The bad news reported by Vitkov froze the air in the headquarters. Everyone was silent, and there was silence in the room. After a while, Romanov took the lead in taking off the large-brimmed hat on his head and bowed his head in silence to the fallen commander. I saw Kirillov, Vitkov, and even the operators in the command took off their hats one after another.

I took off the steel helmet on my head and bowed my head in silence. Although I had never met General Koptsov, I was heartbroken by his sacrifice at the moment, and soon after the battle began, my men lost a general-level commander, and I don't know how much it would cost if I continued to fight.

After the silence was over and the steel helmet was put back on, I asked Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, who is currently commanding the troops of the 15th Tank Army?" ”

After glancing at the telegram, Vitkov replied to me: "After the death of General Kopnotsov, General Rybalko appointed Lieutenant Colonel Lozovsky, the military commissar of the army, to take over the command of the troops. ”

After hearing this, I nodded and said, "Although Lieutenant Colonel Lozovsky has a lower rank, since General Rybalko can appoint him as the commander of the army, it proves that he is capable of this position, and I hope that in the next battle, his performance will not disappoint us." ”

The German air raid on Rybalko's headquarters had to be halted not long after the weather suddenly became bad. When Pugachev, who came in from outside, reported to us that there was a snowstorm outside, Kirillov immediately jumped up from his seat and excitedly said to me: "Lida, it's starting to snowstorm outside, that's good news." The enemy's aircraft could no longer rise into the air for combat. Then we attack the troops of Kyiv. You'll be able to leave early. ”

"Comrade Commissar. That's what I thought, too. I smiled at Kirillov, who had a good heart, and then turned to the Romanov next to me and said: "Comrade general, you can give orders to commanders at all levels and let them immediately set off in the snow." With that, I looked up at my watch and set a time for him, "It's three o'clock in the afternoon, and I hope it's five o'clock." Units of the 22nd tank brigade, capable of launching an offensive towards Kyiv. ”

"No problem, Comrade Commander." Romanov replied cleanly: "I'll arrange it." After speaking, he picked up the phone on the table, dialed the number, and said loudly: "Hey, the 22nd Guards Division?" I'm Romanov, let your army commander, General Bandereev, answer the phone. ”

I sat next to me and silently listened to him give to the military commanders of the three infantry divisions, as well as the tank brigade and the artillery regiment. One by one, they called and ordered the troops to set off immediately in the snow. And launch an offensive on Kyiv no later than five o'clock in the evening.

Without waiting for the troops to leave, Zhukov's telegram came. He wrote briefly on the telegram: "The Supreme Command is waiting for the good news of your liberation of Kyiv. ”

I felt a lot of pressure in this telegram, which was only a short sentence, and although Zhukov's words were short, the meaning of the message was clear: the Supreme Command is waiting for your good news, and if you can't take Kyiv, you will be solely responsible for the consequences.

After reading the telegram, Kirillov, Vitkov, and Romanov all had the same solemn expressions on their faces as I did, and it seemed that they also understood the meaning of Zhukov's telegram.

I sat at the table and thought for a moment, then looked up and said to Vitkov: "Chief of Staff, send a telegram to General Rybalko informing him of our imminent attack on Kyiv. And in my name order to him that as soon as the battle in the Kyiv direction begins, his troops must re-engage in the offensive against Bruvaria, holding the enemy there firmly in a pinch, and not allowing them to return to the division to rescue Kyiv. Commanders and fighters who hesitated in battle and delayed their fighters were all shot on the spot. ”

Kirillov's mouth opened wide in surprise at my command, and he was stunned by my stern order. Seeing that Vitkov was going to make a telegram, he hurriedly stopped the other party and cautiously reminded me: "Leda, is your order to General Rybalko too harsh?" After reading the telegram, will the general have any bad associations? ”

