Chapter 1295 The battle to liberate Kiev (22)
I just urged Lopukhov to send a telegram to Tawart Kiradze, reminding him to closely monitor the movement of the German forces in the direction of Zhytomyr, so as not to be caught off guard and cause the entire defense line to collapse. People also left from the walkie-talkie, and Bezikov sitting at the table called me loudly: “Comrade Commander, your call.”
When I walked over and took the microphone from Bezikov, he lowered his voice and told me: “It was a call from Commander Vatutin himself.”
After hearing my voice, Vatutin immediately opened the door and asked, “Comrade Oshanina, did your troops stationed in Krostwiv counterattack the German breakout troops?”
Upon hearing Vatutin’s question, the first thing I thought of was that he was going to honor our troops and quickly replied: “Yes, Comrade General. Our troops are fighting back the German assault and destroying all the tanks. Later, with the Fifth Guards Tank Army as the forerunner, the cavalry division launched a full counterattack against the enemy. During the battle, more than two thousand enemies died under the tracks of our tanks.”
After listening patiently to what I said, Vatutin suddenly said: “Do you know that your counterattack broke the dream of the German army’s safe retreat. Except for a few stragglers who fled into the nearby forest, their main force turned around again. Kiev.”
The German army found that the way to break through was blocked by our army and was forced to return to Kiev. This is a normal thing. I can’t understand why Vatutin asked this. So I hesitated for a moment and replied: “Yes, the enemy found that it was unable to break through our line of defense, so they must retreat to Kiev temporarily, readjust their deployment, and choose a new direction for breakthrough.”
“Although your decisive action smashed the German breakthrough,” I heard Vatutin’s words with “although but”, I cried out in my heart, but I couldn’t figure out where the problem was. Just listen to him continue to say: “But the enemy that was repelled by you rushed to Kiev desperately, and crushed the leading troops of the 1st Guards Cavalry Army that followed.”
If someone else is in front of me, talking about the cavalry being crushed by the infantry, I will definitely slap it with a big ear. On the plains, the infantry meets the cavalry, that is, the lamb to be slaughtered, and it is a pipe dream to crush the cavalry unit. But at the moment this is what Vatutin said, and I have to carefully consider it, after all, he can’t be joking with me on this matter.
Seeing that I was not talking, Vatutin went on to say: “Because the road is full of masonry and rubble, the speed of the cavalry cannot be increased. You should know that the cavalry in this situation is the enemy’s living target. The enemy hid behind the ruined wall and fired at our commanders on horseback. In just ten minutes, the cavalry battalion serving as the avant-garde lost two companies.”
When I heard Vatutin say this, my heart became more and more hopeless. I said that I thought I had won a big victory and would be praised by my superiors, but now it seems that this has become an extravagant hope. I don’t know what Vatutin will say next, so I can only bite the bullet and ask: “Comrade General, what should we do next?”
Vatutin sighed and said, “If your counterattack can last for a few hours at night, maybe our troops will be able to drive all the enemies out of the city, so that we can pass through the open plain. They were easily wiped out in the field. But now, they see no hope of breaking through the siege, and may have to stay in the city. As a result, it may be difficult for our troops to liberate Kiev within two or three days.”
I analyzed from his words that the Supreme Command hoped that the Ukrainian First Front Army would liberate Kiev before November 7, as a tribute to the great October Revolution. I tried to recall this period of history. I remember that Kiev seemed to be liberated by Vatutin’s forces in the past two days, but whether the current history will be changed because of my appearance, I have no bottom.
Knowing that our department is east of Korostweiv, the joy brought by the German army that severely hit the breakout has already disappeared at this moment. I began to consider whether there is any way to prevent a large degree of deviation in history. After a short period of thought, I solemnly asked Vatutin: “Comrade General, do you think you can let the Fifth Guards Army follow the retreating enemy into Kiev and have a front and back attack with the friendly forces?”
