Political Commissar Petrov's explanation lasted for a full three minutes. Within three minutes, he used the most concise and concise methods and sentences to explain to Vatutin the latest first-hand battle situation currently grasped by the division. He completed the report and what he wanted to read next.
What is the specific reaction from Vatutin's side?
"So far, everything is going smoothly and according to plan. Malashenko is already conducting the final stage of encirclement and annihilation operations against the enemy's Grossdeutschland Division. Is my understanding correct?"
Vatutin's inquiry received a positive response from the political commissar, which was equivalent to announcing that the real situation was actually much better than Vatutin expected.
"This is very good, very good! It proves that Malashenko not only dares to dream wildly, but also has the ability to turn this wild dream into reality. He can turn the battle like this in one day of fighting. It is really good."
Comrade Commander's evaluation can be said to be very high. Even a fool would know that if he could say this, he would definitely not be dissatisfied with Malashenko and prepare to severely punish him.
Although he didn't know what the specific situation was and what happened, Vatutin's state and performance somewhat relieved the surrounding personnel.
It can be seen that even though Comrade Commander's trip was in a hurry and emergency vehicles were prepared to set off, the actual situation did not reach the level of irreparable disaster. It seems that the speculations of some people before were somewhat untrue.
There is a high probability that the actual situation we are facing is still enough to be called "optimistic for the better."
"Where is Malashenko now? Can he be contacted immediately? How far is your forward division headquarters from his location?"
If you don't open your mouth, just ask him three questions in a row. It's not easy to answer fluently in front of Vatugin, who values efficiency. Fortunately, our political commissar is not a vegetarian either.
"The current location of Comrade Division Commander is approximately here. Comrade Commander, it is less than ten kilometers away from the forward division headquarters where we are. However, the mechanized tank unit led by Comrade Division Commander is advancing very quickly. We have
The information was updated half an hour ago, and the current actual distance may be even further, and we are planning to continue advancing towards the division headquarters."
"As for contact, you can try, but there is no guarantee that you will be contacted immediately. After all, it may be in a combat state. Comrade Commander, you also know what this means. Everything must be fought as the top priority. His and I
The contact is mostly based on proactive contact from him."
Comrade Political Commissar spoke very clearly and thoroughly. Vatutin nodded with satisfaction and was about to continue speaking.
"Comrade political commissar, comrade division commander, urgent call!"
Before Vatutin had time to say these words, the communications director of the division headquarters who hurried over had already handed the telegram in front of him. After receiving the telegram, the political commissar comrade also cast an inquiring look at Vatutin.
, Vatutin’s response was simple and straightforward without thinking.
"Just watch and I'll listen."
The full text of the telegram is not long, it can even be said to be only a short paragraph. It can be seen that this telegram does not have too much time to polish and list the specific information in detail. It can explain the general situation quite well.
After reading everything at a glance, Vatutin did not let Vatutin wait too long. He combined what he knew and took a look at the map for final confirmation. In one fell swoop, he summarized an indispensable analysis of the entire battlefield situation.
Comrade political commissar immediately turned around and handed over the telegram and reported to Vatutin.
"The situation is very clear. Comrade Division Commander has cleared the obstacles along the way, arrived at the battlefield, and started exchanging fire with the last remaining main force of the enemy's German Division."
"The Kulbalov Regiment heading south from the north and Lavrinenko's Second Regiment pursuing from the south have now been united. Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division is now fully engaged.
Carry out the final annihilation operation. Comrade Division Commander is confident that the battle will end before sunset. It will be difficult for the Grossdeutschland Division to see the sun tomorrow again."
Vatutin glanced at the telegram and looked at it no longer. He looked at the map again, concentrating. Commissar Petrov's analysis helped him understand the current situation, and the questions that followed immediately blurted out.
"There are still two and a half hours before complete darkness. Malashenko will not have a better chance than this, and this may also be his last chance."
"...."
The political commissar comrades who are not yet familiar with the latest strategic trends do not quite understand what Vatutin means. Why do they use the somewhat weird narrative method of "last chance"? Is it possible that there is something else about the battle that they don't know yet?
Huge variables?
Comrade Political Commissar's doubts did not last long. The people accompanying him were either the core backbone of his headquarters or the trusted right-hand man. There was no need for Vatutin to continue talking like a riddle, and he immediately made it clear.
It is undoubtedly the best way.
"There is reliable intelligence that can confirm that the enemy's Central Army Group has made strategic adjustments, and the new strategic core point is centered around the theater where the Grossdeutschland Division is located. There is a high probability that the enemy will launch a local counterattack to try to disrupt our offensive edge.
To buy them more time to deploy their forces and reorganize their defenses, the follow-up situation is still only speculation, but the new core points can be confirmed."
As soon as Vatugin said these words, Comrade Political Commissar immediately understood what the situation was.
Needless to say, the violently turbulent battlefield changes very quickly, and may even be reflected on the battlefield at any time right now. On the battlefield where Malashenko is currently located, this is the last sign before the coming of a huge storm.
"My superiors are aware of this situation and have ordered me to make strategic adjustments in accordance with the latest changes in the situation."
"It is no longer important how the war situation evolved into what it is now. What is important is to cope with the greater changes that will follow. I will personally talk to Malashenko about the specific situation, but not now."
"The reason I came here is to personally confirm the latest battlefield situation. Staying at the front army headquarters will always only receive second-rate or even third-rate information that is not timely, so you don't have to worry too much."
"Support from all sources are now rushing towards the theater where your division is located, and a large number of air forces led by fighter aviation have also been on the road. The front army headquarters predicts that the enemy will most likely use the air forces that have been suppressed to try to intervene forcibly.
, to stabilize the encircled German army before the subsequent reinforcements arrive and prevent the front from collapsing, the primary target is this Grossdeutschland Division."
"This is a prerequisite for them to launch follow-up operations. If the besieged troops in the encirclement are completely wiped out, the next strategic counterattack will lose most of its meaning and have no advantage. That Model knows what he is doing, and
Knowing what needs to be done next, his counter-offensive actions are all paving the way for better strategic defense, and this action of his must be destroyed."