Heavy snow fell, which limited the vision of the German sentries on the position, and they did not notice the Soviet troops approaching them at all.
But even if thousands of people move lightly, they will inevitably make some noise. After the German sentry heard it, he crawled out of the trench and walked slowly towards the direction of the sound, trying to figure out what sound he heard.
.
A Soviet soldier appeared in front of him without warning. Before the sentry could shout, he was stabbed to the core by the opponent's bayonet. The gun in the sentry's hand fell to the ground, he grabbed the bayonet with both hands, and tried to kill it.
He pulled it out. But he failed, and all his strength seemed to be radiated into the air along the bayonet. Soon, he fell softly to the ground after failing in the attempt.
Seeing the German sentry being killed, a commander wearing the rank of lieutenant whispered to the soldiers around him: "Comrades, hurry up before the enemy notices us."
The Soviet commanders and soldiers quickened their pace, rushed to the trench quickly, jumped down, and then divided into two groups and rushed forward along the trench to eliminate the German troops who were not aware of it at all.
Gunshots soon rang out everywhere in the trenches, but because the Germans did not expect that the Soviet army would attack during the heavy snow, they were not prepared at all. As a result, they were caught off guard, and the battle on the position became one-sided. No.
By twenty minutes, the German defense line was occupied.
Lieutenant Colonel Fritzmann came to the position, and the two battalion commanders of the first and second battalions came forward to report: "Comrade commander, we have successfully occupied the German position."
Upon learning that the position had been completely occupied, Fritzman couldn't help feeling ecstatic. He quickly turned around and told the radio operator following him: "Contact the division headquarters for me immediately. I have good news to report to the division commander."
While the radio operator was calling the division headquarters, he turned around and asked the two battalion commanders: "What are the casualties of your two battalions?"
"Twenty-seven people of the first battalion were killed and 73 were injured."
"Eleven people of the Second Battalion died and 25 were injured."
After the commander of the second battalion reported the number of casualties, he added: "Comrade commander, when our battalion entered the position, the battle was coming to an end, so our casualties were much smaller than those of the first battalion."
Fritzmann knew that the second battalion entered the position sooner than the first battalion, and the casualties must be smaller, but he did not expect that the gap was so big. He said to the two battalion commanders: "Second battalion commander, the next line of defense of the German army is from
Your battalion will be the main attack force. The third battalion will be the second echelon, following closely behind."
Seeing that Fritzmann did not mention his own battalion, the commander of the first battalion quickly asked: "What about our battalion?"
Fritzman glanced at him and said: "First battalion commander, your battalion serves as the third echelon and operates together with the regiment headquarters."
"Comrade Commander," the first battalion commander couldn't help but become anxious when he heard that his troops had become the third echelon: "The morale of our battalion is strong, and we can definitely continue the attack."
"First Battalion Commander, I know everything you said." Fritzman explained to the other party: "The First Battalion has just gone through a fierce battle, and the officers and soldiers are very tired. I have you as the third echelon just to make you
Have a good rest."
Seeing the unwilling expression on the other side's face, he added: "First battalion commander, the offensive operation has just begun, and there are many more battles to be fought next. If your battalion is always allowed to serve as the vanguard battalion, we will attack the city."
Village, it won’t be long before you lose your combat effectiveness due to heavy casualties. If the troops lose their combat effectiveness, then the next battle will have nothing to do with you. Are you willing to let such a thing happen?"
"I don't want to." A battalion commander blurted out.
"If you don't want to, then stay behind and serve as the third echelon." Fritzmann said to the three battalion commanders: "After the next line of defense breaks through, the second battalion will be transferred to the back to serve as the third echelon.
The third battalion becomes the new main attack battalion. As for the first battalion, it becomes the second echelon and is ready to support the third battalion at any time. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" the three battalion commanders shouted in unison.
"Comrade Commander," the operator walked up to Fritzmann with the walkie-talkie transmitter and earphone in hand and said to him: "The division headquarters has been connected."
Fritzmann took the earphone and put it on, then took the microphone and said loudly: "Comrade Commander? I am Lieutenant Colonel Fritzmann, and I have great news to tell you."
