Although Sokov has not read "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, he understands the idiom "Death to death" very well. When fighting, only by deploying the army in a situation where retreat is impossible and the only option is to fight to the death, will the soldiers advance bravely and kill the enemy to win.
In the Battle of Jingxing, the reason why Han Xin was able to defeat Zhao's 200,000 troops with 30,000 men was because he had his troops line up with their backs to the water, with the enemy in front and the river behind. There was no way to retreat, so the morale of the soldiers was completely destroyed. Only by stimulating it can you win the battle. If there was not a river behind but an open space, it is estimated that many soldiers would have turned around and fled long ago when they saw that the situation was not good for their side. Not to mention defeating more with less, whether you can escape unscathed is a question.
But Zakharov did not know about this ancient Eastern war example. After putting down the phone, he repeated Sokov's words to Konev, and finally said: "Comrade Commander, what should you do about this?"
After hearing this, Konev did not immediately express his opinion. Instead, he asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you think? Do you think Sokov's proposal is feasible?"
"Comrade Commander, this is what I think." Seeing that Konev did not express his position, Zakharov could not guess whether the other party agreed or objected. However, as the chief of staff of the front army, he still expressed his true thoughts: " I think it’s a bit too risky, and maybe after we get out of the way, the chances of the Germans escaping will be increased.”
"I don't think so." Konev waited for Zakharov to finish and then began to express his own opinion: "As Sokov said, once the Germans find that their escape channel is opened, they will lose resistance. They are bent on escaping from our encirclement as quickly as possible. If our army launches an attack from their flanks at this moment, or attacks from behind, they will definitely not be able to organize an organized resistance in their eagerness to escape. By then, we may really be able to use the minimum force to resist. casualties and achieve the greatest victory."
Seeing that Konev actually agreed to Sokov's proposal, Zakharov was somewhat surprised. After a moment of pause, he tentatively asked: "Comrade Commander, I will now inform our troops to stop the attack on Komarovka, make way for the German troops who are breaking through, and then use flank attacks or follow-up pursuits." tactics to attack the enemy."
Unexpectedly, Konev waved his hand and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't be anxious, let me think about it again."
Konev's words confused Zakharov. He couldn't figure out why Konev agreed with Sokov's proposal but didn't want to adopt it.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Konev saw Zakharov's doubts and explained to him: "If we give way to the road, the German army will definitely speed up the advance to Hill 239. By then, Sokov and the others will The pressure was great. Once the high ground was lost, the Germans could quickly rush to the Gniloydikich River and join up with the troops coming to meet them."
When Zaharov heard this, he realized that this was what happened. If all the troops were really ordered to make way for the Germans, it wouldn't be long before they could reach the vicinity of Hill 239. Once Sokov's troops were unable to block the German attack, the German troops who broke through the defense line could quickly rush to the Gniloydikichi River and join forces there to meet the troops. By that time, the plan to encircle and annihilate the German army will completely fail.
"Then what should we do?" Zaharov didn't know what to do for a while, so he could only ask Konev for instructions: "Should we adopt General Sokov's suggestion and make way for the Germans? Or should we follow the original plan? The plan was to launch a counterattack on Komarovka and take the heights and villages back from the Germans."
"I think we can make way for the Germans, but we can't do it too obviously." Konev gave instructions to Zakharov: "Order the 5th Guards Airborne Division to follow the original plan and attack the occupied areas." The enemy on the Komarovka Heights and nearby villages launched a feint attack with great force to put pressure on the Germans.”
"Comrade Commander, the airborne troops are usually not equipped with any heavy weapons due to their type of service. It may be difficult to create momentum during a feint attack." Zakharov asked cautiously: "Look, do you want to order the artillery?" Provide them with artillery support."
"Okay." Konev readily agreed, and at the same time told Zakharov: "Tell General Fomin that while providing artillery support to the 5th Guards Airborne Division, you cannot stop the artillery bombardment in front of Hill 239. ." The reason why he issued this order was because he knew that Highland 239 was the key to this encirclement and annihilation battle, and there must be no mistakes.
