Fierce fighting continued on the plains of the lower Don River, and Voroshilov's troops finally captured half of the city after a day of storming Luhansk regardless of casualties. However, there is still a long way to go before he completely occupies the city, because there is still a steady stream of white troops coming from the direction of Donetsk, and every time a group of white troops are repulsed, a new white army arrives again, and for a time the Red Tenth Army is in a bitter battle.

In fact, Voroshilov, who fought hard, didn't particularly care, to be honest, this person was still very brave in battle except for his lack of military talent, and it was not a joke for him to take the lead. Whenever the battle was at its hardest and hardest, this big man was able to personally lead the charge, and his actions were at least morale-boosting.

However, Frunze did not want a hard fight, he needed the Red Tenth Army to attack Titerrichs quickly, holding him back so that he could not attack Bai Kalitva with all his strength. This required Voroshilov not only to seize Lugansk, but also to launch an offensive in the direction of Kamensk.

In order to complete the tasks assigned by Frunze, occupy the railway station, and partially open the lines of communication, Voroshilov immediately transferred nearly a brigade of troops to attack in the direction of Kamensk.

"Nikolai. Comrade Bubnov, I ask your troops to march quickly towards Kamensk, to open up the lines of communication as much as possible, to find out the movements of the Czech corps, and if possible, to attack them! ”

After listening to Voroshilov's chattering and nagging, stepping on the drizzle, Nikolai . Bubnov's troops set off. But in Nikolai. In Bubnov's opinion, the orders of his superiors are orders, and he still knows in his heart how much weight his troops can have. The combat effectiveness of the 1st Cavalry Regiment in the lead can be expected. But the eighty-kilometer journey in the direction of Kamensk was covered with mud, hills and swamps. The poor road conditions of the rainy season in the lower reaches of the Don would undoubtedly greatly reduce the impact of the cavalry.

The lessons of the march before have made Nikolai. Bubnov understood. Fight on difficult terrain. Often, the infantry is more reliable. The problem is that Voroshilov, who likes cavalry, after giving him a cavalry regiment, has withdrawn an infantry regiment under his original command, and his brigade configuration has become a cavalry regiment with two infantry battalions, and the worst thing is that there is no artillery!

Such a disposition of forces made Nikolai. Bubnov was full of opinions, but he did not dare to complain to Voroshilov, since the beginning of the war, there have been more than one or two military commanders who have lost their heads. Nikolai. Bubnov didn't want to be next.

All the way forward, Nikolai. Bubnov tightened the formation as much as possible to prevent one from colliding with the main force of the White Army without checking, otherwise, with his little strength, that is, meat buns, he would fight dogs. However, Jean Nikolai. To Bubnov's surprise, after penetrating deep into the White-controlled area, his troops did not meet the expected fierce resistance, but walked comfortably.

However, after crossing the small town of Novohannica, the relaxed state is gone. The rear units of the White Army began to appear one after another. Not long after crossing the town, Nikolai. Bubnov found himself on his way full of minefields and snipers that had just been laid out.

Of course. The most troublesome thing was the bad road conditions, the road that had just been baptized by the light rain in the early morning made the cavalry miserable, and every once in a while, some vehicles were stuck in the mud and could not move. There are generally only two options left for the driver, either change the supplies on the car to another vehicle, or sit still and watch the main force go away. But who can guarantee that after the main force leaves, there will be no white troops picking up soft persimmons and pinching them?

After leaving Novohannika about five kilometers later, Nikolai. Bubnov's real trouble came.

"The Czech traitors have urgently built three diagonal trenches on the small mound in front of them, and there is no more than a company of troops!"

Scout for Nikolai. Bubnov provided first-hand information, and before Nikolai could do so. Bubnov was worried, and a loud roar followed, and as far as the eye could see, the cavalry line in front of him had exploded, and a few poor worms and their mounts had fallen in a pool of blood.

Nikolai. Bubnov asked sharply: "What's the matter?" Was it stepping on a mine, or was it shelling from the enemy? ”

"No...... I don't know. The scout replied with a shudder.

Years of combat experience sue sù Nikolai. Bubonov, damn the Czechs must have had artillery support. He guessed correctly that in front of him there were 2 37-mm French pitot guns guarding the road, and according to the orders of Jetryks, they would watch the rear door for the main force.

But Nikolai. Bubnov is also considered to be level, after the artillery bombardment, he did not blindly put his troops into the battlefield, but temporarily reorganized the formation and retreated to build a defensive line. After figuring out the disposition of the Czechs, Nikolai . Bubnov really let the infantry attract the attention of the Czechs in the front, and then let the cavalry pass through the flanks, catching the Czechs by surprise.

