Chapter 1536 Landing Field Defense Battle (9)

  As Lida expected, the attacks of the 5th and 7th Guards Army did not go well, which made Konev very upset. After reading the telegram sent by Sokov, his pupils began to shrink violently. He never dreamed that Sokov would ask to participate in the attack on Poltava.

  Seeing Konev's unnatural expression, Chief of Staff Zakharov hurriedly asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, I seem to be preoccupied. Is something wrong?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, please read this telegram." After Konev stuffed the telegram in his hand to Zakharov, "We used two armies to attack Poltava, but we have not achieved results for a long time. Now Sokov began to worry, he offered to participate in the attack on Poltava?"

  After reading the telegram, Zakharov did not immediately express his opinion, but tentatively asked Konev: "Comrade Commander, will you agree to his request?"

Konev sighed softly, turned and walked to the wall, looked up at the map hanging on it, and said thoughtfully: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I don't deny that once Sokov's troops join An attack on Poltava would greatly increase the speed with which we can take the city."

As Konev's chief of staff, Zakharov could naturally guess what he was thinking, and then said: "Comrade Commander, I understand what you mean. If Sokov's troops are allowed to participate in the attack, we can indeed shorten the capture period." Poltava’s time. But in this way, what about the Klemenchug and the landing fields on the right bank? Even if an army group is transferred there, it may not be able to defend against the fierce German offensive.”

Seeing that Zakharov guessed what was on his mind, Konev nodded slightly, and said with a wry smile: "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, this is exactly what I am worried about. Let Sokov's troops participate in the attack on Porta Va, we risk losing the right bank landing site and Klemenchug. But if we don't take Poltava quickly, we won't be able to fully open the way to the Dnieper. Don't look at Sokov's troops Now they stay on the Dnieper River, but their logistical supply line is very weak, so weak that Poltava's defenders can cut it off with artillery fire."

   "The weapons equipped by Sokov's troops are heavily dependent on the later stage." Zakharov echoed: "Once their supply line is cut off, what awaits them will be a catastrophe."

  Konev took a few steps back, turned to look at Zakharov and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, this decision is not easy to make."

   "How about we ask Marshal Zhukov what he means." Zakharov said cautiously: "It would be good to listen to his thoughts."

Regarding Zakharov's proposal, Konev rejected it without hesitation: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I don't think it is appropriate. Although this matter is of great importance, it is after all an internal matter of our front army. If it is reported to Marshal Zhukov rashly, I am afraid that it will be inappropriate." Let him feel that there is a problem with the capabilities of our command."

   Hearing what Konev said, Zakharov also felt that his proposal was inappropriate. This is indeed the internal affairs of the front army, but it is necessary to ask Zhukov for instructions, which may arouse the other party's doubts. He coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment, and then asked, "Comrade Commander, what do you think about it?"

"Reject Sokov's request." Konev has made a decisive decision at this time: "Let him and his troops stay in the Kremenchug area and be responsible for defending the landing site on the right bank of the Dnieper River. Let the enemy take it away. At the same time, order General Managarov to speed up the march and reach Klemenchug as soon as possible to join Sokov's troops."

"What about Poltava?" Zakharov asked Konev for instructions: "From the current situation, the troops of the 5th and 7th Guards Army, within a week to half a month, are basically Cities cannot be taken."

"Then let them fight slowly. Now that Sokov's troops have occupied Kremenchug and cut off the enemy's retreat and supplies in Poltava, I want to see if they can survive under our siege." How long will it last?" Sokov said these words in one breath, and continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the troops on the right are fighting the enemy, and the troops in other directions must not be idle. The units of the 6th Guards Army immediately launched an attack in the direction of Kobelyaki; the units of the 57th and 46th Army on the left flank pursued the retreating enemy in the direction of Dnipropetrovsk."

  After Zakharov recorded all of Konev's orders, he immediately asked the operator to send them to the headquarters of each group army, asking them to follow the instructions of their superiors to carry out combat missions.

  Sokov received a call back from the Front Army Command. Seeing the order given to him above, he actually insisted on sticking to Kremenchug and the landing field on the right bank, and when the time was right, he decisively launched an attack on the enemy and expanded the area of ​​​​the landing field.

