"Why did the Germans react so quickly this time, we occupied Alexandria for less than a day, and the enemy actually pressed over from all sides." After listening to Vitkov's narration, Kirillov asked a little nervously: "Is it that our battle plan has also been intercepted by the Germans?" ”

"Our battle plan was not issued through the radio, but I personally conveyed it to the two division commanders in person, and only a few of us knew about it, how did the Germans know?" After thinking for a moment, I thought of a possibility, and I said it bluntly: "I think that the German army that is rushing towards Alexandria must have been transferred from elsewhere by Manstein to reinforce the front." Just as we had captured the city, the German command ordered these troops to stop their advance and turn around to destroy us first, so as to completely relieve their worries. ”

"Comrade Commander, what are we going to do next?" After Vitkov waited for us to finish, he immediately asked with a serious expression: "Although we don't have extra troops now, I think we should help them, and we can't watch the 308th Division being wiped out by the Germans." ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, let the matter of the 308th Division go for a moment." I didn't immediately say anything about whether or not to reinforce the 308th Division, but instead asked, "What is the situation on the side of the 22nd Guards Division, and have you found any traces of the enemy?" ”

After listening to my question, Vitkov reported to me truthfully, although he looked puzzled: "At the moment I have not received any report from General Bandereev. Still, I don't think there's anything wrong with him, right? ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, look a little farther ahead." For Vitkov's carelessness. I couldn't help but frown. Then he said to him in a stern tone: "Although a large number of German units appeared near the defense zone of the 308th Division. But with Kirovgrad, where the 22nd Guards Division is located, we should not take it lightly either. Come and see. ”

I called Vitkov and Kirillov to the table, picked up a red and blue pencil, pointed it to the two of them, and said: "You see, the 22nd Guards Division, which occupies Kirovgrad, can effectively cover the flank and rear of the 308th Division, so that General Romanov and them will not be attacked on all sides. In the event of a dangerous situation in Alexandria, troops can also be sent to reinforce them. But. The situation was not optimistic either, and the German troops in Uman, Pavomaisk and Nikolaev could advance quickly along the road and rush to Kirovgrad in a few hours, so we had to order General Bandereev to organize the citizens and workers as quickly as possible, and together with our troops, build fortifications in the west, southwest, and south directions of the city to prevent a surprise attack by the Germans. ”

"Is it really that serious?" After listening to my analysis, Kirillov asked half-convinced: "Why didn't the Germans recapture Kafbas first, but go to Kirovgrad and Alexandria first?" ”

"It's simple." Doubts about Kirillov. I explained to him: "As long as the 308th Division and the 22nd Guards Division are eaten by the Germans, we will stay in the troops of Kafbas." It will be surrounded by the Germans, and as long as we become meat on their plates, it is up to them to decide when they want to eat it. ”

"So what do we do next?" "Do you know that we don't have any extra forces at all, and just watch our troops being crushed by the enemy?" ”

Kirillov's question silenced me, and my eyes were fixed on the map in front of me, trying to figure out where the troops would move next. If we do not move, then the troops scattered in the three cities will soon be broken by the Germans individually. Crossing the river back to Zaporosh? This is the most unrealistic, even if there is only one German 336th Infantry Division in the city, which has long been crippled by us, but as soon as we attack, the "Skeleton Division" and the "Imperial Division" will pounce like sharks that smell blood, and then we will not be far from being annihilated. The only feasible way is to abandon Kafbas, let the troops take most of the captured supplies and move to the placed, rely on the two cities of Kirovgrad and Alexandria to resist, find an opportunity to force the Dnieper, and go north to join the main forces of our army.

Thinking of this, I straightened up and instructed Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you should first contact General Bandereev and tell him that regardless of whether there is any trace of the Germans around them, we must hurry up and repair the fortifications. ”

"So what are we going to do?" After listening to my order, Vitkov stood still and continued to ask: "Are you really not going to help the 308th Division?" ”

"Colonel, the gang may be there to help, but the first thing you need to do now is to send a message to General Pandereev, and ask him to quickly build fortifications in Kirovgrad and prepare for a battle to defend the city." When I saw Vitkov's puzzled expression, I also deliberately added: "When you finish sending the telegram, I will explain my deployment to you in detail." ”

Vitkov readily agreed, and ran to the walkie-talkie to arrange for the operator to deliver the report. As soon as he left, Kirillov urged me: "Dear Leda, tell me what you think. ”

