If there were only ordinary Soviet troops stationed in Shumakovo at this moment, Hausser would definitely order the Imperial Division to continue attacking northward without hesitation. After all, in his eyes, one Imperial Division was enough to deal with five or six Russian divisions.
.But now that he learned that Shumakovo actually had his enemy stationed there, he had to become cautious.
Hausser was silent for a long time and asked the division chief of staff: "Chief of Staff, are you sure that the Russian troops stationed in the Shumakovo area are Sokov's 27th Army?"
"Yes, your Excellency, Corps Commander." The division chief of staff replied: "This is basically certain. But we don't know exactly how many troops they have assembled in the Shumakovo area."
"Immediately send out capable scouts to conduct reconnaissance in this area." Hausser felt that if his troops wanted to continue to advance north, they must understand the Soviet defense situation in the Shumakovo area. If they move forward rashly
If we move forward, the tragedy of the past few months may happen again.
"Understood, Your Excellency, Corps Commander." The division chief of staff replied respectfully: "I will send out scouts as soon as possible to conduct reconnaissance in the Shumakovo area."
"Chief of Staff, not as soon as possible, but immediately, immediately." Hausser said to the division chief of staff in a stern tone: "On the battlefield, every minute is precious. If you understand the enemy's troop deployment a minute earlier, then
Our chances of winning are greater. Do you understand?"
"Understood." The division chief of staff replied resoundingly: "I immediately sent a capable reconnaissance force to conduct reconnaissance in the Shumakovo area to find out the Russian defense situation there."
At this time, the number of Soviet troops arriving in the Shumakovo area has increased to four divisions, namely Colonel Khokhlov's 182nd Division, Major General Fomenko's 84th Division, Colonel Koida's 188th Division and
Major General Gritsenko's 384th Division.
Sokov summoned four division commanders to his temporary headquarters for a meeting. He pointed to the map spread out on the table and said to everyone: "There are now three lines of defense in the Shumakovo area, which are held by the 182nd Division.
The first line of defense, the second line of defense defended by the 84th Division, and the third line of defense controlled by the 188th Division. Our entry into this area must have been noticed by the Germans, but in order to confuse the enemy, they misjudged
, the regiment of each of your divisions that is holding on to the position can set up more false positions to make the enemy think that each of our defense lines has a division of troops. In this way, they will not be able to take the initiative to attack us before they gather enough troops.
"
"Comrade Commander," Lunev asked curiously after Sokov finished speaking: "Are we just passively waiting for the enemy to launch an attack?"
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov said to Luniev with a smile: "Passive defense has never been my characteristic. All I ordered the troops on the defense line to make false moves to confuse the enemy was to cover actions in other directions.
.General Gritsenko!"
"Here!" Major General Gritsenko straightened his back when his name was called and quietly waited for Sokov's order.
"According to my judgment," Sokov pointed at the map with a red and blue pencil and said to Gritsenko: "The enemy will not dare to easily launch an attack on the Shumakovo area until he has figured out our deployment.
The mission of your division is to sneak back to the enemy's flank, launch an attack by surprise, and disrupt their offensive deployment."
"Comrade Commander," after Gritsenko heard Sokov's order, he glanced at Lunev beside him, and then replied with some embarrassment: "The new rockets issued by our division,
They have been handed over to Comrade Military Commissar. I wonder how many new rockets you can provide us for this roundabout mission?"
Sokov was very familiar with the power of new rockets and knew that Gritsenko's troops did not have any decent artillery. If they carried too few rockets, it would be very difficult to actively launch an attack on the Germans.
With this consideration in mind, he said: "In order to better complete this roundabout mission, in addition to returning all of your original rockets, I will also replenish some of them for you."
"Great, Comrade Commander, this is really great." Not long after Gritsenko arrived here, he heard about the deeds of a small team that went deep behind enemy lines and wiped out almost a battalion of German troops with rockets. He couldn't help but feel itchy in his heart. At this moment
When he learned that Sokov would provide him with a large number of rockets to carry out roundabout combat missions, he couldn't help but be overjoyed and said repeatedly: "We will never let you down."
