It took me an hour to get my hands on this thick stack of battle reports about General Petrovsky. After reading it, my first reaction was: Why is the content written in the war report so different from what I saw in the movie? In the movie, it was Petrovsky who took the initiative to ask Marshal Timoshenko for battle, but the reality was that he received an order from his superiors to lead the main force of the army across the river and launch an attack on the German troops rushing to the Dnieper.

I put the battle report on the table, looked up and asked Kirillov and Vitkov: "Commissar, chief of staff, have you both read this information?" ”

After the two of them nodded neatly, Vitkov opened his mouth and said to me: "Comrade commander, according to these battle reports left by General Petrovsky, we can completely turn the breakout battle into an offensive battle. ”

I asked curiously, "Turn the breakout battle into an offensive battle?" Comrade Chief of Staff, it seems that when you read the battle report, you also took into account how we should proceed in the next battle. Tell me, what do you think? ”

"It's very simple, we still follow General Petrovsky's method of playing, and first send a reconnaissance unit to cross the river, in addition to conducting reconnaissance, we are also responsible for clearing the defenders along the river." Vitkov confidently told me his idea: "When they have almost cleared the defenders along the river, the main force of our army will launch a large-scale river crossing operation, quickly penetrating into the depth of the German army, and completely disrupting their defenses." ”

"Chief of Staff, your idea is very good." I saw that Vitkov's proposal was not far from my original idea, so I said, "Since this is the case. You immediately call the commanders of the three divisions. Let them rush to the military headquarters overnight. Discuss the battle plan for crossing the river. ”

While Vitkov was on the phone from the division commanders, I stood in front of the map hanging on the wall, looked at the red and blue arrows, small flags, and other symbols on it, representing the situation of both sides, and imagined them as thousands of commanders and fighters under my command, silently demonstrating the offensive and defensive operations of both sides in my mind. Compared with actual combat, the sound of machine guns, rifles and submachine guns is not heard on the map, the explosion of shells and bombs cannot be heard, and the ** sound of countless wounded people cannot be heard. There are no corpses scattered across the wilderness on either side of the enemy.

Kirillov walked up to me and asked with concern: "Comrade Oshanina, what are you thinking?" ”

Pointing to the map on the wall, I replied: "The situation of our army is similar to that of the 63rd Infantry Corps at that time, and several divisions of troops are also distributed on a wide front, resisting the German attack from several directions. We must first shrink our forces, reorganize and readjust the deployment of our forces before we can launch an offensive against the enemy forces in the West Bank. ”

"Oshanina, do you think we can succeed?" Kirillov asked cautiously.

Hearing his question, I thought about it a little. Then he nodded and said affirmatively: "Comrade Political Commissar." I have every reason to believe that this surprise attack of ours will certainly be able to repeat the history set by General Petrovsky and take the enemy on the other side of the river by surprise. ”

Although I have already said this, Kirillov still asks with anxiety: "Are you really so sure?" ”

"Yes, yes, my Comrade Commissar." I could guess what he was worried about, and nodded again and again, "I know what you're worried about, but please rest assured, don't look at the aggressive attack of the German Kou from the other side, just to contain our forces and prevent us from drawing more troops to strengthen the east and south of the city, Manstein pinned his hopes of destroying us on the 'Imperial Division' and the 'Skeleton Division'." He would have thought that if we were to break through, we would choose to go east, open a passage from their defensive line, and join the main force of the 6th Army, which was also surrounded, and he could not have imagined that we would choose the opposite direction to break through. ”

After listening to my explanation, Kirillov nodded with satisfaction and greeted Vitkov, who had just finished the call: "Comrade Chief of Staff, let's discuss the position of the divisions in the offensive battle. ”

Vitkov walked up to us with a smile on his face and said humbly: "Comrade commissar, I think it is better for Comrade Commander to make the decision, I guess she has already made a detailed plan. ”

Seeing that Vitkov had given me the initiative to draw up the plan, I did not shirk it, and looked at the map on the wall and dictated the order: "The task of the main attack is still the 22nd Guards Division of Major General Bandeleyev, which, after completing the task of crossing the river, should quickly advance westward and seize the city of Maha." And the 308th Infantry Division of Major General Gurdiev attacked and advanced in a northwesterly direction, covering the exposed right flank of the 22nd Guards Division. The 171st Division, on the other hand, remained in Zaporosh for the time being, delaying the advance of the German 'Imperial Division' and 'Skeleton Division' towards the Dnieper. ……”

Vitkov took a pen and notebook, and as he listened, he recorded what I was saying, and at the same time nodded his head, as if he was in agreement with my plan.

After our plan was drawn up and a few details were repeatedly scrutinized, the division commanders who received the notice of the meeting came to the headquarters one after another.

