Red Moscow

  Chapter 2088

  Two days later, Sokov's units of the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions stationed in Siedlce handed over their defenses to the friendly forces on defense, and then moved to the north.

  The order they received was to go to the fortification area to accept the command of Ponegerin, and together with the two infantry divisions that arrived earlier, they would rescue the 4th Guards Cavalry Army.

After giving orders to the two Guards divisions, Sidolin said to Sokov with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander, the situation is much worse than we imagined. The two Guards divisions in Praga and Siedlce In the meantime, the offensive against the enemy did not make much progress. And the troops who went to the fortified area to break the siege in the early stage also failed to rescue the cavalry army from the siege."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, the recent poor performance of our troops is due to many reasons." The attack in both directions was not smooth, which made Sokov very embarrassed. He naturally wanted to find some reasons to justify himself: " One is that after a long period of fighting in Bagration, the commanders and fighters became exhausted; the other is that a large number of new recruits were added in the later stage, which led to the dilution of the combat effectiveness of the troops.”

  The reason why Sokov was able to win repeatedly in the past was entirely because he was familiar with the history of those time periods, so he could formulate some targeted combat plans and achieve unexpected results. However, there are so few records in the books about the period from the entry of the Soviet army into Poland to the liberation of Warsaw, so that he has no battle examples to refer to. How could he command the troops to win the battle?

  But Sidolin didn't know what Sokov was really thinking. On the contrary, he echoed: "Comrade Commander, you are right. In fact, in addition to the two points you said, I would like to add one more thing."

   "Do you want to add something?" Sokov asked in surprise, "Which point to add?"

"In fact, another key reason for the recent poor record is that the troops are too scattered." Sidolin pointed to the map and said to Sokov: "Commander, look. Whether it is Praga in the west or The offensive battle between Siedlce, or the siege battle in the fortified area, what we are facing are all elite German troops with strong strength, and it is reasonable that we have not been able to gain tension for a long time."

  After listening to Sidolin's analysis, Sokov thought it over carefully and found it very reasonable. Dispersing the forces of the four divisions to fight in two different areas is indeed a taboo for military strategists. If you really want to repel the German attack and achieve ideal results, you must concentrate your superior forces.

"Comrade Chief of Staff, you're right." Sokov nodded and said, "Our troops are scattered, and the battle that could have been won with a superior force has turned into a war of attrition with equal strength. This is indeed my poor consideration. Fortunately, the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions have now been transferred to the fortification area. I believe that with their participation, the trapped cavalry army will soon be rescued."

"By the way, I haven't had time to inform Comrade Deputy Commander about the transfer of the two guard divisions." Sidolin slapped his forehead with his hand and said angrily: "If there is a misunderstanding, my own Fighting with your own people is a tragedy."

  Seeing that Sidolin was about to call Ponejielin, Sokov raised his hand to stop him: "Chief of Staff, I should make this call."

   Soon, Sokov was connected to Ponejielin's temporary headquarters. Hearing Ponegelin's voice coming from the receiver, he asked with a smile: "Comrade Deputy Commander, how is the situation there?"

   "What else can we do?" Pornegerin said with a wry smile, "The Germans have increased their troops again. Now we can only temporarily switch from offense to defense. After consuming part of the enemy's vitality, we can re-launch the offensive."

"Comrade Deputy Commander, I called you today just to tell you that the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions, which were originally carrying out offensive operations in the Praga and Siedlce areas, have withdrawn from the battle and are heading towards the Start in your area. With their participation, I think your chances of completing the higher-level orders will be greatly improved."

   "What, the 1st and 6th Guards Divisions have already withdrawn from the battle?" Pornegerin asked back in surprise: "Comrade Commander, why is this? Why did they withdraw from the battle?"

"That's right, Comrade Deputy Commander." In order to avoid Ponedelin's wild thoughts, Sokov explained to him: "The superiors have sent troops to take over our offensive in the direction of Praga and Siedlce, and ordered our army The whole move northward, and prepare to carry out new combat missions in the new area. Considering that you have not opened up the situation for a long time, I will assign two guard divisions to you first, hoping to help you change the current unfavorable situation."

