After Koida received Sokov's promise, he couldn't help but feel ecstatic. According to his understanding of the landing site on the right bank, there were no solid defensive positions there. Facing the crazy German attack, the troops holding the position would definitely fall in a short time. The casualties were heavy, and by then his troops could be transferred to the right bank area.
On the way back to the army, political commissar Mashkov saw Koida looking overjoyed and couldn't help but ask: "Comrade division commander, what makes you so happy?"
"Comrade Political Commissar, at the meeting just now, Comrade Commander personally stated that as long as the troops at the landing site on the right bank are severely depleted and need to be withdrawn to the rear for rest, our division will be transferred up."
When Sokov expressed his position, Mashkov also heard it, but he was obviously not as optimistic as Koida: "Comrade division commander, I think you may be disappointed. Maybe our division has no chance of entering the landing site on the right bank. This battle It will be over.”
Mashkov's words surprised Koida: "Why?"
"I just talked with Colonel Shechtman, the commander of the 254th Division," Mashkov sighed and said to Koida: "Just a few days ago, our division had not reached Kremenchug. At that time, Comrade Commander organized a limited counterattack, which not only consumed the effective strength of the German army, but also pushed the defensive positions forward for a certain distance. The 182nd and 300th Divisions were responsible for defending these areas.
In other words, the original first-line troops are now in a second-line defensive position at the landing site. Even if the defenders holding the front-line positions suffered heavy casualties, it would be the second-line troops to replace them, and it would not be our turn at all. "
"What?" Koida's eyes widened in surprise and asked Mashkov: "Comrade Political Commissar, is everything you said true?"
"Yes, it's true." Mashkov also specifically said: "If you don't believe it, when we return to the division headquarters, you can call and ask the commanders of other divisions."
"Forget it, no need." Koida waved his hands and said: "Comrade Political Commissar, I believe what you said is true. It seems that the so-called reserve team, ready to take over the defense of friendly forces at any time, is nothing more than A verbal check given to us by Comrade Commander.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Division Commander." Seeing Koida's expression becoming depressed, Mashkov quickly comforted him and said, "Although our division may not be able to participate in the defense of the right bank, when the attack begins, our division will be able to Go into battle as a viable force.”
"Comrade Political Commissar," Koida was thinking about how to deploy defenses after his troops entered the right bank during the entire meeting. He had no chance to communicate with other commanders. At this moment, he heard Mashkov say this. , he couldn't help but asked curiously: "Then when do you think we can participate as an effective force in the offensive operations of the landing site on the right bank?"
"I don't know the specific time," Mashkov replied: "But according to my judgment, it shouldn't take long."
After listening this time, Koida asked with great interest: "Comrade Political Commissar, what did you base your judgment on this time?"
"Before leaving the headquarters, I had a few words with Colonel Manoxin, the political commissar of the 84th Division..."
When Koida heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt Mashkov's next words: "Wait a minute, my comrade political commissar, I want to know how many friendly commanders have you chatted with?"
"I have basically talked with the commander on the right bank." Mashkov said with a smile: "You were chatting with the commander and chief of staff at the time, and you may not have noticed me."
Koida thought about it carefully, and it seemed that this was true. As soon as the meeting ended, he dragged Sokov and Samyko to ask questions, while Mashkov was waiting for him outside the church. When I came out of the church, I happened to see him chatting with other commanders. Because he was walking in a hurry, he didn't see clearly which unit the other commander belonged to.
"Comrade Political Commissar," Koida asked after a moment of silence, "on what basis do you judge that the right bank will take offensive actions against the enemy?"
"The reason is simple. The commanders and fighters of the 84th Division are organizing learning to ride bicycles."
"Riding bicycles?!" Koida was puzzled: "What are they doing on bicycles?"
"What else can be done, of course, is to launch an attack on the enemy." After Mashkov finished saying this, he realized that he did not speak clearly enough and Koida might not be able to understand, so he specifically explained: "Comrade Commander When introducing the situation, you should see that the area where the 84th Division is stationed is full of forests, lakes and swamps, which is not conducive to the use of mechanized troops. In order to improve the efficiency of the attack in this area, Comrade Commander gave General Fomenko The troops were equipped with a batch of bicycles for the soldiers to march on bicycles..."
