After the battle near Kochetovka reached a fever pitch, the 3rd Mechanized Corps near Oboyan, also under the command of its commander, General Krivoshein, launched an attack on the German 11th Armored Division in the front.
After Vatutin learned the news, he immediately became excited. He said to Zhukov and Vasilevsky: "Two comrades, Marshals, now Sokov's troops have occupied Kochetovka and cut off the German army.
They retreated, and Oboyan's troops also launched a counterattack. Judging from the current situation, we are fully capable of encircling Huot's troops and trying to annihilate them all or part of them."
Zhukov did not speak, but looked down at the map on the table, secretly wondering whether Vatutin's plan was feasible. After looking at it for a while, he looked up at Vatutin and asked: "The Germans have any plans in the Oboyan area."
Two armored corps, are you sure our troops can surround them?"
"I think there should be no problem." Vatutin said confidently: "Comrade Marshal, you see, we have deployed General Katukov's First Tank Army and the Sixth Guards Army in Oboyan, plus the Solo Army
General Cove's 27th Army is fully capable of encircling the enemy."
"Comrade Vatutin, have you forgotten that in order to ensure the smooth counterattack outside Prokhorovka, we deployed two infantry divisions and two independent tank battalions from Sokov." Zhukov palmed the map with his palm.
He took a few shots and said displeasedly: "The remaining 27th Army troops are scattered over a vast area. The troops that can directly enter the battle are, according to my estimation, only one division at most. Do you think they are capable of blocking the full force of the attack on Belgo?"
Germans retreating towards Lod?"
"Comrade Marshal, I agree with you." Vasilevsky echoed: "After Sokov's troops were split, the forces he could use were limited. It is basically impossible to block Holt's troops.
matter."
"Comrades Marshal," Apanashenko, who has always had a low sense of presence, said, "I once heard you say that Sokov's troops could tenaciously block the German attack in the most difficult days of Stalingrad.
Crazy attack. Since we were able to block the enemy in the beginning, is it impossible to block the enemy now that we can get artillery fire and air support?"
Faced with Apanashenko's doubts, Zhukov organized vocabulary in his mind and planned to tell the other party that the reason Sokov was able to hold Mamayev Heights in such difficult circumstances was entirely because of the solid preparations and construction of the hill in advance.
We built strong and complete tunnel fortifications to minimize the losses caused by enemy shelling and bombing.
But before Zhukov could speak, he heard Vatutin say impatiently: "Comrade Deputy Commander is right. Although Sokov's troops are scattered in strength, as long as they establish a defensive line on the German retreat route and hold on to it,
In three to four hours, our reinforcements will arrive and encircle the German 4th Armored Group."
"Comrade Vatutin, I want to ask you, where did the reinforcements you mentioned come from?" Zhukov sneered and asked: "Do you think the 6th Guards Army and the 1st Tank Army in the Oboyan area can survive on March 4th?
Will you be here to join Sokov’s troops within a few hours?”
Vatutin was stunned by the question. He hesitated and could not speak. If the troops in the Oboyan area were capable of counterattack, with his character, he would have ordered the counterattack long ago, and he would not be still relying on it now.
Fortifications were built, and the situation emerged against the German 4th Armored Army.
But Apanashenko, who likes to run towards the front all day, spoke again: "Comrade Marshal, I feel that even if the ground forces cannot provide timely reinforcements, Sokov's troops can receive support from artillery and air force. I don't think so."
Do you believe that the German army can maintain a strong offensive despite being shelled and bombed by our army?"
Apanashenko's words sound somewhat reasonable. In addition, once Hott's Armored Group Army is encircled and all or part of it is wiped out, it will make the next step to liberate Kharkov and Belgo.
Rhodes' battle became easier.
Vasilevsky took this into consideration, and after hesitating for a moment, he said to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, how about you ask Sokov for his opinion and see if he is willing to block the Hott Department and make it
We cannot return to Belgorod smoothly to reduce the pressure on our army for the next offensive."
