Burning Moscow

After drawing up the ambush plan, I personally called Vatugin to report.

When Vatutin heard my voice, he first asked with an urn voice: "Comrade Oshaninna, it is already in the early morning of June 22nd. Are your troops ready for battle?"

Although I knew that the Germans would not launch the Battle of Kursk on this day, I still ordered the frontier troops to enter a state of combat readiness. Therefore, hearing Vatutin’s question at this moment, I immediately replied unambiguously: “Report to Comrade Commander of the Front Army that the units of the 6th Guards Army have initiated the combat readiness and watchkeeping procedures.”

Unexpectedly, after listening to Vatutin, he asked wonderingly: "Oshanina, what is the combat readiness on-duty procedure? This is the first time I have heard of this term."

I was also stunned by Vatutin's words. I wondered if there was no combat readiness on-duty system at this time? However, since the immediate boss asked about this, I could only bite the bullet and replied: "Comrades, the so-called combat readiness duty is to prevent sudden enemy attacks and respond to other emergencies. The commanders, command organs, and troops are on duty. system.

The commander is on duty, and the commanders such as the commanders, deputy commanders, and chiefs of staff of the frontier divisions take turns in charge.

Commanding organs are on duty, and officers from command organs at all levels are in turn responsible for handling daily combat readiness and other tasks. For matters that cannot be handled, immediately report to the higher authorities..."

"Okay, Comrade Oshaninna, needless to say." Before I finished speaking, Vatutin interrupted me and praised: "Your method is good. You can consider promoting it in the entire front. This way. As a result, the commanders and fighters can get enough rest to avoid exhaustion due to the long preparation time."

I waited for him to be afraid that he would never finish when he said it, because I waited for him to silence. I immediately said first: "Comrade General, I have an important piece of information that I want to report to you immediately."

Vatutin heard me say this. Quite puzzled and asked: "Why, Comrade Oshanina. Didn't you call at this time to report on the preparations of your group army?"

I really can’t laugh or cry about Vatutin’s speculation. If it’s for war preparations, can I make a call to you in the early morning? If there is anything, I will report it directly during the day. I coughed softly, cleared my throat, and then reported to him: "Comrade General. A scout of the 51st Guards Division was near Tomarovka and captured a German staff officer and removed it from his A document was seized on him."

"What document?" What I said immediately aroused Vatutin's curiosity. He asked: "Did the above mention when the enemy will attack our defense area?"

"Uh, this is not." Vatutin's thinking was really jumping. I just mentioned that a document was seized. He immediately contacted the information that would be related to the German attack on Kursk. I quickly defended. : "This document belongs to a regiment-level unit of the German army, and only has orders for the movement of subordinate units of the regiment."

"It turned out to be this." Listen to me talking about the document and the German attack on Kursk. It didn't matter, Vatukin suddenly lost interest, and he lazily asked, "Comrade Oshanina. Are you calling me so late for this trivial document?"

From his tone, I heard impatience and even a little bit of dissatisfaction. I quickly argued: "Comrade General, please listen to my explanation. The German army will set off from Tomarovka in the early morning of the 24th, bypassing Ya Kovlev, went deep into the rear of our army."

"What, what are you talking about. The Germans are trying to send troops to the rear of our army?" My words startled Vatutin, and his lazy voice immediately became tense: "What the **** is going on. Say." Come and listen!"

Seeing my own words successfully attracted Vatutin's attention, I quickly put the ambush plan we prepared. Reported to him in detail. After the report, I held the microphone and stood there quietly, waiting for him to make a statement.

Vatutin was silent for a long time before he began to say: "Comrade Oshanina, do you think this will work. According to the analysis of the Supreme Command, it is possible that the German army will tell me today, in the early morning of June 22, 1943. The army’s defensive positions launched a surprise attack. Our main energy at present should still be on how to defend against German attacks."

Vatutin's remarks are tantamount to indirectly negating our plan. Under this situation, I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious, so I hurriedly said to him: "Comrade General, according to our current reconnaissance situation, the German army has not yet shown signs of mass gathering in front of our army, so I think they are launching today. Offense is completely impossible."

Hearing what I said, Vatutin sneered twice and asked in a mocking tone: "Comrade Oshanina, are you Marshal von Kruger or Marshal Manstein, saying that if you do not attack today, the Germans will not Offensive?"

Hearing Vatutin’s questioning, the corners of my mouth twitched violently. For a moment, I really wanted to tell him desperately that the date of the German attack on Kursk was not June 22. It was July 5th, and our current level 1 combat readiness in the entire defensive zone is meaningless.

But in the end I managed to control my emotions. When speaking to Vatutin, I tried to stabilize my tone: "Comrade General, I cannot provide you with evidence that the Germans will not attack for the time being. But I know. If we do not take the initiative to take measures against this German army, they will sneak into our rear and pose a threat to our entire defense line."

"No, Comrade Oshaninna, this is absolutely impossible." In response to my request, Vatutin said stubbornly: "According to the plan you just reported, you must use at least one artillery regiment to destroy this enemy. Two tank companies, and two battalions of infantry. Have you ever thought that so many troops have left their original defensive zone to ambush this German squad, which is not yet known if it will appear. Once the Germans really attack you If the defense area of ​​the group army launches an offensive, then individual positions will have weak forces. I can hardly imagine how they can withstand the ferocious attack of the German army when their strength and weapons are not superior."

"Comrade General, please listen to me..."

"Don't say anything, I don't want to listen," Vatutin bored with my entanglement. He said angrily: "No soldiers or soldiers on the ground are allowed to move without my permission. Do you understand?"