Although the battle was won, Nikolai . Bubnov was not optimistic about the prospects, and he wrote in his diary: "The situation is very bad, and in addition to bad roads and unpleasant weather, the blocking positions of the Czechs tend to cause me great trouble." It must be admitted that these Czechs were brave and fearless of sacrifice, but at the same time their organization was rather disorganized, lacking effective concealment, and the use of artillery was particularly poor. The Czechs were so rough with their guns that my machine gun bullets often got to their next destination before them, and the only thing that worried me was their strength, which was definitely something to be wary of for us......"

After a comfortable meal in the trenches constructed by the White Army, Nikolai . . Bubnov's troops were on their way again, and a morning of light rain made the roads even more muddy, but what was really worrying was the defensive line built by the Czechs, which met with fierce resistance at every step.

For this qiē, Nikolai. Bubnov could only roar viciously: "These damned Czechs are endlessly blocking my way, and the most hateful thing is that they will make me roll in the mud with a group of useless cavalry...... What's going on? Again the artillery of the Czechs. Damn it. Why don't we have artillery! ”

Nikolai. Bubnov's complaints are quite justified. Because Voroshilov did not attach importance to artillery and was unwilling to carry these cumbersome burdens, the Red Tenth Army had to face the dilemma of no fire support throughout the campaign. Under the fire of the White Army, a heavy price was paid.

In the evening, Nikolai, who had been rolling in the mud for two days. Bubnov was blocked by a small city, and if he could take Molodovadisk, it would mean that he was only half the way from Kamensk.

Regardless of physical and mental fatigue, Nikolai. Bubnov commanded the troops and immediately went into battle. He was determined, as he had done before, to penetrate the Czechs once again and kick the roadblock as far as possible.

But when the offensive began, Nikolai . Bubnov immediately realized that something was wrong, and this time it did not seem that he was encountering Czech stragglers, and his attacking force was instantly engulfed by the fierce fire of the defenders, and a company was thrown in, and no more than ten people returned.

What's even more terrifying is that the enemy's artillery fire has also become more ferocious, and it is no longer a small-caliber infantry artillery that fights pettily. It was a real heavy artillery, and the ground shook after a round of shelling. The crater on the ground is two meters deep!

Nikolai. Bubnov was unlucky, as he came across a slow-moving heavy artillery group of the Czech Legion, which was left behind by the desperate escape of Titeririchs because of the muddy roads.

Under the bombardment of the enemy's heavy artillery, Nikolai . Bubnov's confidence to continue his attack was shaken, and he knew very well that he was alone at the moment, and if Luhansk made a mistake behind him, he would face a situation of being attacked from the back.

The taste of the sandwich biscuits is not pleasant, and it feels like Nikolai is thorned in the back. Bubnov really can't stand this kind of taste, if he survives in this embarrassing situation, the consequences are really unimaginable, and thirty-six strategies are the best policy!

After a telegram to Voroshilov, Nikolai . Bubnov immediately ordered his troops to retreat the same way, hoping to disengage the Czechs as soon as possible, and he did, because the coming darkness made the Czechs abandon the idea of striking with hot iron.

If we take the liberty of making an afterthought about this failed military operation, in fact, from the moment we are in danger, Nikolai . Bubnov lacked confidence, and his behavior was more like resignation. Although the progress was once smooth, Nikolai. Bubnov never changed his pessimistic outlook.

And his concerns at the time were not unreasonable. It is possible to rush in the direction of Kamensk with all your might, and to take Molodovadisk without casualties, but what is the result?

Voroshilov didn't just want to take Molodovadisk, he wanted to catch up with the main forces of the Czech army, stick to them, and relieve the pressure on Frunze. To put it mildly, to Nikolai. Bubnov's pitiful patchwork of troops, it was impossible to accomplish this task.

More likely, Nikolai. Bubnov caught up with the main force of the Czech Legion, launched an attack, and was instantly crushed by the Czechs, and then swallowed it all in one gulp.

Nikolai. Bubnov knows this very well, look at the posture of the Czech army in front, and then weigh the little strength he has at hand, the slightest carelessness is self-destruction. In order not to be a senseless "unjust ghost", Nikolai . Bubnov, naturally, will not have enthusiasm for this doomed battle. He is more perfunctory and passable, and even to put it mildly, even Voroshilov thinks this way!

Very simply, Voroshilov did not know how many men and horses the main forces of the Czech Legion were. Bubnov's little strength is like an egg hitting a stone. However, he had to touch the stone again, because it was he who let go of the Czech Legion, and the battlefield became sharply deteriorated.

In order to alleviate responsibility, but also to correct his attitude, Voroshilov had to put on an attitude of correcting his mistakes. How to correct the attitude? Just like Zhdanov told him before, hurry forward to attack, hurry to find the main force of the Czech Legion, and go to fight him. Regardless of whether you can beat it or not, it's better to put on a show first!

This is the fundamental reason why Voroshilov hastily threw troops in the direction of Kamensk, and it can be said that from the very beginning he knew that Nikolai . Bubnov could not complete the task, so he received Nikolai. After Bubnov's telegram of retreat, he criticized a few words without pain, and he was completely devoid of the murderous spirit of the previous attack on Luhansk.

