The Black Sea Fleet's "accidental" recapture of Rostov not only gave Trotsky the opportunity to justify his old policy of appointing officers. It was a great shock to the White Army, originally, with their outburst, the capture of Donetsk, the capture of Luhansk, and then the easy capture of Rostov, it seemed that the great cause of restoration was just around the corner.

Just as they were thinking about what to do and how to take advantage of the victory, they first stumbled over a fight in the Black Sea, and then the back door of Rostov was closed again, and what was worse was that the warships of the Black Sea Fleet continued to sweep along the Don River, making them ineffective.

It has to be said that the destroyers of the Black Sea Fleet were much more efficient than the stragglers of the Red Army, who used to run after the partisans, but now they are being chased by warships and bombarded in the ass. collided head-on with the warships of the Black Sea Fleet, and even the formed White Army could only shrink its head and flee for its life.

The situation is really bad, the space for the White Army's maneuver, especially to the east, has been cut off, and they are blocked in a small area centered on Donetsk and Luhansk. If you don't get out of this passive situation quickly, it is very likely that you will be surrounded and eliminated.

Krasnov looked at the military map on the table with a worried face, as the "commander-in-chief" of the Ukrainian White Army, he nominally commanded more than 100,000 horses, including the Czech Legion. However, he himself knew very well that the only team that was really willing to obey him was the little team left to him by his old superior, Karekin. Neither the Czech Legion nor the White Guards, who revolted from Donetsk, took his orders seriously.

The Czech Legion preferred to accept direct orders from the Entente, and without the permission of the Entente, Krasnov could not move a single soldier of the Czech Legion. And now. Faced with a dire situation. He had to convince the Czech Legion. Otherwise......

Looking at the Crimea, looking at Rostov, then at Kharkov on the map, and along the Don River, where the Black Sea Fleet is unusually active, a large invisible net almost suffocates Krasnov.

"Hasn't General Tetterichs arrived yet?" Krasnov asked impatiently.

The adjutant explained helplessly, "Your Excellency the General is contacting Thomas. Mr. Masaryk ......"

Krasnov didn't have to listen to the latter words, as Masaryk's echo worm, Titerikhs almost obeyed Masaryk's words. Without Masaryk's permission, he did not dare to casually contact Russian officers. Anyway, after working together for more than a month, he has not seen this commander independently express any tactical opinions. Everyone thinks of him as a mouthpiece.

Sighing, Krasnov could only continue to concentrate on the map, and now there were few options left for the White Army, at least compared to a few days ago when Rostov had not fallen.

Previously, according to all sorts of mixed opinions, as well as bargaining at home and abroad, a grudging consensus was reached on the creation of an anti-Bolshevik stronghold in the south of Ukraine, as well as in the Crimean and Caucasus directions.

Using this area as a base, the White Army will consolidate and grow. Even the British have already made solemn promises that they will use Iran as a springboard. Crossing the Caspian Sea to provide support to the White Army. When the time comes, there will be a lot of arms and food!

At that time, Krasnov also felt that this plan was good, occupying the granary Ukraine, obtaining oil and coal mines in the Caucasus, and with the logistical support of the British, it should not be a problem to gain a foothold in this area.

That's why at that time they aimed at the Black Sea Fleet, aimed at the Crimea and Rostov-on-Don. If the Black Sea Fleet can be turned against it, it can simply be said that the entire lower reaches of the Don and Volga rivers will become anti-Bolshevik bridgeheads.

But all this was like a dream, it came and went as fast as it came, first it hit a nail in the Black Sea Fleet, and then it was bitten back. With the fall of Rostov-on-Don, the route of his troops to the south was essentially blocked. What built a solid base camp and bridgehead turned into a joke, and now they are more like turtles in an urn.

Of course, it was not exactly a turtle in an urn, and the Bolshevik net was not without gaps, and there seemed to be loopholes to be drilled to the north and east. However, the problem is that whether it is to the north or east, there is no unified opinion within the coalition forces before, otherwise there will be no attempt to consolidate the territory and develop to the south first.

