepower points."

"No, your troops are too small." After listening to me, Vatutin raised his voice and said: "After the main German forces withdrew across the Dnieper River, we have no idea what their current strengths are. I think it is inappropriate for one or two divisions to launch such a large-scale river crossing operation."

What Vatutin said made me a little bit at a loss. I was silent for a long time before I asked tentatively: "Comrade General, if we didn't guess wrong, do you disagree with us immediately crossing the river to fight?"

"It's not that you don't agree, but your strength is too weak. With your current strength, to attack the enemy's heavily armed cities, it is undoubtedly to die." Vatujing said to me earnestly: "Although we have not been able to fight recently. There are few victories, but you must not have the thought of underestimating the enemy, otherwise you will suffer a big loss."

Vatutin's words made me really dumbfounded. I said in my heart: Where did I underestimate the enemy? Although there was only one division in the frontal attack, there were also similar forces to attack the German flanks. My double-sided attack, can't it solve the German troops in the small city of Kanivu? But a lot of things are okay to say in my heart, but we must never say it. I pondered it over and over, and then said to Vatutin: "Comrade General, please believe me. There is absolutely no reason to underestimate the enemy just because of a few victories. The reason why I dared to cross the river with two divisions is because of the German army. Not long after retreating to the other side of the Dnieper River, we have not had time to build a complete defense system. We can attack them by surprise at this time. If we linger, wait until the successor troops arrive, when we start to cross the river again, it is estimated that the enemy will be early Just on the other side of the bank, we have built a strong fortification. When we attack, we will have to pay twice or even several times the price."

After I said this, I immediately closed my mouth and waited nervously for Vatutin's response. After several minutes of silence, Vatutin’s voice came from the earpiece: "Well, Comrade Oshanina, I agree with your attack plan. But your force is still too weak, I will Contact the friendly forces immediately and let them cooperate with you in the fight."

Friends! When I heard this word, I couldn't help but brighten up. As long as we have the support of friendly forces, our success rate in crossing the river can be greatly improved. But then I thought about it. I don't know which friendly army he is going to let us fight with. If the fighting force is strong, it is good to say that if we encounter teammates like pigs, it will be our sadness. Thinking of this, I immediately couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade General, I don't know which friendly force you plan to arrange to cooperate with us?"

"This will be kept secret for the time being." I didn't expect that Vatutin, who has always been more rigorous, was also sold at this time. He pretended to be mysterious and said: "Comrade Oshaninna, don't worry, he will soon I'm calling you to discuss matters concerning joint operations between your two forces."

After I put down the phone, Kistyakov and Bezikov immediately asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, did Comrade General say which unit should be allowed to cooperate with us?"

I shook my head, and replied bitterly, "I don't know either."

"What, don't you know?" Hearing my answer, an incredible expression appeared on everyone's face.

I understand why everyone has such an expression. After all, in a few hours, the crossing of the river is about to begin, but as a commander of the group army, I don't even know who I want to fight with. Isn't this too funny? But I really don’t know which unit Vatutin plans to arrange with us, so I shrugged my shoulders, spread my hands, and said, “I’m sorry, I really don’t know, because Comrade General did not say. But it won’t be long. The commander who cooperates with us will call me to discuss matters concerning joint operations."

After saying this, I turned my eyes to Bezikov and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, besides the 52nd Guards Division, which unit is closest to us?"

Bezikov looked down at the map, and then replied, "Lieutenant Colonel Lukin’s 375th Infantry Division should be able to arrive by noon tomorrow. So even if the 52nd Guards’ offensive fails, Lukin’s division can take over. ."

Lu Jin's application for the post of commander of the 375th Infantry Division was approved almost as soon as it was submitted. But whether Lu Jin can control the troops in a short time, I have no idea. So after Bezikov finished speaking, I asked again: "Is General Govorunenko still in the division?"

Bezikov shook his head and replied: "General Govorunenko has taken office in the tank army, and the division is currently under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Lukin." At the end, he added, "I believe that Lukin is in the middle. The ability of the school can establish its own prestige in the army in the shortest time."

Then I learned from Akhromeyev about the deployment of Zolotonosha. Although according to our reconnaissance, the main German forces have retreated to the other side of the Dnieper River, leaving all unorganized stragglers, but You still can't take it lightly when you are on alert. If the headquarters is really taken off by a small group of enemies, then I will be everyone's laughing stock.

When I was busy, the phone on the desk rang suddenly. I raised my hand and looked at my watch. It was only 20 minutes after the time I was talking with Vatutin. I immediately guessed the call. It must be the commander of the friendly army. Unfortunately, I don’t know who this person is or whether Easy to get along with.

