"Commander of the Front Army, my troops can launch a counterattack against the enemy at any time, but they lack enough supplies to sustain a long-term operation." Although Sokov knew that Konev understood these truths, in front of other group army commanders, Sokov
, I still need to make some things clear to avoid others gossiping in the future: "You also know that the battle is all about logistics. If we don't get enough logistical support, even if we achieve some good results in the early stages of the attack, it will soon be over."
It was reduced to nothing under the enemy's crazy counterattack. Maybe in the end, our offensive intention was not achieved, and the troops suffered huge losses."
"Comrade Minister of Logistics," Konev waited for Sokov to finish and then looked at the Minister of Logistics sitting in the crowd: "If you want to give it to the 27th Army..."
Sokov thought that with the transfer of the main force, his army would definitely not be the only one participating in the offensive. Maybe Managarov's 53rd Army would also fight alongside him, so he quickly interjected: "Front Army"
Commander, as well as General Managarov’s 53rd Army, they also need to be supplemented.”
Konev nodded and followed Sokov's words: "Yes, there is also General Managarov's 53rd Army. In the next battle, they will fight side by side with the 27th Army. The logistics supplies are
Indispensable.”
The logistics director was an elderly lieutenant general. After listening to what Konev said, he took off the big-brimmed hat on his head, scratched the back of his head, and said awkwardly: "Comrade Commander, this is very difficult. You know
, even if we only provide enough supplies for the 27th Army, our logistics department is very struggling. If we add the 53rd Army, the supply of hundreds of thousands of people will be an astronomical figure, unless our superiors provide us with more wagons.
and trucks, otherwise it would be impossible to provide them with enough military supplies in a short period of time."
"Comrade Minister of Logistics," Zakharov interrupted before the other party could finish his words: "You should understand in your heart that this is simply impossible. Nowadays, all fronts are in urgent need of replenishment, and the transportation capacity is already tight.
, and then asked the superiors to allocate more wagons and trucks, but they would not be approved at all.”
When the Minister of Logistics was talking to Konev and Zakharov, Sokov was thinking: "If it doesn't work, why not contact Yakov privately and ask him to send a hovercraft to transport supplies for him. That thing is suitable for complex situations."
The terrain is used, and the load capacity is large. Under normal circumstances, it takes three to four days to deliver the supplies transported by wagons and trucks to your troops, but a hovercraft may be able to deliver them in one day."
But then I thought about it, the hovercraft is indeed very convenient, but the maintenance is too troublesome, and a dedicated maintenance team is needed to maintain it. If it can be used on a large scale, I called Yakov some time ago and asked him to
He can use this kind of transportation when he provides himself with heavy artillery shells, instead of asking Zhukov to go out and ask the Air Force Commander for help, asking the other party to provide him with a transport plane specifically for transporting shells.
Konev saw Sokov's thoughtful look and guessed that he was worried about the transportation of supplies, so he took the initiative and said: "Comrade Sokov, the location of your army group is crucial.
And it’s also the best starting point for attack. Don’t worry, I will find a way to replenish supplies for you as soon as possible.”
"Comrade Commander," hearing what Konev said, the logistics minister couldn't help crying out bitterly: "Our transport capacity has reached its limit, and it is simply impossible to increase it further."
But after hearing this, Konev just smiled faintly, and then asked: "Ground rail and road transportation have indeed reached their limits. I do not deny this at all. But have you ever considered air transportation?"
"Air transportation?" the logistics director said in confusion: "But we don't have an air transportation line?"
"As far as I know, a transport plane takes off from somewhere in Moscow every two days to deliver urgently needed heavy artillery shells to Sokov's troops." Konev said with a smile: "If the Air Force can increase transportation
With the strength, I believe it won’t be long before the troops of the 27th Group Army can accumulate enough combat materials.”
The logistics director said with concern: "Can your superiors agree?"
When Konev was talking to the Minister of Logistics, the commanders present all cast envious glances at Sokov. They never dreamed that there would be a transport plane specifically to transport heavy artillery shells for Sokov, which made their hearts ache.
