Red Moscow

  Chapter 1469

  The mobilization of the Soviet army at the left landing field of the Ud River attracted the attention of the German army, and this information was immediately fed back to General Weller, the commander of the 8th Army.

  Willer stood in front of the map and looked at it for a long time, then turned and asked his chief of staff: "Chief of staff, tell me, are the Russians increasing their troops frequently at the bridgehead on the right bank of the Oud River, are they planning to make a breakthrough in that direction?"

"Your Excellency, it's hard to say." The chief of staff replied with some hesitation: "The Russian troops facing us are Sokov's 27th Army. Sokov is different from other Russian generals. He is known for his cunning. , The use of troops is often unexpected. Don’t look at the frequent mobilization of their right-wing forces, but no one can guarantee that the actions of the left-wing are just to confuse us, and their real intention is to attack from the left-wing bridgehead.”

   "I think the possibility of the Russians attacking from the right-wing bridgehead is extremely high." Wheeler said thoughtfully: "Order the troops of the 42nd Army to strengthen the counterattack in the area, and the Russians must be thrown into the Oud River."

"Your Excellency Commander," Seeing that Wheeler firmly believed that the Soviet army would attack from the right flank, the chief of staff quickly reminded him: "The Russians have built a bridgehead on the left flank for two days, and they still occupy the bridge over the Oud River." , can quickly transport troops and a large number of heavy weapons across the river. As for the right wing, the Russians built it last night, there is no bridge on the river, and according to the reconnaissance of our air force, the Russians have no signs of erecting a pontoon bridge."

  As soon as the pontoon bridge was mentioned, the chief of staff thought of the air force's reconnaissance report, which also mentioned that the Soviet army had erected two pontoon bridges behind the left bridgehead, which could cooperate with the original bridge on the Oude River and quickly mobilize troops. Based on various signs, he judged that the Soviet army's attack from the left wing was extremely likely, so he continued to persuade: "The Russians built two pontoon bridges overnight behind the bridgehead on the left wing. Therefore, I judge that the possibility of the Russians attacking from this direction is the greatest, and we should strengthen the defense of this line of defense."

"Chief of staff, what's the matter with you?" Seeing his chief of staff chattering to persuade himself, Wheeler seemed a little impatient: "I know that the Russians built two pontoon bridges behind the bridgehead on the left wing. But have you ever thought about it? , several divisions of General William Stemmelman, established a defensive arc in front of the bridgehead. The Russians wanted to expand their landing field, but with fewer troops, they could not break through our defense line; if the troops There are too many, and we can't use them here. We only need to carry out violent shelling to consume a lot of their active forces gathered in this area.

   As for the right wing, although the 42nd Army is deployed, they not only have to deal with Sokov's troops, but also defend against other Russian troops. Once the line of defense is breached, it will have disastrous consequences for us. "

  Wyler's stubborn attitude silenced the chief of staff.

After a long time, the chief of staff said again: "Your Excellency, the 3rd Armored Division from Berlin abandoned its original position and retreated to the rear. The newly arrived Viking Division, in order to prevent the Russians from outflanking our army, A new line of defense has been built on the high ground west of the Fesky collective farm."

Speaking of the Viking Division's defense line, Weller frowned again: "Chief of Staff, but the Viking Division's defense line has not been completely completed, it was attacked by the Russians frantically, and now the highlands have fallen into the hands of the Russians again .”

   "Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." The chief of staff said: "But the newly arrived troops of the Viking Division are constantly launching counterattacks, preparing to take the position back from the Russians."

   "Do you know the number of the Russian troops blocking the Viking division?"

   "Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." The chief of staff nodded and replied affirmatively: "The designation of this division is the 300th Infantry Division, the division commander is Colonel Atakuz, and it belongs to the Russian 5th Shock Army."

   "The 5th Assault Army?!" Wheeler continued to ask, "What's the name of their commander?"

  "Lieutenant General Tsvetayev." The chief of staff quickly said: "Before the war broke out, he was a lecturer at the Frunze Military Academy. Many Russian generals who fought against us were once his students."

   But Wheeler laughed and said, "So it's a teacher. If you talk about talking in class, he might be doing pretty well; but if it's about fighting, he might not be our opponent."

