When Kirillov and I went to inspect the river on the north side of the city, I finally understood thoroughly why Manstein would so decisively order the troops to withdraw from the city. Zaporosh, located in the great bend of the Dnieper, is surrounded by plains, with flat rivers to the east and south, which is conducive to attack rather than defense. The north and west sides are adjacent to the Dnieper, and now due to the cold weather, the ice on the river has not yet thinned and melted, and the German infantry can rush directly from the ice.

Seeing the terrain, Kirillov's expression also became stern, and even if I didn't say anything, he must have understood in his heart why the Germans would abandon Zaporosh so lightly and withdraw to the other side of the Dnieper. After a long silence, he cautiously asked: "Comrade Oshanina, the situation is now very clear, the retreat of the German army is a complete conspiracy, they are trying to lure our main forces into Zaporosh, surround our troops in the city from several directions, and then rely on their air supremacy and superiority in weapons and equipment to annihilate us. ”

After listening to Kirillov's analysis, I nodded silently, because what he said coincided with what I was thinking. After being silent for a while, I sighed and said helplessly: "Comrade Political Commissar, you are right. Manstein threw the city to us at this time in order to attract the strength of our army here. As soon as the main forces of our army are stationed in Zaporosh, his troops will pounce on them from all sides. As you may have noticed, the city is surrounded by large plains in both the east and south directions, which is very conducive to the assault of armored troops. And also. "Speaking of which. I pointed with my hand to the ice-covered Dnieper River in front of me. "The river is ten kilometers wide in the west and north directions of the city, and if the Germans rush over the ice, tell me how many troops we will have to use to hold the riverbank?"

"And what's next for you?" After asking cautiously, Kirillov kindly reminded me: "Comrade Oshanina, I remind you that you must not have the thought of giving up Zaporosh. "Didn't wait for me to ask. He went on to explain, "The capture of Zaporosh and the elimination of Manstein's command were a great victory. If you give up the city lightly, you may be waiting for you in a note that you will be court-martial and receive the harshest punishment. ”

I don't understand what Kirillov said, but now I know that this Zaporosh is a decoy laid by the Germans, waiting for the main forces of our army to move here. Then we will implement the tactic of encircling our troops on all sides to achieve the goal of encircling and annihilating our troops.

"Transfer the 22nd Guards Division of Comrade Pantai Leev to the city. This is our old unit, and it is safe to use it. "Since the city can't be abandoned, then I can only think about how to hold it. If you put all the troops in the city, although it seems that the troops are heavy, if you are surrounded by the Germans, you will not be able to run away if you want to. Rather than sit back and wait like that, it is better to put the three divisions in a "pin" formation and support each other, so in the following order, I decisively said: "Send a message to Andreushchenko and Akhromeyev to abandon Poloy, withdraw their troops to the Kuban, and build strong fortifications in the city to deal with the German 11th Panzer Division and the 336th Infantry Division that are following behind." Gurdiev's 308th Division remained in place to prevent the German 'Reich Division' from turning south. ”

When the telegraph operator faithfully sent my orders to the 171st and 308th Divisions in the form of a telegram, Kirillov reminded me: "Oshanina, since we have captured Zaporosh, should you report this matter to Commander Kharytonov immediately?" ”

"Well, Comrade Commissar." In fact, to report to the command of the army group about the capture of Zaporosh, I thought about it a long time ago. The reason why it was not reported for a long time was that he was afraid that Commander Kharitonov would order our troops to hold the city at any cost. With Kirilov's reminder, I understood that this city, which had become the "bait" of the German army, could not be given up lightly under any circumstances. Therefore, the report to the higher authorities could not be further delayed, "and when the telegram was sent by Comrade Operator, I personally spoke to Commander Khalitonov and told him the news of the occupation of the city." ”

After the telegraph operator had sent the telegram and contacted the army group headquarters, I put on a headset and took a microphone to start a conversation with Khalitonov: "Hello, Comrade Commander, I am Oshanina, and I have information to report to you. ”

Hearing that it was me, Khalitonov said happily: "It turned out to be our female general, contact me at this time, do you want to tell me that your troops have launched an attack on the German city of Zaporosh?" ”

Hearing Kharytonov's excited voice coming from the headphones, I smiled bitterly and immediately replied: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, we did not launch an attack on the city of Zaporosh. ”

"What?!" When Khalitonov heard my answer, his tone suddenly changed, and he asked somewhat unceremoniously: "Comrade Oshanina, look at the time, it's almost noon now, why haven't your troops launched an offensive against Zaporosh yet?" ”

"Comrade Commander, please listen to me, the situation is not what you imagined." When I heard Kharitonov's tone of voice change, I knew that he had misunderstood, and quickly explained to him: "Although my troops did not attack Zaporosh, now the city is already in our hands. ”

"Comrade Oshanina, what did you just say that Zaporosh is already occupied by your troops?" When Khalitonov heard me say this, he asked with some surprise: "But you have told me that your troops have not yet launched an attack on the city." What the hell is going on, it confuses me. ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." I patiently explained to him: "Last night the scouts I sent reported to me that the German troops in the city, without our knowledge, had quietly withdrawn from the city and had withdrawn to the other side of the Dnieper. Since I could not figure out the enemy's intentions at the time, I temporarily ordered my troops to stand still. It was only this morning that I sent a regiment to Zaporosh. After a careful search. It was found that all the German troops in the city had retreated. ”

"The Germans are because they can't withstand our attacks. That's why they retreated to the other side of the Dnieper. Upon learning that Zaporosh had fallen into our hands, Khalitonov's feelings became a little agitated: "Comrade Oshanina, I order you to immediately drive all your troops into Zaporosh, hurry up and build fortifications and turn it into a strong fortress against a possible counterattack by the Germans. ”

"Comrade Commander, I feel that Manstein has abandoned the city. There is a great conspiracy, and he should have wanted to wait for the main forces of our army to enter Zaporosh, and then transfer troops to besiege us from all sides. "I carefully told Khalidonov my judgment so as not to fall for the tricks of the Germans.

