Chapter 1374 Salute

   The German army standing firm in the position was still cheering when they saw their own plane appear. But they never dreamed that the retribution would come so quickly. Before the German planes did much damage to the attacking Soviet tank troops, they were beaten to pieces by the hastily arrived Soviet fighter planes.

   After driving away the enemy planes, the Soviet bombers launched a hearty attack on the German positions on the ground. Countless aerial bombs fell from the sky, blowing up the already exposed positions into a sea of ​​flames.

  After the plane bombed, hundreds of Soviet infantry rushed up under the cover of tanks, drowning the remaining German troops on the position in the hail of bullets.

  The German army was stunned by the Soviet army's ground-air cooperation and infantry-tank cooperation, and they called the headquarters one after another, asking Huot to send reinforcements to support them. Regrettably, however, the headquarters' phone line could not be reached at all, and the telegrams sent were not answered for a long time. The German commander had no choice but to order the troops to abandon their outlying positions, retreat to the city, and use buildings to fight street battles with the Soviets.

   I don’t know if I don’t withdraw, and I’m startled when I withdraw. The German officers and soldiers who retreated into the city soon discovered that there were only sporadic troops on the friendly positions, the main force had long since disappeared, and they had become a lone army.

Under such circumstances, how could the German officers and soldiers still have the courage to fight on? Facing the flood of Soviet commanders and fighters pouring into the streets, they just fired their guns indiscriminately, regardless of whether they hit the target, and after a while, they headed towards the south of the city. The direction is withdrawn.

  Sokov learned that the troops of the Steppe Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army had successfully rushed into the city and were developing in depth along the street, and his heart suddenly became more at ease.

   "Comrade Commander," Sameko said excitedly to Sokov, "If the friendly forces continue to fight at this speed, they can completely occupy the entire city and wipe out the remaining enemies in the city before dark."

Sokov agreed with Sameko's statement, but he still reminded the other party: "Comrade Chief of Staff, beware of the Germans jumping over the wall in a hurry, order the troops in the south of the city to block the enemy fleeing south, absolutely not Let them leave Belgorod."

"Comrade Commander, you can rest assured about this." Sameko assured Sokov: "Don't say that the German army is only left with infantry. Even with the assistance of tanks and artillery, they can't break through our defense. .”

After saying this, Sameko took a sip of hot tea from the teacup on the table and said with emotion: "Comrade Commander, I really didn't expect that those commanders and fighters who were rescued from the prisoner-of-war camp would be recruited into the army. Their performance was so heroic. The targets they attacked, no matter how strong the enemy's defenses, could not last long. I think that if there are two hundred thousand such commanders and fighters, I have confidence to fight all the way to Berlin."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said, looking up at Sameko with a solemn expression, "If the superiors allow us to liberate every prisoner-of-war camp, and incorporate all the commanders and fighters detained in it into the army, I believe that next year, that is, By the end of 1944, our army group will be able to break into Berlin and take out Mustache's lair."

  Hearing what Sokov said, Sameko's eyes widened in surprise. After a long time, he murmured: "Comrade commander, I think you may be too optimistic. Although we will soon liberate Belgorod, the road to Berlin is still very far away. Nothing else In other words, with our strength, whether we can regain Kyiv is a difficult problem, let alone Berlin, which is thousands of miles away."

Faced with Sameko's doubts, Sokov smiled lightly and continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, after liberating Belgorod, the next step is to liberate Kharkov. When these two cities are liberated, the headquarters The next combat goal must be to break through the German defenses on the Dnieper River and liberate Kyiv. As long as Kiev is captured, it will be a matter of time before we go west to attack Berlin."

After a long silence, Sameko asked carefully: "Comrade commander, the liberation of Berlin is too far away for us. I only care about whether we can take Kharkov this time and hold it? You know , plus this time, we have fought four battles in Kharkov, and we failed in the first three battles, can we succeed this time?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, although our army has failed to succeed in the campaigns launched in the Kharkov area in 1941, 1942 and early this year." Sukov replied with a smile: "But the ancient East has A proverb: There are only three things to do. We have failed three times, and I am sure we will succeed the fourth time.”

