"Comrade Chief of Staff," Rokossovsky said to Bogolyubov, "just call Gorbatov, the commander of the 3rd Army. I will make the call personally to the 2nd Army for the assault.
"
Bogolyubov knew that Lieutenant General Fedyuninsky, commander of the 2nd Shock Army, and Rokossovsky were good friends. When the war broke out, one of them was the commander of the mechanized corps and the other the commander of the infantry corps.
Both have the rank of major general. But a few years later, Rokossovsky has become a Marshal of the Soviet Union, and the former commander of the infantry army, Fedyuninsky, is now just a commander of the 2nd Assault Army.
Lieutenant General.
"Okay, Comrade Marshal." Bogolyubov nodded, "Then I will just call General Gorbatov."
"Dear Ivan Ivanovich!" After the call was connected, Rokossovsky affectionately called Fedyuninsky's birth and father's name: "Are you ready for the attack?"
"Comrade Marshal," although Fedyuninsky and Rokossovsky were good friends, they were talking about business now. He did not call each other by his nickname as in the past, but by military rank: "We have already done this.
All preparations for an attack will be made as soon as the artillery preparations are completed, and then they will immediately launch an attack on the enemy's defensive positions and strive to be the first to break through the enemy's defenses."
Unexpectedly, Rokossovsky laughed after hearing this, and then said: "Ivan, although I also hope that your unit will be the first to break through the German defense line, I think you may be disappointed.
"
Feijuninsky was stunned, and then asked: "Why, did something happen?"
"Misha's troops have successfully broken through the German defenses not long ago and are developing in depth?"
"What, the 48th Group Army has broken through the German defenses and is developing in depth?" Fedyuninsky said with a face full of shock: "This is impossible, our artillery preparations for the enemy's positions have not ended yet, how could they possibly
Have you broken through the German defense? Comrade Marshal, is everything you said true?"
"Of course it's true. Misha called me personally to report it." Rokossovsky said: "Based on what I know about him, he would never do anything like lying about military information."
After confirming that the news said by Rokossovsky was true, Fedyuninsky became depressed: "What is going on? Why are our artillery preparations not over yet? Sokov's
The 48th Army has broken through the German defense line, what is going on?"
"Misha told me that the enemy had obtained intelligence in advance that our army was going to attack, and had already transferred the main force to the second line of defense in advance. In fact, most of our artillery preparations for the first line of defense were fired at unmanned areas.
"In the open space." Rokossovsky explained to Fedyuninsky: "So he only prepared artillery fire for ten minutes before ordering the infantry to attack the enemy's position. Those who retreated to the second line of defense
When the Germans saw the 48th Group Army launching an attack, they immediately tried to return to the front line through the communication trenches to block our army. At this time, our artillery fired at them, causing huge casualties to the enemy..."
After listening to Rokossovsky's words, Fedyuninsky asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, according to the original plan, our artillery preparations will last for about forty minutes. Can we stop the artillery fire in advance and allow the infantry to charge?"
Woolen cloth?"
"I think you can." Rokossovsky said: "But let me remind you, once you find that the German army is trying to return from the second line of defense to the first line of defense, you must immediately use artillery fire to cover it, thereby reducing the offensive force.
casualties. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Marshal." "Once you break through the German defense line, you will concentrate your forces directly towards Mwawa, encircle the heavy German troop group deployed there, and wait for the arrival of friendly forces to launch a battle of annihilation against them." Rokossov said.
Ski said earnestly on the phone: "Old man, when the war broke out, our military ranks and positions were the same. Now you can be far behind. I hope you will seize this opportunity and build great merits, so as to
There’s room for improvement.”
"I understand, Comrade Marshal." Fejuninsky heard Rokossovsky's concern for him and quickly expressed his position: "I will definitely strive to make great achievements and live up to your trust in me."
"As long as you understand. Then I wish you good luck and early success." After Fejuninsky ended the call with Rokossovsky, he immediately called his staff officer and told the other party: "Comrade Chief of Staff,
The artillery was ordered to stop shelling the enemy's positions. At the same time, the 327th, 372nd and 376th Infantry Divisions, which entered the attack position, immediately launched an attack on the enemy's defensive positions."
