When Kravchenko's 6th Tank Army advanced south, something unexpected happened. Heavy snow suddenly fell in the sky, and the path forward of the tank troops was blocked by the snow.
After Sokov learned the news, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. He didn't expect that the climate in Ukraine was similar to that in Russia. It was already entering April, but the blizzard came all at once without any warning in advance.
"Comrade Commander, what should we do?" Samyko said to Sokov: "According to the meteorological department's report, the snowstorm will continue for at least two more days. I am afraid that the actions of the 6th Tank Army will have to be postponed."
Sokov did not express his position immediately, but asked everyone: "Which of you had been in Ukraine before the war?" When everyone heard Sokov's question, they all shook their heads, saying that they had never been in Ukraine before the war.
Fortunately, Smirnov reminded Sokov in time: "Comrade Commander, Ponedelin served as the commander of the Army Group in Ukraine in the early days of the war. He must be very familiar with the situation in Ukraine."
With these words, he woke up the dreamer. Sokov raised his hand and slapped himself on the forehead, and said angrily: "Yes, how could I forget Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin? He stayed in Ukraine for a long time. He spent a lot of time in Ukraine." Everyone has a say in everything.”
Then, he told the director of the communications corps: "Immediately contact the headquarters of the 41st Guards Division for me and speak to Lieutenant Colonel Ponijelin."
Besides, Ponejelin was about to lead his troops to take over the defense area of the 27th Border Guard Regiment in Romania when he suddenly received a call from Sokov. He felt quite strange: "Comrade Commander, what's important? Something?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, you spent a lot of time in Ukraine before the war, right?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Although Ponedelin didn't understand what Sokov meant by asking this question, he still answered truthfully: "I have been in Ukraine for almost twenty years. What do you do when you ask this question?" What?"
"It's like this. There was a snowstorm suddenly in the direction of Wengerny." Sokov asked on the phone: "I want to ask, how long will the snowstorm last in Ukraine at the end of March or early April?"
In any case, Ponejelin has also been a commander, so his thinking is naturally different from ordinary people. Hearing Sokov's question, he was stunned for a moment, then understood what the other party meant, and took the initiative to say: "Comrade Commander, you can rest assured. Snowstorms this season will lead to strong cooling. In this way, The roads that were originally muddy and difficult to travel will become frozen again, which is very conducive to the movement of our tank troops."
Sokov called Ponejelin just to find out whether, in such bad weather, the 6th Tank Army could advance to Wingene as planned and break through the border in advance. At this moment, hearing Ponijelin's explanation, I felt much more at ease.
After putting down the phone, the confident Sokov said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call General Kravchenko immediately and tell him that since the snow and wind are so heavy, let the troops stop and rest until the snow and wind stops. It’s not too late to set off after that.”
"Comrade Commander," seeing Sokov's absent-minded look on the matter, Sameko quickly reminded him: "The snowstorm has caused our troops to move slowly. If the troops are stopped to rest, I am afraid it will affect their entry into Romania. Time within the territory. I think it’s better to let them march in the snow, at worst the speed will be slower.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, there are many disadvantages to marching in the snow. If the tank breaks down on the road, even if it wants to repair it, it will be a big problem." Sokov said: "I think it is better to wait until the snowstorm stops before rushing on. The road will already be frozen by then. It facilitates the movement of our tanks and various vehicles.”
"Okay." Seeing that Sokov had considered all the issues that should be considered, Samyko nodded and said, "Then I will call General Kravchenko immediately and tell him your intention."
Kravchenko was worrying about the march of his troops before he received Samyko's call. His chief of staff had the same idea as Sameko. The sudden blizzard caused the troops to slow down their march, but if they did not continue on their way, they would not be able to reach the designated place within the specified time.
But Kravchenko did not agree with the plan proposed by his chief of staff. He plausibly said: "Comrade chief of staff, there are many lakes and swamps on our marching road, and the snow will cover their true colors. If we march in the snow, , then the tank may get stuck in a lake or swamp, and the additional loss of technical equipment will make our next battle more difficult."
