Whether it was Konev or Vatutin, when they received the call from Antonov and learned that Stalin asked them not to let go of any German soldiers in the encirclement, they knew in their hearts that the time for the general offensive had come.
Since Antonov explained that this was an order from the supreme commander himself, Konev and Vatutin immediately issued the order to attack to their troops. As for whether their subordinates were ready for battle, it was not within their scope to consider Within, they only knew that they must eliminate the enemies in the encirclement.
Troops that were not ready for battle immediately began to mobilize their troops and generals after receiving the order to attack, and concentrated the main forces in the area where the battle was about to take place. The troops that had been prepared for a long time directly launched an attack on the German positions.
If other German troops were suddenly attacked from so many directions under the unfavorable circumstances of the breakout operation, they would have been fooled long ago. However, after the powerful offensive of the two Soviet troops was launched, the progress achieved was very limited. The reason for this kind of opening has a lot to do with Wilhelm Stemermann's command ability. In addition to using the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division to open the way in front, other areas that may be attacked by the Soviet army, Elite troops were also deployed for defense, responsible for the Soviet attack, and strived to block the Soviet attack. At the worst, it would delay the Soviet army's ability to narrow the encirclement.
In the direction of Highland 239, William Stemmermann still organized the most powerful troops and launched an uninterrupted attack. He knew very well that if he could not break through Highland 239, his troops would be completely destroyed.
The Soviet troops attacking from other directions in the encirclement revealed many shortcomings. Due to the hasty start of the attack, the artillery preparation time for each unit was too short, usually only half an hour. The German army deployed artillery in a targeted manner. After the battle started, it could not only bombard the Soviet offensive formation with artillery fire and block its reserves, but could even counter-suppress the Soviet artillery positions.
Secondly, many Soviet commanders had rigid tactics. When their attack on the German positions was repelled, they did not sum up their experience and lessons well, but arbitrarily believed that their soldiers were not brave enough. After regrouping the troops, they used the same tactics to attack the enemy in the same area. The final result is self-evident. The enemy defeated them in the same way, and the sacrificed soldiers died miserably and worthlessly.
The battle lasted from day to night, and the encirclement of Cherkasy was reduced by one-third than before. The area of activity of the surrounded German troops became even narrower. However, no troops laid down their weapons and were still stubbornly resisting the Soviet army. attack.
In order to open a life channel for the besieged troops, William Stemmermann personally came to supervise the battle near Hill 239, hoping to see his troops take this high ground with his own eyes. A fierce tug-of-war unfolded on the high ground. The officers and soldiers of the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division rushed to the high ground again and again. However, before they could gain a foothold, the Soviet troops who launched another counterattack pushed back.
Seeing that it was getting dark, even the famous Viking division could not completely seize Highland 239 from the Soviet army. Looking at the German corpses covering the hillside, William Stemmermann sighed, and then issued an order with difficulty: "Stop the attack on Hill 239, temporarily withdraw and rest, and wait until dawn tomorrow before launching an attack on the high ground. "
After receiving this order from Wilhelm Stemmermann, Otto Giller, the commander of the Viking Division, called and asked: "General, why do you want to stop the attack?"
"General Giller," William Stemmerman said calmly: "I can see that both the officers and soldiers of the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division have tried their best. Unfortunately, the Russians on the highlands are too tenacious. Even if we continue to fight, we still won’t be able to seize the high ground from their hands, so we might as well retreat and rest for a night before continuing the fight tomorrow.”
According to what William Stemmerman said, General Giller also insisted that his troops should be exhausted after fighting for a day. Let them rest for a night before continuing to fight. They might be able to achieve unexpected results.
At eight o'clock in the evening, William Stemmermann was commanding the troops in a tent. Suddenly, a communications staff officer came over and reported to him: "Your Excellency, Army Commander, we have just received a call from the Russians."
"The call of the Russians?" William Stemmermann asked in surprise: "What did they say?"