After hearing Konev's special order, Zakharov was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Comrade Commander, since the enemies on Highland 239 have been eliminated and new troops have been stationed on the top of the mountain, I don't think there will be any more It is necessary to continue the bombardment to avoid wasting precious shells.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you just told me personally that the German troops attacking Hill 239 were the Walloon Assault Brigade and the 105th Grenadier Regiment of the Viking Division." Konev looked at Zakharov and asked expressionlessly : "Do you think the 116th Division, whose battle has been greatly diluted, can block the attacks of these two forces?"
"No." Zakharov, as the chief of staff of the front army, still knows very well the combat effectiveness of the 53rd Group Army. Although Sokov is a victorious general, he has just assumed the command of the group army. It is obviously unrealistic to improve the combat effectiveness of the entire army. Without strong artillery support, I am afraid that the high ground may soon be lost.
After thinking about this, Zakharov said to Konev: "I understand, Comrade Commander, I will convey your intention to General Fomin."
Konev realized the importance of Hill 239, and Sokov also understood this truth. After ending the call with Zakharov, he immediately called the division headquarters of the 41st Guards Division and said to the division commander Kurishenko: "General Kurishenko, regardless of whether the enemy in October Town sends troops, 239 Heights In the future, we will be attacked wildly by the German army..."
When Kurishenko heard what Sokov said, he muttered to himself: I have handed over the defense of the highlands to the 116th Regiment. What is the use of telling me this?
Before he could ask the question in his mind, Sokov continued: "I guess you must be thinking that Highland 239 is currently being defended by the troops of the 116th Division. What does it have to do with me? Am I right? "
Seeing that Sokov had guessed what he was thinking, Kurishenko didn't say anything, but just laughed.
From Kurishenko's laughter, Sokov knew that his guess was correct, so he continued: "The troops holding the high ground now are all light infantry, without any heavy weapons. If they are attacked fiercely by the German army, , I’m worried that they won’t be able to withstand it, so I need your help.”
"Comrade Commander, what should I do?"
"Deploy part of the artillery of the 89th Guards Artillery Regiment to Hill 239." Sokov said into the microphone: "This way when the enemy launches an attack on the high ground, you can bombard them with artillery fire from a high position."
"Comrade Commander," Kurishenko asked cautiously, "how many artillery pieces do you think should be deployed?"
"At least 12 Bofors field guns must be deployed so that a certain scale can be achieved when shelling the enemy." After Sokov said this, he asked: "General Kurishenko, do you have any questions?"
Hearing that half of the Bofors field artillery would be transferred to friendly forces, Kurishenko still felt heartache. I thought that if the German troops in October Town sent troops, I would also use the artillery regiment to suppress the enemy with firepower. If half of the artillery is sent out directly, the effect of the bombardment will be greatly reduced.
When Sokov heard that Kurishenko didn't speak for a long time, he thought the other party had hung up the phone, so he quickly said loudly into the phone: "Hey, hey, hey, General Kurishenko, are you still there?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, I'm still here."
"Since you are still here," Sokov asked with some displeasure, "Why don't you speak?"
"Comrade Commander," Kurishenko quickly explained, "I am considering deploying those artillery pieces to high ground for defense."
"General Kurishenko, it's going to be daylight soon." Sokov reminded Kurishenko: "The Germans will definitely attack in large numbers during the day. Deploying artillery positions early can reduce the casualties of the defenders. Understand. ?"
"Understood." Kurishenko did not dare to neglect and replied hurriedly: "I immediately called the commander of the artillery regiment, and tomorrow he will arrange for manpower to transport the artillery to the high ground."
After settling the artillery matter, Sokov called Stilitz, commander of the 116th Division, to ask him to prepare mentally in advance. "Colonel Stilitz," Sokov said with a smile as soon as he heard Stilitz's voice: "The troops you sent performed very well in the battle that ended not long ago. I believe that they If we come to hold on to Highland 239, we will definitely turn it into an insurmountable chasm for the Germans."
