I met Guttman shortly before the Battle of Kursk, when he was still a major general, shortly after serving as commander of the Sixth Guards Army. Unexpectedly, just over two months later, he was promoted to lieutenant general. This shows how brilliant the results of the troops under his command were in the battles during this period. With his cooperation, I am full of confidence in the upcoming river crossing operation.

Shortly after Gutman's arrival, the commander of the artillery of the army group, Major General Povsky, also came to the headquarters. With a tired face, he walked up to me as soon as he entered the door, raised his hand and saluted, and respectfully reported to me: "Comrade commander, three Guards rocket artillery battalions have rushed to Zolotonosa like me, do you need to let them participate in the artillery preparation before the attack?" ”

When I heard that three Guards rocket artillery battalions had arrived, I was overjoyed that they were much more powerful than ordinary artillery regiments, and that they could destroy most of the rudimentary German defensive positions with just two volleys. I nodded hurriedly and said: "Comrade General, this is really good, immediately let them rush to the banks of the Dnieper and enter the launch position." As soon as the time came, they began to bombard the German defensive positions on the opposite bank. ”

"Yes," Povsky agreed, looked at me and said, "Comrade commander, since this battle is of great significance, I want to personally go and command, do you allow it?" ”

"Go, go, comrade artillery commander." I waved my hand at him and urged, "Go and set up the artillery positions first, and I'll go to the river with my friendly General Guttman later." ”

Hearing me say that I was going to the river to watch the battle, Akhromeyev suddenly asked: "Comrade commander, can you let me accompany you?" ”

"Major, you also want to go to the river and see for yourself how our troops cross the river to fight?" When Chistyakov heard Akhromeyev say this, he couldn't help but say curiously: "It's so unexpected, I thought you were used to staying in the command to deal with daily affairs." ”

Akhromeyev's face flushed, and then he explained to Chistyakov a little shyly: "Comrade Deputy Commander, the reason why I spend most of my time in the command is because my post is here. However, I want to follow the commander to the river to watch the battle today because this forced crossing is of special significance to me. ”

"What does it mean specially?" Confused, Chistyakov retorted: "What is the special significance?" ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander, let me explain this matter to you." Before I could say anything, Kirillov spoke: "A few months ago, when our 79th Infantry Corps was going up the Dnieper River to attack Kiev, a regiment under the command of Major Akhromeyev took part in the attack on Kanivo. After a fierce attack, they succeeded in seizing the bridge across the river from the Germans, opening a passage for us. At that time, many wounded in the army passed through here and were safely sent to the rear. ”

After Kirillov's words, I saw curiosity and approval on Chistyakov's face, and then I saw that he nodded, and said to Akhromeyev: "Well, major, since this is the case, you can accompany the comrade commander to the river later, after all, this is the place where you once fought." ”

"Except for General Gottman and Major Akhromeyev," I waited for Chistyakov to finish, and immediately continued, "who else wants to go to the river with me?" ”

"Comrade Commander, although I would love to go with you. But now it seems that it will not work, and there must be a person in charge in the headquarters. Chistyakov said with some regret: "I'll stay and watch the house, or a few of you." ”

"I don't have anything to do with staying in the headquarters, so I'll go with Lida to the river." Kirillov said with a smile: "I want to see with my own eyes how our commanders and fighters took the city from the hands of the enemy. ”

An hour later, our group arrived at the observation post of the 52nd Guards Division, which was located just 300 meters away from the river, from which we could clearly see the situation on the other side of the river.

Seeing our arrival, Nekrasov hurriedly came over and reported to me: "Comrade commander, we are ready, and when the time comes, we can launch a fierce attack on the enemy. ”

"Very well, Comrade Nekrasov." In response to his report, I said with satisfaction: "I hope that in the first round of the attack, your division will succeed in breaking through the German defenses, storming Kanivo and liberating the city occupied by the Germans." ”

After I finished speaking, General Gottman stepped forward, shook hands with Nekrasov and asked: "Comrade division commander, have you seen my subordinates here?" ”

Nekrasov nodded and replied: "Comrade General, just now the commander of the 100th tank brigade under your command, Colonel Veradele, came. ”

"Where is he now?" Guttman asked nervously.

"It should be in the nearby shelter." Nekrasov said, calling one of the staff officers beside him and instructing: "I said, you go next door and invite Colonel Veradele, who is friendly to him, and say that his superior has arrived." ”

The staff officer glanced at Guttman, then smiled and agreed, and trotted out of the observation post to the shelter next door to Colonel Villadel.

