After daybreak, the German troops repulsed by artillery fire came back again.
Their mission was to rush to Elbin to join the troops there. The midnight raid on the 48th Group Army was just an attempt to kill rabbits and cause chaos to the Soviet army. Unexpectedly, they stole the chicken but lost the rice.
Instead, he paid a considerable price.
The 170th Infantry Division and the 28th Chasseur Division, which participated in the battle, adjusted their attack targets. They first launched a sudden attack on the 194th and 399th Infantry Divisions in the Wormdyk area. After successfully repelling these two divisions, they then
The 17th and 96th Infantry Divisions of the Soviet Army were surrounded. For a time, the situation in the Elbin area became very unfavorable to the Soviet Army.
Although the German army had temporarily gained the upper hand, Rokossovsky did not panic at all after learning the news. Although the situation was critical, he now had a lot of troops at his disposal, with only two German divisions at his disposal.
, no matter how strong the fighting power is, I can still defeat it.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Rokossovsky asked Bogolyubov: "How is the situation with the Second Assault Army?"
Bogolyubov knew the reason for Rokossovsky's question and quickly replied: "Comrade Marshal, General Fedyuninsky's 2nd Assault Army, according to our original order, will draw the 98th Infantry Army from it.
Head to Marienburg and launch an attack on the enemy there. However, the current situation is not very favorable to our army. I suggest changing the original plan and letting the 98th Army turn east, between Wormdyk and Elbing.
Build a new line of defense.”
"I think it's okay." Rokossovsky nodded and agreed to Bogolyubov's proposal: "Chief of Staff, please call Fejuninsky immediately and inform him of our latest decision and ask him to get the troops to work as soon as possible.
Rush to the designated location. One division is deployed to the south of Elbing, facing east for defense; while the other two divisions serve as reserves."
"Comrade Commander." Bogolyubov reminded Rokossovsky: "General Volisky's 5th Guards Tank Army is located east of Elbin and controls a section of the coastline, cutting off the German army.
Line of communication. Do you think they should be ordered to prepare for an assault?"
"I think it's okay." After Rokossovsky agreed to Bogolyubov's proposal, he ordered him: "Transmit the order immediately."
After receiving the order from Bogolyubov, Volsky immediately summoned his army commanders and brigade commanders for a meeting.
"Comrade commanders," Voliski said to the commanders attending the meeting: "I have just received news that the German troops who appeared from nowhere successfully repelled the 194th Infantry Division in the Wormdyk area.
and the 399th Division, and surrounded the 17th and 96th Infantry Divisions, and are now advancing in the direction of Elbing."
Hearing what Volsky said, the commanders below couldn't help but start talking. It felt like the Germans were so brave that they dared to attack the area where the Soviet army was gathering heavily. Didn't they think that it would happen?
Is it possible for the entire army to be annihilated?
Voliski heard the following discussion and said with a smile: "Comrade commanders, the Germans were unwilling to accept their defeat, so they tried every means to prepare to defeat us on the battlefield, thereby reversing their unfavorable situation. This attack
, I think it’s of this nature.”
"Comrade Commander." A general sitting below asked: "How many troops does the enemy have?"
"Judging from the intelligence currently obtained, the German troops attacking our army are the 170th Infantry Division and the 28th Chasseur Division, with a total strength of more than 20,000 people."
Originally, everyone thought that the German army had mobilized at least four or five divisions, but when they found out that there were only two divisions, everyone had a relaxed expression on their faces. In everyone's mind, no matter how strong the German army's combat effectiveness was, only two divisions were involved.
If a division dares to attack an area where heavy troops are concentrated, it is simply asking for death.
Thinking of this, an impatient commander immediately asked Volsky for an order: "Comrade Commander, please give us an order. We will definitely defeat the invading enemy."
Volsky was a cautious man. Although he felt that the enemy's strength was not large, he could not take it lightly. Therefore, he decisively issued an order: "I plan to dispatch the 3rd Guards Tank Corps and the 29th Tank Corps to attack the German army.
The 28th Jäger Division launches an attack and must defeat this German unit in the shortest possible time and rescue the trapped troops."
The two army commanders whose names were called by Voliski stood up quickly and expressed their stance to him: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, we will use powerful fortifications to crush the German attack."
