Burning Moscow

The battle continued. Not only was the tank brigade and the 308th division advancing smoothly, even the direction of the Pantai Leyev division was also weak. By seven o'clock, the 22nd Guards Division had succeeded. The land occupied several churches, and even controlled two bridges leading to the left bank of the Dnieper, completely cutting off the German army on both sides of the Dnieper.

The 171st Division, which detoured to the north of the enemy, also sent a telegram saying that they had successfully circumvented to the north of Kiev. In addition to leaving a regiment to monitor the enemy in Kiev, the main force was launching a fierce attack on Voshonod. As long as the city was successfully captured, the passage for the German troops to escape north was completely cut off.

Everyone was overjoyed when the good news came one after another. Kirilov even suggested to me: "Lida, judging from the current situation, the various ministries are progressing smoothly. It is estimated that there should be no problem in taking Kiev in the daytime tomorrow. Do you think it should be sent to Marshal Zhukov? A telegram, tell him the good news."

Although he suggested that I report to Zhukov a few hours ago, I had no idea whether the troops could launch an offensive on time, so I did not agree to his suggestion. Seeing that the troops are progressing smoothly at this moment, and the unprepared German troops are unprepared under our fierce offensive, I believe that in another ten hours or so, the troops will be able to completely occupy Kiev. Now that the situation is clear, the telegram should indeed be sent to Zhukov, so that he can also feel at ease.

Thinking of this, I nodded and said to Vitkov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, send a telegram to Marshal Zhukov, and give him a detailed report on the fact that our army has successfully penetrated into Kiev. At the same time, I will also report to him. He explained that in order to achieve the purpose of surprise attacks, all the commanders and fighters participating in the battle were wearing German uniforms, so that after the battle started, the enemy who could not understand their heads could be completely chaotic, so that they could not organize a decent resistance."

After Vitkov listened to my instructions. Did not immediately arrange for the telegraph operator to send the report, and then asked: "Where is General Rebarko, do I need to send him a telegram too?"

"Yes, as soon as the message to the marshal has been sent, I will report it to General Rebarko." Vitkov's reminder was timely and reminded me of everything except the 79th Infantry Corps attacking Kiev. On the left bank of the Dnieper River, there is also a force under my command, which is launching a fierce attack on Brovari, which is heavily assembled by the enemy. Announcing to them the news of our army's invasion of Kiev can also play a role in boosting morale. "Tell the general that our army has successfully invaded Kiev. We are in a fierce battle with the defenders in the city. Let them speed up the attack and come and join us as soon as possible."

After Vitkov sent a telegram back, I suddenly remembered an important question, and cautiously asked: "The Chief of Staff, in the report back from the frontline, did you mention the situation of the residents in the city?"

Vitkov didn't know the purpose of my question, and shook his head blankly, and then truthfully replied: "No. The telegram sent back from the front line did not mention the residents of the city."

Kirilov waited for Vitkov to finish, and asked me curiously: "Lida. Why do you think of asking about this? Are you worried that the German army in Kiev will treat the residents like the enemies of Cherkasy? Push it out to block bullets?"

Regarding Kirilov’s guess, I waved my hand, and then said what I thought in my heart: “We are here to liberate Kiev, even if we fight hard against the Germans, we cannot ignore the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Although our progress is very smooth, the damage to the city is very small. But there are definitely some residents in some areas that will be impressed. Comrade Chief of Staff, power generation for the front. Anyone who finds those residents who have escaped from their homes must be evacuated in time. And hide them to a safe place to minimize the casualties of residents."

After listening to these words, Kirilov pondered for a moment and said: "Comrade Lida is very considerate. The people of Kiev have lived under the iron hooves of the fascist invaders for almost two years and have been looking forward to our troops. Come back to liberate them. If we cause heavy civilian casualties during our offensive, it will cause inconvenience to our management after the liberation of Kiev. General Romanov, you immediately send a report to the commander in front of Lida’s Pass your opinions to them."

"Okay, I'm going now." Romanov agreed and walked to the operator.

Pugachev, who walked in from the outside, brought us a new telegram. General Rebarko said in the telegram that, after a fierce battle, the troops rushed into Blauvari and occupied two-thirds of the city. At present, the main force is launching an attack on the area occupied by the remnants of the German army. At the same time, a special company has been specially deployed to clean up the scattered German forces in the occupied area.

After reading this telegram, Vitkov said optimistically: "Comrade Commander, in accordance with General Rebarko’s style of play, I think his troops will be able to reach the eastern suburbs of Kiev by dawn at the latest. , The 22nd Guards Division can rush across the river, fought with them, and wiped out the German remnants in the east of the city."

I was afraid that he was too overwhelmed, and I quickly reminded him: "Chief of Staff, don't be so happy. Unexpected things may happen at any time before the end of the battle. Therefore, as commanders, it is very necessary for us to always remain calm. ."

While talking, Romanov walked back from the telephone, put a telegram on the table, and said: "Comrade Commander, our offense has encountered some trouble."

When I saw Vitkov reached out and picked up the telegram, I looked up and asked Romanov: "Comrade General, tell me, what happened to the front line?"

"That's it, Comrade Commander." Romanov narrowed his mouth and said with a serious expression: "Although the German army was beaten to a head after being attacked by us, the battle has been going on for such a long time. It's a bit of recollection. They arranged firepower points in the buildings on both sides of the street, and strafed our infantry who were charging behind the tanks and armored vehicles, causing certain casualties to our troops.

