Burning Moscow

"Why did the Germans react so quickly this time? We occupied Alexandria less than a day before the enemy actually came in from all directions." Kirilov was a little nervous after listening to Vitkov's account. Asked: "Did our battle plan also be intercepted by the Germans?"

"Our battle plan was not delivered through the radio, but I personally communicated it to the two commanders in person. Only a few of us knew about it. How did the Germans know?" After thinking for a moment, I thought of a possibility and straightened it out. Said it out: "I think the German troops who are rushing towards Alexandria should have been transferred by Manstein from other places to reinforce the front line. It happened that we had seized the city, and the German command command ordered these troops to stop advancing. , Change the direction to eliminate us first, so as to completely relieve their worries."

"Comrade commander, what should we do next?" After we finished speaking, Vitkov asked with a serious expression: "Although we don't have extra troops now, I think we should help them. Watching the 308th Division be wiped out by the Germans."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, let the 308th Division's affairs go ahead." I didn't immediately say whether to reinforce the 308th Division's affairs. Instead, I asked, "What's the situation on the 22nd Guards Division? I found that there were enemies. Are there any traces?"

After listening to my question, Vitkov reported to me truthfully, despite his doubts on his face: "There is currently no report from General Bantai Lev. However, I think there should be nothing with him. Question?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, look farther." Regarding Vitkov's lightheartedness, I couldn't help frowning, and then said to him harshly: "Although a large number of German troops appeared near the defense zone of the 308th Division, But for Kirovgrad, where the 22nd Guards Division is located, we cannot take it lightly either. Come and see."

I called Vitkov and Kirilov to the table, picked up a red and blue pencil, pointed to the two of them and said, "Look. The 22nd Division of the Guards, which occupied Kirovgrad, can Effectively cover the rear side of the 308th Division. General Romanov will not be attacked on all sides. When the situation in Alexandria is dangerous, troops can be sent for reinforcement. However, their situation is not optimistic. The German troops in Uman, Pivomysk, and Nikolaev can advance along the road quickly and rush to the city of Kirovgrad within a few hours, so we have to order Bantai Leje General Huofu organized the citizens and workers as soon as possible, together with our army, to build fortifications in the west, southwest, and south of the city to prevent German raids."

"Is the situation really this serious?" After listening to my analysis, Kirilov asked dubiously: "Why didn't the Germans take back Kavbas first, but went to fight Kirovgrad and Ya Where is Alexandria?"

"It's very simple." I explained to Kirilov's doubts: "As long as the 308th Division and the 22nd Guards Division are eaten by the Germans, our troops staying in Kavbas will fall into German forces. Surrounded all by themselves, as long as we become the meat on their plate, when they want to eat it, they have the final say."

"Then what shall we do next?" Kirilov listened to me. "You know that we don't have any extra troops at all. Do we just watch our troops be destroyed by the enemy?"

This question raised by Kirilov silenced me. I fixed my eyes on the map in front of me, thinking hard about the direction of the troops' next move. If we do not move, the troops scattered in the three cities will soon be destroyed by the Germans. Cross the river back to Zaporos? This is the most unrealistic. There is only one German 336th Infantry Division that has been maimed by us, but as soon as we attack, the "skeleton division" and "imperial division" will be like sharks that smell of blood. Throwing over like that, it will not be far away from the annihilation of our entire army at that time. The only feasible way is to abandon Kafubas. Let the troops bring most of the seized materials to be transferred, relying on the two cities of Kirovgrad and Alexandria to resist. Seeking an opportunity to cross the Dnieper River, go north to join the main force of our army.

Thought of this. I stood up straight and told Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you first contact General Bantai Leyev and tell him that no matter whether there are signs of German troops around them, he must hurry up and repair the fortifications. "

"Then what should we do?" After listening to my order, Vitkov stood still and continued to ask: "Are you really going to help the 308th Division?"

"Colonel, the help may be necessary, but the first thing you need to do now is to report to General Bantai Leyev, so that he can quickly build fortifications in Kirovgrad and prepare to fight a city defense war. "When I saw Vitkov's puzzled expression, I also specially added: "When you finish sending the telegram, I will give you a detailed explanation of my deployment."

Vitkov readily agreed and ran to the radio to arrange for the operator to send the report. As soon as he left, Kirilov couldn't wait to urge me: "Dear Lida, tell me what you think."

