Red Moscow

Before the start of the new forced crossing operation, there was good news that the river crossing equipment delivered by the group army headquarters had arrived. With specialized river crossing equipment, it means that the success rate of river crossing operations has increased.

The commanders and fighters of the 304th Division, seven or eight people carried a small boat and rushed to the Narew River quickly. When they reached the river, they put the boat into the water, climbed in on hands and feet, and then swung their oars and rowed to the opposite bank.

Watching his troops begin to cross the river, the commander of the 304th Division who was watching the battle in the observation post began to calculate the distance between the right bank and the left bank. The distance between the two banks was about 600 meters. ten minutes. As long as you land on the left bank, you can develop the depth of the enemy's defense, and find a way to occupy a village or settlement, and establish a landing field centered there.

But for some reason, he suddenly had an ominous premonition in his heart. He always felt that something was going to happen. The boats vying to cross the river looked like a bunch of live targets no matter how they looked. His heart was beating wildly for no reason, and the hairs all over his body stood on end. He immediately turned around and ordered the chief of staff: "Chief of staff, order the artillery regiment to closely monitor the movement on the other side, and if there is anything wrong, immediately open fire to cover it. "

But sometimes the more you worry about something, the more you want something to come. As soon as his order was issued, he heard the whistling sound of shells piercing the air, and then the first shell fell among the many ships, but it seemed that it missed the target, only a jet of black water rushed high. up to the sky.

But this shell was obviously just a test fire by the enemy's artillery, and then the river surface was blown up by the sudden shell, and the blasted water jets rose into the sky one by one. Some ships near the bombing point were overturned by the impact of the water column, and all the soldiers on board fell into the water. Some of the fighters who fell into the water were washed away by the river, while others waved their arms and swam towards nearby ships. Some ships were hit by shells and were directly blown to pieces, and the soldiers on board were blown to pieces.

However, this round of bombardment came and went quickly. The commander of the 304th Division saw that the ships all over the river were blown up to pieces, and the burning wreckage was still floating on the turbulent water surface, billowing black smoke, and rolled over. The boats were sinking rapidly, and the blood-stained river surface was already filled with debris and corpses of the boats. The soldiers who fell into the water were thumping desperately in the icy river, like boiled dumplings. In just a few minutes, more than 30 wooden boats and more than 200 soldiers were lost.

What happened in front of him made the division commander furious, and he shouted at the chief of staff: "Chief of staff, let the artillery regiment fire, fire, and destroy the German artillery positions."

But the chief of staff said embarrassingly: "Comrade commander, the German artillery fire time is too short, and our artillery can't lock their position." suppress.

When the infantry was crossing the river, they were attacked by German artillery. Colonel Filipov, who stayed on the bank and commanded the tank troops, saw the scene. Seeing that the ships were constantly being blown up and the soldiers on board were sacrificed one after another, Filipov stomped his feet anxiously, but he was helpless. After all, the range of tank guns cannot be compared with that of artillery. Even if he knew the so-called location of the artillery positions, there was no way Carry out artillery suppression.

After the German bombardment stopped, Filipov told his subordinates through the car radio: "Everyone pay attention, everyone pay attention! Do your best to monitor the firepower point on the opposite bank, and destroy it with tank guns if you find it. Repeat, once you find the firepower point on the opposite bank, Destroy it immediately!." Although he was incapable of dealing with the German artillery, he still had no problem dealing with those firepower points on the opposite bank.

Sure enough, when the ship was 150 meters away from the river bank, the machine guns on the opposite bank opened fire, and they used intensive firepower to shoot at the Soviet commanders and fighters on the ship.

Seeing this, Filipov immediately yelled into the microphone: "Everyone pay attention, everyone pay attention! I am Colonel Filipov, the brigade commander, and I order you to immediately use tank guns and machine guns to destroy the enemy on the other side. Firing points. Repeat, immediately eliminate the firing points on the opposite bank with tank guns and machine guns."

Under the attack of the tank brigade's artillery fire and machine gun fire, the exposed firepower points on the opposite bank were cleared one by one. Those German soldiers who were bombed or killed didn't understand until their death. Since the Russians could directly destroy their own firepower points with artillery fire, why didn't they use it last time, causing them to lose so many troops in vain?

