Although I repeatedly ordered Xie Liujin to put the red flag on the commanding height of the city, for me who had never been to Belgorod, I didn't know where the commanding height was, but I habitually gave him such an order.
Putting down the phone, I thought for a moment, and then dialed the "commander" of the guards. Perhaps when I heard that I could get a medal and a military rank promotion, askarepov, who had been hesitant, suddenly made up his mind. He said aloud, "please rest assured that I will immediately organize the troops to fight in groups as a unit." At this point, he stopped for a moment, then asked cautiously, "do you want me to send troops to the south of the city to completely cut off the retreat of the German army?"
"That's not necessary, comrade colonel." In my heart, I understand the reason of encircling the three towers. If the German army finds that their rear path is cut off, they will fight desperately, which will cause more casualties to us. Therefore, I have no hesitation in rejecting the proposal of Colonel askarepov“ As long as the German army found that their back path had not been cut off by us, they would take the initiative to retreat when they felt that they could not resist our attack; If it is found that the retreat is cut off, then their soldiers will fight to the end, causing unnecessary casualties to our army. "
In the next few hours, the war reports of the three divisions were continuously sent to my temporary headquarters by telephone or telegram. I flipped the stack of telegrams on the table, satisfied with their performance in the street fight.
Xie Liujin's 89th division of guards rushed to the front. When he met the enemy's fortifications, he either directly destroyed them with artillery fire or sent soldiers to blow them up and made a deep charge towards the German army.
On the other hand, the 90th division of Jinwei fought steadily. After taking over the streets occupied by the sheriujin division, it immediately established defenses to prevent possible German counterattack. At the same time, it also sent small troops to carry out the buildings on both sides of the street to eliminate the remaining enemies.
Although the 77th division was the latest to enter the city, it achieved great success. If they occupy one place, they consolidate it. It not only beat back several frenzied counterattacks of the German army, but also took the opportunity to launch a counter charge and seize many German positions at one stroke.
Bizikov, who had just arrived, looked at the telegram on the desk and asked me with a smile, "Comrade commander, do you think we can occupy Belgorod today?"
I looked up at him and said, "if only the three divisions of our group army are fighting, I can tell you responsibly that it can't be." Seeing his surprised expression, I added: "of course, there are two friendly divisions in the city, which are also engaged in fierce street fighting with the German army. With their support, the German army could not drive our troops out of the city at all. As long as they can hold on until the seventh group army of the guards rushes into the city, it is only a matter of time before the German army is expelled from the city. "
Perhaps it was to confirm whether what I said was correct. As soon as my voice dropped, akhromeyev, who was answering the phone, excitedly reported to me: "Comrade commander, Colonel Chernoff has called to say that the flag of the 272th regiment of the guards has been put on the top of the Belgorod radio building, the commanding height of the city."
"That's great. That's great." When Danilov heard the news, he was overjoyed and couldn't help saying, "major, please tell Colonel Chernoff that you will immediately report to me the name list of the flag bearers and the people who participated in the flag planting operation. I will ask for credit for them and I will honor them..."
I raised my hand, looked at my watch, and then said, "it's 11:30 noon. Our flag is on the top of the radio building in Belgorod. Comrades, this is an important moment worth remembering, and it is also an important event that will forever be recorded in the history of the sixth group army. " After that, I turned around and said to bzikov, "connect me with the headquarters of the front army, and I will report this good news to Marshal Zhukov and commander watujing immediately."
I had just reported to vatukin that our army flag had been placed on the top floor of the radio building in Belgorod when Zhukov snatched the phone. I heard his voice tremble a little with excitement: "is it true, Rita? Has our red flag been flying over Belgorod
"Yes, comrade marshal." I don't understand why Zhukov, who has experienced many battles, behaved so abnormally when he heard that the red flag had been planted on the top of the radio building in Belgorod, but he still truthfully replied, "it's the 272nd regiment of the 90th division of the guard of Colonel Chernoff."
"It's not the colonel, it's the major general. Major general Chernoff. " Hearing my affirmative answer, Zhukov suddenly said to me in a loud voice, "please tell Chernoff and his commanders and fighters the good news of his promotion."
I can only nod my head and say, "I see, marshal. I'll pass on the good news to him. "
"Rita, the central front of general rokosovsky, has liberated Oreal." After revealing this important good news to me, he continued: "if you can liberate Belgorod today, it will be very commemorative. Do you see what I mean? "
"I see, comrade marshal." When Zhukov said this, I immediately understood why he was so excited. If he could recover two big cities in one day, Stalin would be happy. Now that I knew the reason, I immediately said to him, "please rest assured that our troops will continue to fight bravely and strive to drive all the Germans out of the city before dark."
"If only you could understand." Zhukov was very satisfied with my reply, "I hope your performance will not disappoint me and Comrade vatukin." After I put down the phone, maybe the expression on my face was too serious, which attracted everyone's attention. Danilov asked me curiously, "Comrade commander, what's the matter? Why do you look so serious after talking to marshal? "“ It is necessary to occupy Belgorod today. " I didn't answer Danilov's words, but it just came out of my head. Several people looked at each other and saw the confusion in each other's eyes. Then kirilov curiously asked me, "Rita, what's the matter? Why do you have to occupy Belgorod today? You always have to explain the reason to us, otherwise everyone will be confused."“ Marshal Zhukov told me, "I took a deep breath and said as gently as I could," general rokosovsky's central front army has liberated Orel. If we can liberate Belgorod on the same day, what great historical significance will it have? Even if I don't say it, you will understand it in your heart A few people listened to my words, all coincidentally nodded. After a while, Danilov said with some embarrassment: "unfortunately, it's not only our group army but also the 69th group army that are engaged in street fighting in the city. We can't command them at all!" Seeing that Danilov misunderstood my intention, I quickly explained: "Comrade deputy commander, you have made a mistake. I don't want the command of these troops, but I want to help more fierce fighting troops outside the city rush into the city. As long as our forces are superior in the city, we will drive the German out of the city. Do you see what I mean? "