Since only a third of the tanks of Major General Bere's tank corps took part in the battle, the two attacks on the forest area did not achieve the desired results. Forty or fifty tanks were placed together, which seemed to be quite a lot, but once they were dispersed to an offensive front that was four or five kilometers wide, it seemed somewhat insignificant.

And in the hour-long shelling, very few of the fortifications built by the Germans in and around the forest were directly destroyed. Most of the fortifications, even if badly damaged, were revived as soon as our fighters came into effective range, inflicting great casualties on us.

After reading the battle report of Colonel Babakhin, commander of the 71st Guards Division, I threw it on the table, circled around the table full of people twice, and then stopped and asked: "Commanders, the two attacks launched by the 71st Guards Division on the forest area under the cover of the tank brigade ended in failure. ”

The answer to me was silence.

I waited patiently for a while, saw that no one spoke, sighed in my heart, walked to the wall, stared at the huge map on it, and quietly thought about how to adjust the offensive tactics in order to drive the Germans out of the forest area as soon as possible.

"Comrade Commander," I quickly turned my head to look at someone behind me. I saw Managarov get up from his seat, pick up the battle report on the table, and say: "I think that although we have failed to contact the two attacks, the German troops in the forest are almost exhausted. If we launch another attack, then the enemy's defenses will crumble. ”

I didn't say anything about Managarov's unnutritious advice, I just pursed my mouth disapplauded. Chistyakov, who was sitting in front of me, saw this small movement of mine, quickly stood up and said: "Comrade commander, it is absolutely necessary to launch a new offensive. But before the offense. We must first study the reasons for the failure of the first two attacks, otherwise we will fail equally if we launch a new attack. ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander, please go on." I still know a little bit about Chistyakov's abilities, so I'll wait until he finishes talking. I politely said, "Tell me what you think." ”

After frowning and thinking for a moment, Chistyakov said: "The main reason for the failure of our two attacks is that the artillery preparation in the early stage was not enough, and the strong fortifications of the German army were not completely destroyed. The second is that there are not enough tanks to provide sufficient artillery support for the infantry in the event of an attack......"

"General Chistyakov." Before he could finish speaking, Managarov retorted: "When we attacked Belgorod, the infantry was not supported by tanks, and the tanks were blocked by German anti-tank trenches. Even so, we managed to break through the German defenses from the north. Stormed into the city. ”

Hearing Managarov say this, I smiled faintly and said in my heart: If it weren't for my troops to take the lead in attacking the city and contain the German forces, plus the Seventh Guards Army that then rushed into the city, I am afraid you would not have broken through the German defenses so easily. Although my heart was full of disdain for his words, the semblance of politeness was still maintained, and I tried to say in a calm tone: "General Managarov. There are open areas three kilometers long and five or six kilometers wide from Dergach to the forest area. When our troops attacked, they were almost always within the range of German fire. Without enough tanks to provide cover, our infantry would not only have been killed or wounded by German artillery fire, but also suffered heavy casualties from German light fire. ”

After saying these few words, I turned my gaze to Bere, who was silent, and asked with a slight dissatisfaction in my tone: "General Bere." The remaining tanks of the tank army, about when they will be able to arrive. ”

Beray hurriedly got up from his seat and said with a look of shame: "Comrade commander, although I have ordered the remaining tanks to speed up, due to the damage of the road through it. The troops could only cut down trees and pave the way as they advanced, so they were very slow to move. ”

"Comrade commander, what General Bere said, after my understanding, is completely accurate." The next to speak was the chief of staff, Bezikov, who, after glancing at Bere, continued to defend him, saying: "The road was damaged because of the sudden rush of our 100,000 troops to Durgach. The roads here are already poor, and the road conditions are further damaged by hundreds of vehicles of all kinds. I went to see in the afternoon, and there were many places where vehicles could not move at all, except for the passage of infantry. ”

Bezkov's introduction made the commanders present suddenly realize that it was no wonder that the tank units were unable to reach the designated position for a long time, and it turned out that it was all caused by this damn road.