My proposal obviously moved Vatutin so much that he remained silent for a long time without speaking. But in the end he sighed again and said: “Oh, no. The tank troops are not very useful in the city, but they are prone to unnecessary losses. Let them continue to stay in Korostviv. Ensuring that the enemy cannot pass through the highway in Kiev Zhitomir and flee to Zhitomir smoothly will add to the trouble for our next offensive.”
I heard that Vatutin did not intend to let the Fifth Guards Tank Army enter Kiev to participate in the war. I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. A certain degree of difficulty. So I followed the flow of the boat and said, “Well, Comrade General, if you say so, then I resolutely obey your orders!”
After I put down the phone, Bezikov immediately asked with concern: “Comrade Commander, what did Commander Vatutin say on the phone? When I first answered the phone, I felt that he seemed to be in a bad mood.”
I glared at Bezikov, and said to my heart that since you heard that Vatutin was in a bad mood, why didn’t you remind me? It made me think he called to praise our successful counterattack in Krostwirt. I coughed softly, and tried to control my emotions and said: “Comrade General said that the enemy who was repelled by our army in Korostviv fled back to Kiev and overwhelmed the guards who followed them. First Cavalry Army”
As soon as I said this, Kistyakov who was drinking water was choked, and he coughed violently immediately. Standing next to him, Akhromeyev hurriedly stepped forward and helped him gently pat his back. After Kistyakov stopped coughing, he turned his head and smiled at Akhromeyev, then looked at me and said, “Damn it, how could the cavalry be overwhelmed by the infantry? This is nothing short of a fantasy.”
Since Vatutin was unclear when he mentioned this matter, I could only vaguely say when facing Kistyakov’s questioning: “According to Comrade General, the cavalry battalion that served as the vanguard is wearing After passing through the rubble, I encountered the German army who had fled back. The enemy hid behind the ruined wall and fired at the soldiers on horseback. As a result, the cavalry battalion suffered two casualties in a short period of time.”
“What is the task of Commander Vatutin to our army?” Kistyakov asked next.
“Let us continue to control the roads in Kiev Zhitomir. We must not let the enemy escape to Zhitomir by road.” After I said this, I immediately followed Akhromeyev: “Major, give it to Tawart again. Kirazzi sent a phone call and told him to do everything possible to resolutely cut off the communication between the German forces in Kiev and Zhitomir. For the sake of safety, immediately drew a tank battalion from the Fifth Guards Tank Army to strengthen To Zhytomyr.”
I went on to say to Kistyakov and Bezikov: “Deputy commander and chief of staff, after the liberation of Kiev, I guess the next battle target of our army is Zhitomir, so I plan to send a reconnaissance unit. Do you have any disagreements when conducting reconnaissance on the deployment of German troops in this area?”
The two shook their heads neatly, and then said in unison, “No, I totally agree with you.”
Seeing that the two of them did not object to my proposal, I told Bezikov: “The chief of staff, I will leave you with full responsibility for sending the reconnaissance team to Zhytomyr. We must find out as soon as possible the German army in the daycare. Mir’s strength and defensive deployment, so that we can work out a comprehensive offensive plan based on this information.”
As far as I learned later, while I was arranging the deployment, Vatutin was not idle. In order to take Kiev as soon as possible and to pay tribute to the October Revolution, he took General Rebarko’s Guards Tank to the Third Army. The reserve team and the main force of the 38th Army were all engaged in the battle, requiring them to clear out the German forces in Kiev as quickly as possible.
Under Vatutin’s strict orders, the troops rushing into the city of Kiev launched a fierce attack on the stubborn German forces relying on the fortifications. From the map marked by Akhromeyev based on the battle report received, I can see that our army is eroding the German defense area from the east and north. By the late night of November 5th, except for the southwest direction of Kiev, it was still in the German control area, and the rest had been occupied by our army.
