The German troops who stood firm in their positions were still cheering when they saw their own planes appearing. But they never dreamed that retribution would come so quickly. The German planes were hurriedly dispatched before they could cause much damage to the attacking Soviet tank troops.
The Soviet fighter jets that arrived were inflicted with a heavy defeat.
After driving away the enemy planes, the Soviet bombers launched a vigorous attack on the German positions on the ground. Countless aerial bombs fell from the sky, blowing up those already exposed positions into a sea of flames.
After the plane bombed, hundreds of Soviet infantrymen rushed forward under the cover of tanks, drowning the remaining German troops on the position in a hail of bullets.
The German troops were fooled by the Soviet ground-air cooperation and infantry-tank coordination. They called the headquarters one after another and asked Huot to send reinforcements. Unfortunately, the headquarters' phone calls could not be reached at all, and the telegrams sent were late.
There was no reply for a long time. The German commander had no choice but to order the troops to abandon their outer positions, withdraw to the city, and use the buildings to engage in street fighting with the Soviet troops.
You won’t know if you don’t withdraw, but you will be shocked if you withdraw. The German officers and soldiers who retreated into the city soon discovered that there were only sporadic troops on the friendly positions. The main force had long since disappeared, and they had become a lone army.
Under such circumstances, how could the German officers and soldiers have the courage to continue fighting? Facing the Soviet commanders and soldiers pouring into the streets like a tide, they just fired their guns randomly, regardless of whether they hit the target. After a while, they headed towards the south of the city.
direction to withdraw.
Sokov felt much more at ease when he learned that the troops of the Steppe Front and the Voronezh Front had successfully rushed into the city and were developing in depth along the streets.
"Comrade Commander," Samyko said to Sokov excitedly: "If the friendly forces continue to fight at this speed, they can completely occupy the entire city and eliminate the remaining enemies in the city before dark."
Sokov agreed with Samyko's statement, but he still reminded him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, beware of the Germans jumping over the wall in a hurry, and order the troops in the south of the city to block the enemies fleeing southward. You must not
Let them leave Belgorod."
"Comrade Commander, you can rest assured on this." Samyko assured Sokov: "Not to mention that the German army only has infantry left. Even with the assistance of tanks and artillery, they will not be able to break through our defenses.
.”
After saying this, Sameko took a sip of hot tea from the tea cup on the table and said with emotion: "Comrade Commander, I really didn't expect that those commanders and fighters who were rescued from the prisoner of war camps would be on the battlefield after they were added to the army.
Their performance was so heroic. No matter how strong the enemy's defenses were, the target they attacked could not hold out for long. I think if there were 200,000 such commanders and fighters, I would have the confidence to fight all the way to Berlin."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov looked up at Samyko and said solemnly: "If our superiors allow us to integrate all the commanders and fighters detained in a prisoner of war camp into the army every time we liberate it, I believe that next year, that is,
By the end of 1944, our army group will be able to invade Berlin and take away Mustache's lair."
When Sokov said this, Samyko's eyes widened in surprise. After a long time, he murmured: "Comrade Commander, I think you may be too optimistic. Although we will soon liberate Bel
Gorod, but the road to Berlin is still very far away. Among other things, with our strength, it is a difficult problem whether we can regain Kiev, let alone Berlin, which is thousands of miles away."
Faced with Samyko's question, Sokov smiled faintly and continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, Belgorod has been liberated, and the next step is to liberate Kharkov. When these two cities are liberated, the base camp's
The next operational goal is definitely to break through the German defenses on the Dnieper River and liberate Kiev. As long as Kiev is captured, it will only be a matter of time before we head west to attack Berlin."
After being silent for a long time, Samyko asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander, the liberation of Berlin is too far away for us. I only care about whether we can capture Kharkov this time and hold it? You know?
, plus this time, we have fought four battles in Kharkov, and we were unsuccessful in the first three battles. Can we succeed this time?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, although our army has launched campaigns in the Kharkov area in 1941, 1942 and the beginning of this year, they have not been successful." Sokov replied with a smile: "But the ancient East has
A proverb: Nothing can be done more than three times. We have failed three times, and I believe we will succeed the fourth time."