  Chuvashov leaned over to read the contents of the telegram, and asked Sokov curiously: "Comrade Commander, your superior has rejected your request to lead troops to attack Poltava. What are your next plans?"

   "Plan?!" Sokov said with a wry smile: "Naturally, according to the orders of the superiors, we will stick to Klemenchug and the right bank landing field with all our strength, and when the time is right, we will take the initiative to attack the enemy."

  Seeing that Sokov was in a bad mood, Chuvashov quickly took out a cigarette from the cigarette case and handed it to Sokov. After he put the cigarette in his mouth, he graciously lit the fire for him.

After taking two puffs of cigarettes, Sokov saw Chuvashov sitting next to him, and couldn't help asking curiously: "Comrade Colonel, as the leader of the first division, you are always by my side, don't you need to ask the division?" What's going on here?"

"Comrade commander, I have a good chief of staff." Hearing Sokov's question, Chuvashov couldn't help saying proudly: "Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov is a competent staff member, even if I am not in the headquarters , and he can handle everything in an orderly manner."

Sokov waited for the other party to finish speaking, nodded silently, and thought to himself: "When the Elementary Brigade and the Marine Brigade were combined into the 98th Guards Division, if it weren't for Uzakov's military rank, Bichuvashov Low, maybe the current commander of this division is Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov."

  However, it is enough for Sokov to understand this kind of thing in his heart, and he will never take the initiative to say it, so as not to affect the morale of the troops. He just nodded and echoed: "You are right, Comrade Colonel, Uzakov is indeed an excellent staff officer. With his assistance, your division will definitely build a better staff in the next battle." Many feats."

  Since the 98th Guards Division won the lofty honor of Kharkov, Chuvashov hopes that his troops can make more achievements in the next battle. But now, other troops were transferred to the landing field on the right bank, while he was left in the city. When the decisive battle with the German army really started, his army in the deep rear must have made the least meritorious service.

At this moment, since Sokov mentioned the establishment of meritorious service, Chuvashov hurriedly said: "Comrade commander, the troops staying at the Meriefa fortress are coming in a steady stream. You see, can you wait for the new When the troops arrive, they will take over our defense..."

"Let the new troops take over your defense?" Sokov was very clear about the careful thinking of his commanders. Hearing what Chuvashov said, he immediately guessed his intentions and asked quickly: "Don't you Are you going to let me transfer you to the landing site on the right bank?"

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Chuvashov had been waiting for Sokov to say this, and now he heard him take the initiative to say it, and quickly added: "I think the landing site on the right bank is the most suitable place for us. .”

  Sokov stared at the other party for a while, then shook his head and rejected his request: "I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel, I can't agree to your request, please forgive me!"

   "Why?" Chuvashov asked in surprise.

   "The reason is very simple." Sokov said blankly: "The combat effectiveness of your division is among the best in the entire group army."

   Chuvashov couldn't help being confused after hearing this: "Comrade commander, is there any connection between the strong combat effectiveness of our division and keeping us in Kremenchug?"

"Of course there is a connection." Sokov said in an affirmative tone: "I have told you before that once the enemy realizes that they cannot seize the landing field, they will definitely cross the Dnieper River from other areas to copy our rear route. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to have a strong army to defend the city of Klemenchug tenaciously and completely smash the enemy's attempt to cut off our army's retreat. This is an extremely difficult task, and I will not entrust it to other troops. Don't worry, I only believe that you have the ability to defend the city."

Sokov put a high hat on the opponent calmly, which made Chuvashov feel a little flustered. He asked emotionally: "Comrade commander, do you really think we can stop the enemy's storm and defend the city?" ?”

   "Yes, I believe that."

   After the two chatted for a while, Sokov asked the communications soldier to help him connect to the division headquarters of the 84th Division.

   "Comrade Commander," Fomenko heard Sukov's voice, and immediately asked impatiently: "When will we be able to launch an offensive against the enemy?"