"Mobilize troops to surround us?!" Kharytonov listened to what I said and said disdainfully: "Is there still troops to be mobilized in Manstein?" You know, we have several times more troops than them, and his strength is no match for us, so you can rest assured and boldly drive your troops into Zaporosh. As for the vacated cities, I will immediately send troops to take over the defense. ”

"But, Comrade Commander. If all our troops moved into Zaporosh, it would be easy to fall into the encirclement of the Germans. "I heard that my worst fears had happened. I hurriedly explained to Kharidonov: "So I intend to stay in the Kuban and north of the airfield, in addition to the 22nd Guards Division, which entered Zaporosh. In this way, the remaining two divisions could provide the necessary support in any direction that was attacked by the Germans. ”

"Comrade Oshanina, you are thinking too much." Kharidonov said optimistically: "Although our army group suffered a little loss in the battle with the German 'Imperial Division' two days ago, it alone will not have any impact on the entire campaign with just one of them. So you can rest assured and boldly lead your troops into Zaporosh, if the German troops really pounce on Zaporos from all sides, our main forces can easily crush them. Probably afraid that I would be verbose with him again, he also specially added: "This is an order from the superiors, carry it out." ”

In this case, I could only reluctantly agree: "Yes, Comrade Commander, I resolutely obey your orders." ”

As soon as I put down the microphone and headphones, Kirillov leaned over and asked with concern: "Comrade Oshanina, how is the situation, what does Comrade Commander say?" ”

I replied with a wry smile: "Comrade commissar, what do you think the commander will say, of course, that our whole army will march into Zaporosh and turn it into a fighting fortress and resolutely hold the city under the onslaught of the enemy. ”

"All the troops marched into Zaporosh?" After hearing this, Kirillov asked in surprise: "Then what about the cities of Poloy and Kuban, will they all be handed over to the Germans?" ”

"That's not allowed, Commander Khalidonov said, he would send troops to take over the defense of those cities." I smiled bitterly and said, "That being said, no one can say when the troops to take over the defense will arrive." ”

"Now that we all understand that it is an unwise decision to march the whole army into the city." Although Kirillov was also dissatisfied with his superiors, he still criticized me vaguely in very euphemistic words, and then asked me: "Comrade Oshanina, what are you going to do?" ”

"It is not advisable to march all the troops into the city." Although Khalitonov gave me the order to march the whole army into the city, it was now the general who was not subject to the orders of the king, so I did not intend to carry out his orders exactly. You must know that even if the 171st Division withdraws from the battle, the enemy's large forces will chase after them and easily occupy the towns that we have abandoned, and when the receiving troops sent by the group army arrive, they can only stare dryly. After weighing it up again and again, I issued another order: "The 308th Division will continue to hold on to the existing defense area, and the 171st Division will still withdraw to the Kuban area as planned." After a day or two of rest, they will be stationed at the airport and build a strong defensive line on the southern side of the city. ”

Then it was time for me to speak to the Chief of Staff, and in the present situation, I could no longer care about speaking in plain language, and I would be eavesdropped by the Germans, so I took the microphone and gave a straightforward order to Vitkov, who was still at the airport: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you now give an order to General Pandereev to immediately lead the commanders and fighters of the whole division into Zaporosh." ”

"Except for the 22nd Guards Division, how should the remaining two divisions be arranged?" Vitkov, waiting for me to finish, cautiously asked: "Or let them stay in the existing defense zone?" ”

"Staying in the original defense zone now seems unlikely." With a bitter expression, I said into the microphone: "The army group command has ordered us to abandon any area except Zaporosh, and these vacant places will be defended by friendly troops. ”

"Comrade Army Commander, the situation is becoming more and more unfavorable for our army." Vitkov tactfully pointed out to me: "We are surrounded by German troops, and if we abandon these towns or defense areas, and do not wait for friendly troops to enter them, we are afraid that they will be seized by the Germans, so I think we should continue to keep a certain number of our troops in these areas." ”

"You are very well thought out, Comrade Chief of Staff." I nodded with satisfaction for his consideration, and continued: "After the 171st Division arrives in the Kuban, let them rest for half a day or a day, and then enter the airfield to protect the security of our southern flank. As for the 308th Division, let one regiment stay in its position, and the rest will march into Zaporosh. ”

Vitkov hurriedly said: "Comrade commander, there is one more matter, I must ask you for instructions. ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you say?"

"What about Ick, the commander of the German 'Skeleton Division' who is locked up in the headquarters of our army?" Vitkov carefully reminded me: "What should we do with him because he didn't have the bullets out of his body and there weren't enough anti-inflammatory drugs to stop him, so his injuries are getting worse and worse?" ”

To tell the truth, I would like to order the shooting of these captured SS officers, all of them are heinous crimes, and even if they are shot eight times out of ten, it will not seem excessive. But when Vitkov asked me what to do with the captive, I couldn't make up my mind to kill him.

After thinking about it for a moment, I said to Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, let him remain in the plane, while leaving another platoon of fighters to watch and care for him." If I see that the airport can't be defended, I will give it to the top commander who is staying at the airport and ask them to dispose of Ike. ”

After I finished my order, there was no more sound in the headphones, and just when I thought that Vitkov had gone off the assembly line and was about to take off the headphones, I suddenly heard Vitkov's voice again: "Comrade commander, if our whole army enters Zaporosh, will we really be surrounded by German troops on all sides?" (To be continued......)