  "Since we talked about the next offensive target is Kharkov, I think we should make some preparations in advance."

   "Preparation?" Sameko asked a little puzzled: "What preparation?"

"Didn't I say that after the liberation of Belgorod, an attack on Kharkov will be launched next." Sokov said: "According to my analysis, the superior will definitely order my troops to attack from the west of the city again." Launch an attack. Now there is an Ud River to the west of Kharkov, we should send reconnaissance personnel in advance to conduct reconnaissance on the German positions along the Ud River so that we can find the best landing place."

"So that's what happened." After hearing Sokov's intentions, Sameko said to him: "A few hours ago, the reconnaissance office sent a nine-member reconnaissance team to the Oud River. Conduct reconnaissance in the area." He raised his hand and looked at his watch, "If there are no accidents, they will report back to us the information they have reconnaissance at noon tomorrow."

"One reconnaissance team is far from enough." Unexpectedly, Sukov shook his head and said after hearing this: "I think we should send a few more reconnaissance teams to carry out reconnaissance in the Ude River Basin, so that we can complete the reconnaissance in the shortest time. to obtain the most comprehensive information."

   "Yes, Comrade Commander." Sameko readily agreed: "I will notify the Reconnaissance Office and ask them to send a few more capable reconnaissance teams to the Ude River Basin for reconnaissance."

  …

  The 94th Guards Division, which belongs to the 7th Guards Army, successfully occupied the post office in the city at one o'clock in the afternoon, and raised the flag of the Guards Division on the top of the post and telecommunications building.

  Army Commander Lieutenant General Shumilov, in the temporary headquarters, saw the flag of the Guards Division flying on the top of the post and telecommunications building through a telescope, and he was so excited that he couldn't help himself. After he put down the binoculars, he turned around and ordered the communications soldier: "Call me the front army headquarters immediately, and I will tell Commander Konev the good news."

  After the call was connected, as soon as he heard Konev's voice coming from the receiver, Shumilov said excitedly: "General Konev, I have some good news for you."

   "Please speak, General Shumilov."

   "The 94th Guards Division, which belongs to our group army, has successfully planted the military flag on the top of the Belgorod Post Office Building. They are the first troops to occupy this city. I want to give credit to them in advance."

Unexpectedly, after listening to Konev, he was silent for a while, and then said slowly: "General Shumilov, I understand your mood at this time, but I regret to tell you that the 94th Guards Division They were not the first troops to plant the military flag on the commanding heights of the city, so the honor of being the first to occupy the city does not belong to them."

"What, General Konev, what did you say?" Shumilov waited for Konev to finish speaking, and said in surprise: "You know, our army is the fastest advancing in the entire front army. Were other troops ahead of us, and were flags hoisted on buildings somewhere?"

"Yes, General Shumilov, you are right." Konev said: "There are indeed other troops who rushed ahead of you and planted the military flag on the commanding heights of the city. They are the well-deserved first troops. A troop."

   Shumilov waited for Konev to finish speaking, and asked unconvinced: "General Konev, please tell me, which army rushed ahead of us and planted the military flag on the commanding height of the city?"

"It's Sokov's 27th Army." Konev said slowly, "During yesterday's battle, while you were still fighting fiercely with the enemy on the outskirts of the city, one of Sokov's troops succeeded in capturing the The municipal building where the headquarters is located, and put the red flag on the top of the building. If Huot hadn't seen the situation and fled early, he might have become a prisoner of Sokov's troops."

  When Konev mentioned that the first army to occupy the city was actually under the command of Sokov, Shumilov was speechless. After a while, he tentatively asked: "Comrade commander, can you tell me the number of that unit?"

"The forces that took the city building were two brigades of marines," said Konev, "but given their great success in the battle for the liberation of Belgorod, they will soon be awarded the Guards Division title of honor."