That is, at the same time when the telegram was received. Voroshilov sent telegrams to Frunze and the Central Committee, respectively. With a shy face, he said that his vanguard had arrived in Molodovadisk. It is hoped that the troops who are blocking Krasnov and the Czech Legion in front will carry forward the spirit of revolutionary sacrifice and persevere to the end, and that his troops will definitely rush to the battlefield as soon as possible.

"Molodovadisk?"

After finding the city on the map, Frunze directly crumpled the telegram from Voroshilov and threw it in the wastebasket. Molodovadesk is 40 km from Kamensk and 100 km from White Kalitva. And this 100-kilometer journey is full of white troops, how fast can he go?

Frunze saw at a glance Voroshilov's true intentions, this bastard just wanted to absolve himself of responsibility. Even Frunze doubted that Voroshilov had any troops to reach Molodovadisk. And even if there were, maybe just a battalion of companies?

Frunze saw the essence of Voroshilov clearly. That's why he was so disdainful of this telegram. Ever since the cargo poked the big basket, he didn't believe anything the thing it said. The hope of holding on to White Kalitva is not in the Red Tenth Army, but in the Red Navy!

At the most difficult moment of the battle, when the White Army forced its way across the Don River in droves, it was Eberhardt's navy that arrived on the battlefield in time, bombarded with artillery and pressed with the hull, which repulsed the Czechs. After that, the old man mobilized the last strength of the fleet and put out nearly a thousand men from between his teeth and sent them to White Kalitva. Suffice it to say that without the timely help of the Black Sea Fleet. White Kaletva is already finished!

On the other side of the river, Titerikhs was not happy with the situation. He thought that taking White Kalitva would be a piece of cake, and that the defenders of White Kalitva would give the city to him, just like Voroshilov's Red Tenth Army.

But after a few days of fierce attack, he was deeply impressed by the tenacity of the Red Army: "After two days, the combat effectiveness of the Red Bandits was completely different from before. On the west bank of the Don alone, my troops lost nearly a thousand men, which is more than the total combat losses of the previous month......"

However, Titerikhs still thought that he could take White Kalitva, and he conceited to call back to Masaryk: "Your Excellency, in two days, no, just tomorrow, my troops will occupy the east bank of White Kalitva!" ”

According to the order of Titeririchs, at the dawn of the new day, the smoke from the repeated shelling announced the beginning of the onslaught, and the Czechs, who had absolute superiority in strength, proudly believed that they had enough confidence to completely abandon the "influential" means of sudden attack. They want to have a "knightly" duel with the Red Army generously.

However, Eberhardt's gunboats and destroyers were not vegetarians, and they fought back against each other in the face of Czech fire. If you blow up Lao Tzu's fortifications, Lao Tzu will destroy your house, and if you tear down one of my walls, I will flatten your roof.

The artillery fire continued for a whole hour, and the Czechs received the honor of knighthood, but did not get a bargain. As Boris once said before, playing with the Navy to fight artillery? You're just looking for abuse!

A frontal hard attack did not work, and Tetterichs immediately changed his tactics, no longer talking about chivalry, harassing the Red Army with artillery fire and small forces during the day, and at night, he suddenly attacked and smuggled across the Don River to harass the Red Army!

Blyukhel's memoirs paint a picture of the situation: "The Czechs began to harass us day and night, and the roar of artillery and the incessant sound of gunfire made it difficult to sleep at any given time. Look at Director Eberhardt, the poor old man has been tossed to the point of a nervous breakdown......"

It was clear that Tetterichs intended to use this sustained mental pressure to break the will of the Red Army, followed by the fatal final blow. The effect should be said to be good, take a look at this telegram sent by Frunze to Lenin: "Comrade Lenin, I don't know how long the lads will hold out, maybe the day after tomorrow, or even tomorrow, may be the last days...... The lads have done their best and they have played fantastic...... Finally, I must inform you of the casualties of the troops, as of 6 p.m. today, a total of 58 officers and 3,135 soldiers have been killed or incapacitated......"

In the full text of the telegram, Frunze did not mention when the main force would arrive on the battlefield, because he did not know when the main force would arrive! The bad weather greatly hindered the speed of the march, and hundreds of thousands of Red Army soldiers, even with their best efforts, could not change the shackles of the bad road conditions.

"The troops going south must be faster," Frunze on the battlefield couldn't sleep, and Lenin on the battlefield couldn't sleep either...... We can't make their great sacrifice meaningless! ”

But at this time, no amount of inspirational words is useless, the reality is there, and it is not human power that can change. Just when there was a sad brow and a dead silence in the conference room of the Political Bureau, a sudden voice broke the silence:

"Comrade Lenin, Comrade Kamenev asked to meet with you!" (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you for the second kill potato and Comrade Juventus!