Burning Moscow

Originally, according to my assumptions, Rokosovsky’s forces’ offensive against Kalinkovic and Mozyri would officially start in early January. After all, according to the information I have, General Batov’s 65th Army The left wing of the army has advanced to the vicinity of Kalinkovic; and General Belov’s 61st Army has also reached the vicinity of Mozyri. Due to the excessive consumption of soldiers and weapons and ammunition in the previous battles, these two armies are now fortifying and defending in the above-mentioned areas.

Just when the situation looked good, unexpected things happened. The German army quietly assembled a large number of troops near Kalinkovic and launched a surprise attack on the right flank of General Batov's 65th Army. After the rest of our army was hit, it was difficult to organize effective resistance in haste, and could only retreat to the rear continuously in the course of repeated resistance.

As the remaining troops were attrition severely in the early battles, and their weapons and ammunition were not replenished in time, it was difficult to provide effective support to the 65th Army that was under attack. At this time, Rokosovsky called me for help: "Lida, the situation with Comrade Batov is very bad now. They were suddenly attacked by the German army and the troops suffered heavy casualties. Although your group army is still present. It is not officially included in the composition of the Belarusian Front, but can you send troops to support them?"

I looked at the map in front of me, and then replied: "Comrade General, it is more than 300 kilometers from Smolensk to Zhilobin, where the headquarters of the 65th Army is located. If you add the distance from Zhilobin, It’s more than 100 kilometers to Kalinkovic, and the whole journey is more than 400 kilometers. Even if I immediately send troops and rush to support General Batov day and night, it will take at least two to three days. I don’t know them. Can it support that long time?"

Rokosovsky heard me say this, and immediately fell silent. The sound of turning over the paper came from the earpiece. I guess he was calculating which route to let my troops take. After a while, his voice came from the receiver again: "Lida, the railway traffic from Smolensk to Zhlobin has returned to normal. You can let a division's troops arrive to Zhlobin by train. The local forces built fortifications to block the enemy who rushed there."

I made gestures on the map with my hand. If the troops were to take a train to Zhilobin, it would only take up to six or seven hours on the road, which is much faster than traveling by car from the road. So I readily agreed: "Well, Comrade General, I will immediately send troops to Zhilobin by train."

Putting down the phone, I asked Akhromeev to contact the train station, and the station immediately prepared wagons for us to transport troops and tanks.

Kistyakov heard me saying that I would still transport tanks by train, and he kindly persuaded me: "Comrade Commander, a train can transport up to 30 tanks, but if it is used to transport infantry, it can transport at least 3,000 more tanks. people."

"Comrade Deputy Commander, I understand what you mean." I smiled at Kistyakov, and then explained: "General Batov’s 65th Army is retreating under the fierce German offensive. If If our reinforcements are all infantry, how can we withstand the German armored units?"

Isn't the soldier equipped with 40 rocket launchers? "Kistyakov said strangely: "They can completely eliminate the German tanks. "

"When the rocket launcher is used for defense, it is completely enough." I didn't go around the circle, and directly pointed out the words to Kistyakov. "But we not only have to block the enemy's attack, but when the conditions are ripe, we must also deal with the enemy. Implement a counterattack. Without the cooperation of tanks when counterattacking, our troops will pay a high price. This is something I don't want to see."

After I said this, I told Bezikov: "The chief of staff, call the two flight captains and ask them to come to me to report immediately. I will assign them a combat mission."

Hearing that I have to call the commander of the aircraft regiment over, Kistyakov felt even more incredible, "Why, comrade commander, do you plan to let the air force participate in the counterattack operation against the German army?"

"That's right, Comrade Deputy Commander, that's how I thought about it." I said confidently: "Faced with the enemy's fierce attack, our troops that have just been rehabilitated can not only block the enemy's attack tenaciously, but also have strength. Counterattack the enemy and bring them back to the original starting point of the offensive. Of course, in order to do all this, in addition to the support of tank troops, it also requires the air force to control the air."

Regarding my arrangement, Kistyakov smiled bitterly and shook his head, and then stopped talking. Instead, he looked down at the map and studied which division he was going to transfer to Zhilobin by train.

Akhromeyev first walked over and reported to me: "Comrade Commander, the station master said that within an hour, the locomotive and wagon we need will be in place, and then our commanders and tanks will be in place. You can wait for the car."

Then Bezikov came and reported to me: "Comrade Commander, I called the two flight regiment commanders. They will be able to rush to the headquarters within half an hour to accept the combat orders you have issued. ."

