After receiving the firing parameters provided by the artillery observers, the artillery outside the city carried out an artillery bombardment of the German defensive zone for half an hour. When the shelling was over, I immediately gave the order to Berey, Seryukin and several other commanders to make a sortie.

When only me and Nekrasov and a few staff officers were left in the command, he cautiously asked: "Comrade commander, according to reconnaissance, since the Germans recaptured Kharkov from us at the beginning of the year, a large number of fortifications have been built in the city, and if we want to seize the city, these divisions alone may not be enough." ”

In order to reassure Nekrasov, I specially briefed him on the situation of the other three front troops, adding: "In addition to these three front troops constantly attacking the outer positions of the German army and pinning down the strength of the German army, the 57th and 69th armies and the 7th Guards Army of General Konev's steppe front also stormed the German positions from the east and north respectively, so that the enemy did not dare to draw heavy troops from this direction for reinforcement." ”

After listening to my introduction, Nekrasov stared at the map for a long time before finally nodding his head and saying: "If the attack on Kharkov on three sides can contain the enemy's main forces, then the resistance to our troops will be greatly reduced when they advance in depth." ”

"In this offensive battle, the plan I made is: multiple attacks and breakthroughs at multiple points. But so far, only your Fourth Route Army has completed the breakthrough and rushed into the city of Kharkov. Although I heard that the battle was raging outside, I still said with great disappointment: "If there is another breakthrough at this time, we will have a greater chance of winning." ”

While I was talking, Managarov called me from the command, and he said excitedly: "Comrade commander, I have good news for you, the 252nd Infantry Division has reached the designated position, and after occupying several strongholds of the German army, it has successfully cut off the Kharkov-Poltava railway and cut off the retreat of the German army. ”

"Great, that's great." When I heard the good news, I was overjoyed, as long as the 252nd Infantry Division could cut off the enemy's communication lines like a "floodgate", then the German troops in the city would soon face a desperate situation of running out of ammunition and food. That is to say, the more fierce the fighting is now, the more the Germans will consume ammunition and supplies, and when they run out of bullets in their guns and shells in their chambers, they will see how they will compete with us. "Comrade General, the commanders and fighters of the 252nd Division are all good, and we have to take credit for them! By the way, don't forget to report this good news, Commander Konev and Commander Vatutin, so that they can also be happy. ”

"Okay, I'll call them."

When I called, Nekrasov was next to me and heard my conversation with Managarov clearly, and as soon as I put down the phone, he excitedly said: "Comrade commander, this is really good. The Germans' supply lines were cut off by us, and with the current way of fighting, their ammunition and supplies could last for three days at most. I'd like to see how they continue to fight us when they run out of ammunition. ”

I raised my hand and looked at my watch, and then said: "Comrade division commander, our offensive has been almost an hour, why haven't we received the battle report of the tank corps and the two divisions, do you know where they are now?" ”

"Wait a minute, I'll ask." With that, Nekrasov walked to a telephone set next to him, picked it up and talked for a while, then came back and reported to me: "Comrade commander, according to the report of the observation post, the troops of the 77th Guards Division, after some fighting, have succeeded in occupying the German positions opposite the square, and after clearing the area of the enemy, continue to advance in depth. ”

I nodded with satisfaction at Nekrasov's vague and inaccurate answer, saying that as long as the 77th Guards Division could rush through the square full of tank wreckage and advance into the enemy's depth, no matter how far it could advance, it would be a great victory. I looked down at the map and ordered: "Comrade division commander, can you find a way to contact General Belei or Division Commander Seryukin to see how the situation is on their side?" ”

"Okay, I'll get in touch." This time, he walked to the side of a walkie-talkie and said to the operator: "Comrade operator, contact me with the 89th Guards Division and find Division Commander Seryukin." ”

While Nekrasov was going to contact the front-line troops, I began to calculate in my mind which of the other three troops could break through the German defenses in the shortest possible time and move closer to us. It's a pity that because I don't know the strength of the German army, I watched it for a long time and didn't come up with a clue.