Vatutin was angry, and I was also angry. Finally found a fighter, I didn't expect that he would not allow us to fight. I would not just watch the enemy pass by our position without taking the slightest countermeasure. Hearing Vatutin’s last words, I couldn’t help feeling desperate. When I was considering whether to agree to him, I heard a familiar voice faintly from the receiver: "I said, Comrade Commander, you are here. Who are you angry at?"

"Oh, it's Comrade Khrushchev, you and the deputy commander are back from Moscow?" Vatutin did not hang up the phone or cover the microphone. So I can hear what he said clearly.

Khrushchev’s distinctive laugh came from the earpiece: "Comrade Vatutin, who are you mad at?"

"Who else can it be?" Vatutin replied, "Oshanina, commander of the 6th Guards Army. She knew I had ordered the troops of the Front Army to prepare for all battles to deal with a possible German offensive. She's better, not holding her position well, but sending troops to ambush a small German army trying to bypass Yakovlev..."

"Comrade Commander, you can't say that." When Khrushchev heard Vatutin say this, he unexpectedly said something nice to me: "Comrade Oshanina and I were in the defense of Stalingrad. I know, although I haven't had much contact with her, I know she is an excellent commander with a strategic vision. It may be because of this. That's why her superiors appointed her as the commander of the group army alone."

Hearing Khrushchev's good words for me, Vatutin couldn't help but hesitated. He tentatively asked, "Comrade Military Commissioner. What do you mean?"

"Let me ask her." After I heard a rush of footsteps, Khrushchev's voice became louder: "Hey, is it Lida?"

Because he just said kind words for me in front of Vatutin, my favorability for him soared by two hundred percentage points, because in answering him, I acted respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Military Commissioner."

"I've heard everything from Comrade Commander," Khrushchev didn't go around the circle, but asked straightforwardly: "I want to hear if you have the best of both worlds. You can stand firm and send troops to ambush this German army. Small troops?"

After hearing Khrushchev’s question, I thought for a moment. Then he replied: "Comrade Military Commissioner, the reason why Commander Vatutin disagrees with the ambush plan proposed by me is that we are worried that individual defensive areas of our group army will become weak due to the withdrawal of participating troops."

"Yes, that's why." Khrushchev asked calmly, "Do you have any good solutions?"

"Comrade Military Commissioner, I think this way." In order to achieve the purpose of persuading Vatutin, I truthfully explained my considerations to Khrushchev, who has a good impression of me: "According to the analysis of the Supreme Command, the German Army It is possible to launch an offensive against our defensive zone today. Based on the analysis of the recent reconnaissance situation, I think it is impossible for the German army to launch an offensive today, because there is no sign of German troops mobilizing on the front of our broad defense. Therefore, I consider that the troops involved in the ambush will not move for the time being, and until this afternoon, if there is no movement from the German troops, I will arrange the relevant troops to prepare for ambush.

After listening to my plan, Khrushchev smiled and said: "Comrade Oshanina, I know you have a lot of tricks, and you will definitely be able to come up with a good way to get the best of both worlds. Wait a minute, Commander and I Comrades, talk to see if he agrees with your plan. Comrade Vatutin." His last sentence was addressed to Vatutin who was standing next to him.

"Okay, Comrade Military Commissioner." Vatutin may have heard the conversation between Khrushchev and I, and said tolerantly: "Since General Oshanina has a comprehensive solution, then do as she said. If If the Germans do not attack, her troops can enter the ambush site to dig fortifications after three o’clock in the afternoon. But,” he said, he suddenly increased his tone, “If the Germans attack, she must give me a firm position. Hold it, no step back is allowed."

After Vatutin finished speaking, Khrushchev picked up the microphone and smiled and said to me: "Oshanina, Comrade Commander, I think you may have heard everything, just follow what he said!"

I put down the phone and found that several commanders sitting at the table, whether it’s Danilov or Bezikov, or Povsky and Tavart Kiradze, looked at me nervously, seemingly still Worrying for me.

I smiled at them and explained to them: "At the beginning, Comrade Commander worried that if too many troops were deployed to join the neighborhood, the defense force of individual areas would become weak, so I did not hesitate to deny it. Has fulfilled our request." Seeing the disappointed expressions of the people, I went on to say: "But fortunately, Comrade Khrushchev, the military commissioner, said a few good things for me, and Commander Vatutin agreed to our defense Plan. But his only condition is that only if the German army does not attack us before three o'clock today, can they send troops into the ambush area and build fortifications."

Everyone heard me say this ~www.NovelMTL.com~ The expression on my face became more relaxed, and I hurriedly struck the iron and gave an order: "After three o'clock tomorrow, General Tavart Kiradze will send a battalion of troops. Go to the ambush hillside to build the necessary fortifications. Remember to camouflage, and go to avoid being spotted by the enemy's reconnaissance plane."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Tawart Kiradze assured me: "The air defense alarm method used by our division today was created by you at the beginning. I will release a guard sentry in the direction of the enemy plane. Once an enemy plane is discovered, warning shots will be fired to hide the commanders and fighters who are building the fortification."

I can only smile secretly about Tavart Kiradze’s statement. If the German reconnaissance planes really fly over, even if all the soldiers are hidden, the trenches they dug will still be discovered by the enemy. , So our ambush plan faces the possibility of bankruptcy. However, it is up to people to make things happen. Whether we can succeed or not, we can only resign ourselves to fate.

Then I exchanged views with Povsky and Bere about the heavy artillery and tank soldiers. After reaching a consensus, I waved my hand to announce the end of the meeting and let them return to their respective troops. (To be continued.)

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