After listening to the reports of Akhromeyev and Bezikov, I nodded in satisfaction. Then he turned his head to look at Kistyakov and asked, "Comrade Deputy Commander, have you considered it? Which unit is going to reinforce General Batov?"

It is the 51st Guards Division of Colonel Sejerikov. The combat effectiveness of this division is among the best in the entire group army. Unfortunately, they are currently stationed in Yaltsovo. In less than three to four hours, they can’t catch up with Smo. Lensk. And our most precious thing is time. "Kistyakov said with some helplessness: "I think Major General Xie Liujin's 89th Guards Division should go up first." As for the tank brigade that participated in the first battle, the 82nd tank brigade, which was recently rebuilt, was sent. I believe that these two units will certainly perform well after arriving in Zhilobin. "

Xie Liujin, who received the order, ran all the way into the headquarters. He walked in front of us, raised his hand to salute everyone, looked at me and said: "Comrade Commander, Major General Xie Liujin, Commander of the 89th Division of Guards, was ordered to come. I am waiting for your dispatch, please Instructions!"

"Comrade commander, come to me." After Xie Liujin walked over, I pointed to the map and said to him: "The Germans counterattacked our troops in Kalinkovic. At present, General Batov’s troops have suffered serious losses. It is retreating in the direction of Zhilobin. The task of your division is to take the train to Zillobin as soon as possible, and cooperate with the defenders in the area to build fortifications to resist possible German offensives."

Xie Liujin grinned after listening to the task I explained, and then said confidently: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, our division has just completed the supplement of soldiers and equipment. The morale of the commanders and fighters is high, and everyone is full of fighting enthusiasm. After arriving in Zhilobin this time, the enemy in the future will surely be defeated."

"Your mission is not just to block the enemy's attack." After he finished speaking, I immediately added: "When the conditions are ripe, we need to counterattack the enemy without hesitation and drive them back to Kalin. Kovic."

As soon as I said this, Xie Liujin's face changed drastically, and the corners of his mouth twitched violently. "Comrade Commander, please pardon me. Since the enemy can defeat General Batov's troops steadily and retreat, his strength must be very high. Strong. I have only one division in my hand. With the cooperation of friendly forces, it may not be a big problem to block the enemy's attack, but I think this is an impossible task to counterattack the enemy."

"Comrade Xie Liujin." Seeing that he was planning to shirk responsibility, I immediately made my face stern and said in a serious tone: "Do you think I will send your division to die? The one who went to Zhilobin with you, except for a tank Outside the brigade, I will also send fighters from the flying regiment to provide you with the necessary air support."

"What, there is air support?" Xie Liujin heard me saying that he would send the air force to help, and his eyes lighted up, and he hurriedly asked: "Is this all true?"

I smiled bitterly, and then said, "Master Xie Liujin, when did I lie to you? I said that there is the support of the Air Force, so there must be the support of the Air Force. You can only counterattack the enemy with confidence and boldness. I assure you, Your division will definitely not fight alone. Tomorrow, new troops will arrive in Zhilobin to fight alongside you."

While we were talking, the two flight captains who were notified came to the command post. The two came to me, raised their hands to salute, and said neatly: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Bowischenko (Lieutenant Colonel Bliss), the head of the flight regiment, has been ordered to follow your instructions. Please instruct!"

I called the two regiment leaders to the table, pointed to the position of Zhilobin, and asked Bovyshenko: "Comrade Colonel, I plan to let you two flying regiments rush to the sky over Zhilobin tomorrow for our army. The combat troops of China provide air support. How about, is the range of our fighter jets enough?"

"Enough~www.wuxiaspot.com~ Bovey first took a look at what I was just now, gestured on the map for a while, and then said: "Our Yak-7 fighter jet has a top speed of 560 km/h and a range of 643 kilometers, there is no problem with a round trip. "

"What kind of weapons are equipped on your fighter planes," asked Kistyakov, who had no knowledge of planes like me, "Can you cope with enemy planes?"

"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Commander." Bovyshenko smiled and said to Kistyakov: "Our fighter plane is equipped with a 20mm gun, two 62mm machine guns, and six machine guns. The -82 rocket is specially designed to deal with German aircraft."

After hearing this, Kistyakov turned his head and smiled at me and said, "This is really great. In this case, I believe that with the strength of the flying regiment, it is enough to fight for the 89th Guards Division and the Tank Brigade on the ground. Provide adequate air cover."

After all the tasks were deployed, I waved at Xie Liujin who was standing by and said, "Master Xie Liujin, it's getting late. Go back and organize your troops to board the car. Zhiluobin's troops are still waiting. What about you." (To be continued.)

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