The troops under the command of General Rebarko launched an attack on Brovari at eight o'clock the next morning on time.

At the beginning, the battle progressed very smoothly. At less than nine o'clock, the troops attacking from two directions at the same time broke through the German position outside the city of Brovari and rushed into the city through several openings. Here, he started street fighting with the enemy.

Witkov, who was the first to receive this battle report, was extremely excited. The telegram in his hand said to me: "Comrade Commander, although the Germans in Brovari have been strengthened by the Kiev defenders, they are under General Rybalko. Under the attack of a powerful armored force, it is difficult to form an effective defense. You see, the enemy’s strong outer defenses have been breached one after another after the battle lasted less than an hour. If we continue to fight like this, maybe noon Will be able to take Brovari."

Affected by Vitkov's emotions, Romanov and Kirilov were also very excited. They even studied on the map which road to advance directly to the city of Kiev after General Rebarko captured Bruvari.

For the reaction of the three of them because they learned the good news of victory, I just responded with a faint smile. I understand in my heart that although our army currently has the advantage on the battlefield, the German army will definitely not be willing to lose. They will definitely make a crazy counterattack next. Apart from other things, the air supremacy on the battlefield is not on our side, which is a particular headache for me. Even if our armored force doubles, as long as the German aircraft is dispatched, it can only become a target for bombing.

After ten o'clock, after the friendly forces occupied the east and south directions of the city, as the resistance of the compressed German troops became more and more tenacious, the speed of their advance into the city gradually slowed down. Some areas were even caught up in repeated competitions, and the fighting became more intense.

Vitkov saw the telegram sent by General Rebarko, and couldn't help getting upset. He walked around the room with his hands on his back, muttering incessantly: "Damn it. Damn it. It's not just a fight." Street fighting, our troops are several times more than the enemy, even if we change a few, we would have taken the city down early."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," a telegraph operator stood up from his seat, and shouted Vitkov, who was not far from him, "a new telegram has arrived."

"Is there any bad news coming?" Vitkov went over to take the telegram. He whispered and walked towards me. When he walked in front of me, he just finished reading the telegram, and then said with a deep face: "Comrade Commander, the situation is very bad. The enemy has dispatched the air force. The assembly point of our offensive troops has been bombarded indiscriminately. In order to do so. To avoid unnecessary casualties, General Rebarko intends to order the troops to suspend the offensive, evacuate and conceal on the spot and prepare for air defense."

"Damn German." Romanov, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but cursed angrily when he heard this hour.

After I glanced at Romanov, I told Vitkov: "Call back General Rebarko and agree to his request to let the troops temporarily stop the offensive and hide air defenses on the spot. Wait until the enemy's planes fly away. Then continue. Initiate a rush into the city. Also, the situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, so he doesn't need to ask for instructions on everything. If he can be the master, let him be the master."

Although Vitkov's face was unhappy, he still followed my instructions and sent a telegram to Rebarko.

As soon as our offensive ceased, the German forces in the city of Blauvari, under the cover of the air force, launched a counterattack to those positions occupied by our army. Although our commanders are fighting stubbornly. However, due to the enemy's air superiority, some positions that had just been occupied have fallen one after another.

Saw telegram after telegram bringing bad news. Vitkov was a little crazy. He said to me in a hoarse voice: "Comrade Commander. The situation is getting worse and worse for us. If we just defend only and do not counterattack, it will be dark at the latest, this morning. The positions captured will be all taken back by the Germans."

"Counter-attack? Comrade Chief of Staff, tell me, what is the counter-attack method?" I saw that Vitkov was a little hot-headed, so I unceremoniously poured cold water on him, "Let our officers and men brave The indiscriminate bombing of enemy planes, and the intensive artillery fire of the German army in the city, charged with their weapons and singing songs? Do you think that even if the officers and soldiers behave bravely, their flesh and blood can block the enemy's bullets and shrapnel? ?"

Hearing what I said, Witkov was silent for a moment. Romanov next to him opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but Kirilov pulled his sleeve violently and shut his mouth obediently.

