Zakharov's arrogance made Konev feel very uncomfortable, but in front of many subordinates, he could not get angry at him. He could only try to control his emotions and asked in a calm tone: "
Why? Please explain to me, why is this?"
When Konev asked this question, he did not realize at all that because of his emotional excitement, his speaking voice was extremely loud, covering up other sounds in the headquarters. And Shumilov realized that Konev was distracted by something.
Enraged, in order to avoid being hurt, he could only turn around and pretend to order his chief of staff: "Comrade chief of staff, immediately notify the troops holding on to the landing site and ask them to use the time when the German army was defeated to seize the time to make repairs.
.Remember, you must find a way to lay a minefield in front of the position."
When Shumilov ordered his chief of staff, the two generals from the Air Force did not dare to stay any longer. One went to the radio operator and pretended to give orders to his troops; while the other general did not even shake the handle of the phone.
He just grabbed the microphone and put it to his ear, talking nonsense seriously.
But the actions of these people were not noticed by Konev at all. At this moment, he urgently wanted to know why Zakharov had such courage and made such a big decision without consulting him.
. He was even thinking in his heart that no matter what Zakharov said, he would ask him to modify this wrong order.
Zakharov heard the anger in Konev's tone and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, but in order to remove the thorn in the other's heart, he patiently explained: "Comrade Commander, shortly after you left the headquarters, Marshal Zhukov
coming!"
"Zhukov is here?!" When Konev heard what Zakharov said, he immediately realized that he might have missed the chief of staff, and that the adjustment of the troops might have been directed by Zhukov, so he quickly asked: "What did he say?"
"Marshal Zhukov said that our original plan to cross the river had some shortcomings," Zakharov said: "He specifically pointed out to me that the 69th Army, which was located on the left wing of the 7th Guards Army to cross the river, was in Belgo.
Rhodes suffered a lot of losses in the battle, and his combat effectiveness was greatly weakened. Moreover, he fought bravely in the later defense and suffered a lot of casualties. Now he needs rest and replenishment.
General Gagan's 57th Group Army has sufficient soldiers and well-equipped troops. It would be a waste to let them serve as a reserve force. As for the troops taking over the landing site on the right bank, General Sokov's 27th Group Army is fighting the enemy in front.
The chance of participating in the war was low. For this reason, he decided that the 69th Army of General Kryuchinkin would take over the defense of the 27th Army at the landing site on the right bank."
"Okay." After listening to Zakharov's explanation, Konev's dissatisfaction disappeared, but he still said worriedly: "The conditions for the forced crossing from the mouth of the Oreli River to Verkhovna Dneproprovsk are relatively difficult. Not only
The river is wide and there are no islands nearby. Therefore, General Gagan is reminded to prepare for the worst."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Seeing that his explanation was indeed effective, Zaharov replied loudly and quickly: "I immediately informed General Gargen and asked him to seize the time to prepare equipment so that he can successfully cross the river in the future."
"Also," Konev continued: "According to the plan, General Saroshin's 37th Army should cross the river on the right side of Shumilov's troops. Their river crossing plan will not change, right?"
"That's not true." Zaharov shook his head and said: "They still follow the original plan. Their mission is to forcefully cross the Dnieper River on the right side of the 7th Guards Army, and coordinate with friendly forces to capture and expand
The landing site in the Mishulin Rog area will be turned into a landing site with combat significance."
Hearing that Zakharov remembered the original plan so clearly, Konev nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the troops stationed at the landing site on the right bank have been adjusted. You need to inform Sokov immediately about this and let him know.
He knew it well. Do you understand?"
Zakharov realized that if Sokov was not told earlier that the troops sent to take over their defense had changed, then the plan drawn up by Sokov might have a negative impact on the subsequent offensive operations. Understand this
Zakharov, who was reasonable, quickly replied loudly: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will inform General Sokov immediately so that he can have a clear understanding of the situation near Kremenchug."
Zakharov did not dare to neglect Konev's instructions. As soon as he finished talking to the other party, he ordered the communications staff to help him get through the phone of the 27th Army Headquarters. He planned to personally explain the situation to Sokov
.