Krasnov preferred to attack north, and only by attacking the hinterland of Russia could he regain power. Whether it is a solid base camp or a bridgehead, the purpose is not to retake Moscow and Petrograd. Since the base camp and bridgehead cannot be built now, it is better to attack north and attack Huanglong.

However, in order to carry out this plan, Krasnov first needed to convince the Czechs that as the most important main combat force within the White Army at present, it was unrealistic to go east or north without their consent.

"General Titeririchs, I personally think that it is only possible to go north, although the American-Japanese allies in the Far East have already occupied Vladivostok and there is a tendency to advance westward along the Trans-Siberian Railway. But with all due respect, they're still too far away from us......"

Titerikhs didn't speak, he had also talked to Masaryk about this before, the east was far away from the water, and the near fire could not be saved, with their current state, it was very likely that they would be chased and beaten by the red bandits if they developed eastward, and if they didn't get it right, they would collapse the army. It is better to take advantage of the strength of the army and attack Moscow directly.

However, Masaryk had concerns about this, and when it was good sailing in the past, he did not object to beating the water dogs to win the north. But now the situation is different, the Red Army has hoarded heavy forces in the Moscow direction, and has closed the back door with the Black Sea Fleet. It's too risky to go north so rashly!

The Czech Legion was an important bargaining chip in ensuring the political status of Czechoslovakia in the future. Go to Moscow and decide the winner in a battle, although it is impassioned to say, but what if there is a case, what if you lose? Wouldn't that even be a gambling book?

Of course, Masaryk did not say forcefully that he could only go east, not north. First of all, as Titeririchs said, it is not always safe to go east, and sparsely populated Siberia is like a monster with a huge mouth, and the thin-armed, thin-legged Czech legions really can't fill it. Secondly, and more importantly, Masaryk also did not have the right to decide. The dog chain around his neck was still in the hands of the British, French, and Americans. Without the permission of the owner. Can he act rashly?

Therefore, after the last Masalik, he could only tell Tetterichs: "Don't act rashly, wait for my news!" ”

The situation on the battlefield is ever-changing, and the most taboo thing is to sit and wait. Titerius didn't like this reply either, but he couldn't be a home!

"Your Excellency, General, I appreciate your plan, and it is reasonable to attack Moscow to the north." Jiterikhs also said what was in his heart, "But. I was given the order to wait for news and not to act rashly. ”

Krasnov was still a little happy after listening to the first half of the sentence, who would have thought that later Titerichs would retract again, and he would have to wait for a long time. The problem is that Zhenxin can't afford to wait, according to the information he received, the Red Army is moving in the direction of Moscow on a large scale, and if you wait one more day, no, you may face more Red Army if you wait one more hour.

Although he despised the fighting power of the Red Army, he was not arrogant enough to think that the White Army could be used as a ten. It was necessary to take advantage of the fact that the main forces of the Red Army were not fully concentrated. Hurry up, or else. It's better to flee east as soon as possible.

"I'll report this to Lord Masaryk."

But no matter what Krasnov said or not, Titerikhs just didn't let go, opened his mouth and closed his mouth to wait, or he would react to his superiors. This made Krasnov quite disappointed, and he almost pleaded at the end: "Your Excellency, it is definitely not a way to sit and wait." So, whether it is to the north or to the east, Milerovo in front of us must take ......"

Before he could finish speaking, Tetterichs refused: "Without the permission of His Excellency Masaryk, my troops cannot carry out operations, please ......"

