The next day, the German army stopped its operations along the Narew River and turned to attack Chuikov's troops at the Magnushev landing site. Although Chuikov's troops originally sent to Warsaw had crossed the river and returned to the right bank area, due to various reasons, they
Chuikov, who had not yet returned to the army and whose strength had been weakened, seemed somewhat powerless in the face of the strong German attack.
In desperation, Chuikov could only call Rokossovsky in person, hoping that he could return those two divisions to reorganize as soon as possible to enrich his strength. If it were in the past, faced with Chuikov's request, Rokossovsky
Fsky would definitely agree without hesitation, after all, these two divisions originally belonged to the 8th Guards Army.
But the abnormal behavior of the German army today made Rokossovsky alert. He felt that the Germans must have some conspiracy, otherwise they had just been hit by their own artillery fire in the Narew River area yesterday, and not only did they not take any retaliation today
action, and also shifted the focus of the attack to the Magnushev landing site in the south. This is too unreasonable.
"Chuikov," Rokossovsky said thoughtfully, "I can't let those two divisions return to their formation for the time being."
"What, they can't be allowed to return to the army?" Hearing what Rokossovsky said, Chuikov became a little anxious: "Why, Comrade Marshal? You know, these two divisions here were taken away and used for defense.
The strength of the troops has become weak, and now the German army is attacking crazily. If the troops are not restored as soon as possible and the defense here is strengthened, I am worried that the Magnushev landing site may be lost."
"Chuikov, there is a reason why I don't plan to let these two divisions return to their formation." Rokossovsky explained to Chuikov: "Yesterday we launched an attack in the Narew area, but due to the enemy's artillery fire
It was too ferocious, and in the end the attack had to be called off."
Chuikov's defense area is in the south of Warsaw, hundreds of kilometers away from the Narew River Basin. Naturally, he doesn't know what is happening there. At this moment, hearing Rokossovsky mention it, he couldn't help but curiously asked: "Comrade Marshal, what are you doing?"
You are right, when facing the powerful artillery fire of the German army and our army was unable to restrain them for the time being, it was absolutely correct to give up the attack in time."
"I also considered this at the time, so I stopped the attack in time and reported the matter to the Supreme Commander himself." Rokossovsky said: "As usual, after the German army was attacked by our army,
There will definitely be crazy retaliation, but what is strange is that their operations in the Narew River area have completely stopped, and they have also launched a fierce attack on the Magnushev landing site that you are holding."
Chuikov was also an excellent commander. Hearing what Rokossovsky said, he immediately realized something was wrong: "Comrade Marshal, the situation is not right. With the virtue of the Germans, they have suffered such a big loss and will not retaliate."
Strange. How could it be possible that it stopped its operations on the Narew River and turned its attention to me?"
"Yes, we are studying whether the Germans are setting any trap for us."
"Has the research produced results?"
"According to the report of the Air Force, the German fighter group suddenly increased its aerial training on all traffic routes from the west of Warsaw to the north. Our reconnaissance planes simply do not want to conduct reconnaissance as before." Rokossovsky was a little helpless.
He said: "It is precisely because we are unable to obtain useful information in a timely manner that we have no idea what the Germans will do next."
When Chuikov heard this, his brain began to think quickly, secretly wondering what the real purpose of the Germans was. After thinking for a few minutes, he said: "Comrade Marshal, I have a bold guess."
"tell me the story."
"If the Germans really block all the traffic arteries from west to north of Warsaw, it proves that they are about to take a major action." Chuikov said cautiously: "Will they attack the Magnushev landing site openly?
, are actually gathering troops to prepare for a larger-scale offensive action against our army’s landing site in the Narew River Basin?”
"What you said makes perfect sense." Rokossovsky agreed with Chuikov's analysis: "There is indeed the possibility you mentioned. This is why I cannot allow those two divisions to return to the army for the time being.
The reason. Once an unexpected battle breaks out on the Narew River, they can rush over for reinforcements. After all, our troops on the landing site were driven into the Narew River by the German army."
"I understand everything, Comrade Marshal." After understanding the situation, Chuikov said reasonably: "Then according to your wishes, these two divisions will not return to the army for the time being, but will stay near Praga on standby. If they are really there,
If there is a battle in the Narew River area, they can rush over as soon as possible to provide reinforcements."
