"Great, this is really great." As soon as Samek learned that the troops had established a defensive position in the machining factory, he immediately reported the good news to Sokov via phone. After hearing this, Sokov
He said excitedly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you told Colonel Shechtman to use the mechanical processing plant as the starting point of the attack, continue to expand the results, and occupy as many areas as possible."
"Comrade Commander," Samyko asked cautiously after Sokov finished speaking: "Now that our troops have broken through the city, the next step is to start street fighting with the Germans. Do you think we need to send tanks to help?
?”
Sokov did not answer the question immediately, but covered the phone and asked Tsvetayev: "Comrade General, have you been to Kharkov?"
"Been there. What happened?"
"Are the streets there suitable for tanks?"
After hearing this question, Tsvetayev thought for a moment and said: "The streets in Kharkiv are very spacious. Let alone one or two tank brigades, even a tank corps can be deployed."
After confirming that the streets in Kharkov were spacious, Sokov released his hand covering the microphone and said to Samyko: "Chief of Staff, I have asked General Tsvetayev, and he said that in Kharkov
The streets are wide and tanks can be used, so you can send them to assist the 254th Division."
For the sake of safety, Sokov finally emphasized: "Remember, tanks can only be used during the day, and the attack at night can rely on pure infantry."
Sokov's words confused Samyko: "Why?"
"The field of vision in the tank is narrow, especially at night, and the area that tank crews can see clearly is even more limited." Sokov explained: "Once the enemy's anti-tank crew hides in the dark and attacks our tanks, they will
This caused our tank troops to pay a huge price. When tanks are used in daytime operations, the tank crews and the infantry following the tanks can discover hidden anti-tank fighters in time and clear them out in time."
After Sokov's explanation, Samyko understood what was going on and quickly replied: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will warn the tank commander not to use tanks at night."
"General Sokov." Tsvetayev, who was standing next to Sokov, said anxiously as soon as he put down the phone: "Without the cover of tanks, what should we do if we encounter strong fortifications or enemy fire points?
?If we attack by force, you will definitely pay a heavy price."
"Comrade General, please rest assured about this." Sokov was very grateful for Tsvetaev's concerns, but in order to reassure him, he smiled and said: "My troops are equipped with a large number of rocket launchers.
, In street fighting, that thing is not only a sharp weapon against tanks, but also can basically shoot one at a time when encountering enemy firepower points and solid fortifications."
"I've heard of that kind of weapon, but I've never seen it." Even though Tsvetaev's troops and Sokov's troops fought jointly, the commanders and fighters of the 384th Division did not use such weapons during the battle.
Therefore, Tsvetaev still does not know what a rocket launcher is, so he made a request to Sokov: "General Sokov, if there is a chance, please let me see this powerful new weapon.
"
"Don't worry, Comrade General." Sokov had no reason not to agree to Tsvetayev's simple request. He nodded quickly and said: "At the appropriate time, I will let you see my troops.
Equipped with a rocket launcher."
"When the enemy discovers that your right-wing troops have broken through the city defense, I'm afraid they will deploy troops to counterattack and drive them back from the city." Tsvetayev reminded Sokov: "Do you think we should consider letting the left-wing troops also launch a counterattack?"
What about the attack?”
"Wait a minute, Comrade General." Since the right wing successfully rushed into the city, it was not impossible for the left wing troops to attack the city. However, Sokov felt that the time to attack was not yet mature, so he attacked Tsvetayev.
He said: "Before the right wing broke through the city defenses, we set up a strong attack posture on the left wing. A large number of German troops must have gathered in front. If we attack now, it will be like an egg hitting a rock. I think we should wait for a while and wait for the enemy's attack.
After the defense is relaxed, then attack by surprise."
Tsvetayev witnessed Sokov's military deployment today and knew that every step he took had his own intentions. Now that he said this, he stopped persuading him and asked how to arrange the troops by the river.
Artillery: "Now that the target of the right-wing breakthrough has been reached, what should I do with my artillery division staying by the Oude River? Should I take the opportunity to cross the river and assist the friendly forces in attacking the city; or should I return to the original artillery position?"
