Chapter 9 7.cover plan

Two days later, the commander asked me to go again.Vashukin and Pulkayev were already in his office.Kirponos silently pointed to the chair and opened the folder containing the materials of the Border Covering Project. "I imagine," he began, emphasizing each word, "that there will be a period of time between the declaration of mobilization and the heavy troop activity on the frontier. In the First World War the period was several weeks, and in modern conditions It will no doubt be greatly shortened. However, it is clear that we will always have a few days. Therefore, our minimum force can be sent to cover the national border, so as to maneuver the rest of the force according to the specific situation. It is likely that we will be required to establish a strong assault force. Group, carry out a resolute counter-offensive against the aggressors."

Kirponos took out a piece of paper with our calculations written on it from the folder. "So I want to ask you: Is our concentration of troops at the border a little too much?" No one answered.The commander threw the paper back where it was. "I think it is too much. I think that at least one infantry division should be drawn from each state border covering army area. This will make it easier for us to quickly build up a sufficiently strong shock group and use it to beat the enemy. Remember: If Someone is attacking us, we should organize a counterattack immediately." "Yes," said Pulkayev thoughtfully, "that's a good statement: we should of course think of counterattacks. But this requires preparation. If the enemy suddenly attacks, break through the weak chain configuration of my covering army, and focus on What should we do if we advance forward? At that time, it was difficult to even establish a defense, let alone organize a counterattack."

"We shouldn't let the enemy preempt me." Kirponos retorted coldly. "What is our scouting for?" "Yes, comrades," Vashukin also began, "we can't just think about defense. If the enemy imposes war on us, our army will become the most offensive army of all armies. It can inflict devastating damage on the enemy. Strike back, and then destroy the enemy where it invaded." "What do you think, Colonel?" Kirponos asked me. I certainly agree with the chief of staff because what he said was the result of our joint thinking.Our basis is that Hitler's army of several million has actually conquered the whole of Western Europe and has a strong shock force.Now that it was free, the "strange war" waged by the West could no longer hinder the Germans.Hitler can use the extensive railway network and road network to concentrate heavy forces on our western border in a short period of time and use them to attack us.Under these conditions, we should, as we have discussed, allocate a frontier covering echelon sufficient to repel the enemy's first assault.Under the cover of these powerful screens, we will be able to more easily mobilize our reserves and move on to the counter-offensive.

I therefore replied unwaveringly that I agreed with the Chief of Staff and supported the plan he had proposed. "Your ideas are wrong!" The commander sighed. "I can't agree with you." He closed the folder and handed it to me. "You draw up a plan according to what I said, and reserve as many troops as possible." While the headquarters at all levels were carefully drawing up combat plans against possible aggression, intense combat training was carried out among the troops affiliated to the military region.The individual tactical training has ended, and the squad tactical research has just begun.Most of the training time is spent solving offensive combat problems.The defense wasn't ignored either.General Kirponos asked the soldiers to get used to dealing with tank onslaught.Staff officers returning from the unit spoke with admiration of how calm the young Red Army soldiers were as the roaring tanks raced past the divisional battle formations at full speed.

Combat training is combined with the construction of fortified areas along national borders.The army was very nervous. In the second half of February, the military region received instructions that the chief of staff should lead a group of generals and officers involved in drafting a national border cover plan to rush to Moscow.Along with Pulkayev were Air Force Chief of Staff Major General H.A. Ruskin, Chief of the 5th Department of the Military District Command Major General A.A. Trutko, Director of Communications Major General Dobekin, Minister of Military Transport A. Colonel A. Korshunov, myself and my deputy, Colonel Danilov.

The sudden call to Moscow disturbed me on the one hand: Could it be that our plans were so bad that we had to go back to work?On the one hand, it makes me very happy, because I can reunite with my family who I haven't seen for almost half a year. After arriving in Moscow, it finally became clear that we were going to participate in the study of measures to further consolidate the borders. At this time, the eighteenth congress of the party became the center of public attention.The meeting considered the tasks of the industrial and transport sectors and other most important issues, pointing out the great achievements of socialist economic development.At the same time, the Central Committee exposed the shortcomings with the frankness of the Bolshevik party.One cannot help thinking of Lenin's dictum about judging the strength and seriousness of a party by its attitude towards its mistakes.The commemoration of the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the Red Army also reflects this healthy critical spirit to some extent.There was far more than just fanfare to be heard in the reports of the celebratory convention. An article published by B.C. Zhukov in the special issue of the "Red Star" also embodies this spirit.The Chief of the General Staff firmly opposes the rigid formulas and various stereotypes in the combat training of the army.He emphasized that the current international situation forces us to be in a state of full combat readiness every minute, and these stereotypes are particularly intolerable.

At the Eighteenth Congress of the Party, M. E. Kirponos, commander of the Kyiv Special Military District, was elected as an alternate member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (Bolsheviks).Shortly thereafter, he was awarded the rank of general.We sincerely congratulate him. In early March, the situation in the Balkans began to complicate.The Soviet government declared to the Bulgarian government that allowing German troops to enter Bulgarian territory would lead to an expansion of the scope of the war and Bulgaria would be drawn into the war. The Soviet government was extremely disturbed by this.The situation is serious.It has forced us to draw up plans to strengthen our borders even more intensely.

After completing our mission, we returned to Kyiv in mid-March.The personnel of the military area command are waiting for our return.My few assistants were overwhelmed by the urgency that piled up each day.The Chief of the General Staff asked the military districts to hold some experimental exercises aimed at practically testing the formation of infantry divisions in wartime.It is stipulated that one of the corps will be expanded into a wartime establishment.To this end, soldiers and non-commissioned officers are supplemented by reservists called up to participate in training, officers are seconded by other divisions, and technical equipment and weapons are allocated from emergency reserves.This full-staffed division will conduct marches and carry out training offensive and defensive battles in order to understand the commandability and flexibility of each unit, as well as the degree of firearms support and the ability of the logistics unit.In short, it is necessary to prove whether the newly organized infantry division meets the needs of modern warfare.