   "Immediately call the commander of the Viking Division, General Herbert Giller, and tell him that if the attack does not go well, I can order the 3rd Armored Division to cooperate with them."

   "Okay, Your Excellency Commander, I will convey your thoughts to General Herbert Giller."

Neither Wyler nor the chief of staff realized that their information was outdated. The 300th Division no longer belongs to the 5th Assault Army of the Soviet Army, but to the 27th Army of Sokov, who frightened them. Take the initiative to pay a huge price for this wrong information.

  ...

  As the troops were continuously sent to the other side of the river by the hovercraft and assembled in the newly established landing field, Sokov and Tsvetayev began to discuss the next battle plan.

"General Sokov," Tsvetayev said to Sokov, seeing that his artillery had been deployed, and the infantry division and tank brigade had crossed the river one after another, said to Sokov, "Since our artillery It is already in place, I think it is better to implement conventional artillery preparations for the enemy's positions before the official offensive begins?"

"Comrade General," Sokov said dumbfoundedly: "Didn't I just say that every time our shelling starts, the cunning enemy hides in the second line of defense to avoid our army's artillery fire and make our The bombardment did not have the desired effect."

"General Sokov, even if artillery preparations can't destroy many enemies." Regarding whether to implement artillery preparations, Tsvetayev seemed very stubborn: "But our artillery can still destroy a large number of fortifications, providing ample ground for the attacking infantry. Clear the way."

  Just as the two were arguing endlessly over whether to use artillery preparation, the phone on the table rang. Sokov glanced at the phone that was ringing non-stop, and found that it was the dedicated line that had just been set up, so he reached out and picked it up: "Is it the chief of staff? I'm Sokov, what's the matter?"

"Comrade Commander, I just received a notification from my superiors." Sameko said on the phone: "General Rotmistrov's 5th Guards Tank Army has arrived on our left flank, which is Hal. Northwest of Cobh, from where they intend to attack the enemy's lines."

"General Rotmistrov's 5th Guards Tank Army has arrived?!" Sokov was overjoyed when he heard the news from his friendly forces. Since this unit can shine on the Kursk battlefield, it must be In the battle to liberate Kharkov, there must be a good performance. He asked into the microphone emotionally: "Comrade Chief of Staff, did your superior say when General Rotmistrov's troops will launch an attack on the enemy?"

  Sameko paused for a moment and replied: "Comrade Commander, according to the report from the superior, they will launch an attack on the enemy from the Sunflower Field at 9:00 in the morning."

   "Sunflower Land?" Sokov repeated the unfamiliar place name, and asked Sameko suspiciously: "Chief of Staff, where is the place you mentioned? Why didn't I see it on the map?"

   "General Sokov, I know where it is." Tsvetayev pointed on the map with his hand and said, "Sunflowers are planted all over the mountains and plains here, so everyone is used to calling it a sunflower field."

"Oh, so that's what happened." Sokov nodded casually at first, but after a while, he couldn't help shaking, and asked Tsvetayev nervously: "Comrade General, it's the season of sunflowers blooming now." Bar?"

"That's right, this is the season for sunflowers to bloom." Tsvetayev said with a smile: "The sunflowers all over the mountains are blooming, a large area of ​​yellow, that scene is really beautiful. It's a pity that it is still occupied by the Germans. , otherwise we can enjoy the beautiful scenery."

   After hearing this, Sokov stomped his feet anxiously: "It's broken, it's broken. If General Rotmistrov chooses that place as a breakthrough, he will definitely pay a huge price."

"why?"

Sokov did not immediately answer Tsvetayev's question, but said hastily into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please immediately inform the Front Army Command and remind General Rotmistrov to pay attention. If he wants to use the sunflower field as a breakthrough, he must beware of the Germans setting up an ambush in the sunflower field. This matter is extremely urgent, and you must report it immediately."

  Sameko heard Sokov's hasty tone, realized the seriousness of the problem, and quickly replied: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will immediately convey your opinion to the Front Army Command."

   Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Tsvetayev quickly asked: "General Sokov, do you think the Germans will set up an ambush in the sunflower field?"