While the two were talking, Afunin came to visit. Seeing Kravchenko's sad face, he expressed deep sympathy: "General Kravchenko, you are right, tanks cannot compete with our soldiers. In comparison, no matter how bad the terrain is, our soldiers can find a way to pass it, but tanks cannot. For safety reasons, I suggest that we wait until the snowstorm stops completely before we continue on our way."
The chief of staff of the group army immediately retorted: "General Afnin, the 41st Guards Division under your command has entered Romania and became the first army to enter the border of another country. This is something to be proud of. The progress of our group army , has been far slower than expected. If the fighter plane is delayed due to the delay of the snowstorm, I am afraid it will not be easy for Comrade Commander to explain."
Several people were talking to each other incessantly, and the phone on the table suddenly rang. The chief of staff reached out and grabbed the microphone and said: "This is the headquarters of the 6th Tank Army. Where are you?"
"I am Samyko." Samyko recognized the voice of the Chief of Staff of the Tank Army, and did not talk to him in circles, but asked directly: "Is General Kravchenko here?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff. Please wait a moment, I will call him right away." After saying that, the Chief of Staff covered the phone with his hand, turned to Kravchenko and said: "Commander, your phone number." When Kravchenko reached for the phone, the chief of staff lowered his voice and said, "It's General Samyko calling."
"Hello, General Samyko." Kravchenko knew that Samyko was Sokov's assistant, so he asked politely: "Does General Sokov have any latest instructions for me?"
"Your guess is correct, General Kravchenko." Samyko replied truthfully: "Comrade Commander does have an order for you."
"What instructions?"
"The troops stopped advancing and looked for a suitable location to camp on the spot." Sameko said on the phone: "Wait until the snowstorm completely stops before continuing to move forward."
Although Kravchenko wanted to stop advancing immediately, he became uneasy after receiving such an order. He asked tentatively: "General Samyko, is this true?"
"Of course it's true." After Sameko answered in an affirmative tone, he continued: "Comrade Commander said that the snowstorm will reduce visibility and slow down the march of the troops. In order to avoid unnecessary losses, he specially issued this order I have ordered you to temporarily stop advancing and find a suitable place to camp on the spot. When the snowstorm passes and the ground freezes, making it convenient for large-scale armored forces to move, it will not be too late for you to set off again."
After figuring out the reason why Sokov ordered the troops to temporarily stop advancing, Kravchenko was still very grateful. The reason why my troops are making slow progress is because of this damn terrain, which is full of forests, lakes, and swamps. The infantry can march just fine, but my armored troops are struggling. If the roads are completely frozen after the snowstorm is over, it will be very conducive to the deployment of mechanized troops.
After understanding this, Kravchenko quickly said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please convey our agreement to the commander. After the snowstorm is over and the ground is frozen hard, we will definitely speed up the march and make up for the lost time." .”
"By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff." When the two were about to end the call, Kravchenko suddenly saw Afunin sitting beside him, and quickly added: "General Afunin happens to be here, what do you want to say? Did you tell him?"
"What I want to say to him is the same as what I said to you." Sameko said: "I also ordered him to temporarily stop moving forward and choose a suitable place to camp on the same spot. As soon as the snowstorm stops, we will be on our way immediately. "
Afunin waited for Kravchenko to finish the call, grabbed a telephone on the table in front of him, picked up the phone and put it to his ear, and said loudly: "I am General Afunin, please let me know immediately." Chief of Staff, take the call."
The mission was clear. As soon as Afuning's chief of staff received the call, he immediately informed the commanders and soldiers who were still marching in the blizzard to stop advancing and choose a suitable location to camp.
After the order was conveyed, Afuning showed an expression of relief on his face. He said to Kravchenko: "General Kravchenko, actually even without this order from the commander, I would have ordered the troops to stop advancing. When rushing in a snowstorm, the troops can easily lose their way. If they accidentally break in, If you cross the enemy's defense zone, you may suffer huge losses." When Kravchenko's 6th Tank Army advanced south, something unexpected happened. Heavy snow suddenly fell in the sky, and the tank troops advanced. The road is blocked by snow.
