Chapter 1565

  The reconnaissance of the ground by the reconnaissance plane is highly efficient.

   Half an hour after the first reconnaissance plane took off, there was information feedback. After being sorted out by the reconnaissance squadron leader, it was directly reported to Sameko.

After reading the reconnaissance plane's report, Sameko reported to Sokov and Managarov: "Comrades, two commanders, according to the reconnaissance plane's reconnaissance, the enemy has assembled a large number of people 30 kilometers downstream of the city. The troops seem to have an attempt to cross the river."

The German army crossed the river to the left bank of the Dnieper River and attacked Managarov's defense zone, so he was very interested in this reconnaissance information. Before Sameko finished reading, he asked first: "How many troops does the enemy have?" , mainly from that direction?"

Sameko handed the telegram to Derevyanko, and continued: "The enemy probably has the strength of a division, and there are also a large number of tanks and armored vehicles. Judging from their location, they should be from Onu Fryevka district."

   Onufryevka District, located just south of the landing site on the right bank, is the gathering place for large German troops. Now that the German army has transferred part of its troops to the river to the east, it is thought that the pressure on the front of the landing site will be greatly reduced.

"The enemy crossing the river from the lower reaches does not pose a great threat to us." Managarov took the telegram in Derevyanko's hand, browsed it for a while, and said: "The southeast of the city is the Kremenchug Reservoir. , My troops are deployed on the bank of the river that generates electricity for the reservoir. Even if the Germans cross the Dnieper River from the lower reaches, if they want to break through our army's defense line, they must be prepared for a forced crossing operation."

   Looking at the map in front of him, Sokov felt that what Managarov said was very reasonable. The river that provided the water source for the Klemenchug Reservoir was wide. As long as the Soviet army stood firm on the bridge, German tanks and armored vehicles could not pass through it at all. They could only choose other areas or even give up heavy weapon attacks.

After reading the map, Sokov raised his head and said to Managarov: "Comrade General, it seems that the center of gravity of the German offensive is still in the northwest of the city. The terrain there is flat. As long as the German combat vehicles can cross the river, Your troops will be under enormous pressure."

"It's like this, General Sokov." Managarov nodded and said, "We lack enough anti-tank weapons. Facing the powerful German attack, we will definitely pay a lot of casualties. But it doesn't matter, we All commanders and fighters understand that as long as they can defeat the enemy and defend our great motherland, no matter how much sacrifice they make, it is worth it.”

  Sokov automatically ignored Managarov's cliché, but continued: "Comrade General, you should focus your defense on the northwest of the city, and resolutely prevent the enemy from breaking through your position."

Regardless of the fact that Konev has handed over the command of the 53rd Army to Sokov, but facing a general like Managarov whose age and qualifications are far beyond his own, Sokov still maintains enough respect: "You are now Using troops evenly, the main force is placed in the northwest and southeast of the city. If the German troops attacking in the two directions are of equal strength, your deployment is still remarkable.

  But now according to various indications, the focus of the German offensive is in the northwest of the city, and your deployment should be adjusted accordingly. Use enough troops to resist the offensive launched by the Germans. "

"Chief of Staff," Managarov turned to his Chief of Staff Derevyanko as soon as Sokov finished speaking: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately contact the 214th and 233rd Infantry Divisions and understand that they will do a good job immediately. Ready to go."

"Comrade Commander," Managarov had just finished speaking when Derevyanko reminded him: "Although there is Kremenchug Reservoir blocking, the number of German troops participating in the offensive is almost one division. I am afraid that only Relying on the 252nd Division, I am afraid it will be difficult to block the enemy's attack."

"Comrade General," Sokov persuaded Managarov to focus his defense on the northwest direction, but it would be tantamount to weakening the defense force in this direction by withdrawing two divisions from the south line. It was suitable, so he said to Managarov: "There is only one division here on the southern front. The strength is too weak. Would you like to add a little more troops?"

   "Where do I have any troops to mobilize." Managarov said with a wry smile: "If there were any, I would have mobilized them to the river."

