The direction of the attack was determined, and the next thing to discuss was how to take the city. But before that, the first thing to do is to conduct reconnaissance to find out how many German troops there are in Kafbas.

So I called Captain Travkin, deputy commander of the military reconnaissance battalion, and in the presence of Pandereev and Gurtiev, I ordered Travkin: "Comrade Captain, I order you to take a few shrewd and capable scouts, disguised as Germans, and quickly find out the disposition of the German forces in Kafbas. ”

Although I was giving him an order, he still unconsciously glanced at the two division commanders next to him out of the corner of his eye, and then asked tentatively: "Comrade commander, do you want to leave now?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Captain." In order to make him understand the importance of this reconnaissance operation, I said with a serious face: "You and your troops should set off immediately, and in order to pretend to be more German, it is better to take a few more Germans with you." ”

Travkin apparently understood what I meant, and as soon as I finished speaking, he immediately replied: "Understood, Comrade Commander. I will soon assemble a reconnaissance detachment of twelve men, and intend to include Lieutenant Braun and Corporal Wenger, who have surrendered. Don't know what you think? ”

"Very well, Comrade Captain." Although I heard that two Germans had been incorporated into the reconnaissance team, I still said to Travkin with confidence: "Since you have already thought about it, then don't bother, and hurry back to form a reconnaissance team." ”

After Travkin left, I turned back to the two division commanders and said, "General Bandereev, when you return to Hama. Organize manpower to repair the fortifications in the city to cope with a possible counterattack by the Germans. And you, General Gurtiev. A regiment was sent from the town of Krilova and advanced to the north, looking for suitable sites to build fortifications and prepare to defend against the main German forces that suddenly turned south. ”

Not long after the two of them left, the operator turned to me and called me: "Comrade Army Commander, your telephone, Comrade Commander of the Group Army wants to talk to you." ”

I heard that Khalitonov was going to talk to me again. I couldn't help frowning, and my heart said that at this time, he was still calling to do something. Is it to mobilize my troops again? But I couldn't express my dissatisfaction when I spoke, so when I spoke into the microphone, I tried to use a respectful tone: "Hello." Comrade Commander. I'm Oshanina, what are your instructions? ”

"Comrade Oshanina," Khalitonov said to me in a consultative tone, "all the units of the 6th Army are currently under heavy siege by the Germans. Once again, I beg you to transfer even one division from your 79th Infantry Corps to strike from behind the Germans and relieve us of the pressure, okay? ”

Heard Khalitonov speak to me in such a low voice. I couldn't help but relent, and even considered whether to let Gurtiev be a division. Crossing the Dnieper from other sections to attack the rear of the German army and relieve some pressure on the main forces of the army group.

While I was pondering, I suddenly heard Kharytonov's voice again: "Hey, Comrade Oshanina, do you hear me?" Why didn't you answer me? Feed! Feed! ……”

His voice woke me from my musings, and I suddenly thought that the 79th Infantry Corps was facing an existential stake, and that we had to rush deep into the emptiness of the German defenses in order to contain and destroy more German troops in a limited way. If it is really as I just thought, Gurdiev was ordered to find a suitable position to recross the Dnieper and attack the rear of the main German army. Maybe in the end, not only will you not be able to relieve the pressure on your allies, but you will incur a catastrophe. Thinking of this, I gritted my teeth and said decisively: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I can't send you a single soldier. ”

"What?!" Probably stunned by my answer, Khalidonov asked unceremoniously: "Comrade Oshanina, please explain to me why you are doing this?" ”

"It's simple, Comrade Commander." I tried to control my emotions and tactfully told him the truth: "The German 'Reich Division' and 'Skeleton Division' have launched an attack on Zaporosh at the same time, and individual units have even rushed into the city and are engaged in street battles with our troops. Moreover, the German 11th Panzer Division and the 336th Infantry Division, which are currently assembled near the Kuban, can be put into battle in the shortest possible time if necessary. ”