"Except for the artillery regiment that has crossed the river, the remaining artillery units have returned to their original positions and are ready to support the defenders on the other side with artillery fire at any time."
While the two were discussing the details of the next battle, the phone on the table suddenly rang without warning, startling Sokov.
He picked up the microphone and put it to his ear, and immediately heard Konev's voice coming from inside: "Comrade Sokov, have your troops already rushed into Kharkov?"
"Yes, Commander of the Front." Hearing Konev's question, Sokov proudly replied: "Colonel Shechtman's 254th Division has rushed into the city and is machining in the southwest of the city.
The factory has occupied a piece of land and is preparing to use it as the starting point for the next attack."
"Since your troops have rushed into the city, why didn't you report it in time?" After listening to this, Konev said angrily: "Don't you know that we have to report in time based on the combat situation of the troops at the front?
Adjust the battle plan accordingly?"
Sokov couldn't help being surprised when he heard what Konev said, and then asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, didn't anyone report the results of the battle to you?"
"Who will report the results of the battle to me?" Konev said impatiently: "If it hadn't been for the intelligence unit of the Front Army Headquarters intercepting the German telegram, I wouldn't have known that your troops had already rushed into the city."
Only then did Sokov realize that Samyko did not report the matter to his superiors at all except calling him. He must have thought that such a good thing should be reported to his superiors by himself. And he had a wishful thinking that Samyko
He informed himself that after the 254th Division entered the city, it would report to the front army headquarters in accordance with regulations. Unexpectedly, no one reported it in the end. No wonder Konev was angry.
However, as the top commander of the group army, Sokov naturally cannot pass the responsibility to his deputy, otherwise who will be willing to follow you in the future? He quickly took the responsibility on himself: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, this matter is
My negligence and failure to report to you in time are all my responsibility, I'm really sorry."
Seeing Sokov's sincere attitude, Konev's anger subsided somewhat. He then said: "I know, you must think that Comrade Samyko reported to me, and Samyko also felt that the news
It would be more appropriate for you to report it. In the end, no one reported to me the situation at the frontier."
"That's right, Commander of the Front Army." Seeing that Konev's words hit the mark, Sokov said with some embarrassment: "I will report to you as soon as there are new battle reports in the future."
"It doesn't matter whether you report it immediately or not." Konev said: "You and Samyko are not commanding the battle in the same place. The coordination between the two parties must be good to avoid a similar situation happening again. Do you understand?"
"Understood." After Sokov answered resoundingly, he asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask when will the main force of the Front Army arrive at the gates of Kharkov?"
"Soon, soon," Konev replied: "Tomorrow General Rotmistrov's 5th Guards Tank Army will launch an armored assault on the Germans from our junction. I believe that under the powerful
Before the torrent of steel, the Germans simply could not stop them."
Knowing that General Rotmistrov's tank army would launch an attack on the German army tomorrow, the muscles on Sokov's face couldn't help but twitch violently. He wanted to remind Konev to be careful of the Germans in Sunflower.
He laid an ambush in the ground, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back. After all, he had already reminded him of this matter once. If he reminded him again, it might make Konev suspicious. He secretly prayed in his heart that in tomorrow's battle,
, Rotmistrov's troops should not suffer too many casualties, otherwise the next battle will be difficult to fight.
Before putting down the phone, Konev specifically told Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, since your troops have rushed into the city, I think you should tell Marshal Zhukov the good news as soon as possible. I believe he has been waiting.
Here’s your battle report.”
"Thank you for your reminder, Comrade Commander of the Front Army. I will tell Marshal Zhukov the good news as soon as possible."
However, after finishing the call with Konev, Sokov did not immediately call the Voronezh Front Army Headquarters. Instead, he called Samyko directly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how is the situation? The tank brigade has been dispatched.
?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sameko replied: "I sent two tank brigades, one is on standby outside the city, and the other is entering the machining factory to assist the 254th Division in combat."
