Knowing that Chistyakov had led the members of the forward command to the former German headquarters in Izyum, I couldn't help but feel a little excited, thinking that since the troops had liberated Izyum, it was time for me, as the commander of the army group, to show my face.

While I was thinking about it, Bezkov suddenly said to me: "Comrade commander, shouldn't we immediately report this good news to the Front Command?" So that Commander Vatutin was also happy. ”

"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff, this is a good suggestion of yours." After I finished speaking, I turned around and instructed Lopukhov: "Major, send a report to the front headquarters that the troops of our army group have successfully occupied Izyum after several hours of fierce fighting, and that Deputy Commander Chistyakov is now directing the troops to clear out the remnants of the German army in the city." ”

Lopukhov agreed, and just as he was about to send the report himself, I suddenly remembered something again, and hurriedly stopped him: "Wait a minute, Comrade Major." Send this telegram to another operator, and immediately send a telegram to General Chuikov asking where his troops are at the moment? ”

When Bezikov heard my command, he asked with some surprise: "Comrade commander, you are now in contact with General Chuikov, do you want them to continue to advance westward and join forces with our troops occupying Izyum?" ”

"You're right, Comrade Chief of Staff." I knew in my heart that the German defense line that could block the fierce offensive of Chuikov's troops was definitely not so easy to break through, and only by attacking from two sides could we break the German defense in a short time. "As far as I know, in order to prevent our troops from expanding the landing grounds on the Severodonets River, the Germans deployed a large number of forces to the east of Izyum. If we do not get to the left and right with General Chuikov's troops as soon as possible, the Izyum we occupy will be in danger of being counterattacked by the Germans at any time. ”

"Makes sense, makes sense." After listening to my analysis, Bezkov walked quickly to the map hanging on the wall, looked at it, then nodded and said: "Comrade commander, you are very reasonable. According to our reconnaissance, the enemy has deployed a large number of troops to the east of Izyum, including quite a few armored units, and they are fully capable of launching a counterattack against Izyum. ”

I saw that Lopukhov was still sitting in the same place and did not send a report, so I hurriedly asked: "Major, can you talk directly to the deputy commander now?" ”

After hearing this, Lopukhov nodded, and replied: "Yes, Comrade Commander, the telephone line between him and the deputy commander has been laid, and you can talk to him at any time." ”

Hearing him say that, I immediately ran to the telephone on the table. While picking up the microphone, he also instructed Lopukhov: "Major, immediately send a telegram to General Chuikov and ask him where he is." Then I said to the communications soldier who was speaking in the receiverpiece, "Please give me the command of Comrade Deputy Commander." ”

After a moment of waiting, Chistyakov's voice came from the earpiece: "Hello, Comrade Commander. He laughed loudly and said, "The scattered German troops in the city have basically been wiped out by us." ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander, now is not the time to celebrate." Although the capture of Izyum by the troops was a joy for me, I could not be happy at the moment, because the German troops east of Izyum were always a problem for me, and I guess I would not be able to sleep well at night if I did not destroy them or drive them out of their existing places. "Although we occupied Izyum, the strength of the German troops deployed to the east of the city did not suffer much loss, and they were ready to launch a counterattack against us."

"Ah, it's so serious?" Chistyakov was taken aback by my words, and after hesitating for a moment, he said to me: "Comrade commander, please wait a moment. Then I heard him command in a loud voice, "Commander Tawartkiradze, call your division commanders at once, I have important matters to explain to them." ”

Soon he was heard saying to me: "Comrade Commander, do you have any plans for dealing with the enemy in the east?" ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander, I am in contact with General Chuikov in the hope that they will join forces with us and at the same time launch an offensive against the enemy in the east." Since Chistyakov was the commander of the front, I wanted him to understand my intentions: "Your first task now is to strengthen the fortifications in the east of the city to prevent a possible German counterattack. At the same time, let the troops seize the time to rest and recuperate, so that they can enter the new battle in the best condition. ”

"I see, Comrade Commander." Chistyakov assured me: "Since we have taken Izyum, we will never let the Germans take it again." ”

As soon as I finished the call, Vatutin, who received the telegram, called in. On the phone, he said in a relaxed tone: "Comrade Oshanina, I congratulate you, I did not expect that in such a short time, your army group managed to break through the German defenses north of Izyum and successfully occupy the city. After a pause, his tone changed and he said to me earnestly, "But you must not be proud of this, because the Germans are still very strong in the east of the city, and they have firmly blocked the 6th and 12th armies of our western front and the 8th Guards Army of Chuikov near the landing site. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade General." I listened to his tone, and the next step was to order us to take action against the German forces in the east of the city, so I preemptively said: "I have ordered the reinforcement of the defenses in the east of the city, and am actively contacting General Chuikov to prepare to attack with his troops left and right to destroy the enemy in the area." ”

"Very well, Comrade Oshanina, you are very thoughtful." Vatutin said in an approving tone: "No wonder Comrade Marshal has always praised you, it seems that he is right, and your judgment of the situation on the battlefield is quite accurate." Sometimes we have just thought about where to send your troops, and before we can give the order, we find that you have already moved in advance. ”

Hearing Vatutin's compliment, I didn't speak, just grinned.