"In Colonel Veradere's tank brigade, there are sixty tanks, all T-34s." Before Villadelle's arrival, Guttman told me about the brigade: "Later, when the crossing of the river begins, let the tanks of their brigade line up by the river, and support our fighters with artillery fire to charge forward." ”

As he was talking, the staff officer, who had just run out, returned to the observation post, and he hurriedly said: "Colonel Villadel is here." With that, he flashed to the side and let a tall commander who followed him into the observation post.

I habitually glanced at his epaulettes, and when I saw that it was the rank of colonel, I knew that the person who had come must be Colonel Villadel. When he was thinking about whether he should take the initiative to greet him, the other party had already come to stand upright, raised his hand to salute Gutman, and reported: "Comrade commander, the commander of the 100th tank brigade, Colonel Villadelle, has been ordered to come, I follow your orders, please instruct!" ”

"Hello, Comrade Colonel." After shaking hands with him, Guttman pointed to me and said, "This is Commander Oshanina, and in a few moments your tank brigade will cooperate with their troops to attack Canivo." ”

"Hello, Comrade General." After raising his hand to salute me, Villadelle politely asked: "Comrade commander, I don't know what our troops should do?" ”

"Colonel, please come here." I guided him to the lookout, pointed to the river in the distance and said: "When our fighters begin to cross the river, you will deploy the tanks of the tank brigade on the river and strike at the exposed fire points. ”

As soon as he clarified his duties, Villadelle left the observation post and joined his tank brigade to arrange the next combat mission. As soon as he left with his front foot, Povsky walked in with his back foot.

As soon as Povsky entered the door, he said to me: "Comrade commander, the artillery is in place, when can we start shelling the enemy's positions?" ”

Instead of answering his question immediately, I asked rhetorically, "Have you figured out the location of the firing point on the other side?" ”

Povsky nodded vigorously and said: "Don't worry, comrade commander, our artillery observers have seen the location of most of the firing points, which are marked on the map. After the shelling begins, we will be able to focus on these exposed firing points. ”

"General Nekrasov," I asked, turning my head to Nekrasov, "are your troops ready for battle?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Nekrasov replied in the affirmative: "My troops are ready for battle and ready to fight across the river." ”

After listening to his answer, I nodded with satisfaction, and then asked Akhromeyev: "Major, contact the 67th Guards Division and see where they have arrived?" ”

Five minutes later, Akhromeyev walked up to me with a map, pointed to a position on it and said: "Comrade commander, according to the report of General Baksov, two regiments of the 67th Guards Division have arrived here, only three kilometers from Kanivo. The head of the vanguard regiment was Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov. ”

Listening to Akhromeyev's special explanation that the commander who led the team was my old subordinate Shederikov, my heart suddenly became much more reassured, and it seems that we should have no problem successfully occupying Kanifu today. I looked up at my watch and saw that it was only three o'clock in the morning, four hours before dawn at the earliest. I thought for a moment, and then decisively said to Povsky: "Comrade Artillery Commander, the artillery began shelling the enemy's positions at three thirty minutes. ”

"Yes!" Povsky immediately replied loudly.

I turned to face Nekrasov and ordered: "General Nekrasov, before we attack, we will prepare for artillery fire for half an hour. As soon as the shelling stops, your soldiers will rush to the river with their crossing equipment. Tell the soldiers that after the ship is launched, they must use their best strength to paddle and strive to rush to the opposite shore as soon as possible to reduce unnecessary casualties, understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Nekrasov confidently said to me: "I will definitely convey your order to the regiments." ”

I temporarily decided to advance the time of the attack, just because of the speed of the soldiers. Our every move on this side of the river may have been discovered by the Germans, and we are here to prepare for the attack, and they are probably not idle, and must be racing against time to strengthen their fortifications. Therefore, if you attack early, the chances of success may be higher.

The hour hand pointed to 3:30, and with an order from Povsky, the Guards Rocket Artillery Battalion and the Cannon Regiment opened fire at the same time. In an instant, the German positions on the opposite bank turned into a sea of fire, and even the dark sky was reflected in a large red.

