Burning Moscow

Facing such a bad situation, Meretskov was anxiously like an ant on a hot pot. He didn't say a word, walking back and forth in the headquarters with his hands behind his back. Those staff officers and correspondents who were making calls and telegrams also deliberately lowered their voices, so as not to affect the thinking of the front army commanders, and incur unsuspecting disasters.

The most anxious person was Starikov, the commander of the 8th Army. He watched Meretskov walk around the house without any signs of stopping. He couldn't help raising his voice and shouting loudly. Remind the opponent: "Comrade General, the situation in the Signavino Heights is very dangerous. You have to find a way as soon as possible. Otherwise, before the German artillery stops, all our commanders and fighters on the high ground will be dead."

Hearing what Starikov said, Meletskov slowed down, and after walking a few back and forth in the house, he came to Starikov, stopped, and asked. Said: "Comrade Starikov, in the face of the current situation, do you have any good solutions?"

Starikov obviously did not expect that Meletskov would ask him this suddenly, and he was taken aback before repliing: "We should send a reserve team to the high ground immediately, and we must hold our position."

"Reserve?!" Hearing this word, Meletskov sneered, and said in a mocking tone: "My comrade general, do you still have a reserve team in your hand? You know, the Germans are playing Thousands of bombs and artillery shells poured into the high ground. Even the KV heavy tank, which could not be damaged by anti-tank guns, was shattered by the enemy's high-explosive shells. Even if there is a reserve team, it enters under such intense artillery fire. Position, do you think the flesh and blood of the commanders and fighters is indestructible? Apart from increasing unnecessary casualties, it will not help."

Starikov asked in a panic: "Comrade General, what should we do? You know, after the German bombing and shelling are over, infantry will be dispatched to attack the high ground. The terrain on the north side of the high ground is flat and there is no danger to defend. Without replenishing troops for the defenders, troops with heavy casualties will not be able to hold their positions."

Meletskov turned his head to me and slammed at me. Said: "Lida, I know you have a lot of ghost ideas. Do you also have any good suggestions?"

I nodded vigorously and replied, "Comrade General, I have a way. Please see." With that, I walked to the side of the map, picked up the explanation stick leaning against the wall, and clicked on Sineya on the map. Vino Heights, continue to say: "Comrade General, General Starikov. Please see. From the current situation to analyze. The Germans intend to use aerial bombs and artillery shells to consume our troops on the high ground. Then they We will send infantry to launch an attack in an attempt to regain the high ground occupied by our army. What we can do now is to immediately get in touch with the commander of the Leningrad Front Army, General Govorov. Ask them to support us with heavy artillery and naval guns. Suppress the German artillery positions. At the same time, we should also request the Leningrad Front’s air force to dispatch fighter jets to remove enemy bombers from the current combat area so that they can no longer pose a threat to our army’s ground forces. What we have to do next is to order the 3rd, 24th and 265th Infantry Divisions of the Guards on both sides of the high ground to immediately launch a feint attack on the enemy’s position, so that the Germans on the north side of the high ground cannot mobilize enough troops to participate in the offensive. "After I finished speaking, I leaned the explanation stick in my hand against the wall again.

Meletskov nodded in satisfaction. Said: "Your suggestion is correct. I will call the Leningrad Front Commander General Govolov and the Baltic Fleet Commander Admiral Tributz and ask them to immediately use heavy artillery and naval guns against the Germans. The artillery positions were suppressed." He raised his leg and walked to the conference table, preparing to get there to contact the Leningrad Front by telephone. He touched the phone with his hand and did not immediately pick up the handset. Instead, he turned his head and asked me: "After the commanders on the high ground are bombed and shelled, there will not be too many survivors, and there will be a serious shortage of defensive forces. Where should we draw troops to supplement them? ?"

I walked to Meletskov’s side and replied: "Comrade General, the 140th Infantry Brigade and the 327th Infantry Regiment on the high ground are probably exhausted. Let them hold on to the high ground. Difficult. The 19th Infantry Division of the Guards, which originally completed the task of conquering the high ground, also suffered heavy casualties. It was in urgent need of replenishment of troops and weapons and ammunition. It was also unable to complete the task of holding the high ground. I suggest that the original guards on the left and right wings of the high ground be assigned The 22nd, 23rd, and 137th Infantry Brigades of the 4th Army were sent to the high ground. They had not gone through combat and had a complete unit structure, and they could hold on to the high ground."

"Comrade General, the task of dispatching the 4th Guards Army is entrusted to me. I will call General Rogensky and ask him to give orders to the three brigades so that they can move closer to the high ground immediately. Receive the defensive positions of the 140th Infantry Brigade and the subordinate regiment of the 327th Division." Starikov finished speaking and came to the table, ready to call the command of the 4th Guards Corps.

"Please wait, Comrade General." I saw that he had picked up the microphone and quickly stopped him.

Starikov saw me preventing him from calling, looked at me blankly, and asked, "Is there anything else you want to add? Major Oshanina."

"Yeah, Lida. Is there anything else you haven't finished talking about?" Meretskov also asked.

