The resistance in Kirovograd continued, but the reinforcements they hoped for never arrived, and Timoshengo in Alexandria was worried about it.

To the north, the Soviet Army on the Northern Route, consisting of the 19th and 23rd Armies, was unable to break through the enemy's interception as if it had been interrupted by the devastating blows of the Romanian armored and cavalry units in the first two divisions. Moreover, its commander also sent a telegram complaining that the enemy's armored division had been hovering on his flank, so that he could not attack the enemy's interception with all his strength.

To the south, the Soviet Army on the Southern Route, consisting of the Seventh Army and the 34th and 41st Divisions, was also tragically held back by four Romanian divisions at a place called Dolinger, 20 kilometers from Kirovograd.

As for the east of where his headquarters is located, he managed to organize nearly three divisions in an attempt to relieve the siege of Kirovograd. But it still had no effect, and the Romanians of two divisions kept their troops from moving forward.

Temoshenko, who was upset, called his staff officer.

"Send another telegram to General Norkov to the south, asking them when they will be able to break through the enemy's interception, and tell them that Kirovograd will not last long."

"Yes, Comrade Commander."

The staff officers who did not dare to come out hurriedly rushed to send the report as if they were fleeing.

After the staff officers went out, the commissar Comrade Moklov walked in. I saw him ask anxiously. "How's the battle going?"

Faced with the commissar's inquiry, Timoshenko shook his head. "It still hasn't changed, and at the moment all the divisions are blocked around Kirovograd and have not been able to break through the enemy's interception."

"Let's think about it again."

"I have already sent a message to the commanders of the front, asking them to do everything to reinforce Kirovograd. However, there is still no progress. ”

Hearing Timoshenko's words, Moklov couldn't help but suggest. "Otherwise, we will send troops to increase the intensity of the attack."

Hearing the political commissar's suggestion, Timoshenko said directly. "Where can I still send troops now, my comrade political commissar. At present, the troops of our military region are basically on the front line, and the troops left behind in the rear have been transferred to a minimum. There are no more soldiers. ”

It's also angry to think about it, the huge Kyiv Military District, which has nearly 300,000 troops, can't be mobilized now.

And Moklov, after hearing Timoshenko's words, couldn't help but continue. "I also know that there are no troops in the rear. I mean, take a little bit of troops from each division on the front and put them into the field. ”

"This will not work, it is useless to have fewer troops, and the problem of the front will be affected by the large number of troops. This will never work. ”

Faced with the commissar's suggestion, Timoshenko immediately refused.

"We quietly dispatched them to set off at night, and it should be possible."

Moklov, who did not give up, still stuck to his plan.

"Comrade Moklov, do you know the consequences of this?"

Seeing that the political commissar had been insisting, Timoshenge was also a little annoyed, only to hear him suppress his anger and say. "Let me give you an analysis of the consequences of this. First of all, the only troops that can be drawn within two days of the distance are those who are still facing the enemy. And according to your plan, at least one regiment per division is required to work. And the transfer of so many regimental-level troops can be said to be very difficult to hide people's eyes and ears.

Even if the enemy does not find out, as long as the troops are fighting in Kirovograd, it will be impossible to keep this secret, and at this time the enemy will definitely launch an offensive on the border. If we fail to break the siege of Kirovograd, there is a very high probability that our troops will be surrounded by the enemy, and this responsibility will be enough to make us sinners of the Soviets. So Comrade Political Commissar, don't mention such a suggestion. ”

Hearing Timoshenko's explanation, Commissar Moklov finally knew the terrible consequences, so he rarely defended himself. "The current situation has not changed, and I am afraid that Moscow will run out of patience."

"I know this, and if I lose, I will take my responsibility."

Hearing Timoshenko's words, Commissar Moklov almost lost his breath. You can assume this responsibility if you say it, and you have to believe it in Moscow, and neither of us will be able to run away at that time.

Just as Commissar Moklov was complaining in his heart, a red phone rang.

This made both of them look a little frightened. It's not that they're afraid of the red phone, it's that the phone is connected to Moscow.

But if you don't answer, it won't work, so Timoshenge still picked up the phone. I only heard the voice of a middle-aged man with a Georgian accent on the phone. "Hey, is it Timoshenge?"

This voice immediately brought Timoshenko back to his senses, and he quickly replied. "It's me, Comrade Stalin."

"Are there any difficulties in the troops?"

"No, Comrade Stalin."

"Then settle this battle as soon as possible."

"Yes, Comrade Stalin."

Just a few words made Timoshenko's back soak.

"Who called?"

"It's Comrade Stalin."

Timoshenko's words made Moklov's face even more frightened. "Comrade Stalin called to inquire about the state of the war?"

"No, he only asked me if my troops were in trouble, and asked me to solve the battle as soon as possible."

Moklov, who heard Timoshenko's answer, turned even more ugly. "It seems that Comrade Stalin already knew the current state of the war, and he was expressing his dissatisfaction."

"It's the current situation that has shown that there is little hope of winning, and it is good to be able to maintain an unbeaten run. And this battle also shows that at the moment our army is still not at the level of the imperial powers. I believe that the members of the committee in Moscow should also see it. ”

Speaking of which, Timoshenko had a thought in his heart, that is, what the meaning of Stalin's last words meant. He did not think that Comrade Stalin was far away in Moscow in order to express his concern, and to ask himself if his troops were in trouble. Then it must be that the result of the battle is not satisfactory to him, so he needs to let himself do something.

So what is it exactly?

Timoshengo had never guessed the intention. In fact, it's not that you can't guess, but there are some things that can't be said.

And just when Timoshenko was pondering, the battle for Kirovograd finally subsided. The Romanian army completely routed the defenders and occupied this important city. The last formed unit was wiped out by the Romanian army.

And now the Soviet Union's war situation in Ukraine has fallen into a total passivity, which makes Timoshenko determined. The day after the fall of Kirovograd, a telegram was sent to Moscow from Alexandria, where his command was located.