"What about your Magnushev landing site?" Rokossovsky asked: "Can it be defended?"
"Don't worry, Comrade Marshal." Chuikov assured Rokossovsky: "We will rely on our existing strength to tenaciously resist the German attack and never let them drive our army into the Vistula River."
Besides, since the attack on the first day was canceled, Sokov was worried that the German army would retaliate against his own defense area, so he issued orders to several division commanders at the left bank landing field to have the troops enter the position in batches to guard the positions to prevent possible attacks by the Germans.
attack.
But until evening, there must be no movement from the enemy on the opposite side, which puzzled Sokov. Sidorin also asked in confusion: "Comrade Commander, what is going on? The enemy was beaten by us yesterday."
After a meal, according to their moral character, they will definitely retaliate, but why are they so calm today?"
"I don't know." Sokov shook his head and said to Sidorin: "It's a bit too abnormal for them not to take any action. I think there may be some conspiracy hidden in it."
While the two were talking, Ponedelin sat silently next to him. He was also thinking about what Sokov said. It was a bit abnormal that the enemy did not launch a retaliatory attack on the landing site on the left bank. But the Germans did so.
What was the purpose? He couldn't figure it out.
The phone on the table rang. Sokov was relatively close to the phone. He grabbed the phone and put it to his ear: "I am Sokov, who are you?"
"Hello, General Sokov." Batov's voice came from the receiver: "I am Batov."
"It turns out to be General Batov." Sokov said with a smile: "What do you want from me?"
"That's it, General Sokov." Batov briefly explained his purpose: "Yesterday, your army and General Popov's 70th Army were preparing to launch an attack on the German triangle. Later, because the enemy's artillery fire was too fierce,
The offensive operation has been cancelled. I called you just to ask if the enemy has taken any retaliatory action against you today."
"No, General Batov." Sokov shook his head and said, "We are discussing why the Germans did not launch an attack on our landing site today. Is there any conspiracy hidden in it?"
"Conspiracy? General Bartov, do you think the Germans will have any more conspiracy?" Bartov said with some disdain: "Don't you think that after the enemy attacked for such a long time, not only the troops suffered heavy losses, but also the officers and soldiers
They have also become exhausted, and they have no strength to launch any large-scale attack on us anymore."
It was difficult for Sokov to refute Bartov's statement. After all, he had not seen any movement from the Germans all day. He quickly covered the microphone with his hand, turned to Sidorin who was standing aside and said:
"Comrade Chief of Staff, please call the front army headquarters to see if there are any special abnormalities."
"Special abnormal situation?" Sidorin asked with some confusion: "Comrade Commander, what is an abnormal situation?"
"I want you to ask the front army headquarters to see what the enemy is doing in other areas. Do you understand?"
"clear!"
After hearing what Sidorin said, Sokov nodded and released his hand covering the microphone: "General Bartov, the situation you mentioned does exist, but the probability is so small that it is negligible. I always believe that Germany
No one has taken any action in the Narew River Basin today, and there must be some terrible conspiracy brewing."
Unexpectedly, Bartov laughed heartily after hearing this: "General Sokov, you are so funny. The Germans are like this, what else can happen? You are too neurotic."
Seeing that Batov underestimated the enemy, Sokov could no longer argue with him, so he could only say tactfully: "General Batov, I strongly suggest that you make your troops more vigilant and be prepared to guard against German attacks.
So as not to be caught off guard by the Germans."
When Sokov put down the phone, Sidorin also finished the call. He came to the table and said to Sokov and Ponedelin: "Comrade commanders, something seems to be wrong."
"What's wrong?" Ponejelin asked.
"That's right, Chief of Staff Malinin told me," Sidorin replied: "Although the Germans did not take any action here, they concentrated their superior forces and carried out an attack on General Chuikov's Magnushev landing site.
Attacked by force, now the battle has fallen into a stalemate."
"What, the German army is attacking the Magnushev landing site?" Sidorin's words shocked Sokov and Ponedelin. They hurriedly came to the wall, looked up at the map hanging on it, and looked carefully at the map hanging on it.