"That's right, Comrade General." Sokov said in an affirmative tone: "If I were the commander of the German army, I would definitely take advantage of the sunflowers blocking my view and arrange anti-tank guns and tanks to ambush in the sunflower field. General Mistrov's tanks approached and attacked by surprise, inflicting heavy damage on them."

After listening to Sokov's words, Tsvetayev couldn't help taking a breath. He carefully recalled the sunflower fields he had seen, and found that what Sokov said was very reasonable, even in the vast sunflower fields Ambushing hundreds of tanks and the same number of anti-tank guns, it is also difficult to find Soviet tanks coming from a distance.

   "So, General Rotmistrov's tank unit will suffer huge losses?"

   "That's right, Comrade General." Sokov said frowningly: "I just don't know how my superiors will deal with this matter after my chief of staff reports the situation?"

  If it was reported by other commanders, Konev might not have paid attention to it. But after receiving the call from Sameko, he immediately worked with Zakharov to carefully study the possibility that Sokov said on the map.

After looking at it for a while, he turned to Zakharov and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, it seems that Sokov's view is correct. In such a vast sunflower field, even if the Germans deploy one or two armored divisions, Nor will Rotmistrov's troops find it on the move."

   "Then what should we do?" Zakharov asked.

Konev thought for a moment, and then said decisively: "Immediately send a report to General Rotmistrov, ordering him to postpone the attack time, and first complete the assembly of tank troops in nearby villages. At the same time, send the air force, Conduct reconnaissance of the area to find out if the enemy has laid an ambush."

Although Zakharov didn't know whether the reconnaissance plane high above could clearly see the tanks or anti-tank guns hidden in the sunflower field, he still replied unequivocally: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will report to the Air Force immediately." Call and ask them to send a reconnaissance plane and scout the area."

   A few minutes later, two reconnaissance planes took off from the airport and flew towards the sunflower field.

But what is regrettable is that since there are blooming sunflowers all over the mountains and plains, not to mention that the German tanks and anti-tank guns hidden in them cannot be found on the ground, even the pilots on the reconnaissance plane can only see patches of yellow sunflowers. It's not clear if there are enemies hidden inside.

   "What?" After listening to the air force's report, Konev asked in surprise: "Our pilots didn't find any movement of the enemy in the sunflower fields? Tell me honestly, did the pilots carefully check the situation below?"

"Comrade Commander." Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Goryunov said aggrievedly: "I send the best pilots, they have rich experience in flight reconnaissance, and they are also tested comrades, and they are very reliable. "

  Konev was silent. After a long time, he asked slowly: "Comrade Goryunov, I wonder if it is possible to send a reconnaissance plane to conduct a careful reconnaissance of that area?"

"Comrade Commander," Goryunov replied cautiously, "there are too many sunflowers there, and it's the season of blooming, and the sunflowers are everywhere, which dazzles the pilot's eyes, so they don't even know what to do." We can’t see the situation on the ground clearly. In this case, even if the enemy hides thousands of troops in the sunflower field, we have nothing to do.”

Seeing that the air force's reconnaissance plane did not obtain useful information, Zakharov thought of luck when he was lost: "Comrade commander, maybe there are no enemy ambushes in the sunflower field at all, it's just Sokov who made a fuss." You see, how to give orders to General Rotmistrov?"

Konev looked at Zakharov, and it took a long time before he said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you and I should know how big the sunflower field is. If the Germans really choose those as ambush locations, even No matter how many tanks we drive in, they will become the target of German tanks and anti-tank guns. I think we should continue to conduct reconnaissance.”

   "How can we do reconnaissance?" Zakharov said with some despair: "The Air Force's reconnaissance planes have been hovering over the sunflower field for so long, but they haven't found any traces of the enemy. How else can we conduct reconnaissance?"

"Since aerial reconnaissance is ineffective, the ground forces will send scouts to carry out reconnaissance." Konev told Zakharov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately send a telegram to General Rotmistrov, ordering him to send reconnaissance Soldiers enter the sunflower field for reconnaissance, and must find out whether there are Germans ambushing inside, so as not to cause huge losses to the troops."

  (end of this chapter)