The train fully loaded with the 98th Guards Division set off, and all regiment-level cadres were having a meeting in the last carriage.
Before the formal meeting, Chief of Staff Uzakov announced to everyone: "Comrade commanders, I have good news to tell you. In view of the outstanding performance of our division in the battle to liberate Kharkov, the Supreme Command awarded
The high honor of our division 'Kharkov'."
After everyone listened, they were stunned for a moment, and then started whispering to each other to make sure they heard correctly. You know, after the liberation of Belgorod, everyone hoped that their superiors would grant them a title named after the city, but in the end
But he was disappointed. When he heard Uzhakov say this, it was as if he was dreaming, and he thought he was hallucinating.
Upon seeing this, Chuvashov quickly stood up from his seat and said to everyone with a smile: "Comrade commanders, don't doubt your ears. You heard it right. What Comrade Chief of Staff just said is true.
The Supreme Command has indeed awarded our division the high honor of 'Kharkov'."
Lieutenant Commander Shamrih, the new commander of the 296th Guards Regiment, stood up and asked on behalf of everyone the question in his heart: "Comrade Division Commander, I would like to ask how many units in our group army have received this high honor this time.
?”
"Only two units have received high honors this time." Chuvashov stretched out two fingers and said: "Our division and General Fomenko's 84th Infantry Division."
"Ah, there are only two divisions?" Shamrich asked in surprise: "You know, the first troops to rush into the city were all troops of our 27th Group Army. Why did only two divisions receive this honor?"
Shamrich's words aroused the resentment of other commanders: "That's right, even if not all divisions can receive this honor, at least half of them should be. Two divisions are too few."
"Quiet, please be quiet, comrades, commanders." Seeing that the voices below were getting louder and louder, Uzhakov slapped the table with his hand several times and said loudly: "Let's continue the meeting."
After the carriage became quiet again, Uzakov continued: "Perhaps everyone is wondering where to let the troops board the carriage to go? Before boarding the carriage, for the sake of confidentiality, except for our three division leaders,
No one knows the destination this time. Since we have set off now, I can tell everyone that we are going to Klemenkoug."
"Klemenchug?!" The leader of the 302nd Regiment repeated the place name and said in surprise: "Are we going to cross the Dnieper River?"
"That's right," Uzakov nodded and replied: "The superior ordered our division to take a train and quickly go to Kremenchug, seize the city and control the bridge on the Dnieper River, and at the same time, build a bridge on the right bank.
A reliable landing site ensures that the main force of the front army can successfully break through the German Dnieper River defense line."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Shamrih asked curiously: "As far as I know, the troops of the 7th Guards Army and other friendly forces are attacking Poltava at the moment. This city is blocking our way to Croatia.
On the road to Kleminchug, if we don’t capture the city, I’m afraid we won’t be able to reach Kleminchug.”
"Major Shamrih, you don't have to worry about this." After Uzakov accepted the combat mission from the headquarters, he also received instructions from Samyko and knew what to do next. In order to let all commanders
All the members were reassured, and he readily told the truth: "There is a railway line that bypasses the Poltava area. We will rush directly to Kremenchug from this line and quickly attack the enemy before they are aware of it."
Klementchuk was taken underground.”
After Uzhakov detailed the combat missions to the commanders present, he asked: "Are there any questions?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Shamrih stood up again and asked, "I would like to ask, do we have artillery preparations before attacking?"
"No, Comrade Major." Uzakov shook his head and replied: "Not to mention artillery preparations, there are no tanks either. In other words, we can only rely on pure infantry to capture this city."
Hearing what Uzakov said, the expression on Shamrih's face became solemn: "So that's it, that is to say, when fighting in the city and encountering enemy firepower, we can only use new rockets or
A rocket launcher to destroy it, instead of counting on our artillery or tanks?"
"Yes, that's exactly what it is, Comrade Major."
Seeing the expression on Shamrih's face, Chuvashov and Uzakov looked at each other and smiled, and then said: "Comrade Major, don't worry, this time we attack Kremenchug, we will mainly use sneak attacks.
, there may not be a fierce battle.”
When Shamrih heard what Chuvasov said, his eyes suddenly lit up and he asked repeatedly: "Comrade Commander, I wonder what your plan is?"