After the three division commanders sat down, Vitkov didn't say any nonsense, and bluntly announced my battle plan to the three of them. After Vitkov finished speaking, Gurtiev stood up first and raised his own questions: "Comrade Army Commander, although some people say that 'offense is the best defense', but in our current situation, I think we should still hold on and wait for help." ”

"Hold on to help?!" As soon as he finished speaking, Andreushchenko, who was lower in rank than him, stood up and retorted: "Comrade General, I don't know what the reinforcements you are talking about, how long will we have to hold out in the city before the reinforcements arrive?" ”

Gurdyev was stopped by Andreuschenko's series of questions, his gaze swept over the three of us, and he said stubbornly: "Comrade Colonel, have you forgotten that the main force of our 6th Army is only ten or twenty kilometers away from us, and if they advance rapidly, I think that if they hold out for a day or two at most, they will be able to carry out a counter-encirclement of the German troops besieging the city." ”

"Is that so, Comrade General?" Andreushchenko sneered twice and asked rhetorically in a mocking tone: "If I'm not mistaken." You should have seen it with your own eyes the other day. How did the German 'Reich divisions' break through the lines of our 4th Guards Infantry Corps? Have you not taken from the intensity of the sudden intensification of the German offensive today. Did you notice anything unusual? ”

"Strange, what's wrong?" This time it was Gurdiev's turn to be confused about what Andreushchenko said, "The German army's weapons and equipment are already stronger than ours, and it is not surprising that there is such an attack intensity as it is now." ”

Seeing that the two of them might quarrel if they continued to talk, I quickly raised my hand to stop the two. Then he looked at Andreushchenko and said: "Comrade Colonel, you have observed carefully, today the German army has indeed strengthened the overall offensive intensity. They tried their best to rush into the city and join the German forces on the west bank of the Dnieper. And you," I turned my head to Stat Gurtiev and said, "Comrade General, I don't intend to hide our situation from you, not only is our army surrounded by the Germans, but even the main forces of the group army have been cut off from the communication and supply lines by the Germans, which is very unfavorable to us!" ”

"What, the logistical supply lines of the main forces of the army group were cut off?" This earth-shattering news. The three division commanders present were dumbfounded. After a long while, Pantai Leev asked on behalf of the other two division commanders: "Is this news true?" ”

"It's true. Old folk! Kirillov continued: "This news was personally communicated to us by the commander of the army group, General Khalidonov. Originally, he had planned to transfer your two divisions out of Zaporosh to attack the rear of the German army. But this erroneous order," he said, turning his head to me, nodding with a smile on his face, and going on again, "was rejected by our comrade commander. ”

After Kirillov's words, the eyes of the three division commanders turned to me. From the look in their eyes, I saw a deep worry, as if they were all worried about my future. I hurriedly waved my hand and said with a smile: "Teachers, don't worry about me. I reported the disobedience to the military order to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Marshal Zhukov, and received his permission. That is to say, in the coming days, whether we attacked or broke through, we were allowed by our superiors. ”

After hearing this, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief. Andreushchenko was the most exaggerated, and he even took off his large-brimmed hat and wiped the sweat on his head with a handkerchief.

In order to boost the confidence of the division commanders, Vitkov picked up a piece of paper on the table from which Petrovsky's battle report was excerpted and read it aloud to them: "...... General Petrovsky believed that in order to complete the task of crossing the river on a wide front, the battle formation of the army should be put into battle in one echelon. On the right flank, the 61st Infantry Division was tasked with crossing the river in the Zporovo area and attacking in the direction of Gomini, Falevich and Sterny, and in order to ensure the exposed right flank of the division, after the capture of Ozereny, it would be necessary to divide a reinforced battalion to defend against counterattacks from the north. In the center, in the Rogachev region, where the 167th Division crossed the river, their task was to capture Rogachev and subsequently attack Vorossevich. On the left flank, the 154th Infantry Division, which had just arrived. Having taken over the 117th Division, they had to cross the river on the Lebedevka-Zhilobin line, occupy Zhilobin, and then develop an offensive along the Zhilobin-Poboruisk railway.

Late on the night of 13 July, reconnaissance groups covertly crossed the Dnieper and reached the West Bank. At the same time, the first echelons of the divisions also reached the east bank covertly, and the troops prepared various means of crossing the river: fishing boats, wooden rafts, and rubber rafts.

