Red Moscow

  Chapter 2077

   Time entered September, and the German army used all available forces to launch a fierce attack on the landing site, but they were still unable to drive Chuikov's troops into the Vistula River, and the Magnusev landing site became more and more stable.

  The Polish comrades sent from Lublin, after nearly a month of investigation, finally figured out what happened to the Warsaw Uprising. The uprising was organized by a group of officers of the Krajov army, who launched the uprising on 1 August on the orders of the Polish government-in-exile in London.

   It was General Montel who led the uprising, and the Krajov Army with the largest number of troops, the best weapons and organization, played the leading role. Residents with patriotic tendencies in Warsaw, those who hated the German occupation forces and hoped to expel the enslaved people as soon as possible all participated in the uprising. They took up arms and hit the enemy without hesitation.

  From the information provided by Polish comrades, Rokossovsky knew that the leaders of the uprising did everything possible to prevent the insurgents from establishing any contact with the Soviet army. But as time went on, the rebels who participated in the uprising began to understand that they had been deceived. The situation in Warsaw became more and more difficult, and civil strife began among the rebels. The leader of the Krajov Army was forced to ask for help from the Soviet command through London.

   After receiving the secret report, Chief of General Staff Antonov communicated between Rokossovsky and the insurgents. The next day, September 18, the British radio station broadcast the news of General Bull's report on coordinated operations with Rokossovsky's headquarters, and the news that Soviet planes continued to drop weapons, ammunition and food to the insurgents in Warsaw. information.

  If the rebel army contacted Rokossovsky's headquarters earlier, the Soviet army would provide weapons, ammunition and various supplies to the rebel army in the city. But now General Bull's cooperation with the outside world is only after the British Air Force's attempt to supply the insurgents has failed, and it is only after the failure of the British Air Force's attempt to find Rokossovsky's troops for help. However, there was always an illusion in his heart, and he felt that London would provide them with weapons, ammunition and supplies.

  A few days later, under the cover of Mustang fighter jets, 80 flying fortresses flew over the Warsaw Pact. They had to drop supplies at an altitude of 4,500 meters due to German ground artillery fire. However, due to the intertwined defense lines of the rebels and the Germans, most of these airdrops fell into the hands of the Germans.

  The British planes that participated in the airdrop were shot down by German anti-aircraft guns. In order to avoid unnecessary losses, after this time, the British never conducted airdrops on Warsaw again.

The German army found that the weakest place of the Belarusian First Front was between Praga and Siedlce, so they concentrated the 4th Armored Division, Göring Armored Division, 19th Armored Division and 73rd Infantry Division. A new offensive has been launched in this area.

Rokossovsky, who was directing the battle at the headquarters, looked at the map in front of him and said to Malinin with emotion: "The insurgents in Warsaw were able to seize the bridge over the Vistula River and capture Praga, and strike from the enemy's rear. That's good. Then they can help the troops of the 2nd Tank Army to make the situation develop in our army's direction.

  But the Polish government in London did not consider doing this at all, and General Boole and General Montel, who were their spokespersons in Warsaw, did not intend to do this at all. After they had done their shady things, they fled and made the people they provoked pay a painful price for everything. "

"Comrade Commander," Malinin said to Rokossovsky, "since Bogdanov was wounded, the 2nd Tank Army was commanded by Chief of Staff Razievsky, a capable and energetic The general, in the process of commanding the troops to fight the German army, has achieved a lot of results. However, after a long period of fighting, his troops have been reduced a lot, and the commanders and fighters have become exhausted. I think they may not be able to withstand the German army. An attack by four divisions."

   Rokossovsky looked up at Malinen and said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you mean to let Misha's 48th Army go up?"

"That's right, that's what I mean." Malinin pointed to the map and said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, please take a look. The 1st and 6th Guards Divisions under General Sokov are stationed at Siedlce, it is entirely possible for them to launch an attack from the German flank to crush their intention to besiege the 2nd Tank Army."

"I think it can." Rokossovsky thought for a while, and agreed to Malinin's proposal. He added: "Under the current circumstances, it is very appropriate to put the 48th Army into battle. As long as they act , can contain a lot of German troops, so that we can pull the troops of the 65th and 70th armies out of the Belovizh forest."

"As long as the 65th and 70th armies pass through the Belovizh forest, we will have a reserve team in our hands." Ma Linin said a little excitedly: "I'll call right now and convey your thoughts to the three Army commander."

   Before Ma Linin could make a call, a staff officer came over with a telegram and handed it to Ma Linin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, this is a telegram from General Batov, commander of the 65th Army."

  Hearing the telegram from Batov, Rokossovsky was a little impatient: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what did Batov say in the telegram?"

After Ma Lining quickly browsed the contents of the telegram, a shocked expression appeared on his face: "During the operation of the 65th Army, two German tank divisions interspersed in the middle of the army, dividing the troops of the 65th Army into several part. Today Batov has lost contact with most of the divisional combat units."

"The situation is not good, Comrade Chief of Staff." Rokossovsky's face turned livid after listening to Malinen's narration: "Our right-wing Belarusian Second Front Army was advancing very slowly. If the 65th Army was captured by the Germans If we divide and annihilate, there will be a gap as wide as 50 kilometers between us and our friendly forces. If the Germans rush into the gap and encircle our army in a roundabout way, the situation will not be very good."

   "Comrade Commander, we must find a way to rescue the 65th Army Group from danger." Ma Linin said with a serious expression: "Tell me, what should we do?"

"Let Misha's troops go into battle according to the plan just now." Rokossovsky stared at the map in front of him: "As long as the 48th Army moves into action, the enemy's original attack plan will be disrupted. At that time, they will have to deploy troops to deal with Misha, and the pressure on Batov's side will be greatly reduced."

