Zakharov's arrogance made Konev feel very uncomfortable, but in front of many subordinates, he could not get angry at him. He could only try to control his emotions and asked in a calm tone: " Why? Please explain to me, why is this?"
When Konev asked this question, he did not realize at all that his voice was extremely loud because of his emotional excitement, covering up other sounds in the headquarters. And Shumilov realized that Konev was irritated by something. In order to avoid being in trouble, he could only turn around and pretend to order his chief of staff: "Comrade chief of staff, immediately notify the troops holding the landing site and let them They took advantage of the time when the German army was defeated to make urgent repairs. Remember, they must find a way to lay minefields in front of the positions."
When Shumilov ordered his chief of staff, the two generals from the Air Force did not dare to stay any longer. One went to the radio operator and pretended to give orders to his troops; while the other general did not even shake the handle of the phone. He just grabbed the microphone and put it to his ear, talking nonsense seriously.
But the actions of these people were not noticed by Konev at all. At this moment, he urgently wanted to know why Zakharov had such courage and made such a big decision without consulting him. . He was even thinking in his mind that no matter what Zaharov said, he would ask him to modify this wrong order.
Zakharov heard the anger in Konev's tone and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. However, in order to remove the thorn in Konev's heart, he patiently explained: "Comrade Commander, shortly after you left the headquarters, Marshal Zhukov coming!"
"Zhukov is here?!" When Konev heard what Zakharov said, he immediately realized that he might have missed the chief of staff, and that the adjustment of the troops might have been directed by Zhukov, so he quickly asked: "What did he say?"
"Marshal Zhukov said that there were some shortcomings in our original plan to cross the river." Zakharov said: "He specifically pointed out to me that the 69th Army, which was crossing the river on the left wing of the 7th Guards Army, was in Belgo Rhodes suffered a lot of losses in the battle, and his combat effectiveness was greatly weakened. Moreover, he fought bravely in the later defense and suffered a lot of casualties. Now he needs rest and replenishment.
General Gagan's 57th Group Army has sufficient soldiers and well-equipped equipment. It would be a waste to let them serve as a reserve force. The troops taking over the landing site on the right bank have a low chance of participating in the battle because General Sokov's 27th Army is fighting the enemy in front. For this reason, he decided that the 69th Army of General Kryuchinkin would take over the defense of the 27th Army at the landing site on the right bank. "
"Okay." After listening to Zakharov's explanation, Konev's dissatisfaction disappeared, but he still said worriedly: "The conditions for the forced crossing from the mouth of the Oreli River to Verkhovna Dneproprovsk are relatively difficult. Not only The river is wide and there are no islands nearby. Therefore, General Gagan is reminded to prepare for the worst."
"Understood, Comrade Commander." Seeing that his explanation was indeed effective, Zaharov quickly replied loudly: "I immediately informed General Gargen and asked him to seize the time to prepare equipment so that he can successfully cross the river in the future."
"Also," Konev continued: "According to the plan, General Saroshin's 37th Army should cross the river on the right side of Shumilov's troops. There will be no change in their river crossing plan, right?"
"That's not true." Zaharov shook his head and said: "They still followed the original plan. Their mission was to forcefully cross the Dnieper River on the right side of the 7th Guards Army, and coordinate with friendly forces to seize and expand The landing site in the Mishulin Rog area will be turned into a landing site with operational significance."
Hearing that Zakharov remembered the original plan so clearly, Konev nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the troops stationed at the landing site on the right bank have been adjusted. You need to inform Sokov immediately about this, so that He knew it all. Do you understand?"
Zakharov realized that if Sokov was not told early that the troops sent to take over their defense had changed, then the plan drawn up by Sokov might have an adverse impact on the subsequent offensive operations. Zakharov, who understood this truth, quickly replied loudly: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will inform General Sokov immediately so that he can have a clear understanding of the situation near Kremenchug. .”
