When I called Vatutin, he poured cold water on him, and he said angrily on the phone: "Comrade Oshanina, do you know that our air force uses field airfields, which are all dirt runways. Recently, there have been frequent takeoffs and landings, and almost all runways have had problems. Every time our pilots take to the skies, they risk their lives. At such a time, how can you go out casually, and if something goes wrong, who can take the responsibility? ”

Although I heard him say this, I reluctantly pleaded: "But the enemy's armored forces are rushing towards Oboyan, and with the strength of the mechanized 3rd Army and the 10th Tank Army, it will be very difficult to completely block these enemies." ”

"Comrade Oshanina," Vatutin suddenly raised his voice and said, "If I am not mistaken, you are only the commander of the Sixth Guards Army, the Third Mechanized Army is the 1st Guards Tank Army subordinate to Katukov, and the 10th Tank Army is only there to reinforce you, not assigned to your command." Instead of worrying about someone else's defense, think about how you can make your own defense zone more solid and prevent the Germans from moving forward. ”

Vatutin's criticism made me blush, but when I think about it, what he said also made sense, although Katukov and I are good friends, but now we are acting a little overstepping.

After receiving this scolding, I didn't plan to ask about the 1st Guards Tank Army again, but I didn't expect Katukov's phone call to come. He hurriedly said on the phone: "Leda, my situation here is terrible, can you help me a little there?" ”

"I'm sorry, Comrade General." To Katukov's request, I almost agreed on impulse. But on second thought. In addition to sending the air force to bomb the armored units of the German army. What I can do to help him. It's really minimal, so I can only say regretfully: "I am also surprised by the situation here, and I can't help you for the time being." ”

"My tank corps was in the rest of the sector, entangled by German units, and in a short time could not reach Oboyan." Katukov ignored my words and said to himself: "Several positions of the Mechanized Third Army have been broken through by the Germans one after another, and this development continues. They will be able to rush to the city of Oboyan before dark. ”

"But, Comrade General, I really ......" I could not think of a direction from which I could draw strong enough troops to support Katukov in the direction of Oboyan, so I could only say ruthlessly: "I really can't come up with a force that can compete with the German armored forces to support you." ”

"Yes, Leda. You have such power. Katukov, fearing that I would interrupt the call with him, hurriedly said: "You can transfer General Kravchenko's tank unit, even if only one tank brigade is dispatched." With the new tanks they were equipped with, it was enough to cope with the surprise attack of the German armored forces. Lida. I beg you to send troops to support us. As long as it can be supported until noon tomorrow, our tank corps, having freed itself from the entanglement of the Germans, will be able to rush to the Oboyan area and drive the German armored forces away. ”

Katukov's request once again softened my heart. I thought for a moment, and then said decisively: "Okay, General Katukov, I'll call General Kravchenko and ask him to send a tank brigade to Oboyan to reinforce you." ”

"Great, that's great." Hearing that I had agreed to his request, Katukov happily thanked me on the phone: "Thank you, thank you, dear Leda. ”

"Comrade General, where are you now?" I only know that Katukov has been commanding his troops in battle at the time of the Battle of Kursk, but I have never known where his command is, and now I take this opportunity to ask: "Is it safe to stay somewhere?" ”

"I'm in a church south of Oboyan," Katukov said calmly, "and from here you can see the defensive positions of the Mechanized Third Army outside the city. ”

"Okay, I got it." I didn't wait for him to finish, and then put down the phone in my hand. Then he said to several army group commanders gathered around the table: "Comrades, the situation in the Oboyan area is very difficult today, the German armored units are rushing forward in spite of everything, having broken through several lines of defense of friendly forces in succession and are approaching Oboyan. ”

After listening to my words, the faces of several people present became serious. After a while, Bezikov asked: "Comrade commander, what can we sit for them now?" You must know that unless the front army sends its air force to help in the war, it is very difficult to repel the surprise attack of the German armored forces. ”

"I have promised General Katukov that the 6th Guards Tank Army will send a tank brigade to support them." Things like the transfer of troops were all within the purview of Bezkov, so I ordered him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in a moment you will call General Kravchenko and ask him to send the tank brigade closest to Oboyan to reinforce friendly forces and strike hard at the German flank." ”

After arranging everything, I once again announced to several people: "Comrade commanders, I am not at ease with the current situation of the war, so I plan to go to Oboyan to see it for myself. During my absence, I was commanded by Comrade Deputy Commander in my place. ”

"What, you're going to the front again?" When Kirillov heard me say this, he slammed the table and said loudly: "No, resolutely no." Not long ago, we adopted a plan whereby the commanders of the group armies present were no longer allowed to go to the front line to avoid accidents. So on behalf of all of you, we do not agree with you going to Oboyan. ”

As soon as Kirillov's words were finished, Danilov, Bezikov and even Akhromeyev echoed: "Yes, Comrade Commander, it's too dangerous outside, you better stay at the headquarters and command the troops." ”

"Whatever you say, I'm going to have to go to Oboyan myself." In order to silence everyone's mouths, I also deliberately played the prestige of the commander: "Don't forget, you all don't forget, I am the commander of the group army, and I have the final say in all affairs in the group army, and no one has the right to object." ”

As soon as I said this, everyone obediently closed their mouths. Seeing everyone's reaction, I felt a little guilty in my heart. I said in a slower tone, "Don't worry, I'm going to Oboyan. It was because he was afraid that General Kravchenko would not easily transfer to his tank brigade. Go to reinforce Oboyan. Presumably he heard that I had gone to Oboyan in person. The reinforcement orders given by the Chief of Staff will be carried out without hesitation. ”

