The new headquarters is located on the first floor of the Verkhovna Rada building, and the spacious conference rooms are divided into two halves, usually where we command operations, and the other half, where communications equipment is placed. Perhaps worried about our communications situation and unable to meet the requirements of commanding campaign cluster operations, Rybalko also brought two communications companies and supporting communications equipment.

Soon after we arrived at the headquarters, the commanders of the divisions called one after another, saying that the remnants of the German army had been cleared of the area they occupied.

Hearing one good news after another, Rybalko couldn't help but say with emotion: "Comrade commander, I didn't expect you to capture Kyiv so quickly. In my vision, it is impossible to conquer Kiev, which has strong fortifications, without ten days and half a month, with just one tank army, plus one infantry corps and three infantry divisions. ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander, anything is possible." Hearing that Kyiv was completely occupied by our troops, Kirillov's mood was also extremely good, and he smiled and said to Rybalko: "Don't you see that our commanders and fighters are wearing German uniforms? It is precisely because the troops we launched the attack were all wearing the enemy's military uniforms that the enemy was caught off guard by us when attacked, which greatly increased the chance of a successful sneak attack. ”

After listening to Kirillov's words, Rybalko turned his gaze to me and said in an appreciative tone: "Comrade Oshanina, to tell you the truth, when I heard that Marshal Zhukov assigned my tank army group to your command, I was very unconvinced. It is considered that a woman, at best, commanding an infantry corps, is already inadequate. If she were to command a campaign cluster, the odds would be a big failure. At this, he shrugged his shoulders, "But it turns out that I was wrong." I apologize for my suspicions about you. With that, he stretched out his hand to me.

When I shook hands with him, I also said politely: "General Rybalko, your rank is higher than mine, it stands to reason." This campaign cluster should be commanded by you, and I'm more than happy to be your deputy......"

"You can never say that," Rybalko hurriedly waved his hand and said sincerely: "If this battle is entrusted to me, it is estimated that our troops have not yet resisted the city of Kyiv, let alone liberated this city that has been enslaved for nearly two years from the hands of the enemy." ”

"Well, comrade commander," seeing the mutual modesty between me and Rybalko, Kirillov stood up and reminded us: "Next. Isn't it time for us to discuss what to do after the capture of the city? ”

Hearing Kirillov's reminder, I hurriedly called Pugachev over and instructed him: "Major, immediately send a telegram to Marshal Zhukov telling him that we have joined forces with General Rybalko's troops and have succeeded in capturing Kiev. ”

As soon as Pugachev left, Kirillov reminded me: "Lida. Is it necessary to set up some air defense positions in the city to prevent the enemy from a possible frenzied bombardment of Kyiv? ”

"Not bad. Comrade Military Commissar was right. As soon as Rybalko waited for Kirillov to finish, he continued: "We have no air supremacy, and when the Germans know that we have captured Kyiv, they will definitely send planes to bomb us, and if we do not prepare in advance, we will suffer heavy casualties." ”

"Kyiv is too big. With our current forces and equipment, we simply cannot take care of all areas, so we can only set up air defense positions in important areas. "It is an indisputable fact that the enemy's air force is stronger than ours, so the preparations that should be made must be made in advance." In addition, there were 21 captured planes of various types at the airfield in the north of the city, but unfortunately there were no suitable pilots in our unit to fly these planes, so we could only wait patiently for the arrival of the pilots sent to us by Comrade Marshal. ”

As soon as he said this, Pugachev, who was walking back from the direction of the intercom, reported to me: "Comrade commander, the defenders of the airport have called and said that the two transport planes flying from Moscow have landed without any problems. There were thirty pilots on board, led by a lieutenant colonel of the Air Force, who had come to receive the plane. At the moment, they are waiting at the airport to receive your order. ”