Seeing that Malinin picked up the phone and was about to call Sokov, Rokossovsky specifically told him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you can tell Misha what happened in Warsaw, maybe it will help him formulate various plans. Appropriate battle plan."

   "Understood, Comrade Commander." Ma Linin nodded and said, "I will truthfully tell General Sokov the situation in Warsaw."

The call was quickly connected, and as soon as Malinin heard Sokov's voice, he said bluntly: "General Sokov, Comrade Commander ordered you to send troops as soon as possible between Praga and Siedlce To meet the German troops and relieve the pressure on the 2nd Tank Army."

  Although the troops had rested for a month, Sokov couldn't sit still. But at this moment when he heard Malinin's order, he still couldn't help asking curiously: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, why did we meet the enemy between Praga and Siedlce? You know, if our troops move north, It can also join forces with the 65th Army that is staying in the Belovizh Forest."

   "General Sokov, Comrade Commander asked me to tell you that the rebel army in Warsaw has declared outside that it wants to cooperate with us." Ma Linin said briefly: "So our next attack direction is still Warsaw."

When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help frowning, and said that he asked Rokossovsky to come forward in early August to help him ask for a hovercraft from the weapons and equipment department to help the troops cross the river. Ski refused. Now that more than a month has passed, the uprising in Warsaw is on the verge of failure. It may be too late to send reinforcements at this moment.

"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," Sokov said coldly, "Is it too late to attack Warsaw now? I'm afraid the rebel army in the city will be wiped out by the Germans before we enter the west of Warsaw." gone."

Hearing what Sokov said, Malinin showed a wry smile on his face. He told Sokov in detail what he knew, and finally said: "General Sokov, this is the situation in Warsaw today. Knowing that it is too late to help the rebel army at this moment, but we still have to do our best, as for what effect we can achieve in the end, we can only resign ourselves to fate."

   "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov nodded and said: "I will deploy immediately and try to launch an attack on the German army between Praga and Siedlce as soon as possible."

After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Ponedelin and Sidolin: "Comrade Deputy Commander, Comrade Chief of Staff, I have just received an order from General Malinin, let us go immediately between Praga and Siedlce. Launch an attack in time to defeat the German troops entrenched there."

  The two looked at each other after hearing this, and both saw the surprised expression in each other's eyes. In the end, it was Ponegerin who asked first: "Comrade commander, what is going on? The superior ordered us to rest in the existing area, why did he suddenly order us to fight again? What happened?"

"The chief of staff of the Front Army told me just now that the Polish comrades in Lublin finally figured out what happened in Warsaw after a period of investigation." Sokov said to the two: "Now the insurgents in the city can no longer support We can only ask our army for help through London. The Germans obviously found that our strength is weakest between Praga and Siedlce east of Warsaw, so they mobilized three armored divisions and one infantry division. , launched an attack on the 2nd Tank Army standing there. The task given to us by our superiors is to support friendly forces to crush the enemy's attack."

  Pornegelin waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately stared at the map on the table to examine it carefully. He looked at it for a while, then raised his head and said, "Comrade Commander, how many troops do you plan to invest? Do you only use the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions stationed in Siedlce, or send more troops into battle?"

"I think two divisions should be enough." Sokov said: "We have been studying the map every day recently. You should know that if we can transfer some troops to support General Batov's 65th Army, help them Coming out of the forest will make our flanks stronger."

  Pornegelin nodded after hearing this, and said: "Well, it makes sense. Now that the 65th Army has encountered some difficulties in the forest area, I think we should support them and help them get out of the predicament earlier."

"If General Batov is to be rescued, at least two divisions will be needed." Seeing that Ponedelin agreed with his point of view, Sokov went on to say: "Add a tank brigade and two artillery regiments." , will be able to defeat the enemies that troubled General Batov and help them get out of the forest. As long as they leave the forest area, not only will we ensure that our right wing will not be threatened by the Germans, but at the same time it will help the first The 70th Army, get out of the current predicament."

Hearing what Sokov said, Sidolin said with some concern: "Comrade Commander, the superior ordered us to attack the enemy between Praga and Siedlce. We will only dispatch two divisions. Will it be too few?" gone?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I also want to put all my troops into battle, in order to achieve the purpose of defeating the enemy in the shortest time." Sokov explained to Sidolin: "But if we really do this, then the flanks will be exposed. In front of the enemy, if they rush into our offensive line regardless, they may divide our troops into several pieces. At that time, let alone defeating the German attack, whether the troops can protect themselves is also a question .”

   "So do you have any plans, Comrade Commander?" Sidolin asked.

"As I said just now, when we are carrying out the combat tasks assigned by the Front Army Command, we will also send troops to reinforce General Batov's 65th Army." Sokov said: "As long as General Batov's troops are rescued , then our flank is safe, which means that we no longer need to send troops to defend. In this way, we can take our time to deploy troops to strengthen the enemy attack between Praga and Siedlce."

"I agree with the commander's combat plan." Ponejelin echoed: "This is the most beneficial for us. If we start, we put the main force between Praga and Siedlce, if The enemy took the opportunity to attack our flank. In order to resist their attack, we had to use the remaining troops for defense. Doing so means that we don't have any reserves, which is very detrimental to our subsequent operations of."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov saw that Pornegerin supported his plan, nodded with a smile, and then told Sidolin: "Call the commanders of the infantry divisions, infantry brigades, and tank brigades immediately and let them They rushed over for a meeting immediately, and I will assign them new combat missions."

  (end of this chapter)