"Comrade Commander, we were wrong!" After a brief silence, the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division first apologized to Sokov and said: "We resolutely obey your order and stay and defend Minsk."
Sokov has been dealing with the German army for such a long time, so he has a certain understanding of Model. He knows that like Manstein and Rommel, he is a pillar of the German army and has a good way of using troops. The reason why he can do so smoothly
The capture of Minsk was entirely due to the fact that the main force of the German army was restrained by friendly forces.
In the following days, I am afraid that I will have to bear the wrath of Model's thunder and rely on my own strength to resist the crazy counterattack of the German army. Therefore, it is completely necessary to leave more troops for defense.
Seeing that everyone understood their intentions and no longer argued about who would stay and who would attack, Sokov said to Sidorin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please arrange defensive areas for the remaining divisions."
In order to rescue the troops of the 4th and 9th Army Groups that were besieged in the Minsk area, Model mobilized three armored divisions, one Jaeger division and two infantry divisions to participate in the rescue operation.
The mission of the 5th Armored Division was to reoccupy the Minsk-Molodechno-Vilnius railway line and road north of Minsk so that troops from Army Group North could come along these roads for support.
The 12th Armored Division was sent to the southeast of Minsk to block the advance of the Soviet 1st Guards Tank Corps.
Model learned that the 48th Group Army occupying the city was a force commanded by Sokov, so he naturally paid enough attention to it. He mobilized two infantry divisions from the precious reinforcements and launched an attack on Minsk, trying to
This city, which had just been liberated by the Soviet army, was recaptured.
Naturally, Sokov would not let Model get his wish. He had already arranged his troops and was waiting for the Germans to come and die.
While Sokov's troops and Model were fighting fiercely in the north of Minsk, Rokossovsky received a call from the Supreme Command. Antonov said on the phone: "Rokossovsky
General, the current situation has changed, and your original battle plan also needs to be adjusted accordingly."
When Rokossovsky heard what the other party said, he couldn't help but feel a little bit in his heart, and then asked tentatively: "How to adjust?"
"Immediately hand over Minsk to the troops of the 2nd Belarusian Front. At the same time, the task of destroying the German *** troops enclosed in the Minsk encirclement is also handed over to the 2nd Belarusian Front. You only need to deploy a group army to strengthen them.
That’s it.”
"What, transfer to Minsk?" Rokossovsky said with some surprise: "But the Germans are launching a crazy attack on Minsk at the moment. How will the transfer be carried out?"
"What, the Germans are frantically attacking Minsk?" When Antonov heard this, he was suddenly startled into a cold sweat. It is obvious to all that Model's level is. If he organizes troops to attack Minsk, can he
There are still huge variables in defending the city. He asked tentatively: "General Rokossovsky, I wonder which army is holding Minsk? Do you need to mobilize troops from nearby for reinforcements?"
Rokossovsky did not find it strange at all that Antonov's expression changed when he heard Model's name. After all, even Zhukov had suffered losses at the hands of the other party, let alone ordinary people.
Soviet commander.
"Don't worry, Comrade Antonov." Fortunately, Rokossovsky quickly gave him reassurance: "Now the 48th Group Army commanded by Mischa is holding on to Minsk. I believe that even if Model himself
I’m afraid I won’t be able to get a good result from the command.”
Although he learned that the defenders in the city were from Sokov's command, Model's reputation still made Antonov a little uneasy: "Do I need to send him reinforcements?"
"It's not necessary." Rokossovsky said confidently: "Now there are four infantry divisions and two infantry brigades in the city. No matter how strong Model's troops are, they will never be able to capture the city from Mischa.
."
After a pause, Rokossovsky asked tentatively: "Comrade Antonov, what is our next main task?"
"According to the intention of the Supreme Command," Antonov said, "first, concentrate on destroying the German Baranovich Group, and then use the Slopim-Pruzhany road and the Baranovich-Bu
On the two parallel roads of the Brest-Litovsk Highway, send two armies to develop the results in the direction of Brest-Litovsk. Together with the left wing of your front army, they will make a profound detour and encircle the German Pinsk Group."
