After Prochenko landed on the right bank, he and Vanya found a safe place and established a forward headquarters, where they commanded the troops to expand the beachhead position.
It later proved that Prochenko's approach was completely correct. If he had stayed on the left bank and commanded the troops across the river, I am afraid that the orders he issued would not have been conveyed to the grassroots commanders in time.
Now, he is constantly issuing instructions one after another based on the changes in the battlefield situation. If you can make a phone call, make a phone call; if you can't make a phone call, send communications troops to convey the orders.
In this way, after the landing, the troops, which seemed a bit chaotic and fighting independently, adjusted their deployment in a timely manner after receiving Prochenko's combat order, and continuously expanded the area occupied by the German river defense positions.
When the battle was in full swing, an officer ran over and reported to Prochenko: "Comrade commander, the commander of the friendly forces is here!"
Hearing that he was the commander of a friendly force, Prochenko couldn't help but his eyes lit up, and then asked: "Where is he?"
"He's heading here, he'll be there soon."
Soon, a commander wearing the rank of naval lieutenant colonel appeared in front of Prochenko and took the initiative to introduce himself: "Hello, comrade colonel, I am Shamrih, commander of the 296th Regiment of the 98th Guards Division.
Lieutenant Colonel of the Navy, I was ordered to come to support you."
"Hello, Lieutenant Colonel Shamrich." Prochenko held the opponent's hand and said excitedly: "I am Colonel Prochenko, commander of the 762nd Regiment of the 254th Division. Welcome you to come up."
"Comrade Colonel," after simple greetings, Shamrih went straight to the point: "Assign the next combat tasks."
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, come and see." Prochenko placed the map just drawn by the staff in front of Shamrih and said to him: "The positions along the river have basically been occupied by our regiment.
When we advanced in depth, we encountered stubborn resistance from the German army. I think your regiment can bypass the flanks to disrupt the German deployment and reduce the resistance we encounter when we attack the fortress."
"No problem." Shamrich pointed to a point on the map and said to Prochenko: "Comrade Colonel, I will order the mortar company to bombard this area later, and then launch a charge."
"Very good, very good." After saying "very good" twice, Prochenko added: "I will dispatch a company later to cooperate with you in fighting." At this point, he said with some embarrassment, "Now
The troops are too scattered, and I can only mobilize so many troops at most, I hope you can understand."
In fact, Shamrih did not need the cooperation of the 762nd Regiment to be sure of winning this position. But since Prochenko mentioned cooperation in combat, he could not refuse the other party's kindness, so he said casually: "That's great.
, with your cooperation, I believe it will become easier to capture the enemy's position."
The fighting on the right bank was raging. Sokov, who couldn't keep calm, called Shechtman directly and asked: "Comrade Colonel, how is the situation there?"
"Report to Comrade Commander!" Shechtman saw that Prochenko's 762nd Regiment had successfully crossed the river, and he naturally felt more confident to speak: "Colonel Prochenko's 762nd Regiment has successfully boarded the right bank and is on the way.
There is a fierce battle with the German army."
"Colonel Shechtman," Sokov couldn't help but nodded slightly when he learned that the vanguard regiment had landed on the other bank, and then ordered: "Since the vanguard regiment has landed on the right bank, why don't you quickly send troops to reinforce and
Consolidate the position on the right bank."
Shechtman originally wanted to wait for the 762nd Regiment to completely occupy the position on the right bank, and then send the other two regiments across the river to reinforce. At this moment, after hearing Sokov's order, he quickly replied: "Yes, Comrade Commander, I will order it immediately
Lieutenant Colonel Ivan's 764th Regiment crossed the river to reinforce Colonel Prochenko."
After ending the call with Shechtman, Sokov ordered the communications soldier to connect the phone to the headquarters of the 98th Guards Division.
As soon as the phone call came through, he asked equally bluntly: "General Chuvashov, how is the situation there?"
"The troops are fighting, Comrade Commander."
Hearing Chuvashov reply to himself in such a general tone, Sokov couldn't help but frown: "Be specific."
"Lieutenant Colonel Shamrih's 296th Regiment has merged with the 762nd Regiment crossing the river and is attacking the German army's deep positions." Chuvashov quickly picked up the small notebook used by Chief of Staff Uzakov to record the contents.