The reason is simple. During the first forced crossing, long-range artillery was used to support the infantry crossing the river. When Soviet commanders and fighters approached the German army, in order to avoid accidental injury, the shelling was naturally stopped. But this time the situation was different. Tank guns and machine guns were used to support the infantry crossing the river. At a distance of 600 meters, the results of the tank soldiers destroying the target must be more accurate than the bombardment of the distant artillery.

Knowing that the river-crossing troops covered by the tank brigade finally succeeded in reaching the left bank, the soldiers scrambled to jump out of the wooden boat and rushed to the bank with water. Since the German army on the shore was basically wiped out by the artillery fire and machine guns of the tank brigade, the landing force easily occupied the German riverside position.

Seeing that his troops landed on the island smoothly, the commander of the 304th Division relaxed his frown, and he turned to the chief of staff and said: "Comrade chief of staff, our soldiers have successfully landed on the left bank, have you seen this scene? "

"I see, Comrade Commander." The chief of staff said: "Should we transfer the next two regiments up, so that we can establish our landing field on the left bank as soon as possible."

"Yes." After the division commander agreed to the chief of staff's proposal, he ordered the other party: "Report to the headquarters immediately, and say that our division's troops have successfully landed on the left bank."

The chief of staff said with some hesitation: "Comrade commander, our troops have just arrived on the left bank and have not completely occupied the enemy's position. It is not appropriate to report the results at this moment. If something happens and the headquarters blames it, I'm afraid You will be criticized."

"At this point, I can't control that much anymore." The teacher said stubbornly, "I asked you to report, and you can just report. If something goes wrong, I will take care of everything."

Hearing what the division commander said, the chief of staff couldn't say anything, so he could only report the news that the troops of the 304th division had boarded the left bank position to the group army headquarters.

Seeing the battle report of the 304th Division, Batov had a smile on his face. He said to Glebov: "Chief of Staff, the 304th Division fought well. They managed to cross over in such a short period of time and boarded the They have left the left bank and are engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy at the moment. I believe it will not be long before they can establish a landing field on the left bank."

Glebov asked Batov for instructions: "Should we ask the 321st Division to speed up and catch up with the 304th Division as soon as possible to consolidate the landing field on the left bank?"

"That's what it should be, Comrade Chief of Staff." After Batov agreed to Glebov's proposal, he added a special sentence: "By the way, let the director of the engineering corps tell him to set up tanks and tanks on the Narew River as soon as possible." The pontoon bridge over which the cannon passed."

As Batov's chief of staff, Glebov naturally understood in his heart that now that he had seized the German positions on the left bank, the establishment of a landing field was only the first step, and he would definitely face endless German counterattacks next. If a pontoon bridge is not erected on the river as soon as possible to transport the troops and weapons and equipment needed for the landing site, then the troops on the left bank landing site will become a lone army. desperate situation. In order to avoid such tragedies, it is absolutely necessary to erect pontoon bridges in time to connect the two banks.

But when Glebov went to the side to make a phone call, Batov felt that he should tell Rokossovsky the good news, so he ordered someone to connect to the phone of the Front Army Command and announced the good news to Rokossovsky: "Commander Comrade Comrade, I have good news for you that my vanguard has successfully crossed Pultusk and the area south of it, and established a landing site on the left bank of the Narew River."

"Great, General Batov, this is really great." After listening to the other party's report, Rokossovsky was also happy with the results achieved by the 65th Army: "As long as your troops can fight in Nare If we can gain a firm foothold on the left bank of the Fu River, then the situation on the battlefield will become more favorable to our army."

After Batov finished talking with Rokossovsky, he decided that he should go to the front to see for himself. One is that it can grasp the first-hand information on the battlefield in a timely manner, and the other is that it can play a role in boosting morale.

But what he didn't expect was that as soon as he and military commissar Rajecki came to the observation post of the 304 regiment, the German army launched a fierce shelling on the area occupied by the Soviet army on the left bank.

As the bombardment unfolded, the density of the bombardment increased, and the shells fell in pieces on the position on the left bank and exploded. Immediately afterwards, amidst the sound of rolling thunder, the position on the opposite bank was shaken, and even Batov could feel the faint vibration under his feet. Even without binoculars, you can clearly see patches of orange-red explosions in the distance, and black smoke clouds rise up under the flickering fireballs.