If it were any other commander, Vasilevsky would definitely not have made such a suggestion to Zhukov. You must know that the duty of a soldier is to obey. No matter whether it is right or wrong, you must execute the orders issued by your superiors unconditionally. Only Sokov
, Vasilevsky would cautiously ask Zhukov to seek the other party’s opinions.
"Okay, I'll call him and ask him." Zhukov said, grabbing the phone in front of him, and after hearing a voice coming from inside, he said: "I'm Zhukov, call me the 27th Army Headquarters."
After the call was connected, a familiar voice answered the call: "I am Military Commissar Lunev, where are you from?"
"It turns out it's Comrade Lunev, I'm Zhukov!" When Zhukov found out that the person who answered the phone was Military Commissar Lunev, he couldn't help but smile. He asked politely: "What is Misha doing?"
"Comrade Marshal," when he learned that the caller was Zhukov, Runev quickly straightened up and replied respectfully: "He is directing the battle."
"Oh, he is commanding the battle." Zhukov asked: "I have something to discuss with him. Can he talk to me on the phone?"
"Comrade Marshal, please wait a moment. I will ask him to answer the phone immediately."
Soon, Sokov's voice came from the receiver: "Hello, Comrade Marshal! I am Sokov. Do you have any important instructions?"
"Misha!" Zhukov was ready to find out what Sokov was thinking before asking for his opinion: "I heard that your troops are attacking the German 3rd Armored Division?"
"Yes, after the artillery bombardment, the infantry, under the cover of tanks, launched an attack towards the defeated 3rd Armored Division." Sokov reported to Zhukov: "In order to prevent the enemy from killing my attacking troops with artillery fire, I request
General Konev dispatched the air force to bomb the enemy's artillery positions and armored units to provide us with effective air cover."
"How's the battle going?"
"The progress is going very smoothly. Now the battle has come to an end. It is estimated that in another forty minutes to an hour, all my troops will be able to withdraw from the battle."
Hearing Sokov say that the battle has come to an end, Zhukov still had a smile on his face, but when he heard the content behind preparing to withdraw from the battle, he couldn't help but frowned, "Since you are making good progress, you can take advantage of the victory and continue to attack."
Why should they withdraw from the battle when they advance in the direction of Oboyan, join up with the defenders in that direction, and encircle Huot's armored group?"
"The reason is very simple. The troops I can use now cannot compete with Holt's troops. The battle to annihilate the 3rd Armored Division was just that we caught the enemy by surprise. When they recover, I'm afraid we won't be able to
We can resist their retaliatory attacks. Therefore, the best way is to retreat to areas with fortifications and carry out constant resistance in order to slow down the German army's retreat to Belgorod."
Zhukov knew very well that with Sokov's strength, it would be impossible to retain Hott's Armored Group Army. However, he still asked with a sense of luck: "Misha, have you never thought about it?
Will the forces in the direction of Oboyan take a joint action to encircle Hoth's Panzer Group and try to annihilate them all or even part of them?"
"No, Comrade Marshal, I have never considered it that way." Sokov, who has never done loss-making business, replied truthfully: "Except for the tank corps, the only troops of the 3rd Armored Division that are attacking now are Koida
Colonel's 188th Division, and General Malankin's 81st Guards Division. Using such troops and equipment to block the enemies trying to retreat to Belgorod is simply asking them to die."
"Then what did you think about it?"
"Comrade Marshal, I have just said that we should use a step-by-step approach to delay the German army's retreat to Belgorod." Sokov explained to Zhukov: "Once the German army's offensive is too fierce, I will order
The troops opened the channel to allow the German troops to pass through my defense zone."
"What, open the channel and let the enemy pass through your defense area?" Regarding Sokov's tactics, even Zhukov, known as the famous World War II general, couldn't understand: "Why let them pass?"
"My troops are limited. Even if I fight with all my strength, I may not be able to prevent the enemy from breaking through the defense line." Sokov said with a smile: "Instead of fighting the enemy on the position and losing both sides, it is better to open the channel and let the enemy pass through our defense area. The enemy
Seeing that there is no obstacle in front of them, all they are thinking about is how to escape back to Belgorod in the shortest time, and their combat awareness will weaken. At this time, I will order my troops to follow and pursue them, just to escape for their lives.