"Comrade political commissar, I can't take care of it so much." In response to Kirillov's hesitation, I said without hesitation: "Although Marshal Zhukov's telegram is very brief, I think everyone understands what he meant, and if we do not succeed in capturing Kiev, then several of us may be sent to a military court." After speaking, he waved his hand at Vitkov, who was still standing in place, "Chief of Staff, go and report immediately." ”

As soon as Vitkov walked away, I turned to Romanov and said, "Comrade General, please go and tell the commanders who are about to take part in the battle." In battle, don't blindly hit and rush, but rely on firepower to suppress the enemy, anyway, we have just captured a batch of munitions, as long as we can reduce the casualties of the troops, even if the consumption of ammunition is larger. ”

"Yes, I'll tell them." After Romanov finished speaking, he walked out of the command headquarters and went to find the commanders who were about to leave for Kiev.

"Marshal Zhukov, do you need a telegram back to him?" When there were only two of us left at the table, Kirillov asked in a low voice, "Do you want to inform him of the news of our imminent attack, so that he can also feel at ease?" ”

I thought about Kirillov's proposal, and finally shook my head in denial: "No, Comrade Political Commissar, I can't report to my superiors for the time being." If we report to Comrade Marshal, it is necessary to report in detail the timing of the attack, the disposition of troops, and the various routes of the attack. Once the intelligence is cracked by the enemy, the consequences will be very serious. Our battle to liberate Kyiv has reached the most critical moment, and we must not make any mistakes, otherwise all the achievements we have done will be in vain. ”

"So what can we do now?" Kirillov then asked.

I smiled bitterly and replied to him: "Comrade Political Commissar, all we can do now is wait. Let's hope that this snow will not stop too soon, so that our troops will not have to worry about German air strikes and can reach the outside of Kyiv safely. ”

Perhaps seeing that we had not called back for a long time, Zhukov sent another telegram, in which he told us. The fortifications of Kiev were strong. Except for the fortifications that our army built before. There are also fortifications that were added after the German troops were stationed, which was conducive to stubborn defense. Therefore, we must attack Kyiv quickly, otherwise as soon as the German reinforcements arrive, our siege troops will be surrounded. At that time, not only will it not be possible to take Kyiv, but there will also be a danger of total annihilation.

Seeing Zhukov's second telegram, not only Kirillov, but also Vitkov and Romanov became anxious. See the anxious expressions on their faces. I put the telegram on the table, looked up and asked, "The battle for kyiv is about to begin, do you have any ideas?" ”

"Comrade Commander, after reading this telegram from the marshal, my heart is very worried." The first to speak was Romanov, who worriedly said: "Are we overly optimistic about the capture of Kyiv?" Although from the point of view of planning, it was impeccable, but the deployment of the German army in the city was due to time. Our scouts didn't figure it out at all. Is it a bit too risky to attack a big city with strong fortifications? ”

I glanced at the Romanov disapprenantly. The heart said that when you make a plan, you are all applauding. But now as soon as Zhukov's telegram arrives, you panick, and since you have retreated. But there are some things that can only be thought about in the heart, but cannot be said, so he said politely: "Comrade General, what is your idea, say it and let us all listen to it?" ”

Hearing my question, Romanov cautiously replied: "I think we should immediately send a message to the front-line commanders, telling them to stop and build fortifications as soon as they reach the outskirts of Kyiv, and wait for the situation in the city to be clarified before launching an attack." ”

After listening to this, I did not immediately express my opinion, but turned my head and asked Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you think?" ”

Vitkov, who was frowning and pondering, heard my question, and quickly stood up and replied: "Comrade commander, I don't think such a plan of General Romanov is advisable. The plan we originally drew up to seize Kyiv was originally based on a sneak attack, and then a sneak attack turned into a strong attack when our whereabouts were exposed. If we do stop outside the city and build fortifications, then the enemy will be aware of our movements. Even if the troops in Bruvary do not withdraw, they will send out the air force to bomb us, and they will inflict heavy casualties on us. ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff is right." As soon as Kirillov heard what Vitkov had said, he immediately expressed his attitude, and then said to Romanov: "Comrade General, your plan sounds quite well thought out, but it is not advisable in practice. Once the Germans are prepared to attack the fortified with our current strength, even if we pay a heavy price, we may not be able to capture the city. I think it is still necessary to continue to adopt Comrade Commander's plan, with sneak attacks as the mainstay and strong attacks as supplements, and what to do next, let's wait for the battle to start. ”

