Whether it was Konev or Vatutin, when they received a call from Antonov and learned that Stalin asked them not to let go of any German soldiers in the encirclement, they knew in their hearts that the time for a general offensive had come.
Since Antonov explained that this was an order from the supreme commander himself, Konev and Vatutin immediately issued an offensive order to their troops. As for whether their subordinates were ready for battle, it was not within their scope to consider
Inside, they only knew that they must eliminate the enemies in the encirclement.
The troops that were not ready for combat immediately began to mobilize their troops and generals after receiving the order to attack, and concentrated the main forces in the area where the battle was about to take place. The troops that were already prepared directly launched an attack on the German positions.
.
If other German troops were suddenly attacked from so many directions under the unfavorable circumstances of the breakout operation, they would have been defeated long ago. However, after the powerful offensive of the two Soviet troops was launched, the progress made was not
Very limited. The reason for this kind of opening has a lot to do with Wilhelm Stemermann's command ability. In addition to using the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division to open the way in front, he may be attacked by the Soviet army.
In the area, elite troops were also deployed for defense, responsible for the Soviet offensive, and strived to block the Soviet attack. At the worst, they would also delay the time for the Soviet army to shrink the encirclement.
In the direction of Hill 239, William Stemmerman still organized the most powerful troops and launched an uninterrupted attack. He knew very well that if he could not break through Hill 239, his troops would be completely destroyed.
The Soviet troops attacking from other directions in the encirclement circle exposed many shortcomings. Because the attack started in a hurry, the artillery preparation time of each unit was too short, usually only half an hour. The German troops deployed in a targeted manner.
With artillery, after the battle begins, it can not only bombard the Soviet offensive formation with artillery fire and block its reserves, but can even counter-suppress the Soviet artillery positions.
Secondly, many Soviet commanders were tactically inflexible. When their attack on the German positions was repelled, they did not sum up their experience and lessons well, but arbitrarily believed that their soldiers were not brave enough and regrouped.
Afterwards, the troops launched an attack on the enemy in the same area, using the same tactics. The final result is self-evident. The enemy defeated them in the same way, and the sacrificed soldiers died miserably.
no value.
The battle lasted from day to night. The encirclement of Cherkasy was reduced by one-third than before. The area of activity of the surrounded German troops became even narrower. However, no troops laid down their weapons and were still stubbornly resisting the Soviet army.
attack.
In order to open a life channel for the besieged troops, William Stemmerman personally came to supervise the battle near Hill 239, hoping to see his troops take this high ground with his own eyes. A fierce tug-of-war unfolded on the high ground, with the Viking Division and
The officers and soldiers of the 72nd Infantry Division rushed to the high ground again and again, but before they could gain a foothold, the Soviet troops who launched another counterattack drove them back down.
Seeing that it was getting dark, even the prestigious Viking Division could not completely seize Hill 239 from the Soviet army. Looking at the German corpses covering the hillside, William Stemmermann let out a long sigh, and then
An order was issued with difficulty: "Stop the attack on Highland 239, temporarily retreat and rest, and wait until dawn tomorrow before launching an attack on the high ground."
After receiving this order from Wilhelm Stemmermann, Otto Giller, the commander of the Viking Division, called and asked: "Your Majesty General, why do you want to stop the attack?"
"General Giller," William Stemmermann said calmly, "I can see that both the officers and soldiers of the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division have tried their best. Unfortunately, the Russians on the highlands are too tenacious.
Even if we continue to fight, we still won't be able to seize the high ground from their hands, so we might as well retreat and rest for a night before continuing the fight tomorrow."
Listening to what William Stemmerman said, General Giller also insisted that his troops fight for a day. The officers and soldiers should be exhausted. Let them rest for a night before continuing to fight. They may be able to achieve unexpected results.
At eight o'clock in the evening, William Stemmermann was commanding the troops in a tent. Suddenly, a communications staff officer came over and reported to him: "Your Excellency, Army Commander, we have just received a call from the Russians."
"The call of the Russians?" William Stemmermann asked with some surprise: "What did they say?"
