"What, your troops have crossed the Dnieper?" Hearing me say this, Vatujin was taken aback. After a moment of silence, he nervously asked, "Where did you cross the Dnieper?" ”

"In a lot halfway between Cherkasy and Kanivo." I briefly reported to Vatutin, about the crossing of the river, and in order to prevent him from giving a direct order for all the troops to cross the river from the area, I finally made a point of emphasis: "Comrade General, the place where we crossed the river, although not defended by the Germans, is not suitable for the deployment of large forces, especially armored forces. After all the research, we plan to choose a different place to cross the river. ”

"Why, you're going to cross the river from somewhere else?" After waiting for me to finish, Vatujin asked slowly, "I want to hear what location do you think is the right place?" ”

"Canivo!" I replied decisively: "We intend to send troops to carry out a forced crossing from this area of Kanivo, and after seizing the city, make it the starting point for our offensive against Kyiv." ”

"The river at Kanifu is very narrow, but the current is too fast," asked Vatutin, who had heard my plan clearly, with some concern, "if the Germans have a heavy garrison on the other side, are you sure that the troops will succeed in crossing the river?" ”

I hesitated for a moment about Vatutin's concern, and then replied confidently: "Comrade General, don't worry, I think our troops will definitely be able to cross the river." Because according to the battle plan, when a unit was forced to cross the front, the 67th Guards Division, which had already crossed the river, would go up along the river to attack the flank of the German army, so that they could not take care of each other. ”

"How many divisions are you going to send to take on the task of frontal force?" Vatutin continued to ask: "Also, what kind of fire support can they get when they force the crossing?" ”

"Although our troops were advancing on the banks of the Dnieper overnight, the only troops that could arrive before dawn were the 52nd Guards Division of Major General Nekrasov. As for the fire support they can get? At this point, I paused for a moment and turned my eyes to Chistyakov next to me. He quickly wrote a few numbers on a piece of paper and handed them to me. Glancing at it, I continued: "Before the attack, we will use the fire of an artillery regiment to cover the German positions on the other side. After the start of the offensive, the tanks of the 22nd Guards Tank Brigade were to stop at the shore and destroy those exposed points of fire of the enemy. ”

"No, you have too few troops." After listening to what I said, Vatutin raised his voice and said: "After the main force of the German army has withdrawn across the Dnieper, we have no idea what their current strength is. ”

Vatutin's words made me a little overwhelmed. I was silent for a while before I asked tentatively: "Comrade General, if we are not mistaken, do you not agree with us to immediately launch a river-crossing operation?" ”

"It's not that you don't agree, it's that your forces are too weak. With your current strength, to attack a city heavily defended by the enemy is undoubtedly to send you to death. Vatutin said to me earnestly: "Although we have won many battles recently, we must not have the idea of underestimating the enemy, otherwise we will suffer a great loss." ”

Vatutin's words made me really cry and laugh, and I said in my heart: Where did I underestimate the enemy? Although only one division attacked frontally, at the same time there were similar forces to strike at the flanks of the German army. Won't my two-sided attack solve the problem of the German troops in the small city of Canivo? But there are many things that can be said in the heart, but they must not be said. I pondered it for a while, and then said to Vatutin: "Comrade General, please believe me, I have absolutely not become underestimated because I have won a few battles. The reason why we dared to launch a river-crossing operation with two divisions was that the Germans had just retreated to the other side of the Dnieper River and had not yet had time to build a perfect defensive system. If we had delayed our efforts and waited for the arrival of the follow-up troops before launching a river crossing operation, it would have been estimated that the enemy would have already built strong fortifications on the opposite bank, and we would have to pay double or even several times the price when attacking. ”

As soon as I said this, I closed my mouth and waited anxiously for Vatutin's response. After several minutes of silence, Vatutin's voice came out of the earpiece: "Well, Comrade Oshanina, I agree with your plan of attack. However, your forces are still too weak, and I will immediately contact your allies to get them to fight with you. ”

Friendly! When I heard this word, I couldn't help but see that as long as we had the support of friendly forces, the success rate of our river crossing operations would be greatly improved. But when I think about it, I don't know which friendly unit he is going to let fight with us, if the combat strength is strong, it is better to say, if we meet a teammate like a pig, it will be our sadness. Thinking of this, I immediately couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade General, I don't know which friendly unit you plan to arrange to fight with us?" ”

"This is a secret for now." Unexpectedly, Vatutin, who has always been a relatively strict person, also sold his guanzi at this time, and he pretended to be mysterious and said: "Comrade Oshanina, don't worry, he will call you later to discuss the joint operation of your two troops." ”

As soon as I put down the phone, Chistyakov and Bezikov asked with concern: "Comrade commander, did Comrade General say which unit to fight with us?" ”

I shook my head and replied with a bitter expression, "I don't know either." ”

"What, you don't know?" Hearing my answer, everyone's faces showed an incredible expression.