Zakharov did not dare to neglect Konev's instructions. As soon as the call ended, he ordered the communications staff to connect the phone to the 27th Army Headquarters. He planned to personally explain the situation to Sokov.
The person who answered the phone was Samyko. After listening for a moment, he handed the microphone to Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, this is General Zakharov's call."
Sokov took the microphone and greeted Zakharov with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I wonder if you have any good news for me? Is it that General Gagan's 57th Group Army has moved from their station? let's go?"
When Zakharov heard Sokov's question, the muscles on his face twitched violently a few times, and then he said with an unnatural expression: "General Sokov, your guess is correct. General Gagan's 57th Army has indeed been Departed from the station..."
"Great, this is really great." Sokov said excitedly before Zakharov finished: "As long as General Gargan's troops take over the defense of our troops at the landing site on the right bank, we will be able to fully Launch an attack on the enemy."
"General Sokov, you are mistaken." Seeing that Sokov had misunderstood, Zakharov quickly poured cold water on him: "The 57th Army has indeed set off from its base, but their destination is not you. The landing site established on the right bank was to exchange defense with the 69th Army located in the area from the mouth of the Oreli River to Verkhovna Dniprovsk."
"What, they are going to switch defenses with the 69th Group Army?" Sokov suddenly became anxious when he heard this: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, since the 57th Group Army has taken over the defense of the 69th Group Army, which army are you planning to send? To take over our landing site on the other side of Klemenkoug?”
"Of course it's General Kryuchinkin's 69th Army."
"Why?" Sokov asked angrily: "It was not agreed that General Gagan's 57th Army would take over the defense of our landing site on the right bank, but why did it suddenly become the 69th Army?"
If it were another commander, Zaharov would not be interested in explaining, and would just hang up the phone after giving the order. Regardless of whether the other party can understand the spirit of the superior, the order must be carried out unconditionally. But the person he was talking to now was Sokov, who had repeatedly made military exploits on the battlefield. If he did not explain the situation to the other party, I am afraid that the combat plan to develop to the south of the landing site might be stranded.
It was out of this consideration that Zakharov forced a smile and explained to Sokov: "General Sokov, I think you should know that General Kryuchinkin's 69th Army was liberating Belgorod. During the battle in Germany, he suffered huge casualties. Later, he participated in defensive operations, and the casualties were also not small.
When we formulated the operational plan for forcibly crossing the Dnieper River, we ignored this key issue and instead placed them in the most difficult position to cross the river. If they cross the river with their current strength, it may be very difficult to break through the German Dnieper River defense line. Therefore, Marshal Zhukov directly ordered us to send General Gagan's 57th Army to the crossing point to replace General Kryuchinkin's 69th Army. "
After Zakharov explained the reason for the incident, he paused intentionally for a moment and continued: "General Sokov, I think you also understand in your heart that if you really launch an attack on the enemy, then stick to the landing site The troops may not have many opportunities to fight. And such a task is undoubtedly very suitable for a unit like the 69th Group Army that has suffered heavy casualties."
Although his superiors temporarily adjusted the troops to take over the defense, which made Sokov feel very uncomfortable, he had to admit that what Zakharov said was very reasonable. As long as your own troops launch an attack on Alexandria and Kirovgrad, the landing ground behind you will be very safe, and the enemy will not be able to spare any troops to attack.
Sokov let out a long sigh and said helplessly: "I understand, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army. We will take this factor into consideration when formulating our combat plan."
Samyko, who was next to him, vaguely heard some of the conversation between Sokov and Zakharov. When he saw Sokov put down the microphone, he quickly asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, what new instructions do you have from your superiors?"
Sokov looked at Samyko and Lunev standing in front of him, sighed deeply, and said with a wry smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff and Military Commissar, something unexpected happened. I'm afraid we need to make some adjustments to our combat plan." .”
Lunev was far away from Sokov and did not hear the content of the call. He asked with concern: "What happened?"
