As soon as I returned to Kravchenko's headquarters, I received a battle report forwarded by Bezikov. After reading this telegram, my originally happy mood suddenly became dark.

The battle report said: The Fifth Guards Tank Army was forced to abandon part of its preset positions under heavy German attack. But due to the stubborn defense of our troops, the German units advanced only two to three kilometers. However, a German unit broke through the positions of the 69th Army and captured the areas of Erzavets, Rendinka, and Wipoltsovka, posing a threat to the left flank of the Fifth Guards Tank Army.

After reading the battle report, I handed it to Kravchenko and said angrily: "Look at it, comrade general, I thought that our army had an advantage in this area, but who knows that it still suffered a big loss from the Germans." ”

After Kravchenko read it, he couldn't help frowning and asked: "General Oshanina, then what should we do?" ”

In this case, I certainly can't sit idly by, I have to do something. Although I knew the terrain of the area well, I habitually asked, "Is there a map?" ”

In a few moments, Kravchenko spread a map on the table. I stared at the map for a long time and found that as the German 2nd SS Panzer Corps moved to Prokhorovka, their forces near Yakovlevo became weak. If we play it here, it might have the effect of pulling the bottom of the kettle.

Having made up my mind, I said goodbye to Kravchenko and hurried back to the headquarters.

When I arrived at the headquarters, Danilov asked me with concern: "Comrade commander, did you see the telegram I forwarded to you?" ”

"See, Comrade Deputy Commander." When I saw that Bezkov and they were there, I called a few people to the map hanging on the wall, pointed to it and said to them: "Comrade commanders. Judging by the current situation, the battle between the Fifth Guards Tank Army and the German army is likely to fall into a stalemate. So we have to help them and start a counteroffensive in advance. ”

"Where should we fight back?" Akhromeyev asked briefly.

I pointed to Yakovlevo's neighborhood and said, "Right here." We chose the counterattack at Rakovo and Beryozovka, as long as we inflicted heavy damage on the enemy here. will be able to push our line back to the area south of Yakovlevo. ”

Danilov looked at the map and said worriedly: "With the strength of one of our army groups, it is not so easy to inflict heavy losses on the enemy army, right?" ”

"I think this proposal of Comrade Commander is still very feasible." After waiting for Danilov to finish, Bezikov continued: "According to the latest battle reports we have received, our Central Front, Western Front and Bryansk Front are launching a fierce attack on the 2nd Panzer Army of the German Army Group Center in the Orel salient, and the 9th Army of the German army in Moder has to stop the offensive from the north of Kursk. And the troops were sent to reinforce Orel. ”

This new news from Bezikov gives me more confidence to be ready to implement it. I said with confidence: "If we rely on one army group, it will definitely not work." So I plan to consult with General Katukov and let him cooperate with us in the attack, and with the strength of our two army groups, we can still be very sure that we will crush the German army near Yakovlevo. ”

But after Bezikov finished speaking, he paused for a moment. Hesitantly, he said: "Comrade commander, will General Katukov easily fight alongside us?" ”

I know that Bezkov's concerns are not unfounded. Katukov fought very hard with the Germans during this time, and whether he could draw enough troops was also a question, so he couldn't help but hesitate.

Just as I was undecided, I suddenly heard Kirillov say, "Leda." I look at this matter, you should call General Katukov and ask him what he means. You have a good relationship, and whether he agrees with your plan or not, he will give you an accurate answer. ”

"Major. Immediately give me access to General Katukov's command. "Hearing Kirillov say this, I immediately made up my mind and turned around and instructed the chief of communications, Lopukhov. As I answered the phone, I couldn't help but think of the Chief of Intelligence, Rasmikhin, who had not been found since the last time we were bombed and he was wounded and sent to the rear. If he had been here, he would have been able to provide me with a lot of important information in a timely manner.

Soon, Lopukhov received a call from Katukov's command. Because time was pressing, I did not go around the bush and said straight to the point: "Comrade General, I intend to launch a counterattack near Yakovlevo, crush the German units there, and restore the front to the position before July 5. At the moment I don't have enough strength, so I'd like to ask you to join me in the counteroffensive. ”

My words stunned Katukov, who hesitated for a moment and asked, "Leda, why did you suddenly come up with the idea of counterattacking?" You must know that our current strength is not enough, and if we want to carry out a counterattack, it is very risky. ”

After explaining the cause and effect of the incident to Katukov, I added: "Comrade General, at present the most elite units of the German army have been pinned down by the Fifth Guards Tank Army in the Prokhorovka area, and if we can strike an unexpected blow now, we will certainly be able to inflict heavy losses on the German army." ”

After I finished speaking, Katukov was silent for a long time, and then said: "Lida, I suggest that you report this matter to Commander Vatutin immediately, after all, it involves the joint operation of the two army groups, and don't affect the layout of the superior commander because of a momentary impulse." ”

I heard the prevarication in his words, so I had to say tactfully: "Okay, Comrade General, since this is the case, then I will report to Comrade General and hear what he means." ”

After answering Vatutin's phone, his rather impatient voice came from the earphone: "Hey, Comrade Oshanina, you called me at this time, is there anything wrong?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." I guessed that he was probably in a bad mood because of the loss of the positions of the 69th Army, so he didn't dare to say too much nonsense, so he said straight to the point: "I intend to carry out a local counterattack on the Germans in the Yakovlevo area?" ”

"What, to carry out a counterattack on the Germans in the Yakovlevo area?" Vatutin's voice suddenly raised, "How many troops are you going to send?" ”

"The only troops I have at my disposal at the moment are two Guards Divisions. An infantry division, an infully formed tank brigade, as well as several artillery regiments and Guards rocket artillery battalions. "I know the data of the troops that can be used in my hands, and when I heard Vatutin's question, I didn't even look at the notepad, and opened my mouth to tell the number of troops.