"Even if the tanks do not arrive at the designated position on time, our offensive must continue, and the Germans must not be given a respite." When I learned the truth, I didn't blame Bere, but continued to ask the commanders present, "Do you have any good ideas?" ”

"Comrade Commander, I have a good idea, can I talk about it?" Povsky, who had been ignored by me, suddenly stood up and spoke cautiously.

"Please, Comrade Povsky." Although I haven't spent too much time with him, I know very well that he doesn't speak, and when he gives his opinion, he usually gets to the point.

"Since there are not enough tanks to cover the infantry attack, then we will suppress the German firepower by increasing artillery fire." After Povsky expressed his opinion, he saw that everyone was looking at him blankly, and then continued: "We can concentrate the artillery in one place, aim at a certain defensive area of the German army, carry out a fierce artillery bombardment, and destroy as many German fortifications as possible." After the shelling is over, concentrate all the tanks and guide the infantry to launch a fierce assault on the area. As soon as we tore a hole in the German defenses, they would collapse in their entirety. ”

"Yes, Comrade Artillery Commander, this proposal of yours is very good." As soon as he finished speaking, Chistyakov praised him repeatedly, and at the same time raised his head and said to me: "Comrade commander, I think it is appropriate to adopt this proposal of General Povsky, concentrate all artillery and tanks, and storm a certain point of the German defensive line. I am sure that no German unit can withstand such a fierce attack from us. ”

After listening to him, I did not immediately express my opinion, but simply asked: "When can our offensive be launched again?" ”

And after Povsky and Bere looked at each other. "Comrade Commander, since the new artillery positions have to be reconstructed, I think the offensive will not begin until more than an hour at the earliest," replied Povsky. ”

"Another hour?" After hearing this, Managarov said with some displeasure: "After the artillery enters the position, they will carry out shelling for about half an hour, so that before the offensive begins, it will already be dark." I don't think our troops. What kind of ideal results can be achieved in the forest after dark? ”

The speaker is not intended to listen to the listener, Managarov may just be a whining word, but listening to the word is a different matter in my ears. That's right, night battles are the most test of the quality of the troops, and when the two sides meet unexpectedly and almost intertwined in the bleak forest, the casualties caused by the instantaneous exchange of fire will be so tragic.

And when our commanders and fighters are in the dark forest. They had no way or time to look through the dark curtain to carefully identify the situation a few steps away, and at most they could only judge the number of people on the other side and the next position by the shadows that flashed during the initial firefight. Especially when you are fighting with you or foe, you can only rely on your own feelings, or the combat experience accumulated over the years, to determine whether those shaking black shadows that are a little far away from you are friend or foe.

When I voiced my concerns, there was silence in Command again. Everyone understands in their hearts. Even if you walk into the forest during the day, your vision will be affected. What's more, it's a dark night? And even if we keep firing flares into the air, we can't see more clearly for our commanders and fighters.

Seeing that the plan for an overnight attack was about to come to naught, Major General Volgeng rose from his seat. He looked at me and said, "Comrade Commander, allow me to share my opinion. ”

I looked at the chief of staff of the 53rd Army, nodded with a smile, and said, "Please say it." Comrade Chief of Staff. Since it was noon, you could see that I had neglected the loophole in the offensive deployment to cut off the German transport lines. I believe that the proposal you have made now must be very constructive. ”

Volgeng waited for me to finish. With a flat expression, he expounded his own proposal: "Comrade Commander, since it is a night battle, it is not only our troops that have the problems you are worried about, but the Germans are also facing the same problems. Therefore, our overnight attack may be able to achieve unexpected results. ”

"General Volgen." Chistyakov retorted: "You may have forgotten to consider that in such a night battle, it is easy to get injured by mistake due to a mistake in judgment. At this point, he paused for a moment, gave me a meaningful look, and then continued, "Our comrade commander, when he commanded his troops in night raids, he repeatedly took advantage of the limited sight of the Germans to allow the enemy to kill each other in the dark. The enemy in the forest is one of the most elite units in the German army, and it is possible that they will use the same tactics against us......"