Krasnov was also a little angry, and said angrily: "I didn't let your troops act, I mean, the main force of my troops will move to the north, waiting for an opportunity to capture Mirerovo...... So I'm going to draw a lot of Russian troops from Luhansk and Donetsk, and your troops will have two options, either stay in Luhansk and Donetsk or move north! ”

Titerikhs was still shaking his head: "I can't ...... without an order"

"That's your business!" Krasnov's tone became more and more unkind, "I am just doing my duty as a friend, my troops will carry out operations and move north, whether they follow or not." I'm just reminding you that if the Red Bandits take advantage of the situation, cut off the connection between us, and encircle you in the direction of Luhansk and Donetsk, it will be impossible for me to return to the division to rescue! ”

Titerikhs was dumbfounded, he did not expect Krasnov to play this hand, the troops of both of them alone were definitely no match for the Red Army. Once Krasnov went north, he did not follow closely, and there was a real risk of being surrounded.

Jiteri Heston was nervous: "Your Excellency, General, I can't give you an answer immediately, I will contact Your Excellency Masaryk immediately, please give me a little time!" ”

Krasnov said with some annoyance: "Then you better hurry, whether you agree or not, I will carry out the operation tomorrow morning!" ”

Titerikhs ran away like a burning ass, and Krasnov's adjutant asked with some curiosity: "Your Excellency, what if Masaryk does not agree?" ”

Krasnov shrugged his shoulders and said, "I can't help it if I don't agree!" ”

The emotion Krasnov's categorical cut just now was completely faked, and its purpose was to force the Czech Legion to accept his plan. If the other party is still stubborn, I'm afraid he won't take any action and won't insist on going his own way.

Did Krasnov's ploy work? Unfortunately, no! Masaryk was not as easy to deceive as Tetterichs, and he flatly rejected the plan to advance north immediately, demanding that the Czech legions remain still.

"Your Excellency, what now?"

Krasnov is true or false to say that he is not annoyed, this kind of is simply annoying, especially when you face an opponent who does not eat oil and salt, and that feeling of powerlessness can simply drive you crazy.

After a long time, Krasnov came out of his teeth: "Carry out a military operation according to the plan, capture Mirerovo first!" ”

To put it bluntly, the capture of Mirerovo is still Krasnov's pressure on the Czech Army, he just wants to put on a stand to go north, and see if you Masaryk can still sit still! Of course, Krasnov is not going to throw all the main forces into it in one go, he just wants to put on a show.

As mentioned earlier, Mirerovo is a small town northeast of Luhansk, which is crossed by railway lines and high-grade highways that lead north to Moscow. Of course. If you don't want to go to Moscow. I want to see the scenery of the Volga River. It is also possible to turn east from here, and it is only three hundred kilometers away from Tsaritsyn anyway.

It can be seen that the reason why Krasnov chose to capture Mirerovo was actually a slippery head, whether it was to the north or east, Mirerovo could meet the conditions. And the back is Lugansk, and if you can't do it, you can go back.

But is Milerovo really that easy to play? Although it is a small town with a population of only 20,000 or 30,000, it is an important transportation hub. It is also a gateway to Moscow.

Krasnov's offensive force consisted of four infantry battalions and an artillery battalion. It's not that he is reluctant to invest heavy troops, but to attack such a small city, he really doesn't need so many troops, and there are too many people to spread.

The offensive began with artillery, and eight 76-mm guns took turns raining bullets in the direction of Milerovo. In fact, it is an exaggeration to say that the rain of bullets is an exaggeration, the density of fire is very small, and the artillerymen slowly stuff the barrels with shells, and they cannot fire 4 shells per minute.

Although Mirerovo is small, this little shell is really difficult to have any lethal effect, and it can't even make much soot. In a sense. Such shelling is more like a deterrent, that is, to tell the defenders of Mirerovo. Lao Tzu has a cannon, you who know each other run away!

In the past, this threat might have worked, but today it is different, it is a different unit stationed in Mirerovo, the 1st Machine Gun Regiment is a unit that participated in the October Revolution, and the proportion of party members and regiments in the whole regiment is extremely high, and it is extremely loyal and enthusiastic about the revolution.

After Voroshilov's crushing defeat at Luhansk, Frunze put this backbone at the forefront, and Kozhemyaka's company was responsible for garrisoning Milerovo.