"What great news?" Unexpectedly, Colonel Konev on the other end of the phone snorted coldly: "Tell me, how much did your regiment pay in the process of seizing the enemy's position?"
Seeing that Colonel Konev had already guessed the result, Fritzman chuckled, then reported the casualties of the two battalions to the other party, and finally asked: "Comrade Division Commander, can we continue to move forward?"
"Okay, absolutely okay." Konev said to Fritzman on the phone: "Behind you are the 8th and 10th regiments. They will reach your current position very soon. You only need to leave one company behind.
Used to hold the position and guard the prisoners while the rest of the force continues to advance."
Now that the enemy's position has been captured, Konev felt that he should report to Afnin as soon as possible. After he ordered someone to get through the phone call of the army headquarters, he reported with some excitement: "Comrade Commander, I
Good news for you, the 2nd Airborne Regiment has successfully captured the enemy's position."
"Really? The enemy's position has been captured?" Afuning couldn't help but smile when he heard the news. He quickly asked: "What are the casualties of the troops? What measures has the regiment taken now?"
"Reporting to Comrade Commander," Konev continued: "Due to the concealment of our attack, we were not noticed by the enemy until the commanders and soldiers rushed into the trenches. However, by this time, even if the enemy discovered it, they would not be able to recover.
What, so in less than twenty minutes, our troops wiped out all the German troops on the position."
"Then continue the attack." Afnin waited for Konev to finish and then said without hesitation: "While the enemy has not recovered yet, we must rush into the depth of the German defenses as soon as possible. When they return,
Before going too far, break into the city and occupy a favorable terrain."
As soon as he put down the phone, Sokov, covered with snow, walked in from outside, followed by Shtemenko and Smirnov.
"Comrade Commander," Sokov asked as he walked towards Afnin, "How is the situation? Have you captured the enemy's position?"
Looking at the three people who walked in, Afunin hesitated. He didn't know whether he should report to Shtemenko, the highest-ranking person in accordance with the regulations, or whether he should report to his immediate boss Sokov.
When Shtemenko saw his dilemma, he said reasonably: "Report it to your commander."
Afunin agreed and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I am honored to report to you that the 2nd Regiment of the 3rd Airborne Division has successfully captured the German position, and they are currently developing in depth."
"What are the casualties of the troops and how much ammunition is left?" Sokov waited for Afunin to finish speaking and immediately asked impatiently: "Are they going deep alone now? Have you sent troops to cooperate?"
Sokov's series of questions left Afunin at a loss as to how to answer. Smirnov comforted him and said: "Comrade General, don't be anxious, just answer the questions raised by the commander."
Afuning took a deep breath, reorganized the words in his mind, and then reported: "Comrade Commander, the 2nd Airborne Regiment easily captured the enemy's position and suffered more than a hundred casualties, including 38 sacrifices.
In addition, before the offensive began, we happened to replenish ammunition for the 3rd Airborne Division, which was taking the initiative. The ammunition they now have is enough to support a medium-sized battle.
After seizing the enemy's position, the commanders and fighters of the 3rd Airborne Division continued to advance deeper into the enemy. Behind them was Major General Rumyantsev's 3rd Airborne Division. If the troops in front were too exhausted to advance forward, they would be unable to advance further.
, the division will automatically take over their attack."
After listening, Sokov nodded slightly and said in agreement: "Well done, Comrade Commander. If your progress continues so smoothly, I don't think it will take long for you to enter the city of Uman.
"
After Afuning laughed dryly twice, he asked: "Comrade Commander, according to the previous battle plan, our army should break through the enemy's defense after breaking through the enemy's defense, then enter the battlefield through the gap, and fight with the enemy in the city.
Street fighting. But now the situation has changed. Our reserve force has become the force responsible for the main attack. I would like to ask, when will the friendly forces come to take over our attack?"
"Soon," Smirnov interjected: "The troops of the 49th and 57th armies are marching in this direction. However, due to the influence of wind and snow, their marching speed has been affected. I am afraid that they will not be able to march until two in the afternoon at the earliest.
You can reach the designated position at three o'clock. In other words, if you occupy a foothold in Uman City, you must persist until two or three o'clock in the afternoon, or even later, in the face of the German army's crazy counterattack."