   "Don't worry, General Fomenko." Sokov knew very well in his heart that with the current strength of the 84th Division, it would not be a big problem to break through the German defense line in the Svetlovodsk district. But the problem is that it is easy to break through the defense line, but where can I find such troops to defend these places? Once the troops are dispersed, the overall combat effectiveness will be weakened, and in the face of the enemy's attack, there is a possibility of being defeated individually.

Seeing Fomenko's eagerness to fight at this moment, Sokov comforted him and said: "I have thought about it carefully. If you want to launch an attack on the enemy, it is far from enough to rely on only one of your divisions. Therefore, we need to accumulate strength and wait for a steady stream of troops to attack the enemy. The main force that has arrived is almost assembled, and it will not be too late to launch an attack on the enemy."

  Fomenko asked anxiously: "Comrade Commander, when will the main force be assembled?"

"General Fomenko, don't be in a hurry." Sokov said into the microphone: "Although our troops are advancing here quickly, due to the long road and Poltava's barrier in the middle, I'm afraid it will be the fastest. It won't be until a week later that the assembly can be completely completed."

"Ah, another week?" Sokov said the timetable, which made Fomenko feel extremely disappointed: "Comrade Commander, now there is a fire in the hearts of the commanders and fighters, and a ball can be used at any time." The fire that burned the enemy to ashes. If they wait another week, I am afraid everyone's enthusiasm will fade."

  Sokov agrees very much with Fomenko's statement that fighting depends on a spirit of energy. If commanders and fighters who have been prepared for battle are allowed to wait indefinitely like this, it may seriously affect the morale and morale of the army. After thinking about this point, Sokov felt that he should take the initiative to take some action, no matter how much damage it could cause to the enemy, but at least it could keep the commanders and fighters high-spirited.

Thinking of this, Sokov said slowly: "General Fomenko, if you really think that your troops are ready for battle, you might as well launch a small-scale offensive to the Svetlovodsk District, and pass The uninterrupted attack was to disrupt the deployment of the German army so that they could not launch an attack on our landing field according to the original plan."

Fomenko, who was originally depressed, immediately became excited as if he had been beaten with chicken blood after hearing Sukov's words: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will arrange the troops to attack the enemy. You just wait Let's hear the good news of our victory."

  In the Soviet army, a commander like Fomenko who is eager to fight is very rare. Usually, before receiving orders from their superiors, no matter how dangerous the situation is, the commanders dare not make their own opinions, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble to themselves. It is estimated that only the commanders under Sokov would dare to do whatever they want.

However, Sokov was worried that once the offensive started, Fomenko would make a desperate move, and he specifically reminded the other party: "General Fomenko, let me remind you that the troops used for the offensive must not exceed one regiment. I can I don’t want your elite troops to be wasted in this kind of reconnaissance attack.”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Hearing that Sokov seemed a little uneasy about himself, Fomenko quickly patted his chest and assured him, "It's not been a day or two since I was a commander. , I am still very experienced. Don't worry, there will be absolutely no mistakes."

"Since it is a small-scale attack with a reconnaissance nature, it means that you will not get any artillery cover before the attack." Sokov continued: "Therefore, I suggest that you best choose the time of the attack. at night."

"Choose the time to attack at night?" Hearing what Sokov said, Fomenko was taken aback for a moment, then understood what Sokov meant, nodded quickly and said, "I understand, Comrade Commander. When the enemy launches an attack, we can adopt a sneak attack tactic, and if the enemy finds out, we will switch from a sneak attack to a strong attack, which will surely knock the enemy into a daze."

   Seeing that Fomenko had fully understood his intentions, Sokov nodded with satisfaction and said, "General Fomenko, I will wait for your good news at the command post. I wish you good luck!"

After putting down the phone, Sokov stretched himself, and said to Chuvashov who was sitting beside him: "Comrade Colonel, I will lie down for a while, and if Chief of Staff Sameko arrives with the headquarters, remember to call me." One sound."

Chuvashov knew that Sokov was sleepless last night, and he must be very tired at the moment, so he nodded and said, "Comrade commander, you can rest at ease, and I will wake you up as soon as the chief of staff arrives." of."

  (end of this chapter)