"I said, Comrade Deputy Commander, the order given to us by our superiors is to defeat the German invaders." Sokov looked at Trofimenko and said: "If we give Bogdanov an order to defend, it means that That said, we gave up the initiative on the battlefield and instead stayed in our existing positions for passive defense."
"Comrade Commander, you misunderstood me. I don't want the 2nd Tank Army to carry out passive defense." Trofimenko quickly explained to Sokov: "I just think we should defend first and wait for support. The fortifications have exhausted the enemy's effective strength, and it is not too late to launch a counterattack."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, the situation today is different from before, so we must adopt different tactics to deal with the German attack."
"It's different from the previous situation. We need to adopt different tactics to deal with the enemy's attack?" Trofimenko repeated Sokov's words and said with confusion: "Comrade Commander, can you say that?" Can you be more specific? I don’t quite understand.”
"It's very simple. Now the German army is in a strategic defense, while our army is in a strategic offensive." Sokov explained to Trofimenko: "And we are not just launching a powerful offensive against the German army on one front. This is This means that if the German army does not want its defense line to completely collapse, it must use its main forces to defend rather than attack."
When Trofimenko heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt Sokov: "But, Comrade Commander, you mentioned not long ago that the Germans might encircle our troops entering Romania. How could it happen in the blink of an eye? Your story has changed."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, it's not that my statement has changed, but that the situation on the battlefield has changed. As commanders, we must adjust our combat deployment in a timely manner according to the changes in the situation on the battlefield so that we can achieve victory as soon as possible. ." Sokov said: "When I was just worried about the enemy cutting off the logistics supply line behind me, I didn't know that Ponejelin's battle group had all entered Romania. Now we can adjust our tactics appropriately."
"If we take the initiative to attack the enemy, once the enemy's reinforcements arrive, wouldn't it be possible for our offensive troops to be encircled by the Germans?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander." Sokov said confidently: "To the north of our front, that is, on the right wing, there is a powerful assault group dominated by the Ponejelin battle group and the 2nd Tank Army. I plan to let General Bogdanov’s troops launch an active attack on the German army, while Ponejelin’s battle group will expand the results in Romania.”
Seeing Trofimenko's worried look, Sokov comforted him and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, don't forget that on our right wing are the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front commanded by Marshal Zhukov. Comprehensive fortifications are being launched against the German troops in the Vinnitsa area. If there is a shortage in that area, the troops attacking Chernivtsi will definitely be transferred."
"Besides this, there is another possibility. Once the German commanders see that our army has launched an active offensive in the Chernivtsi area, they are worried that the troops in this area may be annihilated or severely damaged by our army, and they will inevitably Move this force back to Vinnitsa to help resist the powerful offensive of Marshal Zhukov's troops."
Trofimenko stared at the map for a long time, and finally had to admit that the situation Sokov mentioned completely existed. He thought for a while, and then added: "Comrade Commander, I have another idea, I don't know whether I should say it or not."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, if you have any ideas, just say it." Sokov urged: "There is nothing that should or shouldn't be said."
"Look," he pointed to the position southeast of Chernivtsi and said to Sokov: "My 27th Army has deployed three infantry divisions in this direction. If General Bogdanov's tank tank The attack carried out by the 2nd Army is not going well, I can also transfer the troops here for reinforcements."
"This is a good idea." Sokov looked at the three divisions on the map that he had originally included in the reserve force, thinking that since Trofimenko offered to use this force, he would be disrespectful: "Comrade Chief of Staff , then follow the deputy commander’s wishes and issue a combat alert to these three divisions. Once the attack of the 2nd Tank Army does not go smoothly, let them enter the battlefield through the torn breach.”
At noon, Bogdanov personally called Sokov and said respectfully: "Comrade Commander, the troops of our group army launched an attack on the enemy's hastily built field fortifications half an hour ago. During the attack We have carried out forty minutes of artillery preparations before and have destroyed most of the enemy's fortifications. I believe it will not take long to break through the enemy's defenses and penetrate deep into their depth."
"Well done, General Bogdanov." Sokov couldn't help but be happy after hearing the other party's report. Originally, I was worried that if I rashly ordered the tank army to launch an attack, it might be difficult to achieve the desired results due to insufficient preparation. But now judging from Bogdanov's report, breaking through the enemy's defensive position is just a snap. Therefore, he did not hesitate to praise: "When this battle is over, I will ask my superiors to take credit for you."
Before putting down the phone, Sokov remembered something important and asked quickly: "By the way, where are General Bogdanov and Major Lyudmila's sniper team now?"
"Comrade Commander, I was planning to report this matter to you." Bogdanov said: "Since I received your order to let Major Lyudmila return alone, in order to prevent being noticed by the enemy, I specially found I asked a female soldier to pretend to be Lyudmila and stay in the sniper team. As for the real Lyudmila, I asked her to dress up as a woman from a collective farm, and under the protection of a squad of soldiers, she would kill her as quickly as possible. Return to Ortaz at a fast pace."
"General Bogdanov, you are very thoughtful." When Sokov ordered Lyudmila and others to return, he deliberately left the sniper team there to confuse the enemy, but he never thought about what would happen if the sniper team If there is no trace of Lyudmila for a long time, it is still easy for others to find flaws. General Bogdanov's approach just made up for his lack of consideration. But he still asked with some worry: "But are you sure that the enemy will not see through the disguise you arranged?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Bogdanov smiled and said to Sokov: "I found a drama actor who is similar in stature to Major Lyudmila. Ever since he put on makeup, he looks a lot like Very similar. Besides, the sniper team is a special group. They don’t have to show their faces in front of people all day long, and it’s not that easy for others to see their flaws.”