It took almost ten minutes before Nekrasov returned to me and reported to me with a serious expression: "Comrade commander, I have just learned from General Bere about the conduct of the battle. As a result of the discovery of new German artillery positions, the tank units suffered heavy losses during the assault, and almost half of the tanks were destroyed or damaged. At the moment the tank forces are regrouping and preparing to attack again. ”

"And what about General Seryukin's 89th Guards Division?" I asked without looking up.

"The casualties of the 89th Guards Division were also heavy due to German artillery fire and machine-gun fire from the buildings." Nekrasov pointed to the map and said, "Right now they are fighting floor by floor with the Germans who occupied the building. ”

"Have you figured out the number of the German army?" As soon as he finished speaking, I immediately continued to ask.

"It's the 11th Infantry Division of the German 106th Army."

Hearing this, I couldn't help frowning again, and asked puzzledly: "Isn't this division north of Kharkov?" When did you get here? ”

"After interrogating the prisoners, General Seryukin learned that the division had suffered heavy casualties in the previous battle, and there were less than 2,000 men left in the whole division, so they were transferred to the west of the city to rest." When Nekrasov said this, he couldn't help but smile, and continued: "The Germans probably never dreamed that the troops they had withdrawn to rest and recuperate would continue to fight with the main forces of our army. ”

"Tell the division commander Seryukin, "When I heard that the German troops blocking in front of the 89th Guards Division were actually the 106th Infantry Division, which had been beaten to the size of a regimental battalion, I immediately burst with confidence and raised my head and ordered Nekrasov: "Let them speed up their attack, and they must find a way to defeat or annihilate most of this enemy!" ”

"But the enemy's artillery fire was too heavy for our tanks to rush forward." Nekrasov said with some embarrassment: "With the infantry attacking alone, maybe the speed of our attack will be very slow. ”

"There are no tanks without tanks." Anyway, in street fighting, unless it is an open field, there are really not many places where tanks can be used, on the contrary, it is easy to become a target for the enemy's anti-tank fire, "let General Bere and them rest in place, destroy those exposed fire points with artillery fire, and cover the infantry attack." ”

As soon as Nekrasov left on his front foot, the special line phone with the command of the army group rang. Originally, I thought that the phone was opened by Chistyakov or Managarov, but I didn't expect the voice coming from inside to be Vatutin: "Hello, Comrade Oshanina, how is your situation there?" ”

"Report Comrade General, the 53rd Infantry Division of the 252nd Army has successfully cut the Kharkov-Poltava railway." I first reported to him the good news that our troops had cut off the retreat of the German army, and then I went on to report: "The 77th Guards Division and the 89th Guards Division are advancing westward from the Lyubojing area. I have now rushed to ...... "I glanced down at the map and reported the location of the troops to Vatutin.

"Well done, Comrade Oshanina, you guys are playing well." Vatutin said with some excitement: "The more you fight in the city, the faster our friendly forces will be able to break through the German defenses......"

Before he could finish his words, I suddenly heard Zhukov's voice, and he asked in a deep voice: "Lida, where are your troops at the moment?" ”

I didn't expect Zhukov to pop up out of nowhere and was taken aback, but I quickly regained my composure and reported the name of the place just now to Zhukov again.

Unexpectedly, after he listened, his voice suddenly became serious: "Lida, it's too slow, your attack speed is too slow." How many hours have passed since the breakthrough of the German perimeter line, but what about your troops? Only a distance of less than two kilometers was advanced......"

Zhukov's lesson made me really laugh and cry, this is not a real-time strategy game, and the entire map can be pushed in ten or twenty minutes. The German troops in Kharkiv were far more tenacious than we could have imagined, and almost every step we took was to lose one or more commanders and fighters. But I can't refute his lesson, even if I feel wronged, I can only listen to it.

