"Comrade Commander, the 9th Army Corps has collapsed. Our retreat route has already been cut off by the Germans!" a staff officer reported to Marshal Budyonny.
At once, everyone in headquarters froze, their work halted. Although they had known from the moment the German military launched its attack that the Germans intended to cut off their retreat, in just two days, the strongest army corps in the Southern Front Army had been crushed by the Germans. Such an outcome was simply too hard for them to accept.
"How many troops does the 9th Army Corps still have?" Marshal Budyonny asked.
"The 2nd Mechanized Corps has been virtually wiped out. The 18th Mechanized Corps has suffered severe losses. The 2nd Cavalry Corps has likewise taken heavy casualties. The 14th, 35th, and 48th Infantry Corps have not suffered much damage."
"Send Comrade Cherevichenko a Telegram. Tell him that from this moment onward, he is to concentrate all available forces, break through the German defensive line, and reopen the passage!" Marshal Budyonny ordered.
The Southern Front Army was now surrounded on three sides. To the south lay the sea. They were not fish; they could not swim back to Buru across the sea. Therefore, if they wanted to return to Buru, their only option was to smash through the German encirclement. Though it would be exceedingly difficult, it was their only choice. Otherwise, they would be wiped out by the Germans and Ukrainians.
"Yes, Comrade Commander."
"Also, order the 12th Army Corps and the 18th Army Corps to hold the line at all costs. Send the Independent 9th Infantry Corps forward as reinforcements as well, to buy more time for the 9th Army Corps," Marshal Budyonny ordered.
Of course, Marshal Budyonny knew this would be extremely difficult. The 12th Army Corps and 18th