My words were taken aback by Khalitonov, who listened to them and did not speak for a long time, as if digesting the bad news I had told him. After two sentences, he asked with difficulty: "Comrade Oshanina, are all what you said true?" Is your city really surrounded by German troops? ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander, there is no doubt about it." I replied clearly: "The Germans have broken through the field fortifications of our army in the southeast and are advancing deep into the city, but our soldiers are fighting to the death against the enemy who has rushed into the city, using every street, every barricade and every building. However, I was worried that my disobedience would provoke him, and I deliberately said tactfully, "Comrade commander, please rest assured, although I cannot send troops to reinforce you for the time being. But as long as our battle to encircle Zaporos continues, we can pin down several German divisions here, and it will also play a role in reducing the pressure on the main forces. ”

"Since that's the case," said Khalitonov hesitantly after hearing this, "then you don't need to send troops to reinforce us for the time being." But remember, I hope you will hold the German troops in the Zaporosys direction for a few more days and buy us a few more days to clear out the German forces that are attacking us. ”

I couldn't help but feel amused when I heard Khalitonov say such a high-sounding word, but at the same time I had to pretend to be obedient and promised him repeatedly: "Understood, Comrade Commander." Please rest assured that as long as one commander of our 79th Infantry Corps is still alive, we will firmly pin down the Germans in the Zaporosh area. ”

As soon as he finished the call with Khalidonov, the phone on the desk rang again. I grabbed the phone, and since this phone line could only be connected to my own subordinate troops, I said loudly: "Hey, I'm Oshanina, where are you?" ”

"Report to the commander of the army," said Godunov's voice through the receiver, and his troops were stationed in the town of Babriga, just across the water from the island, saying that it was to prevent the Germans from rushing to the Dnieper again, but in fact, his troops played the role of the command of the protection army. Hearing that it was me, he cautiously asked: "That's the case, our new third regiment still has a basically full assault engineer battalion still in the city, I want to ask, when will they be able to return to the city?" ”

Hearing Godunov ask this, I hesitated for a moment, and finally told him the truth: "Comrade Major, this assault engineer battalion may no longer be able to let you command it in the short term. The German troops have rushed into Zaporosh, and it is difficult to hold the city for a long time with the strength of the 171st Division alone, so the battalion you left in the city will play their due role in the next street fighting. ”

Hearing me say this, Godunov sighed in disappointment and asked somewhat helplessly: "Comrade army commander, in the next battle, I don't know what the new tasks of our regiment are?" ”

When I was making a plan to capture Kafbas, the most important thing on my mind was which force to send to take the lead attack. After thinking about all the regiments in the three divisions, I felt that the new three regiments, which were still commanded by Godunov and were reorganized from the assault engineer battalion, were the most suitable for this task. After all, these assault engineer battalions were specially formed by their superiors for the purpose of siege and street fighting. However, the first thing to know at the moment was how many troops were left in the regiment, so I asked: "Comrade Major, how many men are left of the two battalions in your hand?" ”

Godunov thought for a moment and replied: "Report to the commander, the original strength of the assault engineer battalion was 500 people, and the three battalions plus some auxiliary units made a total of 2,000 people. The battalion in the city today is almost full, 567 men. And the two battalions in my hands have a total strength of 420 people. ”

When I heard Godunov's data, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed, I didn't expect that his men had only such a small number of troops left. But after thinking about it, even if there are only a few people left in the assault engineer battalion, their combat effectiveness is still comparable to that of a regiment of ordinary troops, and it seems that the task of assault can be entrusted to them. I thought about it for a moment, and then said to Godunov bluntly: "Comrade Major, our next task is to attack the German defense of Kafbas. And the task of your regiment is to serve as the main attack. ”

"Our regiment is on the main mission?" Hearing what I said about this task, Godunov was silent. Although I couldn't see his expression, I guessed that the muscles on his face must be twitching violently, because this task seemed to him to be no different from sending him to death. Sure enough, after a while, he timidly asked: "Comrade Army Commander, is it appropriate to rely on a few hundred of us to attack a city that is being defeated by the German army?" ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Major." Although the disposition of the German forces at Kavbas is not yet known, in my estimation the defense of the area must be quite weak, and with the strength of Godunov's troops, it will not be much of a problem to capture the city. I smiled at him and said: "According to reliable intelligence, the main forces of the German army on the west bank of the Dnieper have been drained, and the situation is very favorable for us. With the current strength of our army, we can completely fight wherever we want, so that the German army cannot take care of each other and turn their rear upside down. (To be continued......)