While I was thinking about it, Bezikov, who answered the phone, handed the microphone in both hands to me, and said with some excitement: "Comrade Commander, the commander of the friendly army wants to talk to you."

As soon as I pressed the receiver to my ear, I heard a familiar voice: "Hey, is it Lida? This is Katukov."

Hearing this voice, I immediately understood why Bezikov was so excited. It turned out that the call was from Katukov. I quickly settled and said politely: "Hello, General Katukov, I am glad to hear your voice."

"Yes, we haven't seen each other since we repelled the German attack on Oboyan." Katukov's voice was slightly hoarse, but he was too emotional: "Commander Vatutin just gave me Call and let me send troops to assist you and fight Kani up and down the river. How about, tell me about your plan!"

When I heard that the unit that cooperated with me was actually the First Group Army of Guards Tanks of Katukov, my heart became more at ease. In my impression, Katukov has not yet fought any defeats, that is to say. Fighting across the river at dawn will surely achieve an imaginary victory.

"That's it, General Katukov." On the phone, I explained my battle plan to Katukov in detail, and finally asked: "I don't know what kind of troops you plan to send. Come to assist our offense?"

"I will send General Guttmann's Sixth Tank Army to support you." Katukov was afraid that I didn't know who Guttmann was. He also explained specifically: "You just served as the commander of the Sixth Guards Army before. Soon, I once brought General Guttman to you once."

In fact, even if Katukov didn’t say it, I still remember who Gutman was, so when he finished speaking, I nodded and said, “Remember, General Katukov, my impression of General Gutman. It's very deep." Then I changed the topic and asked, "But I want to ask about the current strength of the Sixth Tank Army?"

"The army has under its jurisdiction the 22nd, 1oo, and 2oo tank brigades, and the motorized infantry 6th brigade." To dispel my doubts, Katukov immediately reported to me the number of the unit belonging to the Tank Sixth Army: " Although they suffered huge losses in the Battle of Kursk, after more than a month of rest, the army has been supplemented with equipment and personnel, and is now fully staffed and ready for new battles."

"It's great, General Katukov, it's really great." I heard that I could get the support of a full tank army, I immediately smiled and said repeatedly: "With this tank army that you support, I believe that the battle across the river in Foxiao will surely be victorious."

"The Germans have just pushed to the opposite bank of the Dnieper River, and it is estimated that it is too late to build a complete fortification. If you attack suddenly at this time, you will definitely be able to catch them by surprise." Hearing these words of Katukov, I couldn't help feeling Thousands of things, I didn't expect that his research and judgment on the situation would coincide with me. When I was about to say a few words, I heard him continue to say: "However, I want to remind you that your battle across the river must be decided. Once the time is delayed, the enemy's nearby forces will continue to flow in. To At that time, your battle across the river will become a protracted and cruel war of attrition. Even if you barely occupy Kaniv, the strength of the Sixth Guards Army will be greatly reduced."

"Don't worry, General Katukov." In response to Katukov's reminder, I think he is too pessimistic. In the current situation, even without the support of the Sixth Army of Tanks, our two divisions can complete the river crossing operation in the shortest time and regain Kaniv from the German hands. "At the latest before dark, we will be able to resolve the battle and successfully establish our defensive position in Kanivu. At that time, the enemy will not come. As long as they come, they can definitely be defeated~www .lightnovelpub.net~Since you have this confidence, then I won’t say more. I believe you have this ability.” Katukov, who knows me, said confidently: “I hope one day, my guard The First Army of Tanks, together with your Sixth Army of Guards, rushed into Kiev proudly and liberated this great city from the Germans."

The people in the command office knew that there would be a full tank army to cooperate with our crossing of the river, and their emotions suddenly became excited. Everyone gathered around the map and began to talk about where to build a pontoon after crossing the river successfully, where the tanks of the tank army should cross the river, and where to launch an assault on the enemy.

Since the discussion was so intense that no one showed up, when did General Guttmann, accompanied by the staff of the headquarters, walked into the headquarters and stood behind us for a long time.

After hearing the staff's loud report, the room became quiet. Everyone turned their attention from the map in front of them to the general standing in the middle of the room. I recognized him as the commander of the Sixth Tank Army, Guttmann, and hurried up to greet him: "Hello, General Guttmann, welcome to my headquarters." I glanced at him in the enclave. After the epaulettes, I hurriedly added, "At the same time congratulations on your attaining a higher rank, Lieutenant General Guttmann!" (To be continued.)