Hearing that Kirillov's address to me had inadvertently changed, I was stunned for a moment, but quickly came back to my senses and explained to him: "Comrade commissar, I think so. Our troops withdrew from Kafbas tonight and turned north, with units of the 171st Division heading to Alexandria, under the command of General Romanov. And our troops directly under the army went to Kirovgrad. As for the supplies in the city, they could take as much as they could, and if they couldn't take them away, they would all be burned in one fire, and they would never be left to the Germans in their entirety. ”

After explaining the contents of the telegram to the operator, Vitkov returned to the table, and just in time to hear the next few words of me, he hurriedly added: "Comrade commander is right, we must not let these supplies fall back into the hands of the enemy, and in order to improve the efficiency of transportation, I propose to mobilize the residents of the city to participate." ”

"I agree with the Chief of Staff." Kirillov promptly echoed Vitkov's opinion, "We will not get any replenishment for a long time to come, so we will try to transport as many supplies as possible." ”

"By the way, Comrade Commander." Vitkov suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked me for instructions: "We found more than 5,000 sets of German winter uniforms in the warehouse, what should we do?" Are they all burned? ”

I don't know what Vitkov meant by this, so instead of immediately expressing his position, I asked rhetorically: "Chief of Staff, what do you think about this batch of German uniforms?" ”

Hearing me ask, a look of embarrassment appeared on Vitkov's face: "Comrade commander, I think so. Although it is almost March, the weather is still very cold, and instead of burning these military uniforms in vain, it is better to distribute them to the residents of the city, so that they can also have a few more clothes to protect them from the cold. ”

I was surprised that Vitkov actually came up with such an idea for me. I thought about it for a moment, and then dismissed his suggestion: "No, Comrade Chief of Staff, this will not work." Even if we distribute the uniforms to the inhabitants of the city, when the Germans return, they will inevitably be confiscated by the Germans again. If you feel a little uncomfortable asking the residents to work for us, we can give them more food. For them, food is much more useful than a German uniform. As for this batch of military uniforms, I also think it is a pity to burn them, so I simply loaded them together and transported them to Kirovgrad. ”

"But, Comrade Commander, there are more than 5,000 sets of military uniforms in the warehouse." Stunned by my whimsy, Vitkov persuaded me after a moment of silence: "If you load a truck, you will have to occupy at least thirty trucks, so that you can't transport any more supplies......

"Alright, Comrade Chief of Staff." Before he could finish speaking, I interrupted him and said to myself: "Let the driver comrades work hard and run two more times overnight." Anyway, this batch of military uniforms must first be transferred to Kirovgrad. After saying these words, I again instructed Vitkov, "Chief of Staff, immediately call Colonel Andryushchenko and ask him to come to me immediately, and I will personally assign tasks to him." ”

It didn't take much effort, and Andreushchenko appeared at my headquarters. Looking at the colonel, who was standing straight in front of us, I coughed lightly and said to him: "Comrade Colonel, after dark, we will abandon Kafbas and move north. ”

As I said this, I deliberately watched Androyushchenko to see how he would react when he heard the news. Unexpectedly, after listening to my words, he still had an expression of unfazed expression on his face, so he continued: "The military headquarters and the troops directly under the army will be transferred to Kirovgrad, and you will lead the 171st Division to Alexandria to strengthen the defense of the area. Is there a problem? ”

"Nope." Andreushchenko replied resoundingly: "Please rest assured, Comrade Commander, that I and my troops will ensure that the tasks you have entrusted to us will be fulfilled well." ”

Kirillov stepped forward, raised his hand and gently patted him on the shoulder, and said in a friendly manner: "Comrade Colonel, since our troops will not receive any replenishment for a long time to come, your troops should go to the warehouse to receive enough guns, ammunition, food and medicine before departure, and bring as many as they can." ”

"Understood." Andreushchenko replied briefly, again.

"Okay, it's not too early, you can go back to the army to prepare first." I raised my hand at him and motioned for him to go, "I'll send someone to greet the commander guarding the warehouse later, and ask them to provide you with the supplies you need." (To be continued......)

PS: I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the book friends GAMEUFO, Shadow of the Elves, Magic ※ Apocalypse, and the two votes of the proud Shura children's shoes! Thank you for your vote from the dog playing with frogs and AllanLam children's shoes! Thank you for the reward of hypp1014 children's shoes!