This is a large-scale and very detailed work.The General Staff stipulated that this work be completed by the autumn of 1941.As the reader can already guess, this task was not fully accomplished.When war broke out, our divisions were still supplemented as in peacetime. In the Slavuta, Rovno, Izyaslavli, Shepetovka regions held large maneuvers directed by the Chief of Cavalry of the Red Army Oki Ivanovich Gorodovikov.The title is "March and Encounter of Reinforced Cavalry Corps Operating on the Army's Flank".The 5th Cavalry Corps, which governs the 3rd and 32nd Cavalry Divisions, and one tank division, one motorized division, and one aviation division each participated in the exercise.The chosen terrain was difficult, with many small rivers and swamps, which, due to the spring flood season, were overflowing here and there.It is not difficult to imagine how difficult the army will encounter.Under such conditions, it is particularly difficult to coordinate between corps and troops of different arms.Everyone contributes.Unfortunately, in addition to some correct conclusions that were useful in combat, some questionable assertions were made at the time.For example, on several occasions the chief director of the maneuvers, weighed down by certain setbacks, advised: "Tank and motorized divisions should avoid moving at night." Why?It is said that it is because the command of the army is complicated, the marching speed is reduced, accidents may occur, and it is extremely difficult to repair technical equipment in the dark.It is absolutely forbidden to attack at night, it is said that after the impact at night, even people cannot be gathered.

The war canceled these proposals.It forces armies to march most often at night, and dare not take night assaults lightly. The first thing I have to do is to draw up a national border cover plan for each group of armies.In this work we had originally cooperated closely with General German Kapitonovich Marankin.But now he is gone, appointed chief of operations of the General Staff.He was replaced by Major General Alexey Innokendyevich Antonov, a classmate of mine at the Military Academy of the General Staff.In character, intellect, and learning, he resembled his predecessor.Even in appearance there was a certain elusive resemblance between him and Marankin.Antonov also completed secondary school and the first year of forestry college before serving.Like Marankin, he graduated from the NCO during World War I. He joined the Red Army in 1919 and fought on the front lines of the Civil War. In 1936, I met him for the first time at the Military Academy of the General Staff. He came to school and served as the Chief of Operations of the Kharkov Military District.However, before he had completed a year of study, he was urgently transferred from the academy and appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Capital Military Region.He later taught at the Frunze Military Academy.Chance has now brought us together again, as the war draws near.

-------- ①A.A. Antonov (1896-1962), General of the Soviet Army (1943).During the Great Patriotic War, he served as the first deputy chief of the general staff and the chief of the general staff. Since 1955, he has been Chief of Staff of the Warsaw Pact Allied Armed Forces. ——Translator's Note. Antonov, in solving problems of organization and mobilization, was good at quickly analyzing the situation, appraising the full importance of the state-border cover plan.He has been a huge help to us throughout our work. The border protection plans of each group army are formulated under the direct leadership and supervision of the heads of the military regions.The chiefs of staff of the various armies were called together with a team of officers involved in the work.They never left Kyiv during this time.Plans were drawn up before our return from Moscow.Fortunately no major revisions were required. At the end of March, General Pulkayev was summoned to Moscow.He came back looking extremely excited and content.He was awarded the second Order of the Red Banner for selfless labor. The chief of staff brought many news from the capital.In it he spoke of the uneasiness in Moscow over developments in Yugoslavia.The General Staff received information that Hitler had chosen Yugoslavia as his next victim and was about to occupy it.Our relations with fascist Germany may be complicated by the fact that our Government will never turn a blind eye to the fate of the peoples of this country. Indeed, tensions in southeastern Europe have risen sharply in recent weeks. On March 27, an uprising broke out in Belgrade against the Yugoslav government, which was trying to turn Yugoslavia into a fascist German slave state.An organization with anti-Hitler sentiments headed by General Simovic came to power.A few days later, on April 5, 1941, the Soviet government signed a treaty of friendship and non-aggression with the new Yugoslav government.This is a moral support for the people of all nationalities in Yugoslavia and a clear warning to Hitler. But Hitler did not accept the warning, and dispatched a large number of fascist bandits to storm Yugoslavia.Our press, for reasons known to all, restrained itself from this event, but among the people the news of the