The chief of staff couldn't help but be stunned after hearing this, and then reminded Fejuninsky: "Comrade Commander, according to the original plan, we need to shell the enemy's position for at least forty minutes, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve the effect of the shelling."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, according to reliable intelligence, the German army has learned about our attack plan and moved their main force to the second line of defense before our artillery preparations began. In other words, the shells fired by our artillery
, most of them fell on the open ground." Fedyuninsky said to his chief of staff: "There is no point in continuing the artillery fire. It is the infantry's turn."
"What about the artillery?" the chief of staff asked Fedyuninsky.
"The artillery will remain where it is for the time being." Fedyuninsky continued: "Let the artillery closely observe the enemy's movements. When they find that their troops are moving from the second line of defense to the first line of defense, they will fire immediately.
Cover the enemy with firepower and try to kill and injure their effective forces as much as possible. "Also," he said proactively without waiting for the chief of staff to ask again, "move up the tank brigade. To break through the enemy's direction, tank cover is indispensable."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." the chief of staff replied resoundingly: "I will pass on your order immediately." Coincidentally, just as Fedyuninski's 2nd Assault Army stopped shelling, it mobilized three divisions of infantry.
While launching an attack on the German defense line, the 3rd Group Army located at the Luran landing site also stopped its ongoing artillery preparations and launched an infantry charge towards the German positions in front.
The German commander was not aware that the Soviet army had adjusted its tactics. When he saw the Soviet infantry charging towards its own position, he immediately gave an order to the troops on the second line to return to the first line of defense immediately to block the attacking Soviet army. Who
When their troops left the second line of defense and advanced along the communication trenches, they were suddenly hit by intensive artillery fire from the Soviet army. The unprepared German officers and soldiers suffered heavy casualties for a while.
When Rokossovsky learned the news, he couldn't help but smile. He said to Subbotin and Bogolyubov: "I didn't expect that the Germans had just suffered a big loss on the 48th Group Army's defense line, and the result was nothing.
After learning from experience and lessons, the result was that the 3rd Army and the 2nd Assault Army once again suffered heavy losses in the offensive direction."
"The main reason is that General Sokov's tactics are effective." Bogolyubov said with emotion: "If he hadn't reported to the headquarters in time that the enemy's main force had withdrawn to the second line of defense, all our artillery fire would have been empty space.
There is no one in the empty position, probably we are still wasting artillery shells on the position where there is no enemy at this time."
"This Sokov is really a treasure." Suboting said: "I went back to Moscow for a meeting some time ago, and I accidentally heard that at the meeting of the Supreme Command, someone once proposed that General Sokov should serve as a certain
Commander of the battle line."
"Isn't it a misinformation?" Bogolyubov did not believe Subbotin's statement. "I admit that General Sokov is very talented in military command, but let him serve as the commander of the front army.
I think it’s too exaggerated.”
"It's not an exaggeration at all." Unexpectedly, Rokossovsky supported: "I have also heard such rumors. Now it seems that the reason why Misha failed to become the commander of a certain front was because of his young age.
In addition, his qualifications are still too low, so if he suddenly assumes such an important position, there will definitely be many people who are not convinced."
Subbotin said: "After our East Prussia campaign is over, General Sokov's popularity will reach a new height. I think that if someone proposes to let him serve as the commander of a certain front, there will be no objection.
.”
"Comrade Marshal, do you think the newly launched troops can break through the German defense line as expected?"
"I have such confidence." Rokossovsky said without hesitation: "Although he is young and has insufficient qualifications, after the Battle of East Prussia, he will be remembered by more people.
If someone proposes to promote him, the resistance he will receive should be much less."
"That's right." Rokossovsky nodded and said, "Not only will the number of people who oppose him decrease, but the number of people who support him will also further increase. That's for sure."
"If our three armies break through the German defenses on the first day and achieve the original battle plan, what should we do next?"
"According to our original plan, the 65th and 70th Group Armies will also be put into battle the day after the battle begins," Rokossovsky said while tapping the map with his fingers: "We must strive to bring the German army into battle."
