"Comrade Commander," but after the German attack on Minsk was repelled, Ponedelin suddenly asked Sokov: "You sent two infantry divisions and an infantry brigade to coordinate with Batov's troops to attack Bala.
Norwich, but there is no unified command, I'm afraid this is inappropriate?"
After Ponejelin's reminder, Sokov immediately realized his negligence, nodded and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you are right. The three armies are not subordinate to each other. If there is no unified command,
It is easy for us to fight independently on the battlefield. I think we should divide the work. One will stay here to command the troops to resist the German attack on the city, and the other will command the assault troops that assist General Bartov in the battle."
"I agree." Ponedelin readily agreed to Sokov's proposal, and then asked: "Are you going to stay or go to command the assault force?"
To be fair, Sokov really wanted to command the assault force, because the results achieved in that way can be seen. As for holding on to the city, if you hold on, it is your duty; if the city is lost, you just have to wait for a military court.
However, after a fierce ideological struggle, he decided to choose the most difficult path, which was to stay and command the troops to defend the city. As for the opportunity to make contributions, he left it to Ponejelin.
Thinking of this, he said to Ponijelin: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I think you should command the assault force. In order to better command the force, you'd better bring a few students with you. They all have rich experience."
I believe regimental commanders with combat experience can help you."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Ponedelin had no objection to Sokov's arrangement: "I will rush over to command the troops now. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
Listening to what Ponedelin said, Sokov suddenly remembered something. In real history, after Batov's troops fought a series of fierce battles with the German army in the Baranovichi area, the commanders and fighters became exhausted.
It was so unbearable that when the troops arrived at Baranovichi, they did not immediately attack the city. As a result, Batov received a scolding from Zhukov.
Although Sokov did not know where the 48th Army was at that time, whoever could capture Baranovichi first would be a great achievement. Since he had sent the most elite troops, he naturally hoped to be the first to enter the city.
Troops. Thinking of this, he told Ponijelin: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I want to remind you: if the troops arrive outside Baranovichi, no matter whether friendly forces are still attacking at that time, you must not hesitate.
The ground launches an attack on the city. Do you understand?"
Although Ponedelin didn't know why Sokov said this, he was accustomed to obeying and nodded and replied: "I understand, Comrade Commander. As long as the troops arrive outside Baranovichi, I will
Ordered them to attack the city."
After Ponedelin left with several students, Sidorin curiously asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, why don't you command the assault force?"
Sokov looked at Sidorin and asked with interest: "Comrade Chief of Staff, why do you think I should command the assault force?"
"It's very simple." Due to the close relationship between the two, Sidorin said without so many scruples: "Although we have a lot of troops left in the city, in the face of the enemy's strong attack, we cannot rule out the loss of the city.
It is possible. Everyone knows that it is our duty to defend the city, which is not a big deal. But if we cannot hold the city and let the Germans take it back, it will be a big deal, and a lot of people may be affected.
Punishment from superiors."
"You are right, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov agreed with Sidorin's statement: "It doesn't matter if an ordinary city is lost, it can be recaptured. But this city is the capital of Belarus.
, and not long ago, in order to celebrate the recapture of Minsk, a salute was fired on the Red Square in Moscow. If it is occupied by the Germans again, I am afraid that the Supreme Command will not be able to step down, and you and I will definitely not be able to escape the end of a military court.
Our commanders at all levels will also be implicated."
After Sokov said these words, he took a sip of tea and continued: "It is precisely because of the high stakes that I don't feel comfortable leaving the task of defending the city to the deputy commander. You also know that he used to
If he is allowed to stay and command the battle to defend the city, if he fails, I am afraid that the fate that awaits him will be very tragic."
"Yes, Comrade Commander, you are right." Sidorin nodded and said: "Although Comrade Deputy Commander has been restored to the rank of general, he is still guilty. If something goes wrong,
, the punishment he will receive will be very severe."
Sokov nodded and then asked: "What is the current situation of each division?"
"The 3rd and 211th Infantry Divisions have repelled five German attacks." Sidorin reported to Sokov: "I asked the two division commanders, and they said that the troops' defensive operations based on fortifications were very successful.
The casualties are also much less than expected. According to the current style of play, even if we defend for two or three months, it won't be a problem."
"Tell them not to underestimate the enemy." Even though the German attack on the city was repelled, the danger still existed, so Sokov always remained vigilant. He reminded Sidorin: "The better the troops fight, the better."
, as a commander, you should not be arrogant, otherwise you will easily underestimate the enemy, which will be very detrimental to the next battle."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Sidorin nodded and said, "I have already said hello to them many times. I believe they will not make such a stupid mistake again."
"As long as you don't make stupid mistakes." Although Sokov looked like he didn't care on the outside, he was actually quite worried in his heart. What should he do if the city really fell?
When Sokov was worried about whether he could hold the city, Model was also in a dilemma. According to his original idea, he mobilized two elite infantry divisions to attack Minsk, even if the command of the defenders was
The officer was Sokov, but to his surprise, his troops attacked for two days and failed to even break through the outer positions.
The commander of the 170th Infantry Division reported to him: "Your Excellency, Commander, the Russians are simply crazy. They dared to use rockets to attack when the two armies were less than 150 meters apart. As a result, they caused huge damage to my troops."
casualties."
"What, the Russians used rockets to attack you in close combat?" Model asked in surprise: "Is this true?"
"Of course it is true, Your Excellency Commander." The commander of the 170th Division said with a grimace: "My subordinates did not expect how crazy the Russians were, and they were not afraid of accidentally injuring their own people, so they fired directly towards the area where the two armies were fighting.
The rockets caused huge casualties to my attacking troops."
Model had never dealt with Sokov before, so he naturally didn't know that the rockets fired at close range by the division commander were not fired with conventional rocket launchers, but with the new type of rocket developed by Sokov.