Stilitz heard something wrong in Sokov's words, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, why should I listen to your tone? My troops will encounter a very cruel battle next?"
"You are right, Colonel Stilitz." Now that the other party had heard what he was implying, Sokov did not beat around the bush, but said bluntly: "According to my analysis, when the sky is completely bright, , the Germans will launch a fierce attack on the area held by the 41st Guards Division from two lines of defense at the same time.
The enemy coming from the southwest to October Town was to relieve the Germans in the encirclement. Major General Kurishenko's 41st Guards Division will resolutely block them. Sokov said in a stern tone: "In order to escape the fate of being annihilated by our army, the enemies in the encirclement will concentrate their efforts and launch a desperate attack on Highland 239." Whether you can hold the high ground is the key to annihilating the enemies in the encirclement. do you understand? "
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I won't let you down." Stilitz replied solemnly: "For the sake of safety, I plan to lead the remaining infantry regiment and artillery regiment to strengthen the 239th Highland. for defense, do you allow it?"
Although Sokov has deployed nearly four divisions of troops near 239, he still feels that it is not enough. You must know that what you are facing is the elite of the German army. Not to mention anything else, it is still unknown whether the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division launched a strong attack. If you put the entire army on it, you can block the opponent's attack.
At this moment, since Stilitz offered to move the remaining troops to Hill 239, Sokov did not object. Instead, he went along with the situation and said: "Okay, Colonel Stilitz, I will give you three hours." Make preparations, and then move the entire division to Hill 239 to strengthen the defense there and prevent the Germans from advancing further."
"Understood." Stilitz replied in a loud voice: "We will resolutely defend Hill 239 at all costs and never let the Germans advance one step further."
After Smirnov waited for Sokov to finish a series of phone calls, he said with some concern: "Comrade Commander, from yesterday to now, you have successively transferred three divisions to the vicinity of 239 Hill, and our defense here has become Weak."
Sokov glanced at the other party and said disapprovingly: "Isn't there an infantry division and troops directly under the group army? I think this kind of strength is enough for defense."
But Smirnov still said with concern: "Comrade Commander, I am worried that the Germans will not be able to break through the defenses of the 41st Guards Division and may change the direction of their attack and rush directly towards us." He reminded Sokov , "You know, the German army is an armored force. Even if their oil depots and ammunition depots are attacked by our small units behind enemy lines, they will still be able to break through our defenses before their tanks run out of ammunition and food."
Sokov chuckled and said confidently: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry. There are many friendly forces nearby. If we are in danger here, they will definitely come to support us." See Smirnov Still looking gloomy, he continued, "If we really can't fight, we can still leave. We will take the Germans in circles until the fuel in their tanks is exhausted. Tanks without fuel, It is a living target, and as long as the air force is called for support, the German tanks can be blown into piles of scrap metal."
Seeing that Sokov was so confident, Smirnov could not say anything more. He could only nod his head and pretend to read the battle report, but he was thinking in his heart, if the German tanks really rushed to a place not far from the headquarters, What should I do? Should we organize personnel to resist on the spot, or according to Sokov's statement, abandon this place and start dealing with German tanks.
While I was thinking wildly, the phone on the table suddenly rang. Smirnov picked up the phone and listened. It turned out to be Ponejelin calling: "Hello, my old friend, what can I do for you?"
Ponejelin on the other end of the phone said: "Hello, Smirnov! General Fomin asked me to ask you if the shelling of the front of the high ground can be stopped?"
With the recovery of Highland 239, the German troops who originally tried to attack the high ground but were blocked by artillery fire had already retreated to a safe area. The shells that exploded in front of the position hardly caused any harm to them. After learning about this situation, Sokov deliberately asked the front artillery to stop firing to avoid wasting artillery shells.
Now that Ponedelin called to inquire, Sokov nodded to Smirnov and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please tell General Ponedelin that our bombardment goal has been achieved and the bombardment can be stopped. "
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