Hearing this, Koida immediately understood Sokov's intention. He imagined the scene of soldiers chasing the enemy on bicycles, and said in surprise: "Oh my God, this idea of Comrade Commander is really... It’s such a fantasy, I don’t know how he came up with it.”
"It doesn't matter how you came up with it." Mashkov said: "After the commanders and fighters of the 84th Division have mastered the skills of riding bicycles, their action speed will become even faster in the next attack. The attack at the landing site will begin from their defense zone.”
Koida was thinking that the road conditions on the battlefield were in extremely poor condition. If you wanted to mobilize troops quickly, it was not enough to rely solely on existing railway and road transportation. My division waited in Merefa Fortress for half a month before arriving here by train. If the entire division is equipped with a large number of bicycles, even if transportation by rail or road is not possible, one's own men can ride to Kremenchug.
"Comrade Political Commissar," Koida said, "I am thinking in my heart that if each person in our division has a bicycle, no, even two people with one bicycle, then the marching speed can be at least doubled. As long as there are enough With the use of bicycles, the troops can rush to the battlefield as quickly as possible after receiving the long-distance raid mission assigned to us by our superiors."
"Comrade division commander," Mashkov also felt the same way about Koida's statement, but he said regretfully: "But under the current circumstances, where will the superiors find enough bicycles to equip our division? ?”
"As far as I know, there is a bicycle manufacturer in the city of Kremenchug." Koida had some understanding of the situation in the city of Kremenchug. He took the initiative and said: "Anyway, we are going back to the division. We will pass by there on the way, so we might as well go talk to the factory director and see if he can think of a solution for us."
"Comrade Division Commander, the bicycle factory in the city has long been taken over, and all production has been provided to the 84th Division." Mashkov stopped Koida's idea: "Even if we find the factory director, I'm afraid he won't be able to Give us even a bicycle.”
Koida knew that what Mashkov said must be true. After all, while he was communicating with the commander and chief of staff, his political commissar was communicating with commanders of other troops outside the church and learned a lot that he didn't even know. matter. Regarding the bicycle factory, there must be nothing wrong with it.
"What can we do?" Koida said with a frustrated look: "If the superiors really cannot provide us with bicycles, then in the next battle, our soldiers will have to rely on their own two legs to march."
"Yes, Comrade Division Commander." Mashkov said helplessly: "As far as I know, there should not be many commanders and fighters in the division who can ride bicycles. Even if a sufficient number of bicycles are seized on the battlefield in the future, I am afraid they will be able to send The number of uses will also be very limited.”
The speaker is unintentional and the listener is intentional. Mashkov's words gave Koida a new idea.
After Koida received Sokov's promise, he couldn't help but feel ecstatic. According to his understanding of the landing site on the right bank, there were no solid defensive positions there. Facing the crazy German attack, the troops holding the position would definitely fall in a short time. The casualties were heavy, and by then his troops could be transferred to the right bank area.
On the way back to the army, political commissar Mashkov saw Koida looking overjoyed and couldn't help but ask: "Comrade division commander, what makes you so happy?"
"Comrade Political Commissar, at the meeting just now, Comrade Commander personally stated that as long as the troops at the landing site on the right bank are severely depleted and need to be withdrawn to the rear for rest, our division will be transferred up."
When Sokov expressed his position, Mashkov also heard it, but he was obviously not as optimistic as Koida: "Comrade division commander, I think you may be disappointed. Maybe our division has no chance of entering the landing site on the right bank. This battle It will be over.”
Mashkov's words surprised Koida: "Why?"
"I just talked with Colonel Shechtman, the commander of the 254th Division," Mashkov sighed and said to Koida: "Just a few days ago, our division had not reached Kremenchug. At that time, Comrade Commander organized a limited counterattack, which not only consumed the effective strength of the German army, but also pushed the defensive positions forward for a certain distance. The 182nd and 300th Divisions were responsible for defending these areas.
