After making the call, Sokov looked down at the map in front of him and began to think about how to strengthen the defense of the place. After a long time, he raised his head and looked at Samyko opposite: "Comrade Chief of Staff, Chernivtsi is an important city. After the Germans find out that it is occupied by our army, they will never give up and will definitely carry out crazy attacks. To counterattack, we must take precautions in advance.”
"Comrade Commander, I don't understand." Gorokhov interrupted and asked: "Since we and the Germans know that Chernivtsi is an important city, how could they retreat without a fight?"
"The reason is very simple," Sokov said lightly in the face of Gorokhov's doubts: "The original defenders of Chernivtsi were definitely not Germans, otherwise they would not give up this place easily. A city of strategic importance.”
"I think General Bogdanov's troops can be stationed here." Samyko said: "The Second Tank Army under his command has a large number of tanks and artillery. Even if the German army uses armored assault, his troops will have Able to withstand the enemy's attack."
"But if the 2nd Tank Army is allowed to enter Chernivtsi," Smirnov waited for Samyko to finish, then put forward his own idea: "Wouldn't the right wing of our army become empty? Once the German army emerges from this To launch an attack in this direction, I’m afraid we will have to deploy troops to strengthen this direction.”
"General Smirnov, you are worrying too much." Trofimenko suddenly said: "I think that after the 2nd Tank Army enters Chernivtsi, the troops of the 27th Army can take over their vacated tanks. position so that our right flank would not be attacked by the Germans."
"This is a way." Sokov felt that until now, the battle has been carried out, and the troops of the 53rd Army and the two tank armies have been basically used, while most of the troops of the 27th Army are still on standby, so he agreed: " General Trofimenko, I will leave the task of protecting the right wing of the combat group to you."
"Comrade Commander, you can rest assured." Trofimenko assured Sokov: "I will definitely ensure the safety of the right wing of the combat group."
After solving the problems currently faced by the combat group, Smirnov reminded Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the liberation of Chernivtsi is a big event. Do you need to report it to the front army headquarters immediately? ?”
Sokov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said hesitantly: "Marshal Konev should be sleeping. Wouldn't it be appropriate to disturb him at this time?"
"There is nothing inappropriate." Smirnov said with a smile: "What you brought him is good news, and he is eager for you to disturb him." After saying that, without waiting for Sokov to express his position, he called directly He contacted the director of the communications corps and asked him to get through to the front army headquarters.
The person on duty at the front headquarters tonight was Chief of Staff Zakharov. When he learned that the call was from the combat group, he suddenly became alert. He asked into the microphone: "Comrade Sokov, has the enemy situation changed at your place?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," Sokov said with a smile, "I am calling you at this time because I have a great thing to tell you."
"What a great thing?" Sokov's words aroused Zakharov's interest: "Tell me quickly, what is it?"
"My troops have captured Chernivtsi..."
"Hasn't Chernivtsi been occupied a long time ago? What a great thing it is..." When Zakharov said this, he suddenly paused for a moment, and then said in surprise: "Wait a minute, Sokov Comrade, the Chernivtsi you are talking about is from Ukraine or Moldavia?”
"If it was Chernivtsi in Ukraine, I would definitely not report it." Sokov said with a chuckle: "Of course it is Chernivtsi in Moldavia."
"Oh my God." Zaharov said in shock: "If Chernivtsi occupied by you is really from Moldavia, it means that your troops will soon be able to enter Romania. Within the territory.”
"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov nodded and confirmed Zakharov's statement: "I am dispatching troops to Chernivtsi to strengthen the defense there. Once enough troops have been assembled, we will Immediately march into Romania."
After listening, Zakharov was silent for a moment, and then asked: "How is the progress of Kravchenko's 6th Tank Army? When can they reach the old border?"
"They are still more than two hundred kilometers away from Wenger." Sokov replied: "Even if everything goes smoothly, it will probably take two days to reach Wenger."
"It will take two more days. That's such a pity." Zakharov said in a regretful tone: "Not long ago, I congratulated Kravchenko, congratulating his unit on becoming the first A force that has reached the national border. Now it seems that they can only strive to become the second force."
"If there are no accidents, they should be the second unit to reach the old border." Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I don't know how the other troops are progressing. When will they arrive at the old border?" National borders?”
"It's still early." Zaharov sighed and said: "Except for your combat group, the rest of the troops encountered stubborn resistance from the German army during the advancement process. They were able to advance five to ten kilometers every day. It’s progressing very quickly.”
"Comrade Zakharov, who are you talking to?" Sokov felt Konev's voice faintly coming from the receiver.
Sure enough, his guess was confirmed the next moment, and Zakharov was heard saying: "Comrade Marshal, I am talking to Sokov on the phone. He told me that his troops captured Chernov not long ago. It is possible to launch an attack into Romania at any time."
"Comrade Zakharov, this is unlikely." Konev said in a skeptical tone: "Before dark, his closest troops to the city were dozens of kilometers away. How could it be possible in such a short time? How about taking this well-fortified big city? Give me the microphone and I will ask Sokov personally."
Soon, Konev's voice came from the receiver: "Comrade Sokov, this is Konev."
"Hello, Comrade Marshal."
"I heard that your troops have liberated Chernivtsi. Is this true?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal, of course it is true."
"I have a question. How did your troops capture an important city on the border of Moldavia in such a short period of time?"
"Comrade Marshal, the answer is very simple." Sokov replied with a calm expression: "Because the defenders in the city voluntarily abandoned the city, our troops were able to capture the city without losing any blood."