I only heard him continue: "To tell you the truth, when I heard the news of your capture of Izyum, I came up with the idea that you would contact Chuikov and have your two troops flank the German troops in the east of the city. It's amazing that you've thought about this in advance and started deploying troops. If you need any support, just give me a call and I'll do my best to help you. ”

I put down my phone and stared at the map spread out on the table, thinking about how to launch an attack on the Germans. Bezikov walked up to me and whispered: "Comrade commander, our remaining two divisions have also reached the city. How are you going to arrange for them, do you want them to stay in the city to recuperate, or do you immediately go south and join the battle group in Izyum? ”

I looked up at Bezzikov and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, they have just gone through a long march, so let them rest in the city now." Even if they are to be thrown into battle, it will be tomorrow. ”

Hearing me say this, Bezikov said in amazement: "Why, Comrade Commander, are you not going to launch an offensive against the enemy east of Izyum today?" ”

"The attack on the enemy east of Izyum is definitely going to be carried out today, and there may be a night battle." Seeing that Bezikov had misunderstood what I meant, I hurriedly explained to him: "The two divisions have just finished a long march, and the commanders and fighters must be very tired after continuous operations in the early stage. Throwing them into battle at such a time, no matter how brave the commanders and fighters are, their combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced. ”

"Alright then, let's settle down in the city first." After Bezkov said this, he said to Sivakov, the commander of the 22nd Guards Army, who was sitting on the side: "Comrade commander, I will let Major Akhromeyev accompany you to settle the troops later. Remember, tell all the commanders and fighters that they do not have any combat missions until tomorrow. Their task now is to take the time to rest so that they can go into battle tomorrow in good shape. ”

While Bezikov was giving Sivakov and Akhromeyev the task, Lopukhov walked up to me, handed me a telegram in his hand, and said: "Comrade commander, this is a reply from General Chuikov. ”

I took the telegram and saw that it said, "...... Our Guards fighters managed to capture the villages of Dolgnikoye and Mazanovka from the enemy, opening a channel for the offensive of the tank units. However, the commander of the tank corps of the Front, General Voloch, was bombarded by the Germans on the way to the assembly place of the tank troops and unfortunately died, as a result, the plan for the tank troops to attack had to be temporarily canceled.

Having lost the support of the tank units, our infantry, in the advance of the attack across the village, was subjected to constant counterattacks by German artillery fire and armored units, as a result of which the attack had to be halted with heavy casualties......"

After reading Chuikov's telegram, I shoved it into Bezikov's hand and instructed Lopukhov: "Major, please send another telegram to General Chuikov that the troops of our army group have successfully captured Izyum. At present, the forces are being massed in the direction of the east of the city, preparing to launch an attack on the depth of the enemy's defenses. Question: Do they have the ability to continue fighting and form an east-west offensive with the troops of our group army? ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." After recording the contents of the telegram I had said, Lopukhov promised: "I will immediately send a telegram to General Chuikov and tell him the news." ”

When I saw that Lopukhov was sending a telegram, I said to Bezikov with some regret: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it is a pity that we cannot talk directly with General Chuikov here, otherwise it will be much more convenient for us to discuss the battle plan." ”

"Maybe you can talk to him wirelessly." Bezikov said with some uncertainty: "But the distance between us and them is too far, even if we talk, it is estimated that the effect will not be much better, and there will be a danger of being eavesdropped by the Germans." ”

When I heard Bezikov's concern, I waved my hand and said helplessly: "Alas, since there is no way, then let's use the method of telegraph communication." This is a higher security factor, and even if the Germans intercept our telegrams, they may not be able to decipher them in a short time. ”

After that, I called Chistyakov again and asked him: "Comrade Deputy Commander, are you calling a meeting of the division commanders?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Chistyakov replied affirmatively: "I have just finished briefing them on the situation of the enemy to the east of the city, and their corps commander is doing pre-battle agitation work to the division commanders. Speaking of this, he suddenly lowered his voice and said to me, "Comrade commander, after repeated battles, the commanders and fighters of the troops are exhausted, and I am afraid that their physical strength will not be able to support them when they enter the battle at this time. ”

"No, Comrade Deputy Commander," I hurriedly stopped when I heard that Chistyakov was going to let the troops rest a little: "I know that the soldiers are exhausted, but they are now supported by a spirit, and if they are allowed to rest at this time, they will relax." It will take at least a day or two for them to stay in their current state. Comrade Deputy Commander, what we lack most now is time, and we must launch a new round of attack against the enemy before they can ease their strength, so that we can be sure of victory. ”

"Well, Comrade Commander, since you say so, I will arrange for the political workers of each unit to go to the company to do political agitation work for all the soldiers." After saying this, Chistyakov asked: "I wonder when we will launch an attack on the enemy?" ”

"You guys get ready for war first." As I said this, I glanced at the back of Lopukhov, who was waiting for the telegram, and continued: "I am negotiating an attack with General Chuikov, and I will inform you as soon as I have the time to prepare for the attack." ”

"Well, I'll tell the division commanders right away and get them ready for battle." Chistyakov said confidently: "As long as General Chuikov and they can attack from the east of the enemy, then we have a greater certainty that we will completely destroy all the enemies in the east of the city." ”

"I hope so." I hurriedly added: "Comrade Deputy Commander, hurry up and assign tasks to the division commanders so that they can make all preparations for battle." ”

As soon as I put down the phone, Kirillov, who had been sitting across from me and had not spoken, stood up, took the military cap that had been placed on the table, put it on his head, and said to me with a smile: "Lida, I should now also go to the army and do political agitation work for the soldiers, after all, they are very tired after such a long battle." If our political workers do some ideological work for them, it may be able to boost morale. (To be continued.) )