"Comrade commanders," Sokov saw everyone's eyes focused on him, knowing that if he didn't give a convincing reason to everyone, I'm afraid everyone would keep asking for more details, so he said tactfully: "According to me The experience of fighting the German army is that the enemy likes to choose the time for large-scale operations at the end of June and the beginning of July. During these two months, there is very little rain in our country, which will not cause the roads to become muddy, making it easier for mechanized troops to use.
Since they had been quiet throughout June, military action was certain to take place in early July. It is with this in mind that I spend the first two days distributing ammunition to the troops and getting everyone ready for battle. "
After listening to Sokov's explanation, the commanders present felt that it still made sense. Starting from the year the war broke out, June and July were the days when the German army launched campaign-level offensives. It seems that Sokov was basing his explanation on this. At one point, it was deduced that the enemy would launch an attack in early July, and a battle warning was issued to the troops early.
"Comrades, although the enemy has launched a large-scale attack on our army's defense line again." A general present said: "But our army's defense line in the direction of Kursk has been formed after several months of construction. It has a complete defense system, and it is basically impossible for the enemy to break through it."
"I also feel that it is impossible for the enemy to break through our army's defense line." Zakharov echoed: "I have followed General Konev to the Kursk and Oboyan directions many times, and the situation of the Central Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army, as well as I am very aware of all the measures they have taken to strengthen their defense."
But when he said this, he paused and looked at Konev, as if asking the other party if he could tell what he knew. Seeing Konev nodding slightly, he strolled to the wall, picked up the explanation stick placed by the wall, pointed at the map and introduced the situation to the commanders present:
“First of all, we are talking about General Rokossovsky’s Central Front. The greatest threat to them is the enemy in the Orel salient. The heavy German army group seriously threatens the right flank of the front from the north.
Opposite the enemy Orel Group, our troops deployed on the 132-kilometer front from Gorodishe to Bryantsev are the 48th, 13th and 70th Group Armies in order. The 65th Army and the 60th Army were responsible for the defense on the 174-kilometer front on the left. "
"Let's take a look at the defensive zone of General Vatutin's Voronezh Front. According to the analysis of the Supreme Command, the enemy may launch a main assault from the Belgorod area to Korocha. And the direction of the auxiliary assault is possible. It is rushing from the area west of Volchansk to Novooskol.
Based on the analysis of its superiors, the unit deployed its main forces in the center and left wing of the front defense zone. The 6th Guards and 7th Guards Armies are responsible for the defense within the 114-kilometer zone here. The 38th and 40th armies defended the remaining 130 kilometers of frontal areas. "
After hearing Zakharov's introduction to the deployment of friendly forces, the army leaders present felt a sense of relief. According to their thoughts, it was basically impossible for the German army to break through such a tight defense of friendly forces. By the time the battle was over, his own troops had no chance to participate in the battle.
A group army commander even said proudly: "According to the introduction of Comrade Chief of Staff, we not only have enough strength to defend, but we can even counterattack the enemy at any time and completely crush their attack."
But Konev was obviously not as optimistic as everyone else. When he saw Sokov frowning all the time, he realized that the other party might have different ideas. He raised his hands and pressed down twice. After the room became quiet again, he Looking at Sokov, he asked: "General Sokov, I think you seem to have something on your mind. Tell me, can we stop the enemy's attack?"
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Seeing Konev calling his name again, Sokov quickly stood up and replied: "I have dealt with General Rokossovsky before and I know his combat characteristics very well. With him stationed in the direction of Orel, the enemy may not be able to break through. But the defensive zone that General Vatutin is responsible for..."
"Why don't you say it anymore?" Seeing that Sokov's words stopped abruptly in the middle of his words, Konev couldn't help but feel a little itchy, so he urged Sokov to continue: "Please continue to speak, and just say whatever comes to mind. What, don’t have any scruples.”
Hearing what Konev said, Sokov simply left his seat and walked to the wall. After taking the explanation stick from Zakharov's hand, he pointed at the map and said to everyone: "Although I didn't take it seriously. He had passed General Vatutin's men, but he still knew a little bit about the tactics he used. If I guessed correctly, he must have thought that the shelling early this morning not only disrupted the German offensive steps, but also gave the enemy a large amount of After killing and injuring, he will then order the troops to launch offensives against the enemy in different areas."
"Wouldn't it be better to take the initiative to attack the enemy?" An elderly general said with a frown: "Wouldn't this keep the initiative on the battlefield firmly in the hands of our army?"
"I think it is inappropriate for our army to move ahead of the enemy and immediately switch to the offensive." After Sokov glanced at the strange old general, he continued to follow his own thinking: "The best way is to rely on The existing defense system consumes a large amount of the enemy's effective forces and knocks out their tanks, and then puts in new reserves and switches to an all-out attack to completely crush the enemy's main group."
Zakharov asked: "If General Vatutin wants to take the initiative to launch an attack, what will be the consequences?"
"Once the Voronezh Front launches an attack on the enemy in a short period of time, the consequences will be very serious." Sokov pointed at the map with his explanatory stick and said to the commanders present: "They cannot crush the enemy's offensive, but the enemy can Concentrate superior forces and technical equipment to storm their defense line. According to my inference, the Oboyan area will be the first to be broken through by the Germans. The enemy who breaks through the defense line will not be in a hurry to expand the breakthrough, but will continue to attack the hinterland of the friendly defense line. Then the base camp will have to use our troops to resolutely block the enemies who break through the defense line."
After Sokov finished speaking, the entire conference room fell into silence. The group army leaders present at the meeting all looked at each other. They were all stunned by Sokov's bold analysis.
