"Are there no enemies in the city?" Although before coming here, Yakuda knew that the defenders in the city might have abandoned the city, but hearing the scout's report with his own ears still felt a little incredible:
"Have you verified it?"
Faced with Yakuda's doubts, the scouts acted very calmly. After all, when they discovered that there was no trace of the enemy in the city, they were also full of suspicion, thinking that it was a trap set by the enemy. "Comrade Major,"
He politely replied: "We have inspected many important areas and found no signs of any defenders. We have reason to believe that all the defenders in the city have long been gone."
After Yakuda waited for the scout to finish speaking, he thought for a while and continued: "Well, I plan to divide the troops into two groups and conduct another search in the city. Can you act as my guide?"
The two scouts were just ordinary soldiers. Faced with Yakov's request, there was no way they would dare not agree.
Next, Yakov divided his troops into two parts: a company commander took his company and followed one of the scouts to scout banks and post offices; he took the other two regiments to attack schools
, businesses and municipal buildings were searched to see if they were empty as well.
This search took more than an hour. At this time, the troops led by Shamrih had reached the edge of the city. However, out of caution, he did not immediately order the troops to enter the city. Instead, he contacted Yakuda through the radio, trying to
Find out what's going on in the city.
"Hello, Major Yakuda? This is Shamrih." Shamrih asked through the microphone: "What's the situation in the city? Have all the defenders been evacuated?"
"That's right, comrade leader." Yakuda's excited voice came from the earphone: "I led people to search banks, post offices, schools, enterprises and municipal buildings, and really not a single defender was found. I asked the municipal government
A staff member who stayed in the building inquired. The garrison in the city quietly left the city yesterday morning and crossed the river back to Romania."
From Yakuda's report, Shamrih learned that the defenders in the city turned out to be Romanian troops. No wonder they left without a fight. They must have known very well that with their strength, they could not stop them at all.
The Soviet offensive. In order to avoid unnecessary casualties, they simply abandoned the city and left.
After confirming that there were no defenders in the city, Shamrih led his troops into the city. After he established his own command post in the municipal building, he used the lines set up by the staff of the Post and Telecommunications Bureau to call the division commander Chuvashov.
Call to report what happened here: "Reporting to comrade division commander, our regiment has successfully captured Chernivtsi."
Chuvashov had just fallen asleep when he was woken up by Chief of Staff Uzakov. He was originally very unhappy, but when he heard the call from Shamrih, he guessed that the troops had arrived in Chernov
Ce's people specially called to tell him the good news. After all, this was an amazing victory.
He steeled himself and said into the microphone: "Colonel Shamrih, I think you must have good news to tell me."
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." Shamrih reported with some excitement: "I am honored to report to you that my troops have successfully captured Chernivtsi."
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible." In Chuvashov's knowledge, Chernivtsi is a large city, and there are at least two regiments of defenders in the city. The 296th Regiment alone
With the strength of our army, it would be tantamount to wishful thinking to capture this city. Therefore, he said conclusively: "With the strength of one regiment, how could we possibly capture Chernivtsi in such a short period of time?"
?”
"That's right, Comrade Commander, you heard me right." Seeing that Chuvashov didn't believe what he said, Shamrih specifically explained to him: "After discovering the boundary markers on the border, I originally planned to wait until daybreak before returning to the border.
Send troops to attack Chernivtsi. However, in order to find out the enemy's troop deployment, I specially sent a reconnaissance team.
It was this reconnaissance team that gave me an unexpected surprise. After searching the city, they unexpectedly found that there were no defenders in the city at all. They must have hurriedly left the city after learning the news that our army was advancing here.
Evacuated from there.”
Upon hearing this, Chuvashov felt that this explanation was relatively reliable. After nodding, he asked, "I wonder what your plans are next?"
"We must build fortifications around the city and establish a defense system to resist possible attacks by the German army." Seeing that the city is so big, Shamrih wanted to control the entire city with just one regiment of his own.
