Red Moscow

In order to quickly break through the German defenses, the Soviet air force went into battle. After hundreds of fighters took off one after another, they formed formation in the air and flew towards the German defense line.

Among this batch of aircraft, there are a large number of Il-2 attack aircraft. Their appearance is painted in camouflage colors. When attacking at ultra-low altitude, it is difficult for enemy aircraft in the sky to find it, and its thick armor can resist ground anti-aircraft machine guns very well. shooting. The tactics often used by attack aircraft pilots are to patrol and fly at an altitude of 800 meters in a formation of 4 aircraft. Once a ground target is found, they will immediately disperse and then dive and attack the ground target in turn, using rockets, cannons or machine guns to shoot tanks. , which works very well. Coupled with its piercing whistling sound when diving at low altitude, it gave the enemy a great psychological shock.

The attack aircraft can fire anti-tank rockets and small bombs called PTABs in addition to ordinary bombs. Although the rocket's hit rate was pitifully low based on the technology at the time, once it hits, the RS-82 rocket can penetrate 50 mm of armor, while the RS-132's armor penetration thickness reaches 70 mm. This is tantamount to a catastrophe for the top armor of any German tank, so the Germans—especially their armored soldiers called the Il-2 attack aircraft the "Black Death".

When the Soviet fighter planes bombed the German positions indiscriminately, Rokossovsky ordered Batov's 65th and Popov's 70th Army to be transferred up, preparing to strengthen the frontal offensive force and speed up the attack. The speed of breaking through the German defense lines.

After Bogolyubov notified the two army commanders to mobilize troops, he contacted the new artillery commander Sokolsky: "General Sokolsky, how about the artillery's ammunition reserves, can it be used against the enemy's positions?" How long was the shelling?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokolsky replied after recognizing Bogolyubov's voice, "According to the regulations before the start of the campaign, the artillery of the army level stores ammunition of four bases, while the artillery of the front army reserves ammunition of four bases." It is seven bases, according to the intensity of artillery preparations in the previous two days, we can continue for three days."

"That's great." Bogolyubov said into the microphone: "Now our air force is bombing the enemy's positions. After their bombing is over, it's your turn to enter the artillery."

"Chief of Staff, I don't understand." Sokolsky waited for Bogolyubov to finish speaking, and immediately raised his own doubts: "According to the usual practice, before each attack, the artillery is the first to ask the enemy first, and take the lead in attacking the enemy." After the artillery preparations are over, the air force will be dispatched to bomb. Why is it reversed today, the air force is dispatched first, and then the artillery preparations are carried out?"

Bogolyubov glanced at Rokossovsky, who was on the phone next to him, and said to Sokolsky: "General Sokolsky, the reason why we adjusted the order of artillery and air force attacks is that It is entirely the opinion of Comrade Marshal. He feels that if we prepare artillery fire first, then the enemy will definitely retreat to the second line of defense to hide, especially their tanks will hide in nearby tunnels. When our army's offensive starts Finally, the hidden tanks and infantry will emerge to meet our attack, causing huge casualties to our army.

But if we send out the air force to bomb first, the enemy will think that our ground attack will start immediately, and they will stay in the existing positions and hide in the shelters or tunnels dug in advance. After our air force finishes bombing and leaves, the enemy will return to the ground, and your artillery fire pouring into the enemy's position at this time can cause them great casualties. "

After some explanations from Bogolyubov, Sokolski finally understood what was going on. He nodded and said thoughtfully: "So that's the case!" Boff stated, "Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff, I will order the artillery unit to prepare for battle. As long as we receive your order to fire, we will blow up the enemy's position into a sea of ​​​​flames in the shortest possible time."

"I hope so." Bogolyubov sighed and said: "At dawn today, the 2nd Assault Army launched an attack on the enemy's position."

"How did they fare?"

"They successfully occupied the first line of defense of the German army." Bogolyubov said with regret: "Unfortunately, when attacking the second line of defense, the German army frantically counterattacked. The JS-2 heavy tank covering the infantry attack , encountered German Tiger tanks, and after a fierce battle, our side lost 22 taels of JS-2 heavy tanks, but the enemy's losses were minimal."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, later our artillery will blow up the German tanks into a pile of scrap iron, so as to cover our infantry to successfully break through the enemy's line of defense."

