Zhukov came to the command center and learned that the enemies around the city had retreated, without any happy expression on his face.
Sokov had long expected this reaction to him. After all, after successfully defeating the Southwest Front, the German army could safely go north and join with the German army attacking the Voronezh Front and recapture Kharkov and Belgorod.
"The losses of the Popov rapid cluster have been counted." Zhukov looked up at the map hanging on the wall, and said without looking back: "They lost 251 tanks, 125 anti-tank guns, 73 heavy artillery, 217 machine guns, 425 trucks, as well as a large number of mortars and anti-tank guns, and more than 6,000 officers and fighters died."
After saying this series of heartbreaking numbers, Zhukov turned around and asked Sokov: "Misha, please tell me, if the German army marched northward and attacked Golikov with the enemy in the north, can our army defend Kharkov and Belgorod?"
"Can't defend, comrade general." After Sokov said this, he took the initiative to say without waiting for Zhukov to ask again: "Our troops have become exhausted after a long battle. In addition, the logistics supply base is too far, and the number of supplies obtained by the troops is seriously insufficient, and there is a lack of necessary supplies to support defense, which makes the troops unable to conduct effective combat when facing the German attack. At that time, our troops will not only be unable to defend the city, but may also be divided into several pieces by the German army and eliminated one by one in battle. Once the defenders are annihilated in large quantities, a large amount of equipment will inevitably be lost and seized by the German army."
When Vitkov heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt and said, "If we have a lot of technical equipment, how can we use armored troops who are worried about the enemy? We can definitely fight a tank battle with them that is evenly matched."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, our tanks have no fuel and ammunition, and have basically become a decoration." Sokov explained to Vetkov: "Facing with the tide of enemies, if the equipment does not fall into the hands of the enemy, the only way to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy is to blow them up."
"Misha, your analysis is very reasonable. I want to report this to the base camp immediately."
As soon as Zhukov finished speaking, the adjutant who had been standing in the corner said to everyone: "Comrade General wants to talk to the base camp, everyone will go out first."
As soon as the adjutant finished his words, the staff and communication soldiers who were still busy all put down their work and stood up and walked out of the command center. Seeing that the staff and communication soldiers had left, the adjutant said politely to Sokov and others: "And you, comrade Colonel, please go out first."
When Sokov heard the adjutant say this, he was not angry. He knew that Zhukov's call with the base camp was top secret, and he did not have the authority to understand this top secret, so he took Vitkov, Sidolin and others out of the command center.
"Come on, smoke a cigarette." When he came to the open space outdoor, Sidolin handed a cigarette to Sokov and Vitkov each, and then asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, tell me, how will the superior arrange us?"
"Is this more important?" said Vitkov. "It must be ordered to launch an attack westward to divert the German army's attention and relieve the pressure on the Voronezh Front."
"We can indeed attract part of the German army's attention," Sokov took a deep breath of cigarettes and said with a wry smile: "But the role we can play is very limited. Our flanks will be attacked by German defenders from Donetsk, resulting in the supply line being cut off. Once this happens, the fate of our cluster will be the same as that of Popov's rapid cluster. At that time, no unit will lend a helping hand to us, and we will wait to be wiped out by the enemy."
If someone else said this, he would definitely be scolded by Vitkov. After all, this is something that shakes the morale of the army. But the meaning of Sokov said it from Sokov. Silently, the cigarette in his hand was thrown on the ground and crushed it with his toes, and asked tentatively: "But, so many of our troops stay here, we can't hold our troops still and watch the friendly forces be wiped out, right?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, if the Southwest Front is progressing smoothly and has driven the enemy to the opposite bank of the Dnieper River at this moment, the base camp can fully mobilize us to participate in the battle to force cross the Dnieper River." Sokov said to the two: "But now the Southwest Front has been defeated by the enemy, and it is only a matter of time before the Voronezh Front is defeated. Therefore, our troops deployed in Lugansk will be even more unusable."
"Why?" Cidolin asked curiously.
"The reason is very simple." Sokov replied: "The base camp is worried that once the enemy regained the initiative on the battlefield, it will launch another attack on Stalingrad and the Caucasus. We will be stationed in Lugansk and block the enemy's way eastward advance."
"Comrades in command," Zhukov's adjutant came out of the command center and came to the three of them, saying respectfully: "Comrade General wants to talk to you."
The three men walked back into the command center with the adjutant again and saw Zhukov paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. Seeing the three men entering the door, he stopped and said to Sokov: "Misha, I have just passed with the base camp and discussed how to help the Voronezh Front."
When Vitkov heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt and asked, "Comrade General, what do you say about the base camp? Are we sending us to reinforce?"
"No, the base camp will send other troops to complete the reinforcement of the Voronezh Front." Zhukov stomped his feet on the ground with his hands behind his back, and then said, "And your task in combating the cluster is to continue to stick to Lugansk. The nail is here like a nail, and no step is allowed to retreat without orders."
When Vitkov heard the order given by Zhukov, he actually coincided with Sokov's speculation and showed a shocked expression on his face. He asked tentatively: "Comrade General, can I ask, the base camp knows that the Voronezh Front is in danger, why do they disagree to let us rescue them?"
"The reason is very simple." Zhukov replied: "First, the distance is too far. If you rush over to rescue, you will need a large number of vehicles, and what we lack most at the moment happens to be various transport vehicles; secondly, Donetsk is still in the hands of the enemy, and your traffic line is under their threat and is at risk of being cut off at any time. Once the supply is interrupted, your ending will be similar to that of the Popov rapid cluster.
Chapter completed!