While the main forces of the 1st Ukrainian Front were quietly moving north along the Dnieper River, the Belarusian Front, commanded by Rokossovsky, and the 4th, 9th and 2nd armies of the German Army Group Center, engaged in fierce battles in the Gomel direction.

Although the battle was in a stalemate and did not achieve the desired results, it managed to attract the attention of the German army. The actions of Rokossovsky's troops gave the German high command the illusion that the Soviet army was preparing to concentrate on recovering Belarus, so the German troops deployed in Belarus entered the tense preparation equipment and did not pay attention to the secret movements of the Ukrainian First Front.

On the evening of November 2, all the troops planned to be transferred to the landing site of Lyudezh north of Kiev were in place. After deliberations between Zhukov and Vatutin, it was decided to convene an impromptu military conference to resolve some problems that had not been discovered in advance, in addition to clarifying their respective combat missions.

When General Ivanov finished assigning combat tasks to the commanders present, Vatutin stood up and asked: "Comrade commanders, do you have any questions?" ”

"Comrade Commander," as soon as Vatutin's words fell, Moskalenko stood up and asked politely: "May I speak?" ”

Seeing that the person who spoke was the commander of the 38th Army, who was the main attacker, Vatutin smiled and said, "Of course, General Moskalenko." You know, your group army is the main force in this offensive, so if you have anything to say, just say it. ”

Moskalenko left his seat, went to the wall where the map was hung, and said to the many commanders attending the meeting: "Comrades commanders, I think you have just heard that in this attack, my 38th Army will be the main force of the attack. According to the order, on the first day of the offensive, the German line was supposed to be broken through. ”

He leaned sideways and pointed to the map with the baton in his hand, and continued: "The higher authorities have stipulated that the offensive front of my group army is 12.5 kilometers, and the artillery and mortars equipped with it are 150 per kilometer. However, in order to ensure a breakthrough of the enemy's lines, I propose," he said, holding the baton in both hands, facing Zhukov and them, "that the offensive front of the entire army group should be shortened to within six kilometers, so that we can double the density of the gun emplacements to 300 guns per kilometer." ”

After Moskalenko finished speaking, Zhukov said slowly: "General Moskalenko, I don't know if you have considered whether your entire army group will be too crowded if you attack on a six-kilometer-wide front?" In this way, the Germans will blow you up from both sides with artillery fire. ”

Although Zhukov scoffed at Moskalenko's proposal, the military commissar Kryniukov seemed to be very pleased with this proposal, and he said to Zhukov euphemistically: "Comrade Marshal, I think that 300 guns on a one-kilometer front can quite effectively suppress German artillery fire on both flanks. ”

Seeing that his military commissar had expressed his support for Moskalenko, Vatutin felt that he should also say a few words, so he hurriedly leaned close to Zhukov's ear and whispered: "Comrade Marshal, General Moskalenko's proposal is very interesting, you see, should you think about it?" ”

Seeing that no one echoed his opinion, Zhukov couldn't help frowning, and was thinking about how to reply, when he heard someone open the door. He turned his head to see a chubby Rebalco with his lieutenant striding through the doorway.

Rybalko came to Zhukov, raised his hand to his forehead and reported: "Report to Comrade Marshal, the 3rd Guards Tank Army has completed its covert march and has all reached the landing site of Lyudezh. ”

After listening to Rybalko's report, a smile appeared on Zhukov's face: "Good job, General Rybalko. According to what we have detected, the enemy has not yet discovered your movements. Tomorrow the battle is about to start, and I want to hear how you are going to attack? ”

Rebalko grinned and said a little embarrassedly: "Comrade Marshal, after consulting with my deputies, I decided to give the Germans something special and organize a psychological warfare for them in the event of a tank attack. ”

"Psychological warfare when tanks attack?" Rybalko's words aroused Zhukov's great interest, he looked to the left and right, and asked curiously: "General Rybalko, what's going on, tell me about it?" ”

"We are going to attack at night, turn on all the tank lights, and use this, this ......," said him, taking a hand-cranked siren from the adjutant standing behind him, and shaking it vigorously. Suddenly a heart-warming siren sounded in the command headquarters.

The commanders who attended the meeting laughed at the sound of the siren, and Zhukov who was sitting on the stage was no exception, and everyone had a smile on their faces.

After the sirens stopped, Zhukov smiled and said: "Understood, General Rybalko, I understand everything." Do you want to turn on the lights of all tanks and sound the alarm during the attack to deter the German troops who are holding out? ”

"That's right, Comrade Marshal." Rebalko nodded hurriedly and said, "That's true. ”

"Okay, I agreed." Zhukov said briefly: "In tomorrow's battle, you will do it." ”

After saying goodbye to Rybalko, Zhukov said to Moskalenko: "General Moskalenko, I still say the same thing, we took into account all the factors that should be taken into account when formulating the battle plan. Therefore, in tomorrow's attack, your offensive front is still 12.5 kilometers wide, so that it is conducive to the deployment of troops. Do you understand? ”

Seeing that Zhukov had once again rejected his proposal, Moskalenko replied with some dejection: "Understood, Comrade Marshal." ”

After Moskarenko returned to his seat and sat down, Vatutin stood up again and announced: "Comrade commanders, tomorrow at six o'clock in the morning, thousands of artillery pieces of the Front will shell the German positions for two hours, and then our air force will be dispatched. When our shells and bombs had blown the enemy to the ground, the troops of the 38th Army launched a full-scale offensive. ”

After vatutin finished explaining the task, he asked Zhukov in a low voice: "Comrade Marshal, do you have anything else to say?" Seeing that Zhukov shook his head and said that he had nothing to say, he shouted to the commanders who were seated, "Okay, comrades commanders, this is the end of today's meeting, and you should all return to your respective units as soon as possible and make the final preparations before the attack." ”