After Sokov waited for the other party to finish speaking, he continued to ask: "Have we put our military flag on the roof of the building?"
"Not yet, Comrade Commander." Sameko said with some embarrassment: "Our troops who invaded the factory area only occupied a few factories, and even the office building has not been captured. There is no suitable place to plant the red flag.
.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, why don't you use your brain?" Sokov said dissatisfied: "If the office building cannot be captured, you can just put the red flag on the top of the factory. As long as there is a flag flying over the city, it means
We have captured the city and can give our superiors a satisfactory answer."
"Yes!" After Samek agreed loudly, he assured Sokov: "I will immediately notify the troops in the factory area and ask them to plant the flag on the top of the factory building as soon as possible."
"As soon as our red flag is planted on the factory building, notify me immediately and I will report the matter to Marshal Zhukov."
Sokov put down the phone, silently lit a cigarette, and waited uneasily for Samek's report.
Tsvetayev also took out a cigarette from Sokov's cigarette case, lit it and asked Sokov: "General Sokov, do you think you should wait until the red flag is planted on the roof of the factory building before asking Marshal Zhukov
By reporting it, you will feel confident?"
"Needless to say, Comrade General." Sokov looked sideways at Tsvetayev and said, "If the red flag has not been planted on the roof, report it to Marshal Zhukov. Isn't this deceiving him?"
"Now that your troops have occupied the factory, it is very easy to plant the red flag on the roof of the factory." Tsvetayev said: "But if you want to wait for General Samyko's report
Afterwards, does it take too long to report to Marshal Zhukov?"
Sokov heard what the other party was saying and asked tentatively: "Comrade General, do you want me to report to Marshal Zhukov now that the troops that rushed into the city have planted the red flag on the top of the building?
"
"Yes, that's what I mean." Tsvetayev did not hide his true thoughts, but told the truth: "I think Marshal Zhukov is also very anxious at the moment, hoping to hear your news soon. Has the red flag been planted?
Upstairs, this is not important at all. What is important is that our troops have rushed into the city and are engaging in street fighting with the enemy."
Sokov thought in his mind that now that only his own troops had entered the city, it was really up to him to decide whether to place the red flag on the top of the building. After thinking about it, he changed his mind and no longer waited for Samay.
After hearing the report, he picked up the microphone and asked the communications staff to help him connect to the headquarters of the Voronezh Front.
After waiting for about five or six minutes, the communications staff reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the phone number at the Voronezh Front Army Headquarters has been connected, and you can talk now." After saying that, he handed over the microphone in his hand.
come over.
Zhukov's familiar voice soon came from the receiver: "I'm Zhukov, is it Misha?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal, it's me."
Zhukov asked with great anticipation: "If you call me at this time, do you have any good news to tell me?"
"You guessed it right, Comrade Marshal." Sokov replied with a smile: "My troops have broken through the German defense line in the southwest, successfully rushed into the city, and occupied several of the machinery processing plants.
Factory building.”
"Well done." Knowing that Sokov's troops had rushed into the city, Zhukov smiled on his face: "Have they planted the flag on the top of the building?"
"I have ordered them to plant our flag on top of the occupied factory."
After learning that the flag had been planted on the building, Zhukov did not ask further about the top of the building, because he knew very well that according to Sokov's original plan, he had no intention of breaking the city today. As a result,
Because he temporarily adjusted his plan, the other party had to order the troops to enter the city in advance.
"Well done, Misha. Well done to you and your subordinates." Zhukov said happily: "Please represent me and express my highest respect to your subordinates."
"I will, Comrade Marshal." Sokov was eager to know whether Zhukov was satisfied with the current results, and then asked: "We only occupied part of the mechanical processing plant. Does this count as completing the task of our superiors?"
"Needless to say, Misha." Zhukov said with a smile: "According to the tradition of the Russian army, in an ancient city like Kharkov, as long as the red flag is planted on the top of any building, it means that we
The city has been captured. Don't worry, I will immediately report your situation to the Supreme Commander himself and strive for the honor that belongs to the first troops to rush into the city."