"Comrade commanders," Chuvashov stood up and said to everyone: "After the train bypasses Poltava, everyone will put on German military uniforms and pretend to be German troops retreating from the front. I hope they can
Deceive the defenders in Kremenchug."
Chuvashov's words seemed to give all the commanders reassurance. Yes, the current situation is so chaotic. If our troops disguise themselves as Germans, they might actually be able to sneak into the German defense zone.
Capturing Klementchuk will be easy.
The train carrying more than 6,000 commanders and fighters went smoothly along the way and encountered no damage to the railway. As a result, they bypassed Poltava half an hour in advance and officially entered the German defense zone.
At this time, the commanders and fighters on the train all changed into German uniforms, and even the flags on the train were changed to German ones. As long as the train was not stopped for questioning, the Germans who saw the train along the railway line would think that
The car was loaded with troops that had just been withdrawn from the front line.
Seeing that the train had smoothly bypassed Poltava and was heading towards Kremenchug. Deputy Division Commander Dobrushin said to Chuvashov: "Comrade Division Commander, it seems that we are very lucky to enter so easily.
It has penetrated the German defense lines and has not been noticed by them yet."
Although Chuvashov was filled with joy when he saw that the troops had successfully entered the German defense lines without encountering any trouble, when he heard what Dobrushin said, he still said with a straight face: "Comrade Deputy Division Commander,
Before our troops reach Klemenkoug, any accident may happen, and we must not take it lightly just because we passed Poltava smoothly, otherwise we will suffer big losses."
Dobrushin realized that he had underestimated the enemy to some extent when he saw that the troops were moving smoothly, and he quickly admitted his mistake to Chuvashov: "Comrade division commander, I was wrong. I should not have underestimated the enemy at this time. Fortunately, you reminded me
In time, otherwise it may lead to big mistakes.”
When the train was about five kilometers away from Kremenchug, it suddenly stopped.
Chuvashov frowned and asked: "What happened? Why did the train stop?"
Uzhakov quickly picked up the phone and asked the officer on duty at the locomotive: "Hey, what's going on? Why did the train stop?"
The officer on duty recognized Uzakov's voice and quickly explained: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the railway ahead has been severely damaged and the train cannot continue moving forward."
"Order the engineers accompanying the vehicle to immediately make urgent repairs."
After Uzakov put down the phone, he reported to Chuvashov: "Comrade division commander, the railway in front has been damaged and our train cannot continue to move forward. I have ordered the engineers to repair it."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Chuvashov asked after listening to Uzakov's report, "What do you think about it?"
Uzhakov thought for a while and then replied: "Comrade division commander, we don't know the damage to the road ahead and how long it will take for the engineers to complete the repair. This is what I think about it, let people go explore the road first. If
The damaged railway cannot be repaired before dawn, so we might as well get off the train and march."
"Get off the train and march?" After hearing this, Deputy Division Commander Dobrushen couldn't help but said with concern: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is it appropriate for us to get off the train at this time?"
"Comrade Deputy Division Commander," Uzakov said to him, "I am going to send someone to explore the road first to find out the length of the damaged railway and the time it will take for engineers to repair the road. If you wait too long,
If we stay here, we will be discovered by the enemy. They may only need to make a few phone calls to figure out that we are fake. Then the enemies will rush in from all directions, and we may be in danger of being annihilated."
"Then let's take advantage of the time when the engineers are repairing the railway and send people to explore the road ahead." Chuvasov said noncommittally: "First find out the damage to the road, and then decide whether to sit in the car and wait, or wait in the car.
Get off the car and march on foot.”
After investigation, it was found that the railway damaged by the Germans was two kilometers long, and in many places brutal blasting was used. Even the foundation stones under the sleepers were blasted into big holes. In this case, if you want to wait for the engineers to repair it,
For the railway, I'm afraid the waiting time will be quite long.
"Comrade division commander," Uzakov reminded Chuvashov after the situation outside became clear: "Since the railway cannot be repaired in a short period of time, it is better to order the troops to get off the train."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I think we should wait a little longer." Dobrushin said: "The troops march in unfamiliar areas at night, and it is easy for them to get lost. There are enemies all around. Once our troops mistakenly enter
If we enter the enemy's defense area, we may have big problems."
