Sokov, who was far away in Kremenchug, did not know that the bearded man and Antonov in the Kremlin were discussing how to promote him to military rank after this battle was over. At this moment, from the upper reaches of the Dnieper River
The enemy across the river was launching a frenzied attack in the defense area of the 28th Guards Division.
As the number of German troops crossing the river increased, the German bombers that had been hiding reappeared over the battlefield and carried out indiscriminate bombings against the defensive positions of the Guards Division.
When the Guards Division Commander saw a dense formation of enemy planes appearing in the sky, he immediately ordered all troops to carry out defensive fortifications to avoid enemy air attacks. In fact, even if he did not issue the order, the former commanders and fighters would have hid in the dug-out tunnels.
air-raid shelters to avoid enemy bombings.
Before the battle across the river, the German army had conducted ground and aerial reconnaissance on the 53rd Army's defense line. At this moment, the German bomber group was well prepared and carried out high-density bombing on the Soviet positions they had detected. They dropped bombs frantically.
Seeing that they did not encounter any counterattack from ground anti-aircraft fire, the German bombers became bolder and lowered their altitude one after another, firing wildly at the Soviet positions with their onboard machine guns.
For a time, all the positions of the Guards Division were filled with smoke and fire.
Upon learning that the positions of the Guards Division had been bombed, Sokov quickly ordered Derevyanko: "General Derevyanko, enemy planes are now frantically bombing the positions of the 28th Guards Division. Order the two divisions to be transferred north.
Slow down the marching speed and pay attention to concealment to avoid unnecessary losses."
"Understood." Derevyanko agreed, and then walked to the communication area, preparing to ask the radio operator to send a report to the two mobilized infantry divisions, asking them to slow down their marching speed and pay attention to air defense to avoid enemy air attacks.
After Sokov waited for Derevyanko to leave, he turned around and told Samyko: "Chief of Staff, please help me get through to General Goryunov. We need their help now."
The Air Force's call was quickly connected. Hearing Goryunov's voice coming from the receiver, Sokov said excitedly: "General Goryunov, now our army's defensive position has been attacked by enemy planes."
Crazy bombing, I need air force support."
"Which area was attacked by enemy planes?"
"The defensive position on the river northwest of the city." Sokov replied: "A large number of German troops crossed the river from the upper reaches of the Dnieper River and launched a crazy attack on the positions of our 28th Guards Division. I hope you can dispatch the air force as soon as possible.
Provide us with the necessary air support."
Before the fighter planes of the 5th Air Force Group took off, the Germans had completed the bombing of the Guards Division positions and turned around to fly towards the airport. The Air Force left, and the ground troops, who had already been preparing for the attack, were under the cover of tanks.
, launched an attack on the position of the Second Battalion of the 88th Guards Regiment.
The position of the Second Battalion had long been razed to the ground by the German bombing, and many commanders and soldiers were buried in the collapsed air raid shelters. The surviving observation posts on the position saw the enemy swarming towards their position under the cover of tanks.
When he arrived, he quickly blew the whistle, hoping that those comrades hiding in the air-raid shelter could enter the position as soon as possible and block the enemy's attack.
However, long after the whistle blew, only a few dozen soldiers emerged from the warm floating soil. They were like clay warriors. They did not bother to shake off the thick soil on their bodies and entered their fighting positions one after another.
Aim the muzzle of the gun in the direction in which the enemy is coming, and just wait for them to enter effective shooting range before firing without hesitation.
The enemy came very quickly. In less than five minutes, they rushed to a place only 70 to 80 meters away from the position. At this time, sporadic gunshots rang out from the Second Battalion position. Some German soldiers who were rushing forward fell to the ground, and the remaining
The ones continue to rush forward.
The number of soldiers left in the Second Battalion's position was limited, and some soldiers' weapons were blown up in enemy bombardment or lost when they crawled out of the mud. The sparse firepower on the position could not prevent the Germans from rushing up.
.Soon, German soldiers rushed into the second battalion's position.
Facing the oncoming enemy, the commanders and fighters of the Second Battalion performed extremely bravely and tenaciously. Some soldiers who lost their weapons bravely rushed towards the enemy. When approaching the enemy, they did not hesitate to light the fuse of the grenade. Boom.
After a loud bang, the soldier fell into the smoke together with one or even several German soldiers.