invasion of Yugoslavia by Hitler's troops aroused public outrage.I remember that one night in April, I was lucky enough to watch the excellent film "Alexander Nevsky①" directed by Eisenstein.The audience enthusiastically appreciated the sudden change in the plot of the movie.As the ice of Lake Chud crumbled under the feet of the German Spaniards and the water began to engulf them, the hall roared with laughter mixed with angry cries: "Swallow the fascists in the same way!" -------- ① Alexander Nevsky (1220-1263), commander of ancient Russia. In April 1242, he defeated the Livonian German Knights who invaded Ross on the ice of Lake Chud. ——Translator's Note. The people responded with stormy applause to this heartfelt call. Alexander Nevsky's marvelous parting address to the captives was equally enthusiastically praised. "... They can come to us with confidence." came the unforgettable voice of Nikolai Cherkasov from the screen. "But whoever brings a sword, let him fall by the sword: Rose has done so, and shall do so in the future!" -------- ① H.C. Cherkasov (1913-1966), a famous Soviet actor.He plays Alexander Nevsky in this movie. ——Translator's Note. Burning in the hearts of the freedom-loving Soviet people is a bitter hatred for the fascists, the slaves of the peoples of all countries.It is therefore no accident that this excellent film was awarded the Stalin Prize at precisely this time. Shortly after the fascists began to occupy Yugoslavia, the General Staff directed a series of major changes to the border cover plan.The head of the military district was ordered to greatly strengthen the troops going to the border.Four mechanized corps, four infantry divisions and many professional corps and units were mobilized to the border. Such an increase in the strength of the troops covering the national frontier will greatly ease the difficulty of resisting the first assault of the invaders.But this new order made General Kirponos somewhat unhappy.The commander still believes that the army group used to carry out counter-assaults against the enemy cannot be weakened. Of course it is now clearly seen that the General Staff had estimated the danger of the enemy's surprise attack more realistically at that time, and made the correct conclusion: the number of troops to resist the first surprise attack should be greater than that stipulated in the first national border cover plan. The chiefs of staff of each group army and their staff were called to Kyiv again and worked intensively for more than a week.The work was tricky, because the generals and officers who drew up the plan had to fill out every page from beginning to end, and even type them by hand.I remember that I quickly picked up the typing skills I learned when I was a regimental adjutant when I was young. After carefully studying the new cover plan, the military committee of the military region approved it without delay. Considering that it is in accordance with this plan that we are organizing the counterattack against the German fascist troops, it seems that we must discuss the content of the plan in more detail. The national border within the military region is as long as 940 kilometers, covered by the 5th, 6th, 26th, and 12th armies.In the area of ​​​​the 5th Army Group (from Vlodava to Krestnopol, 170 kilometers), five infantry divisions are deployed from 10 to 150 kilometers from the national border, the 22nd Mechanized Army, Eight independent machine gun battalions (organized into several garrison units in fortified areas), one high command reserve artillery regiment, and three anti-aircraft artillery battalions.Each airport is equipped with two aviation divisions.The 90th and 98th Frontier Defense Corps are on duty directly on the national border. The 5th Army was commanded by Tank Corps Major General Mikhail Ivanovich Potapov.This is the youngest and, in my opinion, the most capable and energetic commander of the army group in our military region.He had just turned thirty-nine on the eve of the war.He is a Smolensian.As a teenager, he worked in the Kharkov Electric Garage. Joined the Red Army in 1920.Served as a Red Army soldier, platoon leader, and cavalry company commander.He studied in various command training courses, and later graduated from the Mechanization and Motorization Institute of the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army.Due to his multi-faceted military qualities and outstanding talents, he rose rapidly.His qualities as a commander were particularly well demonstrated at the Battle of the Khalkhin River,1 when he commanded a tank brigade and then became deputy commander of an independent army group. In 1940, Potapov was appointed as the commander of the newly formed 4th Mechanized Army, and later as the commander of the 5th Army. -------- ① It is what our country usually calls the Nomonhan Incident. ——Translator's Note. The member of the Military Committee of the Army Group is M. I. Nikishev at the division political commissar level, and the chief of staff is Major General J. C. Pisarevsky. In the direction of Lviv in the south, a section of the national border (140 kilometers) from Krestnopol to Radmno is covered by the 6th Army.The group army governs three infantry divisions, one cavalry