Due to the scattered position of the German artillery, in the early shelling, Povsky's artillery unit could not completely suppress them, and sporadic shells fell in the Oud River and exploded, causing considerable casualties to the commanders and fighters of the Zhouqiao Battalion who were erecting pontoon bridges.

When a formation of night bombers appeared over Kharkov, with the help of flares fired by the Germans, they began to bombard the enemy's exposed artillery positions indiscriminately, and the enemy's artillery fire became sparse and soon stopped completely.

Without the interference of German artillery fire, the commanders and fighters of the Zhouqiao battalion accelerated the speed of the bridge, and at dawn Akhromeyev called and excitedly reported to me: "Comrade commander, the Zhouqiao battalion has built four bridges over the Oud River, all of which can pass tanks. ”

"Great, Comrade Major, what a beautiful job." When I heard that there were four pontoon bridges over the river that could pass through tanks, I couldn't help but be overjoyed, "Please convey my respect to the commanders and fighters of the Funabashi Battalion." ”

Putting down the phone, I said to Chistyakov and Managarov, who were sitting at the table: "Comrade generals, now that four pontoon bridges have been erected over the Oud River, we can divide our troops into four routes and attack the outlying positions of the German army at the same time. ”

When Bezikov heard this, he hurriedly opened the notebook in front of him and asked, "Comrade commander, how should the order of the attack be arranged?" ”

After glancing down at the locations of the divisions marked on the map in front of me, I began to dictate the order: "According to the position of the divisions, the order of attack is as follows: the first is the 67th Guards Division and the 116th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Baksov; the second was the 375th, 299th and 84th Infantry Divisions, commanded by Major General Govorinenko; the third was the 71st and 90th Guards Divisions, commanded by Major General Chernov; The fourth road was the 52nd and 89th Guards Divisions, commanded by Major General Seryukin. Each attacking force will be covered by 20 tanks......"

After recording my order, Bezkov said with a little regret: "It's a pity that there are too few tanks." With such a distribution, the number of tanks available to each unit is even less. ”

I also knew that the number of tanks was a little less, but my superiors didn't give me a replenishment of tank troops, and I couldn't conjure up tanks, so I could only reluctantly continue to order him: "Chief of Staff, General Sivakov is the commander-in-chief of the former enemy." Relay my orders immediately. At the same time, he was told that all the troops would start crossing the river at eight o'clock in the morning. ”

Less than half an hour after the order was given, Sivakov called. When I heard his voice, I thought he was trying to ask some questions about the offensive, but I didn't expect him to say anxiously on the phone: "Comrade commander, the Germans have dispatched infantry and tanks to charge the positions of the 375th Division. ”

When I heard that the Germans had dispatched tanks, my heart sank and I said that he was in such a hurry to call me. Could it be that the position was broken through by the Germans? Hurriedly asked: "Was the position of the Govorunenko division broken through by the Germans?" ”

When Sivakov heard me ask, he was stunned for a moment and then replied: "Not yet, but I'm afraid that Govorinenko will not be able to hold their position." If this bridgehead is lost, it will affect the morale of our troops. ”

Sivakov's concern really made me laugh and cry, and as soon as he finished speaking, I immediately ordered: "Let Povsky's artillery carry out blocking fire, and use artillery fire to destroy the German tanks in front of our positions." ”

Putting down the phone, I continued to discuss the next move with Chistyakov: "...... As soon as the troops broke through the outer lines of the German army. Then we'll move the headquarters forward. The units of the Sixth Guards Army were also all with the headquarters. As for the defense here. At this point, I deliberately paused for a moment and glanced at Managarov, "and handed over to the incoming 48th Infantry Corps." ”

After listening to my arrangement, Managarov just nodded faintly, indicating that he understood. And his chief of staff, Volgeng, asked worriedly: "Comrade commander." With all due respect, will this dispersal of troops lead to insufficient attacking forces? ”

