Faced with Konev's insistence, Stalin did not change his mind: "Okay, I will discuss it with the General Staff at the base camp, and then we will decide." After that, before Konev could speak again, Stalin Ended the call.
After hanging up the phone, Stalin picked up the matches on the table and prepared to light the pipe in his mouth. But out of anger, he struck several matches and failed to light the pipe. He was so angry that he threw the matchbox on the table. The matchbox hit the table hard and the matches in the box splashed everywhere.
Antonov, who was standing aside, quickly stepped forward, picked up a match on the table, lit it, and helped Stalin light his cigarette. After doing all this, while clearing away the messy matches on the table, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Stalin, what happened to make you so angry?"
"It's not that Konev." Stalin gritted his teeth and said: "I said that the Germans were breaking through the defense area of the 27th Army. In order to facilitate unified command, I was going to put the 27th Army under his command, but he said Refused."
After Antonov figured out the reason for Stalin's anger, he said cautiously: "Comrade Stalin, in fact, General Konev has his own reasons for doing this."
"What's his reasoning?" Stalin said angrily: "On weekdays, when they call me one by one, they keep asking me to send more troops to them. Now I have taken the initiative to transfer the 27th Army to Konev, and he Actually don’t want it.”
Antonov waited for Stalin to finish and then said: "Comrade Stalin, if you had offered to return the 27th Army to Konev a few months ago, he would have been grateful. But since Comrade Sokov After being wounded and hospitalized, and Lieutenant General Trofimenko taking over the command, the unit's combat effectiveness dropped off a cliff.
During the liberation of Kiev and the later battles, this unit lost nearly two-thirds of its troops. Now the troops are all new recruits, and their combat effectiveness is even worse. In addition, this unit is too far away from Konev and will not be of much use after taking over, so he will refuse your kindness. "
Antonov's explanation made Stalin calm down again. After thinking about it carefully, it seemed that that was really what happened. "What you said makes sense, Comrade Antonov." Stalin took a long drag on his cigarette, and after his mood calmed down, he continued: "The same troops, the same equipment, just because the commanders are different, The result was two very different treatments for the same force."
"That's right, Comrade Stalin." Antonov understood what Stalin wanted to express, and added: "When Sokov was the commander, the 27th Army could be said to be the most elite unit. Every battle they participated in In each battle, good results were achieved. But since Lieutenant General Trofimenko took over, the entire army seemed to have changed. In the following battles, although the commanders and fighters still performed bravely, they It’s hard to win.”
"Then tell me, will the 27th Army be returned to Konev?"
"I don't think it's necessary." Antonov felt that as the chief of general staff, he should express his true thoughts on this matter: "First, the 27th Army is too far away from Konev's troops and it is not easy to command. Secondly, the current combat effectiveness of this unit cannot be complimented. If they are forcibly transferred to Konev's unit, I am afraid it will hinder everyone."
"Okay, Comrade Antonov, since you said so, then I will not assign the 27th Army to Konev for the time being." Stalin specifically told Antonov: "You will call Konev later. Call him and tell him what I mean."
Antonov knew that this matter was of great importance and did not dare to neglect it. After coming out of Stalin's office, he called Konev: "Hello, General Konev! I am Antonov, the Supreme Commander himself. Let me tell you that after our research, we will not transfer the 27th Group Army to you for the time being, and you can launch an offensive against the enemies in the encirclement according to the original plan."
"Comrade Chief of General Staff, this is great." Konev learned that his superiors would not assign the 27th Army to his command for the time being, and the boulder hanging in his heart finally fell to the ground: "This way, we can concentrate on The attack on the German army was launched."
"General Konev," Antonov heard the joy in Konev's voice, and couldn't help but curiously asked: "The 27th Army used to be your army, why do I feel that you are avoiding this army now?" There is a crossover between the troops.”