division, the 4th mechanized army, five machine gun battalions (organized as the garrison troops in the 4th and 6th fortification areas), and two artillery regiments.In addition, there are two aviation divisions and an anti-aircraft artillery regiment attached to the army.The city of Lviv was covered by the 4th Air Defense Division.The brigades of the 91st Frontier Defense Corps and some brigades of the 92nd Frontier Defense Corps perform border defense duties in the army zone. The Sixth Army was commanded by Lieutenant General Ivan Nikolaevich Muzichenko, a man of strong will and determination.The son of a sailor, he had experienced poverty and unfree labor from childhood, joined the party at eighteen, and had fought on the front lines of the Civil War.His education level is the second grade of normal school.In terms of military literacy, he graduated from a cavalry training class.He has served almost all positions at the regimental level. In June 1937, he was appointed as the commander of the 4th Division of the Don River Cavalry and was awarded the rank of brigade.Later, I taught tactics in the cavalry training class for a period of time.Commanded an infantry division in the Karelian Isthmus battle in early 1940, and was appointed army commander six months later.The military political commissar Vashukin liked this young army commander very much. Once, he once gave him such an evaluation: "Muzichenko is a promising commander. The only shortcoming is that he is too blunt. In wartime, he will A good army commander." The member of the Military Committee of the Army Group is H.C. Popov at the division political commissar level, and the chief of staff is H.E. Ivanov at the brigade level. In the direction of Peremeshli, the 130 kilometers from Radmno to Tvorelline is the area of ​​​​the 26th Army. There are three infantry divisions and one aviation division. The Peremeshli fortification area The garrison, the 8th Mechanized Army, one artillery regiment, two anti-aircraft artillery battalions.Part of the 92nd Frontier Corps and the entire brigade of the 93rd Frontier Corps are responsible for guarding the national border. This army was commanded by Lieutenant General Fyodor Yakovlevich Kostenko, whom I knew well.He was a brave man of integrity, hard work, strong will.The education level is the graduation of the rural school and the cavalry training class.Combat experience gained in the Civil War, prodigious work ability, and steadfast purpose helped him. In 1940 he was forty-five years old when he was appointed commander of an army-level cavalry group.The group was later reorganized into the 26th Army.Fyodor Yakovlevich was known for his diligence and conscientiousness.He doesn't like to discuss after accepting orders, and he is often highly praised for his decisive and accurate implementation of the chief's determination. The member of the Military Committee of the Army Group is Ma J. E. Kolesnikov, the political commissar of the brigade, and the chief of staff is Colonel A. C. Varennikov. On the southernmost flank, the 12th Army is deployed along a stretch of nearly 500 kilometers from the city of Chernovitz to the mouth of the Transnistria.There are six infantry divisions, two aviation divisions, the 16th Mechanized Corps, and five anti-aircraft artillery battalions.The 11th Air Defense Brigade covered Drogobech.The brigades of the 94th, 95th, 96th, and 97th Frontier Defense Corps guard the national border. -------- ①The city of Chernivtsi today. The army was commanded by Major General Pavel Grigorievich Ponedelin, probably the most educated of our army commanders.He commanded an infantry division, served as Chief of Staff of the Leningrad Military District, and headed the Tactical Department of the Frunze Military Academy.He is well versed in advanced corps tactics, proficient in military academic issues, and enjoys high prestige in our military region. The member of the Military Committee of the Army Group is A. E. Kulikov, the political commissar of the brigade, and the chief of staff is Major General K. A. Arushanyan. In times of peace, national borders are reliably covered.But the party and the government are deeply disturbed by the war in the West, and are very concerned about the further strengthening of the border military regions. On April 26, we were ordered to form five rapid anti-tank artillery brigades within a month.Although these brigades were not fully equipped with transport until the beginning of the war, they later played a considerable role in fighting the Fascist tank divisions.The best artillerymen of the military district, including General C. C. Moskarenko and Colonel M. A. Nedelin, were sent to lead these corps. -------- ① Moskarenko (born in 1902), Marshal of the Soviet Union (1955), served as the commander of the Group Army during the Great Patriotic War and the commander-in-chief of the Strategic Rocket Army after the war. Since 1962, he has been the Deputy Minister of Defense and Inspector General of the Soviet Union . ——Translator's Note. The 1st Airborne Army is also being formed urgently.It should govern the 211th Airborne Brigade transferred from the Far East, the 204th Airborne Brigade of our military region, and the remaining personnel when the four infantry