"Comrades, commanders," Sokov saw that everyone's eyes were focused on him. He knew that if he didn't give a convincing reason to everyone, I'm afraid everyone would keep asking for more details, so he said tactfully: "According to me,
The experience of fighting the German army shows that the enemy likes to time large-scale operations at the end of June and the beginning of July. In our country, there is very little rain during these two months, which will not cause the roads to become muddy, making it easier for mechanized troops to use.
Since they have been quiet throughout June, military action will definitely be taken in early July. It is with this in mind that I will distribute ammunition to the troops in the first two days and prepare everyone for battle.
"
After listening to Sokov's explanation, the commanders present felt that it still made sense. Starting from the year the war broke out, June and July were the days when the German army launched campaign-level offensives. It seems that Sokov was basing his explanation on this.
At one point, we concluded that the enemy would launch an attack in early July and issued a battle warning to the troops early.
"Comrades, although the enemy has launched a large-scale attack on our army's defense line again." A general present said: "But our army's defense line in the direction of Kursk has been formed after several months of construction.
We have established a complete defense system, and it is basically impossible for the enemy to break through it."
"I also feel that it is impossible for the enemy to break through our army's defense line." Zakharov echoed: "I have followed General Konev to Kursk many times, in the direction of Oboyan, the situation of the Central Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army, and
I am very aware of all the measures they have taken to strengthen their defense."
But when he said this, he paused and looked towards Konev, as if asking the other party if he could tell what he knew. When Konev nodded slightly, he walked to the wall and took the
He picked up the explanation stick placed by the wall, pointed at the map and introduced the situation to the commanders present:
"First of all, we want to talk about General Rokossovsky's Central Front. The biggest threat to them is the enemy in the Orel salient. The heavy German army group seriously threatens the right flank of the front from the north.
Opposite the enemy Orel Group, our troops deployed on the 132-kilometer front from Gorodishe to Bryantsev are the 48th, 13th and 70th Army. The 174-kilometer front on the left is responsible for defense.
The ones are the 65th Group Army and the 60th Group Army."
"Let's take a look at the defensive zone of General Vatutin's Voronezh Front. According to the analysis of the Supreme Command, the enemy may launch a main assault from the Belgorod area to Korocha. And the direction of the auxiliary assault may be
It is rushing from the area west of Volchansk to Novooskol.
Based on the analysis of superiors, the unit deployed its main forces in the center and left wing of the front defense area. The 6th and 7th Guards armies were responsible for defense within the 114-kilometer zone. The 38th and 40th armies defended the rest.
of 130 kilometers of frontage.”
After hearing Zakharov's introduction to the deployment of friendly forces, the army leaders present felt relaxed for a while. According to their thoughts, it was basically impossible for the German army to break through such a tight defense of friendly forces.
By the time the battle was over, my own troops had no chance to participate in the battle.
A group army commander even said proudly: "According to the introduction of Comrade Chief of Staff, we not only have enough strength to defend, we can even counterattack the enemy at any time and completely crush their attack."
But Konev was obviously not as optimistic as everyone else. When he saw Sokov frowning all the time, he realized that the other party might have different ideas. He raised his hands and pressed down twice. After the room became quiet again, he
Looking at Sokov, he asked: "General Sokov, I think you seem to have something on your mind. Tell me, can we stop the enemy's attack?"
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Seeing Konev calling his name again, Sokov quickly stood up and replied: "I have dealt with General Rokossovsky before and I know his combat characteristics very well.
With him stationed in the direction of Orel, the enemy may not be able to break through. But the defensive zone that General Vatutin is responsible for..."
"Why don't you say it anymore?" Seeing that Sokov's words stopped abruptly in the middle of his words, Konev couldn't help but feel a little itchy, so he urged Sokov to continue: "Please continue to speak, just say whatever comes to mind.
What, don’t have any scruples.”
Hearing what Konev said, Sokov simply left his seat and walked to the wall. After taking the explanation stick from Zakharov's hand, he pointed at the map and said to everyone: "Although I didn't take it seriously.
He had passed General Vatutin's men, but he still knew a little bit about the tactics he used. If I guessed correctly, he must have thought that the shelling early this morning not only disrupted the German offensive steps, but also gave the enemy a lot of
After killing and injuring, he will then order the troops to launch offensives against the enemy in different areas."
"Isn't it good to take the initiative to attack the enemy?" An elderly general said with a frown: "Wouldn't this keep the initiative on the battlefield firmly in the hands of our army?"
"I think it is inappropriate for our army to move ahead of the enemy and immediately switch to the offensive." After Sokov glanced at the strange old general, he continued to follow his own thinking: "The best way is to rely on
The existing defense system consumes a large amount of the enemy's effective forces and knocks out their tanks, and then puts in new reserves and switches to an all-out attack to completely crush the enemy's main group."
Zakharov asked: "If General Vatutin wants to take the initiative to launch an attack, what will be the consequences?"
"Once the Voronezh Front launches an attack on the enemy in a short period of time, the consequences will be very serious." Sokov pointed at the map with his explanatory stick and said to the commanders present: "They cannot crush the enemy's offensive, but the enemy can
Concentrate superior forces and technical equipment to storm their defense line. According to my inference, the Oboyan area will be the first to be broken through by the Germans. The enemy who breaks through the defense line will not be in a hurry to expand the breakthrough, but will continue to attack the hinterland of the friendly defense line.
At that time, the base camp will have to use our troops to resolutely block the enemies who break through the defense line."
After Sokov finished speaking, the entire conference room fell into silence. The leaders of the group armies present at the meeting all looked at each other. They were all stunned by Sokov's bold analysis.
After a long time, Konev slowly said: "Comrade commanders, the original idea of locating our front army behind the Central Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army was to allow us to attack decisively when the enemy succeeds in breaking through.