Although the commanders and fighters showed tenacity, their numbers were limited after all. Dozens of them died in just a few minutes, and around the bodies of these soldiers were the bodies of more German officers and soldiers.
When the commander of the 88th Guards Regiment who was staying in the second-line observation room saw this, he couldn't help but put down his telescope. After wiping his tears with his hand, he turned to the communications soldier and said: "Report to the division headquarters that the enemy has occupied the position of the second battalion."
, are preparing to advance towards our position.,"
The communications soldier agreed and explained in detail what the regimental commander said to the communications soldiers on duty at the division headquarters.
The division commander couldn't help but frowned after listening to the communication soldier's report. He ordered the communication soldier on duty with a straight face: "Get in touch with the 88th Regiment immediately and order them to counterattack. They must seize the positions occupied by the enemy."
return."
After giving the order to the 88th Regiment to counterattack, the Guards Division Commander felt that the loss of position was of a serious nature and it was necessary to report it to the headquarters so that Managarov could be well aware of it.
The person who answered the phone was Derevyanko. When he learned that the Second Battalion had lost its position, he couldn't help but get angry: "What, the Second Battalion lost its position? Where is the Second Battalion Commander? I want to send him to a military court!"
The Guards Division Commander waited for Derevyanko's roaring explanation, and then said in a serious tone: "Report to Comrade Chief of Staff, all members of the Second Battalion were killed, and not one person retreated from the front-line position."
The words of the Guards Commander, which made Derevyanko ready to attack, were all blocked in his mouth and could no longer be said.
"Chief of Staff," Managarov saw Derevyanko being silent and couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"
"Comrade Commander," Derevyanko quickly covered the microphone with his hand and reported to Managarov: "The position of the Second Battalion of the 88th Regiment was lost, and no one of the more than 500 commanders and fighters in the entire battalion survived."
In this kind of battle, in which both sides invested more than 100,000 or 200,000 troops, a battalion of several hundred people was sacrificed. To the superior commander, it was just a set of numbers. But after Managarov learned the news
, he still stood up from his seat, took off the big-brimmed hat on his head, bowed his head to the northwest, and paid silent tribute to the fallen soldiers.
When everyone around him saw Managarov doing this, they all stood up, took off their big-brimmed hats or steel helmets, and observed silence toward the northwest, mourning the fallen soldiers in their hearts.
After everyone stood up straight and put their hats back on their heads, Managarov said to Derevyanko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, order the 89th Regiment to assist the 88th Regiment in counterattacking, and we must regain the lost positions.
.”
Just when Derevyanko agreed and was about to pass on Managarov's order truthfully, Sokov raised his hand to stop him: "Wait a minute! Comrade General, I don't think it is appropriate to counterattack at this moment?"
"Why?" Managarov asked.
"The reason is very simple," Sokov explained: "The enemy is concentrating all its efforts to launch a fierce attack on the Guards Division's position. If you attack here, it means that you will have to fight against the Germans and fight head-on."
Seeing that Sokov actually opposed his plan, Managarov couldn't help but frowned slightly: "General Sokov, are we just going to watch the enemy occupy our position?"
"Comrade General," Sokov said. He knew that Managarov had been taught that when facing the enemy's attack, he should be nailed to the position like nails and not allowed to retreat even one step. Since the first line of position was lost, then
We should organize a counterattack to regain the lost positions. "I said not long ago that our purpose is to consume the effective strength of the German army, and do not care about the gains and losses of one city or one place. If the 88th and 89th regiments are allowed to launch a counterattack at this time
, and start a confrontation with a powerful enemy with a vigorous offensive, I am afraid that our army will pay greater casualties than the enemy."
After listening to Sokov's words, Managarov gritted his molars and asked: "General Sokov, please tell me, what should we do, just carry out passive defense?"
"Of course it cannot be a passive defense." Sokov said confidently: "Comrade General, didn't you ask the Guards Division Commander to transfer the Guards Artillery Regiment to the combat area? When the enemy launched an attack on the second-line position of the 88th Regiment,
When attacking, you can order artillery fire to block and fire to eliminate as many of the enemy's effective forces as possible. When the German army retreats, you can order troops to attack to inflict maximum damage on the enemy."
"Okay, General Sokov. Since you said so, let's do as you say." Managarov felt that what Sokov said was somewhat reasonable, and besides, his troops are now under his command.