Mwawa's heavily armed group surrounded the Mwawa-Elbin area and concentrated its forces to annihilate them all."
Although commanders are accustomed to talking about total annihilation of the enemy when issuing orders, in fact, they can only severely damage the enemy, and total annihilation can only be said casually and cannot be achieved at all.
The Soviet army, which launched the charge in advance, caught the Germans off guard, broke through the German defense lines in several areas one after another, and advanced deeply into the German defenses.
Stalin, who was far away in Moscow, was concerned about the progress of the Battle of East Prussia. At this moment, he was walking back and forth in his office with his pipe in one hand and the other behind his back.
At this time, the phone on the table rang. He quickly walked to the table and grabbed the phone: "I'm Stalin, what can I do?"
"Comrade Stalin." Poskrebyshev's voice came from the receiver: "Marshal Rokossovsky called you. Will you answer the call?"
Hearing that it was a call from the front, Stalin replied without hesitation: "Answer, I will definitely answer it! Hurry up and get Rokossovsky's call in, I want to speak to him in person."
"Konstantin Konstantinovich!" Stalin called Rokossovsky's birth and patronymic affectionately, and asked enthusiastically: "Call me, do you have any good news to tell me?"
ah?"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Rokossovsky said proudly: "I am honored to report to you that the 3rd and 48th Army Groups and the 2nd Assault Army that participated in the offensive achieved the expected results in today's battle.
Among them, Mischa's 48th Army successfully captured the town of Puutusk and defeated the German 129th Division.
Feijuninski's 2nd Assault Army, after continuously breaking through two German defense lines, has arrived near Mwawa and is preparing to encircle the German heavy Mwawa group."
"Can a group army encircle a heavy German army with just one army?" Stalin had encountered too many similar situations in the past few years. The early offensives of the troops were all going smoothly, but when they encountered a heavy German army, he immediately reacted.
Victory turned into defeat, and it ended in tragedy. What's more, the 2nd Shock Army had a shameful history. Vlasov, whom he trusted, actually surrendered to the Germans after being captured.
Rokossovsky heard Stalin's worries and quickly explained to him: "Comrade Stalin, the strength of the 2nd Assault Army is much stronger than before. Even if they are hit by a strong force, they will be able to sustain it for a period of time.
What's more, I plan to put the 65th and 70th Army into battle tomorrow, and a few days later, the 5th Guards Tank Army. I believe that our army's three combined arms armies and one tank army will be able to deal with the Germans.
There won’t be much of a problem with the heavy military group.”
"Okay, Konstantin Konstantinovich, now that you have given Zhou Xiang's consideration, I'm relieved." Stalin picked up the cigarette case on the table, took out a cigarette, and crushed it with his fingers.
Then he put the pipe in and said into the microphone: "Also, how did Xiao Misha perform on the battlefield?"
"It can be said to be great." Rokossovsky said: "This time the 48th Army commanded by Mischa is the first echelon. On his left is the 3rd Army, and on the right is Fejuninsky's assault.
2nd Army. While the artillery of the other two armies was still bombarding the German positions with artillery fire, Mischa's troops had stopped shelling and sent troops to charge towards the enemy's positions."
"Have they broken through the defense line?" Hearing what Rokossovsky said, Stalin suddenly asked nervously: "Have his troops broken through the German defense line?"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin, we have broken through." Rokossovsky said: "The enemies who originally retreated to the second line of defense saw our army launching an attack and hurried back to hold their position. But Misha did not give them any
This opportunity is to order the artillery that has been ready to attack them to cover them with firepower and kill a large number of Germans' effective forces..."
"This little Misha is really not that simple." Starling struck a match and lit a cigarette, and said with a smile: "If there is a chance, I would like to meet him."
"You can wait until after the Battle of East Prussia is over and ask him to go to Moscow to see you." Rokossovsky said, "I will arrange this."
Stalin thought that he had said many times that he wanted to meet Sokov if he had the opportunity, but it had been several years and he still had not seen him. When Rokossovsky said this, he nodded and said:
"Okay, then let him come to Moscow to see me after this battle is over."
This chapter has been completed!