After a day of fierce fighting, Ismailov's division broke through the defense line of the German 2nd Army and left the Belovizh Forest area with Batov's headquarters.
Shortly after Batov's group army headquarters left the forest, it made contact with the 4th and 40th Guards Divisions. After the two Guards Division commanders learned of Batov's whereabouts, they immediately rushed to the Bug River to meet with the commander.
Convergence of parts.
Seeing the commanders and fighters of the two Guards Divisions arriving one after another, Ismailov felt that his mission had been completed, so he said to Batov: "Comrade General, my mission has been completed. Do you allow me to leave?"
Bartov held Ismailov's hand and said with some choking: "Listen, my friend, you saved my life, I will always remember you."
"What are you talking about!" Hearing what Bartov said, Ismailov said a little surprised, "What are you talking about, comrade general! Look what you said, I was ordered to come to rescue you. If you want
Thank you, you should also thank our commander. Without his order, I would have no right to lead the troops out of my defense zone without permission."
"Comrade Colonel, I also want to thank you and General Sokov." Batov's face showed a smile again: "If possible, I will go to the 48th Group Army in person to visit General Sokov."
Ismailov led his troops back to his defense area, and then went directly to the headquarters to see Sokov.
Seeing Ismailov's arrival, Sokov was very happy. He stepped forward to shake hands with him and said with a smile: "Comrade Colonel, because your division successfully moved the Batov headquarters from the Belovizh Forest
You have been rescued from here, and the Front Army Headquarters is ready to commend you and award you with the Order of the Red Banner of the Division."
There are two types of Order of the Red Banner, one is awarded to individuals and the other is awarded to collectives. Troops that have won the Order of the Red Banner will have the honors they received added to their numbers in the future. For example, Tolstikov
The full name of the 1st Guards Division under his command in later generations was "the 1st Guards Red Banner Minsk Infantry Division, which was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of Suvorov, the Order of Kutuzov and two Orders of the Red Banner."
The full name of the 6th Guards Division commanded by Onupryenko is "The 6th Guards Red Banner Rivne Infantry Division, which was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of Suvorov".
Even if the 284th Infantry Division commanded by Ismailov will not be awarded the honorary title of Guards Division by the base camp in the future, its name will be changed to: the 284th Infantry Division that won the Order of the Red Banner.
Ponedelin and Sidorin also came over to congratulate Ismailov on the honor he had won.
Finally, Sokov told the other party an exciting news: "Comrade Colonel, in view of your outstanding performance and results in Operation Bagration, as well as your contribution today, we have submitted an application to our superiors,
I hope you can be awarded the rank of major general."
Even though there is only one rank difference between the rank of colonel and major general, it has become an insurmountable barrier for countless commanders. At this moment, Ismailov became excited when he heard what Sokov said: "Comrade Commander, these are all
Really?"
"Of course it's true." Sokov nodded and said, "As long as my subordinates have achieved meritorious service, I will find a way for him to receive rewards that match his performance."
While Sokov was talking, the phone on the table rang. Sokov looked at the telephones on the table, trying to find out which one was ringing.
Sidorin walked to the table, stared at several telephones for a moment, then grabbed the microphone of the high-frequency phone, put it to his ear and said: "I am Sidorin, where are you from?...What?"
You are Comrade Marshal! Hello, do you have any instructions?"
After a moment, Sidorin covered the phone with his hand, handed it to Sokov, and whispered: "Comrade Commander, your call came from Comrade Marshal himself."
"Hello, Comrade Marshal." Sokov took the phone and said respectfully: "Do you have any instructions?"
"That's it, Misha." Rokossovsky said on the phone: "General Pliyev's 4th Guards Cavalry Corps encountered a tenacious resistance from the German army as it advanced to the west. After a week
After a fierce battle, they were driven by the German army to the Bug River northwest of Brest and fell into the siege of the German army..."
When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart. Although he knew that today's cavalry army is also equipped with tanks and artillery, if it is surrounded by the German army, the possibility of being annihilated is far greater than that of the infantry.
Just as he was thinking wildly, he heard Rokossovsky continue: "Fortunately, there was a fortification area there, so General Pliyev ordered the troops to garrison the fortifications and successfully repelled several enemy troops.
attack."