"But it's not an option for us to stay here and wait." Uzhakov said tit for tat: "You know, we are now deep behind the enemy's rear. Once the enemy surrounds us from all directions, even if we want to break out, we will not be able to find a suitable direction.
"
The two argued for a long time, but neither could convince the other. They could only unanimously turn their attention to Chuvasov and wait for him to make up his mind. After all, he was the leader of a division.
Chuvashov thought for a while and said to Uzakov: "Comrade Chief of Staff and the deputy division commander are right. Let the troops march in unfamiliar areas at night. It is easy to lose their way. If they accidentally break into the German defense area,
I'm afraid I will suffer unnecessary losses..."
"Comrade division commander, although our commanders and soldiers are not familiar with the surrounding terrain, we can march along the railway, so as to avoid losing our way." Uzakov reminded Chuvasov: "And walking along the railway, you can enter
As long as we capture the station in the city and use the station as the starting point for the attack, the next battle will be much easier to fight."
Chuvasov was so moved by Uzakov's proposal that he almost couldn't help but agreed to let the troops get off the vehicle and march on foot. But looking at the anxious-looking deputy division commander, he felt that this matter still needed to be cautious."
Comrade Chief of Staff, I think we should wait a little longer, maybe the engineers can repair the railway faster than we think."
"Okay, then let's wait." Seeing what Chuvasov said, Uzakov could only agree reluctantly: "In half an hour, I will contact the engineers in front to confirm when
Repairs to the railway can be completed."
After waiting for more than half an hour, the officer on duty at the locomotive called and reported to Uzakov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the engineers said that the road ahead was damaged too much by the Germans, especially the foundations in some areas have been damaged.
It was blown up and it will take a lot of time to repair it.”
After Uzhakov waited for the other party to finish speaking, he asked in a deep voice: "Tell me, how long will it take to complete the railway repair work?"
The officer on duty was silent for a while, then sighed softly and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the engineer said that even if the repair work goes smoothly, I'm afraid it will take until this afternoon to complete the repair work."
Uzakov put down the phone and reported to Chuvashov: "Comrade division commander, the engineers said that the road ahead was damaged too much by the Germans. Even if the repair work goes smoothly, it will take until after this afternoon to complete the repair work."
"Ah, it takes so long?" Dobrushin said in surprise: "If we really have to wait until the afternoon to leave here, isn't it possible that the Germans will discover us?"
"That's right, Comrade Deputy Division Commander." Uzakov nodded and said, "In order to prevent us from being discovered by the Germans, I think we should order the troops to get out of the car as soon as possible and march towards Kremenchug on foot. After all, this is
It’s only a few kilometers away from the city, so even if you walk, you can reach your destination in an hour.”
Chuvashov pondered again. He admitted that what Uzakov said was reasonable. If he continued to stay here, he would still be in danger of being exposed even if his troops were all wearing German uniforms as soon as daybreak. But if the troops were allowed to
After getting off the car and marching at night in an unfamiliar place, he felt uneasy.
Seeing that Chuvashov was still indecisive, Dobrushin lost his temper. He asked him: "Comrade division commander, you are the commander of a division. Please make an idea quickly."
At this time, if Chuvashov could not make a decision, he was undoubtedly incompetent as the division commander. He stood up and told Uzakov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call Major Shamrih immediately and give the order
He got off the train with the 296th Guards Regiment and advanced along the railway line towards Klemenkoug, while the rest of the troops remained on standby."
"What, only let one regiment get off the train?" Uzakov asked in surprise: "The remaining two Guards regiments will stay on the train, won't they be discovered by the Germans?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, at this time, we can only gamble on luck." Chuvashov said: "Maybe Major Shamrich's troops have not yet reached Kremenchug, and the railway in front will be repaired by engineers.
If we get there, we can take the train and rush to Kremenchug as quickly as possible.”
Now that Chuvashov had spoken to this extent, Uzakov knew that there was no point in arguing with him anymore, so he nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will give it to Shamri right now."
Major He called and found out that he was leading his troops to get out of the car and move towards Kremenchug."