"Understood, Comrade Antonov." After listening to what the other party said, Rokossovsky nodded and said: "When the 48th Army repels the German attack on Minsk, let them advance to the west.
, to destroy the German Baranovich Group."
"General Rokossovsky," Antonov carefully expressed his opinion after waiting for Rokossovsky to finish: "The headquarters does not intend to hand over the task of annihilating the besieged German troops in the Minsk area to
Will the Second Belarusian Front do it? They just need a force to assist. If the 48th Group Army is handed over to them, it will save the time of changing defenses. What do you think?"
"No, no, absolutely not." When Rokossovsky heard that Sokov's 48th Army was to be handed over to the command of the Second Belarusian Front, he was naturally reluctant: "I can send other troops.
Assist the 2nd Belorussian Front, but Mischa’s troops cannot.”
Antonov asked lightly: "Since the 48th Army cannot do it, which unit do you think is more suitable?"
"How about General Gorbatov's 3rd Army?" Rokossovsky said: "I believe they will be able to cooperate with friendly forces, complete the tasks assigned to them by their superiors, and perform their responsibilities well."
"Okay," since Rokossovsky was unwilling to hand over Sokov's 48th Army to friendly forces and it would be good to have the 3rd Army, Antonov readily agreed: "I will contact the 2nd Army as soon as possible.
Comrades from the front army and let them get in touch with the troops cooperating with them."
After Rokossovsky ended the call with Antonov, he thought for a while, and then answered the call from the 3rd Army Headquarters: "This is Rokossovsky, General Gorbatov.
Telephone."
Hearing that the call was from Rokossovsky, the staff officer who answered the phone did not dare to neglect and quickly handed the phone to Gorbatov: "Comrade Commander, this is the call from the Commander of the Front Army."
"Hello, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." When Gorbatov said this, he glanced at Zhukov sitting next to him, and secretly wondered why Rokossovsky remembered to call him at this time.
Did something happen? "Do you have any new tasks for me?"
"You are right, General Gorbatov." Rokossovsky did not beat around the bush, but said bluntly: "From now on, your troops will stay to assist the troops of the Second Belarusian Front and eliminate
German troops surrounded near Minsk. Do you understand?"
"What, let our group army assist the comrades of the Second Front Army to clear out the besieged enemies near Minsk?" After listening to this, Gorbatov asked in shock: "So, from now on, we no longer belong to
First Front Army?”
"I'm just staying temporarily to assist them in fighting." Rokossovsky didn't know whether his superiors would assign his troops to friendly forces. He could only say vaguely: "I think after Belarus is liberated.
, the superiors will let your troops reorganize."
But Rokossovsky's words did not reassure Gorbatov. On the contrary, he still tried to change this already decided decision: "Comrade Commander, is there really no room for redemption?"
"General Gorbatov, an order is an order." Rokossovsky said in an unquestionable tone: "Your responsibility is to carry out the tasks of your superiors, and there is no room for bargaining. Do you understand?"
Before Gorbatov could answer, he continued: "Is Marshal Zhukov with you?"
"Yes," Gorbatov glanced at Zhukov, and hope ignited in his heart: "Comrade Marshal is here with me. Do you need to speak to him?"
"That's right, give him the phone."
Soon, Zhukov's voice came from the receiver: "Koschka, this is Zhukov!"
"Hello, Georgy Konstantinovich." Rokossovsky affectionately called Zhukov's real name and father's name, and asked tentatively: "The 3rd Army will soon go to assist the 2nd Army."
The front army is fighting, what are your plans next? Should you continue to stay in the 3rd Army, or come to my headquarters?"
Zhukov has been staying at Gorbatov's army headquarters since before the start of Operation Bagration, keeping abreast of the progress of this unit and making some suggestions of his own to Gorbatov at the appropriate time.
.Now that this unit is to be separated from Rokossovsky’s command, it is obviously inappropriate to continue to stay, so Zhukov only thought for a moment and replied without hesitation: "Koschka, I will go back to your headquarters."
.”