Extremely envious.
Even if some people are jealous, after thinking about it, this is probably the benefit that the winner should enjoy. If your own unit can achieve the same results as the 27th Army, maybe your superiors can also give you special treatment.
"Comrade Commander," Air Force Commander Goryunov stood up, glanced at Sokov, and said to Konev with a smile: "There are more than a dozen transport aircraft in my Air Force Group Army. If Sokov
The general doesn't mind, I can help him transport the military supplies needed for the battle."
Sokov, who was worrying about supplies, suddenly brightened up when he heard what Goryunov said: Yes, why did I forget that the Steppe Front Army also has an Air Force Group? They must have a large number of transport aircraft. With their help
, the speed of transporting materials will definitely be greatly improved.
Thinking of this, Sokov quickly stood up and said to Goryunov with a smiling face: "General Goryunov, thank you. With your help, I think we will be able to obtain enough supplies in the shortest possible time.
Military supplies.”
"Comrade Commander," with the support of the air force, Sokov's problem seemed to be solved, but Zakharov still approached Konev and asked in a low voice: "What about General Managarov's 53rd Army?"
What should they do? If they don't get enough supplies, it may be difficult to launch an attack on the enemy."
"It doesn't matter," Konev already had a mature idea in his mind: "After Sokov's troops launch the attack, Managarov's troops will be responsible for covering their flanks, so that the amount of ammunition consumed can
Greatly reduced.”
"That's okay." Zaharov agreed with Konev's statement: "After the battle begins, we will provide the 53rd Army with a certain number of weapons and ammunition to ensure that they can maintain normal combat consumption."
After Konev announced that the meeting was over, Sokov walked out of the building, found an open place to stop, and looked at the people coming out.
Seeing this, Luniev curiously asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, are you waiting for someone?"
"That's right." Sokov nodded and said, "I'm waiting for General Goryunov and want to ask him something."
When Lunev heard what Sokov said, he immediately guessed what he wanted to ask about, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, do you want to ask about Rezanov?"
"Yes, I just want to ask about Rezanov." Sokov replied: "It depends on how General Goryunov arranges him. If it doesn't work, I will take advantage of the opportunity to return to him."
Take them back together."
Soon, Goryunov walked out of the building and saw Sokov, Lunev and Samyko standing on the roadside from a distance. He quickly walked forward and asked with a smile: "Sokov?"
General Koff, are you waiting for me?"
"Hello, General Goryunov, I am indeed waiting for you." Sokov said straight to the point: "I would like to ask you how to arrange for Rezanov?"
"Rezanov?" After Goryunov repeated the name, he suddenly remembered who Sokov was asking, and quickly replied: "General Sokov, you are talking about the person who provided us with important intelligence.
A pilot?"
"Yes, that's him." Sokov asked cautiously: "According to your air force's report, the attack on the German airport achieved great results. I want to know, Comrade Rezanov who provided you with intelligence, who is now
how's it going?"
"Don't worry, General Sokov." Goryunov confirmed that Sokov was caring about Rezanov, and said with a smile: "He has made such a contribution, how can we treat him badly. The head of the group army passed by
After research, it was decided to grant him the rank of lieutenant. Due to his physical condition, he will temporarily stay in the headquarters as a staff officer. It will not be too late to return to the sky after he recovers in the future."
After learning that Rezanov was awarded the rank of lieutenant, Sokov's heart finally fell. Granting him the rank and allowing him to stay in the headquarters as a staff officer meant that the Air Force Group recognized Rezanov.
.After briefly greeting Goryunov, he shook hands and said goodbye.
On the way back to the headquarters by plane, Samyko leaned close to Sokov's ear and asked loudly: "Comrade Commander, the Air Force has made arrangements for Rezanov, what about the remaining five people?"
"Let them stay in the field hospital first." Sokov couldn't think of how to place the other five people for a while. After all, he didn't know their situation and couldn't make arrangements for them, so he replied: "When their bodies recover."
After that, it’s not too late to consider arranging work.”
"Okay." Sameko said loudly: "Then I will let them stay in the field hospital to recuperate."