divisions of the 12th Army were reorganized into mountain infantry divisions. The head of the military region also learned that before May 25th the leadership of the 31st Infantry Army will Reached us from the Far East.At the same time, the Lviv Infantry School was moved to the Urals. The leading organs of the military region have more and more jobs.The reorganization of existing regiments and units, the formation of new ones, and the deployment of troops from the interior required perseverance and initiative from all headquarters staff.We know that Moscow now considers the situation on our western borders to be much more serious than what is said in the press and officially announced. The last "May Day" before the war in Kyiv was gloomy, not like spring.Since early in the morning, the sky has been covered with leaden gray clouds.However, the vagaries of the weather did not dilute the festive mood of Kyiv people.It seemed that the whole town was in the streets and squares.At 10 o'clock in the morning, the military parade began.First came the cadets.At the head of the column are young lieutenants - cadets of 1941.I attended the graduation ceremony of the Kyiv Infantry School on the eve of the festival.Before the queue of cadets, the headmaster read the order of the People's Commissar of National Defense conferring officer ranks and corresponding military skill levels on graduating cadets.Looking at the energetic and childish faces of the new commanders, I am very happy. The army will get a group of good cadres.After a period of practical training, they will become excellent commanders.It is a pity that these young lieutenants did not get practical experience in time.They left school to go on vacation, and that's when the war broke out, and the lieutenants actually met their first men in battle. The people who lined the sidewalk of Kreshchak Central Avenue greeted every column of the army with joy. The paratroopers approached, the lenses of their fur hats gleaming, and behind them came the Red Marines in white sailor caps. Strong army horses pulled cannons into the square.Then came motorized infantry in trucks, the future of our army.It is a pity that the number is still small because there are not enough vehicles.The technical troops are awe-inspiring at first sight.Spectators looked curiously at the sound detectors, searchlights, anti-aircraft guns and quadruple machine guns used to counter aerial attacks. The round-nosed crawler tractor that easily towed the giant artillery aroused the audience's heartfelt admiration.Spectacular, powerful and flexible artillery!Colonel H. H. Semyonov, Inspector of Artillery of the Military District, who was standing next to me, said: "It's a pity that we still don't have this kind of technical equipment. You can see it in a year or two!" The roar of the artillery tractors was drowned out by the muffled rumble of the armored vehicles.The march of a tank column always lifts the spirits, even for us soldiers.Their shape often makes me think: This is the main weapon for assault and campaign maneuvers in future wars!What military chief doesn't want to own tanks! The tanks drove past in a seemingly endless stream.The first to appear were light tanks, three in each column.Behind them are more powerful ones, two in each row, and one in each row behind them.Only an experienced eye can spot that there are many old tanks inside.Few of the audience knew that the multi-turret tank, which looks magnificent on the outside, is an old product that has actually ceased production.The new, later famous "T-34" and CL tanks seldom participated in military parades.This is not because such tanks are rare in military regions.It is enough to participate in the military parade, but it is a pity that these tanks have just been assigned to the army, and the tank crews have not yet mastered sufficient driving skills. Before the last few tanks passed the square, the air was agitated by the whistling of low-flying, maneuverable but slow A-16 fighter jets.Behind them were slower attack aircraft, as if taking cover.Only a small fleet of modern high-speed aircraft, namely the Seagulls and MiG-3s, which had just appeared in the army and could keep pace with the latest combat aircraft of the time, entertained even the most military-acquainted audience.At that time, there were more than 100 such aircraft in the military region, but the pilots had not yet fully learned how to fly them. Then the square was dominated by colorful columns of jubilant Kievites.People are happy with their achievements.The parade crowd held banners with many numbers written on them: workers were reporting that production tasks had been completed and overfulfilled.But there are also some placards calling on people to raise the vigilance of the revolution and consolidate national defense.I remember a huge poster.It depicts stern-faced workers and kolkhoz workers with weapons in their hands.The well-known "If there is a war tomorrow" has become the favorite song of the parade crowd. The large column walked on the square for nearly three hours, and the parade crowd reached 500,000 people!What an unforgettable scene! The last month of spring has not brought a thaw in international relations.The Soviet government was