“General, the Soviet artillery bombardment is very powerful. If it continues like this, I’m afraid we will suffer heavy losses.” The combat staff officer standing aside said anxiously.

His face was full of worry, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. As a combat staff officer, he was well aware of the severity of the current situation. If effective countermeasures were not taken in time, the entire defense line might face the danger of collapse.

“Send a telegram to General Reichenau immediately and request artillery support.” Admiral Kiehnitz said hurriedly, with a hint of unquestionable majesty in his tone.

At this critical moment, he could only ask for support from higher-level officials, hoping to get strong firepower support to resist the Soviet army’s frenzied attack.

Soon, the communications staff hurried in and reported: “General Reichenau called back and told us to continue to hold our position. Air force and artillery support will arrive soon.”

“How long will it take to get there? We can’t hold it anymore.” The operations officer asked worriedly, his voice full of urgency.

In this battlefield full of gunfire, every second of waiting may cost a huge price.

“We don’t know yet, but they should be on their way,” the communications officer explained. Although he couldn’t be sure when the support would arrive, he could only use these words to comfort everyone.

In this tense atmosphere, a glimmer of hope may allow everyone to persevere.

Hearing this, Admiral Kietz nodded. Although he was an admiral, he did not have much say in the command of the Air Force. As for the artillery directly under the army, facing such a large-scale artillery attack by the Soviet army, counterattacks would undoubtedly be like an egg hitting a rock, and would only kill people in vain and add to the enemy’s record. He knew in his heart that at least the artillery directly under the army group was qualified to fire against the Soviet army. If the artillery of the army group could join the battle, it would be even better. Admiral Kietz knew that the Supreme Command had transported a batch of rockets. If they could be used to fight back, the effect would be absolutely great, and it might be able to reverse the current unfavorable situation.

“Inform the troops and order them to hold on. Even if there is only one man left, they must hold their ground.” Admiral Kietz said in a deep voice, revealing his firm determination. At this critical moment, he must stabilize the morale of the troops and let the soldiers know that no matter how great the difficulties are, they must not retreat.

In response, the staff of the headquarters immediately responded with a hint of solemnity in their voices. They knew that the next battle would be extremely difficult, but for the sake of victory and honor, they must persevere to the end.

At the same time, in the 38th Army Headquarters of the Voronezh Front, Lieutenant General Feklenko looked at the map solemnly. His eyes were deep and firm, as if he could see every detail of the battlefield through the map. “After the artillery fire is completed, we will launch an attack immediately. We must cross the Dnieper River as quickly as possible and attack the German defensive positions. We must annihilate the German army.” His voice was deep and powerful, full of confidence and determination.

At this moment, the communications staff hurried in with an urgent telegram and said loudly: “Commander, the commander of the front has issued an order to immediately execute the counterattack order. We must break through the German positions in the shortest time possible and capture Kiev and other places as soon as possible.”

“It seems that General Vatutin, just as I thought, has called back to say that our troops are ready to launch an attack at any time.” Lieutenant General Fekelenko said expressionlessly. There was a hint of excitement in his eyes. The battle had finally reached a critical moment. He knew very well that the importance of this battle was not only related to the situation on the battlefield, but also to the direction of the entire war.

“Yes!” The communications officer immediately turned around to convey the order. The atmosphere in the entire headquarters was tense and heated, and everyone was making final preparations for the upcoming attack.

“This time we must kill every German soldier without leaving a single one alive.” The chief of staff beside him said excitedly, his face filled with excitement. In this cruel war, he longed for a hearty victory and revenge for his fallen comrades.

“That’s for sure. Marshal Zhukov has mobilized nearly three million troops and is launching a full-scale attack on the German army along the entire Dnieper River. We will definitely win this time.” Lieutenant General Fekelenko said with a bright smile. His smile was full of confidence and pride. Under the command of Marshal Zhukov, he believed that victory would belong to the Soviet army.

“We must win!” Everyone in the command center shouted loudly, and the sound echoed throughout the entire command center.

