After the battle near Kochetovka entered a fierce state, the 3rd Mechanized Army near Oboyan, also under the command of the army commander General Krivorshein, launched an attack on the German 11th Armored Division in the front.
After Vatutin learned the news, he immediately became excited. He said to Zhukov and Vasilevsky: "Two comrades, Marshals, now Sokov's troops have occupied Kochetovka and cut off the German army. retreat, and Oboyan's troops also launched a counterattack. Judging from the current situation, we are fully capable of encircling Huote's troops and strive to annihilate all or part of them."
Zhukov did not speak, but looked down at the map on the table, secretly wondering whether Vatutin's plan was feasible. After watching for a while, he looked up at Vatutin and asked: "The Germans have two armored corps in the Oboyan area. Are you sure our troops can surround them?"
"I think there should be no problem." Vatutin said confidently: "Comrade Marshal, you see, we have deployed General Katukov's First Tank Army and the Sixth Guards Army in Oboyan, plus the Solo Army General Cove’s 27th Army is fully capable of encircling the enemy.”
"Comrade Vatutin, have you forgotten that in order to ensure the smooth counterattack outside Prokhorovka, we mobilized two infantry divisions and two independent tank battalions from Sokov." Zhukov pressed his palm on the map After taking a few shots, he said displeasedly: "The remaining 27th Army troops are scattered over a vast area. The troops that can directly enter the battle are, according to my estimation, only one division at most. Do you think they have the ability to block the full force of the attack on Belgo?" The Germans retreating from the direction of Rhodes?”
"Comrade Marshal, I agree with you." Vasilevsky echoed: "After Sokov's troops were split, the forces he could use were limited. It is basically impossible to block Holt's troops. matter."
"Two Comrade Marshals," Apanashenko, who has always had a low sense of presence, said, "I once heard you say that Sokov's troops could tenaciously block the German attack in the most difficult days of Stalingrad. Crazy attack. Since we were able to block the enemy in the beginning, is it impossible to block the enemy now that we can get artillery fire and air support?"
Faced with Apanashenko's doubts, Zhukov organized vocabulary in his mind and planned to tell the other party that the reason Sokov was able to hold Mamayev Heights in such difficult circumstances was entirely because of the solid preparations and construction of the hill in advance. We built strong and complete tunnel fortifications to minimize the losses caused by enemy shelling and bombing.
But before Zhukov could speak, he heard Vatutin say impatiently: "Comrade Deputy Commander is right. Although Sokov's troops are scattered in strength, as long as they establish a defensive line on the German retreat route and hold on to it, In three to four hours, our reinforcements will arrive and encircle the German 4th Armored Group."
"Comrade Vatutin, I want to ask you, where did the reinforcements you mentioned come from?" Zhukov asked with a sneer: "Do you think the 6th Guards Army and the 1st Tank Army in the Oboyan area can survive on March 4th?" Will you be here to join Sokov’s troops within a few hours?”
Vatutin was asked, he hesitated and could not speak. If the troops in the Oboyan area were capable of counterattack, with his character, he would have ordered a counterattack long ago, and he would not be still relying on it now. Fortifications were built to resist the German 4th Armored Army.
But Apanashenko, who likes to run towards the front all day, spoke again: "Comrade Marshal, I feel that even if the ground forces cannot provide timely reinforcements, Sokov's troops can receive support from artillery and air force. I don't think so." Do you believe that the German army can maintain a strong offensive despite being shelled and bombed by our army?"
Apanashenko's words sound somewhat reasonable. In addition, once Hott's Armored Group Army is encircled and all or part of it is wiped out, it will make the next step to liberate Kharkov and Belgo. Rhodes' battle became easier.
Taking this into consideration, Vasilevsky, after hesitating for a moment, said to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, how about you ask Sokov for his opinion and see if he is willing to block the Hott Department and make it We cannot return to Belgorod smoothly to reduce the pressure on our army’s next offensive.”
