The first to cross the river was in Mnevo, where a Guards Division of the 13th Army's 17th Guards Army, under the cover of artillery fire, launched an assault on the German defensive positions on the opposite bank.

Upon receiving Pukhov's call, Rokossovsky immediately asked with concern: "General Pukhov, which unit is on the task of storming, and will they be able to successfully complete the combat mission?" ”

"Comrade Commander, please rest assured." When Pukhov heard Rokossovsky say this, he understood what he was worried about, and quickly explained: "It was the 70th Guards Division that took part in the river crossing operation, and they fought in coordination with the troops of the 2nd Tank Army in the Battle of Kursk, in the fierce fighting in the area of Olikhovatka, so that all attempts by the Germans to break through to Kursk from the north were unsuccessful. For their heroism in battle, they were awarded the Order of Lenin.

In last month's battle, they assisted the 23rd Brigade of the 9th Tank Army in successfully retaking the city of Glukhov, for which they were awarded the honorary title of Glukhov Division. ”

"The 70th Guards Division? I know, I know. "Since this river crossing operation was the first battle to liberate the right bank of the Dnieper, whether it can get off to a good start is what Rokossovsky is most worried about. At this moment, when he heard that it was actually a familiar unit number, he suddenly felt a lot more relaxed: "The division commander is Major General Lyudnikov, I have dealt with him in Stalingrad, and he is a commander with a very fighting spirit. Moreover, not long ago, their division was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for its outstanding performance in the battle to recapture Bakhmachi. ”

"That's right, comrade commander, you're quite right." Pukhov, after echoing Rokossovsky, carefully reminded him: "But now the commander of the division is no longer Lyudnikov." ”

Hearing that Lyudnikov was no longer the division commander, Rokossovsky's eyebrows rose and he asked with some surprise: "Then what position is he holding now?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," Pukhov hurriedly replied, "General Lyudnikov is now the commander of the 15th Infantry Army, and it is Major General Gusev who took over the post of commander of the 70th Guards Division. ”

While he was talking here, Malinin, who was answering the phone not far away, suddenly called out to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, the phone number of General Chernyakhovsky, he has an important situation to report to you. ”

"All right, General Pukhov." Hearing Malinin say that there was an important call, Rokossovsky hurriedly said to Pukhov: "I have an important call to answer, so I will wish you good luck in advance." ”

Rokossovsky walked over, took the microphone from Malinin's hand, and asked, "Hey, General Chernyakhovsky, do you have anything to report?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," Chernyakhovsky said excitedly on the other end of the phone: "According to reconnaissance, my vanguard has found a bridge in the Tarasovich area, which can be used by tanks, artillery, trucks. ”

"Great, that's great." Hearing that the 60th Army had found a complete bridge over the Dnieper, Rokossovsky was overjoyed, if this bridge could be captured, the boat-bridge troops would not have to build a pontoon bridge over the wide river, and he hurriedly asked nervously: "I don't know which unit is closest to the bridge?" ”

"It's the 75th Guards Division of Major General Gorishny," Chernyakhovsky, knowing Rokossovsky's character, knew that he asked this because he had concerns in his heart, and quickly explained to him: "The division was formed on the basis of the 13th Motorized Rifle Division of the Interior, which fought for the first time in Stalingrad, and in four months of hard fighting, a total of 17,000 German officers and soldiers were annihilated.

In the Battle of Kursk, which took place two months earlier, the division was part of General Pukhov's 13th Army and was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for its outstanding performance of various combat missions.

Shortly after being transferred to our army group, he took part in the battle to recapture Bakhmachi. For his outstanding performance in battle, he was awarded the honorary title of Bachmachi Division. ”

Hearing Chernyakhovsky report to himself so solemnly about the situation in the troops, Rokossovsky couldn't help but laugh dumbly, he calmed down, and said into the microphone: "Okay, I understand. General Chernyakhovsky, I ask you to convey to the division commander of Gorishny that in any case, this bridge over the Dnieper will be taken intact. ”

"Comrade Commander, please rest assured." Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Chernyakhovsky assured him: "I will personally go to the front to supervise the battle, and I will definitely take this bridge." ”

…………

Half an hour later, Chernyakhovsky came to the command of the 75th Guards Division and asked Gorishny, who was busy here: "Comrade division commander, I convey to you the order of the commander of the Front: in any case, the bridge must be taken intact. How's that, do you guys have questions? ”

After listening to this, Goryshny showed a bitter expression on his face: "Comrade commander, our troops have already launched two charges to the bridge, but due to the heavy fire of the German troops on the bridge and on the opposite bank, our attack ended in failure, and at the same time paid a great price. ”

"How so?" Chernyakhovsky frowned and said: "Didn't you suppress the German fire on the other side with artillery fire?" Also, why didn't your tank battalion go into battle? ”

"Comrade commander," the chief of staff of the division came over and reported to Chernyakhovsky, "that when we attacked in the first wave, we rushed along the bridge in the form of an infantry charge in tanks. Who knows, as soon as we reached the middle of the bridge, the enemy swept our commanders and fighters sitting on tanks with machine guns, and then sent anti-tank men to destroy our tanks. Now the three destroyed tanks of our army have blocked the bridge deck tightly, and it is no longer possible to use tanks to assault. ”

"Commander of the division," Chernyakhovsky, after listening to the report of the chief of staff of the division, said to Gorishny: "You transfer the command to the chief of staff, and then you take me to the forward observation post to have a look." ”

Gorishny had no choice but to hand over command to his chief of staff and take Chernyakhovsky along the urgently dug communication trench towards the command post of the 212th Guards Regiment in front.

came to the regimental command post and startled the regiment commander who was directing the operation. He quickly jumped up from his seat and raised his hand to salute the two generals.

Chernyakhovsky raised his hand and returned the salute, then asked: "Comrade Colonel, how is your offensive going here?" ”

The regimental commander glanced at Gorishny with some panic and did not know whether to return to the question of Chernyakhovsky. Goryshny turned his face and said dissatisfiedly: "Comrade Colonel, didn't you hear the commander's question? How's your offensive going here? ”

"Comrade Commander," the regiment commander reported to Chernyakhovsky after receiving permission from the division commander: "The place of assembly of troops to the east of the bridge, at a distance of almost three hundred meters, was exposed to the range of German fire and so on. Therefore, our troops will pay a lot of price before they reach the bridge, and when they rush forward after the bridge, their strength will be somewhat insufficient. ”