Hearing that Zhukov was about to leave, Gorbatov couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Although Zhukov had been staying at his headquarters before the battle began, which caused a certain amount of psychological pressure on himself. But it was also a good thing.
Not only can he get supplies first, but he can even learn something useful from Zhukov during the battle. This is valuable experience that cannot be exchanged for a price. Now that he is gone, he has lost a teacher, not to mention that logistics will give him in the future.
When the troops are supplying, they will no longer give priority to themselves in order to provide supplies for Zhukov's sake.
Although his heart is full of regrets, now that Zhukov has decided to leave, even if Gorbatov is reluctant to part with him, he can only watch Zhukov leave.
After Zhukov came to Rokossovsky's headquarters, he asked curiously: "Koschka, what's going on? How come Gorbatov's 3rd Army became the 2nd Front Army?"
force?"
"Georgy Konstantinovich, Antonov called me and said that this was the intention of his superiors, asking us to hand over the task of annihilating the besieged enemies in the Minsk area to the troops of the Second Front
to complete it. At the same time, he emphasized that we send a group army to assist them in completing this task. Originally Antonov wanted to keep Misha’s 48th Group Army, but later I considered Misha’s two infantry divisions and an infantry brigade.
, is assisting Batov's troops in carrying out a concentric assault in the general direction of Baranovich in order to encircle the German Baranovich Group and annihilate it.
If Mischa's troops are to be assigned to the Second Front at this time, it means that these troops participating in the offensive need to be readjusted. In order to avoid unnecessary confusion, after consideration, I decided to let Gorbato
Husband’s 3rd Army Group was sent to assist the troops of the Second Front Army in encircling and annihilating the besieged enemies.”
"Koschka, you are very thoughtful." Zhukov agreed with Rokossovsky's arrangement: "I think leaving Mischa's 48th Army behind is undoubtedly the best choice. I
I believe that Mischa’s troops will create more miracles during this Bagration operation. As his superior, you also share in the honors he has achieved.”
"You're right." Rokossovsky did have this idea of leaving Sokov's troops behind, but more importantly, with Sokov's existence, for Model, it would be
A nightmare, so he admitted carelessly: "I do have such thoughts."
"Koschka, which army do you plan to send me to next?" Zhukov asked with a smile: "Otherwise, I will go directly to Misha's army."
"I think it's best not to." Rokossovsky rejected Zhukov's proposal and explained to him: "Misha's command tactics have always been original. If there is a senior commander sitting next to him at any time, he might be able to
It affects his judgment and he may become hesitant when making decisions.”
Zhukov was just joking at first, but now that Rokossovsky has carefully analyzed the disadvantages of going to the 48th Army, he began to consider whether if he really went to the 48th Army to take charge, whether it would cause Sokov's command to be greatly compromised.
Level. After thinking for a while, he couldn't come up with a reason, so he asked Rokossovsky: "Koschka, which army do you think is better for me to join?"
"General Batov's 65th Group Army." Rokossovsky said without hesitation: "Batov and you are old friends. Even if you stay in his headquarters every day, it will not pose a problem to him.
A sense of oppression. Of course, this is just my suggestion. As for where you end up going, you still have to make the decision yourself."
"Then go to Batov's place." Zhukov accepted Rokossovsky's suggestion and chose Batov's troops: "Koschka, you are right, Batov and I are old friends.
. Even though our identities are very different, our chat is still very casual. I believe that even if I go, I won’t cause him any sense of oppression."
"Now that you have decided, I will call Batov immediately." Seeing that Zhukov was willing to go to Batov's army, Rokossovsky couldn't help showing joy on his face: "Then I will send someone to send you there."
"No, you don't need to call Bartov, and you don't need to send someone to see me off." Zhukov waved his hand and said casually: "I'll just go there, you don't need to worry about me, just continue with your work."
Although Zhukov said there was no need for an escort, Rokossovsky could not be more reassured. Although the Soviet army had taken the initiative on the battlefield, sporadic German troops would still appear in the occupied area. If he did not send someone to escort him, Zhukov would have to find someone to escort him.
If you are attacked by these people, the problem will become serious.
This chapter has been completed!