"They hope to negotiate with us." The communications staff replied: "If we agree, they will send negotiators to us as soon as possible."
After the communications staff report was completed, before William Stemmermann could speak, the Army Chief of Staff came over and said: "Your Excellency, General, the Russians are sending people here to negotiate at this moment, and they must be trying to persuade them to surrender. I don't think there is a need to meet with them. It’s better to reject their request.”
However, William Stemmermann considered the problem from a different perspective than the Chief of Staff of the Army. He knew very well that the situation at this moment was very unfavorable to him, and if he continued to fight, there would be a danger of the entire army being annihilated. In order to allow more officers and soldiers to survive, he decided to meet with the Soviet negotiators to see what the other party meant.
"Captain," he said to his staff: "Please tell the Russians that we agree to negotiate and ask them to arrange for the negotiators to arrive at our designated location as soon as possible. We will ensure the personal safety of the negotiators."
After recording William Stemmermann's order, the staff officer asked cautiously: "Your Excellency, General, where can we let them meet with our people?"
"Here." William Stemmermann pointed out a location on the map with his right hand and said with a wry smile: "It's one thousand meters away from Hill 239. I think there are seven out of ten people sent by the Russians to negotiate. Eighth is the commander of the 53rd Army. I would like to see who the commander of the 53rd Army is who can withstand the Viking Division’s crazy attack.”
"Okay, General." The staff officer said respectfully, "I will convey your intention to the Russians immediately and make an appointment with them."
Sokov never dreamed that Konev would call him. He did not ask about the situation of the day, but gave him a difficult task: as a representative of the front army, to negotiate with William Stemmermann. , persuade the other party to lay down their weapons and surrender to the Soviet army.
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov said in embarrassment after learning that Konev had given him a task that was simply impossible to accomplish: "I think even if I go to see Wilhelm Stemermann, I will not be able to do it." It’s impossible for him to surrender. I think it’s better not to do such a meaningless thing.”
"Comrade Sokov, how can you call this a boring thing?" The troops participating in the daytime attack suffered huge casualties, which made Konev feel particularly heartbroken. Although he knew that it was unlikely that William Stemmermann would surrender, in order to reduce the casualties of his troops, he still decided to try his luck, so he said somewhat insincerely: "As long as there is some hope, we can't give up trying, you said right?"
Hearing Konev ask himself this, Sokov could only say against his will, no matter how reluctant he was: "Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you are right. What if General Wilhelm Stemermann figures it out?" If you are willing to order the troops to lay down their weapons and surrender to our army, you can avoid a lot of bloodshed and sacrifices. I think you can give it a try."
"Since you have no objection, then get ready and go to see William Stemmermann." Konev raised his hand and looked at his watch and said: "It's a quarter past eight. You have to hurry up before nine o'clock." Go to the place one thousand meters in front of Hill 239, and the Germans will pick you up and they will ensure your personal safety."
As soon as he put down the phone, Sokov began to explain the affairs of the army to Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I am going to meet with William Stemerman as a representative of the front army. In case anything happens to me , if you can’t come back, the 53rd Army will be left to you.”
"What, you are going to meet with Wilhelm Stemmermann." Smirnov dissuaded him in surprise: "Comrade Commander, you can't go, it's too dangerous. I'm worried that after the Germans know your true identity, It will be bad for you.”
Whether it was Konev or Vatutin, when they received the call from Antonov and learned that Stalin asked them not to let go of any German soldiers in the encirclement, they knew in their hearts that the time for the general offensive had come.
Since Antonov explained that this was an order from the supreme commander himself, Konev and Vatutin immediately issued the order to attack to their troops. As for whether their subordinates were ready for battle, it was not within their scope to consider Within, they only knew that they must eliminate the enemies in the encirclement.
Troops that were not ready for battle immediately began to mobilize their troops and generals after receiving the order to attack, and concentrated the main forces in the area where the battle was about to take place. The troops that had been prepared for a long time directly launched an attack on the German positions.
