Just as Lida expected, the attacks of the 5th and 7th Guards Armies were not going smoothly, which made Konev very upset. After reading the telegram sent by Sokov, his pupils began to shrink violently, something he could not have imagined in his wildest dreams.
, Sokov actually asked to participate in the attack on Poltava.
Seeing that Konev's expression was unnatural, Chief of Staff Zakharov quickly asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, I seem to be worried. What happened?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, please read this telegram." After Konev handed the telegram to Zakharov, "We deployed two armies to attack Poltava, but no results have been achieved. Now
Sokov became anxious and asked to participate in the attack on Poltava?"
After reading the telegram, Zakharov did not immediately express his opinion, but tentatively asked Konev: "Comrade Commander, will you agree to his request?"
Konev sighed softly, turned and walked to the wall, looked up at the map hanging on it, and said thoughtfully: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I do not deny that once Sokov's troops are deployed,
The attack on Poltava will greatly increase the speed at which we can capture this city."
As Konev's chief of staff, Zakharov could naturally guess what he was thinking, and went on to say: "Comrade Commander, I understand what you mean. If Sokov's troops are allowed to participate in the attack, we can indeed shorten the capture period."
Time in Poltava. But in this case, what will happen to the landing sites at Kremenchug and the right bank? Even if a group army is transferred there at this moment, it may not be able to hold it in the face of the fierce German offensive."
Seeing that Zakharov guessed what he was thinking, Konev nodded slightly and said with a wry smile: "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, this is what I am worried about. Let Sokov's troops participate in the attack on Porta
If we don't take Poltava quickly, we will risk losing the right bank landing site and Klemenkoug. But if we can't take Poltava quickly, we won't be able to completely open the road to the Dnieper River. Don't look at Sokov's troops
Now they are staying on the banks of the Dnieper River, but their logistics supply line is very weak, so weak that the defenders of Poltava can cut it off with artillery fire."
"The weapons equipped by Sokov's troops are heavily dependent on the later stage." Zakharov echoed: "Once their supply line is cut off, then what awaits them will be catastrophe."
Konev took a few steps back, turned to look at Zakharov and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, this decision is difficult to make."
"How about we ask Marshal Zhukov what he means." Zakharov said cautiously: "It would be good to hear his thoughts."
Regarding Zakharov's proposal, Konev rejected it without hesitation: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I don't think it's appropriate. Although this matter is of great importance, it is an internal matter of our front army after all. If I rashly report it to Marshal Zhukov, I'm afraid it will
It makes him feel that there is a problem with the capabilities of our command."
After listening to what Konev said, Zaharov also felt that his proposal was inappropriate. This was indeed an internal matter of the front army, but he had to ask Zhukov for instructions, which might arouse the other party's doubts. He coughed lightly to cover it up.
Feeling embarrassed, he then asked: "Comrade Commander, what do you think about it?"
"Reject Sokov's request." Konev had already made a decisive decision at this time: "It is absolutely impossible to allow him and his troops to continue to stay in the Kremenchug area and be responsible for defending the landing site on the right bank of the Dnieper River.
Let the enemy take it away. At the same time, order General Managarov to speed up the march and arrive as soon as possible to join the forces of Kremenchug and Sokov."
"What about Poltava?" Zaharov asked Konev for instructions: "Judging from the current situation, the troops of the 5th and 7th Guards Armies will be fundamentally
The city cannot be captured."
"Then let them fight slowly. Now that Sokov's troops have occupied Kremenchug and cut off the retreat and supplies of Poltava's enemies, I want to see how they can survive under our siege.
How long will it last?" After Sokov said these words in one breath, he continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the troops on the right are fighting the enemy, and the troops in other directions cannot be idle. The troops near the center of the battle line are
The troops of the 6th Guards Army immediately launched an attack in the direction of Kobelyaki; the troops of the 57th and 46th Army on the left wing pursued the retreating enemy in the direction of Dnipropetrovsk."
After Zakharov recorded all of Konev's orders, he immediately asked the radio operators to send them to the headquarters of each group army, asking them to carry out combat missions in accordance with the instructions of their superiors.
