Zhukov came to the headquarters and learned that the enemies around the city had retreated. There was no happy expression on his face at all.
His reaction had long been expected by Sokov. After all, after the German army successfully defeated the Southwest Front, they could confidently and boldly move north to join the German army attacking the Voronezh Front and retake Kharkov.
and Belgorod and other places.
"The losses of Popov's rapid group have been calculated." 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 commanders and soldiers died."
After saying this series of heartbreaking figures, Zhukov turned around and asked Sokov: "Misha, please tell me, if the German army moves north in a large scale and attacks Golikov with the enemy in the north, our army can hold Kharko
Husband and Belgorod?”
"We can't defend it, Comrade General." After Sokov said this, before Zhukov asked again, he took the initiative and said: "Our troops have long been exhausted after a long battle. In addition, the logistics
The supply base is too far away, and the amount of supplies the troops receive is seriously insufficient. There is a lack of necessary supplies to support defense, making it impossible for the troops to carry out effective operations when facing the German attack. By then, our troops will not only be unable to defend the city, but on the contrary, they may
They were divided into several pieces by the Germans and destroyed one by one in the battle. Once the defenders were wiped out in large numbers, a large amount of equipment would inevitably be lost and captured by the Germans."
When Vitkov heard this, he couldn't help but interjected: "If we have a lot of technical equipment, how can we worry about the enemy's armored forces? We can definitely fight an evenly matched tank battle with them."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, our army's tanks have no fuel and ammunition and have basically become a display." Sokov explained to Vitkov: "In the face of the enemy coming in like a tide, it is necessary to prevent the equipment from falling into the enemy's hands.
In their hands, the only way is to blow them all up."
"Misha, your analysis is very reasonable. I want to report this matter to the base camp immediately."
As soon as Zhukov finished saying this, the adjutant who had been standing in the corner said to everyone: "Comrade General wants to talk to the base camp, everyone should go out first."
As soon as the adjutant finished speaking, the staff officers and communications soldiers who were still busy put down their work, stood up and walked out of the headquarters. When the adjutant saw that the staff officers and communications soldiers had left, he turned politely to Sokov and others.
He said: "And you, comrade colonel, please go out first."
Hearing what the adjutant said, Sokov was not angry. He knew that the call between Zhukov and the base camp was top secret, and he did not have the authority to know this top secret, so he took Vitkov, Sidorin and others out.
Headquarters.
"Come, let's have a cigarette." When he came to the open space outside, Sidorin handed Sokov and Vitkov a cigarette each, and then asked curiously: "Comrade division commander, tell me, what will your superiors do?"
Arrange for us?"
"Does this need to be said?" Vitkov said: "We must be ordered to launch an attack to the west to divert the attention of the German army and reduce the pressure on the Voronezh Front."
"Our attack can indeed attract some of the German army's attention." Sokov took a long puff of cigarette and said with a wry smile: "But the role we can play is very limited. Our flanks will be attacked by Donets.
The German defenders in Kremlin attacked, causing the supply line to be cut off. Once this happens, the fate of our group will be the same as that of Popov's rapid group. By then, no troops will attack us.
Lend a helping hand, and we will wait to be destroyed by the enemy."
If someone else had said such words, they would have definitely received a scolding from Vitkov. After all, this was content that would shake the morale of the military. But when it came out of Sokov's mouth, the meaning was completely different. Vitkov silently said
After finishing the cigarette in his hand, he threw it on the ground and crushed it with his toes, then asked tentatively: "But with so many of our troops staying here, we can't stand still and watch the friendly troops being wiped out, right?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, if the progress of the Southwest Front goes smoothly and the enemy has been driven to the other side of the Dnieper River, then the base camp can completely mobilize us to participate in the battle of forcibly crossing the Dnieper River." Sokov said to the two men: "But now
The Southwest Front Army has been defeated by the enemy, and it is only a matter of time before the Voronezh Front Army is defeated. Therefore, our troops deployed in Luhansk cannot be used even more."
"Why?" Sidorin asked curiously.
"The reason is very simple." Sokov replied: "The base camp is worried that once the enemy regains the initiative on the battlefield, he will launch another attack on Stalingrad and the Caucasus. We are stationed in Luhansk and can block the enemy's eastward advance.
path of."
"Comrades, commanders," Zhukov's adjutant came out of the headquarters, came to the three of them, and said respectfully: "Comrade General, I want to talk to you."
The three of them followed the adjutant into the headquarters again, and saw Zhukov pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. When he saw the three of them entering, he stopped and said to Sokov: "Misha, I just talked to
After passing the base camp, we will discuss how to help the Voronezh Front."
When Vitkov heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt and asked: "Comrade General, what did the base camp say? Are you sending us for reinforcements?"
"No, the base camp will send other troops to reinforce the troops of the Voronezh Front." Zhukov put his hands behind his back, stamped his feet on the ground twice, and then said: "And the task of your combat group is to continue to hold on to Luhansk. Like a
It’s like a nail nailed here, and you’re not allowed to take a step back without an order.”
When Vitkov heard the order given by Zhukov, it actually coincided with Sokov's speculation, and he couldn't help showing an expression of astonishment on his face. He asked tentatively: "Comrade General, can I ask, the base camp knows that Voronezh
The front army is in danger, why don't you agree to let us rescue them?"
"The reason is very simple." Zhukov replied: "First, the distance is too far. If you rush there for rescue, you will need a large number of vehicles, and what we are most lacking at the moment happens to be various transport vehicles; second, Donetsk still has
In the hands of the enemy, your communication lines are under their threat and are in danger of being cut off at any time. Once supplies are interrupted, your ending will be similar to that of Popov's rapid group.
The last point is also the most critical point. If the enemy regains the initiative in the vast area, then they may launch another attack on Stalingrad and the Caucasus. We must have a completely reliable force to stay here to block them and crush them.