When the shelling stopped, before the smoke cleared, Nekrasov picked up the phone on the table and shouted: "Comrades and brothers, the time has come for you to make a contribution!" Bravely march forward, cross the Dnieper, liberate Kanivo, and establish your immortal feats! Advance! ”

Hearing his shouting words, Kirillov's face couldn't help but smile, he patted Nekrasov's arrow, and said with a smile: "Comrade division commander, you are really not simple, you are actually restrained by political workers. How about it, do you want to be my deputy? ”

Although he knew that Kirillov was joking, Nekrasov's face still showed an embarrassed expression. Just when he didn't know how to answer, the tsunami-like sound of "Ula" outside relieved him.

I walked to the lookout, raised my binoculars and looked out, only to see countless figures pouring out of their hiding places, carrying kayaks and weapons, shouting and rushing towards the river. After throwing the kayak into the water, the fighters turned over and got on the boat, and then desperately waved the oars in their hands and rowed towards the opposite shore.

As I watched the boats of our river-crossing troops rush toward the opposite bank, I stared nervously at the positions on the opposite bank, which had been plowed by artillery fire, for fear that the enemy would suddenly emerge to block it. But the opposite side was quiet, as if our shelling had destroyed all the German firepower.

"What's the matter, Comrade Commander." General Gottman stood beside us and asked with a serious expression: "Why is the enemy not moving at all?" ”

"Maybe in the shelling just now, our artillery fire has destroyed all the enemy's fire points." Nekrasov also said with a puzzled expression: "Otherwise they would not have stopped firing." ”

"Comrade division commander, you are so optimistic." I immediately refuted Nekrasov's thoughts, "The enemy did not open fire, but wanted to wait until my troops were close before opening fire." But our troops were entangled with them, and the artillery in the back did not dare to fire casually, so that they could reduce casualties. ”

"What then?" Nekrasov asked with some excitement: "If that is really the case, won't our river-crossing troops have to suffer heavy casualties?" ”

"Comrade division commander, look there!" I pointed to the tank units that were heading towards the river and said, "Although our artillery can't suppress the enemy, these tanks parked by the river can." Moreover, we have arranged so many machine-gun positions along the river, as long as the machine guns and tanks fire at the same time, there is no problem in suppressing the enemy's fire on the opposite bank. ”

The German positions on the opposite bank were silent, and when the troops of the 51st Guards Division were only fifty or sixty meters from the riverbank, the enemy's machine guns began to fire, and the fighters who rushed to the front of the dozen kayaks were shot and planted in the river. Then the enemy artillery also opened fire, and the shells fell into the river and exploded, setting off columns of water that soared into the sky, and the two unlucky kayaks were directly hit, and in the rising fire, they were blown to pieces.

Seeing this, I turned my head and shouted at Nekrasov: "Comrade division commander, order the arranged tanks and machine guns to fire together!" Fire! Push down enemy fire. ”

As the order was given, the tank and machine-gun fire points parked on the shore began to suppress fire, which soon made the originally frantic fire points on the opposite bank dumb. Seeing that the enemy's fire was dumb, our fighters increased the speed of the rowing boat, and as soon as the boat landed, before it could be stopped, everyone jumped out of the boat and rushed to the shore with water.

Soon, a green flare was raised on the opposite bank, indicating that our troops had rushed to the riverbank. Then more flares rose into the air, indicating that more lots were being occupied.

At this moment, Akhromeyev next to him suddenly exclaimed: "Hell, why is there a signal flare in the city of Kanifu?" There is no way our troops can storm the city so quickly. ”

We had chosen a place to cross the river two kilometers upstream of Kanifu, and even if our troops had successfully crossed the river, it would have to take at least ten minutes to rush into the city without being stopped by the enemy. But now, less than five minutes later, our army's signal flares have appeared in the city, and this situation is really strange!

Just as we were guessing, the operator who was guarding the walkie-talkie suddenly shouted: "Comrade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sederikov, commander of the 67th Guards Division, wants to talk to you!" ”

I walked over and took the microphone and asked loudly, "Hey, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, where have your troops arrived?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," Shederikov reported to me in an agitated voice: "Our regiment has successfully stormed Kanivo, eliminated the defenders, captured the whole city!" ”

"What, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel?" Sederikov's words startled me, and I was afraid that I had heard it wrong, so I hurriedly asked: "What did you just say, please repeat it again." ”

"Report to Comrade Commander." Still emotional, Shedelikov reported: "Our regiment has stormed Kanivo, exterminated the defenders of the city, liberated the whole city. (To be continued.) )