"If the forces are dispersed, the strength of the offensive will definitely be greatly reduced." I saw that Volgeng opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something. Hurriedly raised his hand to stop him, and continued: "But the terrain west of Kharkov is relatively special, with more swamps and forests, which is not conducive to the deployment of large troops. Due to the narrow frontage of the German defensive positions, even if we had all our troops together, only a few troops would be able to engage them. Now that we have adopted the tactics of attacking from four fronts, the Germans have to spread out their limited forces, so that the forces of the various defensive zones appear weak, and the chances of our breakthrough are greatly increased. ”

"I see." Volgeng nodded and said with satisfaction: "I understand, this tactic of attacking from multiple fronts and breaking through at multiple points can make the German army defenseless." ”

Before eight o'clock, Vatutin's phone called, and he asked a little anxiously: "Oshanina, when will you start attacking?" ”

"Report to Comrade General, our offensive will officially begin at eight o'clock." I was worried that he would criticize me for choosing too late to attack, so I took the initiative to explain: "It takes time to move troops, so I didn't choose to attack at five or six o'clock." ”

But fortunately, Vatutin did not blame me, but told me, "I have good news for you." In order to cooperate with your offensive, the Steppe Front will use the 57th and 69th Armies and the Guards 7th Army to continue the onslaught on the north and east of Kharkov in order to prevent the Germans from moving their forces to resist your breakthrough. ”

"Great, that's great." Vatutin's words were a reassuring reassurance, and I was worried that at the height of the attack, the Germans would send reinforcements from the north, and the war would be at a stalemate. Now that the steppe front were to attack at the same time, it would be able to effectively contain the main forces of the German army and make it easier for us to break through from the west of Kharkov. "With the cooperation of friendly forces, I believe that our troops will definitely achieve good results in the next offensive battles."

"Then good luck with that, report to me in time if there is any news!"

I looked up at my watch and saw that it was only a few minutes before eight o'clock. Then he picked up the phone and asked Sivakov: "Comrade commander, how is the situation?" In front of the positions of the 375th Division, were there still German tanks? ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sivakov replied in a relaxed tone: "But there are only some destroyed tanks." ”

"Well done, Comrade Commander! The fighters are all good. Please convey my gratitude to them. At this point, I once again habitually raised my hand to look at my watch, and ordered: "The time is almost up, let the troops attack!" ”

"Yes!" Sivakov replied loudly. "I immediately order the troops to attack!"

Hearing this order from me, Managarov next to him breathed a long sigh of relief, and then said with some concern: "It's finally time to attack the Germans, and whether or not you can break through the German defense line depends on today." ”

"Don't worry, Comrade General." I said confidently: "Now there are three armies of the Steppe Front attacking in the north and east. Hold back the main forces of the German army. And here we have adopted the tactics of attacking and breaking through at many points, and with the limited strength of the Germans, they will not be able to stop us at all. ”

When Managarov heard me say this, his eyebrows could not help but rise, and then he asked: "Comrade commander, then do you think we can rush to the city of Kharkov in a few days?" ”

When I heard him ask, I couldn't help but laugh: "Comrade General, you ask that. Is it to look down on the combat effectiveness of our troops? You must know that although the German army was very strong, after suffering a series of blows from us. Not only did they suffer heavy losses in soldiers, but their morale also became low. Isn't it too incompetent to take several days for us to rush to the city of Kharkov against such an enemy? ”

"You mean, you mean tomorrow at the latest. Will we be able to rush under the city of Kharkov? Managarov asked tentatively: "Am I right, Comrade Commander?" ”

I had a hunch that some troops would be able to storm the city today, but at the moment I could only say vaguely: "I don't think it would be a big problem for the troops to rush to the city of Kharkov today, with the current strength of the troops." Come on. Anyway, the answer will be revealed soon, so we don't have to guess here. ”

I said it lightly, but in my heart I understood that the German defense units west of the city were, in addition to the 11th Infantry Division, the 198th Infantry Division and the 3rd Tank Division, as well as the "Reich Division" and the 8th SS Cavalry Division. Although we have the advantage in numbers, it will be very difficult to destroy so many enemies.