"Two comrades, comrades." Volski reminded the two of them: "The enemy you are facing is not just this Jaeger Division. German reinforcements may appear somewhere. You must not
Take it lightly."
"Understood." The two army commanders replied: "We will set aside enough reserves to deal with possible reinforcements from the German army."
"In addition." Volsky continued: "The 8th Guards Tank Corps, the 8th Mechanized Corps and the 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps serve as reserves and will be put into the battlefield at the appropriate time."
While the 2nd Assault Army and the 5th Guards Tank Army were arranging their troops, Sokov was not idle either. Although he had discovered that the Germans did not have much interest in his troops, he still readjusted his deployment.
, prepared to use an infantry division, two infantry brigades and a tank brigade to launch an attack from the German army's flank, completely disrupting the German army's offensive deployment.
As soon as Sokov announced this order, Sukhalev, who was attending the meeting, stood up and said with red eyes: "Comrade Commander, please let our brigade participate in this attack? The German army's sneak attack at night, let us
The brigade suffered heavy casualties, and I want to recover this blood debt owed by the Germans from them."
Sokov hoped that the 109th Infantry Brigade could take revenge in today's battle. However, he knew better that after the night battle, the 109th Infantry Brigade had been crippled. Even if such a unit went to the battlefield, I am afraid that
It's not of much use either.
"Major Sukhalev, I understand your desire to avenge the sacrifice of your comrades." Sokov said to Sukhalev: "However, after the night battle, your brigade has been reduced by more than half. Even if I send you
When the brigade goes to the battlefield, do you think you can defeat the enemy?"
Sokov's words stopped Sukhalev. He had just been thinking about avenging his fallen comrades, but he had forgotten that his troops were seriously weakened in the night battle, and I am afraid that not even half of their combat effectiveness is left.
, going into battle under such circumstances is tantamount to letting the soldiers die.
For a moment, Sukharev didn't know what to say, so he could only sit down again. He put his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. He only felt ashamed. He had sacrificed so much a few hours ago.
Excellent subordinates, but it is a pity that I can't personally avenge them.
"Okay, I will continue to assign tasks." Sokov continued: "The 211th Infantry Division, the 118th and 122nd Brigades, and the 202nd Tank Brigade are responsible for launching an attack from the side and rear of the German 170th Infantry Division.
We must defeat them in the shortest possible time.”
"Misha." After Sokov finished assigning the task, Runev asked: "Although the German army only has one division, can we really defeat them?"
"No problem." Sokov said confidently: "After a night battle, the regiment of the German 170th Infantry Division that carried out the sneak attack has suffered nearly half of its casualties due to our army's vigorous counterattack; while the other regiment was killed by our army's
The artillery fire has crippled it, and its combat effectiveness has been greatly weakened. The only remaining regiment with real combat effectiveness. Comrade Military Commissar, do you think we have two infantry brigades, one infantry division and one tank brigade?
Can’t the remnants of the Germans be defeated?”
Lunev heard the other party's dissatisfaction from Sokov's tone, and quickly explained with a smile: "Misha, don't worry about it, I just asked casually. I believe that the troops of the 48th Group Army are on any battlefield.
, can defeat our enemies."
Hosbach felt very relieved after learning that his two divisions had caused huge chaos to the Soviet army. Just when he was about to put the other two infantry divisions into the battlefield in order to control the entire situation, he received a call
A piece of bad news: the Soviet Third Belorussian Front launched a new attack deep into their defenses. In order to prevent their own defense line from being broken through by the Soviet army, Hosbach could only change the original plan and move the 3rd Army to prepare for battle.
The second echelon turned east to stop the Soviet advance.
As a result, the 28th Chasseur Division and the 170th Infantry Division, which were fighting fiercely with the Soviet army, became a lone army. Although the German army stubbornly advanced towards Elbing in the west, they were attacked by the Soviet army along the way.
Tenacious resistance. The Germans finally occupied several villages, but because they did not have enough troops to stay for defense, they fell into the hands of the Soviet army again shortly after the main force left.
After Hosbach learned of this situation, he immediately ordered the 7th Armored Division west of Elbing to launch an attack to the east of the city in an attempt to meet the 28th Chasseur Division, which was attacking westward.