The situation was even worse. About a multi-battalion German army retreated along Grushevsky Avenue to October Revolution Square, and then retreated into the Mariinsky Palace on the north side of the square. With artillery and machine gun fire, we blocked the way forward for our army. After the loss of seven or eight tanks and armored vehicles, the 1st Tank Battalion of Major Perskin was suppressed by German fire in Mariinsky Park on the south side of the square. "

Hearing this, Vitkov said thoughtfully: "The Mariinsky Palace is a stone building that can withstand the direct shooting of tank guns. It seems that we want to take this building. We must pay a huge amount. sacrifice."

I thought for a while and felt that Vitkov made sense. We already lacked heavy artillery to siege the city. If the German army hid in the Mariinsky Palace and stubbornly resisted, we would not be able to fill the shortest with human lives. Capture the building within time. The only way. It is to destroy the building so that none of the enemies hiding in it can survive. So I opened the mouth and said to Romanov: "Comrade General, please report to Major Perskin and ask him to transfer the rockets from the camp to the park. In addition, the artillery units of Lieutenant Colonel Cavillin, Concentrate the fire on the Mariinsky Palace."

After my order was given, Romanov's expression was still very calm, but Vitkov was shocked. He said distressedly: "Comrade Commander, if the rocket launcher is used, it is estimated that this building with a long history will The ashes are wiped out. I suggest that we should organize troops and take the cover of tank fire. Attack the Mariinsky Palace. As long as our troops can successfully rush in, they may compete with the enemy house by house and use our strength to destroy them. It's just a matter of time."

I opened my eyes and said dissatisfiedly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is the Mariinsky Palace important, or the lives of our officers and soldiers? Destroying the building can eliminate the fascist invaders inside. After the war is over. We can Build better and more beautiful buildings there. If our soldiers die, they will never survive."

Listen to me. Vitkov also fell silent. Seeing that the air in the room would freeze due to the incident again, Kirilov came out in time to complete the game: "Lida is right. No matter how beautiful and beautiful the building is, can it be as precious as the lives of our officers and soldiers? Romano General Husband, don’t froze there anymore, hurry up and report to the commanders on the front line in Kiev."

Seeing Romanov turned and walked towards the radio without saying a word, I got up from my seat and said to Kirilov and Vitkov: "Political commissar and chief of staff, you two will stay in Romanov for the time being. General Nov’s command post..."

Before I finished speaking, Kirilov asked vigilantly: "Lida, what do you mean by this? Do you want to go to the front line to see it yourself?"

Regarding Kirilov’s guess, I nodded and said affirmatively: "Whether we can win Kiev depends on the progress of the battle tonight. If you don’t see the enemy of Mariinsky Palace destroyed, my My heart is not at ease, so I must go to the city to see it."

"You can't go alone." Kirilov waited for me to finish, and said without a word: "We are partners, but wherever you are, I will follow you."

I know that Kirilov’s personality is superficially easy-going, but once he decides, he won’t be able to pull back the nine cows, so I readily agreed: "Well, comrade political comrade, you will go with me. Kiev. And you, Comrade Chief of Staff, stay here to coordinate and command the various troops to fight."

Vitkov saw that Kirilov and I left him again. Although he was dissatisfied, he could only helplessly agree: "Yes, I resolutely obey your orders."

When Kirilov and I got in the jeep, I asked the driver, "Comrade driver, we are going to Kiev. How long will you be able to arrive?"

The driver looked out the window, and then replied: "Comrade Commander, the heavy snow outside has stopped. It is estimated that within 40 minutes, you will be able to reach the outside of Kiev."

"Very good, then drive."

After the jeep started, Kirilov asked, "Lida, what are your plans after the capture of Kiev?"

Kirilov’s question really stopped me from asking. What I have been thinking about during this period is how to command the troops to seize Kiev and turn it into a bridgehead for our army's offensive. I really haven't considered the extra things.

After a long time, I replied to him with a special official answer: "What else is there? Since we have captured Kiev, then we must find ways to defend the city and prevent it from falling into the enemy's clutches again."

After listening to my answer, Kirilov asked noncommitantly: "Then do you think if we seize Kiev, under the enemy's frenzied counterattack, will our troops be able to defend Kiev?"

This newly raised question really left me speechless. You must know that at the beginning of the war, the Soviet army's southwest front army of more than 700,000 people did not defend Kiev. If I want to use the existing tens of thousands of troops to block the onslaught of the German army, it seems a bit like a dream.

Fortunately, Kirilov saw my embarrassment, so he didn't continue to ask, but sighed softly and turned his gaze out of the window.

This journey on pins and needles did not come to an end until we entered the urban area of ​​Kiev. Kirilov looked at the intact buildings on both sides of the street, and walked by from time to time with our commanders wearing German uniforms with a white towel tied to his left arm. He couldn't help but say in surprise: "Lida, it looks like the battle tonight The progress is not too cruel, look at the buildings on both sides, even the glass on the windows is intact."

With that said, the jeep we rode in, guided by the soldiers in the city ~www.wuxiaspot.com~, came to Mariinsky Park. Here, I met Colonel Andryuschenko, commander of the 308th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Cavillin, commander of the artillery regiment, and Major Perskin, commander of the tank battalion. After all three of us stood in front of us, the first thing I asked was: "How is it, has the Mariinsky Palace been taken?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Andryushchenko answered me on behalf of the three of them: "After fierce shelling, the walls of the Mariinsky Palace were battered and crumbling by our artillery. Our infantry rushed along with tanks and armored vehicles, and killed the enemies who were still fighting in the ruins.

The defenders in the Verkhovna Rada building next to them were perhaps frightened by our thunderous means. Before we attacked them, they hung white flags on the windows and surrendered to us. I just sent a battalion of troops into the building to accept the German surrender and collect their weapons. To be continued)

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