Early in the morning, after 20 minutes of artillery preparation, the 63rd Infantry Corps began to force its way across the Dnieper. Due to the unbearable heat of July 1941, the nights were not cool. Therefore, the fascists did not expect a sudden attack of our army at all, and they all hid in the houses of Rogachev and Zhilobin to take refuge in the summer, not only did they not have their weapons at hand, but many of them even took off their uniforms. At this moment, our artillery fire fell on the heads of the enemy. Because the enemy was too numb, the organized resistance to our army was extremely sparse at first. It was only when one part of our army reached the outskirts of Rogachev and Zhilobin that the fascists came to their senses. Using the railway embankment, water towers and buildings as cover, they began to resist the offensive of our troops, and the resistance became more and more stubborn.

By dark, the divisions were engaged in offensive battles, to be precise, using bayonets and grenades to clear the fascists hiding in houses and bunkers, house by house, street by street. In these battles, many fighters and detachments excelled. A battalion of the 437th Infantry Regiment was the first to break through to Zhilobin. The next morning, the enemy tried to surround the battalion. Our fighters not only did not retreat. And it made the fascist bandits run with their heads in their hands. The battalion commander, Captain Batarov, commanded his battalion for six attacks. On two occasions, they also engaged in brutal white-knuckle battles with the enemy, and eventually eliminated the enemy. ……”

When Vitkov's words came to an end, Bandereev stood up again and asked: "Army commander, political commissar, from what the chief of staff just read, I think that our offensive still has a great chance of success. But I have a question now, I don't know whether to say it or not? ”

"Comrade Division Commander," I looked up at him. He said in a friendly manner, "If you have any questions, just ask." As long as the commissar and I can answer, we will definitely give you a satisfactory answer. ”

"Since that's the case, then I want to ask, how can the reconnaissance troops who crossed the river first get in touch with the troops in the city?" Pantai Laiev asked with a stern expression: "If the report is sent, the speed is too slow, and it is easy to delay the fighter; Let's use plain language to talk, it is easy for the Germans to eavesdrop on the whereabouts of our army. Our army during the defense of Stalingrad. I have suffered losses in this regard. ”

"General Bandereev, you have considered the problem very thoroughly! But you don't have to worry. The problem you mentioned, we have thought about it for a long time. I turned my head to look at Kirillov beside me, smiled and asked him: "Comrade commissar, is everything arranged?" ”

Kirillov nodded and said confidently: "Comrade Oshanina, don't worry, I know this matter in my heart." Then he stood up and said to Pantai Leyev, "Don't worry, old man, I have trained a group of telegraph operators from Kazakhstan, and when they talk in plain, they use their own language, even if they are eavesdropped by the Germans, and it is estimated that they will not find anyone who understands Kazakh in a hurry." By the time they had found the right person, our attacking force would have rushed out of their door. At that time, even if they decipher the content of our call, what is the point? Kirillov's words made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere in the command headquarters became lighter.

Next, we discussed the reorganization and deployment of troops, as well as some details of the battle plan.

When everyone had asked all the questions they should have asked, I stood up and said, "Since General Petrovsky was able to cross the Dnieper River by surprise and catch the Germans by surprise when our army was retreating and the German army was at its most arrogant. What we need to do now is to repeat this glorious history and teach the Germans a hard lesson. After saying that, I raised my hand to look at my watch, and finally added: "The operation will start tomorrow night, everyone go back and prepare!" ”

The three division commanders stood up in unison and replied neatly: "Yes, we promise to complete the task!" ”

As the division commanders walked outside, I suddenly remembered one more thing, and shouted at the back of Pandereev: "General Pandereev, please wait a minute, I have something to ask you." ”

The other two division commanders also heard my shouting, but they only glanced back at Pandereev, and still walked outside. Pandereev stood still, looking at me in bewilderment, silently waiting for me to ask him a question.

I walked up to him, first showed a smile, and then asked: "Comrade division commander, I want to ask you, which regiment are you afraid of to take the lead?" ”

"Three regiments, I plan to send three regiments to serve as the vanguard regiment of the whole division." Hearing my question, Pandereev replied without hesitation. Probably afraid that I would be confused, he also made a point of stating: "It is not Godunov's new third regiment, but the old third regiment of Lieutenant Colonel Koska." ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard?!" Thinking of this lieutenant colonel, who had been demoted to company commander due to poor command, I asked curiously: "Why do you want their regiment to serve as an avant-garde regiment?" ”

"Report to the corps commander," Bandereev replied respectfully, "because Lieutenant Colonel Koska, who is Ukrainian, and whose hometown is on the west bank of the Dnieper, I think it is appropriate for a commander who is familiar with the terrain to direct this battle." Comrade Commander, what do you think? ”

Since Pandereev strongly supported the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Kosgaard's 3rd Regiment as the avant-garde regiment, I could not object to it, after all, I had told him that I would not interfere with the command of the 22nd Guards Division, so I could only nod my head in agreement. (To be continued......)