The battle continued, not only the advance of the tank brigade and the 308th Division was smooth, but even the resistance in the direction of the Pandereev division was also weak, and by seven o'clock, the 22nd Guards Division had managed to capture several churches, and even took control of two bridges leading to the left bank of the Dnieper, completely cutting off the German forces on both sides of the Dnieper.

And the 171st Division, which had detoured to the north of the enemy, also sent a telegram saying that they had successfully rounded the north of Kiev, and that the main forces were launching an onslaught on Voshonod, except for a regiment left to monitor the enemy in Kiev. As long as the city was successfully captured, it completely cut off the passage for the Germans to flee north.

Seeing the good news coming one after another, everyone was overjoyed. Kirillov even suggested to me: "Lida, judging from the current situation, all the ministries are progressing smoothly, and it is estimated that there should be no problem in taking Kyiv during the day tomorrow." You see if it's time to send a telegram to Marshal Zhukov to tell him the good news. ”

Although a few hours earlier, he had suggested that I send a report to Zhukov, but at that time I was unsure whether the troops would be able to launch an offensive on time, so I did not agree to his suggestion. At this moment, seeing that the troops were progressing smoothly, and the unprepared German army, which was crushed under our fierce offensive, I believed that in another ten or so hours, the troops would be able to completely occupy Kiev. Now that the situation is clear, the telegram that should indeed be sent to Zhukov will reassure him.

Thinking of this, I nodded and said to Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, send a telegram to Marshal Zhukov about the fact that our army has successfully entered Kiev. Give him a detailed briefing. At the same time, it is necessary to explain to him that our army is in order to achieve the purpose of a surprise attack. The commanders and fighters who participated in the battle were all wearing German uniforms, so that after the battle began, the confused enemy could be completely thrown into confusion and unable to organize decent resistance. ”

After listening to my instructions, Vitkov did not immediately go to arrange for the telegrapher to send the telegram, but then asked: "What about General Rybalko, do you need to send him a telegram as well?" ”

"Yes. As soon as the message to the marshal was sent, it was sent to General Rybalko. "Vitkov's reminder is timely, it reminds me of the 79th Infantry Corps, which is attacking Kyiv. On the left bank of the Dnieper, there was also a unit under my command that was launching a fierce assault on Bruvaria, where the enemy was heavily concentrated. Announcing to them the news of the invasion of Kyiv by our troops can also play a morale-boosting role. "Tell the general. Our troops have successfully stormed Kyiv. A fierce battle is being waged against the defenders of the city. Let them speed up their attack and come and join us as soon as possible. ”

When Vitkov returned from sending a telegram, I suddenly remembered an important question, so I cautiously asked: "Chief of Staff, did you mention the situation of the residents of the city in the battle report that came back from the front?" ”

Vitkov did not know the purpose of my question, shook his head blankly, and then replied truthfully: "No." The telegram sent back from the front did not mention the inhabitants of the city. ”

Kirillov waited for Vitkov to finish. She also asked me curiously, "Lida, why did you want to ask about this?" Are you afraid that the German troops in Kyiv will also, like the enemies of Cherkasy, push the inhabitants out to block the bullets? ”

I waved my hand at Kirillov's speculation, and then said what I thought in my heart: "We are here to liberate Kyiv, and no matter how hard we fight with the German army, we cannot ignore the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of civilians." While we are progressing well and the damage to the city is minimal, there are certainly some areas where residents will be impressed. Comrade Chief of Staff, send a telegram to the front, and if you find residents who have escaped from their homes, you must evacuate them in time and hide them in a safe place, so as to minimize the casualties of the residents. ”

After hearing this, Kirillov pondered for a moment and said: "Comrade Lida is very thoughtful, the people of Kiev have been living under the iron hooves of the fascist invaders for almost two years, and they have been looking forward to the return of our troops to liberate them. If we cause heavy civilian casualties during the offensive, it will be inconvenient for us to manage after the liberation of Kyiv. General Romanov, you immediately go and send a telegram to the commanders at the front, convey Leda's opinion to them. ”

"Okay, I'll go." Romanov said yes and walked over to the operator.

