After eliminating the enemies who had touched the villages in the south of the city, the Germans were silent for a few days and did not send anyone to attack or harass them. Instead, they concentrated their troops and launched a rapid attack on the Sixth Army of the Soviet Army and Popov.
The Sixth Army and Popov, which had long been at the end of their power, could not withstand such attacks from the German army? The towns, settlements and some villages they occupied were all lost one after another under the attack of the German army.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Popov personally called Vatujing and reported to him: "Comrade Vatujing, the situation is not good. There are more and more German troops around us, and the offensive is getting stronger and stronger. I feel that we are trapped by the Germans."
"Nonsense, how is this possible?" Even though the situation on the battlefield was already in a critical moment, Vatuting still refused to believe Popov's judgment, thinking that this was just a return to the German army, to cover their main force to retreat across the Dnieper River, so he scolded Popov: "General Popov, have you been scared by the German counterattack and become so panicked? If you really feel that you are not competent for your current position, I can find someone to replace you."
Popov dared not refute, so he could only make a few perfunctory words and hung up the phone.
The chief of staff, standing aside, heard the conversation between Popov and Vatujin, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, what should we do next?"
"Order all troops to stop their offensive operations against the German army and turn to defense on the spot." Popov knew that Vatujing was now stubborn and could not listen to whatever he said. If he continued to follow his orders, his troops would be in danger of being destroyed at any time. Therefore, he decided to take a risk with his head: "If the superiors want to hold him accountable, I will bear it alone."
The Chief of Staff, who originally wanted to persuade him, changed his mind when he heard Popov speak so firmly, nodded vigorously, and replied: "I understand, Comrade Commander, I will convey your order immediately."
When Popov's rapid cluster turned into defense, Golikov, the commander of the Voronezh Front Army far away in Kharkov, also noticed that something was wrong. He called Vatutin himself and said worriedly: "Comrade Vatutin, I find that something seems wrong with you, and the enemy's counterattack against you is getting stronger and stronger. If you continue like this, you will be in danger of being eaten by the German army in a week."
"Comrade Golikov, please don't tell such jokes, it's not funny at all." Although Rokosovsky and Popov both called Vatutin to be alert and not fall into the trap of the Germans, Vatutin must not be heartless. He even felt that the other party said this, and he had the intention to compete for me with him. He was a little impatient when he heard Golikov say this: "The enemy is far weaker than our army in terms of military strength and equipment. They launched a counterattack in some areas to protect their main force from retreating across the Dnieper River. The final victory must belong to us."
"Comrade Vatujing, I ask you to be more awake." Seeing that Vatujing had been blinded by a series of victories, Golikov persuaded with great painstaking advice: "You have indeed made good progress in the early stage, but the situation has changed now. As you occupy more areas, the more troops you are left for defense, which greatly weakens the offensive power of the troops. Also, your vanguard has been away from the logistics base for thousands of kilometers. Once they do not get enough supplies, they will face Paulus's situation for more than twenty days."
"Comrade Golikov," Vatuting said extremely stubbornly: "I want to remind you one thing, I am the commander of the Southwest Front, not you. Therefore, it is up to me to decide how the Southwest Front fights. Now the German army has long been defeated under my attack. As long as we launch another offensive, the enemy will completely collapse."
"What a stubborn guy." Seeing that he could not convince Vatujin, Golikov could only put down the microphone in a bad mood and said to his chief of staff: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you heard the conversation between me and Vatujin?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Chief of Staff Major General Pili Pianko quickly nodded and replied: "I heard your conversation. General Vatujing is so stubborn."
"Yes, with Vatutin's character, I dare to assert that he will sooner or later destroy the entire Southwest Front." After saying this, Golikov ordered Pilipanko: "Chief of Staff, you issue orders to the troops of the front army, so that they can hurry up and repair fortifications and prepare for the German attack. Especially Kharkov, that is the focus of our defense. Then transfer a tank army and an infantry division into it, and we must defend that city at all costs."
"Don't worry, comrade Commander." Major General PiliPenko nodded and said, "I will urge the defenders in the city to build fortifications to make the city have the ability to fight streets. If the Germans don't come, they will be trapped in the quagmire like they did in Stalingrad."
When Pili Pinko was about to convey the order, he suddenly remembered an important thing and asked Golikov tentatively: "Comrade Commander, judging from the current situation, the most dangerous thing is the Sixth Army and the Popov Rapid Cluster. Look, can we do something?"
"Karitonov, the commander of the Sixth Army, is an old friend and subordinate of Vatujin." Golikov replied with a wry smile: "With his character, he will definitely obey Vatujin's orders unconditionally. Even if he knows that there is a fire pit ahead, he will jump in without hesitation."
"Where is the Popov fast cluster?" Pilipanko continued to ask Golikov: "Do you watch them annihilated by the German army?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I would like to remind you that we are the Voronezh Front, not the Southwest Front." Although Golikov wanted to remind Popov to stop his attack on the German army, turn to defense on the spot, and wait for reinforcements to rescue. But considering that if he really called Popov, even if the starting point was good, he would probably be punished afterwards. In order to avoid causing unnecessary trouble for himself, he decided to stand by: "We have no right to command other people's troops, do you understand?"
Pili Pinko knew that Golikov was right. If he really crossed Vatutin, he would contact Popov directly and make suggestions to him. If he was known by the base camp at this time, Golikov would definitely be punished.
Chapter completed!