Orel and Kazakov, who were inspecting the troops, suddenly became excited when they heard Malinin's greeting and said that they wanted to study the formation of the 16th tank army. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 info On the car returning to the command, Orel said to Kazakov: "After the transfer of Katukov's tank corps, the strength of the armored forces of the front was greatly weakened. If the 16th Tank Army is formed as soon as possible, it will be able to fill this vacancy. ”

When the two returned to the headquarters, they could not help but be surprised to find Rokossovsky sitting sullenly at the table. Orel asked Malinin in a low voice: "Chief of Staff, what happened, why did Comrade Commander look unhappy?" ”

"What else? The tank army that is about to be transferred is angry. Malinin whispered.

"When I received the transfer of Katukov's tank army yesterday, I saw that the commander's mood was not so low?" Orel asked in wonder: "And he urgently brought us back, that is, to discuss the formation of the 16th Tank Army,......"

Before Orel could finish speaking, Rokossovsky had already noticed that everyone had returned to the headquarters, so he waved at them and beckoned: "Since you are all back, let's have a meeting." ”

After everyone was seated, Rokossovsky looked at Malinin and said weakly: "Chief of staff, can you give us a briefing on the situation." ”

Malinin nodded, stood up, and said to the two commanders: "Today, we are going to discuss the formation of the 16th Tank Army. But before I do that, I would like to inform you of a new situation: General Rotmistrov's tank corps will be transferred to Stalingrad-on-Volga early tomorrow morning, by order of the base camp. ”

As soon as Malinin's words fell, Orel jumped up from his seat, blushed and shouted at Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, what the hell is going on, today we have just transferred the most combat-effective Katukov tank corps, and we have not yet found suitable troops to fill their vacated defensive areas, which will transfer Rotmistrov's tank corps again." What the hell is going on? ”

Facing Orel, who was a little out of control, Rokossovsky said with a straight face: "What's the use of you yelling at me, you must know that this is an order given to me directly by the base camp, and no one can disobey it." After seeing Orel sitting down dejectedly, he said in a slow tone, "That's why I brought the two of you back to discuss the formation of the 16th Tank Army as soon as possible." Although this corps was formed as early as April, it has always been an empty shelf, with nothing but the army headquarters. I ask you to put up at least three tank brigades and one mechanized infantry brigade in a week's time. ”

Oryol waited for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, and asked tentatively: "Can the front command provide us with the commanders and fighters we need?" ”

"There is no problem with the commanders and fighters of the mechanized brigade," Rokossovsky said with some embarrassment: "But the fighters of the tank brigade need to figure it out on your own, after all, they are all technical arms, and not everyone can do their job." ”

"Well, tanks and tank crews of tank brigades, I'll figure it out myself." Orel knew that it would be a bit difficult to find Rokossovsky for a tank corps, so he pushed the boat and said: "I hope that the commanders and fighters of the mechanized brigade can be in place in a short time, so that we can put up the tank corps as soon as possible." ”

Rokossovsky turned his gaze to Malinin again and instructed him: "Chief of Staff, you and Comrade Orel will be responsible for the transfer of personnel for the tank army. Questions? ”

"No," Malinin replied decisively, "I will assemble the commanders and fighters needed for the mechanized brigade as soon as possible." ”

In the next few days, when Rokossovsky and his men were busy with the formation of the 16th tank army and its ability to form combat effectiveness as soon as possible, the fighting on both sides of the Don River continued.

Vatutin also realized at this moment how difficult it was to liberate the city of Voronezh, and he began to regret in his heart that he had not followed Rokossovsky's original advice and launched an attack from the west bank of the Don, so that at least he would not have to make huge sacrifices for his troops when crossing the Voronezh and Don rivers.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly ordered the signal corps to connect with the headquarters of the 38th Army, intending to let the division launch an attack from the West Bank, attract the attention of the German army, and reduce the pressure on the landing ground on the West Bank.

After the phone was connected, he asked loudly into the microphone: "Hey, is it General Chibisov?" I'm Vatutin. ”

"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front." Chibisov's polite and distant voice came from the earpiece: "Do you have any instructions, please?" ”

"General Chibisov," Vatutin said quickly, not having time to think about Chibisov's attitude towards him, "the landing ground established by our army on the west bank of the Don River has suffered heavy casualties due to the constant attacks of the German army. I now order you to immediately direct the troops to attack from the flanks and rear of the German troops in order to relieve the pressure on the landing sites. ”

When Chibisov heard this order from Vatutin, he was silent for a long time before he spoke: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, according to your order, the main forces of our army group are operating in the area north of Voronezh City in order to contain the defenders in the city. ”

"My troops haven't reached the vicinity of Voronezh yet, so what's the use of your diversionary operations in the north?" Vatutin said with a bitter face: "Immediately transfer your troops to the banks of the river crossing and attack the flanks and rear of the German troops in order to relieve the pressure on the troops at the landing ground." ”

"Comrade Commander," Chibisov said slowly, "it will take at least two days to gather the troops." Rest assured, in two days, I will definitely send my troops to a feint attack in the direction of the Don. ”

"Two days?!" For a chronic son like Chibisov, Vatutin suddenly had a feeling of wanting to vomit blood, let alone two days, it would be difficult for the troops at the landing site to hold out for even two hours. He patiently continued: "General Chibisov, I will give you an hour to prepare, and when the time comes, it is necessary to immediately attack and advance in the direction of the Don River in order to attract the attention of the German army. ”

"However, Comrade Commander, this order of yours does not correspond to the orders you have given before." Still unhurried, Chibisov said, "If you want to change the order, give us enough time to adjust the deployment." If the troops are rushed into battle, I fear that an uncontrollable situation will arise. ”

"No, I'll give you an hour," the frenzied Vatutin, suppressing the anger in his heart, ordered, "If your troops fail to attack on time, then you will be removed from your post as commander of the army group and sent to court-martial, understand?" ”

Seeing that Vatutin behaved so toughly, Chibisov realized that he could not joke with his future, and hurriedly agreed: "Understood, Comrade Commander of the Front, I will let the troops attack as soon as possible." ”

Chibisov put down the phone, called his chief of staff, and instructed: "Chief of staff, immediately call the commander of the 167th Infantry Division, and ask his troops, after completing the assembly, to move in the direction of the Don River to attack the German troops stationed in that direction." ”