After listening to the number of troops I reported, Vatujing was slightly surprised: "I didn't expect you to use a lot of troops." After a moment's pause. He added, "But with so many troops to fight back, your strength may be a little thin." ”

"Comrade General, I also intend to ask General Katukov's 1st Guards Tank Army to act with me." I knew that Katukov definitely wanted to fight back as soon as possible, but it was because he was afraid of Vatutin, so he didn't say yes to me. At this moment, as long as he finds a way to convince Vatutin, then it is logical for Katukov's troops to participate in the counteroffensive. "But before he got your instructions. Can't give me an accurate answer. ”

"Katukov, I'll give him orders to cooperate fully with your counterattack." Vatutin took it upon himself to convince Katukov, and then asked worriedly: "If, after your counterattack has begun, the German troops in the Prokhorovka area turn south and attack the flank of your counterattack force, do you have any precautions?" ”

"Yes, Comrade General." If a counteroffensive against the Germans is to be launched. The Fifth Guards Tank Army, which was to be used to support General Rotmistrov, had to be reassigned to its original tasks. Let them be to protect the flanks of the counterattacking forces, so I confidently said: "I deployed the 5th Guards Tank Army to the southwest of Prokhorovka, and even if the German 2nd SS Panzer Army went south, it was firmly blocked by them." "In order to strengthen Vatutin's confidence, I would like to add a word." A few hours earlier, a German army consisting of tanks and armored vehicles had been completely annihilated. During the battle, a total of 20 enemy tanks and 20 armored vehicles were destroyed, and 200 German soldiers were killed. And we lost only three tanks and a dozen tankmen. ”

"It's a good fight." Such a result. It made Vatutin's mood feel better, "In this way, you can rest assured that you can boldly counterattack." Don't worry, I'll call Katukov right away and ask him to arrange troops and fight back with you. ”

Taking advantage of his good mood, I asked tentatively: "Comrade General, I heard that the Germans had broken through the positions of the 69th Army, how can we restrain their attack?" ”

"Don't worry." Vatutin said in a very good mood: "I have just ordered the 2nd Tank Brigade of the 26th Guards Tank Army and the two mechanized brigades of the 5th Guards Mechanized Army to rush to reinforce the 69th Army. ”

When I put down the phone, Danilov and they all couldn't wait to ask: "How is it, did Commander Vatutin agree with our plan of counterattack?" ”

"Yes, Comrade General fully agreed with our counterattack plan, and promised to persuade General Katukov to let his troops join the counterattack." After I said this, I directly instructed Akhromeyev: "Major, you call the commanders of the 71st and 89th Guards Divisions, the 375th Infantry Division, as well as Colonel Bere of the Tank Army, and tell them to rush to the headquarters immediately, and I will deploy new combat missions to them. ”

Danilov, watching Akhromeyev go to make a call, secretly asked me: "Comrade commander, which of his troops do you think General Katukov could send if he cooperated with us in the battle?" You must know that his Third Mechanized Army, in the past few days of fighting, was almost crippled by the Germans, even if it was put into battle, it is estimated that it will not play a big role. ”

"Don't worry, my deputy commander." Although I hated Danilov's babbling in my ear, I had to explain to him patiently: "General Katukov is an excellent commander with a lot of combat experience, and he will surely understand that the reluctance to send those incomplete troops into battle will not only make no difference, but will consume valuable troops in vain." ”

"I hope so." Even though I said everything so clearly, Danilov still had a half-believing expression, and he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything.

Berey and Seryukin were in the same place, so both arrived at the same time. I had just returned the salute and was about to say something when the phone on the desk rang. Kirillov, who was sitting at the table, picked up the phone and listened for a while, then stretched out the microphone in my direction, and at the same time said, "Lida, your phone call is from General Katukov." ”

I heard that it was Katukov, and I knew that there must be a drama in the counteroffensive troops. After a few arrows, I rushed to the table, took the phone from Kirillov's hand, and said with some nervousness: "Hey, is it General Katukov?" I'm Oshanina. ”

"Lida, Commander Vatutin's called me." Katukov said bluntly: "Since the commanders of the front all agreed to such a counterattack, then I have no opinion either." At present, I have limited troops, so I can only transfer Major General Gottman's tank Sixth Army to you to cooperate with your counterattack this time. ”

"Great, Comrade General, this is wonderful." I was overjoyed to hear that Katukov had agreed to give me command of a whole tank corps. Now under my command, Kravchenko's Fifth Guards Tank Corps cannot participate in the counteroffensive because it is shouldering the flanks of the covering counterattacking forces; At present, the 33rd Tank Army of Colonel Bere can only be used by the 101st Tank Brigade, which is not fully formed. I was worried that the number of tanks was too small, and Katukov readily handed over the most complete tank corps in his hands to me for command. "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity!"

"Alright, Leda, time is pressing, so don't talk useless nonsense." Katukov said in a serious tone: "I will first let Guttman go to you to accept the mission, and within this time, I will hurry up and gather the troops, and then I can launch a counteroffensive against the German army within the specified time." ”

When I ended the call, I saw that the divisional commanders who had been notified had arrived, so I smiled and said to them: "Comrade commanders, sit down for a while, and when the friendly General Gutman arrives, we will begin to arrange today's counterattack mission." (To be continued.) )