The person who answered the phone was Samyko. When he heard Zakharov say that he wanted to find Sokov, he quickly handed the microphone in his hand to Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, your phone number is
General Zakharov called."
Sokov took the microphone and greeted Zakharov with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I wonder if you have any good news for me? Is it that General Gagan's 57th Group Army has moved from their station?
let's go?"
When Zakharov heard Sokov's question, the muscles on his face twitched violently a few times, and then he said with an unnatural expression: "General Sokov, your guess is correct. General Gagan's 57th Army has indeed been
Departed from the station..."
"Great, this is really great." Sokov said excitedly without waiting for Zakharov to finish: "As long as General Gargan's troops take over the defense of our troops at the landing site on the right bank, we will be able to fully
Launch an attack on the enemy."
"General Sokov, you are mistaken." Seeing that Sokov had misunderstood, Zakharov quickly poured cold water on him: "The 57th Army has indeed set off from its base, but their destination is not you.
The landing site on the right bank established was to exchange defense with the 69th Army located in the area from the mouth of the Oreli River to Verkhovna Dniprovsk."
"What, they are going to switch defenses with the 69th Group Army?" Sokov suddenly became anxious when he heard this: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, since the 57th Group Army has taken over the defense of the 69th Group Army, which army are you going to use?
To take over our landing site on the other side of Klemenkoug?"
"Of course it's General Kryuchinkin's 69th Army."
"Why?" Sokov asked angrily: "It was not agreed that General Gagan's 57th Army would take over the defense of our landing site on the right bank, why did it suddenly become the 69th Army?"
If it were another commander, Zaharov would not be interested in explaining. He would just give the order and hang up the phone. Regardless of whether the other party could understand the spirit of his superiors, the order must be carried out unconditionally. But the person talking to him now,
It was Sokov who had repeatedly made military exploits on the battlefield. If he did not explain the situation to the other party, I am afraid that the combat plan to develop to the south of the landing site might be stranded.
It was out of this consideration that Zakharov forced a smile and explained to Sokov: "General Sokov, I think you should know that General Kryuchinkin's 69th Army was liberating Belgorod.
During the battle in Germany, he suffered huge casualties. Later, he participated in defensive operations, and the casualties were also not small.
When we formulated the operational plan to forcefully cross the Dnieper River, we ignored this key issue and instead placed them in the most difficult position to cross the river. If they cross the river with their current strength, if they want to break through the German Dnieper River defense line,
I'm afraid it will be very difficult. Therefore, Marshal Zhukov directly issued an order for us to send General Gagan's 57th Army to the crossing point to replace General Kryuchinkin's 69th Army."
After Zakharov explained the reason for the incident, he paused intentionally for a moment and continued: "General Sokov, I think you also understand in your heart that if you really launch an attack on the enemy, then stick to the landing site
The troops may not have many opportunities to fight. And such a task is undoubtedly very suitable for a unit like the 69th Group Army that has suffered heavy casualties."
Although his superiors temporarily adjusted the troops to take over the defense, which made Sokov feel very uncomfortable, he had to admit that what Zakharov said was very reasonable. As long as his troops sent troops to Alexandria and Kilo
If Fugler launches an attack, the landing field behind him will be very safe, and the enemy will not be able to spare any troops to attack.
Sokov let out a long sigh and said helplessly: "I understand, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army. We will take this factor into consideration when formulating our battle plan."
Samyko, who was next to him, vaguely heard some of the conversation between Sokov and Zakharov. When he saw Sokov put down the microphone, he quickly asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, what new instructions do you have from your superiors?"
Sokov looked at Samyko and Lunev standing in front of him, sighed deeply, and said with a wry smile: "Chief of Staff, Comrade Military Commissar, something unexpected happened. I'm afraid we need to make some adjustments to our combat plan."
.”
Lunev was far away from Sokov and did not hear the content of the call. He asked with concern: "What happened?"