At this time, Rokossovsky finished the call and asked Bogolyubov, who was still holding the receiver: "Chief of Staff, how is the ammunition reserve for the artillery?"

"General Sokolski reported that the artillery of the front army has seven bases of shells, and even if they don't get supplies, they can still fight for a few days."

"Very good." Rokossovsky nodded, and then thought of something: "By the way, I seem to have heard you call the 48th Army just now, saying that the superiors will assign them a military commissar. okay?"

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Bogolyubov nodded and said, "You actually know the new military commissar of the 48th Army."

"I know him too?" Rokossovsky asked in surprise, "Who is it?"

"It's Sokov's old partner." Bogolyubov said, "I also just received a notification from the Supreme Command before I learned that a new military commissioner has taken office."

"The original old partner, Lunev?!" Rokossovsky said with a face full of shock: "It's strange that he didn't stay in Moscow as his deputy minister of internal affairs, but went to the front as some kind of military commissar. It's unbelievable."

"Yeah, I don't understand, why did you go to such a dangerous place at the front when you stayed well in Moscow." After Bogolyubov finished speaking, he tentatively asked Rokossovsky: "Comrade Marshal, Need to call General Sokov?"

"It's not necessary." Rokossovsky waved his hand and rejected Bogolyubov's proposal: "Since it's Misha's old partner who came here, I believe he won't trip Misha in the days to come." Son, maybe he can become his best assistant."

At the same time, in the 48th Army Headquarters, Sokov and others knew that the Air Force had launched a large-scale deployment and was bombarding the German positions indiscriminately, so everyone began to study the next course of action.

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin said, "Why didn't the superiors carry out artillery preparations and bomb the German positions?"

"Yeah, today's actions are quite abnormal." Pornejelin also echoed: "In the past, the offensives were prepared first, and then decided whether to send out the air force to bomb according to the situation on the battlefield. But today is good. In the end, hundreds of planes bombarded the German positions indiscriminately, and there was no intention of involving artillery in the battle."

Regarding Rokossovsky's approach, Sokov was also very puzzled. He asked himself secretly: "Did Rokossovsky really follow his own suggestion and dispatch the air force to carry out unreasonable measures against the enemy's positions?" Intermittent intensive bombing, in order to achieve the purpose of destroying the German defense line?"

"I don't know very well." Since none of the people present were outsiders, Sokov didn't go around in circles, but truthfully expressed his true thoughts: "Didn't I suggest to Comrade Marshal that we dispatch the air force to attack the German army?" Uninterrupted intensive bombing of the position, so as to destroy the fortifications hidden in the blind spots of artillery fire, and clear the way for our army's ground attack."

Lunev did not participate in the discussion two days ago, so he naturally didn't know what Sokov meant, so he asked curiously: "Misha, what are you talking about? I can't understand it at all. Can you Can you tell me in detail?"

Considering that Lunev is now the military commissar of the Army Group, Sokov naturally would not hide the internal affairs of the Army Group from him, so he repeated to him what he reported to Rokossovsky yesterday.

Lunev nodded vigorously after hearing this, and said thoughtfully: "Misha, your proposal is good. In order to prevent our artillery from destroying their fortifications, the German army built many fortifications in very tricky positions. Artillery fire really can’t hit it. But the situation of dispatching the air force is different, no matter whether the German fortifications are built on the front slope or the reverse slope, they can blow it to pieces, thus clearing the way for our attacking troops.”

Hearing the "direct slope and reverse slope" that Lunev said in his mouth, Sokov felt very kind. It seems that during the days when he was with him, Lunev learned a lot of military terms from himself. When expressing opinions, it is clear and logical.

"Comrade Military Commissar," Pornedelin asked Lunev, "do you think it's time for our army to launch an offensive after the bombing is over?"