We still need more troops. Comrade Division Commander, I wonder when our reinforcements will arrive?
Chuvashov was of a higher rank than Shamrih, so he naturally knew some inside information that others did not know. He knew that a friendly division was advancing towards Chernivtsi, so he tentatively asked: "Colonel Shamrih,
Don’t you have enough troops now?”
"That's right, Comrade Division Commander. You guessed it right." Shamrih replied truthfully: "With the strength of my regiment, I can only control two-thirds of the city at best. If we still need to build outside the city
We must build fortifications and deploy troops for defense. In that case, the area we can control will only be half of the city at most."
"Don't worry, Colonel Shamrih." Chuvashov said politely: "The reinforcements are already on the way. I believe it won't be long before we have enough troops to take charge of the defense of Chernivtsi.
Work."
"That's great." After hearing Chuvashov's reply, Shamrich said confidently: "In this way, I only need to leave a small number of troops to defend the city, and the rest will be sent outside the city.
, build a defensive line near the Prut River."
Chuvashov felt that it was a great thing for the 296th Regiment to successfully occupy Chernivtsi in such a short period of time, and he needed to report it to his superiors immediately. Even though it was only the 296th Regiment that received a commendation for the discovery of the boundary monument,
But he was still honored as the commander of the division.
After connecting to the headquarters, he heard Sokov's objection coming from the receiver. He said in a hurry: "Hello, Comrade Commander, I have great news that I need to report to you.
"
"General Chuvashov." Unexpectedly, when Sokov heard what the other party said, he thought he was talking about the discovery of a boundary monument by the Shamrich Regiment south of Chernivtsi, so he said disapprovingly: "This matter,
Didn't you report it to me? I also reported it to the front army headquarters, and the superiors also gave corresponding rewards."
Sokov's answer made Chuvasov stunned for a moment, but then he realized that the other party had misunderstood, and quickly explained: "Comrade Commander, you are mistaken. The good news I want to give you is not about the discovery of the boundary monument.
It’s something more important.”
Sokov said heartily that there was more important news than the discovery of the boundary monument so soon. It seemed that Shamrih had done something wrong. He asked with some anxiety: "Tell me quickly, General Chuvasov.
What exciting good news is it?”
"Comrade Commander, you may never have imagined it," Chuvashov said: "The Shamrich Regiment has successfully occupied Chernivtsi."
"What, Chernivtsi has been occupied by Shamrich's troops?" Sokov asked in surprise: "General Chuvashov, are you sure you are not mistaken?"
"That's right, Comrade Commander." Chuvashov said: "When I first heard the news, I was even more shocked than you. I thought that Shamrih only had more than a thousand men, how could he possibly
Capture this large city located in the border area in such a short period of time.
But after Colonel Shamrih's report, I learned that the garrison in my hand had abandoned the city and retreated before our troops arrived. It was precisely because there were no defenders in the city that the Shamrih Regiment could be so relaxed
occupy the city."
After Sokov understood what was going on, he quickly asked: "Then what measures did you take?"
"I have ordered two other infantry regiments and artillery regiments to march towards Chernivtsi overnight, trying to arrive before dawn to strengthen the city's defenses."
Putting down the phone, Sokov came to Trofimenko, Samyko and others and said to them: "Comrade commanders, I have great news to tell you. The Shamrih regiment continues
After discovering the boundary monument, we successfully captured Chernivtsi."
"What, one regiment captured Chernivtsi, how is this possible?" As soon as Samyko finished saying this, he thought of a possibility, with a shocked expression on his face: "Comrade Commander, is it possible?
Did the defenders in the city retreat on their own initiative?"
"That's right." Seeing that Samek guessed the truth of the matter, Sokov nodded and said: "According to the analysis of the grassroots commanders, the enemy should have voluntarily abandoned the city and retreated before our troops arrived."
"Comrade Commander, I have an unknown feeling in my heart." Samyko was not happy after hearing this. On the contrary, he said worriedly: "The battle that took place on the left bank of the Dnieper River last year can give us some warning.