In other words, the original first-line troops are now in a second-line defensive position at the landing site. Even if the defenders holding the front-line positions suffered heavy casualties, it would be the second-line troops to replace them, and it would not be our turn at all. "
"What?" Koida's eyes widened in surprise and asked Mashkov: "Comrade Political Commissar, is everything you said true?"
"Yes, it's true." Mashkov also specifically said: "If you don't believe it, when we return to the division headquarters, you can call and ask the commanders of other divisions."
"Forget it, no need." Koida waved his hands and said: "Comrade Political Commissar, I believe what you said is true. It seems that the so-called reserve team, ready to take over the defense of friendly forces at any time, is nothing more than A verbal check given to us by Comrade Commander.”
"Don't worry, Comrade Division Commander." Seeing Koida's expression becoming depressed, Mashkov quickly comforted him and said, "Although our division may not be able to participate in the defense of the right bank, when the attack begins, our division will be able to Go into battle as a viable force.”
"Comrade Political Commissar," Koida was thinking about how to deploy defenses after his troops entered the right bank during the entire meeting. He had no chance to communicate with other commanders. At this moment, he heard Mashkov say this. , he couldn't help but asked curiously: "Then when do you think we can participate as an effective force in the offensive operations of the landing site on the right bank?"
"I don't know the specific time," Mashkov replied: "But according to my judgment, it shouldn't take long."
After listening this time, Koida asked with great interest: "Comrade Political Commissar, what did you base your judgment on this time?"
"Before leaving the headquarters, I had a few words with Colonel Manoxin, the political commissar of the 84th Division..."
When Koida heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt Mashkov's next words: "Wait a minute, my comrade political commissar, I want to know how many friendly commanders have you chatted with?"
"I have basically talked with the commander on the right bank." Mashkov said with a smile: "You were chatting with the commander and chief of staff at the time, and you may not have noticed me."
Koida thought about it carefully, and it seemed to be true. As soon as the meeting ended, he dragged Sokov and Samyko to ask questions, while Mashkov was waiting for him outside the church. When I came out of the church, I happened to see him chatting with other commanders. Because he was walking in a hurry, he didn't see clearly which unit the other commander belonged to.
"Comrade Political Commissar," Koida asked after a moment of silence, "on what basis do you judge that the right bank will take offensive actions against the enemy?"
"Riding bicycles?!" Koida was puzzled: "What are they doing on bicycles?"
"What else can be done, of course, is to launch an attack on the enemy." After Mashkov finished saying this, he realized that he did not speak clearly enough and Koida might not be able to understand, so he specifically explained: "Comrade Commander When introducing the situation, you should see that the area where the 84th Division is stationed is full of forests, lakes and swamps, which is not conducive to the use of mechanized troops. In order to improve the efficiency of the attack in this area, Comrade Commander gave General Fomenko The troops were equipped with a batch of bicycles for the soldiers to march on bicycles..."
Hearing this, Koida immediately understood Sokov's intention. He imagined the scene of soldiers chasing the enemy on bicycles, and said in surprise: "Oh my God, this idea of Comrade Commander is really... It’s such a fantasy, I don’t know how he came up with it.”
"It doesn't matter how you came up with it." Mashkov said: "After the commanders and fighters of the 84th Division have mastered the skills of riding bicycles, their action speed will become even faster in the next attack. The attack at the landing site will begin from their defense zone.”
Koida was thinking that the road conditions on the battlefield were in extremely poor condition. If you wanted to mobilize troops quickly, it was not enough to rely solely on existing railway and road transportation. My division waited in Merefa Fortress for half a month before arriving here by train. If the entire division is equipped with a large number of bicycles, even if transportation by rail or road is not possible, one's own men can ride to Kremenchug.
"Comrade Political Commissar," Koida said, "I am thinking in my heart that if each person in our division has a bicycle, no, even two people with one bicycle, then the marching speed can be at least doubled. As long as there are enough With the use of bicycles, the troops can rush to the battlefield as quickly as possible after receiving the long-distance raid mission assigned to us by our superiors."