Withdraw its assault and prevent the enemy from making a breakthrough to the east in the direction of Orel or Belgorod. This is in line with Comrade Sokov's guess."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," as soon as Konev finished speaking, Lieutenant General Managarov, commander of the 52nd Army, asked: "If the situation on the battlefield really develops as General Sokov analyzed
,what should we do?"
"I agree with Comrade Sokov. The enemy will launch a fierce attack on the Sixth Guards Army that is holding on to the Oboyan area, but I think it is unlikely that they will break through the friendly defense lines." Konev put his right hand under his left armpit.
, put his left elbow on his right arm, held his chin with his left hand, and said thoughtfully: "But for the sake of safety, I plan to move the 27th Army in that direction."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," the group army chiefs present saw that Konev had handed over such a glorious and arduous task to Sokov's 27th Group Army, and how could they still sit still? They all asked: "Then our group army
As for our combat mission, where do you plan to help us deploy it?"
"If the enemy really breaks through the defense line in the direction of Oboyan and rushes desperately into the depth of the friendly defense line, it will be difficult for Comrade Sokov's 27th Army alone to stop them." Konev thought for a while.
, announced loudly: "I plan to transfer the 5th Guards Army and the 5th Guards Tank Army to this direction to resolutely crush the enemy who breaks through our defense line."
Then Konev issued combat orders to the army units of the front army one by one. After everything was arranged, he said again: "Today's meeting is over. Let everyone go back and make preparations. Sokov
Comrade, stay."
Konev asked Sokov to stay by name. Naturally, Lunev would not leave alone, so he also stayed. After all the group army leaders attending the meeting had almost left, Konev asked Sokov:
"Comrade Sokov, when do you think the troops should leave?"
"Report to Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov heard Konev's inquiry and quickly straightened up and replied: "The military situation is urgent, and every minute is extremely precious to us. I suggest setting off at five o'clock in the afternoon.
, so that before dawn, my troops can reach the north of Oboyan and build a line of defense there."
"General Sokov!" Susaikov was still skeptical about Sokov's statement: "Do you really think that the enemy has the ability to break through our army's defense on the Oboyan line?"
"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar of the Front Army." Sokov said resolutely: "With the powerful assault force of the German army, it will only take a day or two to break through the Oboyan defense line. If we don't rush to the designated position as soon as possible to build a defense line
, I’m afraid it’s too late.”
"Since the General Staff has notified us to prepare for battle, it proves that the battle in the direction of Kursk is very fierce, and the existing defenders may not be able to repel the enemy's attack." After speaking, Konev turned around and gave instructions.
Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you immediately notify the logistics department and immediately mobilize all transport vehicles to transport the 27th Army so that they can rush to the designated location in the shortest possible time and build fortifications."
While Zakharov was mobilizing vehicles for the 27th Army, Sokov returned to his headquarters.
Seeing Sokov enter the door, Samyko came up to him and asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, did you conduct a review at the meeting?"
"Review, what review?" Sokov ordered the other party: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately notify all commanders above the regiment to come to the headquarters for a meeting. I have important things to explain to them."
Sameko did not dare to neglect, and quickly called the commanders of each division and brigade, notifying all regiment-level commanders and rushing to the headquarters for a meeting. After notifying everyone, Sameko asked worriedly
Kokov: "Comrade Commander, you were not criticized by the commander of the front army at today's meeting, right?"
"No, how could this happen?" Before Sokov could speak, Lunev said first: "As soon as the meeting started, we received a notice from our superiors that the German army launched an attack on the Kursk area early this morning.
With the fierce attack, Comrade Commander's suspicion was confirmed."
"What enemy really launched an attack on Kursk?" Even if a shell fell and exploded next to Samyko at this moment, the shock it brought would definitely not be as shocking as this news: "So, Commander
Are Comrade Comrade Comrade’s analyzes completely correct?”
"Of course it's correct."
"What's the situation like in the Kursk region?"
"Still fighting fiercely," Sokov did not know the specific battle situation at this moment, so he could only say vaguely: "In order to block the enemy's attack, friendly commanders and fighters are fighting tenaciously."
"Then you notify all regiment-level commanders to hold a meeting. Is it related to the enemy's attack?"
"That's right." Sokov replied affirmatively: "Based on various signs, the enemy may successfully implement a breakthrough in the Oboyan area. Therefore, the troops of our group army must rush to the north of Oboyan in the shortest possible time, and
Build fortifications there to resist the enemy's continued advance."
Sameko glanced at the map and said with some surprise: "Comrade Commander, it is almost three hundred kilometers from our defense area to the north of Oboyan. If we march on foot, it will take at least a week."
"We can't wait that long. The enemy may break through the friendly defense lines tomorrow. We must resolutely stop them before they rush further." When Sokov said this, he saw Sameko's face.
With a look of astonishment, he added: "The front army headquarters will mobilize enough transportation vehicles to transport our troops. If nothing unexpected happens, the leading troops will be able to reach the designated location before dawn tomorrow."
After Samyko waited for Sokov to finish speaking, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, which division do you plan to use as the vanguard of the entire army to enter the north side of Oboyan first?"
"I think Colonel Khokhlov's 182nd Infantry Division will be the vanguard of the entire army." Sokov took the initiative and said without waiting for Samyko to ask again: "They are the first in our army to be equipped with assault rifles.
, After one or two months of training, the officers and soldiers have become familiar with the use of this firearm. I believe that with their current combat effectiveness, they can completely block the enemy's attack."
"Comrade Commander, I agree with your opinion." Sameko nodded and said: "This division is now the most powerful unit in our group army. As the vanguard of the entire army, they should be able to successfully complete what you want.