After the offensive began, Sivakov's report poured cold water on my head. Although the Germans suffered heavy artillery losses in last night's shelling and bombardment, they used tanks, assault guns, heavy tank destroyers, and a large number of anti-tank guns, anti-aircraft guns, and 105-mm self-propelled howitzers to form a tight and scorching fire network barrier in front of our tank units.

The attack launched by Baksov's 1st Army, after losing half of its tanks and hundreds of commanders and fighters, wedged into the German defensive positions, but due to the stubborn resistance of the German troops, they could not continue to advance.

The attacks launched by the 2nd and 3rd Route troops were also repulsed by the German army's tight defense. The commanders and fighters of several divisions, having to pay heavy casualties, had to retreat to the starting positions of the offensive.

As for the two divisions under the command of Major General Seryukin, they are currently launching a fierce attack on the German positions from the southwest of Kharkov. After the Germans broke through in part of the section, they organized troops under the cover of tanks to launch a frantic counterattack against them, but they were successfully repelled by Seryukin.

After seeing a large number of battle reports fed back, everyone's eyes were attracted to Seryukin's troops. Chistyakov read the battle report on the 4th Route Army several times, and then said to me thoughtfully: "Comrade commander, judging by the battle report received, I think that it is possible for General Seryukin's 89th Division to be the first to break through the German positions. ”

"I agree with Comrade Deputy Commander." As soon as he finished speaking, Bezikov continued: "The last time we attacked Belgorod, we were the first to storm the city with this division, and I am sure they will perform well this time......

"Comrade Commander, telegram, telegram!" Before Bezikov's words were finished, Lopukhov hurried to the table with a telegram and said with excitement: "Good news, General Seryukin's 89th Guards Division, having managed to break through the German perimeter defenses, has rushed into the city of Kharkov. ”

Hearing such good news, I snatched the telegram from Lopukhov's hand, read it carefully twice, and after confirming that it was correct, I shoved the telegram into one of the hands that reached out to the side, picked up the telephone on the table, and dialed the headquarters of Bere. As soon as the phone rang, I hurriedly asked, "Hey, General Bere, how many tanks do you have in your hands?" ”

"There are 28 more, exactly one tank battalion." After answering my question, Bere asked curiously: "Comrade commander, where do you plan to use these tanks?" ”

"Comrade General, please listen to me." Thinking that the city defenses of Kharkov had finally been broken through, and that if Seryukin's troops were not immediately reinforced, they might be beaten out under the German counterattack, so the first thing that came to my mind was to ask Bere to throw all the remaining tanks into battle. "At present, the troops of Major General Seryukin have broken through the German perimeter defenses from the southwest of Kharkov and rushed into the city. I order you to personally lead these 28 tanks to reinforce him, and make sure that they gain a foothold in the city, understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." As soon as Berey figured what was going on, he assured me: "I will set out at once with my troops, and as long as we are there, we will never let the Germans drive our troops out of the city." ”

Tanks, tanks, when I put down the phone, I thought to myself that if only I could have a few more tanks. Not to mention General Rotmistrov's Fifth Guards Tank Army, even with the support of Kravchenko's Fifth Guards Tank Army, I would have been able to quickly expand the gains in Kharkov.

Thinking of this, I walked to the high-frequency telephone, dialed the headquarters of the Front, and said to the person who answered the phone: "Hello, I am Oshanina, please help me find the commander of the Front, General Vatutin, I have important things to report to him." ”

"I'm Vatutin." Maybe I was so excited that the person connecting the phone was Vatu Kyoto who didn't hear it, and he asked cautiously, "Do you have anything to do with me?" ”

"That's right, Comrade General." Although I tried to control my emotions, my voice became hoarse from excitement: "Our 89th Guards Division has stormed into the city and is currently in a fierce battle. ”

"It's amazing, it's just amazing." Vatutin pondered for a moment and then said, "If I'm not mistaken, the last time we attacked Belgorod, the first unit to rush into the city was also this division, right?" (To be continued.) )