Finally, when he finished speaking, I hurriedly said: "Comrade Marshal, please rest assured, I will urge the other three siege troops to speed up the attack......"

"It's been almost a day of fighting, and the other three lines of troops have not yet broken through the outlying positions of the German army." Zhukov said dissatisfiedly: "If you still have troops in your hands, don't invest in these three directions, and transfer all of them to the Lyubokin area, then you will be able to quickly expand the occupied area with enough strength." ”

"Understood, Comrade Marshal." Upon hearing his instructions, I immediately readily agreed: "I will immediately transfer the rest of the troops from outside the city to the Lyubokin area." ”

"That's right, Leda." After hearing my answer, Zhukov's tone softened again, "Then I mention that I wish you an early victory!" ”

I put down the phone and thought about it, it seems that there is only one 51st Guards Division left in the troops under my jurisdiction, should they be transferred? As soon as I moved this idea, I was immediately denied by myself, anyway, behind the three front troops, there should be reserves, otherwise when our attack fails, the Germans will come to such a counterattack, and my nest will be in danger of being killed by the Germans, so I can only find a way to mobilize reserves from other places.

I dialed the number of the army group headquarters and asked Bezikov, who answered the phone, to find Managarov. As soon as I heard Managarov's voice, I asked: "Hey, Comrade General, do you still have troops in your hands?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Managarov was taken aback by my sudden question, and hurriedly replied: "At present, there are still the 29th Guards Division and the 107th Infantry Division that have not been put into battle. Where are you going to use them? ”

Seeing that Managarov had guessed my intentions, he did not go around in circles and said directly: "Comrade General, please immediately send these two divisions to the Lyubogin area, from here I intend to launch another onslaught against the Germans and completely disrupt their defenses. ”

"All right, Comrade Commander." Managarov said briskly: "I will immediately lead two divisions to the Lyubokin area and fight side by side with you." ”

I didn't refuse his kindness, but politely thanked him. Finally, he said: "Comrade General, please let the troops come by truck, the sooner we attack, the better it will be for us." ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander, I immediately put the troops together. As for the trucks, I had to turn to Colonel Bezikov in the hope that he would find enough trucks for me. ”

After another hour or so, just as I was in a hurry like an ant on a hot pot in the headquarters, a man suddenly rushed in from outside and reported in a loud voice: "Comrade commander, Division Commander Seryukin asked me to report to you that we have successfully occupied the headquarters of the German 106th Division. ”

"Great, that's great." Because I was a little dizzy with joy when I heard the news, I didn't think about why Xie Liujin didn't report the good news to me over the phone, and even sent a commander to report back to me as if adding to the problem.

After waiting for my emotions to calm down, the officer took out a boxy map from his satchel, handed it to me, and said, "Comrade commander, this is what the division commander asked me to pass on to you." ”

I took the map, put it on the table, looked at the other party and asked, "Comrade commander, have you caught the other party's division commander?" ”

"Nope. The enemy was cunning, and after our commanders rushed in, they fled from behind. After the commander had finished reporting to me with some regret, he ignored me when he saw that I had left the map on the table, so he pointed to the map and carefully reminded me: "Comrade commander, this is the map of the fortifications of the city that we captured from the headquarters of the German division, don't you want to take a look at it?" ”

"What, city fortification map?!" Hearing the officer say this, I almost hit the ground with my ass, this news is really shocking, I didn't expect that Seryugin and they actually captured the German city fortifications.

I couldn't wait to open the map, and I saw that although I didn't know any of the letters on it, I was very familiar with the terrain of Kharkiv. I saw that it marked the distribution of German troops, the location of artillery and tank units, and so on. After reading it, I slapped the table and excitedly said to Nekrasov: "Comrade division commander, with this map of the city's defense, we only need one day at most to fully capture Kharkov." (To be continued.) )