When I heard Kirillov’s name for me changed unintentionally, I was stunned for a moment, but I quickly recovered and explained to him: "Comrade Political Commissar, this is how I think about it. Our troops Withdraw from Kavbas tonight and turn north. The 171st Division will head towards Alexandria and will be under the command of General Romanov. We will head to Kirovgrad with the troops directly under the army. As for the city As for the materials inside, you can take as much as you can. If you really can’t, you will burn them all in a fire, and you can never leave them intact to the Germans.”

After explaining the contents of the report to the operator, Vitkov returned to the table. He just heard a few words after me, and quickly added: "Comrade Commander is right. We must never let these materials be re-distributed. In the hands of the enemy, in order to improve the efficiency of transportation, I suggest mobilizing the residents of the city to participate."

"I agree with the Chief of Staff's opinion." Kirilov echoed Witkov's opinion in a timely manner. "We won't get any supplements for a long time, so we must try to transport as much as possible. Supplies."

"By the way, Comrade Commander." Vitkov suddenly thought of something, and quickly asked me: "We found more than 5,000 sets of German winter uniforms in the warehouse. What should we do? Burn them all? "

I don't know what Vitkov meant when he asked this, so instead of immediately expressing his position, I asked instead: "Chief of Staff, how do you think about this batch of German military uniforms?"

Hearing my question, Vitkov’s face was embarrassed: "Comrade Commander, I think so. Although it is almost entering March, the weather is still very cold. Instead of burning this batch of military uniforms for nothing. , It would be better to distribute it to the residents of the city so that they can also have a few more warm clothes."

I was surprised that Vitkov gave me such an idea. I thought for a while, and then I rejected his suggestion: "No, Comrade Chief of Staff, this won't work. Even if we distribute military uniforms to the residents of the city, when the Germans return, these uniforms will surely be confiscated by the Germans again. If you feel a little uneasy about letting the residents help us work, you can give them more food. For them, they eat more than German military uniforms. As for this batch of military uniforms, I also think it's a pity to burn them. , Let's just load it together and transport it to Kirovgrad."

"But, Comrade Commander, there are more than 5,000 sets of military uniforms in the warehouse." Vitkov was stunned by my whimsy. After a moment of silence, he persuaded me: "If you load a car, at least Occupy more than 30 trucks, so no other supplies can be transported..."

"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff." Before he was finished, I interrupted him and said to myself: "Let the drivers work hard and run twice overnight. Anyway, this batch The uniform must first be transferred to Kirovgrad." After these few words, I told Vitkov, "The chief of staff, immediately call Colonel Andryuschenko and ask him to come to me immediately. I want to Assign tasks to him personally."

Without much effort, Andreuschenko appeared in my headquarters. Looking at the colonel standing upright in front of us, I gave a soft cough, and then said to him: "Comrade colonel, after dark, we will abandon Kafbas and move north."

When I said this, I watched Andryuschenko specifically, and wanted to see how he would react after hearing the news. Unexpectedly, after listening to my words, ~www.wuxiaspot.com~, his face still has Gu Bo's calm expression, so he went on to say: "The military and military units will be transferred to Kirovgrad. , And you, will lead the 171st Division to Alexandria to strengthen the defense of the area. Is there any problem?"

"No." Andryuschenko replied loudly: "Please rest assured, Comrade Commander, my troops and I promise to complete the tasks you entrusted to us."

Kirilov stepped forward, raised his hand and patted his shoulder gently, and said in a friendly manner: "Comrade Colonel, since our troops will not receive any supplements for a long time to come, so your Before the troops set off, they must go to the warehouse to collect enough guns, ammunition, food, and medicine, and bring as many as they can."

"Understood." Andryuschenko still replied very briefly.

"Okay, it's getting late, you go back to the army to prepare first." I raised my hand at him, indicating that he can go, "I will send someone to say hello to the commander guarding the warehouse and let them Provide you with the materials you need." (to be continued)

ps: I would like to thank the book friends, the shadow of the elves, the magic ※Apocalypse, and disdain the Shura children's shoes for their two votes! Thanks for the valuable votes cast by book friends playing the frog's dog and allanlam children's shoes! Thank you book friend hypp1014 for your reward!