"Comrade Chief of General Staff, you and I are both friends, and I won't hide this from you." Since Antonov asked, Konev naturally told the truth: "Since Lieutenant General Trofimenko took over After taking up the post of commander of the 27th Army, he abandoned the tactics used by Sokov and even banned the following troops from using similar tactics. His order made the commanders below not understand how to fight. , it’s surprising that such an army can win the battle.”
Since Konev mentioned Sokov, Antonov naturally wanted to ask: "By the way, what is Comrade Sokov doing now?"
"He is commanding the troops to block the German attack on Hill 239." Konev reported to Antonov: "The Germans tried to break through our Hill 239 and open a way to escape, but Sokov's commanders and fighters , how can it be possible for the enemy to escape easily? They are fighting on the high ground at the moment, preparing to block the enemy's escape route like a gate."
"Oh, it turns out that Sokov's troops are holding on to Hill 239." Antonov said with emotion after hearing this: "I believe that General Sokov will do everything possible to block the Germans' retreat."
…………
After daybreak, Stemmermann learned of the 57th Infantry Division on the left flank of the breakout force. They were attacked by Soviet cavalry and the troops suffered serious attrition. After reporting the situation, the division commander tentatively asked Stemmermann: "Your Excellency, Corps Commander, it would obviously be unwise for our division to continue to attack southward according to the original plan."
"Mr. Division Commander," Stemermann said sternly regarding the thoughts of the 57th Division Commander: "The task of your division is to move on the left wing of the main force, attract the attention of the Russians, and contain part of their forces to serve as the main force. Create conditions for a breakout.”
After hearing this, the division commander seemed particularly hesitant and hesitant. As a commander, he would never watch his subordinates die here for such reasons. So he solemnly told the other party: "Let the troops take time to rest. Once the order is issued, the battle can begin immediately."
Stemmerman hung up the phone and immediately received a report from the army chief of staff: "After several hours of fighting, the 72nd Infantry Division and the Viking Division have successfully broken through the Russian defense line and are advancing to the north. "
Stemmermann glanced at the map and found that the vanguard of the breakout had completely deviated from the pre-planned route. However, he did not get angry, because he knew very well that in order to break through the Soviet defense lines, just attacking blindly would obviously have no effect. It would be better to let the officers and soldiers choose a weak point in the defense to launch an attack.
"Your Excellency, Army Commander," after the Army Chief of Staff finished his report, he saw Stemerman staring at the map in a daze and asked tentatively: "Now that the 72nd Infantry Division and the Viking Division are making good progress, do you think we should transfer all the troops?" The troops turned in that direction. If we had acted quickly, we would have reached the Gniloydikichi River and joined the oncoming friendly forces before their reinforcements arrived."
While the two were feeling proud, a staff officer suddenly came over and handed the telegram in his hand to Stemmermann: "I just received a telegram from Marshal Manstein."
When Stemmermann received the telegram, he felt a burst of joy in his heart. He felt that it must be Manstein who informed them that the reinforcements were staying at a certain place and asked him to lead his troops to join them. But after seeing the content clearly, his eyes darkened and he leaned back. Fortunately, the chief of staff supported him in time and prevented him from falling to the ground.
"Your Excellency, Army Commander," the Army Chief of Staff asked in a panic, "What happened?"
Stemmermann handed the telegram in his hand to the chief of staff: "Look, the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division, which were preparing to rescue us, are now unable to come."
When the Chief of Staff heard Stemmermann say this, he couldn't help but be startled, wondering what the hell was going on. Didn't it mean that the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division were moving towards Hill 239, coming to relieve their troops? Why did he suddenly say he couldn't come? What's going on?
With this question in mind, the chief of staff opened the telegram and read it. When I saw this, cold sweat broke out on my forehead. The oil depot and ammunition depot that originally supplied the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division had been attacked by the Soviet army and had been completely destroyed. A tank without fuel and ammunition is just a pile of scrap metal of little use, so it is understandable that it cannot come to join forces.
