The fate of the 17th and 51st divisions of the USSR was thus decided. In the field without positions, encountering ill-intentioned Romanian armored units, the outcome was already predictable.

Dead Soviet soldiers can be seen everywhere in the uncovered field, with corpses and weapons everywhere. Groups of Soviet prisoners with their hands raised in their hands hung their heads and walked dejectedly to the Ukrainian card in the rear, escorted by Romanian soldiers.

On the other side of the battlefield, tanks, armored vehicles, and other vehicles that had ended the battle were parked aside, and the members of their crews were also sitting together in twos and threes, smoking and chatting.

The soldiers could rest, but the officers, naturally, could not. One of their tasks is to distribute fuel and ammunition and direct maintenance crews to repair damaged tanks and other vehicles.

And Lieutenant General Hoffman, who was the commander of the first division, was no better, although these things were done by the officers below. However, tasks such as marching assignments and battle plans still need him to decide.

This is not a new battle plan in front of him.

"These staff officers were fascinated by the results in front of them, and they actually wanted to capture Kirovograd with us and the Fifth Division."

After reading the battle plan, Hoffman couldn't help but complain.

"What?"

Guderian, who was startled by Hoffman's words, couldn't help but ask. "Isn't the Soviet army only one division in Kirovograd? I don't think it's a problem to take Kirovograd. ”

"That was yesterday. Today's aviation reconnaissance found that two divisions of the Soviet army were rapidly approaching Kirovograd. We were held back by two Soviet divisions for too long to get to Kirovograd before them. ”

Hoffman said regretfully. In fact, there is nothing to regret about this, the armored division has annihilated two Soviet divisions and disabled one division, and more importantly, it has tore a big hole in the Soviet defense line, making Timoshenko passive everywhere. However, Hoffman may not know the idiom of Long Wangshu, but he must understand the meaning because of his current situation.

"So what do we do next?"

In response to Guderian's inquiry, Hoffman spoke. "These two battles cost us a lot, seventy-eight tanks were damaged and broke down, and twenty-three armored vehicles were unusable. Self-propelled guns also lost thirteen units. Reduced our combat effectiveness by 30%. Now the only way to reorganize the intact tanks is to continue to march towards Kirovograd and help the army behind to clear the way. However, the goal of capturing Kirovograd is no longer for us, so we can only encircle the point and send reinforcements. ”

Before the battle, Guderian also knew that the role of tanks in the city was smaller. "It seems that this is the only way."

Subsequently, the armored division reorganized its troops, leaving some personnel to repair these damaged tank vehicles, and to remove equipment as much as possible for those that could not be repaired, and also to make them wait for subsequent replenishment of tanks and armored vehicles. Then Hoffman continued with the remaining troops and the 1st Division of the 5th Division towards Kirovograd.

And when Hoffman set off for Kirovograd, the 29th and 37th Divisions, which had been marching rapidly, finally arrived at Kirovograd within the stipulated time.

At this time, Kirovograd was completely busy before the Great War, and sandbag fortifications were built at many street intersections. Others, led by the army, were busy digging trenches and hanging barbed wire. And outside the city, it's a busy scene. A large number of traffic trenches stretched out in all directions, and the machine-gun forts also smelled of fresh earth and towered over various points.

These were the results of two days and two nights for all the inhabitants of Kirovograd, and almost all of them, mobilized by the Soviet troops, went to the positions to build fortifications.

As for the officers and men of the two divisions who arrived in Kirovograd, many of them were tired and sat on the side of the street to rest. The officers and soldiers of the garrison who were in charge of receiving them were busy giving them water and food, which made the scene busy.

As the commanders of the two divisions, Major General Rod Cole and Major General Toromanv naturally did not crowd together ordinary officers and soldiers. Received by the commander of the defense of the city, Major General Diktov, they first went to the headquarters of Major General Diktov to learn about the specific situation.

"Thank you to the two of you for leading the team to support Kirovograd, without the support of the two of them, I don't know how to fight when the Romanians are in the city."

Although it was an order from Timoshenko to reinforce the 29th and 37th Divisions, Major General Diktov only let him not take a reasonable attitude, and still politely said a word of thanks to Major General Rodkohl and Major General Toromanv.

"Where is the enemy now?"

Major General Rod Cole, who was the commander of the 29th Division, was the most anxious, and as soon as he came up, he asked about the military situation.

"At present, according to intelligence, the enemy's vanguard 1st Panzer Division, as well as part of the 5th Division, have appeared in the multi-eye section west of Kirovograd, and this is information fifteen minutes ago."

Under the guidance of Major General Diktov, the group quickly found the small village on the map.

I saw Major General Rodker frowning and saying. "Then the enemy will arrive outside the city tonight at the earliest."

"A night march is unlikely, and I think it will arrive early tomorrow morning."

Major General Diktov spoke his judgment and continued to explain when he saw the inquiring gaze that looked at him. "The enemy's alert will be reduced to a minimum at night, and the Romanians are not afraid of our surprise attack when they already know that there are three divisions of defenders in the city. Moreover, the enemy's vanguard was physically and mentally exhausted from continuous combat, and also needed a night's rest to replenish his physical strength. ”

The approving glances around him spoke for themselves, and Major Commander Diktov continued. "Regarding the defensive area of the two troops, I arranged it this way."

Under the narration of Major General Diktov, the 29th Division defended the Dolery Hill south of the city to Bousol Street. Major General Diktov sent people to familiarize them with the terrain here. The northern part of the city will be defended by the 37th Division from Tello Avenue to the Snowbal River, and they will also be acquainted with the terrain here.

And the west of the city from the Romanians will be defended by his troops, which is not the high-spirited of Major General Diktov. Rather, his troops are most familiar with the place and are more adapted to the use of the terrain.

And the eastern part of the city will have armed militia in charge, and there is no need to worry about handing it over to the militia as the farthest away from the enemy. After all, these people are locals, and with the blessing of defending their homeland from the Romanians, their defensive ability is still trustworthy.

Now is not the time of the Holodomor in Ukraine, and the Ukrainians at this time still have patriotic enthusiasm for Soviet Russia. There must be a Belt and Road Party, but it is certainly unlikely that a large number of people will be asking to join the ranks of the invaders.

After Major General Diktov had finished assigning the task, he said again. "We need to fight hand in hand, and for the sake of the great Soviets, we will hold the city."

"For the Soviets."