   "Yes, Comrade General." Sokov said with a smile: "You can deploy it in the north of the city to defend against the troops from Poltava's rout, and transfer some of them to strengthen the defense in the south."

   "Comrade Commander," Derevyanko cautiously suggested to Managarov: "We can transfer the ski brigade north of the city to the south for defense."

"Comrade General," Sokov saw Managarov's hesitation, and hurriedly said, "I think it's enough to transfer a division from the southern front for reinforcements, and then send the 299th Infantry Division Call over..."

"No, no, this is absolutely not possible." After listening to Sokov's proposal, Managarov shook his head desperately and said, "In this way, our defense in the north of the city will become weak. If the enemy retreats from the direction of Poltava, what strength should we use to stop them?"

   "Comrade General, you don't need to worry about this." Sokov comforted Managarov and said, "My troops are arriving one after another. The defense in the north of the city can be handed over to my troops."

   Managarov suddenly realized that the troops defending Kremenchug were not only his 53rd Army, but also Sokov's 27th Army. Both he and the troops needed to obey the command of the young man in front of him. He chuckled and said, "General Sokov, all the troops here are under your command. We will mobilize them as you say, and we will definitely not have any complaints."

"Okay then." Since Managarov has stated that he will only follow his lead, Sokov is no longer hypocritical, but said to Derevyanko: "General Derevyanko, please give the infantry the first The two division commanders of the 214th and 299th divisions called, and they seized the time to gather troops and prepare to rush to the northwest of the city to reinforce the friendly forces fighting there."

Taking advantage of the time when Derevyanko notified the troops to adjust their deployment, Sokov told Sameko: "Chief of Staff, since the enemy has withdrawn some troops from the Onufryevka area, it means that we have to bear the burden on the front of the landing site." The pressure will be greatly reduced. You notify the commanders at the front, let them adjust their deployment as soon as possible, rush to repair and strengthen the fortifications, and prepare for the enemy's attack."

   "Okay, Comrade Commander."

   "Also," Sokov continued without waiting for Sameko to leave: "Contact the two commanders of the 182nd and 300th divisions and order them to mobilize the commanders and fighters and make all preparations for battle."

  Hearing Sokov's order, Sameko was a little confused: "Comrade Commander, what are they doing for combat mobilization?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov tapped the table a few times with his hand, and then said: "The German troops crossed the river and launched an attack on the defense area of ​​the 53rd Army. As a result, their strength became weaker. We can take advantage of this rare opportunity to launch a limited counterattack."

  Sameko persuaded Sokov many times before to let him launch a counterattack against the enemy, but was rejected. Hearing what he said at this moment, his face was full of surprise: "Are you launching a counterattack in the direction of Onufryevka District?"

"certainly."

   "Then what is the purpose of this counterattack?"

"Consume as much of the German army's vitality as possible." Sokov said this, and ordered Sameko: "Chief of Staff, you can call the bomber squadron in the north of the city and ask them to bomb the German army preparing to cross the river in the southeast. ...Although a mere four bombers can't do much damage to the enemy, they can disrupt the enemy's rhythm of crossing the river."

   "This is a good way." Sameko once participated in the Moscow Defense War. At that time, his unit was bombed by enemy planes every day. Even if there were only one or two enemy planes, it would cause a lot of casualties to the troops. Therefore, he quite agrees with Sokov's order, "I'll arrange it now."

  ...

  Konev soon knew that the German army crossed the Dnieper River and rushed to Klemenchug from the northwest. He personally called Sokov and said in a reproachful tone: "Comrade Sokov, since the enemy has crossed the Dnieper River and launched an attack on Klemenchug from the northwest, if it is important, why don't you Report to me in time?"

"Report to Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov replied neither humble nor humble: "We have long expected that the enemy will take this kind of action to recapture Klemenchug, so we adjusted our defensive deployment in time and are fully capable of blocking the attack." enemy attack."

   Seeing Sokov speak so carefully, Sameko couldn't help frowning slightly, feeling that Sokov was a little too arrogant. According to the information he had, the German army had at least two divisions to fight across the river, so as to achieve the goal of encircling the two armies, but Sokov didn't seem to care at all.

