"Hide in place and standby?!" Hearing Sokov's order, Fomenko was a little stunned. He was worried that Sokov had made a slip of the tongue, so he quickly reminded the other party: "Comrade Commander, you want to say, let Rusov
Are you going to join the regiment to reinforce the friendly forces?"
"No, General Fomenko." From Fomenko's words, Sokov heard that the other party had misunderstood him, so he explained to him: "What I said is to let the Rusov regiment hide in place and wait for my next move.
One step of order, don’t participate in any battles for the time being.”
"But why is this?" Fomenko could not understand Sokov's intention. He said puzzledly: "You know, the towns of Ratseve and Jinki were captured by the commanders and fighters of the Rusov Regiment. You let
They watched helplessly as the enemy took back these two towns again, and I was worried that it would affect the morale of the troops."
"Yes, the towns of Ratseve and Kinki were indeed captured by the commanders and fighters of the Rusov regiment." Sokov did not deny what Fomenko said, but he continued: "But the defense was handed over last night.
Given to the 15th Guards Division, even if we have to resist the German attack, it is a matter for friendly forces. If we rush into the battle, I am afraid it will cause some unnecessary disputes."
Fomenko thought about Sokov's words carefully and felt that they made sense. If the defense had not been handed over to the friendly forces, there would be no way to participate in the battle in the face of the German attack. Now that the towns of Ratseve and Kinki have
It is already the defense area of the 15th Guards Division, so it seems a bit unnecessary for the Russov Regiment to participate in the battle again.
He paused for a moment and then asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, since the Rusov regiment does not need to participate in the battle, why not withdraw them but let them continue to stay outside the town of Ratsewe?"
"The Germans continued to launch an attack impatiently, proving that they wanted to retake the lost riverside stronghold in the shortest possible time." Sokov shook his head and said: "And whether the 15th Guards Division stationed here has the ability
Blocking the enemy's attack is still unknown. I asked the Russov Regiment to stay on standby in order to prevent the German army from advancing towards the area where we are now after occupying the town of Ratsewe."
"Comrade Commander," after understanding Sokov's intentions, Fomenko couldn't help but worry about the safety of his men: "If the German army really captures the towns of Ratseve and Kinki from the 15th Guards Division,
, then even if Colonel Russov’s troops stay nearby, it may be difficult to block the enemy’s attack.”
"If you rush into battle and there are no fortifications to rely on, there is a high probability that you will not be able to stop the enemy." Sokov explained to Fomenko: "So when you send a message to Colonel Rusov, remind him to hide in hiding as soon as possible.
Disintegrate the fortifications in the area, so that even if the enemy defeats the friendly forces and rushes towards them, they can rely on the fortifications to resist for a while."
"If the enemy is really strong enough to easily break through the defenses of the 15th Guards Division, I'm worried that even if the Rusov Regiment has the support of fortifications, it may be very difficult to block the enemy." Fomenko asked tentatively.
Cove: "Comrade Commander, do you think we should send troops to reinforce them?"
"Don't worry yet, General Fomenko."
Sokov knew very well that once it started, it would be basically impossible for Rusov's regiment to stop the German army with high morale. But if reinforcements were sent in that direction too early, there seemed to be little chance.
Necessary, after all, the southwest of the city is still under threat from the Germans, and the 188th and 384th divisions placed there do not dare to be used easily.
"I only have three divisions in hand now, two of which are placed in the southwest of the city to prevent the enemy from attacking from that direction. And in the city, there are only two of your infantry regiments that are not full, so where are the troops?
Used to strengthen the Russov Regiment?”
Now that Sokov had heard about the deployment of two divisions to the southwest of the city, Fomenko quickly said: "Comrade Commander, I think it would be a bit wasteful to deploy two divisions to the southwest of the city."
"Why?" Sokov asked rhetorically.
"The reason is very simple." Fomenko replied: "If Chigilin was captured by other friendly forces, then the German army would definitely not be willing to lose the city and would definitely send troops to carry out continuous attacks. But now it is your troops who have liberated the city.
I think the Germans will never dare to act rashly after knowing this."
Fomenko's words woke him up from his dream, and Sokov suddenly realized that he seemed to have overestimated Manstein and his generals. They had suffered so many defeats at their hands, and they had no confidence in him.