Although the ideas in my mind are good for the situation of the war, they would offend people to say it. At least Starikov, who is standing in front of me at the moment, will hate me to death after listening to my new suggestions. But for the sake of the overall situation, I hesitated and summoned the courage to say: "Comrade General, since the 4th Guards Corps and the 6th Guards Corps belong to two different command systems, when conducting large corps operations, each other Inter-coordination will be very poor, and there may be situations where fighters will be missed. In order to improve the current command situation, I suggest changing to a higher-rank commander to command the troops."

As soon as I said this, I saw Starikov’s face instantly turn blue. He stared at me and he was about to burst into flames. If it weren’t for Meletskov by the side, I guess he would have been a big man. The ears were drawn.

Regarding my proposal, Meretskov lowered his head and thought for a while, then raised his head, frowned and asked, "Lida, who do you think should be in charge of the two armies?"

"Comrade General, our troops participating in the Battle of Signavino Bulge are divided into three echelons. The first echelon is the Eighth Army under the command of General Starikov, and the second echelon is under the command of Lieutenant General Krykov. The 2nd Assault Army.” When referring to Krykov, I deliberately emphasized the two words of the rank of lieutenant general. “The third echelon is the 4th Infantry Corps of Guards under the command of General Gagan. Among the commanders, General Krykov has the highest rank. I think it is appropriate for him to serve as the frontline commander of the offensive forces."

After hearing this, Meletskov did not comment, but looked at Starikov and asked: "Comrade Starikov, what do you think of Major Lida's opinion?"

Meletskov threw the problem directly to Starikov, making his face blush and white. He was silent for a long time before gritting his back molars and said, "I think Major Oshanina’s proposal. At this stage. It is correct. Combine my guards from the 6th Army and General Rogensky. The 4th Guards Corps is handed over to General Krykov to command. It will greatly improve the current situation of poor coordination and command between the troops."

Seeing that Starikov did not express any objection, Meletskov directly dialed the number of the front army headquarters. Stelimach who answered the phone said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, please inform Kreko of the 2nd Assault Army immediately. General husband. Let him rush to the temporary headquarters of the 8th Army."

Stelimach received this inexplicable call and was visibly stunned. Then he asked in astonishment: "Comrade General, can I ask you why you called General Krykov to the temporary headquarters of the 8th Army? "

Due to time constraints, Meretskov did not agree with Stelimach, and said straightforwardly: "I plan to adjust the command of the forward troops, and plan to give him the command of the 4th Guards Corps and the 6th Guards Corps. You When you call to inform him, tell him to come as soon as possible, time is not waiting."

Then he dialed the numbers of General Govolov and Admiral Tributz, commander of the Baltic Fleet. Ask them to support us with artillery and air force, and jointly defend the Signavino Heights.

As soon as the call with the Leningrad Front Army Headquarters ended, Stalin called again. He roared angrily on the phone: "Comrade Meretskov, what happened? Why are the tens of thousands of commanders in the Neva cluster still trapped in the valley by the Neva River? Have you ever Let your troops. Attack the depths of the German defense?"

Hearing Stalin's rage, Meletskov trembled involuntarily. Others may find it strange that a person who has been in the army for decades will be trembling with a few words from the Supreme Commander. Only I understand that Meretskov was arrested by the Ministry of the Interior in late June 1941. He was severely tortured by the Ministry of the Interior and forced him to confess his relationship with Vannikov, Kulik, Pavlov and others. United in an attempt to launch a coup. Although he had been abused by the useless and had several ribs broken, he still gritted his teeth and did not admit that he was framed. It wasn't until September that Stalin, who lacked a good enough commander, remembered him, and this allowed him to be released and sent to the Leningrad region.

It took a while before Meletskov returned to normal, his mood stabilized, and he clearly reported to Stalin: "Report to Comrade Stalin that the Germans are currently using bombers and artillery to dispose of thousands of bombs and artillery shells. Pour onto the Signavino Heights in an attempt to wipe out our army with powerful firepower, and then retake the high ground."

"Then have you taken any measures?" In Stalin's voice, the smell of gunpowder was still strong.

"According to Major Oshanina’s suggestion, I called General Govolov of the Leningrad Front and Admiral Tributs, commander of the Baltic Fleet, and asked them to suppress the German artillery positions with artillery fire. UU read www.uukanshu.com and dispatched Air Force fighter jets to drive German bombers away from our fighting area. At the same time, I also plan to order the troops on both sides of the highlands to immediately attack the German defenses and contain them. Their defensive strength prevented it from mobilizing more troops to participate in the battle for the high ground."

After listening to Meletskov’s answer, Stalin’s voice eased a lot: "This kind of deployment is good. It seems that Lida still has some ability."

"Comrade Stalin," Meretskov took a look at me and added: "Major Oshanina also suggested that, in order to improve the command situation of the troops, it is recommended that the 4th Guards Corps and Guards, which belong to different systems, be used to improve the command of the troops. The 6th Army is all under the command of Lieutenant General Krykov of the 2nd Assault Army.” Having said that, he bit the bullet and suggested to Stalin: “It’s a little awkward to let her be a combat staff officer. I think she should be A more important job."

"Comrade Meletskov, please tell Lida. She said that her analysis was correct. After further analysis by the Supreme Command, the German offensive target in the southern region is indeed Stalingrad. Let her be prepared. , Ready to set off for a new job at any time."

ps:

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