Knowing that the cavalry army now occupies a fortified area to fight the German attack, Sokov feels a little more at ease. You must know that the cavalry's target is larger than that of the infantry. If they stay in an open area without fortifications, they will become
Targets for German artillery and air force attacks.
After a pause, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, the cavalry army was besieged in the fortification area. How did the superiors provide them with supplies?"
"The weapons, ammunition and various supplies needed by the cavalry army are all completed by night airdrops." Rokossovsky said: "Judging from the current situation, the cavalry army can still support it for a few days. I will give it to you today.
The purpose of the call is to hope that you can dispatch troops to rescue the besieged cavalry army."
After listening to Rokossovsky's order, Sokov did not give an immediate reply, but looked down at the map spread out in front of him. After some calculations, he felt that he had a better chance of success if he sent troops to rescue.
It was still very high. So he said into the microphone: "Comrade Marshal, I will send troops to rescue the 4th Guards Cavalry Corps as soon as possible."
"Very good!" Rokossovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's reply. He continued: "I will ask Malinin to send the army's information to your headquarters as soon as possible."
After ending the call, Sokov told the contents of the call to Ponedelin and Sidorin, and finally said: "If you want to rescue General Pliyev's 4th Guards Cavalry Corps, you need to at least use
Two infantry divisions, a tank brigade and several artillery regiments will do."
Before Ponejelin and Sidorin could say anything, Ismailov rushed to say: "Comrade Commander, our division has just completed the rescue mission to the 65th Group Army Headquarters. We have rescue experience. This rescue
Leave the task to our division."
Regarding Ismailov's request, Sokov did not immediately express his position. Instead, he asked Ponedelin and Sidorin: "Comrade Deputy Commander, Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you two think?"
Ponejelin glanced at Ismailov, then nodded and said: "Comrade Commander, I think it is okay. As Colonel Ismailov said, they have just completed the attack on the 65th Group Army Headquarters.
The troops have experience and are still in a state of high morale for the rescue. If they come forward to participate in the rescue, I think the chance of success is very high."
Sidorin went straight to the point: "Comrade Commander, in addition to Colonel Ismailov's 284th Infantry Division, which infantry division do you plan to send to participate in this rescue mission?"
"I think Colonel Liugekov's 211th Infantry Division will also participate in this operation." Sokov said: "The 202nd Tank Brigade that performed the mission with Colonel Ismailov, and those few
An artillery regiment also participated in this rescue operation. Do you have any objections?"
"No!" Ponejelin said first.
Sidorin also shook his head and said: "Me neither!"
Seeing that neither Ponedelin nor Sidorin had any objections, Sokov ordered Sidorin to call all the commanders of the troops who were about to participate in the rescue to the headquarters, and he personally assigned them tasks.
When several commanders who had received the notification arrived at the headquarters, Rokossovsky also sent someone to deliver information about the 4th Guards Cavalry Corps to Sokov.
When Sokov saw that there were several pages of information, he handed it to Sidorin and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, read the information about the 4th Guards Cavalry Corps to everyone, so that everyone can understand it in their hearts.
Countless."
Sidorin took the information and began to read: "The 4th Guards Cavalry Corps, the Kuban River Cossack Cavalry Corps, the full name is the Guards Red Banner Kuban, which was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of Suvorov and the Order of Kutuzov.
River Cossack Cavalry Army. It was established in April 1942 in the Krasnodar Territory and was designated as the 17th Kuban River Cossack Cavalry Army. It initially administered the 10th, 12th and 13th Divisions of the Kuban River Cossack Cavalry, all of which were militiamen.
The division was organized into the North Caucasus Military District after its formation. On May 20, 1942, it was transferred to the North Caucasus Front and was responsible for the left bank of the Don River and the east bank of the Azov Sea, Manechskaya, Primorye Akhtarsk, and Temluk.
Frontline defense mission.
...The entire army showed perseverance in the battle with the German army and showed a high degree of organizational discipline and heroism. On August 27, 1942, it was renamed the 4th Guards Kuban Cossack Cavalry Corps, under the jurisdiction of the 4th Cavalry Corps.
The 12th and 13th Divisions were renamed the 9th and 10th Guards Kuban Cossack Cavalry Divisions respectively.