When Romanov heard that Kirillov and Vitkov had a high degree of unanimity, he did not ask for my opinion again, so as not to hit a wall again, so he had to reluctantly agree: "Okay, let's wait for the latest news from the front." ”

As soon as five o'clock arrived, Pugachev ran in from outside. He handed me a telegram and at the same time excitedly said: "Comrade commander, it is a telegram from Colonel Andreushchenko, he says that the battle for the assault on Kyiv has begun!" ”

I took the telegram, fearing that I would see some bad news, so I handed it to Vitkov and, trying to pretend that nothing had happened, said to him: "Chief of staff, look at what Colonel Andreushchenko says in the telegram, and read it to all of us." ”

Vitkov read the telegram at a glance, and then excitedly said to several of us: "Colonel Andreushchenko reports that as soon as the tank brigade arrived at the outskirts of Kiev, it immediately led the infantry of the 308th Division in battalions to carry out interspersed attacks in the city of Kiev and went straight to the Square of the October Revolution in the Pecherska district of the city center. The specific battle report will be reported at any time. ”

After listening to Vitkov's words, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief in my heart, and immediately instructed him: "Chief of Staff, you immediately send a message to General Rybalko that our attack on Kiev has begun, and let him immediately launch an attack on Bruvaria, and make sure that the enemy's heavy army group is firmly pinned down there." ”

"Yes, I'll send the report immediately." Vitkov agreed, and ran to the walkie-talkie to supervise the delivery of the telegraph operator.

I glanced at Pugachev, who was still standing in front of me, and instructed him: "Major, go and send a telegram to Marshal Zhukov saying that our attack on Kiev has officially begun, and we will report to him at any time on the specific battle report." ”

When Vitkov returned from the radio, he specially reported to me: "Comrade Commander, in addition to General Rybalko, I have also sent telegrams to Colonel Andryushchenko and General Pandereev, ordering their troops, after breaking into the city, to fight with courage and resolutely crush all enemy resistance. When encountering the enemy's firepower points, destroy them with the artillery of the artillery regiment, so that the enemy does not have the capital to resist our army. ”

"Not bad, Comrade Chief of Staff." Regarding Vitkov's deployment, I nodded with satisfaction and complimented him: "You have arranged it well. Only by quickly and decisively destroying the enemy's points of fire could the resistance of the German troops in the city of Kiev be destroyed in the shortest possible time. Then our chances of capturing Kyiv will increase significantly. ”

It didn't take long for Pugachev to walk in again. From the smile on his face, I knew he had good news. Sure enough, he reported to us: "...... According to reports from the front, our vanguard was approaching the Plaza of the October Revolution. Perhaps the enemy did not expect us to attack Kyiv at all, so there were not even barricades on the streets. In the face of our attack, the enemy could only hide behind those large and small vehicles parked on the side of the road.

In the face of the enemy's rifle, submachine gun and machine gun crossfire, there was no threat to our tank units at all. The vehicle-mounted machine guns first hit the enemy so that they could not raise their heads, and then our tanks rushed up one after another, using their tracks to smash the stubborn enemy hiding behind the vehicles, even the men and the vehicles. Seeing our tanks rushing forward along the street without hesitation, the enemy panicked, and quite a few people rushed out of the buildings next to them in an attempt to blow up our tanks with cluster grenades. But how could the soldiers who were following the armored vehicles behind the tanks let them succeed and immediately beat these daring enemies to the ground with dense firepower......" (to be continued......

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