I understand why people have such expressions, after all, in a few hours, the river crossing operation will begin, but as the commander of the group army, I don't even know who to fight with, isn't it too funny? However, I really didn't know which unit Vatutin planned to arrange to cooperate with us, so I had to shrug my shoulders, spread my hands, and said, "I'm sorry, I really don't know, because Comrade General didn't say anything. However, it will not be long before the commanders who cooperate with us in the operation will call me to discuss the matter of joint operations. ”

After saying this, I turned my eyes to Bezzikov and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, apart from the 52nd Guards Division, which unit is closest to us?" ”

Bezkov glanced down at the map, then replied: "Lieutenant Colonel Lukin's 375th Infantry Division should be able to arrive at noon tomorrow." So even if the attack of the 52nd Guards Division fails, the Lukin Division can take over the battle. ”

Lukin's application for the post of commander of the 375th Infantry Division was approved almost as soon as it was submitted. But whether Lukin can control the troops in a short period of time, I don't know the bottom of my heart. So after Bezikov finished speaking, I continued to ask: "Is General Govorinenko still in the division?" ”

Betzikov shook his head and replied: "General Govorunenko has taken up his post in the tank corps, and the division is currently under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Lukin. Finally, he added, "I believe that with Lieutenant Colonel Lukin's ability, he can establish his prestige in the army in the shortest possible time." ”

Then I asked Akhromeyev about the deployment of Zolotonosha, although according to our reconnaissance, the main forces of the German army retreated to the other side of the Dnieper River, leaving behind only unorganized stragglers, but I still can't take it lightly in the vigilance, if I really end up with a small group of enemies, then I will become a laughing stock for everyone.

When I was busy, the phone on the desk rang suddenly. I raised my hand and looked at my watch, it had only been twenty minutes since I spoke to Vatutin, and I immediately guessed that this call must have come from the commander of a friendly army, but unfortunately I didn't know who this person was and whether it was easy to get along with.

While I was thinking nonsense, Bezikov, who answered the phone, had already handed me the microphone he was holding in both hands, and at the same time said with some excitement: "Comrade commander, the commander of the friendly army wants to talk to you. ”

As soon as I put the earpiece to my ear, I heard a familiar voice: "Hey, is it Leda?" I'm Katukov. ”

Hearing this voice, I immediately understood why Bezkov's emotions were so excited, it turned out that the call was from Katukov. I quickly calmed down and said politely: "Hello, General Katukov, it's nice to hear your voice. ”

"Yes, we haven't seen each other since we repelled the German attack on Oboyan." Katukov's voice was slightly hoarse, but he was too emotional: "Commander Vatutin, I just called me and asked me to send troops to assist you in launching a river crossing operation against Kanifu. How's that, tell us about your plans! ”

When I heard that the unit that cooperated with me in the battle was actually Katukov's First Guards Tank Army, my heart suddenly became much more steady, and in my impression, Katukov had not yet lost any battles, that is to say, the river crossing operation launched at dawn would definitely achieve the imaginary victory.

"That's right, General Katukov." On the phone, I explained my battle plan to Katukov in detail, and finally asked: "I wonder what kind of troops you plan to send to assist our attack?" ”

"I'll send General Getman's Sixth Tank Army to support you." Katukov was afraid that I didn't know who Gottman was, and specifically explained: "Not long after you became the commander of the Sixth Guards Army, I also took General Gottman to you once. ”

In fact, even if Katukov didn't say it, I remembered who Gertman was, so as soon as he finished speaking, I nodded again and again and said, "Remember, General Katukov, I have a deep impression of General Gottman." Then I changed the subject and asked, "But I want to ask how strong the Sixth Tank Army is now?" ”

"The army has the 22nd, 100th, and 200th tank brigades and the 6th motorized rifle brigade," Katukov, in order to dispel my doubts, immediately reported to me the number of the unit belonging to the 6th Tank Army, "although they suffered huge losses in the Battle of Kursk. However, after more than a month of rest, the army has been replenished with equipment and personnel, and is now fully equipped and ready to enter new battles. ”

"Great, General Katukov, it's great." When I heard that I could get the support of a fully equipped tank army, I immediately smiled and said in a loud voice: "With this tank army supported by you, I believe that the river-crossing operation launched in Foxiao will definitely be victorious." ”

"The Germans have just pushed to the other side of the Dnieper, and it is estimated that they have not had time to build a complete fortification, and if you launch a surprise attack at this time, you will definitely be able to catch them by surprise." Hearing Katukov's words, I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotions in my heart, I didn't expect that his assessment of the situation would coincide with mine. Just as he was about to say a few words, he continued: "However, I would like to remind you that your battle across the river must be resolved quickly. Once the time is delayed, there will be a steady stream of enemy forces in the vicinity. Your river crossing will then turn into a protracted and brutal war of attrition, and even if you barely capture Kanivo, the strength of the Sixth Guards Army will be greatly reduced. ”

"Don't worry, General Katukov." For Katukov's reminder, I think he is too pessimistic. Under the present circumstances, even without the support of the Sixth Tank Army, our two divisions would be able to complete the river crossing operation and regain Carnivo again from the Germans in the shortest possible time. "At the latest, before dark, we will be able to settle the battle and successfully establish our defensive positions at Canivo. At that time, if the enemy does not come, it will be enough, and as long as they come, they will definitely be able to defeat them. ”

"Since you have this confidence, then I won't say more, I believe you have such ability." Katukov, who knew me well, also said confidently: "I hope that one day, my 1st Guards Tank Army, together with your 6th Guards Army, will rush into Kiev with its head held high and liberate this great city from the Germans." ”

The people in the command headquarters knew that there would be a fully equipped tank corps to cooperate with our river crossing operation, and their emotions suddenly became excited. Everyone gathered around the map and began to talk about where to build pontoon bridges after a successful crossing of the river, to cross the tanks of the tank corps, and where to launch a surprise attack on the enemy.

The conversation was so heated that no one noticed when General Guttman walked into the headquarters, accompanied by the staff officers of the headquarters, and stood behind us for a long time.

The room fell silent when the staff officer's loud report was heard, and everyone shifted their attention from the map in front of them to the general standing in the middle of the room. I recognized the person as the commander of the Sixth Tank Army, Gutman, and hurriedly walked up to greet him: "Hello, General Gutman, welcome to my headquarters. After a quick glance at his epaulettes, I hastened to add, "At the same time, congratulations on receiving a higher rank, Lieutenant General Guttman!" (To be continued.) )