When I saw Kirillov open his mouth and seemed to have something to say, I nodded at him and comforted him with a smile: "Comrade Military Commissar, I know that you are thinking about my safety. But please rest assured, the place where I went is still under the control of our army, and I believe in the strength of the mechanized Third Army. It was still possible to keep the Germans far from Oboyan. ”

Seeing that my words were all about this, Kirillov could only agree to it. But when I left the headquarters, he grabbed my hand and repeatedly told me: "Remember, Lida, you are the commander of the group army, and your safety is not only your own business, but also the fate of our entire group army. If there is any danger, I beg you, you must try to avoid it. All of us hope you come back safe and sound. ”

When I came to Oboyan, under the guidance of the fighters. I came to the church where Katukov's headquarters was located. A commander who knew me, as soon as he saw me get out of the car, immediately ran up to me and reported: "Hello, General Oshanina, welcome to our Third Mechanized Army. How can I help you? ”

Because time was pressing, I didn't go around in circles with him, and asked straight to the point: "Where is your commander?" ”

The commander turned and pointed to the church behind him and said, "Comrade General, the commander is in the bell tower above." ”

I entered the church, and after going down the narrow spiral staircase to the bell tower, I saw Katukov, who was observing the enemy here, and beside him, there were several staff officers.

But when they heard someone going up to the bell tower, they all turned their heads in unison. But when they found out it was me, they collectively raised their hands and saluted me. Katukov, on the other hand, rushed over, grabbed my arm, and said nervously, "Hell, it's Leda." Don't you know that it's dangerous here, but you have to come here at this time, and if something happens, how can I explain it to your colleagues? ”

"Alright, Comrade General." I waved my hand at him and said disapprerovingly, "It's not my first time on the battlefield, and this danger is nothing to me." Besides, aren't you here too? ”

"Can this compare?" Katukov said with a straight face: "This is my defense area, and it is normal for me, as a commander, to appear here." And you are the commander of the Sixth Guards Army, and your place is not here, but should be in your headquarters. As he spoke, he turned to a staff officer next to him and said, "Second Lieutenant, I have given you a task to immediately escort General Oshanina back to her headquarters. ”

The staff officer, having loudly agreed, took a step forward and, at the same time, made a gesture and politely said to me: "Comrade General, please, I will escort you safely back to your headquarters." ”

"No," I said firmly, waving my hand at the second lieutenant, "I'll stay here and watch with your commander see how our troops defeat the German panzers." ”

Seeing that Katukov seemed to be trying to persuade me, I hurriedly rushed ahead of him and said: "I have given General Kravchenko an order to send a tank brigade to support you. If I'm not here, I'm afraid he'll be perfunctory when he carries out his orders. ”

Hearing me say this, Katukov knew that I would definitely not leave, so he waved his hand at the staff officer who stood up, sighed and said to me: "Since this is the case, you can stay." However, Leda, my words are in the front, please obey my orders, and do not run around, otherwise, I will send someone to forcibly send you back to your headquarters. ”

Seeing that Katukov was nagging like an old lady, I waved my hand and said impatiently: "Okay, okay, Comrade General, I know everything." From now on, wherever you go, I'll follow you, and never leave your ten paces, right? ”

Katukov really couldn't laugh or cry at my helpless attitude, and finally could only nod silently.

Katukov and I stood side by side on the bell tower, holding a telescope and looking at the position in the distance. I saw that the high ground there was being shelled by the Germans, and even the tanks the size of the Beetles in the distance, which were marching forward with great force, stopped for a short time from time to time and fired two guns at our position, giving people the illusion that there was no part of the entire position that had not been shelled.

Seeing this, Katukov put down his binoculars, grabbed the phone next to him, and said loudly: "Pick me up General Krivoshein, I'm Katukov." ”

After a few moments, the voice of the commander of the mechanized corps, Krivoshein, came from the microphone.

"I am Katukov," Katukov repeated: "I see that our positions are being shelled by the enemy, and I want to know, does the artillery of your army have the strength to suppress the fire of the fascist bandits?" ”

Curious, I leaned my ear over and heard General Krivoshein reporting: "Comrade Commander, although we are a mechanized army, there are very few artillery that can be used. It is very difficult to suppress the enemy's artillery and intercept tanks at the same time. ”

"What's the matter, Comrade General. Do you think that with a few cannons of yours, you can destroy the German artillery and tanks at the same time? Katukov ordered in a stern tone: "You concentrate your artillery fire and bombard the artillery positions of the German troops." As long as we take out their heavy artillery, our infantry holding on to the position will be able to deal with these tanks without artillery and infantry cover. With that, he put down the phone.

I silently thought in my heart that as long as the German artillery was destroyed by us, not only the troops suppressed by the artillery fire on the positions could come out of the hidden tunnels and strike at the Germans with all kinds of anti-tank weapons in the trenches. At the same time, our artillery can also turn the muzzle of the gun to intercept and fire at the German tanks on the move. By the time the reinforced tank brigades arrived, our troops could move from the current defense to the offensive.

"Leda, what are you thinking?" While I was thinking nonsense, Katukov's voice suddenly sounded in my ears, and I quickly turned my head to look at him. He went on to say: "Since we have no air force support, we can only use limited artillery to deal with this artillery-tank cooperative operation mode of the German army. ”

"Comrade General, the Supreme Commander himself once famously said: 'Artillery is the god of war'. I am sure that your existing artillery units will definitely be able to crush the German plot to seize Oboyan. (To be continued.) )