Several other division commanders were a little jealous when they heard that Sokov handed over such a difficult task to Gritsenko's division. Khokhlov stepped forward and said: "Comrade Commander, our division is stationed here.
I have been working here for the longest time and are most familiar with the environment. I hope you can assign similar tasks to us."
"Don't be anxious, Comrade Colonel." Sokov comforted Khokhlov and said: "After the enemy is confused by us, I will ask the main forces of your divisions to circle back to the enemy's flanks and give them a severe lesson.
." He drew a circle on Oboyan's position with his finger, "Even if we cannot completely annihilate the Imperial Division, we must drive them south from here."
"Comrade Commander," the commanders present were all puzzled by Sokov's statement. Colonel Koida asked the question on behalf of everyone: "Why are we driving the enemy south?"
"Everyone should know that Oboyan is an important gathering place for our army. Once a large number of German armor stays in this area, it will pose a huge threat to our army." Sokov continued: "But we must
They rush south, forcing them to turn towards Prokhorovka, and then the threat to Oboyan can be greatly reduced."
"Comrade Commander, I don't understand why the enemy is driven to Prokhorovka?" Koida said puzzledly: "The terrain in that direction is flat, which is conducive to the deployment of large-scale German armored forces. Once they move from
If they launch an attack in that direction, our defensive positions will not be able to stop them from making a detour towards the rear of our army. I am worried that if this happens, all our troops may be encircled."
When it came to encirclement, the expressions of several commanders present changed. Some of them had participated in the Kiev Defense Battle and were lucky enough to be the lucky ones to successfully break through; others had participated in the Kharkov Offensive Battle and experienced being encircled by the Germans.
It was a taste. At this moment, knowing that once the German army reached Prokhorovka, their troops were in danger of being encircled, they couldn't help but feel anxious. However, everyone knew that Sokov would not mention Prokhorovka for no reason.
I was ready to listen to what he had to say and then decide whether I should persuade him.
"From Oboyan to us, there are a lot of hills, swamps and rivers." Sokov said to everyone: "Such terrain is not only unfavorable for the deployment of the enemy's armored forces, but also affects our ability to invest enough in this area.
A large number of tanks. But if you switch to Prokhorovka, the situation will change. Not only the tank army of the Voronezh Front can fight to the death with the enemy's armored forces here, but even the Fifth Guards Tank Army of our front army can also
We can enter the battle. Then we can rely on our numerical advantage to defeat the enemy trying to rush towards Kursk."
After everyone listened to Sokov's explanation, they stared at the map for a long time. They felt that what Sokov said was indeed reasonable. Both sides could make use of the wide terrain of Prokhorovka and invest as many tanks as possible to carry out the battle.
A huge decisive battle.
But if the large-scale decisive battle with the enemy is concentrated in Prokhorovka, then his troops staying in Shumakovo will seem a bit idle. Therefore, after a pause, Koida asked tentatively:
"Comrade Commander, if the enemy and we really launched a large-scale decisive battle in Prokhorovka, wouldn't it be difficult for us to achieve meritorious service here?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." Seeing Koida's worried look, Sokov comforted him and said: "As long as we severely damage the Imperial Division, it will be a great victory. As long as we disrupt the enemy's offensive deployment, then
We can then choose the right time to launch a surprise attack on the enemy."
If another commander had said this, the commanders present would have muttered in their hearts, thinking that the other commander was bragging. But when these words came out of Sokov’s mouth, they were particularly convincing. Everyone felt that their troops were showing off to the Germans.
Launching an attack is simply a matter of course.
"General Gritsenko," After Sokov assigned each division their respective tasks, he called Gritsenko's name again and said to him: "I know that after the long march, all the commanders and fighters of your division have changed.