Sokov received a reply from the front army headquarters and saw that the order given to him was to hold on to Kremenchug and the landing site on the right bank, and when the time came, decisively launch an attack on the enemy to expand the area of the landing site.
After Chuvashov came over to read the contents of the telegram, he asked Sokov curiously: "Comrade Commander, your superiors have rejected your request to lead troops to attack Poltava. What are your plans next?"
"Plan?!" Sokov said with a wry smile: "Of course, in accordance with the orders from our superiors, we will try our best to hold on to Kremenchug and the landing site on the right bank, and when the time is right, take the initiative to attack the enemy."
Seeing that Sokov was in a bad mood, Chuvashov quickly took out a cigarette from the cigarette case and handed it to Sokov. After he put the cigarette in his mouth, he diligently lit the fire for him.
After Sokov took two puffs of his cigarette, he saw Chuvashov sitting next to him and couldn't help but curiously asked: "Comrade Colonel, as the commander of a division, you are always by my side. Don't you have to ask the division?"
What’s going on here?”
"Comrade division commander, I have a good chief of staff." After hearing Sokov's question, Chuvashov couldn't help but said proudly: "Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov is a competent staff officer, even if I am not at the headquarters.
, and he can handle everything in an orderly manner.”
After Sokov waited for the other party to finish speaking, he nodded silently, thinking to himself: "When the preliminary brigade and the Marine Corps brigade were jointly organized into the 98th Guards Division, if it weren't for Uzakov's military rank, Bchuvasov
Hey, maybe the current commander of this division is Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov."
However, Sokov only needs to understand this kind of thing in his heart, and will never take the initiative to say it, so as not to affect the morale of the troops. He just nodded and agreed: "You are right, Comrade Colonel, Uzako
My husband is indeed an excellent staff officer. With his assistance, your division will definitely achieve more meritorious deeds in the coming battles."
Since the 98th Guards Division won the high honor of Kharkov, Chuvashov was eager for his troops to achieve more meritorious deeds in the following battles. But now, other troops have been transferred to
The landing site on the right bank, while he was left in the city. When the decisive battle with the German army actually started, his troops in the deep rear would definitely have the least achievements.
At this moment, since Sokov mentioned the matter of establishing meritorious deeds, Chuvasov quickly said: "Comrade Commander, the troops staying at Merefa Fortress are coming in a steady stream. Do you think you can wait for new ones?"
After the troops arrive, they will take over our defense..."
"Let the new troops take over your defense?" Sokov was very clear about the little thoughts of his commanders. Hearing what Chuvasov said, he immediately guessed his intention and quickly asked: "Don't you
Are you going to let me transfer you to the landing site on the right bank?"
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Chuvashov had been waiting for Sokov to say this. Now he heard him say it on his own initiative and quickly added: "I think the landing site on the right bank is the most suitable place for us.
.”
Sokov stared at the other person for a while, then shook his head and rejected his request: "I'm sorry, comrade colonel, I can't agree to your request, please forgive me!"
"Why?" Chuvasov asked in surprise.
"The reason is very simple." Sokov said expressionlessly: "The combat effectiveness of your division is among the best in the entire army."
After hearing this, Chuvashov couldn't help but be confused: "Comrade Commander, is there any connection between the strong combat effectiveness of our division and leaving us in Kremenchug?"
"Of course there is a connection." Sokov said in a positive tone: "I have told you before that once the enemy realizes that they cannot seize the landing site, they will definitely cross the Dnieper River from other areas to copy our retreat. In
In this case, it is necessary to have a strong force to defend tenaciously in the city of Kremenchug and completely crush the enemy's attempt to cut off our army's retreat. This is an extremely difficult task, and I cannot leave it to other troops.
Don't worry, I only believe in your ability to defend the city."
Sokov calmly gave the opponent a high hat, which made Chuvashov feel a little elated. He asked emotionally: "Comrade Commander, do you really think we can block the enemy's strong attack and defend the city?"
?”
"Yes, I believe that."
After the two chatted for a while, Sokov asked the communications soldier to help him connect to the headquarters of the 84th Division.
"Comrade Commander," Fomenko heard Sokov's voice and immediately asked impatiently: "When can we launch an attack on the enemy?"