: "The 299th Regiment and the 302nd Regiment are rushing towards the depth of the German defenses to completely disrupt their deployment."
"General Chuvashov, all members of the 41st Guards Division have arrived on the right bank of the Dniester River. They will soon enter the battlefield through the gap you opened and fight alongside you." Sokov said: "Wait a minute.
After your two armies join forces, you must discuss matters of coordinated operations."
After hearing what Sokov said, Chuvashov asked: "Comrade Commander, after our two divisions merge, who should unified command the troops?"
Sokov was stunned by Chuvashov’s words. According to the military rank, it must be Major General Chuvashov commanding Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin. But based on their qualifications, Pony
Nedelin is obviously more suitable to take on this responsibility.
Fortunately, he didn't think for long before he made a decisive decision: "Comrade Chuvashov, after you join the 41st Guards Division later, Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, the commander of the division, will unify
Command the troops. Do you understand?"
"Comrade Commander." When Chuvasov heard, what, he asked a major general to accept the command of a lieutenant colonel, and he suddenly felt uncomfortable: "Isn't this inappropriate?"
"There is nothing inappropriate." Sokov said into the microphone: "The division chief of staff, Colonel Sidorin, has been my chief of staff during the battle to defend Stalingrad. And the division commander Ponedelin
, although he only has the rank of lieutenant colonel, he was the commander of the 12th Group Army before the war broke out, and he is much better than you in terms of qualifications and command experience."
Although Chuvashov has never met Ponedelin, he has heard about him. Now that he has served as the commander of the 41st Guards Division, it is hard to say anything. What's more, this unit is still
Sokov's old troops have deep feelings, and it's hard to say anything if he accepts their leadership.
"Yes, Comrade Commander, I will resolutely obey your orders!"
Sokov's next call was directly to Ponedelin: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, have all the troops arrived on the right bank?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Duhalin's troops have just arrived on the right bank." Ponjelin replied: "But the commanders and soldiers seem a little tired. Do you think it is not too late to let them rest for a while before going into battle again?"
"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I want them to have a good rest, but will the Germans give us this time?" Sokov said in an unquestionable tone: "Since the 126th Regiment has just arrived on the right bank not long ago, let's take them
Enter the battle as the second echelon. Now, what you have to do is to lead the 122nd Regiment and the 124th Regiment into the battlefield through the gap opened by the 98th Guards Division. Do you understand?"
"I understand completely, Comrade Commander." Ponejelin replied expressionlessly: "I will resolutely obey your orders."
"And one more thing."
"Please say."
"After your division joins forces with General Chuvashov's 98th Guards Division, you will be responsible for unified command of the troops."
Knowing that Sokov allowed him to command two divisions at the same time, Ponedelin was naturally ecstatic, but he did not get carried away, but said cautiously: "Comrade Commander, isn't this bad? You know,
I'm just a lieutenant colonel, how can I command a major general?"
"Stop talking nonsense!" Sokov interrupted Ponedelin before he could finish his words: "In any case, you were the commander of the group army before the war. In terms of qualifications and command experience, you are better than Chuva.
Shaofu is much stronger, so I decided to let you command these two troops."
After a pause, he continued: "Also, the 254th Infantry Division on the left bank launched a cross-river operation not long ago. At this time, it has successfully boarded the right bank and joined forces with part of the 98th Guards Division. Wait until the 254th Infantry Division on the right bank
After the river defense position was captured, even Colonel Shechtman's 254th Infantry Division was put under your command."
"What?" Ponedelin became uneasy. Sokov asked him not to command two divisions, but three divisions. He asked nervously: "Is it appropriate to let me command three divisions at the same time?
?”
"There is nothing inappropriate." Sokov, who was holding the microphone, quickly glanced around the headquarters and continued: "There are many students in my headquarters. If you feel that you are not strong enough on your own,
If so, I can send you a few more people."
Seeing that Sokov had misunderstood what he meant, Ponedelin quickly explained to him: "Comrade Commander, you have misunderstood me. If we just command one more 98th Guards Division, I'm afraid it won't be a big problem."
If another infantry division is added, I am worried that the commander of that division will not be willing to obey my command."
