When it got dark, a staff officer reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, Major General Selivanov, commander of the 5th Guards Cavalry Corps, wants to see you."
When he learned that the commander of the cavalry corps had arrived, Sokov quickly asked: "Where is he?"
"Just outside the door."
"Hurry up and invite him in!" After Sokov said this, he changed his mind: "I will go out to greet him personally."
Sokov came to the door of the headquarters and saw several unfamiliar soldiers standing outside. One of them had the rank of major general on his epaulette, which should be the commander of the cavalry corps, Major General Selivanov.
"Hello, comrades, commanders." After Sokov said hello to everyone, he looked at the forty-year-old major general and asked: "Are you, Commander of the 5th Guards Cavalry Corps, Sheriva?"
General Nove?"
"Yes, I am Selivanov." After the major general gave Sokov a positive answer, he asked: "Are you General Sokov?"
"Yes, General Selivanov, I am Sokov." Sokov extended his hand to the other party and said enthusiastically: "On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 53rd Army, I welcome the arrival of the cavalry army!"
Sokov took Selivanov back to the headquarters, introduced Smirnov and Gorokhov to him, and then asked: "Comrade General, can you introduce the situation of your army?"
Selivanov nodded and began to introduce the situation of his troops: "My cavalry corps has the 11th, 13th, 63rd and 66th divisions. Each division is equipped with an artillery and mortar regiment, composed of
8 76mm guns and 18 120mm pursuit guns.”
"Your firepower configuration is good." Smirnov said with some surprise: "With such equipment, not only can we defend, but we can even get the most adequate artillery support when attacking."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Selivanov replied with a wry smile to Smirnov's statement: "Although the equipment of artillery has enhanced the firepower of our army, it also brings an unfavorable factor. That
It’s just that the mobility of the troops has decreased.”
"General Selivanov, your mission this time is just to chase down the fleeing enemies. I'm afraid you won't have much chance to use artillery." Sokov said with a smile: "Not only will you not use artillery, I'm afraid you won't have much time to use guns.
, you can definitely use the saber in your hand to send the enemy to hell."
A smile appeared on Selivanov's face: "If we only deal with fleeing enemies, our cavalry can kill them with sabers until they are completely defeated."
"Comrade General," Sokov continued to ask after pouring a cup of hot tea for him personally: "I wonder where your troops are now?"
"The 11th, 13th and 63rd Cavalry Divisions are all near the front headquarters now. I'm afraid they won't arrive until noon tomorrow at the earliest." Selivanov introduced to Sokov: "Those who are traveling with me are
Only the 66th Cavalry Division."
Sokov knew that since the outbreak of the war, the cavalry division was the first to be reorganized. The original tens of thousands of people were reorganized into a structure of 3,000. Although it is said to be a division, in fact, the number of troops is not much more than that of a regiment: "I don't know.
How many troops does the 66th Division have now?"
Hearing Sokov's question, Selivanov was silent for a moment, and then replied: "The 66th Division suffered a lot of casualties in the early battles, and now there are more than 1,400 people left in the division.
, the division commander also unfortunately died in the battle."
"Comrade General," Smirnov frowned and asked, "Since there is no division commander, how do you command this unit?"
Selivanov answered simply: "I will personally command this unit until my superiors send me a new division commander."
After learning that the 66th Division actually had no division commander, Sokov began to consider whether he could arrange for a few of the trainees he brought to join the unit.
Seeing Sokov thinking deeply, Smirnov asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, what are you thinking about?"
"Comrade General," Sokov did not answer Smirnov's question, but looked at Selivanov and asked: "If I can give you a division commander, will you accept it?"
If in normal times, someone wanted to recommend a division commander to Selivanov, he would definitely be disgusted. But since the person asking the question was Sokov, he acted unusually calmly: "General Sokov
, I want to see the candidate you recommend with my own eyes before I can decide whether he can be appointed as the commander of the 66th Cavalry Division."
"This is what it should be." After Sokov said this, when he saw Koshkin standing at the door, he waved to him and motioned for him to come to him.
Soon, Koshkin came to Sokov. He straightened his body and asked: "Comrade Commander, what are your instructions?"