I saw that everyone was silent, and then continued: "Although General Rebarko has suffered a temporary setback, our forces are stronger than the Germans after all. Even if it is exhausted, we can fight it. Even in the morning. It doesn’t matter if the captured positions are lost. Anyway, as long as General Rebarko’s troops can contain the main force of the German army on the left bank of the Dnieper, then our pressure to capture Kiev will be greatly reduced."

As soon as I finished speaking, Vitkov's lowered head lifted up again, and the lost confidence was restored again. He straightened his back and said to me: "Comrade Commander, I understand. Kiev is our main goal. Whether we win or lose in battles in other areas, it can play a role in containing the enemy and cooperate with our seizure of Kiev."

Regarding Vitkov’s ability to understand, I nodded with satisfaction, and said: “As a senior commander, you must maintain a good attitude so that when you are commanding a large force in combat, you won’t have a momentary impulse. The series of wrong instructions led to the final battle failure. Well, you continue to be responsible for the intelligence from General Rebarko. I will consider the plan to attack Kiev at night and see if there are any details that need to be perfected."

After Vitkov walked away, I stared at the map in front of me, thinking carefully about each step of the offensive plan, and carefully pondering whether there was any need to adjust. After a long time, I raised my head and said to Romanov: "Comrade General, please inform your men that the troops will depart at 7 o'clock tonight. The tank brigade that initiates the attack must arrive at the attacking position before 8 o'clock."

Romanov waited for me to finish, and asked again: "We are almost 50 kilometers from Kiev here. If the infantry is walking, it may not arrive until early in the morning. Will there be any problems with the tank brigade fighting alone?"

"Don't we still have hundreds of trucks?" I saw that he actually thought of letting the infantry walk, and quickly reminded him: "Don't forget, the commanders and fighters in our attack tonight are all wearing German uniforms. , They can swagger forward in a truck to Kiev. Even if they encounter an enemy on the road, as long as they say they are going to reinforce Kiev, it will not arouse suspicion."

Pugachev, who was in the telecommunications room next door, suddenly ran in from outside. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted excitedly: "Good news, Comrade Commander, there is good news!"

When the good news came, everyone's frowned brows stretched out. I smiled and asked Pugachev, "Hey, Comrade Major, I wonder what kind of good news you have brought us all?"

Pugachev hurriedly straightened his body in front of me and replied: "I just received a call from Major Akhromeyev. He said that the vanguard of the 79th Guards Infantry Division had successfully arrived. I’m going to Kanivu, and I’m meeting with them."

"Meeting the teacher?!" Hearing this news, Kirilov first reacted, and he excitedly said to me: "Lida, in this way, we will no longer be lonely behind the enemy. At least there is a passage. It is connected to the main defense area of ​​our army."

I smiled and nodded at him, then turned around and asked Pugachev: "Did Major Akhromeyev say anything?"

Pougachev nodded slightly and replied, "Yes, Major Akhromeyev asked me to ask you whether it is possible to send the two thousand wounded people in Kanivu through this newly opened channel. go?"

Although I was prepared to give up the severely wounded people who had difficulty in action at the beginning, I couldn't bear it in the end, and finally transferred them all to Kanivu. In this way, UU reading www. uukānshu. In the small city of com, there were thousands of wounded people in our army at once, among which there were 2,000 seriously wounded. What Akhromeev proposed was to transfer these severely wounded people to the rear of our army through the newly opened channel.

Of course, I have no reason to object to his proposal, so I nodded hurriedly and told Pugachev: "Comrade Major, please tell Major Akhromeyev, except for the wounded, all citizens who are willing to leave, You can also send all of them to the rear of our army through this newly opened channel."

When a few of us were laughing from ear to ear because of the good news, there happened to be new bad news. Witkov took the new telegram from the operator. After looking at it for a few times, his expression changed drastically. Then he reported to me in a flustered manner: "Comrade Commander, something has happened!"

"What's the matter?!" When I heard him say this, I couldn't help but hung in the air, and hurriedly asked: "Is it a telegram from General Rebarco?"

"Yes!" After he answered my question in the affirmative, he went on to say: "General Rebarko reported that enemy planes bombed the command of the 15th Army Tank in Boryspil. During the half-hour bombing, a bomb directly hit the command post of the tank army. Staff officers in it suffered heavy casualties. The commander of the tank army, Major General Kopzov, unfortunately died!" (to be continued)