When I heard that the pilots sent to us by Zhukov had arrived, I felt a lot more at ease, as long as there were pilots, those planes parked at the airfield would be of great use, and we would not only suffer from the bombs of the German army, but at least have the ability to counterattack in the air. I quickly ordered Pugachev again: "Major, call the commander of the airfield and ask him to take the pilot to receive the plane." It is necessary to familiarize themselves with the performance of the aircraft as soon as possible, and be able to take to the air in time when enemy planes are discovered. ”

When Rybalko heard that the pilot assigned to us was in place, his emotions suddenly became excited: "Great, really good. As long as we have airplanes, we won't be bombed on the ground in misery. Speaking of this, his expression was gloomy, "In yesterday's battle, if it weren't for the indiscriminate bombardment of the enemy's planes, which caused heavy losses to our tanks, maybe Bruvary would have been taken down during the day, and the commander of the 15th Tank Army, General Kopzov, would not have died in the enemy's air raids." ”

"Now that we have liberated Kyiv, the next thing to do is to defend this heroic city in the midst of the enemy's frantic counterattack, so that it does not fall into the clutches of the enemy again." When I saw that Rybalko's eyes were red because of the sacrifices of his subordinates, I quickly diverted the topic: "Comrade Political Commissar, in the city, we still have a lot of work to do. I will leave the work of mobilizing and organizing the masses to you. ”

After listening to my instructions, Kirillov nodded, and said: "I will take people to the prison first, maybe there are many members of the resistance group and people who are dissatisfied with the German rule, and I will release them as soon as possible." ”

After occupying so many cities, it was the first time that I had heard that the prisoners in the prison were to be released, and I was afraid that something would go wrong, so I hurriedly stared at Kirillov and said: "Comrade Political Commissar, I hope that when you release the prisoners, you will do a good job of screening them, and do not release those criminal prisoners who are in custody easily." ”

Kirillov was stunned for a moment for my prompt, and then said, "Lida, in this special situation, everyone is precious to us. We can't beat someone to death just because they've sinned in the past. It is still necessary to give them the opportunity to reform their ways and make meritorious service and atone for their sins. ”

I wanted to refute Kirillov, but on second thought, the Soviet army in the later period, due to the lack of troops, did not also release a large number of criminal criminals and integrate them into the army, so that after the troops entered the occupied territory. There was a corruption of military discipline. At this time, it is true that one more person is one more strength, and the first batch of commanders and fighters after the formation of the independent division were all from the Gulag concentration camp or punishment camp, but they did not become a team with outstanding achievements because of the independent division at all. So, I swallowed back the words that had come to my lips, nodded, and continued: "Okay, Comrade Commissar. This is left to you. ”

Rybalko waited for me and Kirillov to finish talking, pushed the map on the table in front of me, and then said: "Comrade commander, according to the latest intelligence, the Germans have massed a large number of forces in Lviv, west of Kiev, and as soon as their counterattack begins, the enemy in this city will attack us first. ”

I stared at the map for a moment. Pointing to the map, he said: "To launch an attack on Kyiv against the enemy who is holding back Lviv." We must send troops to seize Zhytomyr and block the enemy's path to the east. ”

Rebalko looked in my direction and said, "I intend to send the 106th Tank Brigade and the 13th Motorized Rifle Brigade to quickly advance westward without stopping after entering Kyiv." Go and capture Zhytomyr and use this as the first line of defense to defend Kyiv. ”

"Yes, having captured Zhytomyr, it was possible to block not only the enemy from Lviv, but also from Vinnytsia in the south and Krosten in the north. We can also block it resolutely. "Considering that the enemy could not come from only these two directions, I turned my attention to other directions.

After looking at it for a while, I pointed to a larger city south of Kyiv and said: "General Rybalko, and here, Bzeelkovy, as long as you control this, in addition to keeping the enemy away from Kyiv, you can also cover the flank and rear of the 79th Guards Infantry Division." ”

At the end of a series of deployments, I was deeply afraid that something would go wrong, and I asked Rybalko: "Comrade General, do you think there is anything else that needs to be added?" ”

Rebalko looked at the map and shook his head, and said: "The number of mobile German troops in Ukraine is limited, and it stands to reason that such troops should be very perfect. However, I was worried that ......" He was only halfway through his sentence and then stopped and did not continue.