"They hope to negotiate with us." The communications staff replied: "If we agree, they will send negotiators to us as soon as possible."
After the communications staff report was completed, before William Stemmermann could speak, the Army Chief of Staff came over and said: "Your Excellency, General, the Russians are sending people here to negotiate at this moment, and they must be trying to persuade them to surrender. I don't think there is a need to meet with them.
It’s better to reject their request.”
However, William Stemmermann's perspective on the problem was different from that of the Army Chief of Staff. He knew very well that the situation at this moment was very unfavorable to him, and if he continued to fight, there would be a danger of the entire army being annihilated. In order to allow more officers and soldiers to survive
After coming down, he decided to meet with the Soviet negotiators to see what the other side wanted to express.
"Captain," he said to his staff: "Please tell the Russians that we agree to negotiate and ask them to arrange for the negotiators to arrive at our designated location as soon as possible. We will ensure the personal safety of the negotiators."
After recording William Stemmermann's order, the staff officer asked cautiously: "Your Excellency, General, where can we let them meet with our people?"
"Here." William Stemmerman pointed out a location on the map with his right hand and said with a wry smile: "It's one thousand meters away from Highland 239. I think there are seven out of ten people sent by the Russians to negotiate.
Eighth is the commander of the 53rd Army. I would like to see who the commander of the 53rd Army is who can withstand the Viking Division's crazy attack."
"Okay, General." The staff officer said respectfully, "I will convey your intention to the Russians immediately and make an appointment with them."
Sokov never dreamed that Konev would call him. He did not ask about the situation of the day, but gave him a difficult task: as a representative of the front army, to negotiate with William Stemmermann.
, persuade the other party to lay down their weapons and surrender to the Soviet army.
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov said in embarrassment when he learned that Konev had given him a task that was simply impossible to accomplish: "I think even if I go to see Wilhelm Stemermann, I will not be able to do it."
It's impossible for him to surrender. I think it's better not to do such a meaningless thing."
"Comrade Sokov, how can you call this a boring thing?" The troops participating in the daytime attack suffered huge casualties, which made Konev feel particularly heartbroken. Although he knew that William Stemerman's surrender might not be possible.
However, in order to reduce the casualties of the troops, he still decided to try his luck, so he said somewhat insincerely: "As long as there is some hope, we can't give up trying, don't you think so?"
Hearing Konev asking himself this, Sokov could only say against his will, no matter how reluctant he was: "Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you are right. What if General Wilhelm Stemermann figured it out?
If you are willing to order the troops to lay down their weapons and surrender to our army, you can avoid a lot of bloodshed and sacrifices. I think you can give it a try."
"Since you have no objection, then get ready and go to see William Stemmermann." Konev raised his hand and looked at his watch and said: "It's a quarter past eight. You have to hurry up before nine o'clock."
Go to the place one thousand meters in front of Hill 239, where Germans will pick you up and they will ensure your personal safety."
As soon as he put down the phone, Sokov began to explain to Smirnov what was going on in the army: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I am going to meet with William Stemerman as a representative of the front army. In case anything happens to me
, if you can’t come back, the 53rd Army will be left to you.”
"What, you are going to meet with Wilhelm Stemmermann." Smirnov dissuaded him in surprise: "Comrade Commander, you can't go, it's too dangerous. I'm worried that after the Germans know your true identity,
It will be detrimental to you."
"It's okay, it's okay." Sokov waved his hands and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, even though William Stemmermann is our enemy, I still believe in his character. Even if he knows my identity
, and will not surrender, but will never do anything detrimental to me."
Although Sokov said this, Smirnov still said uneasily: "For safety reasons, I will send you a guard company. At the same time, I will also order the garrison on Highland 239 to be prepared.
No matter what the problem is, they will rush over to reinforce you as soon as possible."
"No need, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov said confidently: "I'm going to negotiate, not fight, so I don't need so many people. I think I'll just ask Lieutenant Koshkin to follow me and bring a platoon of guards.
enough."
