For Manstein, both Kremenchug and Cherkasy were the two most important points on his Dnieper River defense line. Kremenchug has been occupied by Sokov's troops. The troops he sent launched numerous attacks on the landing site on the right bank, but all ended in failure.
But losing just one point was not a big deal for Manstein. Even if he could not drive the Soviet troops who had established a landing site into the Dnieper River, he could still use his troops to block the opponent's path of expansion. But now the Soviet army has established a new landing site near Cherkasy, trying to use it as a springboard to seize Cherkasy and completely break through its Dnieper River defense line. This is something he will never tolerate.
The troops originally placed south of the 27th Army's landing site included five divisions, including the armored division. However, in order to eliminate the Soviet landing ground near Cherkasy as soon as possible, Manstein decided to dispatch troops from here after repeated thinking to participate in the battle to eliminate the Soviet troops near the Chigilin area.
He knew very well that if he mobilized troops from the front of Sokov's position, he might suffer big losses if he was not careful. Therefore, he initially mobilized only one division and moved slowly towards Chigilin to observe the movements of the Soviet army.
When all the transferred divisions evacuated the defense area, the Soviet army on the opposite side not only showed no signs of attack, but on the contrary, they also overhauled the defense fortifications in the defense area, laid minefields and stretched barbed wire in front of the positions, assuming a defensive posture.
After learning the news, Manstein thought for a long time. He was a little unfounded. Since the Soviet army was carrying out construction projects and assuming a defensive posture, it proved that they would not attack. He decisively issued an order. Except for one armored division and one infantry division left in the distance to continue to serve as security guards, the rest of the troops immediately rushed to the northwest battle area.
To be fair, if other Soviet troops were deployed at the landing site, Manstein's decision was undoubtedly correct, because most Soviet commanders had rigid tactical thinking and did not know how to actively search for fighters. The command is the main one. If their superiors order them to establish a defensive position somewhere, no matter how good the opportunity is, the commander may not switch from defense to offense in time, and will miss the opportunity in vain.
But the troops commanded by Sokov are different. They know how to use every opportunity to severely attack the enemy. But before each battle, in order to prevent the enemy from noticing their intentions, they often make a series of false moves. For example, this time's overhaul of fortifications is to confuse the enemy.
Fortunately, Sokov's plan successfully deceived Manstein. The German marshal was eager to eliminate the Soviet landing site that threatened the safety of Cherkasy. When he simply confirmed that Sokov's troops would not launch an attack and would not threaten the flanks and rear of his own troops, he decisively mobilized a large number of troops. , to reinforce the troops attacking the 7th Guards Army.
Although the German army's large-scale retreat was carried out at night, it had been clearly seen by the Soviet scouts hiding nearby, and then the intelligence was continuously sent back to the rear through the radios they carried.
After receiving the intelligence from the forward scouts, the director of the reconnaissance department hurriedly came to see Sokov and Samek after briefly sorting it out.
Seeing the director of the reconnaissance department rushing over, Samek immediately guessed that the other party must have brought intelligence about the German army. He quickly put down what he was holding, stood up straight and asked: "Comrade director, do you have anything important?" Do you want to report the information to us?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." The director of the reconnaissance department glanced at Sokov, who was standing by the wall with his back to him looking at the map, and continued: "The scouts in front just sent back the information, saying that the German army has new attacks. Troops began to retreat."
Sokov had his back to the table and was looking at the map hanging on the wall. When he heard the words of the director of the reconnaissance department, he immediately turned around and asked: "Comrade director, please tell me what the situation is."
The director of the reconnaissance department nodded and began to report to Sokov and Samek: "According to the scout's report, the enemy withdrew an infantry division before dark. They thought that the enemy would make no more movements. , but two hours ago, they suddenly discovered that a tank parked in the forest began to move in one direction, and they quickly followed it. After walking for almost half an hour, they found that a German tank drove into a station and Boarding begins one after another on the platform.”
"Wait a minute, Comrade Director." Upon hearing this, Samek interrupted the Director of the Reconnaissance Division: "Can they confirm which direction the train is heading?"
