The fact that the two group armies were under my command was tantamount to giving me a "reassuring pill" and at the same time giving me a lot of pressure. If Kharkov can be successfully captured, it will naturally be a happy thing for everyone; But if the attack fails, then I will have betrayed the trust of my superiors, and what awaits me will be severe punishment.

And Chistyakov obviously didn't think so, and as soon as they heard that the command of the combined forces had been handed over to me by their superiors, several people immediately cheered.

After calm was restored in the observation post, Chistyakov, who was still a little excited, asked: "Comrade commander, do you want to hold a military meeting after the commander of the friendly army arrives to discuss how to launch an offensive on Kharkov?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander, your proposal is very good, that a military conference should be held." Chistyakov's proposal immediately reminded me that two units that were not subordinate to each other could easily go their separate ways in the first joint operation, so it was absolutely necessary to convene a military conference and unify thinking. Therefore, I said approvingly: "As soon as General Managarov and his division commanders arrive, we will have a meeting." However, the first priority at the moment is to capture the city of Djergach first. ”

While I was on the phone, Baksov not only observed at the lookout for a long time, but at the same time received several phone calls from the front-line commanders, and when he heard me say this, he immediately replied: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander. According to the reports of the commanders in the field, two-thirds of the city of Djergach has fallen into the hands of our troops, and a few German troops are stubbornly resisting in a few buildings, but I believe that it will not be long before they are all wiped out or driven out of the city. ”

I am not at all surprised by the capture of Djergach by the 67th Guards Division, after all, this is only a small city, and if it weren't for Baksov they marched a long way yesterday. After breaking through several lines of German defense in succession, the commanders and fighters were a little tired, and they might have taken it last night.

My eyes were fixed on the map and I asked: "General Sivakov, have you figured out the deployment of the German troops at the edge of the forest?" ”

"Comrade commander, it's all figured out." Sivakov pointed to the location of the forest on the map and said to me: "The Germans have assembled the 3rd Panzer Division and the 168th Infantry Division in the forest. Although these two units suffered heavy casualties in the early battles, their combat effectiveness should not be underestimated. ”

My original plan was for Colonel Babachin's 71st Guards Division to attack the forest area and advance to the north bank of the Oud River. Now that there is a whole army group, my strategy must be adjusted. Thinking of this, I decisively announced: "I announce that the combat duty of the 71st and 90th Guards Divisions has been canceled. After the capture of Djergach by the 67th Guards Division, the troops rested in place. ”

As soon as my words came out. Babakhin and Chernov, who were still eager to try, were suddenly dumbfounded, and the two asked in unison: "Comrade commander, why is this?" ”

After glancing at the two of them, I said: "Comrade two division commanders, you must know that the troops participating in the battle, not only your 22nd Guards Army, but also the 23rd Guards Army of General Tawart Kiradze is also about to arrive, behind them. There were also tens of thousands of commanders and fighters of General Managarov's 53rd Army. Hence our original combat deployment. Adjust accordingly as well. ”

Chistyakov waited for me to finish, looked around at the observation post where we were, and then said: "Comrade commander, if a military meeting is held, this place is too small, even if only divisional commanders come to the meeting. I can't sit down. Do you see, after taking Dergach, hold the meeting in the city? ”

"No, Comrade Deputy Commander, this will definitely not work." Chistyakov's proposal was just exited. I immediately retorted: "The Germans are stationed not far south of Djergach, and if they knew that we were meeting in the city, they might have killed us if they had come and shelled us." So in any case, we can't have a meeting in the city. ”

Hearing me say this, Chistyakov was a little confused. "So where are we supposed to have a meeting? It's definitely not going to work in a tent, and there aren't many people crammed in it. Can we only meet in the open air? ”

Where to hold a meeting is a real trouble. When he was in a dilemma, Sivakov suddenly spoke: "Comrade commander, there are quite a few lumberjacks and carpenters in my troops, I can gather them, find a spacious place, and hurry up to build a wooden house. ”

"Well, Comrade Commander, your proposal is good." In order to ensure that the progress was carried out, I also specifically told him: "In order to speed up the construction, the cut trees do not need to be stripped of the outer bark, as long as the house can be built, then it will be fine." Okay, let's start cutting wood and building a house! ”

After Sivakov left with Colonel Bahashin, I looked at Baksov on the other side and said: "Comrade division commander, once the troops have completely occupied Dergach, in addition to continuing to clear the city of the remnants of the enemy, we must also build strong fortifications in the direction of the forest. ”

Listening to my order, before Baksov could speak, Chistyakov interjected and asked: "Comrade commander, do we really want to wait for the arrival of the 23rd Guards Army and General Managarov's 53rd Army before launching an attack on the forest area?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Deputy Commander." I replied affirmatively: "Thanks to the addition of General Managarov's 53rd Army, we now have twice as many troops, so we must adjust our offensive tactics against Kharkov accordingly." ”

"Adjustment?!" Chistyakov asked puzzledly: "What kind of adjustment?" ”

I pointed to the location of the forest on the map and said, "You see, the Germans have an infantry division and an armored division in the forest, and if we attack now, it is estimated that even if we suffer heavy casualties, we may not be able to drive the enemy out of the forest area." Therefore, I plan to wait for our artillery and the tank units behind to arrive, and then shell the forest first, and then have tanks to cover the infantry to attack, so that the odds of victory will be much higher. ”

Chistyakov stared intently at the map, frowned and thought for a while, then finally nodded and said approvingly: "Okay, Comrade Commander, just do as you propose." Before the attack, the necessary artillery preparations were carried out to destroy the enemy's defensive positions and technical equipment, so that our attacking troops could reduce casualties. (To be continued.) )