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov explained to Lunev: "General Zakharov, the Chief of Staff of the Front Army, just called me and said that the 57th Group Army, which was originally scheduled to take over the defense of our landing site on the right bank, according to the superiors Ordered to replace the 69th Army in the area from the mouth of the Oreli River to Upper Dniprovsk. The 69th Army will be replaced by the 69th Army to take over the defense of our landing site on the right bank."
"What, the 69th Group Army will take over our defense work?" Lunev had some understanding of the situation of the 69th Group Army. After hearing the bad news, he frowned and said: "As far as I know, the Kremlin General Lyuchinkin's troops suffered huge casualties in the battles to liberate Belgorod and Kharkov. If they take over the defense, then when we develop to the south of the landing site, there will be huge security problems in the rear hidden dangers."
Sokov didn't speak, he just looked down at the map on the table, secretly thinking about how to ensure the safety of his rear during the attack. Samek and Lunev were afraid of disturbing his thoughts, so they deliberately lowered their voices when discussing.
After a few minutes, Sokov raised his head and said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think the Military Commissar is right. It's not that I don't trust General Kryuchinkin's troops, but their losses are too great." , once they are suddenly attacked by the German army, it is still unknown whether they can block it. Therefore, if I do not deploy troops to assist them in their defense, I am not sure. "
Sameko agreed with Sokov's statement. He nodded and then asked: "Comrade Commander, which division do you plan to leave at the landing site to assist friendly forces in defense?"
"I think Colonel Chuvashov's 98th Guards Division will be the one," Sokov said: "Since the capture of Kremenchug, this division has only been responsible for the defense of the city and has not participated in any battles. I think it is very appropriate to leave them at the landing site to assist the 69th Group Army in its defense."
As Sokov's deputy, Samyko always felt that the decisions made by Sokov were very correct and applicable, so he nodded and said: "I agree with Comrade Commander. Wait until the leading troops of the 69th Group Army arrive. After Kremenchug, he ordered Colonel Chuvashov to hand over the city's defense to the other side, and to move to the landing site on the right bank as soon as possible to find a suitable location to build a defensive position."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov waited for Samyko to finish, and then continued: "Our original plan was to use the 98th Guards Division as the reserve force of the entire group army. However, the latest development of the situation has disrupted it. Our plan, I think, is to re-select the troops to serve as the new reserve team."
"I agree!"
After a few minutes, Sokov raised his head and said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think the Military Commissar is right. It's not that I don't trust General Kryuchinkin's troops, but their losses are too great." , once they are suddenly attacked by the German army, it is still unknown whether they can block it. Therefore, if I do not deploy troops to assist them in their defense, I am not sure. "
Sameko agreed with Sokov's statement. He nodded and then asked: "Comrade Commander, which division do you plan to leave at the landing site to assist friendly forces in defense?"
"I think Colonel Chuvashov's 98th Guards Division will be the one," Sokov said: "Since the capture of Kremenchug, this division has only been responsible for the defense of the city and has not participated in any battles. I think it is very appropriate to leave them at the landing site to assist the 69th Group Army in its defense."
As Sokov's deputy, Samyko always felt that the decisions made by Sokov were very correct and applicable, so he nodded and said: "I agree with Comrade Commander. Wait until the leading troops of the 69th Group Army arrive. After Kremenchug, he ordered Colonel Chuvashov to hand over the city's defense to the other side, and to move to the landing site on the right bank as soon as possible to find a suitable location to build a defensive position."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov waited for Samyko to finish, and then continued: "Our original plan was to use the 98th Guards Division as the reserve force of the entire group army. However, the latest development of the situation has disrupted it. Our plan, I think, is to re-select the troops to serve as the new reserve force." "Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov waited for Samyko to finish, and then continued: "Our original plan was to move the 98th Guards Division, as the reserve force of the entire group army. But the latest development of the situation has disrupted our plan. I think we need to re-select the troops to serve as the new reserve force."
"I agree!" Sameko agreed immediately.