I guessed from his frowning expression what he was worried about, and hurriedly asked tentatively: "General Rybalko, are you worried that Manstein's troops will break off contact with our two fronts, rush quickly in the direction of Kyiv, and try to retake the city from us?" ”

After listening to my words, Rybalko nodded vigorously, and said solemnly: "Yes, Comrade Commander, you have guessed correctly, it is entirely possible that Manstein will do this. He would pin down some of our two fronts, and then send the most elite SS Panzer Corps to pounce on us. The combat effectiveness of the army's 'Imperial Division' and 'Skeleton Division' is not weak, and it is said that the Popov cluster was completely defeated by them in half a day. If they cross the Dnieper and rush towards us without hesitation, we will not be able to stop them with the forces we have. ”

"General Rebalko, you have a point." Because I had seen with my own eyes the combat effectiveness of the "Imperial Division", in a few hours, the 4th Guards Infantry Corps was crushed, and the 84th Tank Brigade, which I had sent to reinforce, was completely wiped out, and even the brigade commander, Colonel Bere, was almost killed. If we fight them face to face again, I really don't know how long our troops will be able to support it. "The 'Imperial Division', the 'Skeleton Division' and our 79th Army have all fought each other, and although we succeeded in getting rid of them in the end, it came at a great cost. If we fight them again, it will be an unimaginable battle. ”

"If you can't stop it, you have to block it." Rebalco said with a serious expression: "I only hope that the troops on the periphery can buy us a little more time, so that we can mobilize all the residents of the city and help us improve the city's defense system." Even if Manstein's troops arrived, we would not be afraid, and it would be a big deal to fight another major battle like the Battle of Stalingrad. Maybe even Manstein will be our captive here. ”

Although I knew that Manstein would not be our prisoner, I felt a lot more relieved to hear Rybalko say it with such confidence. No matter how the war is going at present, but in Ukraine, the strength of our army is several times that of the German army, this is an indisputable fact, as long as we can hold on to Kyiv, then it is entirely possible to fight a Stalingrad-like war of annihilation, as long as a large number of elite troops of the German army are consumed, the next battle will be easy to fight. If I'm not mistaken, in a few months the most famous Battle of Kursk will break out.

Just as I was about to say something, Pugachev came running with a look of surprise and handed me the telegram in his hand, and at the same time said happily: "Comrade commander, it is Marshal Zhukov who sent you a reply. ”

Hearing that it was Zhukov's reply, Rybalko couldn't wait to poke his fat head over to see what was written on the telegram in my hand. I tilted the telegram slightly towards Rybalko's position and read Zhukov's telegram with him.

The telegram read: "General Oshanina, General Rybalko, I congratulate both of you on your successful liberation of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine!" In recognition of your bravery and tenacity in the battle for the liberation of Kiev, as well as for the great results you achieved, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet decided to award you the Golden Star Medal and the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'! The rest of the commanders and fighters who participated in the battle will also receive medals equivalent to the honors they have received. ”

When I saw the words on the telegram with the Gold Star Medal and the title of "Hero of the Soviet Union", my heart couldn't help but beat faster, oh my God, but I was lucky to take Kyiv, and it actually gave me such a high honor. I was so excited that I didn't even notice when Kirillov was taking the telegram from my hand.

"Lida, please accept my congratulations to you and General Rybalko for receiving the Golden Star Medal and the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'!" Kirillov's excited voice woke me up from my contemplation. Seeing his hand stretched out in front of me, I quickly reached out to hold it and said thank you repeatedly.

After Kirillov and Rybalko shook hands and congratulated me, I coughed, cleared my throat, and tried to say in a calm tone: "Next, we will wait here for Manstein, and we must let his troops meet under our city of Kiev and break the blood." (To be continued......)

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