"Great, this is really great." After finding out the reason why the two guard divisions withdrew from the original defense zone, Pornegelin said excitedly: "With the addition of these two elite troops, I am more confident I have completed the final task assigned to me by my superiors."

"Comrade Deputy Commander," Sokov said into the microphone: "I hope you can concentrate the use of the four divisions, so that no matter how strong the German army is in the fortification area, they will face our four infantry divisions. It will also be at a disadvantage in terms of strength."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Knowing that the number of troops he could use had doubled, Ponegerin immediately became confident, and he expressed his position to Sukov: "It will take two more days at most. , I can completely break the siege of the German army and rescue the cavalry army in the fortified area."

  At two o'clock in the afternoon, the troops of the two Guards divisions arrived near the fortification area, and then the two division commanders went to the temporary headquarters to report to Ponegerin.

Seeing the arrival of the two division commanders, Ponegerin seemed very happy. After shaking hands with them one by one, he said with a smile: "Two division commanders, your arrival allows us to compare with the enemy's strength here. become roughly equal."

  Tolstikov couldn't help being a little surprised after hearing this: "Why, Comrade Deputy Commander, are you doing well here?"

"Yes, Comrade General." To Tolstikov's question, Ponedelin nodded and answered truthfully: "At the beginning, our final operation went relatively smoothly. But as the Germans Compared with the enemy, our strength is gradually at a disadvantage. Let alone attacking now, it is not bad to be able to block the enemy's attack. Fortunately, you are here, so our strength has been greatly improved. I believe we have a chance of defeating the enemy and freeing the cavalry from the fortified areas if we realign our deployment."

  At this moment, a staff officer came in from the outside and reported to Ponegelin: "Comrade Deputy Commander, there is a courier from the 65th Army outside who said he was ordered to deliver a letter to you."

  Hearing that it was a messenger from the 65th Army, Ponegerin couldn't help showing a surprised expression on his face. He didn't know what Batov sent someone to find him. But he still said to the staff officer: "Comrade staff, bring the messenger in."

   Soon, the staff officer came in from the outside with a second lieutenant. The second lieutenant came to Ponegerin, raised his hand in salute, identified himself, and then handed a letter to Ponegerin.

  Pornegelin read the letter handed to him by the other party, with an expression of disbelief on his face: "What, your troops are moving towards the fortified area?"

"Yes, Comrade General." The messenger nodded and said, "Our commander asked me to tell you that our troops will be able to reach the fortification area by noon tomorrow at the latest, and hope to fight side by side with you to defeat the besieged fortification enemy of the region."

   Knowing that the troops of the 65th Army Group will arrive at noon tomorrow, everyone present has expressions of relief on their faces. In the past two days, everyone was very aggrieved by the beating, and they were pressed and beaten by the Germans, and they didn't even have the strength to fight back. It's all right now, first the commander sent two guard divisions, and then the troops of the friendly army will arrive at noon tomorrow. In this way, the strength of the Soviet army in the fortified area once again gained the upper hand.

  Ponejielin said to the messenger: "Please go back and tell General Batov that we look forward to the moment when we will fight side by side with you."

  After the messenger left, Ponegerin felt that it was such a big matter that he needed to communicate with Sokov to let him know what he knew, so he took the initiative to call the group army headquarters.

"Comrade Deputy Commander, do you have anything to do with me?" Sokov learned that Ponegerin was in a hurry to find himself, and quickly took the microphone from Sidolin: "Did something unexpected happen to you?" What happened?" When he said this, Sokov was full of apprehension, he was deeply afraid that something beyond his control would happen, which would cause the whole situation to develop in an unknown direction.

  But Bonegelin's tone sounded very happy: "Comrade Commander, I have some good news for you."

  Hearing that it was good news, Sokov felt more at ease for a short time: "Comrade Deputy Commander, what good news is it?"

