As the left wing troops entered the battle, the attack route changed from the original two routes on the left and right to three routes on the left, center and right. On the left is Malankin's Guards Division and Trufanov's tank troops; in the center is Koida's 188th Division and a tank brigade; on the right is Major General Gritsenko's 384th Division and two tank brigades. , with a mechanized brigade.
In front of the attacking troops on the left, there was only one German infantry battalion and one tank company, which could not withstand the powerful attack. In less than twenty minutes, the German defense line on the right collapsed. The officers and soldiers who held the position were either killed in battle or fled in all directions. Some even felt that they could not escape and simply laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Soviet army.
Vatutin has been paying attention to the movements in this direction since he gave the offensive order to Malankin and Trufanov. After learning that the troops on the left successfully broke through the German defense line within twenty minutes and annihilated most of the defenders, I was stunned for a moment, and then I was delighted.
Taking the battle report he had just received, he said to Zhukov and Vasilevskiy: "Two comrades, marshals, I really didn't expect that our troops could achieve such dazzling results as soon as they launched the attack. It's so amazing." It’s unexpected.”
"Comrade Vatutin," Zhukov said slowly after waiting for Vatutin to finish speaking: "Have you ever thought about the fact that the attack launched by Misha's troops attracted the main force of the 19th Armored Division, causing The defense on the front of your attack has become weak, so you can achieve such huge results in such a short period of time."
"Comrade Marshal," Vasilevsky was overjoyed when he learned that the troops were making good progress. He pointed at the map and said to Zhukov: "Since the troops on the left have successfully broken through the German defenses, then we must encircle and annihilate the 19th Army." Armored Division, it seems there isn’t much of a problem.”
"Comrade Vasilevsky," Zhukov agreed very much with Vasilevsky's statement, but in order to prevent Vatutin from underestimating the enemy, he kept a straight face and showed no emotion. He said with an expression: "Although the enemy at this moment is like a wounded beast, we cannot take it lightly. You must know that sometimes wounded beasts will become more ferocious when they bite people. We cannot allow a fight to happen because we underestimate the enemy. There are uncertainties in the battle that must be won.”
The troops broke through the German defenses within twenty minutes. This result made Vatutin somewhat complacent. After hearing Zhukov's reminder, he immediately realized that he was too optimistic. As long as the battle was not over, then there would be There are many uncertainties.
After staring at the map for a while, he nodded and said: "Comrade Marshal, you are absolutely right. Although we are about to encircle the 19th Armored Division, we may not be able to completely eliminate them. An easy thing.”
Seeing Vasilevsky cast a doubtful look at him, Vatutin continued: "You see, if Manstein realized that the 19th Armored Division was likely to be annihilated, he could have completely destroyed Oboyan. The Grossdeutschland Division in the area was mobilized for reinforcements. This force is nominally a division, but its structure is equivalent to an army. Their combat effectiveness is far higher than that of the 19th Armored Division. We will face a fierce battle by then."
After Zhukov and Vasilevsky listened to what Vatutin said, they stared at the map and pondered for a while. They felt that the possibility of Manstein sending reinforcements from the Grossdeutschland Division became more and more likely with the defeat of the 19th Armored Division. . Zhukov frowned and thought for a while, then faced Vatutin and said: "Comrade Vatutin, please inform Misha immediately that the 19th Armored Division is facing the moment of being annihilated, and it is possible to receive reinforcements from the direction of Oboyan, so that He must be vigilant so that the Germans don't take advantage of him."
"Okay, Comrade Marshal, I will call Sokov immediately and remind him to pay attention to the enemies in the direction of Oboyan."
A few minutes later, Sokov, who was directing the battle, received a call from Vatutin. After listening to the other party's reminder, he replied confidently: "Comrade General, please rest assured that I will closely monitor the movements of the German troops and will never let them steal my retreat."
As soon as Sokov put down the phone, Samyko couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Commander, if German reinforcements arrive when we are encircling the 19th Armored Division, what should we do?"