ready to fight back.This is how we discussed the news of the appointment of Stalin as Chairman of the People's Commissars at the Military District Headquarters.Since the existence of the Soviet regime, it is the first time that the leadership of the Party Central Committee and the People's Committee have been integrated into one body.It should be said that everyone is satisfied with the news. -------- ① That is, the Soviet government, which was changed to the Council of Ministers in 1946. ——Translator's Note. At the beginning of May, we received an operational order from the People's Commissar of Defence, which established the tasks of the military district in the event of a surprise attack by the Hitlerites on our country. Readers may question the necessity of this injunction, since the Frontier Covering Plan already provides for countering possible aggression.However, Moscow had not approved the plan at the time.It seems that this is why the People's Commissar of National Defense decided to strengthen the combat readiness of the Western Frontier Military District through special instructions.The specific tasks are: promptly detect the concentration of the enemy's troops and their deployment; prevent the invading forces from invading the territory of the Soviet Union, and prepare to reliably cover the mobilization, concentration, and deployment of the troops under the military region with a tenacious defense. In the first echelon, as the plan stipulated, the infantry corps was to be deployed, and in the second echelon, the mechanized corps (one from each of the four armies) was to be deployed.In any case, the infantry regiments should block the aggressors at the border fortification area, and destroy the intruding troops with resolute and intensive assaults by the mechanized army and aviation.As a supplement to the cover plan, the people's commissar's order required the head of the military region to construct a rear defense area 30 to 35 kilometers away from the border as soon as possible, and to transfer the five infantry corps and four mechanized corps that formed the second echelon of the military region to the that area. All these transfers of troops should be initiated by special order of the People's Commissar of Defense.Airmen should be prepared to move to field airfields.The location of the command post has also been determined. In case of invasion, the head of the military region should direct the army's actions here.Construction of the command post has begun intensified in Ternopil. The three generals Pulkayev, Dobekin, and Trutko, and my deputy minister and I have taken on a new task: to plan and organize the entire operation of the second echelon army to advance to the border area in a short period of time. paperwork.When I was doing this work, I had a doubt: the total depth of the defense is already very small, only fifty kilometers in total.What if the enemy breaks in?Who meets it in the rear?You must know that there are almost no troops left in the reserve team of the head of the military region... I expressed my concerns to General Pulkayev.He did not answer immediately as usual, but frowned, and after a moment of silence, he said stiffly: "Moscow knows what to do. Knows who to put in the rear to meet the incoming enemy forces." It was not long before I was convinced of the sound judgment of the Chief of Staff. In the second half of May, we received an order to receive the 34th Infantry Army from the North Caucasus Military District, leading agencies and army units, four infantry divisions, and a mountain infantry division, and arrange them to camp.The combat group headed by Lieutenant General M.A. Leiter, First Deputy Commander of the North Caucasus Military District, will also arrive with the army. The General Staff has even made regulations on how to deploy the troops. The first echelon should arrive on May 20. Although the new order did not appear to be sudden to the head of the military region, it still made everyone very worried, because almost an entire army group had to be placed in a short period of time.Kirponos sat in thought for a long time, then wrote on the document with a pen: "Transfer to the Chief of Staff. Please ensure the implementation of this instruction, and pay special attention to the security of the comfort and food department." Pulkayev then ordered me Immediately draw up a plan accordingly. The next day, the plan was drawn up and the commander approved it. These new troubles that befell us prevented me from participating in the exercises of the Headquarters of the Military District, directed by Lieutenant General Yakovlev, the Deputy Commander of the Military District.According to the reflections of the comrades, the exercise was well done, and the various group army headquarters gained a lot of useful things in planning and implementing the group army's offensive campaign. At the end of May, a large part of the commanders of the military region headquarters were busy receiving and arranging the arriving troops.One echelon followed another echelon.The War Department has become a special dispatch center, and all reports about the operation and status of the troops are sent here.The divisions that came were capable, although division commanders