"Then what should I do?" the chief of staff asked worriedly: "Are we just waiting to be annihilated by the Russians?"
"We can't sit still and wait for death. We must find a way to break out." Stemerman is also a decisive person. Since the 1st Armored Division and the Flag Guard Division to the west cannot come for reinforcements, then there will be no big impact in attacking Highland 239. role. Therefore, he decisively ordered him: "Chief of Staff, inform all division commanders to immediately lead the troops to move north after dark, follow the 72nd Infantry Division and the Viking Division, and jump out of the Russians through the opened gap. Encirclement.”
Just as the Chief of Staff agreed, he heard Stemmerman say: "Also, Chief of Staff, I have decided to lead a force to stay. Not only will I cover your retreat, but I will also take care of the wounded who are left behind."
"What, your Excellency, Army Commander, do you want to stay?" The Army Chief of Staff heard that Stemerman wanted to stay with the wounded, and quickly persuaded him: "It's too dangerous here. I think you should follow the main force as soon as possible." Transfer, lest anything happen to you and cause problems in the unit's command system."
"No, I can't leave." Stemmermann said sadly: "We have lost tens of thousands of officers and soldiers in this area, and I am really not willing to leave in such a dejected manner."
Faced with Konev's insistence, Stalin did not change his mind. He snorted and said coldly: "Okay, I will discuss it with the General Staff at the base camp and make a decision then." After that, Before Konev could say anything more, Stalin ended the call.
After hanging up the phone, Stalin picked up the matches on the table and prepared to light the pipe in his mouth. But out of anger, he struck several matches and failed to light the pipe. He was so angry that he threw the matchbox on the table. The matchbox hit the table hard and the matches in the box splashed everywhere.
Antonov, who was standing aside, quickly stepped forward, picked up a match on the table, lit it, and helped Stalin light his cigarette. After doing all this, while clearing away the messy matches on the table, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Stalin, what happened to make you so angry?"
"It's not that Konev." Stalin gritted his teeth and said: "I said that the Germans were breaking through the 27th Army's defense zone. In order to facilitate unified command, I was going to put the 27th Army under his command, but he said Refused."
After Antonov figured out the reason for Stalin's anger, he said cautiously: "Comrade Stalin, in fact, General Konev has his own reasons for doing this."
Antonov waited for Stalin to finish and then said: "Comrade Stalin, if you had offered to return the 27th Army to Konev a few months ago, he would have been grateful. But since Comrade Sokov After being wounded and hospitalized, and Lieutenant General Trofimenko taking over the command, the unit's combat effectiveness dropped off a cliff.
During the liberation of Kiev and the later battles, this unit lost nearly two-thirds of its troops. Now the troops are all new recruits, and their combat effectiveness is even worse. In addition, this unit is too far away from Konev and will not be of much use after taking over, so he will refuse your kindness. "
Antonov's explanation made Stalin calm down again. After thinking about it carefully, it seemed that that was really what happened. "What you said makes sense, Comrade Antonov." Stalin took a long drag on his cigarette, and after his mood calmed down, he continued: "The same troops, the same equipment, just because the commanders are different, The result was two very different treatments for the same force."
"That's right, Comrade Stalin." Antonov understood what Stalin wanted to express, and added: "When Sokov was the commander, the 27th Army could be said to be the most elite unit. Every battle they participated in In each battle, good results were achieved. But since Lieutenant General Trofimenko took over, the entire army seemed to have changed. In the following battles, although the commanders and soldiers still performed bravely, they It’s hard to win.”
"I don't think it's necessary." Antonov felt that as the chief of general staff, he should express his true thoughts on this matter: "First, the 27th Army is too far away from Konev's troops and it is not easy to command. Secondly, the current combat effectiveness of this unit cannot be complimented. If they are forcibly transferred to Konev's unit, I am afraid it will hinder everyone."