Sokov leaned close to his ear and whispered: "Go to Lieutenant Colonel Muzichenko immediately and ask him to come to me immediately. Tell him that this matter is extremely urgent and cannot be delayed for a minute."
After Koshkin left, Sokov smiled again and said to Selivanov: "Comrade General, I have sent someone to invite you. I believe it won't take long for you to see the commander I recommended.
.”
A few minutes later, Koshkin brought Muzichenko to the headquarters.
Just as Muzichenko was about to salute Sokov and report, Selivanov, who was sitting next to him, suddenly exclaimed: "General Muzichenko, are you yourself or your ghost?"
When Muzichenko heard someone mention his name, he turned his head and looked in the direction of the sound. He found that the person greeting him was a major general. He seemed kind-hearted. In a hurry, he couldn't think of anything at all.
I've seen each other sometimes.
Seeing Muzichenko's confused look, Selivanov quickly stepped forward and said: "Comrade Commander, you don't recognize me anymore? I am Selivanov. When the war breaks out, I will be you."
Commander of the 99th Cavalry Regiment under the Sixth Army."
Hearing the other party mention the number he was familiar with, Muzichenko couldn't help but burst into tears. He finally remembered who Selivanov was, so he stepped forward and grabbed the other party's hand, and said emotionally: "It turns out it's you.
Ah, Lieutenant Colonel Selivanov. I remember that during the Battle of Uman, you personally led the cavalry regiment to attack the German army, which greatly delayed the enemy's time to break through our positions. But it seems that you were injured in that battle.
of."
"Comrade Commander, I didn't expect that you would still remember this after such a long time." Selivanov said with red eyes: "I was a bit seriously injured at the time. It was you who arranged the manpower to send me to Kiev.
military hospital. I was treated there for a period of time and then was sent to Moscow."
Muzichenko knew very well that if Selivanov had not been injured in the battle and was sent to a military hospital in Moscow, I am afraid that what awaits him next would be either sacrifice or being captured like himself. There would be no second chance.
Two possibilities. He couldn't help but said with emotion: "Lieutenant Colonel Selivanov, our troops were completely wiped out in the Uman area. If you hadn't been injured and evacuated at that time, I'm afraid our fate would have been similar."
Selivanov was full of curiosity about the sudden appearance of his old superior. He was eager to know the answer he wanted to know: "Comrade Commander, why did you suddenly appear here? Also, aren't you a lieutenant general? Why?
What’s hanging is the shoulder insignia of a lieutenant colonel.”
After hearing a series of questions raised by Selivanov, the muscles on Muzichenko's face twitched violently twice, and then he said with a serious expression: "I was captured by the Germans during the Battle of Uman, and I was in a German prisoner-of-war camp.
He stayed there for two full years, and it was not until General Sokov sent troops to capture Kremenchug that he was rescued from the prisoner of war camp."
"As for military ranks," Muzichenko explained: "General Ponedelin and I, as well as Kirillov, were severely scrutinized after we were rescued. Fortunately, General Sokov has been putting in good words for us.
, our review and screening ended in a hurry. However, it is obviously impossible to hold the original position and maintain the original military rank."
After Muzichenko's explanation, Selivanov understood that after returning from danger, the former commander of the group army had to undergo various reviews and screenings. He could return to the army alive and be awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel.
, is already a very difficult thing.
"General Selivanov," Sokov felt that although the 66th Cavalry Division had fewer troops, it could still be useful on the ice and snow battlefield, so he looked at Selivanov and asked: "Your troops
When can we go into battle?"
"Comrade General," Selivanov said respectfully, "If artillery is not used, the cavalry division can go into battle at any time."
Sokov was very satisfied with Selivanov's answer. He nodded and continued: "Judging from the current situation we have, the Germans will soon make a final push. The task of your army is
If we launch an attack on the German troops on the south side of Hill 239, even if they cannot be completely wiped out, they will still suffer heavy casualties."
After listening to Sokov's very general order, Selivanov asked cautiously: "Comrade General, when should we attack?"
"Before dawn tomorrow," Sokov said, "General Selivanov, I think you also know that if you attack the enemy in broad daylight, the enemy's resistance will cause you huge casualties. And if you attack at night,
If the enemy cannot clearly see your specific location, the damage caused to you will be greatly reduced."