Rajetskihe had seen such a spectacular scene before, and he was shocked by the violent artillery fire. After a while, he came back to his senses, grabbed Bubatov's arm, and said excitedly: "Comrade commander, the enemy's artillery fire is so fierce, our troops on the left bank must have suffered a lot of casualties. In my opinion, it is still Withdraw the troops first, and it will not be too late to launch an attack after the preparations are in place."

"No, we can't retreat." Batov said firmly: "As soon as the German artillery stops, they will attack the position by the river. If our army retreats at this time, doesn't it mean that the position is handed over to them for nothing? No, now it is absolutely impossible to convoy, the army must do everything possible to transport as many people and equipment as possible to the left bank."

"But, Comrade Commander." The commander of the 304th Division said bitterly, "Comrade Commander, our entire division is now on the left bank, and is currently being heavily bombarded by the German army. There are not many people left."

"Comrade Colonel." Batov stared at the division commander and said expressionlessly, "Although the German army is bombarding the position on the left bank, as long as the commanders and fighters hide in the fortifications, casualties can be minimized. And if you choose to retreat at this moment, everyone will be eager to leave that dangerous area. In this way, the retreat may turn into a rout. Even if some commanders and fighters can retreat to the right bank by then, the morale and morale of the army will completely collapse. It means that our forcible crossing of the Narew River ended in failure."

Originally, Rajecki saw the fierce artillery fire on the other side, and the commanders and fighters staying in the position there would suffer casualties every minute, so he couldn't help but have the same idea as the commander of the 304th Division. But after hearing Batov's words, he immediately changed his mind. He felt that the troops should not be allowed to retreat under artillery fire. In this way, the retreat would turn into a rout, resulting in heavy casualties. The plan to forcibly cross the Narew River and establish a landing site failed. And ended up.

After thinking about this, he said earnestly to the commander of the 304th Division: "Comrade Colonel, I think the commander is right. Although the German army is constantly bombarding our army's direction, as long as our army's commanders and fighters continue to stay in the trenches , It is not an easy task for the enemy to regain the position by the river."

Although Batov and Rajecki have already said this, the commander of the 304th division is unwilling. After all, his troops are being bombarded by the German army on the other side at the moment, and there are casualties every minute. If we evacuate, I am afraid that the entire division will be wiped out.

Batov saw his scruples, patted him on the shoulder, and said to him: "Don't worry, Colonel. I'm here to make a statement to you. As long as your division sticks to it, when the battle is over, you will I will replenish you with as many troops as you lose. If you lose a regiment, I will replenish you with another regiment; if the entire division is lost, as long as you are still there, I will send the 304th Infantry Division to you in the shortest possible time. Rebuild. Well, Comrade Colonel, do you believe what I say?"

After pondering for a long time, the commander of the 304th Division nodded slowly and agreed: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will obey your order and let the troops stay on the left bank position and continue to fulfill the task of sticking to the landing site."

"That's right, Comrade Colonel." Satisfied with his answer, Batov nodded and said, "In many cases, we have to take the overall situation into consideration and use the smallest sacrifice in exchange for greater victories. Rest assured, when this battle is over, your division will receive your honor."

Hearing that Batov mentioned honor, the colonel couldn't help but make some calculations in his heart. If one's troops achieved good results in the next battle, they might be able to receive medals and be awarded the honor they deserved. Thinking of this, the colonel was completely relieved, and he turned around and ordered his chief of staff: "Get in touch with the three regimental leaders on the left bank and tell them to stay in the fortifications honestly, and no one is allowed to retreat without my order." One step, like a nail, firmly hold the existing position."

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The chief of staff replied in a loud voice this time: "I will immediately convey your order to the regiments on the other side, and let them all stay in the fortifications in peace, and wait until they receive orders from their superiors." No one is allowed to leave the position without authorization."

Rajecki walked up to the colonel, raised his hand and patted him lightly on the shoulder, and said approvingly: "Well done, Comrade Colonel, you made the right decision. I believe the commanders and fighters on the other side After understanding what's going on, I will also agree with the decision you made."