After Sokov learned the news, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. He didn't expect that the climate in Ukraine was similar to that in Russia. It was already entering April, but the blizzard came all at once without any warning in advance.
"Comrade Commander, what should we do?" Samyko said to Sokov: "According to the meteorological department's report, the snowstorm will continue for at least two more days. I am afraid that the actions of the 6th Tank Army will have to be postponed."
Sokov did not express his position immediately, but asked everyone: "Which of you had been in Ukraine before the war?" When everyone heard Sokov's question, they all shook their heads, saying that they had never been in Ukraine before the war.
Fortunately, Smirnov reminded Sokov in time: "Comrade Commander, Ponedelin served as the army commander in Ukraine in the early days of the war. He must be very familiar with the situation in Ukraine."
With these words, he woke up the dreamer. Sokov raised his hand and slapped himself on the forehead, and said angrily: "Yes, how could I forget Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin? He stayed in Ukraine for a long time. He spent a lot of time in Ukraine." Everyone has a say in everything.”
Then, he told the director of the communications corps: "Immediately contact the headquarters of the 41st Guards Division for me and speak to Lieutenant Colonel Ponijelin."
Besides, Ponejelin was about to lead his troops to take over the defense area of the 27th Border Guard Regiment in Romania when he suddenly received a call from Sokov. He felt quite strange: "Comrade Commander, what's important? Something?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin, you spent a lot of time in Ukraine before the war, right?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Although Ponedelin didn't understand what Sokov meant by asking this question, he still answered truthfully: "I have been in Ukraine for almost twenty years. What do you do when you ask this question?" What?"
"It's like this. There was a snowstorm suddenly in the direction of Wengerny." Sokov asked on the phone: "I want to ask, how long will the snowstorm last in Ukraine at the end of March or early April?"
In any case, Ponejelin has also been a commander, so his thinking is naturally different from ordinary people. When he heard Sokov's question, he was stunned for a moment. Then he understood what the other party meant and said proactively: "Comrade Commander, you can rest assured. Snowstorms in this season will lead to strong cooling. In this way, The roads that were originally muddy and difficult to travel will become frozen again, which is very conducive to the movement of our tank troops."
Sokov called Ponejelin just to find out whether, in such bad weather, the 6th Tank Army could advance to Wingene as planned and break through the border in advance. At this moment, hearing Ponijelin's explanation, I felt much more at ease.
After putting down the phone, Sokov, who was confident, said to Samyko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, call General Kravchenko immediately and tell him that since the wind and snow are so heavy, let the troops stop to rest and wait for the snow to stop. It’s not too late to set off after that.”
"Comrade Commander," seeing Sokov's absent-minded look on the matter, Sameko quickly reminded him: "The snowstorm has caused our troops to move slowly. If the troops are stopped to rest, I am afraid it will affect their entry into Romania. Time within the territory. I think it’s better to let them march in the snow, at worst the speed will be slower.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, there are many disadvantages to marching in the snow. If the tank breaks down on the road, even if it wants to repair it, it will be a big problem." Sokov said: "I think it is better to wait until the snowstorm stops before rushing on. The road will already be frozen by then. It facilitates the movement of our tanks and various vehicles.”
Kravchenko was worrying about the march of his troops before he received Samyko's call. His chief of staff had the same idea as Sameko. The sudden blizzard caused the troops to slow down their march, but if they did not continue on their way, they would not be able to reach the designated place within the specified time.
But Kravchenko did not agree with the plan proposed by his chief of staff. He plausibly said: "Comrade chief of staff, there are many lakes and swamps on our marching road, and the snow will cover their true colors. If we march in the snow, , then the tank may get stuck in a lake or swamp, and the additional loss of technical equipment will make our next battle more difficult."