"Company commander, the White Army puppies are here!"

Kozhemiyaka whispered to the company commander beside him, who was concentrating on wiping the bayonet. The company commander was a veteran, and he didn't even raise his head, and said to himself: "Just fired such two shots?" It's really not fun. ”

Kozhemiyaka didn't know what level of shelling was enjoyable, but this level of shelling did not make him feel fear, and a few cannons fell, except for damaging some houses, not even a single hair of our comrades could be injured, what was there to be afraid of.

"How many puppies are coming?" The company commander who wiped the bayonet still had no intention of looking up, and it seemed that there was nothing more important in his world than wiping the knife.

"More than a hundred, at least one company!"

Kozhemiyaka tried his best to point it, but there were too many white soldiers to make it impossible to count it at all, and he could only give an approximate number.

The company commander still didn't look up, and said nonchalantly: "So much? Don't be bored, wait until the puppies are within 200 meters, and then call me! ”

Kozhemiyaka was a little speechless, in fact, he felt that more than a hundred people were already a lot, and the enemy had to throw in a company in one attack, at least a regiment of the enemy had to have this kind of courage.

However, since the company commander said so, he naturally could only obey the order, and he carefully poked out half of his head from the window, and watched the movements of the white army intently.

Putting down the binoculars, Krasnov's face was full of relief, after the shelling, he could not see any signs of Red Army activity in Mirerovo, it seemed that the Red Army had fled the city in panic before the shelling.

"Let the attacking troops pick up the pace, we have limited time!" Krasnov commanded the adjutant.

The commander personally ordered how the White soldiers dared to disobey, and the White soldiers, who were cautiously approaching Mirerovo at first, finally let go of their most reserved and spread their legs and rushed forward.

"Company commander, the enemy has accelerated!"

The company commander still didn't look up, and said calmly: "I said, call me again within two hundred meters, what are you panicking about!" ”

Kozhemiyaka pursed his lips, feeling that the current distance was already within the effective range, and he could give the enemy a little color, and do nothing, just look at what is it!

At this time, the situation on the battlefield was a bit strange, and the city was quiet, and all the Red Army soldiers were watching the running of the White Army, as if they had really come to see the performance. And the white army is also happy to take it easy, rush into the city earlier, not to mention the first merit or something, at least start grabbing things first, such an uncultivated city is better than a rural village, right?

That's right, the closer you get to Milerovo, the farther away the White soldiers' minds are from fighting and from a sense of crisis. In their eyes, Mirerovo is a tender little white sheep.

However, Milerovo is really not an Aries, and Red Army soldiers like Kozhemiyaka will not admit that they are little white sheep. Far from being little white sheep, they are a pack of lions with sharpened teeth.

"Company commander, the enemy is within two hundred meters!" Kozhemiyaka nervously reminded.

"Hey, that's right!" The company commander finally raised his head, he held a dagger with cold light in his hand, looked at the white army rushing over, and the corner of his mouth cracked: "Just let this group of puppies bleed!" ”

As he spoke, the company commander licked his lips and ordered: "Notify all platoons and squads, listen to my orders, put the puppies close and fight again, and try to eat them in one go!" ”

As the White soldiers got closer and closer to Mirerovo, Krasnov showed a smug look, for him Mirerovo was already a boiled duck, never think about flying again!

"Send a telegram to Taterichs and tell him that I have taken Milerovo and let him catch up quickly......"

Krasnov was interrupted by a sudden burst of gunfire, and the White Army, which had just arrived at the edge of Mirerovo, was met head-on, and the bullets fired from the windows and corners of the walls knocked them on their backs, and at great close range, even the recruits of the Red Army who had not received systematic training could make them drink a pot, not to mention that the vast majority of the 1st Machine Gun Regiment were not recruits.

Under the concentrated fire, the first wave of the White Army's offensive collapsed in an instant, and Kozhemiyaka followed the company commander to beat the White Army to the ground with a beautiful counter-charge...... (To be continued......)

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