Before Sokov could answer, he said on his own initiative: "Otherwise, we can transfer troops from the Pushor River to strengthen the troops on the right wing so that they have enough strength to deal with enemies coming from both directions."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry." Sokov said to Samyko: "It's too late to mobilize troops from the Pushor River area. The only thing we can do is to urge the troops below to speed up the attack and strive for In the shortest possible time, crush all German resistance. As long as the 19th Armored Division is annihilated, even if the Germans send troops back from the direction of Oboyan for reinforcements, we are fully capable of blocking their counterattack."
"The attack on the center is not going well now." As the left-wing friendly forces joined the battle, Sameko's name for the troops also changed. In addition to the right-wing troops' names remaining unchanged, the original left became the center: "If they delay If we cannot move forward, encircling and annihilating the 19th Armored Division will become an empty talk."
"This is easy to handle." Sokov said with a smile: "Since the friendly forces on the left have already entered the battle, we don't have to worry about the flanks and rear of the center troops. Chief of Staff, you immediately send orders to the infantry brigade and marine brigade. The three brigade commanders called and ordered their troops to immediately enter the battlefield from the 188th Division's position and attack those enemies who were still resisting."
Speaking of this, Sokov paused, his eyes fixed on a location on the map, where the 182nd Division at the junction of the 188th Division and the 384th Division was stationed. After a brief thought, he decisively gave Sameko an order: "Call Colonel Khokhlov again and order his troops to go into battle immediately."
"Let the 182nd Division also go into battle?" Sameko asked hesitantly: "Comrade Commander, they were attacked by the 19th Armored Division at night last night and suffered a lot of casualties, which had some impact on the morale of the troops. .Is it appropriate to put them into battle at this moment?"
"It is precisely because they were sneak attacked by the German army last night that the commanders and soldiers of the division are holding back evil fire in their hearts." Sokov said resolutely: "If they are put into the battlefield now, the commanders and soldiers of the entire division will definitely be able to defeat them." The combat effectiveness is stretched to the limit. I would like to see how long the 19th Armored Division can sustain it under such circumstances?"
Samyko knew very well that the reason why Sokov wanted to put the 182nd Division into the battle was because he wanted to vent his anger on Asiya, so he said reasonably: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will put the 182nd Division into battle immediately." Convey your order to the division commanders and brigade commanders below, and ask them to immediately command the troops into battle."
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov called to Lunev while Samyko was on the phone: "Asia and several health workers have been resting here for a long time. Since they have no problems, Let them return to the 182nd Division to participate in the final encirclement and annihilation battle."
"Comrade Commander," Lunev quickly persuaded Lunev after hearing Sokov said that Asiya and the health workers should return to the 182nd Division: "What happened last night frightened all of them. I It seems that we should let them stay here to rest, there is no need to go back to fight."
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov looked around and saw that Samyko, who was closest to him, was busy calling the division commanders and brigade commanders. He couldn't pay attention to him for the time being, so he lowered his voice to Lunev Said: "Anyway, Asiya and the other six were once captured by the German army. Now is the time for them to wash away their shame. If they miss it, I think it will be a lifelong regret for them."
"Okay, Comrade Commander, I think you have convinced me." Lunev found it difficult to refute Sokov's reasons, and could only say helplessly: "Then I will immediately arrange for someone to send them back to the third place. The field hospital of the 182nd Division.”
Lunev is quite considerate. He knows that in the past few months, Sokov and Asiya have spent less time together and more separation. After this separation, it is not known how long it will be before they can see each other again. If what happened last night happened again, the two of them would be separated forever. Therefore, while arranging the vehicle, he personally brought Asiya to the headquarters and asked her to say a few words to Sokov before leaving.
Seeing Asiya appear in the headquarters, Sokov couldn't help but be startled, but soon understood that this was Lunev's arrangement. He stepped forward and hugged Asiya, saying apologetically: "Asiya, it's really... Sorry, not long after you came back, I have to send you to the battlefield again."
Asiya knew Sokov's purpose for doing this in her heart, and naturally she would not blame him. Instead, she said softly: "Misha, we have to say goodbye today. I don't know when we will meet again next time."