If other German troops were suddenly attacked from so many directions under the unfavorable circumstances of the breakout operation, they would have been fooled long ago. However, after the powerful offensive of the two Soviet troops was launched, the progress achieved was very limited. The reason for this kind of opening has a lot to do with Wilhelm Stemermann's command ability. In addition to using the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division to open the way in front, other areas that may be attacked by the Soviet army, Elite troops were also deployed for defense, responsible for the Soviet attack, and strived to block the Soviet attack. At the worst, it would delay the Soviet army's ability to narrow the encirclement.
In the direction of Highland 239, William Stemmermann still organized the most powerful troops and launched an uninterrupted attack. He knew very well that if he could not break through Highland 239, his troops would be completely destroyed.
The Soviet troops attacking from other directions in the encirclement revealed many shortcomings. Due to the hasty start of the attack, the artillery preparation time for each unit was too short, usually only half an hour. The German army deployed artillery in a targeted manner. After the battle started, it could not only bombard the Soviet offensive formation with artillery fire and block its reserves, but could even counter-suppress the Soviet artillery positions.
Secondly, many Soviet commanders had rigid tactics. When their attack on the German positions was repelled, they did not sum up their experience and lessons well, but arbitrarily believed that their soldiers were not brave enough. After regrouping the troops, they used the same tactics to attack the enemy in the same area. The final result is self-evident. The enemy defeated them in the same way, and the sacrificed soldiers died miserably and worthlessly.
The battle lasted from day to night, and the encirclement of Cherkasy was reduced by one-third than before. The area of activity of the surrounded German troops became even narrower. However, no troops laid down their weapons and were still stubbornly resisting the Soviet army. attack.
In order to open a life channel for the besieged troops, William Stemmermann personally came to supervise the battle near Hill 239, hoping to see his troops take this high ground with his own eyes. A fierce tug-of-war unfolded on the high ground. The officers and soldiers of the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division rushed to the high ground again and again. However, before they could gain a foothold, the Soviet troops who launched another counterattack pushed back.
Seeing that it was getting dark, even the famous Viking division could not completely seize Highland 239 from the Soviet army. Looking at the German corpses covering the hillside, William Stemmermann sighed, and then issued an order with difficulty: "Stop the attack on Hill 239, temporarily withdraw and rest, and wait until dawn tomorrow before launching an attack on the high ground. "
After receiving this order from Wilhelm Stemmermann, Otto Giller, the commander of the Viking Division, called and asked: "General, why do you want to stop the attack?"
"General Giller," William Stemmerman said calmly: "I can see that both the officers and soldiers of the Viking Division and the 72nd Infantry Division have tried their best. Unfortunately, the Russians on the highlands are too tenacious. Even if we continue to fight, we still won’t be able to seize the high ground from their hands, so we might as well retreat and rest for a night before continuing the fight tomorrow.”
According to what William Stemmermann said, General Giller also insisted that his troops should be exhausted after fighting for a day. Let them rest for a night before continuing to fight. They might be able to achieve unexpected results.
At eight o'clock in the evening, William Stemmermann was commanding the troops in a tent. Suddenly, a communications staff officer came over and reported to him: "Your Excellency, Army Commander, we have just received a call from the Russians."
"The call of the Russians?" William Stemmermann asked in surprise: "What did they say?"
"They hope to negotiate with us." The communications staff replied: "If we agree, they will send negotiators to us as soon as possible."
After the communications staff report was completed, before William Stemmermann could speak, the Army Chief of Staff came over and said: "Your Excellency, General, the Russians are sending people here to negotiate at this moment, and they must be trying to persuade them to surrender. I don't think there is a need to meet with them. It’s better to reject their request.”
However, William Stemmermann considered the problem from a different perspective than the Chief of Staff of the Army. He knew very well that the situation at this moment was very unfavorable to him, and if he continued to fight, there would be a risk of the entire army being annihilated. In order to allow more officers and soldiers to survive, he decided to meet with the Soviet negotiators to see what the other party meant.