"So that's the case." After listening to Konev's words, Shumilov felt particularly disappointed, but out of politeness, he still forced a smile and said: "General Konev, please represent me and send a letter to Soko." I would like to express my high respect to General Husband and his heroic troops who have achieved great results."

   "I will, General Shumilov." Konev replied with a smile: "I will convey your thoughts to Comrade Sokov. I believe he also hopes to hear the news."

The battle lasted until four o'clock in the afternoon, and there were still four hours before it got dark. The sound of guns and artillery in Belgorod became sparse, and most of the city fell into the hands of the Soviet army, occupying the city. The commanders and fighters began to wipe out the remnants of the enemy in the city.

Although the battle was not completely over, Konev still called Zhukov who was staying at the Voronezh Front Army Command and asked him for instructions: "Comrade Marshal, my troops have already occupied Belgorod. Report this news to the Supreme Command?"

Zhukov only thought for a moment, and then readily agreed: "Yes, Comrade Konev." He raised his wrist and looked at his watch, and added: "You report the results of the battle to the General Staff in five minutes. After that, I will report to the Supreme Commander himself. I can only give you half an hour, so you can hurry up."

  Konev heard that Zhukov was willing to give himself half an hour, and secretly calculated in his heart: he would report the results to the General Staff in five minutes, and there would be 25 minutes left. After listening to his report, the General Staff had to sort it out before reporting to the Supreme Commander himself. As a result, the time was really tight.

  As soon as he put down the phone, Konev told Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, sort out the results of the battle immediately and report to the General Staff in five minutes."

   "Understood, Comrade Commander." Zakharov replied confidently: "I will report the results of the battle to Comrade Chief of General Staff Antonov on time."

  Five minutes later, Zakharov connected to the General Staff in Moscow and reported to Chief of General Staff Antonov the results of the grassland front.

   After patiently listening to Zakharov's report, Antonov said with a smile: "Comrade Zakharov, thank you for telling me such exciting good news. I also have good news to tell you."

   "What good news."

"A few minutes before you called, I just finished talking with General Rokossovsky, the commander of the Central Front Army." Antonov said emotionally: "His troops have successfully damaged Model commanded the German army and liberated Orel."

"What, General Rokossovsky's troops have liberated Orel?" Hearing that his former superior actually commanded troops on the northern front to defeat Model and liberate Orel, Zakharov felt emotional Can't help getting excited: "Is this true, Comrade Chief of the General Staff?"

   "What's wrong with you, General Zakharov?" Antonov asked with a smile, "Would I be joking with you on such an important matter?"

   "Is that true?"

"Of course it's true." Antonov was eager to report the two good news he had received to the bearded man in time, and he didn't say casually: "General Zakharov, I already know the results you have achieved. I will sort out the results as soon as possible and report to the Supreme Commander himself."

  Zakharov heard that Antonov said that he would report the results of the battle to the Supreme Commander himself, and quickly said: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, then I will not bother you anymore. Good luck!"

Putting down the phone, Zakharov opened his arms, grabbed Konev's arm, and said excitedly: "Comrade Commander, I tell you a piece of great news, General Rokossovsky on the Northern Front The troops, having defeated Model, successfully liberated Orel."

  Just as Konev and others started toasting for the liberation of Orel by Rokossovsky's troops, Antonov, who had sorted out the report, came to the bearded office.

Seeing Antonov coming, Poskrebyshev smiled and nodded at him, "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, the Supreme Commander himself has been waiting for you." He got up and went to the door, opened the oak door of the office, He made a gesture of invitation to the inside: "Please, Comrade Chief of the General Staff."

  Antonov nodded at Boskrebyshev, and then walked into the bearded man's office.

  After entering the door, Antonov saw that the bearded man was sitting behind his desk on the phone. He was about to speak, but the other party made a silence gesture at him, signaling him not to speak. Antonov was afraid of disturbing the call with the bearded man, so he nodded, holding the briefcase in both hands, and standing upright in front of the desk.

  (end of this chapter)