The conversation has long turned sour, and they are trying their best not to fight with themselves. Now that their own troops are occupying Qijilin, the Germans may shift the focus of their attack to other directions in order to avoid greater losses.
"General Fomenko, you are right. This matter was caused by me jumping into a corner and not considering the problem comprehensively." Sokov said to Fomenko: "You should reply the telegram to Colonel Rusov first, don't let him wait.
Already."
While Fomenko was on the phone, Sokov called the division chief of staff and asked: "Comrade chief of staff, is the phone line to the 188th Division connected?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." The division chief of staff replied respectfully: "In order to facilitate your command of the troops, I have ordered the communications corps to connect the telephone lines of the 188th and 384th divisions overnight. You can contact the other two at any time.
The teacher is on the phone."
Sokov secretly yelled OK in his heart, and then told the division chief of staff: "Please let the communications troops answer the 188th Division's headquarters. I want to speak to Colonel Koida."
Two minutes later, the call from the 188th Division headquarters was connected: "Hello, Colonel Koida, this is Sokov."
"Hello, Comrade Commander." Koida on the other end of the phone asked respectfully, "What instructions do you have?"
"How is the situation? Have you found any traces of the Germans in front of your defense area?"
Koida replied unhurriedly: "Comrade Commander, except for some destroyed tanks and combat vehicles, as well as a large number of German corpses, there are no other enemies."
"Very good, very good." After learning that no trace of the German army was found in front of Koida's defense area, Sokov recognized Fomenko's statement even more. Now his name is enough to form a deterrent to the German army, so that
They had to focus their attack on the direction defended by the 15th Guards Division.
After a moment of pause, Sokov asked tentatively: "If the war in other directions is tense, how many troops can you use?"
Although Koida didn't know the reason why Sokov asked this, he still answered truthfully: "Comrade Commander, since the southwest of the city is jointly defended by our division and the 384th Division, I only need to put one regiment at the front
, is enough to resist possible attacks by the enemy."
Sokov was very satisfied with Koida's answer. He nodded and said, "In addition to leaving one regiment, the other two regiments should withdraw to the city as soon as possible to rest."
"Is there any combat mission?"
"There will be." Sokov did not tell the other party the truth, so as not to make it known to everyone in a short period of time, which would be very detrimental to the confidentiality work: "I will put the troops of your division into battle at the appropriate time."
Since the 188th Division, except for one regiment stationed at the front, the rest of the troops were behind the 384th Division's defense area. After receiving Sokov's order to retreat, these troops were immediately assembled urgently and then followed the designated route toward the city.
retreat.
The retreat of the 188th Division attracted the attention of the commanders and fighters of the 384th Division. When a battalion commander discovered that the friendly forces were retreating in large numbers, he realized that the problem was serious and reported directly to Gritsenko.
Gritsenko learned that the main force of the 188th Division began to retreat without even saying hello. He felt abandoned in his heart. He quickly ordered the communications troops to answer Sokov's phone and prepared to call him.
Koida's little report.
Sokov heard that it was Gritsenko who called him, and asked with some surprise: "General Gritsenko, you called me, what's the matter?"
"Comrade Commander, I would like to ask." Gritsenko asked angrily: "Why did the main force of the 188th Division begin to evacuate their positions and hide in the city without even saying hello?"
After figuring out what was going on, Sokov said with a smile: "General Gritsenko, you are right. The main force of the 188th Division has indeed withdrawn into the city. But the situation is different from what you imagined. I
They withdrew to the city because there might be fighting in other directions, and I planned to send them to fight."
When he learned that the main force of the 188th Division had withdrawn into the city because Sokov was preparing to use them for operations in other directions, Gritsenko couldn't help but blush and defended himself with some embarrassment: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, it's
I was wrong. I thought they thought the southwest direction of the city was too dangerous, so they sneaked back into the city."
After defending himself, Gritsenko carefully asked in order to change his image in Sokov's mind: "Comrade Commander, I wonder in what direction do you plan to use them?"