If it were another commander, Vasilevsky would definitely not have made such a suggestion to Zhukov. You must know that the duty of a soldier is to obey. You must execute the orders issued by your superiors unconditionally, no matter whether they are right or wrong. Only Sokov and Vasilevsky would cautiously ask Zhukov to seek the other's opinions.
"Okay, I'll call him and ask him." Zhukov said, grabbing the phone in front of him, and after hearing a voice coming from inside, he said: "I'm Zhukov, call me the 27th Army Headquarters."
After the call was connected, a familiar voice answered the call: "I am Military Commissar Lunev, where are you from?"
"It turns out it's Comrade Lunev, I'm Zhukov!" When Zhukov found out that the person who answered the phone was Military Commissar Lunev, he couldn't help but smile. He asked politely: "What is Misha doing?"
"Comrade Marshal," when he learned that the caller was Zhukov, Lunev quickly straightened his body and replied respectfully: "He is directing the battle."
"Oh, he is commanding the battle." Zhukov asked: "I have something to discuss with him. Can he talk to me on the phone?"
"Comrade Marshal, please wait a moment, I will ask him to answer the phone immediately."
Soon, Sokov's voice came from the receiver: "Hello, Comrade Marshal! I am Sokov. Do you have any important instructions?"
"Misha!" Zhukov was ready to find out what Sokov was thinking before asking for his opinion: "I heard that your troops are attacking the German 3rd Armored Division?"
"Yes, after the artillery bombardment, the infantry, under the cover of tanks, launched an attack towards the defeated 3rd Armored Division." Sokov reported to Zhukov: "In order to prevent the enemy from killing my attacking troops with artillery fire, I request General Konev dispatched the air force to bomb the enemy's artillery positions and armored units to provide us with effective air cover."
"How's the battle going?"
"The progress is very smooth, and now the battle has come to an end. It is estimated that in another forty minutes to an hour, all my troops will be able to withdraw from the battle." Full text
Hearing Sokov say that the battle has come to an end, Zhukov still had a smile on his face, but when he heard the content behind preparing to withdraw from the battle, he couldn't help but frowned, "Since you are making good progress, you can take advantage of the victory and continue to attack." Why did they withdraw from the battle when they advanced in the direction of Oboyan, merged with the defenders in that direction, and surrounded Huot's armored group?"
"The reason is very simple. The troops I can use now cannot compete with Holt's troops. The battle to annihilate the 3rd Armored Division was just that we caught the enemy by surprise. When they recover, I'm afraid we won't be able to Resist their retaliatory attacks. Therefore, the best way is to retreat to the fortified areas and carry out constant resistance to slow down the German army's retreat to Belgorod."
Zhukov knew very well that with Sokov's strength, it was simply impossible to retain Hott's armored group. However, he still asked with a sense of luck: "Misha, have you never thought about it? Will the forces in the Oboyan direction take a joint action to encircle Hoth's Panzer Army and try to wipe out all or part of them?"
"No, Comrade Marshal, I have never considered it that way." Sokov, who has never made a loss-making business, replied truthfully: "Except for the tank corps, the only troops of the 3rd Armored Division currently attacking are Koida Colonel's 188th Division, and General Malankin's 81st Guards Division. Using such troops and equipment to block the enemies who are trying to retreat to Belgorod is simply asking them to die."
"Then what did you think about it?"
"Comrade Marshal, I have just said that we should use a step-by-step approach to delay the German army's retreat to Belgorod." Sokov explained to Zhukov: "Once the German army's offensive is too fierce, I will order The troops opened the channel to allow the German troops to pass through my defense zone."
"What, open the passage and let the enemy pass through your defense area?" Regarding Sokov's tactics, even Zhukov, known as the famous World War II general, could not understand: "Why let them pass?"
"My troops are limited. Even if I fight with all my strength, I may not be able to prevent the enemy from breaking through the defense line." Sokov said with a smile: "Instead of fighting the enemy on the position and losing both sides, it is better to open the channel and let the enemy pass through our defense zone. The enemy Seeing that there is no obstacle in front of them, all they are thinking about is how to escape back to Belgorod in the shortest possible time, and their combat awareness will weaken. At this time, I will order my troops to follow and pursue them, only focusing on escaping for their lives. It will be difficult for the enemy to organize decent resistance, and we will be able to achieve greater victory with less casualties."