Pugachev, who walked in from the outside, brought us a new telegram. In a telegram, General Rebalko said that, after a fierce battle, Bruvalli's forces had stormed and occupied two-thirds of the city. At present, the main forces are attacking the areas where the remnants of the German army are entrenched, and special companies have been specially deployed to clear the scattered German troops in the occupied areas.

After reading this telegram, Vitkov optimistically said: "Comrade commander, according to the way General Rybalko plays, I think that by dawn at the latest, his troops will be able to reach the eastern outskirts of Kiev. At that time, the 22nd Guards Division could rush across the river, flank them from east to west, and annihilate the remnants of the German army in the east of the city. ”

I was afraid that he would get too carried away, so I hurriedly reminded him: "Chief of staff, don't be so happy, something unexpected may happen at any time before the battle is over, so it is very necessary for us, as commanders, to always remain calm." ”

While he was talking, Romanov walked back from the walkie-talkie, put a telegram on the table, and said: "Comrade commander, our offensive is in some trouble. ”

When I saw Vitkov reaching out and picking up the telegram, I looked up and asked Romanov: "Comrade General, tell me, what is going on at the front?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Romanov pursed his lips and said with a serious expression: "Although the Germans were dizzy after being attacked by our surprise attack, the battle lasted for such a long time, and the enemy somewhat recovered, and they set up fire points in the buildings on both sides of the street, and condescendingly strafed the infantry who were charging behind our tanks and armored vehicles, causing certain casualties to our troops.

The situation was even worse for the Germans, who were about one battalion or more. Retreat along Grushevsky Street to the October Revolution Square, and while fighting and retreating, they entered the Mariinsky Palace to the north of the square, blocking the path of our troops' advance with artillery and machine-gun fire. The 1st battalion of tanks of Major Perstian. After losing seven or eight tanks and armored vehicles, they were suppressed by German fire in Mariinsky Park on the south side of the square. ”

Hearing this, Vitkov said thoughtfully: "The Mariinsky Palace is a stone building, which can withstand direct fire from tank guns. It seems that if we want to take this building, we will have to pay a huge sacrifice. ”

I thought about it for a moment and felt that Vitkov had a point, we already lacked heavy artillery to storm the city. If the Germans had put up a stubborn resistance in the Mariinsky Palace, we would not have been able to seize the building in the shortest possible time, even if we had to fill it with human lives. The only way. It is to destroy the building so that none of the enemies hiding inside can survive. So, I opened my mouth and said to Romanov: "Comrade General, please send a message to Major Perstian. Let him transfer the rocket artillery from the battalion to the park. Together with the artillery units of Lieutenant Colonel Kavilin, concentrated fire on the Mariinsky Palace. ”

After my order was given, Romanov's expression was still calm, but Vitkov was shocked, and he said distressedly: "Comrade commander, if you use rocket artillery, it is estimated that this building with a long history will be destroyed." I propose to organize troops under the cover of tank artillery fire. Attack on the Mariinsky Palace. As long as our troops succeed in rushing in, they may be able to fight the enemy house by house. With our superiority in forces, it is only a matter of time before they are eliminated. ”

I glared at me and said dissatisfiedly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is the Mariinsky Palace important, or are the lives of our commanders and fighters precious?" By destroying the building, we can eliminate the fascist invaders inside, and when the war is over, we can build better and more beautiful buildings there. If our warriors were killed, they would never have survived. ”

Hearing me say this, Vitkov also fell silent. Seeing that the air in the room would freeze again because of this incident, Kirillov came out in time to play a round: "Lida is right, no matter how beautiful the building is, can it be more precious than the lives of our commanders and fighters?" General Romanov, don't be stunned there, hurry up and send a report to the commanders on the front line in Kyiv. ”

Seeing that Romanov turned around and walked to the walkie-talkie without saying a word, I got up from my seat and said to Kirillov and Vitkov: "Commissar and Chief of Staff, you two will stay at General Romanov's command post for the time being......"