, agreed with him and ordered Derevyanko to say: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in accordance with Sokov's instructions, order the 88th Regiment to hold its position and resolutely block the German attack. When the enemy attacks, the artillery regiment will carry out
Intercept artillery fire and eliminate as many of the enemy's effective forces as possible..."
Seeing that Managarov followed his instructions and assigned tasks to Derevyanko, Sokov felt very relieved. Although Konev arranged for him to command the 53rd Army, Managarov was much older than himself.
, if you adopt delaying tactics for the orders you give, I am afraid that it will delay the fighter's opportunity.
Sokov turned to Samyko and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, how are our counterattack troops prepared?"
"Everything is ready." After Samek finished answering, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, you are not planning to start a counterattack now, are you?"
According to Sokov's plan, the counterattack troops deployed at the landing site will carry out a limited counterattack against the German positions after dawn tomorrow under the cover of artillery fire, consuming as much of the opponent's effective forces as possible. But now we see the German army
All attention was focused on the defense area in the northwest. The front of the landing site seemed to have an opportunity at this moment.
"There are only two or three hours before dark." Sokov said cautiously: "Before the counterattack begins, use powerful artillery fire to bombard the German defensive positions, and then launch an attack. When we achieve certain results,
It is already dark, and the Germans cannot get support from aircraft and tanks, which are very useful for our troops, whether offensive or defensive."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Samek nodded, and then asked: "Then what time do you plan to launch the attack?"
Sokov raised his hand to look at the time and replied: "Comrade Chief of Staff, are you going to contact the artillery and ask them to carry out a violent bombardment of the German positions that have been locked in twenty minutes?"
"Comrade Commander," after hearing what Sokov said, Samyko carefully reminded him: "Our infantry is almost an hour away from the starting position. You see..."
"You don't have to worry about this, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov said carelessly: "Our army's artillery bombardment will not be less than forty minutes, and the infantry can completely move during this time. When the artillery bombardment is over, they will also enter
With the attack position in place, you can attack the enemy's defensive positions at any time."
"Comrade Commander," Sameko, who stayed where he was, continued: "If the counterattack troops are forced to march immediately and then go into battle, the physical strength of the commanders and soldiers may be affected. It is better to let the troops stationed at the forefront first
Launch an attack on the enemy, wait for their attack to stall, and then have counterattack forces take over their attack."
Sameko's statement made Sokov's eyes light up. Yes, the three troops at the front can try to counterattack first. After their attacks come to a standstill, the counterattack troops that have been arranged in advance will enter the battle. Faced with
The battered German army would certainly not be able to resist the new force that suddenly joined the battlefield, and might even be able to expand its results.
After thinking about this, Sameko nodded and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, your proposal is good. Just do what you said and let the forward troops decisively attack the enemy after the shelling is over. The original
Follow up with a certain counterattack force. After the forward force's attack comes to a standstill, then take over their attack and be sure to maximize the results."
Seeing that Sokov agreed to his proposal, Samyko immediately passed the order to all the troops and asked them to prepare for the attack. Managarov on the other side heard Sokov's arrangement.
, came over and asked curiously: "General Sokov, if you advance the attack time, will it affect your original battle plan?"
"Comrade General," Sokov said with a smile: "Judging from the current situation, the enemy has focused its attention on your troops, while the troops on the front of the landing site have become weaker. We launch an attack at this time
, you can catch the enemy by surprise and achieve greater results than originally planned."
Derevyanko originally planned to ask Sokov to provide heavy artillery support for the Guards Division, but when he heard his battle plan, he shut up. He knew very well that as long as the southern front achieved good results, he would
It can reverse the situation in the northwest direction and make the situation more favorable to itself.
Sokov noticed Derevyanko's hesitation and understood that he wanted to get some help from him, so he smiled and said to him: "General Derevyanko, don't worry, don't look at the Guards Division fighting at the moment.
It's very difficult, and the enemy's offensive is fierce. But as long as you wait for the Air Force's fighter planes to enter the battlefield and attack the enemy in your defense area, they will become lambs to be slaughtered and suffer heavy casualties under the bombing of aerial bombs and the strafing of vehicle-mounted machine guns."
"You are right, General Sokov." After hearing this, Derevyanko nodded with a smile and said: "With the air support provided by the Air Force, our Guards Division will definitely be able to crush the enemy's attack."