Although the mobilization of Koida's troops to Racwe is still a matter that needs to be kept secret, for a division commander like Gritsenko, there is no need to hide it, because once the fighting in the north becomes tense, I am afraid that
Cove also needs to consider mobilizing the division for reinforcements.
"The enemy unexpectedly launched a powerful offensive at the landing site established by the 7th Guards Army." Sokov said: "I am worried that once the enemy breaks through the friendly defense lines, they will rush to us, so I plan to strengthen the landing site."
direction of defense."
After hearing Sokov's explanation, Gritsenko suddenly understood what was going on and said quickly: "Comrade Commander, do you plan to send our division to this area to perform combat missions?"
"There is no rush, General Gritsenko." Sokov shook his head and said: "Now a regiment of the 84th Division is stationed outside the town of Ratseve. Even if the worst happens and the enemy breaks through the friendly forces,
The defense line rushes along the road towards our defense area. This regiment can also play a role in blocking and delaying the German advance.
The main force of Colonel Koida's 188th Division can use the time the regiment buys for them to rush to the vicinity of Ratsewe town as soon as possible, consolidate the defense there, and resolutely crush the German offensive.
The task of your division is to hold on to the existing defensive zone. Although the enemy's attack has collapsed under the joint attack of you and the 188th Division, no one knows whether they will come back, so there must be a reliable force.
, stay here to monitor the enemy’s movements.”
Initially, Gritsenko felt depressed when he heard Sokov said that he did not intend to use their division, but after hearing what he said later, he became happy again. Sokov's words meant that he trusted himself and his
force.
After making a phone call, Sokov realized that it was very inconvenient for him to be in a division-level headquarters and command several divisions at the same time. He was considering whether he should contact Samyko and let the communications troops
The director sent someone over to improve the communication system so that he could better command the troops.
"Comrade Commander," a radio operator sitting far away turned to Sokov and said: "I have your wireless phone. It is a call from General Shumilov, commander of the 7th Guards Army."
Hearing that the call was from Shumilov, Sokov immediately realized that it must be related to the landing site on the right bank. He quickly walked over and took the earphone and microphone: "Hello, General Shumilov, this is Sokov.
Cove."
"Hello, General Sokov." Shumilov said bluntly: "I think you must already know about the battle that took place in Jinki Town, right?"
"Yes, I know, General Shumilov." Sokov asked back: "How is the battle going there?"
"Jingji Town has been lost."
"What, the town of Jinji has been lost?" Sokov instinctively raised his hand and glanced at the time, and found that just one hour and twenty minutes had passed since the German shelling began, and the town of Jinji held by a Guards regiment
He lost control: "So soon?"
Shumilov on the other end of the phone said sadly: "The soldiers of the Guards resisted tenaciously in the face of the powerful German offensive. However, because the enemy was too strong, they were forced to attack after the battle.
Then retreated."
"General Shumilov, I suggest that you immediately cross the river with all the troops gathered on the right bank of the river as quickly as possible, otherwise it will be too late."
"It was too late." Shumilov said helplessly: "After the enemy captured the town of Jinki, they quickly set up artillery positions and bombarded the pontoon bridge on the Dnieper River. Although our river-crossing troops headed towards the Dnieper River regardless of casualties.
We rushed to the opposite shore, but only one company passed before the pontoon bridge was blown into seven or eight sections by German artillery fire."
Hearing that the pontoon bridge was blown into seven or eight sections by German artillery fire, Sokov couldn't help but feel sad for the friendly troops. Without the pontoon bridge, the troops who had not yet crossed the river could only stand on the left bank and look at their comrades at the landing site on the right bank.
Sacrifice and be powerless.
He sighed softly and said: "As a result, the 15th Guards Division on the right bank has become a lone army. I don't know how long they can last under the powerful German offensive?" He paused for a few seconds.
Then he continued, "General Shumilov, why don't you call General Vasilenko and tell him that once Ratsewe cannot hold it anymore, he can retreat to my defense zone. I can assure him that
It will definitely prevent them from being annihilated or being driven into the Dnieper River."
"General Sokov, I'm calling you just to ask you to help General Vasilenko. I wonder if you are willing?"
"Help them?!" Sokov did not rashly agree to Shumilov's request, but asked cautiously: "General Shumilov, I wonder how you want me to help them?"