Soon, the Soviet army’s general offensive officially began, and the momentum was like a surging, unstoppable torrent. On the banks of the Dnieper River, all kinds of landing ships, even those small fishing boats that were inconspicuous on weekdays and barely able to float on the river, and even the makeshift rafts, were all pushed into the Dnieper River.

These ships carried the Soviet soldiers’ fiery fighting will and headed towards the German positions on the other side of the river. A magnificent yet extremely cruel river crossing and landing operation thus began.

As soon as the Soviet army launched a counterattack, the German mortars immediately launched a fierce counterattack.

In an instant, shells fell like raindrops, exploding huge splashes of water on the surface of the Dnieper River.

In a short while, dozens of ships, rafts, and even seemingly sturdy landing ships were ruthlessly sunk by the intensive artillery fire and slowly sank into the river.

The fate of those soldiers on board was extremely tragic. Some were shot and killed by the German army’s accurate shooting in panic, while others fell into the water due to the capsizing of the boat. They struggled desperately in the freezing and turbulent river water, but were eventually drowned by the ruthless river water and lost their precious lives.

Such tragic scenes did not only occur in the offensive area of ​​the Soviet 38th Army.

In fact, along the entire Dnieper River, the other army groups also suffered fierce attacks from the German army when they launched river crossing operations.

However, the Soviet commanders had long anticipated such a fierce counterattack by the German army.

They looked grim and expressionless, calmly commanding the troops to continue crossing the river regardless of the consequences. Their resolute eyes revealed a determination to face death and not give up until the goal is achieved.

“They are forcing a crossing.” The German commander stood on the battlefield, looking at the densely packed boats and rafts on the river, like an ant colony, frowning and looking solemn. He knew that the Soviet army was determined to attack this time, and a fierce battle was inevitable.

“Captain, what should we do now?” A major officer ran to the commander with an anxious look on his face and asked loudly. At this moment, the battlefield was filled with deafening gunfire and smoke. The two had to shout at the top of their lungs to make the other barely hear their words.

“Fight back, and hold the position.” The German commander gritted his teeth and shouted loudly, his voice full of unquestionable determination. In his mind, the position was their lifeline, and there was absolutely no retreat.

“Yes!” The major saluted, then turned around and quickly ran back to his post to convey the commander’s order. For a moment, the sound of gunfire on the German positions became more and more intense, and the firepower of various weapons intertwined to form a seemingly indestructible firepower network, which poured madly on the Soviet army on the river. After paying a heavy price of nearly 10,000 casualties, many Soviet troops still successfully crossed the Dnieper River. However, in this process, many fully staffed troops suffered a devastating disaster, and the entire army was destroyed, and no one survived.

This is a truly brutal war of life and death with no room for maneuver.

Both sides of the war tried their best and used all means to shoot and kill the enemies in their way, and they spared no effort to win.

“Hurry up and fight back. We must not let the Soviet troops land successfully.” Seeing more and more Soviet soldiers successfully land, all the German commanders commanding the battle on the Dnieper River shouted at the top of their lungs. Their voices became hoarse due to excessive shouting, but they were still full of desire for victory and determination to hold on to their positions. Under their command, the German soldiers were like crazy beasts, constantly attacking the landing Soviet troops.

“Ura, we must take back the Dnieper River.”

“Kill, take back the position.”

“Kill all the Krauts.”

The Soviet soldiers who successfully crossed the river shouted loudly, their eyes burning with anger and fighting spirit, and charged towards the German positions regardless of everything. In their hearts, even if the German positions were as solid as a rock, they had enough courage and strength to break through them. These Soviet soldiers, with loyalty to the motherland and faith in victory, bravely moved forward in the hail of bullets, fearless of the threat of death.

At this moment, there was a sudden buzzing sound in the sky. Everyone looked up and saw German bombers, under the tight cover of fighter planes, appearing over the Dnieper River like the black god of death.

“Damn it, it’s a German fighter plane.” a Soviet soldier shouted in horror.

“Hide quickly, hide quickly.” The Soviet commanders gave orders loudly, their voices full of anxiety.