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov explained to Lunev: "General Zakharov, the Chief of Staff of the Front Army, just called me and said that the 57th Group Army, which was originally scheduled to take over the defense of our landing site on the right bank, according to the superiors
Ordered to replace the 69th Army in the area from the mouth of the Oreli River to Upper Dniprovsk. The 69th Army will be replaced by the 69th Army to take over the defense of our landing site on the right bank."
"What, the 69th Group Army will take over our defense work?" Lunev had some understanding of the situation of the 69th Group Army. After hearing the bad news, he frowned and said: "As far as I know, the Kremlin
General Lyuchinkin's troops suffered huge casualties in the battles to liberate Belgorod and Kharkov. If they were to take over the defense, then when we develop to the south of the landing site, there will be huge security problems in the rear.
hidden dangers."
Sokov did not speak. He just looked down at the map on the table and secretly thought about how to ensure the safety of his rear during the attack. Samek and Lunev were afraid of disturbing his thoughts, so they deliberately lowered their voices.
In discussion.
After a few minutes, Sokov raised his head and said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think the Military Commissar is right. It's not that I don't trust General Kryuchinkin's troops, but their losses are too great."
, once they are suddenly attacked by the German army, it is still unknown whether they can block it. Therefore, if we do not deploy troops to assist them in their defense, I will not be sure."
Samyko agreed with Sokov's statement. He nodded and then asked: "Comrade Commander, I wonder which division you plan to leave at the landing site to assist friendly forces in defense?"
"I think it will be Colonel Chuvashov's 98th Guards Division," Sokov said: "Since the capture of Kremenchug, this division has only been responsible for the defense of the city and has not participated in any battles.
I think it is very appropriate to leave them at the landing site to assist the 69th Group Army in its defense."
As Sokov's deputy, Samyko always felt that the decisions made by Sokov were very correct and applicable, so he nodded and said: "I agree with Comrade Commander. Wait until the leading troops of the 69th Group Army arrive.
After Kremenchug, he ordered Colonel Chuvasov to hand over the city's defense to the other side, and set off to the landing site on the right bank as soon as possible to find a suitable location to build a defensive position."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov waited for Sameko to finish, and then continued: "Our original plan was to use the 98th Guards Division as the reserve force of the entire group army. However, the latest development of the situation has disrupted it.
Our plan, I think, is to re-select the troops to serve as the new reserve team."
"I agree!" Samek agreed immediately.
"The most taboo thing about large corps operations is this kind of temporary adjustment of deployment." Lunev on the side muttered: "More than hundreds of thousands of people are crowded on the bank of the Dnieper River and marching. If they are attacked by German artillery fire or air strikes from the other side, it will inevitably cause serious consequences.
Huge casualties.”
"That's right, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov, who was talking to Samyko, heard Lunev's complaints, nodded and said: "You said that the situation is indeed easy to occur, and troops are mobilized so frequently.
, it is easy for commanders and fighters to become exhausted, making them unable to participate in new battles in a short period of time."
"Comrade Commander," Samek asked respectfully, "Which division do you plan to serve as the new reserve force?"
"Chief of Staff," Sokov did not immediately reply to Samyko, but asked instead: "Do you have any good suggestions?"
Samyko had actually been wondering in his mind which unit should be used as the reserve force? Hearing Sokov's question, he hesitated and replied: "Comrade Commander, I am thinking about Fomenko
The general's 84th Division, but because the division suffered huge casualties in the battles to liberate Qijilin and defend Jingji Town in the later period, as the reserve force of the entire group army, the number is too small."
"Since one division is not enough, then add another division." Sokov thought of this westward march. Regardless of the heavy casualties of the 84th Division, Major General Gritsenko's 384th Division was also in the battle to block the Viking Division.
, paid a huge sacrifice, and casually said: "Just add the 384th Division, and these two divisions will serve as the reserve team of the group army."
"That's okay." In Samyko's mind, he planned to use Major Guchakov's 73rd Infantry Brigade as a reserve force. Since Sokov had named the 384th Division, he could only obey the other party's order.
"I will call the two division commanders later and tell them about this."