"Since we talked about the next offensive target being Kharkiv, I think we should make some preparations in advance."
"Preparation?" Sameko asked in confusion, "What preparation?"
"Didn't I say that after Belgorod is liberated, we will launch an attack on Kharkov next?" Sokov said: "According to my analysis, the superiors will definitely order our troops to attack from the west of the city again.
Launch an attack. Now there is an Oud River to the west of Kharkiv. We should send out reconnaissance personnel in advance to conduct reconnaissance on the German positions along the Oud River so that we can find the best landing site."
"So that's what happened." Samyko understood Sokov's intention and said to him: "The Reconnaissance Office sent a nine-member reconnaissance team to the Ude River a few hours ago.
Conducting reconnaissance in the area." He raised his hand and looked at his watch, "If nothing unexpected happens, they will give us feedback on the intelligence they have detected at noon tomorrow."
"One reconnaissance team is not enough." Unexpectedly, Sokov shook his head after hearing this and said: "I think we should send several more reconnaissance teams to conduct reconnaissance in the Ude River Basin, so that we can conduct reconnaissance in the shortest time.
Within, obtain the most comprehensive information.”
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sameko readily agreed: "I will notify the Reconnaissance Division and ask them to send a few more capable reconnaissance teams to conduct reconnaissance in the Ude River Basin."
…
The 94th Guards Division, affiliated to the 7th Guards Army, successfully occupied the post and telecommunications office in the city at 1 p.m. and raised the flag of the Guards Division on the top of the post and telecommunications building.
Lieutenant General Shumilov, the commander of the group army, saw the flag of the Guards Division flying on the top of the post and telecommunications building through the telescope in the temporary headquarters. He was so excited that he couldn't help himself. After he put down the telescope, he turned around and ordered the communications soldier: "
Put me through the front command immediately and I will tell Commander Konev the good news."
After the call was connected, as soon as he heard Konev's voice coming from the receiver, Shumilov said excitedly: "General Konev, I have good news to tell you."
"Speak, General Shumilov."
"The 94th Guards Division of our group army has successfully planted the military flag on the top of the Belgorod Post Office Building. They were the first unit to occupy this city. I would like to thank them in advance."
Unexpectedly, after listening to this, Konev was silent for a while, and then said slowly: "General Shumilov, I understand your mood at this time, but I regret to tell you that the 94th Guards Division
They were not the first troops to plant the military flag on the commanding heights of the city, so the honor of being the first to occupy the city does not belong to them."
"What, General Konev, what did you say?" Shumilov waited for Konev to finish and said in surprise: "You know, our group army is the fastest advancing among the entire front army. Is there anyone else?
Other troops jumped ahead of us, did they raise the military flag on a building somewhere?"
"Yes, General Shumilov, you are right." Konev said: "There are indeed other troops who jumped in front of you and planted the military flag on the commanding heights of the city. They are the well-deserved first troops.
An army."
After Shumilov waited for Konev to finish speaking, he asked unconvincedly: "General Konev, please tell me which army was ahead of us and planted the military flag on the commanding heights of the city?"
"It's Sokov's 27th Army." Konev said slowly: "In yesterday's battle, while you were still fighting fiercely with the enemy on the outskirts of the city, one of Sokov's troops successfully captured Khote.
The municipal building where the headquarters is located, and the red flag was planted on the top of the building. If Hott had not realized that the situation was not good and escaped in advance, they might have become prisoners of Sokov's troops."
When Konev mentioned that the first unit to occupy the city was actually commanded by Sokov, Shumilov was speechless. After a while, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, can you tell me
, the number of that unit?”
"The troops that captured the municipal building were two marine brigades." Konev said: "But in view of their great results in the battle to liberate Belgorod, they will soon be awarded the Guards Division.
honorary title.”