"That's good, that's good." Upon hearing this, Sokov was completely relieved: "General Bogdanov, thank you so much. You helped me solve a difficult problem."
"Comrade Commander, you're welcome, it's just a little effort."
Bogdanov's approach provided Sokov with an idea: Since Lyudmila's sniper team can send a drama actor to impersonate her to confuse the enemy, Vasily and the old man's sniper team can also do it. Are you trying to draw a gourd? "I said, Comrade Deputy Commander, the order given to us by our superiors is to defeat the German invaders." Sokov looked at Trofimenko and said: "If we give Bogdanov an order to defend, it means that That said, we gave up the initiative on the battlefield and instead stayed in our existing positions for passive defense."
"Comrade Commander, you misunderstood me. I don't want the 2nd Tank Army to carry out passive defense." Trofimenko quickly explained to Sokov: "I just think we should defend first and wait for support. The fortifications have exhausted the enemy's effective strength, and it is not too late to launch a counterattack."
"It's different from the previous situation. We need to adopt different tactics to deal with the enemy's attack?" Trofimenko repeated Sokov's words and said with confusion: "Comrade Commander, can you say that?" Can you be more specific? I don’t quite understand.”
"It's very simple. Now the German army is in a strategic defense, while our army is in a strategic offensive." Sokov explained to Trofimenko: "And we are not just launching a powerful offensive against the German army on one front. This is This means that if the German army does not want its defense line to completely collapse, it must use its main forces to defend rather than attack."
When Trofimenko heard this, he couldn't help but interrupt Sokov: "But, Comrade Commander, you mentioned not long ago that the Germans might encircle our troops entering Romania. How could it happen in the blink of an eye? Your story has changed."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, it's not that my statement has changed, but that the situation on the battlefield has changed. As commanders, we must adjust our combat deployment in a timely manner according to the changes in the situation on the battlefield so that we can achieve victory as soon as possible. ." Sokov said: "When I was just worried about the enemy cutting off the logistics supply line behind me, I didn't know that Ponejelin's battle group had all entered Romania. Now we can adjust our tactics appropriately."
"If we take the initiative to attack the enemy, once the enemy's reinforcements arrive, wouldn't it be possible for our offensive troops to be encircled by the Germans?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander." Sokov said confidently: "To the north of our front, that is, on the right wing, there is a powerful assault group dominated by the Ponejelin battle group and the 2nd Tank Army. I plan to let General Bogdanov’s troops launch an active attack on the German army, while Ponejelin’s battle group will expand the results in Romania.”
Seeing Trofimenko's worried look, Sokov comforted him and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, don't forget that on our right wing are the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front commanded by Marshal Zhukov. Comprehensive fortifications are being launched against the German troops in the Vinnitsa area. If there is a shortage in that area, the troops attacking Chernivtsi will definitely be transferred."
"Besides this, there is another possibility. Once the German commanders see that our army has launched an active offensive in the Chernivtsi area, they are worried that the troops in this area may be annihilated or severely damaged by our army, and they will inevitably Move this force back to Vinnitsa to help resist the powerful offensive of Marshal Zhukov's troops."
Trofimenko stared at the map for a long time, and finally had to admit that the situation Sokov mentioned completely existed. He thought for a while, and then added: "Comrade Commander, I have another idea, I don't know whether I should say it or not."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, if you have any ideas, just say it." Sokov urged: "There is nothing that should or shouldn't be said."
"Look," he pointed to the position southeast of Chernivtsi and said to Sokov: "My 27th Army has deployed three infantry divisions in this direction. If General Bogdanov's tank tank The attack carried out by the 2nd Army is not going well, I can also transfer the troops here for reinforcements."
"This is a good idea." Sokov looked at the three divisions on the map that he had originally included in the reserve force, thinking that since Trofimenko offered to use this force, he would be disrespectful: "Comrade Chief of Staff , then follow the deputy commander’s wishes and issue a combat alert to these three divisions. Once the attack of the 2nd Tank Army does not go smoothly, let them enter the battlefield through the torn breach.”
At noon, Bogdanov personally called Sokov and said respectfully: "Comrade Commander, the troops of our group army launched an attack on the enemy's hastily built field fortifications half an hour ago. During the attack We have carried out forty minutes of artillery preparations before, and have destroyed most of the enemy's fortifications. I believe it will not take long to break through the enemy's defenses and penetrate deep into their depth."
"Well done, General Bogdanov." Sokov couldn't help but be happy after hearing the other party's report. Originally, I was worried that if I rashly ordered the tank army to launch an attack, it might be difficult to achieve the desired results due to insufficient preparation. But now judging from Bogdanov's report, breaking through the enemy's defensive position is just a snap. Therefore, he did not hesitate to praise: "When this battle is over, I will ask my superiors to take credit for you."
Before putting down the phone, Sokov remembered something important and asked quickly: "By the way, where are the sniper teams of General Bogdanov and Major Lyudmila now?"
"Comrade Commander, I was planning to report this matter to you." Bogdanov said: "Since I received your order to let Major Lyudmila return alone, in order to prevent the enemy from noticing, I specially found I asked a female soldier to pretend to be Lyudmila and stay in the sniper team. As for the real Lyudmila, I asked her to dress up as a woman from a collective farm, and under the protection of a squad of soldiers, I would kill her as quickly as possible. Return to Ortaz at a fast pace."
"General Bogdanov, you are very thoughtful." When Sokov ordered Lyudmila and others to return, he deliberately left the sniper team there to confuse the enemy, but he never thought about what would happen if the sniper team If there is no trace of Lyudmila for a long time, it is still easy for others to find flaws. General Bogdanov's approach just made up for his lack of consideration. But he still asked with some worry: "But are you sure that the enemy will not see through the disguise you arranged?"