After a long time, Konev slowly said: "Comrade commanders, the original idea of positioning our front army behind the Central Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army was to allow us to attack decisively when the enemy succeeds in breaking through. Withdraw its assault and prevent the enemy from making a breakthrough to the east in the direction of Orel or Belgorod. This is in line with Comrade Sokov's guess."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," as soon as Konev finished speaking, Lieutenant General Managarov, commander of the 52nd Army, asked: "If the situation on the battlefield really develops as General Sokov analyzed ,what should we do?"
"I agree with Comrade Sokov. The enemy will launch a fierce attack on the Sixth Guards Army that is holding on to the Oboyan area, but I think it is unlikely that they will break through the friendly defense lines." Konev put his right hand under his left armpit , put his left elbow on his right arm, held his chin with his left hand, and said thoughtfully: "But for the sake of safety, I plan to move the 27th Army in that direction."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," the group army chiefs present saw that Konev had handed over such a glorious and arduous task to Sokov's 27th Army, and they couldn't stand still. They all asked: "What about our group army?" As for our combat mission, where do you plan to help us deploy it?"
"If the enemy really breaks through the defense line in the direction of Oboyan and rushes into the depth of the friendly defense line at all costs, it will be difficult for Comrade Sokov's 27th Army to stop them." Konev thought for a while. , announced loudly: "I plan to transfer the 5th Guards Army and the 5th Guards Tank Army to this direction to resolutely crush the enemy who breaks through our defense line."
Then Konev issued combat orders one by one to the army groups belonging to the front. After everything was arranged, he said again: "Today's meeting is over. Let's go back and make preparations. Comrade Sokov stays."
Konev named Sokov to stay. Naturally, Lunev would not leave alone, so he also stayed. After all the group army leaders attending the meeting had almost left, Konev asked Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, when do you think the troops should leave?"
"Report to Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov heard Konev's inquiry and quickly straightened up and replied: "The military situation is urgent, and every minute is extremely precious to us. I suggest setting off at five o'clock in the afternoon. , so that before dawn, my troops can reach the north of Oboyan and build a line of defense there."
"General Sokov!" Susaikov was still skeptical about Sokov's statement: "Do you really think that the enemy has the ability to break through our army's defense on the Oboyan line?"
"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar of the Front Army." Sokov said resolutely: "With the powerful assault force of the German army, it will only take a day or two to break through the Oboyan defense line. If we don't rush to the designated position as soon as possible to build a defense line , I’m afraid it’s too late.”
"Once the Voronezh Front launches an attack on the enemy in a short period of time, the consequences will be very serious." Sokov pointed at the map with his explanatory stick and said to the commanders present: "They cannot crush the enemy's offensive, but the enemy can Concentrate superior forces and technical equipment to storm their defense line. According to my inference, the Oboyan area will be the first to be broken through by the Germans. The enemy who breaks through the defense line will not be in a hurry to expand the breakthrough, but will continue to attack the hinterland of the friendly defense line. Then the base camp will have to use our troops to resolutely block the enemies who break through the defense line."
After Sokov finished speaking, the entire conference room fell into silence. The group army leaders present at the meeting all looked at each other. They were all stunned by Sokov's bold analysis.
After a long time, Konev slowly said: "Comrade commanders, the original idea of positioning our front army behind the Central Front Army and the Voronezh Front Army was to allow us to attack decisively when the enemy succeeds in breaking through. Withdraw its assault and prevent the enemy from making a breakthrough to the east in the direction of Orel or Belgorod. This is in line with Comrade Sokov's guess."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," as soon as Konev finished speaking, Lieutenant General Managarov, commander of the 52nd Army, asked: "If the situation on the battlefield really develops as General Sokov analyzed ,what should we do?"
"I agree with Comrade Sokov. The enemy will launch a fierce attack on the Sixth Guards Army that is holding on to the Oboyan area, but I think it is unlikely that they will break through the friendly defense lines." Konev put his right hand under his left armpit , put his left elbow on his right arm, held his chin with his left hand, and said thoughtfully: "But for the sake of safety, I plan to move the 27th Army in that direction."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," the group army chiefs present saw that Konev had handed over such a glorious and arduous task to Sokov's 27th Army, and they couldn't stand still. They all asked: "What about our group army?" As for our combat mission, where do you plan to help us deploy it?"
"If the enemy really breaks through the defense line in the direction of Oboyan and rushes into the depth of the friendly defense line at all costs, it will be difficult for Comrade Sokov's 27th Army to stop them." Konev thought for a while. , announced loudly: "I plan to transfer the 5th Guards Army and the 5th Guards Tank Army to this direction to resolutely crush the enemy who breaks through our defense line."
Then Konev issued combat orders one by one to the army groups belonging to the front. After everything was arranged, he said again: "Today's meeting is over. Let's go back and make preparations. Comrade Sokov stays."
Konev named Sokov to stay. Naturally, Lunev would not leave alone, so he also stayed. After all the group army leaders attending the meeting had almost left, Konev asked Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, when do you think the troops should leave?"
"Report to Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov heard Konev's inquiry and quickly straightened up and replied: "The military situation is urgent, and every minute is extremely precious to us. I suggest setting off at five o'clock in the afternoon. , so that before dawn, my troops can reach the north of Oboyan and build a line of defense there."
"General Sokov!" Susaikov was still skeptical about Sokov's statement: "Do you really think that the enemy has the ability to break through our army's defense on the Oboyan line?"
"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar of the Front Army." Sokov said resolutely: "With the strong assault force of the German army, it will only take a day or two to break through the Oboyan defense line. If we don't rush to the designated position as soon as possible to build a defense line , I’m afraid it’s too late.”