The sudden action of the German 7th Armored Division disrupted the deployment of the Soviet army. The defense line of the 3rd Guards Tank Corps was torn open by the Germans. The 83rd Chasseur Regiment of the 28th Chasseur Division attacked from east to west.
, taking advantage of this opportunity, successfully merged with the 7th Armored Division, and under their cover, successfully entered the city of Elbin.
The offensive operation against the Soviet army commanded by Hosbach was approved by Reinhardt. They hoped that through such an offensive battle, they would tell the mustache that with the current strength of the German army, it was impossible to hold on to Königs.
Fortress and other areas in East Prussia, the only way was to abandon East Prussia and gather precious troops in Germany itself to start a desperate fight with the Soviet army that was preparing to rush to Berlin.
But it is regrettable that Reinhardt and his chief of staff were relieved of their duties by Mustache before the offensive. Although their replacements have not yet arrived, they have completely lost command of the troops.
Due to the lack of power, more reinforcements could not be dispatched to Hosbach as originally agreed. As a result, the German troops responsible for the offensive mission were destined to become a lonely army from the beginning.
The battle that took place near Elbin would soon spread to Berlin. After learning about this, Mustache had a glimmer of hope in his heart. He hoped that this attack would give the Soviet troops near Elbin a chance to win.
A heavy blow shattered their attempt to rush to Berlin from here.
But unfortunately, the battle continued into the afternoon, and there was still no exciting news. After a long wait, Mustache completely lost his patience. He said to Guderian: "Guderian, the 4th
The troops of the Army Group are escaping to the German mainland. This is absolutely not allowed. You immediately issue an order to relieve Hosbach from his post and arrange new candidates to replace Reinhardt and Hosbach."
Guderian was dumbfounded when he heard Mustache's order. Although Hosbach's attack did not make much progress, it caused great trouble to the Soviet army. If he could mobilize at this time
If the troops go to reinforce, they will definitely achieve good results. Even if they cannot completely reverse the unfavorable situation in East Prussia, at least in some areas, the German army can maintain a certain advantage. But Mustache directly announced the removal of Hosbach, and Guderian
It is conceivable that once this order is issued, the German troops attacking in the Elbin area will suffer defeat due to reasons such as lack of morale and low morale.
Although he knew the consequences of this order in his heart, he also understood the consequences of contradicting Mustache, but he did not dare to say anything and could only pass on the order obediently.
When Hosbach, who was far away in East Prussia, received a call from Guderian, he thought that the other party was about to provide assistance to him. He even said excitedly: "Your Excellency, Chief of General Staff, you are preparing to send us more reinforcements.
To completely defeat the Russians?"
But he didn't expect that the words Guderian said at the next moment made his heart feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave: "I'm sorry, General Hosbach, I may have disappointed you. I didn't mean to make this call."
Let me tell you when our reinforcements will arrive, but rather convey the orders of the head of state."
"An order from the head of state?" Hearing what Guderian said, Hosbach asked nervously: "What order?"
"From now on, you have been dismissed from your current position." Guderian said with a grimace: "The plane to pick you up will arrive in the evening. You will take that plane back to Berlin by then. I will send someone there then.
I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
Hearing that he had been dismissed and had to fly back to Berlin immediately, Hosbach asked anxiously: "Your Excellency, Chief of General Staff, if I am dismissed from my post, who will command the troops? The battle between our army and the Russians,
This is the most critical moment, and if I leave like this, I'm worried that our carefully organized attack will end in failure."
"Even if it fails, there is nothing we can do about it." Guderian said helplessly: "This is an order personally issued by the head of state, and no one can change it."
Now that Guderian had spoken to this extent, Hosbach knew in his heart that no matter what he said, he could not change Mustache's decision. He asked with a wry smile: "Your Excellency, Chief of General Staff, can you tell me, if I now
What does the Führer plan to do with us after returning to Berlin? Should we go to military court or be shot directly?"
"General Hosbach, don't be so pessimistic." Guderian enlightened the other party and said: "Even if you are not dismissed, you will not reach this point. I think you may be relieved of all military duties and then let you
Stay at home."
This chapter has been completed!