complained about the shortage of mid-level commanders and the lack of technical weapons, transport and communications.They were assured by their superiors that when mobilization was announced they would get whatever was lacking. In early June, we learned that the leadership of the 19th Army had been formed.It is based in Cherkasy.Included in the new army are all five divisions of the 34th Rifle Corps of the North Caucasus Military District and three divisions of the 25th Rifle Corps.The army group is directly under the People's Commissar of Defense and is commanded by Lieutenant General A. C. Konev, commander of the North Caucasus Military District. A day later, the General Staff announced that it would receive another army group, the 16th Army under the command of Lieutenant General M.G. Lukin.It will be transferred from Transbaikal between June 15 and July 10. -------- ① Konev (1897-1973), Marshal of the Soviet Union (1944), served as the commander of the front army during the Great Patriotic War, and after the war as the commander-in-chief of the army and the commander-in-chief of the combined armed forces of the Warsaw Pact countries. ——Translator's Note. In this way, the second group army came to us.This excites us.There is no need to worry that if a war breaks out, we will have no army in depth. However, from this day on, there will be no peace for the staff of the military region headquarters.Unfortunately, there are only twenty-four hours in a day and night.While completing the national border protection plan, receiving and arranging the two group armies that moved to the defense line of the military area, we also had to draft all the operational documents for the five infantry corps and the four mechanized corps to move from the original station to the border area.There are too many measures one after the other.The windows of the war department were lit all night. The commander of the military region began to dispatch troops more frequently.In his absence, all day-to-day affairs were presided over by the orderly and rigorous Chief of Staff.General Kirponos took special care to examine the condition of the mechanized corps.He was usually accompanied by General P. H. Morgunov, Chief of Armored Vehicles, General B. B. Panyukhov, Chief of Military Training, and one of my assistants.However, on May 27, Pulkayev called me and said: "Get ready to go, and go to the 6th Army with the commander." "Is it long?" "About two or three days." The next morning we were on the platform of the Lviv station.I can't remember exactly, but I remember that Lieutenant General A. H. Muzichenko, the commander of the 6th Army, did not come for some reason.Kirponos was greeted by a group of generals and officers led by H.C. Popov, member of the Army Military Council and division political commissar. "To the army headquarters, or directly to the troops?" Popov asked. "De-mechanize the 4th Army," Kirponos ordered. About an hour later, we have arrived at the tank driving training field.Covered in dust, the tank was galloping across the field, plunged into the ditch, and climbed up the embankment.Kirponos watched them closely.A T-34 nimbly crossed all obstacles.Kirponos smiled with satisfaction: "Great!" Turning to the adjutant again, he said, "Comrade Gernen, you choose the most beautiful watch from the prizes and give it to the driver. Let's drive closer and get to know him." We stopped not far from the tank.A head wearing a leather tank cap emerged from the turret.A tanned captain jumped off the floor and introduced himself: "Captain Kochubey, commander of the 3rd tank company." "Who drove the tank?" Kirponos asked. "I drove it myself. Showing my tank crew how to overcome obstacles." "You drove well, Captain," Kirponos praised. "You have to work hard to make your subordinates become such experts. Now I will award you a watch with your name engraved in recognition of your excellent driving skills." The company commander blushed, and gave a military salute heroically: "Serve the Soviet Union!" Kirponos turned to Major General Morgunov who was accompanying him and said: "All tank soldiers should be trained to be such experts." "It's a bit difficult, Comrade Commander. But we're trying." "Now," said the commander to the captain, "you show us what your men can do." "yes!" 科丘别伊登上炮塔，用小旗向停在出发地位的坦克发出了信号。一辆T－34缓慢驶上了障碍物地带。这辆由没有经验的生手驾驶的坦克艰难地通过了该地带。另外两辆行驶得稍好一些。基尔波诺斯一边观察坦克行驶，一边皱起了眉头。 "no!" “没什么可奇怪的，司令员同志。”莫尔古诺夫将军叹了口气。“驾驶员来不及掌握新坦克。要知道，他们驾驶这些坦克还不够三小时哩。” “要加紧训练，利用每一分钟进行驾驶。”司令员吩咐说。 “否则任何偶然性都会使我们措手不及。” 第二天，坦克兵进行射击训练。他们的火炮和机枪射击比驾驶好得多。基尔波诺斯高兴了。 夜里，他命令向这个师发出战斗警报。坦克兵的行动不错，在规定时间内着装完毕，有条不紊地进至集中地域。随后的训练性行军却使基尔波诺斯有些不快。我们在各坦克团行进路线两旁看见了不少抛锚坦克。越往前走，抛锚的越多。基尔波诺斯脸色阴郁。当师长前来报告行军情况时，司令员打断了他的话： “你们为什么这样乱七八糟的，上校？坦克在行军时就开不动了，用什么进行战斗？！” 师长试图解释，开不动的只是最破旧的G－26和KM坦 克，这些坦克大多是训练用的车。 “训练用的车也不应该开不动！你们太不注意小修了。” “旧坦克的备件不够……” 司令员转身对莫尔古诺夫阴沉地说： “这不好，将军！您要想法子尽快改变这一状况。回基辅后向我报告……” 送到军区情报部的情报一份比一份令人不安。我们的侦察兵B·A·邦达列夫上校，如今大概是司令员最经常接见的来访者了。我们发现，基尔波诺斯每和他谈完一次话，脸色都要变得阴沉一些。不安的理由是充分的。邦达列夫每天向作战部通报不同来源的情报。 6月上旬末，司令员召开军事委员会会议，情报部长在会上报告了他获得的一切情报。 还在早春时候，就开始收到情报，说德国人在边界另一边构筑为数众多的野战机场，铺设铁路支线，还把无数土路直接延伸到我国国界。从4月起，德军开始加紧调兵遣将。What does it mean?大演习吗？但任何大小演习都有开头和结尾，而德军向边界的调动却没完没了，而且一天比一天增加。现在，每天有二百列左右满载军队和军用物资的军列开到与乌克兰接壤的边境地区。 “我们有经过检验的情报，”邦达列夫报告说，“德国人在被占领的波兰领土上把所有和平居民都赶出了边境地区。