.This kind of weapon, which has become a guerrilla artifact in later generations, can be launched in any terrain. Let alone 150 meters between the two sides, even if it is dozens of meters closer, there is no need to worry about accidentally injuring one's own people when launching.
Since Model didn't even know about this new weapon, the commander of the 170th Division, who had just been transferred from Germany, naturally knew nothing about this weapon.
Model was silent for a moment, and then asked: "Do you know where the Russian artillery positions are? If you know, I can notify the artillery to suppress them with fire."
"It's a pity, Your Excellency, Commander." The German division commander said frustratedly: "My men didn't find out where the Russian artillery positions were at all, otherwise we would have suppressed them with artillery fire."
Hearing what the German division commander said, Model became angry for no reason and almost got angry at the opponent. However, as a commander, he still had the necessary self-restraint. He suppressed the anger in his heart and said to the German division commander: "Next time we fight
At this time, ask your men to keep their eyes open. I don’t know where the Russian artillery positions are, how can I provide you with artillery support?"
"Your Excellency, Commander!" The German division commander heard that Model was angry and said cautiously: "How about you send out the air force to bomb Minsk? My troops can take advantage of the opportunity when the defenders were stunned by the bombing to break through.
their defenses and quickly rushed into the city."
"If you encounter other Russian troops, this tactic will definitely succeed." Model said angrily: "But the troops you have to deal with now are commanded by Sokov. Sokov, you know
Is that so? He is the most terrifying general among the Russians. All the officers who have fought with him, everyone hates and admires him."
"What's more, the Russians now have control of the air on the battlefield. Even if the air force I send provides you with air cover, I'm afraid it won't be long before swarms of Russian planes are attracted. By then, our air power will definitely be under attack.
Huge loss.”
Having just finished teaching the commander of the 170th Division, Model received a call from General Tipelskich of the 4th Army, saying that his troops were being attacked fiercely by the Soviet army and that the situation was now in danger. He asked Model to
Send troops to rescue as soon as possible.
Before receiving this call for help, Model wanted to continue trying to capture Minsk, but now he has to reconsider whether it is a wise thing to continue attacking Minsk under the current situation.
Just when he was hesitant, he received a call from Chief of General Staff Zeitzler, asking him how the war in Belarus was going. Model knew very well that Zeitzler had always obeyed the mustache, and he wanted to fight this
The phone call must have been prompted by Mustache.
If this call had come before Tipelskich's call for help, then Model might have held on to the last glimmer of hope and tried his best to seize Minsk. But now what he is thinking about is how to capture Minsk.
The 4th and 9th Army were rescued from the encirclement.
Model hesitated for a long time, and then said: "Your Excellency, Chief of General Staff, the situation here in Belarus is very bad. The Russians mobilized more than two million troops and launched a comprehensive attack on our army at different locations at the same time. Following Ming
After the fall of Sksk and the 4th and 9th Army Groups being encircled by the Russians, the heavy force group I deployed in the Baranovichi area also fell into the siege of the Russians..."
After listening to Model's report, Zeitzler glanced uneasily at Mustache, who was listening to the conversation between him and Model on the extension phone, and asked cautiously: "Marshal Model, I wonder what measures you have taken?"
"I mobilized two infantry divisions and launched an attack on Minsk under the cover of artillery fire." Model said here and couldn't help but sigh: "But unfortunately, our attack was not successful.
Now that the 4th and 9th armies are in a difficult situation, I plan to give up the plan to capture Minsk and rescue the besieged troops first."
"No, absolutely not." As soon as Model finished speaking, a mustache's roar came from the earphones: "Attack! Model, attack, I order you to attack! Attack Minsk at all costs, as long as you get
Once outside this city, the morale of the Russians will suffer a heavy blow. At that time, our brave soldiers will be able to give these Russian pigs a lesson in the counterattack and drive them all into the Dnieper River."
"My head of state!" Model heard Mustache's voice and realized that if he could not convince the other party, then he would not be able to carry out the next combat operation according to his intentions, so he said cautiously: "My troops are going to
Minsk launched many offensives, but unfortunately, they failed to succeed."
"If you fail once, attack a second time." Mustache said angrily: "If it doesn't work twice, just three times. I must take down Minsk! Take it down!! Do you hear me?"
"I'm sorry, my head of state." Model had already made a decision in his heart at this moment. No matter what Mustache said, he was determined not to attack Minsk again, which would only waste his precious troops: "Now the 4th and 4th
The 9th Army is in a very dangerous situation, and I think rescuing them is more important than retaking Minsk."
"The German army will not waver even if they are surrounded." Mustache continued to yell on the phone: "No matter how many Russians surround them, it will not be easy to eliminate them. That is,
Say, you have enough time to continue to capture Minsk."
"My head of state, please listen to my explanation." Model understood Mustache's hysterical character. After the other party's mood stabilized a little, he said cautiously: "The Russian commander who defends the city is General Sokov.
Even if we have the ability to defeat him, it cannot be done overnight. The troops being besieged are currently very short of ammunition and various supplies. I am worried that if we ignore them, they may not be able to support the day we capture Minsk."
The shadow of the famous tree. After Model said Sokov's name, the mustache that was still shouting suddenly became quiet. He did not expect that the Russian general who was holding on to Minsk at this moment was actually giving his subordinates a headache.
Sokov. If he insists on going his own way and insists on letting Model recapture Minsk, he may fall into a protracted tug of war. Maybe in the end, the city is not captured, but the besieged troops are annihilated. That is
The gain outweighs the loss.
Mustache silently put down the extension receiver, waved his hand casually at Zeitzler, signaling him to deal with Model, and walked slowly towards the door with his hands behind his back.
This chapter has been completed!