Chapter 1341

Less than two minutes later, basmanov appeared at the headquarters. After saluting us, he went to the wall, pointed to the map on the wall with his stick, and began to tell us about the German defense on the west side of fativ.

Basmanov looked at the map and said: "in order to prevent the enemy from being attacked by our new tanks, the enemy built a seven kilometer anti tank trench in the west of the city. The width and depth of the anti tank trench were five meters and three meters. The German army also poured about one meter of water into the trench. It can be said that the trench not only plays the role of anti tank, but also an insurmountable obstacle against infantry. On the side of the anti tank trench near our army, the German army also laid a large number of anti tank mines.

On the inside side of the trench were German fortifications. Their shelters are all made of solid materials, and the top can defend against our 76.2 mm artillery and small aerial bombs. At the same time, the disposition of their firepower forces can block the trenches. "

After hearing basmanov's introduction, Xie Liujin tentatively asked: "Comrade major, if we cover the enemy's positions with dense artillery fire before the attack, can we destroy these fortifications?"

Basmanov shook his head and said politely, "Comrade division commander, for the enemy's solid fire points and civil works, we need the most destructive technical equipment, such as our army's 122mm or 152mm howitzer, to completely destroy them."

After basmanov finished speaking, askarepov turned to look at me and said, "Comrade commander, it seems that when we attack fastif, we need artillery support. Otherwise, infantry and several tanks alone will not be able to break through the enemy's positions."

"Don't worry, general askarepov. I will provide you with the artillery you need. " Staring at the map, I said: "before the friendly forces attack fastif, they will prepare for one or two hours of artillery fire. Although we have limited artillery reserves, we can cover the enemy's positions for half an hour. I think there should be no problem."

Just at this time, I saw the artillery commander of the group army povsky come in, quickly stopped him, pointed to the map and asked: "general povsky, we will launch the attack on fastif in the morning the day after tomorrow, when the attacking forces may need your artillery support, you have no problem?"

After listening, povsky asked: "Comrade commander, I don't know how long our artillery will need to bombard the enemy's defensive positions?"

"Of course, the longer the better." After I said this, I felt a bit forced. Since the traffic line between Kiev and ours was cut off, many supplies were not available. I quickly changed my words and said, "at least half an hour's artillery preparation is needed."

Povsky thought for a moment, then scratched the back of his head and said, "Comrade commander, I think you should be very clear that because the traffic line between us and Kiev has been cut off by the enemy, the supplies from cherkaser alone can not make up for our daily consumption. If we want to guarantee the shelling half an hour before the attack on fativ, the artillery support to the west of the city of Zhitomir in these two days must be temporarily stopped. "

What povsky said is a new problem for me. For example, today, the west of tomir city is attacked by the German army every day. If there is no artillery support, it is a question whether it can hold. It is obviously impossible not to leave enough shells for half an hour to bombard the troops attacking fastif.

Seeing me staring at the map and saying nothing, bizikov came up to me and asked me in a low voice, "Comrade commander, do you have any good idea?"

I can't help but laugh when I hear bzikov's question. This independent colonel is quite different from a few months ago. He has to ask me for advice on everything. He seems to think that I can come up with a good idea.

Before I could speak, chisgakov spoke first. He said to povsky in the tone of discussion: "Comrade artillery commander, do you think it is possible that the artillery support to the west of Zhitomir will continue, but I ask you to at least let a heavy artillery regiment and a close guard rocket battalion not participate in such artillery support, and leave the shells for the use of the artillery when shelling fastif. You see, is that all right? "

Povsky only thought for a moment about chisjakov's proposal, then readily agreed: "well, comrade deputy commander, do as you say. When I get back later, I'll transfer a heavy artillery regiment and a close guard rocket battalion to korostev, ready to provide artillery support for the troops attacking fastif. "

We chatted for a while, and when we saw that all the commanders who had come to the meeting were almost there, bzikov said to them in a loud voice, "comrades commanders, please sit down. We will have a meeting soon."

After everyone was seated, I stood up and looked at the dozen commanders in front of me. I was very excited. This was the first time I met all of them after crossing the Dnieper River. I tried to squeeze a smile on my face, raised my voice and said to you, "Hello, all commanders! I'm very happy to meet you here today. This is the first meeting of commanders at or above the division level held by our group army since it launched the river crossing operation. "

I stopped here, glanced at each commander, and then went on to say, "in more than a month, we liberated cherkaser, kaniv and Zhitomir, and helped the main force of the front army liberate Kiev. All the commanders and fighters of our group army have made great contributions in the battle.

After the liberation of Kiev, the troops of the front army had to stop for a rest because of the heavy consumption of troops, weapons and ammunition. But the enemy did not want to give us time to recover. They gathered more than a dozen divisions and launched a crazy counterattack against Kiev and Zhitomir.

Although they have made some progress in Kiev, they have not achieved their strategic goal. Especially in Zhitomir, the attacks of the five Armored Divisions and infantry divisions were crushed by our brave commanders and fighters. We have been fighting with them for such a long time, and it's time to settle accounts with them. Next, the chief of staff, Colonel bezikov, will introduce to you the great counter offensive to be launched the day after tomorrow. "

Bezikov stood up, went to the wall, picked up the explanation stick, pointed to the map on the wall and said to everyone, "comrades, the forces of the front army are about to turn into the offensive in Kiev, Zhitomir and cherkaser areas, smash the enemy's heavy military groups in the above areas, and complete the task of liberating all the territory of Ukraine on the right bank of the Dnieper River.