"I understand, Comrade General." Selivanov waited for Sokov to finish and then asked respectfully: "Are you allowed to return to the army to assign combat tasks?"
"Of course you allow it, General Selivanov." After Sokov readily agreed to the other party's request, he emphasized: "But as the commander of an army, you'd better not lead the troops to charge into the battle yourself. Understand
?"
Selivanov knew that Sokov was concerned about his own safety, so he nodded quickly and said: "Don't worry, comrade general, in addition to the 66th Cavalry Division, there are three divisions waiting for my command. I will never
He will be like a company commander, riding a tall horse and waving a sharp saber to charge into battle."
…………
In the early morning, Muzichenko led all the commanders and fighters of the 66th Cavalry Division, using the cover of night, to quietly approach the German defensive positions.
Since this was the coldest time of the day, white air came out of everyone's mouth and nose when they breathed. The same was true for the war horses.
When the troops were still 1,500 meters away from the German defense zone, Muzichenko ordered the troops to stop advancing and wait patiently for the intelligence brought back by the scouts.
As the order was given, the troops stopped advancing, and one horse after another began to line up on the flat ground.
Except for the chaotic sound of hoofbeats and sneezing, more than 1,400 horses and the cavalry on their backs remained quiet and lined up silently.
Muzichenko was riding on a war horse, looking at the German positions shrouded in night fog in the distance, thinking about where to launch an assault.
He followed Selivanov to the 66th Cavalry Division, took over the position of division commander, and arranged for the accompanying cadets to serve as deputy or chief of staff in each regiment, thereby increasing his ability to control the troops.
Knowing that Muzichenko was going to lead the charge himself, Selivanov was frightened. He quickly persuaded Muzichenko, hoping to change his mind.
Unfortunately, Muzichenko, who was eager to achieve great results, insisted on leading the cavalry into the battle.
Selivanov had no choice. Since his old superior insisted on charging with the cavalry, in order to take care of his emotions, he readily agreed and gave his best horse to Muzychenko to ride.
.
As soon as the troops formed their formation, a group of horses came running from the direction of the German defense zone. They were scouts sent in advance. Their horses were all wearing horse bits and their hoofs were tied with cotton cloth to ensure that they would not move during the run.
, it won't make any sound.
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," the cavalryman stopped in front of Muzichenko and reported to him: "Now most of the Germans are fast asleep and have not noticed our army at all."
After hearing this, Mujichenko nodded slightly, then waved his hand forward and said loudly: "Let's go!"
As the order was given, the cavalry queue began to move forward slowly.
Thousands of war horses moving at the same time look like a wall moving forward.
After moving for a while, the war horses began to accelerate, changing from a brisk walk to a small trot, and the queue also began to spread out. There were five meters between each horse, and 1,400 warriors lined up in three rows.
There are fifty meters between each row.
When the cavalry was only 800 meters away from the German defense area, it started to sprint from a trot, making a thunderous sound.
The cavalryman on horseback put his gun on his back, pulled out his sharp saber, raised it high above his head, and pointed the tip of the saber diagonally forward.
The movement coming from the open ground naturally alerted the German sentry. He squinted his eyes and looked in the direction of the sound. When he saw a group of dark cavalry rushing towards his position, he shouted loudly at the top of his lungs.
He shouted: "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!!" Also fearing that others would not hear his shout, he quickly raised the gun in his hand and pulled the trigger to warn the sleeping officers and soldiers.
The sound of horse hooves and gunshots alerted the Germans who were sleeping in the shelter. They knew that the Soviet cavalry was coming to attack. Many of them didn't even have time to put on their clothes, so they rushed out of the shelter with weapons and put their guns on the ground.
On the edge of the trench, aiming at the Soviet cavalry that was getting closer and closer.
When the cavalry was still three to four hundred meters away from the German position, several MG42 general-purpose machine guns on the position began to fire. The muzzle flash produced by the machine gun shooting was like dark red whips in the night, lashing out fiercely.
Approaching the Chinese Cavalry.
The few horses at the front were unfortunately shot and fell down with a neighing sound, throwing the cavalry on their backs far away. Before these cavalry could get up, the horses that followed them trampled them all under the iron hooves.