Red Moscow

In the Battle of Bilie Town, the 41st Guards Division once again established a feat.

When the news reached Rokossovsky's ears, while he was happy, he couldn't help worrying about the future situation of the Southwest Front Army. He stood in front of the map, carefully staring at the location where the battle had just ended not long ago, secretly analyzing the next possible move of the German army.

Seeing him standing in front of the map in a daze, Ma Lining hurried over and asked with concern, "Comrade commander, what are you thinking?"

"Chief of Staff, look here." Rokossovsky picked up the explaining stick, pointed to the location of Dnepropetrovsk on the map, and said to Malinin: "According to the information we have, the German 15th Division They just arrived here on February 20th. As a result, they passed through the layers of defense of our army in less than five days, and even some troops took the train to Bilie Town, 700 kilometers away. It can be seen from this, how big is the defense loophole of the Southwest Front Army?"

After hearing this, Ma Linin sighed softly and said: "Comrade Commander, after this period of communication, I found that General Vatutin is a very stubborn person. As long as it is something he believes, no matter how others persuade him, he will Go on without hesitation until you hit a bloody spot."

"It's fine if it's just a bloodbath." Rokossovsky said with a sneer, "I'm worried that if he continues to be stubborn like this, it may cause heavy losses to the Southwest Front Army."

"Then what should we do?" Ma Lining asked tentatively: "Are we just watching our friendly troops being wiped out by the enemy?"

"I also want to help Vatutin, but the current conditions do not allow it." Rokossovsky said thoughtfully: "According to the order of the headquarters, our Don River Front Army will soon be reorganized into the Central Front Army. The combined 21st, 65th and 70th armies, the 2nd tank army and the 16th air force. Several units, including the 62nd army, will soon be transferred to the base camp reserve, and the 41st guards under the command of Misha The division belongs to the 62nd Group Army, so I'm afraid it will also be transferred."

"Comrade Commander, so you are worried about this matter." After finding out what Rokossovsky was worried about, Malinin comforted him and said, "Now that the Sokov Division has moved away from Stalingrad, I think It is entirely possible to transfer them from the 62nd Army and assign them to the adjacent 21st Army, after all, the new commander, General Krylov, once fought side by side with Sokov."

Rokossovsky couldn't help but be moved when he heard Ma Linin's suggestion to transfer the 41st Guards Division from the 62nd Army. But when he heard the next words, he shook his head: "I don't think Misha's troops can be handed over to General Krylov's command." Without waiting for Malinin to ask again, he took the initiative to say: "General Krylov's Tactics tend to be conservative, and in the upcoming battles, I hope that Sokov's troops will have a more dazzling performance. If they are handed over to Krylov's command, I am afraid they will be restrained, making it difficult for them to obtain Bigger results."

"Then what do you think about it?" Ma Lining asked.

"I think we should add a few more infantry divisions, tank brigades and artillery regiments to Sokov to strengthen his strength." Rokossovsky said here, and tapped the Lugansk on the map with the commentary stick. Location: "As long as there is enough strength, I believe that Sokov's troops can be firmly nailed here like a nail, preventing the Germans from moving forward. Moreover," he hesitated at this point A moment, and then added, "Maybe it can contain more defeated troops."

"But the troops of the 2nd Tank Army are 800 kilometers away from Luhansk." Malinen reminded Rokossovsky, "Besides, the road conditions are so bad today. One-third of the distance cannot be covered, and all the tanks have to lie down."

"Call Misha and ask him if he has any good ideas?"

"Hello, Colonel Sokov! I'm Malinin." Malinin quickly dialed the phone number of Sokov's division headquarters: "I have a question for you."

"Excuse me, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army."

"For example, I want to send several tank brigades to Luhansk. Do you have any way to get them there in the shortest possible time?"

"Of course we use railways." Sokov didn't know why Malinin asked such a question, but he answered truthfully: "Compared with roads, railways are more suitable for the rapid advancement of mechanized troops, especially tank troops. Once the railways are put into use Using it, we can use wagons to send tanks, fuel and ammunition to the front line in vehicles. Not only can it increase the speed of troop mobilization, but it can also reduce fuel consumption and prevent tanks from malfunctioning to the greatest extent. Basically, as soon as you reach the front line, you can immediately go into battle."

In order to convince Malinin, Sokov also deliberately added: "According to my observations, the German armored units advancing along the railway line generally advance the fastest, because they don't have to worry about the road becoming muddy. And in the They can even be loaded directly at the station when increased speed is required.

Fortunately, the enemy occupying the town of Bilie only brought in a few tanks. Otherwise, I really couldn't destroy the enemy occupying the town in a short time. "

"I see, thank you, Colonel Sokov." After putting down the phone, Malinin repeated what Sokov said to Rokossovsky.

After listening, Rokossovsky asked Malinin: "Chief of Staff, where is the Second Tank Army? Is there a railway to Luhansk?"

"The location of the tank army is about 20 kilometers away from the nearest station." Ma Linin said cautiously: "Under today's road conditions, it will take at least two hours for the tank soldiers to drive the tank to the station."

"Call the commander of the Tank Army." Sokov waited for Malinin to finish speaking, and immediately ordered him to say: "Let him dispatch two full tank brigades, go to the station immediately, and take a bus to Luhansk. In addition, it is better Transfer four artillery regiments and two rocket artillery battalions to Luhansk to strengthen the defense there."

Hearing that Rokossovsky mentioned tank brigades and artillery regiments, but not infantry, he reminded him: "Comrade commander, what about infantry? If it's just tank brigades and artillery regiments, I'm worried about Soko Colonel Husband's strength is still too weak."

"Then transfer the three divisions that used to participate in the Sokov combat group: the 67th Guards Division, the 23rd and 321st Infantry Divisions, to Misha." Rokossovsky said with a smile: "They used to Fighting side by side in the defense of Stalingrad, let them fight the Germans in the days to come."