Before I could finish my words, Kirillov asked vigilantly: "Lida, what do you mean by this, do you want to go to the front line to see for yourself?" ”

In response to Kirillov's speculation, I nodded and said in affirmativeness: "Whether we can take Kyiv or not depends on how the battle progresses tonight." My heart is never at ease until I see the enemies of the Mariinsky Palace destroyed, so I must go to the city to see it. ”

"You can't go alone." After Kirillov waited for me to finish, he couldn't help but say: "The two of us are partners, but I will follow you wherever you are." ”

I knew that Kirillov's personality was superficially easy-going, but once he decided, even nine cows would not be able to pull it back, so I very readily agreed: "Okay, comrade commissar, you can go to Kiev with me." And you, Comrade Chief of Staff, continue to stay here and coordinate and direct the various units in battle. ”

When Vitkov saw that Kirillov and I had left him alone, he was dissatisfied, but he could only reluctantly agree: "Yes, I resolutely obey your orders." ”

When Kirillov and I got into the jeep, I asked the driver: "Comrade driver, we are going to Kiev, how long will it take you to get there?" ”

The driver looked out the window, and then replied: "Comrade commander, the heavy snow outside has stopped, and it is estimated that in forty minutes, you will be able to reach the outside of Kiev." ”

"Very well, let's drive."

After the jeep started, Kirillov opened his mouth and asked: "Leda, what are your plans after the capture of Kyiv?" ”

Kirilov's question really stopped me. What I have been thinking about all this time is how to command the troops to seize Kyiv and turn it into a bridgehead for our army's offensive.

It was a long time before I replied to him with a special official answer: "What else can I do, since we have captured Kyiv, then we must find ways to hold the city so that it does not fall into the clutches of the enemy again." ”

After listening to my answer, Kirillov asked noncommittally: "Then do you think that if we take Kyiv, our troops will be able to hold Kyiv under the frantic counterattack of the enemy?" ”

This newly raised question really left me speechless, you must know that in the early days of the war, the Soviet Army's Southwestern Front of more than 700,000 people did not hold Kyiv. If I want to use the existing tens of thousands of troops to block the onslaught of the German army, no matter how I look at it, it is a bit like a fool's dream.

Fortunately, Kirillov saw my embarrassment, so he did not continue to ask, but sighed softly and turned his gaze to the window.

This journey did not end until we entered the city of Kiev. Kirillov looked at the intact buildings on both sides of the street, and the commanders and fighters of our army who walked by from time to time wearing German uniforms and wearing white towels tied to their left arms, and couldn't help but say in amazement: "Lida, it seems that tonight's battle is not too cruel, you can look at the buildings on both sides, even the glass on the windows is intact." ”

As we spoke, the jeep in which we were riding, guided by the soldiers of the city, came to Mariinsky Park. Here I met with the commander of the 308th Division, Colonel Andryuschenko, the commander of the artillery regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Kaverin, and the commander of the tank battalion, Major Perstian. After all three of us were standing in front of us, the first thing I asked was to ask, "How is it, has the Mariinsky Palace been taken?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Andreushchenko replied to me on behalf of the three of them: "After heavy artillery fire, the walls of the Mariinsky Palace were crumbling by our artillery. Our infantry followed the tanks and armoured vehicles to kill the stubborn enemy who were still fighting in the ruins.

The defenders of the Verkhovna Rada building next to it, perhaps frightened by our thunderous methods, surrendered to us by hanging a white flag on the window before we could attack them. I had just sent a battalion into the building to accept the surrender of the Germans and collect their weapons. (To be continued......)

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