"It's confirmed, Comrade Chief of Staff."
For Manstein, both Kremenchug and Cherkasy were the two most important points on his Dnieper River defense line. Kremenchug has been occupied by Sokov's troops. The troops he sent launched numerous attacks on the landing site on the right bank, but all ended in failure.
But losing just one point was not a big deal for Manstein. Even if he could not drive the Soviet troops who had established a landing site into the Dnieper River, he could still use his troops to block the opponent's path of expansion. But now the Soviet army has established a new landing site near Cherkasy, trying to use it as a springboard to seize Cherkasy and completely break through its Dnieper River defense line. This is something he will never tolerate.
The troops originally placed south of the 27th Army's landing site included five divisions, including the armored division. However, in order to eliminate the Soviet landing ground near Cherkasy as soon as possible, Manstein decided to dispatch troops from here after repeated thinking to participate in the battle to eliminate the Soviet troops near the Chigilin area.
He knew very well that if he mobilized troops from the front of Sokov's position, he might suffer big losses if he was not careful. Therefore, he initially mobilized only one division and moved slowly towards Chigilin to observe the movements of the Soviet army.
When all the transferred divisions evacuated the defense area, the Soviet army on the opposite side not only showed no signs of attack, but on the contrary, they also overhauled the defense fortifications in the defense area, laid minefields and stretched barbed wire in front of the positions, assuming a defensive posture.
After learning the news, Manstein thought for a long time. He was a little unfounded. Since the Soviet army was carrying out construction projects and assuming a defensive posture, it proved that they would not attack. He decisively issued an order. Except for one armored division and one infantry division left in the distance to continue to serve as security guards, the rest of the troops immediately rushed to the northwest battle area.
To be fair, if other Soviet troops were deployed at the landing site, Manstein's decision was undoubtedly correct, because most Soviet commanders had rigid tactical thinking and did not know how to actively search for fighters. The command is the main one. If their superiors order them to establish a defensive position somewhere, no matter how good the opportunity is, the commander may not switch from defense to offense in time, and will miss the opportunity in vain.
But the troops commanded by Sokov are different. They know how to use every opportunity to severely attack the enemy. But before each battle, in order to prevent the enemy from noticing their intentions, they often make a series of false moves. For example, this time's overhaul of fortifications is to confuse the enemy.
Fortunately, Sokov's plan successfully deceived Manstein. The German marshal was eager to eliminate the Soviet landing site that threatened the safety of Cherkasy. When he simply confirmed that Sokov's troops would not launch an attack and would not threaten the flanks and rear of his own troops, he decisively mobilized a large number of troops. , to reinforce the troops attacking the 7th Guards Army.
Although the German army's large-scale retreat was carried out at night, it had been clearly seen by the Soviet scouts hiding nearby, and then the intelligence was continuously sent back to the rear through the radios they carried.
After receiving the intelligence from the forward scouts, the director of the reconnaissance department hurriedly came to see Sokov and Samek after briefly sorting it out.
Seeing the director of the reconnaissance department rushing over, Samek immediately guessed that the other party must have brought intelligence about the German army. He quickly put down what he was holding, stood up straight and asked: "Comrade director, do you have anything important?" Do you want to report the information to us?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." The director of the reconnaissance department glanced at Sokov, who was standing by the wall with his back to him looking at the map, and continued: "The scouts in front just sent back the information, saying that the German army has new attacks. Troops began to retreat."
Sokov had his back to the table and was looking at the map hanging on the wall. When he heard the words of the director of the reconnaissance department, he immediately turned around and asked: "Comrade director, please tell me what the situation is."
The director of the reconnaissance department nodded and began to report to Sokov and Samek: "According to the scout's report, the enemy withdrew an infantry division before dark. They thought that the enemy would make no more movements. , but two hours ago, they suddenly discovered that a tank parked in the forest began to move in one direction, and they quickly followed it. After walking for almost half an hour, they found that a German tank drove into a station and Boarding begins one after another on the platform.”