"Don't worry, Asiya." Sokov also felt that it was not appropriate to put his wife on the front line of the combat troops. He was lucky last night and was only captured; if the German army sneaks into the field hospital next time, he will directly If the gun is fired, the chance of Asiya surviving is very slim. Therefore, he secretly made up his mind to keep Asiya with him after the Battle of Kursk, or send her back to the military hospital in Moscow. "After the battle is over, I will arrange for you to stay in a hospital directly under the Army Group." Work so we can spend time together.”
"No, Misha, don't do this." Unexpectedly, Asiya rejected Sokov's kindness: "Actually, I think it's not bad to stay in the frontline troops. I saw the wounded returning after my treatment. On the battlefield, I feel a special sense of accomplishment. If I stayed with you, I would probably have fewer opportunities for surgery."
Seeing that Asiya was unwilling to stay by his side, Sokov did not persuade her. He knew that in the current situation, no matter how he persuaded her, it would be difficult to be effective. It's best to wait until the battle is over and try to persuade him slowly.
After the two sat together and chatted for a while, Lunev came in from outside. He said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the car to the 182nd Division is ready, and I have arranged two guard squads to escort it. , safety along the way should be no problem.”
Now that the vehicle was ready, Asiya stood up and said to Sokov: "Misha, I'll leave now. When I'm not with you, you have to pay more attention to your body. Also, you are now an army group Commander, you are no longer a brigade commander or division commander. Don’t always play forward. If something unexpected happens to you, the troops will fall into chaos because they lose unified command..."
"I understand, Asia." Sokov closed his eyes and nodded, saying, "Before the battle is over, I will no longer just run to the front line."
After sending Asiya away, Sokov returned to his headquarters and asked Samyko directly: "Chief of Staff, have all the orders been issued to the troops?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Sameko quickly stood up straight and replied: "An infantry division, an infantry brigade and two marine brigades can all be put into battle within half an hour."
"Very good." Sokov thought that he had invested so many new troops at once, which was enough for the 19th Armored Division to drink a pot. I believe that it won't be long before my troops can break through all the German defense lines and launch an encirclement and annihilation of the 19th Armored Division. As long as the 19th Armored Division is annihilated before Oboyan's German reinforcements arrive, they can seize the initiative on the battlefield.
"Comrade Commander," Lunev saw that Sokov was in a good mood at this time, so he asked tentatively: "I want to ask, after we annihilated the 19th Armored Division, what should we do next?"
"As long as the 19th Armored Division is annihilated by us, the initiative on the battlefield will be in our hands." Sokov said confidently: "Next, whether to attack the enemy in the direction of Oboyan first or Prokhorov We have the final say on the enemies outside the city."
"Then which enemy do you think we should attack first?" Samek asked.
"Our three armies are gathered outside Prokhorovka, one of which is a tank army. They are fully capable of defeating the enemies there, so there is no need for us to join in the fun." Sokov pointed to the map to Sa Meko explained: "After we annihilate the 19th Armored Division, we will be able to cut off the German retreat in the direction of Oboyan. By then, if Manstein does not want his elite troops to fall into our encirclement, he will have no choice but to retreat. "
"It makes sense, it makes sense." After this period of fighting, Sameko discovered that cutting off the German army's transportation lines was the most effective way to weaken the German army's combat effectiveness. If after annihilating the 19th Armored Division, the German supply lines in the Oboyan area are cut off, then it is not impossible to carry out encirclement and annihilation operations against it.
Sokov saw Samyko staring at the map with gleaming eyes. Knowing that the other party was attracted by the pie he drew, Sokov quickly reminded them: "Whether it is to cut off the retreat of Oboyan's enemies, or to reinforce Prolo The premise for the friendly forces outside the city of Horovka is to annihilate General Schmidt's 19th Armored Division before the German reinforcements arrive. Comrade Chief of Staff, do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Samyko and Sokov have been partners for a long time. He immediately guessed what the other party meant and said quickly: "I immediately called several division commanders to urge them to speed up the attack. , we must completely wipe out the 19th Armored Division before the German reinforcements arrive."