“Where are the anti-aircraft guns? Fire quickly.” Someone shouted loudly in panic.

“Keep pushing forward, don’t stop.” Some soldiers also shouted loudly to boost morale at this time.

After arriving at the designated location, the German bombers dropped bombs one after another without mercy. Suddenly, explosions sounded one after another on the ground, and flames shot up into the sky. The Soviet artillery that did not have time to retreat suffered heavy losses, especially the Katyusha rocket launcher, which was known as the “God of War”. Under the attack of the German bombs, it was instantly blown into a pile of scrap metal, and parts were scattered everywhere.

“Where are the anti-aircraft artillery? Counterattack quickly.” The Soviet commanders were anxious and kept urging the air defense forces.

“Bastards, retreat quickly.” In the chaos, someone shouted at the top of his lungs.

The situation of the Soviet soldiers on the Dnieper River was the most difficult at this time. They could neither advance nor retreat, and could only rush to the other side with gritted teeth. The German fighter planes took this opportunity to shoot at the Soviet soldiers on the river like hungry vultures. Countless Soviet soldiers without any cover were shot and killed under this intensive firepower. For a moment, the originally clear water of the Dnieper River was instantly dyed red with blood, like a river of hell flowing with blood.

“Damn it, fight back.” The Soviet soldiers roared angrily, but seemed helpless under the German army’s powerful air superiority.

“Where is our air force?” someone shouted desperately, hoping to get support from their own air force.

Unfortunately, no matter how they shouted, they received no response. In this cruel battlefield, the balance of fate seemed to temporarily lean towards the German side. Some Soviet soldiers who were good at swimming resolutely jumped into the river in order to survive. With their excellent swimming skills, they swam hard to the other side and survived by chance. Soldiers who were not good at swimming either drove the raft and tried their best to rush to the other side in one breath, or chose to turn back. Because they knew clearly that if they continued to stay where they were, only death would be waiting for them.

At this time, in the headquarters of the German Sixth Army, General Reichenau received the latest combat order from Manstein. The content of the order was extremely brief, but it was full of unquestionable determination: “The enemy’s 38th Army must be completely wiped out.” General Reichenau carefully studied the telegram, and he was fully aware of the great significance and arduous task behind this order.

“At all costs, we must completely annihilate the enemy’s 38th Army.” General Reichenau repeated the order in a low voice again. Then, he immediately turned around and shouted to the signalman: “Pass on the order. All troops will launch a general attack immediately.”

At this time, the German Air Force had successfully destroyed the Soviet artillery positions, creating favorable conditions for the ground forces to attack. After receiving the order for the general attack, the German soldiers on the front line were greatly encouraged and immediately launched a fierce general attack on the landing Soviet 38th Army. A more tragic and thrilling battle broke out along the Dnieper River.

In this fierce battle, Lieutenant General Fekelenko, commander of the 38th Army of the Soviet Army, felt an unprecedented uneasiness, because he clearly felt that the combat effectiveness of the German army was too strong, far beyond his expectations.

What made him even more desperate was that the Totenko Armored Division directly under Manstein’s group appeared on the flank of the 38th Army like a ghost. This situation completely confused Lieutenant General Fekelenko, because he only had one infantry army deployed on his flank, and with such a force configuration, he could not resist the powerful charge of the German armored forces.

Under the fierce attack of the German Skeleton Armored Division, the flank defense line of the Soviet 38th Army was instantly broken.

Caught off guard, Lieutenant General Fekelenko’s 38th Army suffered heavy losses, with casualties exceeding in just two hours.

Moreover, a large number of artillery and Katyusha rocket launchers were destroyed by the German attack, and the combat effectiveness of the entire force was greatly weakened.

Faced with such heavy losses, General Vatutin, the commander of the Soviet Voronezh Front, was also stunned. The 38th Army was an extremely important trump card unit in his hands, and he had high hopes for it in this counterattack.

However, the result was shocking. After only a few hours of fighting, 50,000 people were lost. This number is really shocking and sad. (End of this chapter)