You are exhausted. I wanted you to take a good rest for a while, but that's not possible, Comrade General." Sokov sighed and said, "Today is a rare opportunity to fight. If we miss it like this, if we want to destroy these enemies in the future, we must
We will have to pay a higher price."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Seeing that Sokov trusted him so much and actually told him what was in his heart, Gritsenko was very moved. He assured Sokov: "When I return to the army, I will
We will ask Lieutenant Colonel Jaynego, the political commissar, to do propaganda and agitation work for the commanders and fighters. I believe that the commanders and fighters will always maintain the highest morale to complete this glorious mission you have entrusted to us."
Just when Sokov was about to announce the breakup of the meeting, Lunev interrupted and asked: "Comrade Commander, since you want to order the 384th Division to attack the enemy from the flank, should you add more anti-tank weapons to them? After all, the enemy still has
A tank regiment equipped with Tiger tanks?”
If Lunev hadn't said anything, Gritsenko would have forgotten that he still needed to deal with the enemy's tanks. At this moment, when he heard Lunev made a request for him, he stared at Sokov intently, wanting to hear what he had to say.
of.
But Sokov waved his hand and said: "I don't think it is necessary. I have just said that in our direction, due to terrain restrictions, it is impossible for the enemy to invest a large number of armored troops, so even if they are making a roundabout way,
During the process, we encountered the enemy's tank troops, which were only small units and could be dealt with with their existing anti-tank weapons."
"Okay." Hearing what Sokov said, Lunev felt that he seemed to be on the right page. If the 384th Division carried out roundabout operations, it was possible to encounter a large-scale German armored force, even if he didn't say it,
With Sokov's character, he would definitely arrange a large number of anti-tank weapons for the opponent. He replied with some embarrassment: "Then follow your orders."
Gritsenko was somewhat disappointed when he saw that Sokov was unwilling to give him more anti-tank weapons. However, after listening to Sokov's explanation, he felt that with the existing anti-tank forces in his division, he had to deal with the enemy's
There should still be no problem with the armored forces. After thinking about this, he untied the knot in his mind, raised his hand and gave a ring salute to Sokov and Lunev, then turned and walked out of the temporary headquarters.
Just after seeing off several division commanders, Sokov received a call from Konev: "Thank God, Comrade Sokov, I finally heard your voice."
"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Upon hearing the call from Konev, Sokov quickly said respectfully: "Do you have any instructions?"
Ever since Sokov brought the guard company to Shumakovo, Samyko was entrusted with the responsibility of contacting the front army headquarters. After hearing the report relayed by Samyko, Konev still felt somewhat uneasy.
He felt that there were some things that he needed to ask Sokov personally before he could feel relieved.
Today, he was supposed to contact the troops below as usual, but the communications staff unexpectedly told him that he could talk to Sokov's temporary headquarters. When Konev heard the news, he was overjoyed and quickly ordered the communications staff to get through.
Sokov called, he wanted to know personally the real situation on the frontier.
"What's the situation on your side?" Konev asked: "Has the enemy launched an attack on Shumakovo?"
"There was once a small detachment that rashly broke into our defense area, but it was annihilated by us." Sokov replied lightly: "Then I ordered people to ride in the captured German armored vehicles and sneak attack the enemy at night.
One of their camps was wiped out with new rockets."
"Well done." After Konev praised Sokov, he then asked: "What are your plans next?"
Thinking of his battle plan, he would have to report it to the front army headquarters sooner or later. Since Konev asked about it at this moment, he would simply tell him. So Sokov replied: "Report to Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I think we should hold Shumakovo
, we cannot carry out passive defense, so while deploying heavy defense, I am also preparing to send one or two divisions of troops to bypass the enemy's flanks and teach them a lesson."
Konev stared at the map in front of him and asked with a serious expression: "In which direction do you plan to take a detour?"
Sokov replied: "Nowadays, a large number of German troops have been gathered in the area south of Oboyan. If we detour from the enemy's right wing, if we are not careful, our detour troops will be trapped by the German army. And from the enemy's right wing, our detour troops will be surrounded by German troops."
If we take a roundabout route on the left wing, the situation will be much better. This area is basically under the control of the friendly forces. Even if the attack does not go smoothly, we can successfully jump out of the enemy's encirclement with the help of the friendly forces."