"So that's it." After listening to Konev's words, Shumilov felt particularly disappointed, but out of politeness, he still forced a smile and said: "General Konev, please represent me to Soko
I would like to express my highest respect to General Hu and his heroic troops who achieved great results."
"I will, General Shumilov." Konev replied with a smile: "I will convey your intention to Comrade Sokov. I believe he also hopes to hear the news."
The fighting lasted until four o'clock in the afternoon. There were still four hours before dark. The sound of gunfire in Belgorod became sparse. Most of the city fell into the hands of the Soviet army, which occupied the city.
The commanders and fighters began to clear out the remaining enemies in the city.
Although the battle was not completely over, Konev still called Zhukov who was staying at the Voronezh Front Army Headquarters and asked him for instructions: "Comrade Marshal, my troops have occupied Belgorod. Do you need to move immediately?"
Report this news to the High Command?"
Zhukov only thought for a moment and then readily agreed: "Yes, Comrade Konev." He raised his wrist, looked at his watch, and added: "You will report the results to the General Staff in five minutes, and I will wait until your report is completed.
After that, I will report to the Supreme Commander himself. I can only give you half an hour, so hurry up."
When Konev heard that Zhukov was willing to give him half an hour, he secretly calculated in his mind: He would report the results to the General Staff in five minutes, leaving only 25 minutes. After listening to his report, the General Staff
It still needs to be sorted out before it can be reported to the Supreme Commander himself, so time is indeed a bit tight.
As soon as he put down the phone, Konev ordered Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, sort out the results immediately and report to the General Staff in five minutes."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Zakharov replied confidently: "I will report the results to Comrade Antonov, Chief of General Staff, on time."
Five minutes later, Zakharov got through to the General Staff Headquarters in Moscow and reported to Chief of General Staff Antonov the results achieved by the Steppe Front.
After patiently listening to Zakharov's report, Antonov said with a smile: "Comrade Zakharov, thank you for telling me such exciting good news. It just so happens that I also have good news to tell you."
"What good news."
"A few minutes before you called, I had just finished a call with General Rokossovsky, the commander of the Central Front." Antonov said with some excitement: "His troops have successfully damaged Model.
German troops under his command and liberated Orel."
"What, General Rokossovsky's troops have liberated Orel?" Zakharov was emotional when he heard that his former superior commanded the troops on the northern front to defeat Model and liberated Orel.
He couldn't help but get excited: "Is this true, Comrade Chief of General Staff?"
"What's wrong with you, General Zakharov?" Antonov asked with a smile: "Am I going to joke with you on such an important matter?"
"Is that true?"
"Of course it's true." Antonov was eager to report the two pieces of good news he had received to the bearded man in a timely manner. Don't say casually: "General Zakharov, I already know the results you have achieved.
I will sort out the results as soon as possible and report them to the Supreme Commander himself."
When Zakharov heard Antonov say that he wanted to report the results of the battle to the Supreme Commander himself, he quickly said: "Okay, Comrade Chief of General Staff, then I won't bother you anymore. I wish you good luck!"
After putting down the phone, Zakharov opened his arms, grabbed Konev's arm, and said excitedly: "Comrade Commander, I have great news for you. General Rokossovsky on the Northern Front has died."
The troops have defeated Model and successfully liberated Orel."
Just as Konev and others began to toast to celebrate the liberation of Orel by Rokossovsky's troops, Antonov, who had compiled the report, came to the bearded office.
Boskrebyshev saw Antonov's arrival, smiled at him and nodded, "Comrade Chief of General Staff, the Supreme Commander himself has been waiting for you." He stood up and came to the door, opened the oak door of the office,
He made a gesture of invitation: "Please, Comrade Chief of General Staff."
Antonov nodded to Poskrebyshev and walked into the bearded office.
After entering the door, Antonov saw the bearded man sitting behind his desk talking on the phone. Just when he wanted to speak, the other party made a silencing gesture to him, indicating that he should not talk. Antonov was afraid of being disturbed.
When the bearded man called, he nodded, held his briefcase in both hands, and stood straight in front of his desk.