"General Batov sent a messenger to me just now." Ponejielin said: "In the letter, he mentioned that the troops of the 65th Army will be able to reach the fortified area by noon tomorrow at the latest. Then they will fight alongside us to drive out the enemies who have besieged the fortified areas."

   "Oh, the 65th Army is going to join the battle?" Hearing the news, Sokov was very happy: "With the cooperation of friendly forces, your next battle will be much easier."

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Ponegerin agreed with Sokov's statement: "I was still hesitating in the morning whether I need to ask you for help and send us more reinforcements. I didn't expect you to take the initiative to give us We sent two guard divisions, and now General Batov's 65th Army is about to enter the fortification area, so the chances of completing the relief mission will be greatly improved."

"Comrade Deputy Commander, I have entrusted you with the task of rescuing the cavalry army." Sokov said to Ponejielin: "I have entrusted you with most of the troops of the group army. How to use these troops? , It’s all up to you. But since you want to coordinate operations with friendly forces, I suggest you discuss it with Batov in advance, so as not to wait for his troops to arrive, and you will not be able to effectively coordinate due to lack of tacit understanding. Understand?"

"I understand, Comrade Commander." Sokov's words reminded Ponegerin that he and Batov's troops were not under each other's command. The situation of fighting each other. At that time, not only will they not be able to effectively defeat the enemy, but on the contrary, there will be confusion due to the stagnation among the troops: "I will try my best to contact General Batov and discuss with him about coordinating operations."

After finishing the conversation with Ponegerin, Sokov said to Sidolin with a relaxed expression: "Chief of Staff, I have some good news for you. Just now General Batov sent someone to the deputy commander, saying that his troops will It will be able to enter the fortified area, and then the two sides can join forces to attack the German army and rescue the cavalry army trapped in the fortified area."

"Comrade Commander, our relief operation has been going on for a long time." Sidolin said to Sokov: "But the desired progress has not been made for a long time. I think the main reason is that the cavalry army is unwilling to cooperate. "

  Sokov couldn't help being taken aback after hearing this, and then asked back: "Chief of Staff, why do you say that?"

"The reason is very simple." Sidolin quickly rummaged through the maps on the table, found a map of the fortification area, pulled it out and put it on the top, pointed to the map and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, You see, if our army attacked the enemy from the outside, and the cavalry rushed out from the inside of the fortified area, forming a front and back attack with our troops, the siege would have been broken long ago. But our army has repeatedly Launching an attack on the enemy, they always stayed in the fortification area and did not move, so that our army had to fight alone, and as a result, we could not achieve the desired results.”

   For Sidolin's statement, Sokov agrees very much in his heart. He felt that the biggest shortcoming of the Soviet army was the lack of cooperation among them, and they basically fought independently on the battlefield. If the enemy's strength is not strong, the battle situation will not be critical; but once the enemy on the battlefield is strong, then the Soviet troops fighting against them will often end up being beaten to the ground by the opponent.

   "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think there may be other reasons for the cavalry army's inability to hold out." Sokov guessed that there may be other reasons for the cavalry army's delay in leaving the fortification area. Thinking that he had a good relationship with Sidolin, and that he would not leak out what he said casually, he boldly said: "Maybe the superior asked them to take the time to rest in the fortified area and prepare for the next phase of the battle." , let them be of greater use.”

"Even if the superior intends to entrust them with more important tasks in the next stage, it cannot be at the cost of sacrificing our troops." Sidolin said angrily: "After several days of fighting, our casualties exceeded I paid two thousand. If the fight continues, I don’t know how many people will be lost.”

"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, don't talk about it." Although more than 2,000 commanders and fighters were injured or injured, it also made Sokov heartbroken, but considering that in the next battle, a well-organized cavalry army can play a greater role. As a result, Sokov felt that no matter how many casualties his troops suffered, it was worth it. After all, in order to achieve the final victory, certain sacrifices must be made. Since other people's troops can do it, how can our own troops not do it: "I think our soldiers will understand that the price they paid today is for Tomorrow we can achieve even greater victories.”

  (end of this chapter)