"Wait a minute, Comrade Director." Upon hearing this, Samek interrupted the Director of the Reconnaissance Division: "Can they confirm which direction the train is heading?"
"It's confirmed, Comrade Chief of Staff."
For Manstein, both Kremenchug and Cherkasy were the two most important points on his Dnieper River defense line. Kremenchug has been occupied by Sokov's troops. The troops he sent launched numerous attacks on the landing site on the right bank, but all ended in failure.
But losing just one point was not a big deal for Manstein. Even if he could not drive the Soviet troops who had established a landing site into the Dnieper River, he could still use his troops to block the opponent's path of expansion. But now the Soviet army has established a new landing site near Cherkasy, trying to use it as a springboard to seize Cherkasy and completely break through its Dnieper River defense line. This is something he will never tolerate.
The troops originally placed south of the 27th Army's landing site included five divisions, including the armored division. However, in order to eliminate the Soviet landing ground near Cherkasy as soon as possible, Manstein decided to dispatch troops from here after repeated thinking to participate in the battle to eliminate the Soviet troops near the Chigilin area.
He knew very well that if he mobilized troops from the front of Sokov's position, he might suffer big losses if he was not careful. Therefore, he initially mobilized only one division and moved slowly towards Chigilin to observe the movements of the Soviet army.
When all the transferred divisions evacuated the defense area, the Soviet army on the opposite side not only showed no signs of attack, but on the contrary, they also overhauled the defense fortifications in the defense area, laid minefields and stretched barbed wire in front of the positions, assuming a defensive posture.
After learning the news, Manstein thought for a long time. He was a little unfounded. Since the Soviet army was carrying out construction projects and assuming a defensive posture, it proved that they would not attack. He decisively issued an order. Except for one armored division and one infantry division left in the distance to continue to serve as security guards, the rest of the troops immediately rushed to the northwest battle area.
To be fair, if other Soviet troops were deployed at the landing site, Manstein's decision was undoubtedly correct, because most Soviet commanders had rigid tactical thinking and did not know how to actively search for fighters. The command is the main one. If their superiors order them to establish a defensive position somewhere, no matter how good the opportunity is, the commander may not switch from defense to offense in time, and will miss the opportunity in vain.
But the troops commanded by Sokov are different. They know how to use every opportunity to severely attack the enemy. But before each battle, in order to prevent the enemy from noticing their intentions, they often make a series of false moves. For example, this time's overhaul of fortifications is to confuse the enemy.
Fortunately, Sokov's plan successfully deceived Manstein. The German marshal was eager to eliminate the Soviet landing site that threatened the safety of Cherkasy. When he simply confirmed that Sokov's troops would not launch an attack and would not threaten the flanks and rear of his own troops, he decisively mobilized a large number of troops. , to reinforce the troops attacking the 7th Guards Army.
Although the German army's large-scale retreat was carried out at night, it had been clearly seen by the Soviet scouts hiding nearby, and then the intelligence was continuously sent back to the rear through the radios they carried.
After receiving the intelligence from the forward scouts, the director of the reconnaissance department hurriedly came to see Sokov and Samek after briefly sorting it out.
Seeing the director of the reconnaissance department rushing over, Samek immediately guessed that the other party must have brought intelligence about the German army. He quickly put down what he was holding, stood up straight and asked: "Comrade director, do you have anything important?" Do you want to report the information to us?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." The director of the reconnaissance department glanced at Sokov, who was standing by the wall with his back to him looking at the map, and continued: "The scouts in front just sent back the information, saying that the German army has new attacks. Troops began to retreat."
The director of the reconnaissance department nodded and began to report to Sokov and Samek: "According to the scout's report, the enemy withdrew an infantry division before dark. They thought that the enemy would make no more movements. , but two hours ago, they suddenly discovered that a tank parked in the forest began to move in one direction, and they quickly followed it. After walking for almost half an hour, they found that a German tank drove into a station and Boarding begins one after another on the platform.”
"Wait a minute, Comrade Director." Upon hearing this, Samek interrupted the Director of the Reconnaissance Division: "Can they confirm which direction the train is heading?"