而且德军各警备处已向波兰地方当局发出警告：如果发生军事行动，居民不得惊慌，否则就地处决。德国人在波兰境内将所有民用医疗机构改成了军队医院。派去了自己的医务人员。所有在铁路担任负责人的波兰人，都被希特勒分子换成了德国官员。现在，一切开往边境的德国军列都有加强的德军警卫队护送。在希特勒分子称为'总督辖区'的被占领波兰已经实行戒严。” “也许，波兰人已使他们大伤脑筋了！”瓦舒金说。 “可能，军政委级同志。不过，依我看，问题不止于此。我们刚接到新情报：德国人已开始在各处把边防军换成野战军了。在佩列梅什利和拉德姆诺以西地域边界附近，他们集中了大量从农民那里征用的大车……” 空军司令员E·C·普图欣将军提请军事委员会委员们注意法西斯飞机日益频繁的越境。 “应该把它们打下来！”他用手一砍。“我从西班牙的战斗中深知这些法西斯分子。他们是那样的一群无赖，只要你还没掐住他们的脖子，他们就会朝你脸上吐痰。” “遗憾的是我们还没得到掐他们脖子的许可。”基尔波诺斯平静而冷淡地说。“您找一种不用射击的方法，来阻止他们在我国土上空侦察。”军区司令员环视到会人员。“有一点是清楚的：情况很叫人不安。法西斯分子正在准备某种反对我们的严重步骤：或者是仿效其同伙日本武士们的榜样策划大规模挑衅，或者是……不管哪一种情况，都要求我们坚决行动。我们在这一方面预先采取了某些措施。我已命令各集团军司令员派出小分队占领在前地构筑的野战阵地。①这样，我们就能在希特勒军队突然袭击时支援各筑垒地域守备部队的战斗行动，并以此保障野战掩护军队准备和展开，抗击可能的进攻。大家知道，我们已奉命使位于军区深远后方并编为军区第二梯队的各军做好直接向国界开进的准备。为此要做的一切我们都做了：各军只等着开拔口令。但是目前还没有开始调动这些军的号令。我们将不待号令而采取必要措施，加强掩护军队的战斗编成和全面准备。” -------- ①指筑垒地域的前进地带。 司令员说，将波塔波夫集团军所属步兵第62师从卢茨克调近国界进行野营的时机已经成熟；步兵第193师也应由科罗斯坚调近国界，到波武尔野营。步兵第13军领率机关由桑博尔迁到斯特雷；骑兵第3师由茹尔克夫①地域调到伊贾斯拉夫利，住骑兵第32师营房，步兵第190师由切尔卡瑟调到骑兵第3师原驻地。 -------- ①今涅斯捷罗夫市。 基尔波诺斯转身对参谋长说： “马克西姆·阿列克谢耶维奇，您立刻就这些问题给国防人民委员写报告。只要他一同意，我们立即就着手干。在等到莫斯科批准之前，司令部要做好一切准备工作。” “不耽误才好。”参谋长沉思地说。 “我想，只要情况危急，人民委员自己也会催促我们的。”司令员反驳说。“就这么回事。我认为必须立刻给编为我军区第二梯队的军队下达以下命令：每个团的弹药携行储备量都要直接分配到各分队每一挺轻、重机枪，其中半数弹药要压进弹链和弹盘；手榴弹保存在仓库，但现在就要分配到各分队；要有半个基数的炮弹和迫击炮弹处于待装填状态，高射炮也照样；各种车辆的油料储备，不得少于两个基数：一个基数装油箱，另一个基数装油桶。最后，我建议最大限度地缩短军队进入战斗准备的期限：步兵和炮兵部队要缩短到两小时，骑兵、摩托化兵和机械牵引炮兵部队要缩短到三小时。总之，第二梯队军队要进入同国界掩护军队一样的高度战斗准备状态。” 全体到会者一致赞成司令员的建议。普尔卡耶夫皱着他那下垂的浓眉，只是偶尔赞成地点一点头。可是当基尔波诺斯不再说话，正用手抚着前额，仿佛在回想他是否一切都说过时，参谋长忍不住了。 “那么第二梯队军所属各师补充到齐装满员这件事怎么办呢？”他问基尔波诺斯。“要知道万一有事，有相当大一部分火炮各军无法拉出来，因为没有拖拉机，许多师也远未得到足够的运输工具，没有什么车来前送弹药。人员也不够……” 司令员慢慢地拿出梳子，用习惯动作仔细抿平了向后梳的黑发，又同样慢慢地将梳子放回军上衣口袋。 “这是国家的政治问题。我们应该懂得，莫斯科在采取一切措施加强西部边界防御能力的同时，也努力不给希特勒对我国进行挑衅的丝毫借口。而要给我们的师和军补满员，从国民经济中拨给它们尚未得到的拖拉机、汽车和其他器材，就得进行局部动员，而这在边境军区几乎是不可能避开希特勒的侦察的。上面未必会采取那样的措施。” “这话说得又对又合理！”瓦舒金热烈支持说。“这样严肃的事需要慎之又慎！” “那好，不行就不行吧，”普尔卡耶夫还是没有安静下来，“不过，我们哪怕把炮兵团和工兵营从军区靶场送回各师也好。” 这个建议大家都同意。 这天，军事委员会作出了很重要的决定，竭力提高军区所属军队的战斗准备，以防发生军事冲突。但是我们有缺陷，这些缺陷，是任何紧急措施都无法弥补的。军事委员会例会已经谈过这一问题。我这一代苏联人，特别是有幸在红军和红海军服役的人，永远不会忘记党、政府和全国人民为提高我国武装力量的战斗威力，在最初几个五年计划期间作出的巨大努力。 由于顺利完成头两个五年计划，我国工业得到了空前发展，从而有可能加速红军和红海军的技术装备。从1929年到1941年，轻型、中型和重型火炮数量增长了六倍，反坦克炮增长了十八倍。从1934年到1939年，坦克兵人数增加了一倍半。从1930年到1939年，飞机数量增加了五倍半。到1941年前，我海军共得到各种新军舰约五百艘。所有这些都大大提高了我国武装力量的战斗威力。 但是，国际紧张局势和帝国主义侵略的威胁，迫使苏联人民不断增加军队人数。从1939年1月到1941年6月，军队人数增长近一倍半。组建了一百二十五个步兵师和其他兵种的许多兵团和部队。尽管我国工业生产能力已经提高，但仍赶不上武装力量的迅猛发展。军队普遍感到武器、技术兵器、运输工具和通信工具不足。 就以我们基辅特别军区为例吧。读者已经知道，战争前夕军区很大一部分军队是由新编军队组成的。这样的新编军队有：1940年开始组建、当时尚未组建完毕的全部八个机械化军；五个摩托化反坦克炮兵旅和许多其他炮兵部队；几个步兵师（其中四个师到战争即将开始时每师仅两千至两千五百人）。 武器和技术装备不足，人员也不足。从蓬勃发展的国民经济中抽走数百万劳动力，不是一件简单的事。更困难的是指挥干部问题。党和政府为解决这一问题做了可能做的一切。 在1939年到1940年间，从预备役中征召了十七万四千名指挥员。各军事学院的学员人数增加了一倍。仅1940年就创建了四十二所新军校，用以培养陆、海军指挥人员。军校学员由三万六千人剧增至十六万八千人。全部军校的训练期限都由三年改成了两年。与此同时，还组织了为数众多的少尉训练班。所有这些，无疑对战争爆发前指挥人员的缺额有所弥补，但远远不够。 记得仅在我们军区，到1941年5月前就还缺三万多名指挥人员和技术人员。我已说过，我们把1941年的很大希望寄托在各军校5月份毕业的学员身上。但是年轻的中尉们是在战争爆发前几天才到部队的，他们当然来不及熟悉情况和研究自己的部属。我们得到的一个安慰是，大量预备役指挥员要在宣布动员后立即到我们这里。 最复杂的问题，是军队中各种武器，特别是新式坦克、飞机和火炮的装备。党中央和政府十分重视这一问题。研制了第一流的军事技术装备样品。出色的“米格”、“雅克”、“伊尔”型飞机，最完美的T－34中型坦克和KB重型坦克，以及其他多种武器，就是在当时投入成批生产的。这是工人、科学家和工程师最伟大的劳动功勋。可是工业部门仍不能满足军队对技术兵器的需要。我们只好安于许多武器装备不足的现状，而寄希望于以后逐月增加。 在战争开始时，经常可以听到人们批评高级军事机关、国防工业部门的设计师和领导人，说他们在研制新型技术兵器方面落后了。那些对真实情况认识十分模糊的人可能这样说。 研制复杂的新式武器，组织其成批生产和大规模装备到军队，是件非常复杂的事，它要求做出很大努力，而主要的是需要时间。 参加过伟大卫国战争的人都很知道T－34坦克极为良 好的战斗性能。在整个第二次世界大战期间，世界上没有哪一种坦克可以同这种坦克媲美。但是让我们好好探究一下，我们的设计师在研究成功这种出色的坦克，并将其投入成批生产之前走过了多么艰难的道路。 从1932年到1939年，工业部门主要向军队提供T－26、KM－7、T－28坦克。人们认为这些坦克的主要战斗性能是快速性高，火力强。但由于德军特种反坦克炮兵得到发展，加强我军坦克装甲的问题便提出来了。在1938年至1939年间，设计局和坦克驾驶教练场上开展了紧张工作，以便研制十八吨重的A－20型轮履式新坦克。这种车辆颇有前途，但武器装备差。设计师M·A·科什金和A·A莫罗佐夫继续工作，不久，一种装备76毫米加农炮和两挺机枪的A－32型坦克出厂了。总军事委员会于1939年8月选定了这种坦克，但要求设计师们进一步改进行动部分和增强装甲防护力。设计师们达到了这一要求。这样，当时坦克制造业的杰作——T－34坦克，经过紧张工作后终于诞生了。1940年初，这种坦克通过了全部试验，投入成批生产。到同年年底，工业部门已生产这种出色的坦克一千二百二十五辆，到战争即将爆发时又增加了一千多辆。 后来享有盛名的作战飞机的研制，也是以同样的毅力开展的。 遗憾的是，完全用新型坦克、飞机装备军队和实际掌握它们的时间不够。再有一两年就好了！ ... 我们军区最新式的飞机当时只占飞机总数的百分之十五。坦克也是这种情况。事情不好办，还因为工业部门自从转产新技术装备后，急剧缩减了旧装备的备件生产。所以，当旧装备因加紧使用而损坏时，就没有办法修理。战争头几个月旧式坦克和飞机较快报销，是不足为奇的。 在战斗准备方面，我们军区所属军队中较好的是步兵军和师，特别是编入国界掩护军队的那些军、师。配置在军区纵深、实际上编为军区战役第二梯队的步兵军所属各师，无论是人员补充和装备都要差得多。最使军区首长忧虑的，是火炮和迫击炮及部分枪械缺额，这在新组建的部队和兵团中特别严重。迫击炮、高射炮、大口径机枪、轻机枪和冲锋枪都不足。 军区装甲坦克兵的情况简直糟透了。对1940年开始组建的几个机械化军，首先是利用原来就有的独立坦克和机械化旅及各步兵师独立坦克营的人员、武器装备和战斗车辆进行补充的。到战争即将爆发时，没有一个机械化军完成了组建工作。 在军区所有装甲坦克兵中，机械化第4、8军的战斗准备做得最好，军区自1941年初以后获得CB和T—34坦克都优先给了这两个军。但是，就是这两个军也还缺乏战斗车辆、枪炮和其他技术器材。两军所属各师装备的新坦克，只及规定数量的一半。由于时间不足，新坦克乘员的训练程度和战斗协同都还达不到应有水平。 机诫化第15军组建稍晚。战争爆发前它的战斗准备程度比前两个军差得多。该军得到最好补充的是坦克第10师，共编有CB和T—34坦克近一百辆。坦克第37师总共只有三十二辆新的中型坦克和一辆CB型坦克。其余都是陈旧的KM－7和T－26型坦克。乘员刚开始学习驾驶新坦克。而该军摩托化第212师，实际上只不过那么叫它罢了，因为它不仅没有供人员乘坐的汽车，而且也没有运送重装备、弹药和油料的汽车。师炮兵的牵引工具只够牵引一个营，而且还没有后勤。军炮兵团总共只有五辆拖拉机，只能牵引一个连。其余火炮要离开原地，只有等国民经济系统的车辆开来之后，也就是等宣布动员之后，才有可能。该军摩托车团的处境更困难。它的指挥人员只补充到三分之一。所补充的士兵是未经训练的应征公民。 其余机械化军组建更晚，它们的状况太差了。所有坦克都已陈旧，而且多半是已消耗掉大部分摩托小时的教练战斗坦克。由于这些坦克已停止生产，所以几乎没来过备件，一有严重损坏，通常就意味着彻底报废了。大家估计，在KB和T－34坦克到来之前，人们将暂时先用这些坦克练习。 读者看见了，各机械化军还处于早期组建阶段，不能认为已完全做好战斗准备。 运输工具少是我们军区所有地面军队的弱点。汽车和拖拉机只及应有数量的百分之二十五至三十。就连国界旁的那些师也未装备够数。在绝大多数机械化军中，被认为已经摩托化的步兵，却只能徒步行进，而相当大一部分师和军的炮兵，则由于缺乏牵引工具成了不可机动的炮兵了。 the reason is simple.我国还没有富强到可以向迅速发展的军队提供足够的汽车和拖拉机的程度。原来考虑的是军队将在动员的头几天获得汽车和拖拉机。每个师都知道这些技术装备应从什么地方，从哪些企业和机关调来。 法西斯军队在这方面占有不容置辩的优势。它已充分动员，早已转入战时轨道的整个德国经济以及为法西斯所奴役的欧洲各国的经济，都在为它工作。被占领各国军队的大量技术兵器供它支配。同时，法西斯德军已在欧洲展开军事行动，并在行动过程中取得了很多作战经验。还有一点不能忽视，希特勒分子已在战场上试验了自己的武器装备，并且安排了最完善样品的成批生产。 我们明白，一旦法西斯德国进犯我国，我们要打退其猛攻将不是轻而易举的。我们要在难以置信的困难条件下奋战。