Think about the Germans' intentions in doing this.
"It's really strange," Sokov said: "How could the Germans attack the Magnushev landing site out of nowhere?"
"I think this is normal." Ponejelin said: "The 8th Guards Army sent two Guards divisions into Warsaw. Later, due to supply problems, they had to cross the nearby river and withdraw to the right bank of the Vistula River. I
Thinking about this situation, the Germans also knew very well that the reason why they would launch an attack on General Chuikov's defense area was that they wanted to take advantage of the weak defense forces at the landing site before the two Guards divisions were rebuilt to try to take advantage of us.
Seize the landing site from friendly forces."
After listening to Ponedelin's analysis, Sidorin nodded and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I think what you said makes sense. The Germans must have considered this place when they chose to attack the Magnushev landing site at this time.
Our troops are weak, so launching an attack at this moment will have the highest success rate in driving our army down the river."
Although the two reached an agreement, Sokov didn't think so. He shook his head and expressed his inner thoughts: "Do you think that this approach of the Germans is too obvious and unclear?
They told us that they were unable to launch a counterattack in the Narew River basin and could only continue their fight at the Magnushev landing site."
"Is there something wrong?" Sidorin asked.
"Of course, even if the Germans really want to drive General Chuikov's troops from the Magnushev landing site into the Vistula River, they will continue to launch small-scale harassment operations against our troops in the Narew River Basin, which will make us
The army cannot figure out their true intentions."
Hearing this, Ponedelin heard Sokov's intention and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, according to your speculation, the offensive behavior taken by the Germans at the Magnushev landing site was just an attack."
The purpose of this feint attack is to divert our army's attention, thinking that they will concentrate their efforts on attacking the Magnushev landing site, forcing our army to transfer more troops to this area, thus weakening our troops in other areas?"
Sokov gave Ponedelin a thumbs-up and agreed with his guess: "Your analysis is very correct. Judging from the current situation, the Germans really want our army to shift its attention to horse racing."
Gnushev landing site so they can implement the next step of their plan."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin interrupted and asked: "I don't understand, what exactly do the Germans want to do?"
"I have a bold guess." Sokov waited for Sidorin to finish and continued: "The Germans may take large-scale military operations in the Narew River Basin, and the target of their attack is us.
Army Group and General Batov’s 65th Army.”
"No way." Regarding Sokov's statement, Sidorin expressed doubts: "If the German army wants to attack us and General Batov, then they will definitely mobilize their troops on a large scale before the attack. But then
So far, we have not received any relevant information."
"We have not obtained intelligence, which just shows that the Germans have done a good job in keeping secrets." Sokov already had a formed idea in his mind at this moment. He carefully said to Ponejelin and Sidorin: "Maybe the Germans have done a good job keeping secrets."
The people have strengthened their defenses, which prevents our army's scouts from going deep behind enemy lines and conducting effective reconnaissance, resulting in the inability to understand the true movements of the Germans in a timely manner."
At the same time, Batov was talking to his chief of staff Glebov: "Comrade chief of staff, I just spoke to General Sokov and told him that the Germans on our front have been greatly weakened, and the officers and soldiers have also changed.
He was exhausted and unable to launch a new attack on us, but he did not believe it, and stubbornly believed that the reason why the Germans did not take action today may be brewing some conspiracy." After saying this, he burst out laughing.
Looking at the enthusiastic Batov, Glebov naturally did not disappoint him, but followed his intention and said: "Comrade Commander, you are right. The Germans have suffered from our army for such a long time.
The strength of the attack has been weakened long ago, and there is no ability to attack us at all. So what should we do next?"
Batov thought for a while, and then told Glebov: "Chief of Staff, we now have five divisions at the landing site on the left bank, which has put a huge pressure on our army's logistics. Now I order, in addition to leaving the most
The first two divisions continued to stay outside the landing site on the left bank, while the other three divisions retreated to the right bank to rest."
"Do I need to ask the front army headquarters for instructions?"
"No need." Batov shook his head and said, "I am the commander of the group army. I can be responsible for all affairs within the group army. There is no need to ask for instructions from above."
This chapter has been completed!