Major General Anufrievich knew what Katukov was talking about. If the Germans paused their attack in the direction of Volokolamsk, they would most likely turn their attention to Tver, which would be a big problem for Tver.
It's not a good thing to say.
But Major General Anufrievich also understood why Katukov sighed... This is an order from the Supreme Command, and no one can challenge this order.
"We have already discussed this issue, Comrade Katukov!" Major General Anufrievich said: "And more than once, what you need to consider is not this, but how to occupy Tver as soon as possible... In a crisis
Before arriving!"
"Yes, Comrade Major General!" Katukov replied.
In fact, Katukov not only discussed it with Major General Anufrievich, he also argued with Political Commissar Fomin.
As the political commissar of the 333rd Regiment, Fomin was also sent to Tver as an important figure as a cover.
"This is a wrong plan!" Katukov said: "There is no point in continuing the counterattack. It will only put the Mozhaisky defense line in danger!"
Katukov did not dare to say "Moscow is in danger" because this would be considered a dangerous statement of incitement and defeatism.
"In fact, it makes sense!" Political Commissar Fomin said: "As long as we occupy Tver, it will cause a serious blow to the German logistics!"
"You also said...'as long as'!" Katukov replied: "The problem is that it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it forms a protrusion on our defense line. Even if we occupy Tver, we cannot hold it for long! Strategic significance
It is one thing, whether it is realistic and feasible is another matter! If so, I think Berlin is very important, why don't we attack Berlin?"
"Comrade Katukov!" Political Commissar Fuming finally had no choice but to reply: "Maybe you don't understand, this is not something I can decide!"
Katukov calmed down after hearing this. He nodded and replied: "I know, Comrade Political Commissar! I just... want to say what's in my heart!"
Political Commissar Fuming nodded to express his understanding.
In fact, it was not Zhukov who was most depressed. He was at least sitting in the command headquarters. Although it was uncomfortable to be relieved of command, everyone knew that it was not Zhukov's fault.
The most oppressed people are actually the frontline commanders and fighters.
The soldiers charged pointlessly on the front line and fell in batches under the enemy's guns. Then all the confusion and pressure will come from the bottom up on the grassroots commanders... They are under double pressure, from their superiors and
There was even condemnation from their subordinates and their own consciences, but they could not say anything and even risked their own lives for it.
As Major General Anufrievich said, this is not an issue Katukov should consider.
However, Major General Anufrievich soon discovered that he was wrong... Internally, perhaps this should not be considered, but this is just a way to avoid reality, but the battlefield is realistic and cruel.
reality.
"Comrade Major General!" Just when Major General Anufrievich was still worrying about capturing Tver, the signal soldier loudly reported: "An enemy tank has been discovered on the left wing of our army!"
Major General Anufrievich couldn't help but raise his head suddenly, and Colonel Katukov also stopped what he was doing and looked over.
"How many are there? What are their numbers?" Major General Anufrievich asked.
"I don't know!" the signal soldier replied.
"Reconnaissance immediately!"
"yes!"
After giving the order, Anufrievich walked around the office anxiously.
This is also one of the shortcomings of the Supreme Command's command of operations. At this time, everyone in the Soviet army was worried that they would be attacked by the enemy, and now there are signs of it.
Logically speaking, the Soviet army should organize a retreat as soon as possible instead of conducting reconnaissance.
Fighter planes are fleeting, and many times on the battlefield, it is not necessary to have a clear reconnaissance before taking the next step, especially at such a dangerous moment... It is better to be wrong than to miss it, because once the German army comes from the southwest,
If the attack is confirmed, then the Soviet army will be trapped in a dilemma. It will be very dangerous to continue to attack Tver or to stay here and wait for the reconnaissance results.
The problem is that without accurate reconnaissance results, the Supreme Command will not agree to retreat at all.
Anufrievich knew this, and Katukov knew this.
So, they could only wait and wait for the frontline troops to get the "evidence".
A few minutes later, the reconnaissance results did not come, but crisis information from the flanks came up one by one:
"The enemy tanks are coming more and more, there is at least one tank battalion!"
"They broke through our outer defense line and Comrade Agafonov died!"
"We were bombed by enemy planes, Comrade Stasyev requested reinforcements!"
…
At this time Anufrievich no longer cared about waiting for the results of the reconnaissance.
In fact, it is often difficult to obtain any reconnaissance results when encountering a strong enemy attack, because the Soviet troops are retreating and the enemy is advancing, and it will be difficult to capture prisoners and obtain information from them.
"Comrade Rokossovsky!" Anufrievich reported on the phone: "We are being attacked fiercely by the enemy from the southwest... I request to retreat, otherwise we may be surrounded by the enemy!"
Rokossovsky couldn't help but be stunned after hearing this. He had actually wanted to withdraw the troops attacking Tver for a long time, but this was also not something he could decide.
So Rokossovsky called Zhukov, the headquarters of the Western Front.
Although Zhukov actually no longer has command authority, he is still the nominal commander.
Zhukov could only turn his attention to Bulganin. Bulganin also knew that this matter was not trivial, so he contacted the Supreme Command... From this, we can also see that this kind of command system and process are complicated and time-consuming.
There is a problem with one of the links and the contact cannot be reached. It can almost be said that there is no one to direct it.
Because Rokossovsky, including Zhukov and Bulganin, did not dare to make any independent claims.
This is the disadvantage of remote control command, but there are many people on the battlefield who like to have such power and remote command.
Then, when the front line was imminent, the order from the Supreme Command was issued unhurriedly: "That may be a small group of troops that the enemy ordered our tank troops to block their attack in order to distract our army's offensive pressure!"
Anufrievich couldn't help but curse when he received this order, which almost meant that they were left here to wait for death.
However, the strange thing is that the German attack slowed down at this time... Their purpose did not seem to be to encircle and annihilate the Soviet army.