According to the Circular of the headquarters, at present, our front forces have assembled the 27th and 40th army groups in the cherkaser area, and their targets of attack are uman and venica; In the direction of Kiev, the 18th, 38th and 60th group armies, the 1st group army of close guard, the 1st group army of close guard tanks and the 3rd group army are assembled. They will carry out major raids in the central area to smash the German heavy army group in the fastif area. After joining our group army, the main force will continue to attack in the direction of berkichev; The 13th group army launched on the right wing of the front army to ensure the implementation of the campaign, and was responsible for raiding koroskin, wolensky new town and other places... "

When biezikov introduced the mission to you, the commanders at the meeting all bowed their heads and quickly recorded something in their notebooks. Only when they heard bezikov mention a specific place name would they look up at the map and confirm where the place name was on the map.

After introducing the situation of the front army, bezikov began to assign the task: "first of all, we should cooperate with the friendly forces to attack the enemy in the fastif area, and strive to annihilate or severely damage them. According to the orders of the higher authorities, the main forces from Kiev will attack from the East and north of fativ, while our group army will attack from the West.

In order to strengthen the offensive force, the commander decided to transfer the 89th division of general Xie Liujin's close guard to korostwev to take part in the attack on fastev. In this way, the forces of fastif that we took part in the attack included the 77th and 89th guard divisions, the cavalry division and the 22nd guard tank brigade. "

"What will happen to our offensive forces?" Chisgakov continued: "according to our reconnaissance, in order to prevent our sudden attack, the enemy built a relatively perfect defensive position on the west side of the city. The seven kilometer long anti tank trench alone became a gap that infantry and tanks could not cross. At the back of the trench, the enemy not only built a large number of shooting shields, but also built solid fortifications to block the trench with firepower... "

I listened carefully to every word that chisjakov said, and realized that if we could not find an effective way to break through the German defense, then our cooperation with friendly forces would only become empty words. Just then, I heard chisgakov raise his voice and say: "Comrade commander, although we and the friendly forces launched an attack on fastif at the same time, the enemy did not have any decent fortifications in the front of the friendly forces' attack, so in the end, the friendly forces may be the first to rush into the city."

Sitting in the commander below, someone suddenly asked in a loud voice, "Comrade deputy commander, can I ask you a question?"

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was the cavalry division commander who was talking. Chisgakov looked at me and asked me if I agreed with the cavalry division commander. I nodded slightly, indicating that chisgakov could ask the other party to ask his own questions.

At my suggestion, chisgakov nodded, then pointed to the cavalry division commander and said, "Sir, if you have any questions, just ask."

The cavalry division commander stood up and asked politely, "Comrade deputy commander, I want to ask why the German forces in fastiev are only building fortifications in our direction? We need to know that our forces are far less than the main forces in Kiev. Even if the German forces want to defend, they should defend the East. How can they build positions in the West that are not important? "

"Comrade division commander, I think that as long as you are a division commander of the sixth group army, you should be able to answer this question." With a smile, chisgakov said these words to the cavalry division commander. Then he turned to bezikov and said, "chief of staff, I think it's up to you to answer this question."

Bezikov stood up again, faced the cavalry division commander, and said, "Comrade division commander, there are only two reasons why the enemy built fortifications to the west of fastif. The first is that some time ago, we held fast to the tank brigade in korostwev and had a contest with the German tank division. Our new tanks broke the German Tiger and leopard tanks. Maybe they were afraid that we would attack them with armor, so they built fortifications to prevent our attack.

The second point, I think, may be the fear of our commander. As you know, she is well-known in the German army. The last time we besieged a group of enemies, they were fighting tenaciously in the corner, but as soon as they heard the name of the commander, they immediately stopped resisting, laid down their arms and surrendered to our army. If I were the German commander and such a powerful opponent was close at hand, I would strengthen my defense. " After answering the question of the cavalry division commander, bzikov raised his voice and asked, "the task has been assigned. Does anyone have any questions?"“ Comrade chief of staff, "tavartkilaze first asked," according to the order, our troops should hold on until the friendly troops arrive. I have a question. After joining forces with friendly forces, should we join forces with them and continue to attack the enemy in depth? "“ General tavartkiraze, your task is to firmly defend Zhitomir. " Bezikov replied briefly and clearly: "as for the actions after the friendly forces join forces, you will be informed by the headquarters." After tavartkilaze asked questions, bere also stood up and said to me with a melancholy expression: "Comrade commander, my tank army is mainly T-34. The 76mm main guns of these tanks can't penetrate the front armor of Tiger tanks and Ferdinand self-propelled guns at all, while the 88mm guns of the enemy can easily destroy our tanks."“ General bielei, you are more experienced than me in dealing with enemy tanks. " I said to berey with a smile: "since the front armor of the enemy's tanks can't be penetrated, we will change our tactics and let the enemy's tanks pass through our battle formation, and let the infantry use 40 rocket launchers, anti tank guns, anti tank grenades and * * to deal with them. Your tanks only need to deal with the infantry following them. "