Kistyakov stared at the city defense map that could reflect the latest battle situation in front of him for a long time, then raised his head and asked in amazement: “Comrade Commander, if I remember correctly, you led the 79th Infantry. The army, plus a tank unit of General Rebarko, took Kiev overnight, right?”
“Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander.” I nodded and replied affirmatively: “Although our forces are much smaller than now, there are fewer defenders in the city. They are scattered in various areas within the city, and their strength has changed. They have to be even weaker so that we can defeat them all.”
“Even so, a big city like Kiev can be liberated overnight,” Kistyakov said with a smile: “Such a record is enough to be recorded in the annals of history.”
“In fact, we were able to liberate Kiev overnight, and there was a lot of luck involved.” Hearing Kistyakov’s praise, I did not get overwhelmed, but analyzed to him the reason why we were able to quickly capture Kiev at that time: “Before the offensive, our army made preparations to cross the Dnieper from Kaniv to meet the illusion of the main force of the front army. It also let the enemy relax its vigilance, so that there was a slack in the defense, which gave us a chance to take advantage of it. In this way, Kiev easily won.
In this battle to liberate Kiev, the situation is much more complicated. In order to prevent our army from attacking, the German army not only hoarded heavy troops in Kiev, but also strengthened the original fortifications. This is why our army has continued to attack from the south for half a month, and after making great sacrifices, there is still no progress. ”
After I finished speaking, Kistyakov stared at the map again, and asked thoughtfully: “Comrade Commander, do you think our troops can take Kiev tomorrow?”
“Comrade Deputy Commander, I don’t think there is a problem.” Before I could finish, Kirilov interrupted and said: “Although I am a layman in the military, judging from the enemy and us situation marked on this city defense map, we The troops of Russia will be able to liberate Kiev before noon tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow at noon?” Kistyakov couldn’t help but said in surprise: “Comrade Military Commissioner, although the area occupied by the German army is only a small area in the southwest of the city, our army wants to gnaw this piece. , It’s not so easy.”
I stared at the area still occupied by the Germans, and said slowly: “I think what Comrade Military Commissioner said is reasonable. The enemy’s current control area is only that large. Even if we do not send troops to attack, we will use artillery to cover firepower. , It can also eliminate all the enemies here.” Although I said so, I was worried for the residents in this area. If Vatugin really covered this area with artillery fire, it would be a piece of jade and stone. result.
According to our estimates, the troops fighting in Kiev will have to wait until noon at least to completely liberate the largest city on the Dnieper River. Unexpectedly, as dawn broke, Akhromeev took a telegram and walked in front of us excitedly, and said excitedly: “Good news! Good news! The battle report just sent by the Front Command. Today At five o’clock in the morning the whole city of Kiev was occupied by our army, and the remaining German troops lay down their weapons and surrendered to us. Among the thousands of prisoners, there were officers of the 7th Infantry Corps and the 13th Infantry Corps above regiment level17 people.”
“It’s great, this is great!” Hearing the good news, Bezikov immediately slapped the table, stood up and said excitedly: “We finally liberated Kiev from the Germans.” He After walking back and forth two laps in the house with his back on his back, he stopped and said to me: “Comrade Commander, we should inform the commanders and fighters of the entire army of this good news, so that this great victory can boost the morale of the commanders and fighters.”
“I agree.” Kirilov, who is in charge of political work, first expressed his support: “I will ask the political commissars of the divisions to call and ask them to arrange political workers to tell every soldier the good news.”
“Comrade Military Commissioner, about telling the whole army about our liberation of Kiev,” I saw that Kirilov offered himself to be responsible for this matter, so I smiled and said to him: “I will leave it to you to take full responsibility.”
Then, I said to Kistyakov and Bezikov: “Kiev has been liberated, so the next city we will liberate is Zhytomyr. If I am not mistaken, our army will attack this time. The main force of the battle. You seize the time to formulate a battle plan, and when the higher-level battle order is issued, we can launch an attack on Zhitomir.” To be continued.