"Oh, the enemy took the initiative to abandon this city?" Konev was also a little surprised: "Comrade Sokov, what do you think of this matter?"
"Comrade Marshal, if the defenders in the city are Germans and they voluntarily abandon the city, they want to shrink their forces and then choose an area to start a decisive battle with our army." Sokov analyzed: "And because our army wants to mobilize its troops, To defend those occupied cities, the troops used for frontal attacks will definitely be weakened to a certain extent, and they will definitely suffer heavy losses in the face of a decisive battle by the German army."
Konev agreed with Sokov's statement: "This makes sense. Last year on the left bank of the Dnieper River, our two fronts had an absolute advantage in numbers and equipment, but why did they end up Or was it a defeat? It was nothing more than that the German army, which was at a disadvantage in terms of strength and equipment, was able to gain an advantage over our army in local areas and achieve victory on the battlefield."
After a brief pause, he continued to ask: "Then if the defenders are Romanian troops, why did they voluntarily abandon the city?"
"Romania's elite troops have long been exhausted in the battle with our army. The troops we face now are just newly formed troops in the later period, and their combat effectiveness can only be regarded as second-rate." Sokov said : "The Romanian commanders know very well that none of their first-rate troops are our opponents, and these second-rate troops formed later are even less able to resist our attack. Rather than letting these troops be consumed in the battle, it is better to actively give up some Cities and towns, gather forces together and wait for the situation to change in the future before making further plans."
Konev couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and then asked: "Then tell me, how will the situation change in the future?"
"I estimate that after the main force of our army enters Romania, Romania will choose to surrender. Withdraw from the Axis camp and choose to stand on the same front with us." After making the call, Sokov looked down at the people in front of him. Looking at the map, I began to think about how to strengthen the defense of the place. After a long time, he raised his head and looked at Samyko opposite: "Comrade Chief of Staff, Chernivtsi is an important city. After the Germans find out that it is occupied by our army, they will never give up and will definitely carry out crazy attacks. To counterattack, we must take precautions in advance.”
"Comrade Commander, I don't understand." Gorokhov interrupted and asked: "Since we and the Germans know that Chernivtsi is an important city, how could they retreat without a fight?"
"The reason is very simple," Sokov said lightly in the face of Gorokhov's doubts: "The original defenders of Chernivtsi were definitely not Germans, otherwise they would not give up this place easily. A city of strategic importance."
"I think General Bogdanov's troops can be stationed here." Samyko said: "The Second Tank Army under his command has a large number of tanks and artillery. Even if the German army uses armored assault, his troops will have Able to withstand the enemy's attack."
"But if the 2nd Tank Army is allowed to enter Chernivtsi," Smirnov waited for Samyko to finish, then put forward his own idea: "Wouldn't the right wing of our army become empty? Once the German army emerges from this To launch an attack in this direction, I’m afraid we will have to deploy troops to strengthen this direction.”
"General Smirnov, you are worrying too much." Trofimenko suddenly said: "I think that after the 2nd Tank Army enters Chernivtsi, the troops of the 27th Army can take over their vacated tanks. position so that our right flank would not be attacked by the Germans."
"This is a way." Sokov felt that until now, the battle has been carried out, and the troops of the 53rd Army and the two tank armies have been basically used, while most of the troops of the 27th Army are still on standby, so he agreed: " General Trofimenko, I will leave the task of protecting the right wing of the combat group to you."
"Comrade Commander, you can rest assured." Trofimenko assured Sokov: "I will definitely ensure the safety of the right wing of the combat group."
After solving the problems currently faced by the combat group, Smirnov reminded Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the liberation of Chernivtsi is a big event. Do you need to report it to the front army headquarters immediately? ?”
Sokov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said hesitantly: "Marshal Konev should be sleeping. Wouldn't it be appropriate to disturb him at this time?"
"There is nothing inappropriate." Smirnov said with a smile: "What you brought him is good news, and he is eager for you to disturb him." After saying that, without waiting for Sokov to express his position, he called directly Called the director of the communications corps and asked him to get through to the front army headquarters.
The person on duty at the front headquarters tonight was Chief of Staff Zakharov. When he learned that the call was from the combat group, he suddenly became alert. He asked into the microphone: "Comrade Sokov, has the enemy situation changed at your place?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," Sokov said with a smile, "I am calling you at this time because I have a great thing to tell you."
"Hasn't Chernivtsi been occupied a long time ago? What a great thing it is..." When Zakharov said this, he suddenly paused for a moment, and then said in surprise: "Wait a minute, Sokov Comrade, the Chernivtsi you are talking about is from Ukraine or Moldavia?”
"If it was Chernivtsi in Ukraine, I would definitely not report it." Sokov said with a chuckle: "Of course it is Chernivtsi in Moldavia."
"Oh my God." Zaharov said in shock: "If Chernivtsi occupied by you is really from Moldavia, it means that your troops will soon be able to enter Romania. Within the territory.”
"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov nodded and confirmed Zakharov's statement: "I am dispatching troops to Chernivtsi to strengthen the defense there. Once enough troops have been assembled, we will Immediately march into Romania."
After listening, Zakharov was silent for a moment, and then asked: "How is the progress of Kravchenko's 6th Tank Army? When can they reach the old border?"
"They are still more than two hundred kilometers away from Wenger." Sokov replied: "Even if everything goes smoothly, it will probably take two days to reach Wenger."
"It will take two more days. That's such a pity." Zakharov said in a regretful tone: "Not long ago, I congratulated Kravchenko and congratulated his unit on becoming the first A force that has reached the national border. Now it seems that they can only strive to become the second force."