"How do you say this?" In response to Ponegerin's question, Lunev replied with some hesitation: "According to the usual practice, after our artillery preparations are over, occasionally the air force will be dispatched to attack those that have not been destroyed. The fortifications were bombed. But now there is no artillery preparation, and the planes are directly used to bomb. I was thinking in my heart, maybe Marshal Rokossovsky never thought of launching a ground attack, but just wanted to use the bombing of the air force to destroy Those remaining fortifications on the German positions."

As a senior military commander, Ponejielin heard the implication of Lunev's words, and asked tentatively: "Comrade military commissar, do you think that this large-scale dispatch of the air force is just to destroy the enemy's military forces?" fortifications, rather than launching a ground attack?"

Lunev laughed, and then said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, if it is political work, you are definitely not as good as me. But when it comes to formulating combat plans and commanding troops to fight against the Germans, I am definitely not as good as you." Up to you. My analysis just now is just a personal opinion, for your reference only."

Seeing that Lunev's words were impeccable, Ponegerin nodded, and expressed his doubts: "What is the purpose of Comrade Marshal's move, I really don't understand. You can understand, Comrade Commander?" The rest of his words were directed at Sokov.

"I don't understand either." Sokov shook his head, and then told Sidolin: "Chief of Staff, you inform the divisions at the front to get ready to attack. As soon as my order arrives, immediately report to the German army." Attack the position."

Seeing that Sidolin still had a puzzled expression on his face, Sokov said to everyone: "I'm not afraid of your jokes. I don't know what Comrade Marshal is thinking at the moment. It must be right to order the troops to prepare for battle. If you order us To go out, the troops that have been prepared for a long time can go into battle immediately; if we are not allowed to go out, the battle alarm will be lifted and the commanders and fighters will be able to rest where they are.”

After listening to Sokov's explanation, Sidolin nodded, then walked quickly behind a radio operator, and told him: "Call me the 3rd Infantry Division and the 120th Guards Division on the front line immediately. I'm going to speak to their teachers."

"Comrade Commander." Taking advantage of Sidolin's contact with the front line, Ponejielin asked Sokov cautiously: "During the liberation of the town of Pultusk, the 1st and 6th Guards Division A lot of casualties have been paid. Look, are you sending troops to take over their defense?"

"The big battle is imminent, and I don't think it's appropriate to move troops at this time." Sokov shook his head and said, "If there is confusion when the two sides change defenses, it may affect the morale and morale of the frontline troops. I See, even if you really want to switch defenses, you have to wait until today's battle is completely over, and it won't be too late to make arrangements."

For Sokov's statement, Ponejielin still agrees. Now the troops in the south of Pultusk Town are preparing to attack the German positions, but the troops in the town behind them are changing defenses on a large scale. It is obviously impossible to affect the morale of the army. However, considering that the 3rd Infantry Division and the 120th Guards Division still suffered a lot of casualties in the battle on the first day, Ponejielin added: "Or let the two infantry brigades enter Pultusk Town, as a reserve team for the first-line troops?"

Sokov thought about it carefully, and felt that what Ponegerin said was very reasonable. Although the two divisions south of Pultusk town did not pay much when they captured the German position, they still suffered casualties. . When they attack the depths of the German defenses, there will certainly be a shortage of troops. If according to Pornegelin's statement, two infantry brigades are drawn into the town to serve as their reserve team, so that when the two divisions on the front line are weak in attack, these two infantry brigades can be replenished in time.

It happened that Sidolin came over at this time, and Sokov called him to the front and said: "Chief of Staff, I discussed with the deputy commander just now and decided to transfer two infantry brigades into the town of Pultusk to serve as the front line. Army reserve."

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin asked hastily upon hearing the order, "I wonder which two brigades you plan to send into Pultusk Town?"

"You are the chief of staff." Sokov handed over the choice to Sidolin: "Which two brigades will enter the town of Pultusk as the reserve team is entirely up to you."

Seeing that Sokov trusted him so much and handed over the right to choose troops to himself, Sidolin felt very comfortable. He nodded and said, "Well then, Comrade Commander, leave this matter to me, and I will definitely not let you down."