   Just when he was about to criticize Sokov, a thought suddenly popped up in his mind, as if he had never lost a battle since he knew Sokov. Perhaps it was this series of dazzling achievements that made Sokov full of confidence and confidence to win when fighting the German army.

Thinking of this, he swallowed back the words he was going to criticize Sokov, and asked amiably: "Comrade Sokov, do you have any difficulties now? If you need any help, just ask, and I will try my best to meet it." Yours."

  What Sokov is most worried about now is Poltava behind him. The German army is still stubbornly resisting the attack of the two guard armies in that city. No one can guarantee that they have no ability to fight back. If one day in the future, they suddenly launch a counterattack against the Soviet army by surprise, I believe the Soviet army will definitely fall into chaos in a short period of time, which will affect the supply line of Sokov's troops.

  With this mentality, Sokov asked Konev with some trepidation: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask, when will the friendly forces take Poltava?"

   Konev was silent.

The battle to attack Poltava has lasted for half a month. The two Guards Army barely cleared the enemies outside the city, and rushed into the city several times. out.

"Comrade Sokov," said Konev in a heavy tone, "although I would like to tell you that we will soon liberate Poltava. But as your superior, I can only tell you with regret that the city The enemy here is very tenacious, so that the intention of the two guards armies to go to the city more cannot be realized. I think the battle to capture the city will continue for a long time."

  Konev's answer made Sokov's heart cold. The delay in the liberation of Poltava means that the main force of the front army will be pinned there, and the supplies from the rear will be given priority to the siege troops. As for your own troops, the proportion of weapons, ammunition and military supplies they need will be greatly reduced.

"Comrade Commander," Sokov promptly changed the subject in order to dissolve the negative energy that Konev brought to him: "Taking advantage of the opportunity of the enemy mobilizing troops to cross the river, I plan to organize troops to carry out a limited counterattack against the enemy. .”

   "Limited counterattack?" Sokov's words made Konev feel puzzled: "Comrade Sokov, I don't understand what you mean. What is the preset goal of limited counterattack?"

"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I don't think it is necessary to argue with the Germans about the gains and losses of a city or a place," Sokov said into the microphone: "So our counterattack this time is not to take back the enemy from the hands of the Germans." How much land, but find a way to consume as much of the enemy's vitality as possible.

  As long as we are in the counterattack, we weaken the enemy's strength. Then in the next battle, whether it is defense or offense, the pressure and resistance faced by our troops will be greatly weakened. "

  Konev heard that Sokov's words seemed very reasonable. He carefully recalled the Battle of Kharkov at the beginning of the year. The Soviet army originally had an advantage in numbers and equipment, but finally lost to Manstein. The reason is that in order to consolidate the territories abandoned by the German army, a large number of troops had to be mobilized for defense, thus weakening the offensive strength of the frontline troops.

  Secondly, the enemy retreated too fast at that time, and the Soviet army also advanced too fast, leaving the logistics far behind. As a result, the Germans destroyed roads, bridges and culverts, so that the supplies of the Soviet army could not be delivered in time. The troops fighting on the front line, because they did not receive enough supplies, soon fell into a desperate situation of running out of ammunition and food.

"Comrade Sokov, what you said is very reasonable." Konev said with emotion: "The reason why the Battle of Kharkov at the beginning of the year suffered an undeserved defeat despite having an absolute advantage was because the enemy When engaging our army, the positions they occupied were too quickly abandoned without much damage to their strength.

  When they gathered all their forces together, our attacking force turned from a numerical advantage to a disadvantage because they had to divide their forces to guard those captured territories. Coupled with the lack of logistical supplies, it is logical to be defeated by the German army.

  I agree with you to launch a limited counterattack aimed at weakening the strength of the German army. If someone makes irresponsible remarks to you, you can tell me directly, and I will make the decision for you. "

   With Konev's support, Sokov suddenly gained a lot of confidence. He quickly said: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I will never let you down."

  (end of this chapter)