The reason why Sokov decided to hand over the three divisions to the command of Ponedelin was to test Ponedelin's ability through this battle. If he passed his assessment, then after a while
Apply to your superiors and appoint Ponejelin as the military commander, and at the same time, your military rank can be promoted to a certain extent.
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin, don't worry." He comforted the other party and said: "Colonel Shechtman, the commander of the 254th Infantry Division, is also my old subordinate. He dare not disobey the orders I gave. You just
Perform your duties with confidence and boldness, and command the troops of three divisions to have a good fight with the Germans."
"Comrade Commander," Smirnov asked with some confusion after Sokov put down the phone: "I don't understand why you handed over three divisions to the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin? Doing so will
Wouldn’t it be too risky?”
Sokov did this out of necessity. Now that he was commanding more and more troops, he would definitely not be able to take care of everything as before. He had to find a few capable subordinates to help him. And the person he selected first,
Of course it is Ponejelin.:
Seeing that Smirnov did not understand at this moment, he explained to the other party: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I am commanding more and more troops now. If I still take care of everything as before, I will not be able to do it even if I have three heads and six arms, so I must
I have a few capable subordinates who are here to help me share the work. While reducing the burden on my shoulders, it also improves the efficiency of commanding operations."
"Comrade Commander, since you have already made a decision, I can't say anything else." Although Sokov had already made a decision on this matter, Smirnov, as his chief of staff, felt it was still necessary to remind him.
He paid attention to some details: "But letting Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin command three divisions is no small matter. I suggest you report it to Marshal Konev first to avoid being used to make a fuss by others in the future."
Sokov thought about it, and Smirnov was right to remind him that although he had the final say on the military and personnel affairs on the front line, some things that should have been reported to the superiors should still be reported. This is also a kind of respect for the superior leaders.
After thinking about this, he ordered the director of the communications corps to get through the phone of the front army headquarters and personally report to Konev the situation of the cross-river operation.
When Konev heard that the troops participating in the forced crossing had successfully landed on the right bank of the Dniester River, he also seemed very happy: "Comrade Sokov, it seems that the decision of the superiors to form this combat group is very correct.
Look, just after it was formed, you broke through the German defenses on the Dniester River and successfully boarded the right bank."
"Comrade Marshal, I have one more important thing that I need to report to you."
As soon as he heard about the important thing, Konev's heart beat inexplicably faster. He didn't want to say that Sokov had caused trouble, but let him help him clean up the mess? With this mentality, he said cautiously: "Sokov
Comrade, tell me, what is the important matter?"
"That's right," Sokov said carefully: "Among the troops participating in the attack this time, there are also Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin's 41st Guards Division and Major General Chuvashov's 98th Guards Division.
I plan to wait until the troops of the three divisions have captured the German river defense positions and successfully rejoined them, and then they will be temporarily concentrated for use, and Lieutenant Colonel Ponijelin will be temporarily in charge of the command."
When Konev heard this, he became a little anxious. When Sokov appointed Ponedelin as the division commander, he was worried that someone would make a fuss about it. Unexpectedly, Sokov was so bold and appointed Ponedelin as the division commander.
Not much time has passed, and we directly want the other party to command three divisions of troops. If something goes wrong, no one can bear the responsibility.
Thinking of this, he immediately raised his objection: "No, Comrade Sokov, I don't agree with letting Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin command three divisions. You know, he is the lowest rank among the three division commanders."
"Comrade Marshal, you know the reason for his low rank." Seeing that Konev did not agree to let Ponedelin command three divisions, Sokov quickly put in a good word for him: "The reason why I am appointing three divisions is
When choosing the person in charge, I did not consider the factor of military rank because I believe that the level of military rank does not indicate the level of level. Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin was the commander of the group army before the war and had rich command experience. If
With three divisions in his hands, I believe we will achieve good results."
Seeing that Sokov supported Ponedelin, Konev knew that it was useless even if he objected. Maybe he could give a reason for his objection, and Sokov could find ten reasons to convince himself. So he decided to simply take a step back.
First, let Sokov arrange for Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin to command the troops of three divisions. If he does not perform well, it will not be too late to remove him from his post.
"Well, Comrade Sokov, I don't want to argue with you anymore." Konev pretended to be helpless and said: "I will do as you say."