"Don't worry, General Fomenko." Sokov knew very well that with the current strength of the 84th Division, there would not be much of a problem in breaking through the German defense line in the Svetlovodsk District. But the problem is
It is easy to break through the defense line, but where can you find such troops to defend these places? Once the troops are dispersed, the overall combat effectiveness will be weakened, and in the face of enemy attacks, there is a possibility of being defeated individually.
Seeing that Fomenko was eager to fight at this moment, Sokov comforted him and said: "I have thought about it carefully. If we want to launch an attack on the enemy, it is not enough to rely on just one of your divisions. Therefore, we need to accumulate strength and wait for a steady flow of strength."
The main force that has arrived is almost assembled, and it will not be too late to launch an attack on the enemy."
Fomenko asked anxiously: "Comrade Commander, when will the main force be assembled?"
"General Fomenko, don't be impatient." Sokov said into the microphone: "Although our troops are moving here quickly, due to the long distance of the road and the obstruction of Poltava in the middle, I am afraid that it will be as soon as possible.
It will take a week before the assembly can be completely completed."
"Ah, it will take another week?" The timetable Sokov said made Fomenko feel particularly disappointed: "Comrade Commander, now the commanders and soldiers are holding a ball of fire in their hearts, and a ball of fire can be fired at any time.
The fire that burned the enemy to ashes. If they were allowed to wait another week, I'm afraid everyone's enthusiasm would fade."
Sokov agreed very much with Fomenko's statement that fighting relies on a spirit of energy, which can be vigorously exerted, then weakened, and finally exhausted. If the commanders and soldiers who have been prepared for battle are allowed to wait indefinitely, I am afraid that
It would seriously affect the morale and morale of the military. After thinking about this, Sokov felt that he should take some proactive actions. No matter how much damage it could cause to the enemy, it would at least keep the morale of the commanders and soldiers high.
Thinking of this, Sokov said slowly: "General Fomenko, if you really think that your troops are ready for combat, you might as well launch a small-scale attack on the Svetlovodsk District and pass through
"Continuous attacks will disrupt the German army's combat deployment and prevent them from launching an attack on our landing site as planned."
Fomenko, who was originally depressed, suddenly became excited after hearing Sokov's words: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will arrange the troops to attack the enemy right away. Just wait."
Let’s hear the good news of our victory.”
In the Soviet army, it is very rare for commanders like Fomenko to be eager to fight. Usually, before receiving orders from their superiors, commanders would not dare to make any decisions, no matter how dangerous the situation is, to avoid unnecessary trouble for themselves.
Trouble. It is estimated that only the commanders under Sokov would dare to do whatever they want.
However, Sokov was worried that once the offensive began, Fomenko would make a desperate move, and specifically reminded the other party: "General Fomenko, let me remind you that the troops used for the attack must not exceed one regiment. I can
I don’t want your elite troops to be wasted in this reconnaissance attack.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Hearing that Sokov seemed a little worried about him, Fomenko quickly patted his chest and assured, "I have been a commander for more than a day or two. This kind of small-scale offensive operation
, I am still very experienced. Don’t worry, there will definitely be no mistakes.”
"Since it is a small-scale attack with a reconnaissance nature, this means that you will not get any artillery cover before the attack." Sokov continued: "Therefore, I suggest that you better choose the time of attack.
at night."
"Choose the time to attack at night?" Hearing what Sokov said, Fomenko was stunned for a moment, then understood what Sokov meant, nodded quickly and said: "I understand, Comrade Commander. Attack at night
When the enemy launches an attack, we can adopt sneak attack tactics. If the enemy discovers us, we can switch from sneak attack to strong attack, which will definitely knock the enemy out."
Seeing that Fomenko fully understood his intention, Sokov nodded with satisfaction and said: "General Fomenko, I will wait for your good news at the headquarters and wish you good luck!"
After putting down the phone, Sokov stretched and said to Chuvashov sitting aside: "Comrade Colonel, I will lie down for a while. If Chief of Staff Samyko arrives with the headquarters, remember to call me.
One sound."
Chuvashov knew that Sokov had not slept all night last night and would definitely be very tired now, so he nodded and said: "Comrade Commander, just rest peacefully. I will wake you up as soon as the Chief of Staff arrives.