"Misha, Misha." After hearing Sokov's plan, Zhukov shook his head with a wry smile and said, "You are always so whimsical. You know, you will make a mistake by letting the enemy pass through your defense zone casually. Once Let the situation spiral out of control and you risk being court-martialed."
Sokov did not expect that Zhukov did not agree with his approach. The muscles on his face twitched violently several times, and then he asked cautiously: "Comrade Marshal, what do you mean?"
"What do I mean?!" After Zhukov said this, he looked around and saw Vasilevsky, Vatutin and others looking at him with expectant expressions, and sighed secretly in his heart. In one breath, he said: "Misha, I hope your troops can establish a defense line in the middle of the Oboyan-Belgorod road and resolutely block Hoth's armored group so that they cannot retreat to Belgorod. "
Hearing Zhukov's order, Sokov panicked and asked thousands of his men to stop Holt's armored group. Isn't this a clear indication of death: "Comrade Marshal, I..."
"This is the result of joint research between Vasilevsky and I, as well as General Vatutin. As a commander, you should understand in your heart that you can only execute the orders of your superiors, rather than discuss whether it is reasonable. Do you understand? "
"Understood." The deal was done, and Sokov could only agree reluctantly, knowing that he was powerless to make a comeback.
Zhukov heard the helplessness and disappointment in Sokov's tone, so he slowed down and said: "Misha, I know this is a bit difficult for you, but if you have any requests, just ask them. As long as I can help, I will definitely help you." I will do my best to help you.”
"Comrade Marshal, since you want to order me to prevent Hott's armored group from retreating south, then I hope that my two infantry divisions can be restored as soon as possible." Since Zhukov asked himself to impose conditions, Sokov would naturally not give up such a move. Good opportunity, he quickly said: "With these two divisions, we will be more confident in holding the defense line."
Zhukov covered the microphone with his hand, turned around and asked Vatutin: "Comrade Vatutin, Misha wants to take back his two infantry divisions. How long will it take for you to get them back?"
Vatutin thought for a moment, then replied: "How about 48 hours?"
"Nonsense," Zhukov said dissatisfied: "If the German army launches a forceful attack, Sokov's troops may not be able to hold on for three or four hours. What use will the two divisions be able to use if they are rebuilt after 48 hours?"
Vatutin, who had been criticized by Zhukov, blushed and asked with some embarrassment: "Comrade Marshal, can you tell me, how long is the appropriate time to return to the army?"
"It takes about an hour and a half to assemble the troops," Zhukov began to calculate the time for the troops to return to the building: "Then it takes about an hour and a half to be transported by the convoy to Kochetovka. In this way, within three hours, The two divisions Sokov handed over to you must all be restored."
"Comrade Marshal, it's very difficult." Vatutin couldn't help crying out when he heard that Zhukov had given him three hours: "Now Sokov's two divisions are scattered in different places. Even if they are gathered together, It will take at least five hours. In addition, we can't find so many transport vehicles to transport these troops. I think eight hours is the limit for the construction."
"Comrade Vatutin, let me remind you again." Zhukov frowned and said: "If Sokov's troops want to prevent Hott from withdrawing to Belgorod, the assistance of these two divisions is indispensable. Once they cannot If it is restored in a short period of time, our plan to encircle Huote Armored Group will be completely ruined."
Hearing Zhukov speak to him in such a stern tone, Vatutin's expression became even more embarrassing: "Comrade Marshal, I will do my best to have Sokov's troops return to their posts in a short time."
"Tell me your specific thoughts." Zhukov asked.
"The method is simple. Order Oboyan's troops to launch a counterattack against Hoth's armored group to attract their attention. In this way, the enemy will not be able to mobilize more troops to attack the defense line established by Sokov's troops."