It will be difficult for the enemy to organize decent resistance, and we will be able to achieve greater victory with smaller casualties."
"Misha, Misha." After hearing Sokov's plan, Zhukov shook his head with a wry smile and said, "You are always so whimsical. You know, if you let the enemy pass through your defense zone casually, you will make a mistake. Once
If the situation gets out of control, you risk being court-martialed."
Sokov did not expect that Zhukov did not agree with his approach. The muscles on his face could not help but twitch violently for a few times, and then he asked cautiously: "Comrade Marshal, what do you mean?"
"What do I mean?!" After Zhukov said this, he looked around and saw Vasilevsky, Vatutin and others looking at him with expectant expressions, and sighed to himself.
He took a breath and said: "Misha, I hope your troops can establish a defense line in the middle of the Oboyan-Belgorod road and resolutely block Hott's armored group so that they cannot retreat to Belgorod.
"
Hearing Zhukov's order, Sokov panicked a little. He asked thousands of his men to stop Holt's armored group army. Isn't this a clear indication of death: "Comrade Marshal, I..."
"This is the result of joint research between Vasilevsky and I, as well as General Vatutin. As a commander, you should understand in your heart that you can only execute the orders of your superiors, rather than discuss whether it is reasonable. Do you understand?
"
"Understood." The deal was done, and Sokov could only agree reluctantly, knowing that he was powerless to make a comeback.
Zhukov heard the helplessness and disappointment in Sokov's tone, so he slowed down and said: "Misha, I know this is a bit difficult for you, but if you have any requests, just ask them. As long as I can help, I will definitely help you."
I will do my best to help you.”
"Comrade Marshal, since you want to order me to prevent Hott's armored group from withdrawing south, then I hope that my two infantry divisions can be restored as soon as possible." Since Zhukov asked himself to impose conditions, Sokov would naturally not give up such a move.
Good opportunity, he quickly said: "With these two divisions, we will be more confident in holding the defense line."
Zhukov covered the microphone with his hand, turned around and asked Vatutin: "Comrade Vatutin, Misha wants to take back his two infantry divisions. How long will it take for you to get them back?"
Vatutin thought for a moment, then replied: "How about 48 hours?"
"Nonsense," Zhukov said dissatisfied: "If the German army launches a forceful attack, I'm afraid Sokov's troops won't be able to hold on for three or four hours. What use will the two divisions be able to do if they return to their posts in 48 hours?"
Vatutin, who had been criticized by Zhukov, blushed and asked with some embarrassment: "Comrade Marshal, can you tell me, how long is the appropriate time to return to the army?"
"It takes about an hour and a half to assemble the troops," Zhukov began to calculate the time for the troops to return to the building: "Then it takes about an hour and a half to be transported by the convoy to Kochetovka. In this way, within three hours,
The two divisions Sokov handed over to you must all be restored."
"Comrade Marshal, it's very difficult." Vatutin couldn't help crying out when he heard that Zhukov had given him three hours: "Now Sokov's two divisions are scattered in different places. Even if they are gathered together,
It will take at least five hours. In addition, we can't find so many transport vehicles to transport these troops. I think eight hours is the limit for the construction."
"Comrade Vatutin, let me remind you again." Zhukov frowned and said: "If Sokov's troops want to prevent Hott from withdrawing to Belgorod, the assistance of these two divisions is indispensable. Once they cannot
If it is restored in a short period of time, our plan to encircle the Huth Armored Group will be completely ruined."
Hearing Zhukov speak to him in such a stern tone, Vatutin's expression became even more embarrassing: "Comrade Marshal, I will do my best to have Sokov's troops return to their posts in a short time."
"Tell me your specific thoughts." Zhukov asked.
"The method is very simple. Order Oboyan's troops to launch a counterattack against Hoth's armored group army to attract their attention. In this way, the enemy will not be able to mobilize more troops to attack the defense line established by Sokov's troops."