At that time, we saw that the German army was retreating continuously, and they kept throwing one town after another to our army. But little did we know that this was really their plan. As the front line lengthened, we had to divide our troops to guard the occupied areas, resulting in
The strength of the frontal attack force was weakened, and there was also a big problem with supplies.
When our army is dispersed and severely lacking in supplies, we have no ability to stop them in the face of the German counterattack."
Sokov heard what Samyko said, and he asked tentatively: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you think the Germans are using the same tactics now, by constantly abandoning cities to disperse our troops?"
Purpose?"
"Yes, that's how I think about it."
"If the Germans want to launch a counterattack, then the newly occupied Chernivtsi will become their main target." Trofimenko reminded Sokov: "Comrade Commander, we should give priority to strengthening the defense here.
.”
Judging from the topography of the map, the newly occupied Chernivtsi has become the most prominent force in the entire combat cluster. If the German army adopts the roundabout tactics of two wings, the city will be surrounded by them.
After Sokov understood this, he raised his head and said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately send a telegram to Bogdanov and ask him to immediately send infantry to Chernivtsi to strengthen the defense there.
"
"Comrade Commander," Samyko reminded in a low voice after listening to Sokov's order: "As early as two hours ago, General Bogdanov sent an infantry division towards Chernivtsi.
If you move in the direction, you will reach the designated location by dawn at the latest."
After Samyko's reminder, Sokov immediately remembered that Bogdanov did indeed send troops to Chernivtsi. He paused and added: "Chief of Staff, judging from the current situation
, it is not enough for infantry to occupy a city, it also requires the cooperation of artillery and tank troops. Otherwise, when the enemy's armored forces counterattack, it will be very difficult for the infantry to block them."
"Both the artillery and tank units can move out overnight and reach the designated position before dawn." Sameko said: "But where do you plan to deploy them?"
Sokov did not answer immediately, but pondered in his mind what kind of troops should be deployed here in Chernivtsi. You must know that the geographical location here is important, and it is across the river from Romania. If this is used as an offensive
From the starting point, it only takes a short time for your troops to enter Romania.
He tapped his fingers lightly on the table. After a long time, he raised his head again, looked at Samyko and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call Lieutenant Colonel Ponejelin and ask them to move the current defense area.
He handed it over to friendly forces who took over the defense, and then took the other two divisions and rushed to Chernivtsi day and night to strengthen the defense there."
When Ponedelin received the call from Samyko, he arrived and was very puzzled: "Comrade Chief of Staff, General Chuvashov's troops have not been away for a long time. How could they easily retreat in such a short period of time?"
What about the occupation of Chernivtsi?”
"Their luck is relatively good." Samyko said: "Some of the towns they passed along the way did not encounter decent resistance, and they even encountered cities like Chernivtsi that retreated without a fight. The speed of advancement is certain.
It’s faster.”
"Well, I'll pass on the order now." Ponejelin said on the other end of the phone: "But the troops can't set off until dawn tomorrow at the earliest."
Sokov had no objection to Ponedelin's remarks. Although the troops could be on their way immediately after they were assembled, there were many new soldiers in the two divisions. If they were to rush on the road overnight, there would definitely be a large number of commanders and fighters.
If you fall behind, you will have to reduce your number by at least a quarter by the time you reach the designated position.
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin," Sokov said into the microphone: "After your troops are stationed in Chernivtsi, you will still be under unified command of the three divisions. I hope you can do it in the shortest possible time."
Within a certain period of time, the defense forces in the Chernivtsi area should be consolidated to prevent possible counterattacks by the Germans.
Of course, if they do not take the initiative to attack, it is undoubtedly the best thing for us, and we can use that as the starting point for our attack and launch an attack into Romania."
"Comrade Commander, please rest assured." Ponedelin waited for Sokov to finish speaking and expressed his attitude to him: "I will definitely turn Chernivtsi into a strong fortress so that the enemy cannot come again.