When he returned to the headquarters, Sokov suddenly remembered something important. He quickly pulled Lunev aside and asked in a low voice: "Comrade Military Commissar, there is something I want to ask you."
"what's up?"
"After General Ponedelin and the three of them were sent to Moscow, there was no news at all." Sokov thought of the arrangement of the five escaped prisoners of war and Ponedelin and others who were sent to Moscow for review.
Asked Lunev curiously: "Do you have the latest news about them?"
"I'm not sure about this." Luniev shook his head and said, "Although I am the deputy minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I have no authority to interfere with the review of senior commanders."
Hearing what Runev said, Sokov not only frowned, but he also became worried about Ponedelin and others, fearing that something might happen to them because of their original failure and capture.
Seeing Sokov looking worried, Luniev quickly asked: "Comrade Commander, why did you think of asking them?"
"Comrade Military Commissar, according to the information I have, the troops will be reorganized soon." Sokov clearly remembered that by October 20, the Voronezh Front Army would be reorganized into the 1st Ukrainian Front, while the Steppe Front Army would be
Reorganized into the Second Ukrainian Front: "The reorganized group army will have an additional corps structure. Among the division commanders we have now, it is probably difficult for anyone to be qualified for the position of army commander, so I plan to wait until General Ponederin completes the review.
He can hold the position of commander in our army group."
When Ponedelin and others were taken away, Sokov once said this to Lunev. However, Lunev did not take it seriously at the time, thinking that Sokov was just talking casually. Now Sokov
When the old matter was brought up again, he had to treat it carefully, "Comrade Commander, do you really intend to let Ponejelin serve as the commander of the army?"
"That's right." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "In any case, General Ponedelin has served as the commander of the group army before, and as the commander of the army, for him,
Said, there should be no problem."
"But he spent two years in a German prisoner-of-war camp, and the tactics he was familiar with have long been outdated." Lunev carefully reminded Sokov: "If he still follows the outdated tactics to command,
In battle, I am worried that the troops will suffer unnecessary losses."
Sokov secretly thought that although Apanashenko, known as the Czar of the Far East, had obtained the rank of general before the war broke out, he had been staying in the Far East to train troops for Stalin and had no idea how to deal with him.
The Germans fought against the Germans. Therefore, after making a request to fight against the Germans on the Western Front, Stalin also specially arranged for him to serve as Vatutin's deputy, preparing to wait until he became familiar with how to deal with the Germans before entrusting him with important tasks. As a result, he was unlucky.
, actually died in the later stages of the Battle of Kursk. The current situation of Ponedelin and others is similar to that of Apanashenko. They must first be familiar with how to fight the Germans before they can confidently and boldly send troops
Give them command.
"Comrade Military Commissar, you are right. Although General Ponejelin was the commander of the group army before the war, his tactics have long been outdated. It is indeed not safe to directly give the troops to his command, so
I plan to let him stay in the headquarters for a while first, and then let him take up the position of military commander after he becomes familiar with our common tactics."
"That's okay." Based on Lunev's understanding of Sokov, he knew that once the other party made a decision, no matter how much he tried to persuade him, he would never change his mind, so he said smoothly: "Then I'll call Bei first.
Comrade Leah, I want to ask how the review of Ponejelin and others is going."
After saying that, Lunev walked towards a hut not far away, where he had a radio station for private communication with Moscow. He planned to send a telegram to Beria to learn how far the review work was.
Sokov returned to the table and began to study the next battle plan with Samyko.
Samyko pointed to the map and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I think that if we want to launch an attack on the enemy, the best place to attack is undoubtedly the defense area of General Fomenko's 84th Division. The terrain there is complex.
The enemy cannot deploy too many armored forces, and once the battle begins, we can quickly break through there."
Sokov agreed with Samyko's statement. He thought quite proudly: "Now the 84th Division is equipped with more than 4,000 bicycles. Even if the enemy is defeated, they can rely on the mobility of bicycles."
, catch up and severely damage the fleeing enemies, thereby quickly expanding the area of the landing site."