...In June 1944, the army was transferred to the 1st Belorussian Front and participated in the Belarusian offensive campaign within the cavalry mechanized group commanded by Lieutenant General Pliyev. After fierce fighting, Slutsk was liberated and Slutsk was
Cities such as Torbuchi and Slonim. For his exemplary completion of the combat mission of forcibly crossing the Shara River and liberating the city of Slonim, he was awarded the Second Class Suvorov Order on July 25, 1944. July 20, 1944
On August 1, the army forcibly crossed the West Bug River in the Rudowets area 20 kilometers northwest of Brest, entered Poland, and by mid-August reached the Vistula River in the Kalczew area 20 kilometers southeast of Warsaw.
.”
After reading the information, Sidorin put down the document in his hand and waited for Sokov to speak to the commanders present.
"Comrade commanders, you all know the information about the 4th Guards Cavalry Corps." Sokov said to the commanders who came to the meeting: "The army advanced too fast to the west, and as a result it was attacked.
The German army's crazy counterattack. Now they have retreated to a fortified area on the bank of the Bug River and are surrounded by the German army. I called you here today to prepare to send you to rescue the cavalry army from the enemy's siege.
"
The commanders present had long guessed that Sokov had summoned them to arrange combat missions, but they did not expect that they were to rescue a besieged cavalry unit. Liujikov stood up and asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander,
, I would like to ask, how long can the cavalry army last when surrounded by the enemy?"
Sokov heard the hidden meaning of Liugekov's words and said to him: "Comrade Colonel, now the cavalry army has successfully repelled many German attacks based on the fortification area. And the front army headquarters also passed
Airdrop at night to provide them with weapons, ammunition and various supplies. I believe they can support them until our reinforcements arrive."
After listening to Sokov's words, Liugekov said: "I have no problem." Then he sat back in his seat.
The next person to speak was Ponejelin. He pointed at the map on the wall with an explanation stick and introduced the newly drawn up combat plan to the commanders involved in the rescue. The commanders below were taking notes carefully, and they were all thinking in their hearts.
It is clear that as long as Sokov participates in the designated plan and he follows it, he will not suffer any loss.
After Ponedelin finished speaking, Sokov glanced at the commanders present one by one and asked: "Does anyone have any questions?"
"No more!" the commanders present responded in unison.
"Since there is no problem, let's return to our respective troops immediately." Sokov raised his hand and looked at the time, and said to everyone: "You will launch an attack on the German army in five hours, and strive to attack the German army in the shortest possible time.
Inside, we will rescue the besieged cavalry army. How about it? Do you have confidence?"
"Have confidence!" the commanders replied loudly in unison again.
After all the commanders who participated in the meeting left, Ponedelin reminded Sokov: "Comrade Commander, if we send so many troops to relieve the cavalry army, we will definitely be able to achieve our goal. But I am worried that if this happens, we will
The casualties of the troops will definitely be huge, and by then these troops may no longer be able to participate in the next stage of the battle."
Sokov never engages in one-sided discussions. As long as he thinks the other party's words make sense, he will adopt the other party's opinions. When he heard what Ponedelin said, he immediately asked humbly: "Comrade Deputy Commander, do you have any suggestions?"
?”
"Look." Ponejelin pointed to the map and said to Sokov: "Now General Batov's 65th Army has left the forest and is leveling the battle line between us and them. At the same time, further north,
Some of the 70th Group Army also seemed to be showing signs of accelerating its advance westward.
If you can persuade Comrade Marshal to let these two armies also send troops to participate in the rescue operation, I think the next battle will be relatively easy."
When Sokov heard this, Ponedelin's words were very reasonable. If he only relied on his own troops to reinforce, then even if the cavalry army was rescued, the troops would probably suffer a lot of casualties. But if Batov could be rescued,
The 65th Group Army and Popov's 70th Group Army will also participate in the rescue operation, then the German forces will be dispersed. By then, not only will the casualties of the troops be reduced, but the chance of a successful rescue will also be higher.
"You make sense, Comrade Deputy Commander." Sokov nodded and agreed with Ponedelin's proposal: "I will call Comrade Marshal right away and ask for his opinion on this matter."