Hearing that Sokov only led one guard platoon, Smirnov was naturally worried: "But..."
"Nothing to worry about." Sokov interrupted what he was saying: "It's getting late. I have to rush over to join the Germans as soon as possible. I'll leave the affairs of the army to you."
When Sokov and Koshkin were traveling to the rendezvous point in the same car, Koshkin asked worriedly: "Comrade Commander, we are going to meet the Germans with just this few people, will anything happen?"
"Don't worry, Lieutenant Koshkin." Sokov said with a smile: "It will be fine. Even though the Germans are our enemies, as long as they make a promise, they will usually honor it."
"Even if the Germans won't do you any harm, we should still be prepared." When Koshkin said this, he glanced in the direction of Hill 239, and then said: "At least we should let
The troops stationed at Highland 239 have sent manpower to serve as a guard. Once they discover that you may be in danger, they can rush over for reinforcements in time."
Sokov laughed: "Lieutenant Koshkin, do you think that the chief of staff will not take any preparatory measures when he sees me taking risks? I think he is on the phone at this moment, arranging troops to be on guard near our negotiation location. Once
If we see anything amiss, these troops will appear near us in time."
"So that's it." Although Highland 239 cannot be seen from here, Koshkin glanced in that direction again, as if this would make him feel at ease: "Then I'll feel relieved."
When he was still more than a hundred meters away from the designated location, Koshkin slowed down and looked across the way, but because the light was too dark, he could only vaguely see a car and a few figures.
Seeing this, Sokov quickly ordered: "Lieutenant Koshkin, stop the car first, give them a signal, and see how the other party reacts."
Koshkin agreed, stopped the car, flashed the headlights a few times, and greeted the black figure on the opposite side. Soon, the other party responded, and the two car lights turned on, allowing Sokov to see clearly.
It was a barrel truck, and there were three people standing next to it.
Just when Sokov was hesitating whether to send Koshkin forward to find out whether the other party was coming to pick him up, he saw a figure running over quickly. When he came to the car, he bent down and looked into the car.
When he came in and saw Sokov clearly wearing a general's uniform, he couldn't help being secretly surprised, and then asked in proficient Russian: "Are you here to negotiate with us?"
Hearing that the other party spoke Russian so authentically, Sokov couldn't help but be stunned, wondering why he spoke Russian so well. Could it be that he was a Russian? After a moment, he calmed down and replied: "That's right.
, I am here to negotiate with General Wilhelm Stemermann.”
"I am the translator in the military headquarters." The officer outside the car said to Sokov: "Mr. General, please leave your guard behind and just follow us in this car. We will ensure that your
Safety."
Sokov nodded, and then said to Koshkin: "Lieutenant Koshkin, please call the translator. As for the soldiers of the guard platoon, let them stay here."
A few minutes later, Sokov and his translator got into a jeep driven by Koshkin, followed by a German barrel truck, and headed towards Wilhelm Stemermann's headquarters.
When the car arrived at its destination, Sokov did not see William Stemmermann leading people outside to greet him. He felt a little disappointed and felt that the other party looked down on him too much.
When getting out of the car, Sokov asked Koshkin to stay in the car. He followed the German officer with only his translator and walked into William Stemmermann's tent.
Although the tent was just a temporary headquarters, there was a long table and several matching back chairs. It was unknown where the Germans found them. William Stemmerman was looking down at the map in front of him, not knowing at all.
Didn't notice the arrival of Sokov and others.
After the officer reported to him, he raised his head casually, wanting to see what kind of person the negotiator was. When he saw Sokov's face clearly, his expression changed drastically, and he stood up from his seat in a hurry.
Walking around the long table, he came to Sokov and began to chatter.
"Comrade Commander," the translator whispered from the side: "He is saying that because he didn't know you were coming, he didn't go out to greet you. If there is any rudeness, please forgive me." After a moment of pause, he added, "
I thought he might know you."
"It's okay, it's okay." Sokov naturally wouldn't get angry over such trivial matters. He said to the translator: "Comrade translator, ask him if we can sit down and talk."