Afuning was thinking that his army had lost a lot of strength during the battle. If he entered Uman City, he might not be able to control too many areas by relying on his own strength alone. But as long as friendly forces could arrive in time, they could seize the city.
The probability is greatly increased.
"No problem." He looked at Smirnov and said: "Our troops may be a bit reluctant to occupy the entire city. But if we can use them to defend the occupied areas, there shouldn't be much of a problem."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov waited for Afunin to finish speaking and then ordered Smirnov: "Go and find a suitable location to establish the group army headquarters."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Smirnov nodded and said, "I'll make arrangements right away." After saying that, he turned around and walked out of the army headquarters.
"Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff," Sokov asked Shtemenko tentatively after waiting for Smirnov to leave, "are you interested in going to the forefront and taking a look?"
Although Shtemenko has repeatedly served as a representative of the base camp, he has gone to various fronts to guide work. But he spends most of his time in the headquarters, understanding the situation on the battlefield through intelligence coming from below. Although he
He has always wanted to go to the front line in person, but he has been blocked by other people in the headquarters. The reason is that it is for his safety.
Yesterday, Sokov and I were in the observation post of the 41st Guards Division. It was the first time for Shtemenko to watch the battle through the telescope. Seeing the bravery and tenacity displayed by the commanders and fighters on the battlefield made me sad.
He felt greatly shocked. At this moment, Shtemenko, who was eager to learn about the latest battle situation after hearing Sokov's suggestion to go to the front line, naturally wanted to go.
"I think it's okay." Shtemenko asked curiously: "Where do you plan to locate the observation post this time?"
"Of course we should try to get as close to Uman City as possible, so that we can see our commanders and fighters rushing into Uman City from the observation post with our own eyes."
Afuning on the side heard the two men saying that they wanted to go to the front, and was suddenly frightened into a cold sweat. Yesterday, when the two men said they were going to the observation post of the 41st Guards Division, he repeatedly told Kurishenko to step up.
Security work near the observation post ensures the safety of Sokov and his wife.
Now the place the two of them are going to is actually close to Uman City, so the situation is different. The location set up for yesterday's observation post was in the defense area of the 41st Guards Division. If anything happens, the nearby
The troops can rush over to provide support. But considering that the area near Uman City is still in the hands of the Germans, the two Sokovs may run into unexpected dangers if they rush there recklessly.
"Comrade Commander, Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff." Afuning was worried about the safety of his two superiors, so he tried to persuade him: "The area near Uman is still in the hands of the Germans. If you run there now, you may be killed.
In danger."
"It doesn't matter, Comrade Commander." Sokov knew the reason why Afunin persuaded him, so he said to him: "We will deploy enough forces near the observation post for defense."
Seeing that Afuning seemed to want to persuade, he waved his hand to him and said: "Comrade Commander, you should continue to command the troops. Just treat me and the deputy chief of staff as non-existent."
That's what he said, but who would dare to neglect such big figures as Sokov and Shtemenko? In the following command, Afunin often gave incorrect answers to the chief of staff's questions due to his absent-mindedness.
Fortunately, the chief of staff remained calm and corrected his mistakes in a timely manner.
At first, he made one or two mistakes, and the chief of staff thought it was acceptable. But as the number of times increased, the chief of staff also felt that something was wrong. He hurriedly asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere? Do you need me to call the military doctor?"
Come?"
How could Afuning dare to tell the Chief of Staff, so he could only say vaguely: "Maybe I didn't get a good rest last night, so I'm in a bad state. Comrade Chief of Staff, if I make any mistakes again, remember to remind me in time."
.”
After Sokov and Shtemenko chatted for a while, he accidentally turned around and found Afunin looking distracted. He was about to ask him what happened. When he was about to speak, he suddenly thought that it was
The fact that he and Shtemenko were here made Afunin unable to concentrate on his work.
"Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, I think we should change the place!"
"Change a place, why?"
Sokov leaned close to Shtemenko's ear and whispered: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, I find that our stay here has put a heavy psychological burden on General Afunin, and he cannot concentrate on commanding the battle.
If we don't leave, we don't know what will happen."