Chistyakov's words made Volgeng shut his mouth. He should have understood in his heart that what Chistyakov said was not nonsense, and that it was entirely possible that it would turn out to be true in tonight's battle. When the silence in the command fell back into silence, all eyes were on me, as if waiting for me to make a final decision.

Just then, the phone ringing on the wall, drawing everyone's attention. I thought to myself: I don't know who made this call? If it's a call from the front headquarters, maybe they'll ask about the fighting here, and I'll ask for their opinion and see what they have to say.

Lopukhov, who was sitting next to the telephone, picked up the headphones, listened for a while, stood up, covered the microphone and stretched it out to me, and at the same time said: "Comrade Commander, it's Commander Vatutin's call. ”

When Vatutin heard my voice, he immediately smiled and asked, "Comrade Oshanina, how is your situation there?" After the capture of Dergach, did you not drive away the Germans in the forest by the way? ”

Although he said it lightly, I was shocked into a cold sweat when I heard it. I guess that when he asked, it is very likely that Zhukov wanted to know when we would officially launch an offensive on Kharkov. I quickly took two deep breaths and replied respectfully: "Comrade General, we have launched two attacks in succession against the forest area. But unfortunately, they all ended in failure. At the moment we are debating whether or not we should go on the offensive or not......"

"Why discuss it, Comrade Oshanina." Vatutin's voice suddenly became stern, "You should attack the enemy all the time, and don't give them the slightest respite. ”

"But, Comrade General." I was a little embarrassed and said, "Soon it will be dark, and the troops will encounter a lot of difficult ...... fighting in the dark forest."

"What difficulties will you encounter?" Vatujin didn't wait for me to finish before he unceremoniously interrupted me, "Can't you just worry that the forest is too dark to tell the enemy from the enemy in the melee?" Don't forget, when a fight starts, many trees in the forest will burn, and many areas will be illuminated as if it were daylight, do you still have to worry about not being able to distinguish between friend and foe? ”

Vatutin's words were like an initiation, which made my thoughts suddenly clear, yes, why didn't I expect that the trees would burn after being shelled, as long as there are burning trees everywhere in the forest, do I still have to worry about not being able to distinguish between friend and foe in the night? So I hurriedly said: "Understood, Comrade General, I will arrange for the troops to fight at night against the German troops in the forest." ”

"That's right, Comrade Oshanina." Hearing me say this, Vatutin's tone softened again, "As soon as the Germans are driven out of the forest area, report to me immediately." Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade General."

After putting down the phone, I walked back to my desk and loudly announced to the commanders present: "Comrades, I have decided to attack the Germans in the forest overnight, and we must drive them out of here before dawn. ”

"But, Comrade Commander, how can the problem of lighting be solved?" Seeing that my attitude had changed so quickly, Chistyakov asked a little puzzled: "Even if we keep firing flares into the air, it will be difficult for our commanders and fighters to quickly distinguish between friend and foe in the dark forest?" ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander, don't worry." In response to his doubts, I explained with a smile: "Many of the trees in the forest will burn after being shelled, and then our commanders and fighters will be able to fight the enemy in the forest under the light of these fires." ”

Chistyakov listened to me, nodded, and said with relief: "That's good, that's good, so that our offensive can continue." ”

Seeing that there were no more objections, I began to assign tasks: "General Povsky, immediately adjust the artillery positions and prepare for intensive shelling of German positions; Commander Bere, concentrate the existing tanks, and as soon as the shelling is over, immediately launch an attack on the enemy's positions. "After giving the order to the two of them, I instructed Bezkov again," Chief of Staff, call Colonel Babakhin and ask him to prepare for another attack. (To be continued.) )