Red Moscow

Rokossovsky is concerned about when his troops will change the direction of attack, while Sokov, who is commanding the battle, is thinking about how to use today's advantages to expand his occupied area as much as possible. Originally, he was a little conservative in his thinking. He felt that his troops would stop advancing after advancing eight to ten kilometers, and choose suitable locations to build fortifications so as not to lose touch with the friendly forces on the left and right flanks.

But when he heard that Batov's 65th Army and Popov's 70th Army were also put on the battlefield by Rokossovsky, his thoughts immediately took a 180-degree turn. He said to Sidolin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, leave the 6th Guards Division in Puutusk Town for defense, and put the 1st Guards Division, 109th Infantry Division, 211th, and 284th Infantry Division into the offensive. Capture as many German positions as possible before dark."

Hearing Sokov's order, Ponedelin reminded him: "Comrade commander, you put all your troops into battle, except for the 6th Guards Division in the town of Pultusk, we are surrounded by There is an infantry brigade and units directly under the army group, and if it is attacked by the Germans, I am afraid that the headquarters will be in danger."

"Comrade Deputy Commander, don't worry." Sokov said confidently: "According to what I know, the troops that are now launching an all-out attack on the German army are due to General Batov's 65th Army and General Popov. With the addition of the 70th Army, the number has increased to five armies. In addition to the troops serving as the reserve force of the front army, our army has an absolute advantage on the battlefield. If we don't take advantage of this opportunity to expand our results, what are we waiting for? when?"

After saying these words to Ponegerin, Sokov told Sidolin again: "Chief of Staff, what are you still doing in a daze, don't hurry up and pass on my order. If you continue to delay like this, you may Missing the opportunity to fight."

In fact, Sidolin had the same idea as Sokov. One hour after launching the attack, his troops advanced five kilometers deep into the enemy's defense. As long as they advance three to five kilometers ahead, today's combat can be stopped. Choose to switch to defense on the spot. But he didn't expect Sokov to suddenly change his mind, put all his vitality into the battle, and prepare to make a fortune. I wanted to persuade Sokov to cancel this adventurous plan, but after listening to what he said to Ponegerin, he gave up the plan to persuade: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will immediately inform the division commanders , let them lead their troops into the battlefield through the opened gap as soon as possible."

The German army in the frontal attack area of ​​the 48th Army was already defeated. They thought that after the opponent advanced five or six kilometers in one go, they would temporarily slow down their attack speed to give themselves a chance to breathe. But what the Germans didn't expect was that the first attacking Soviet troops had just stopped, and the second wave of fresh troops attacked their positions again. In this way, the troops of the 48th Army adopted the tactics of alternate rest and alternate attack, and always maintained a strong attacking posture, which beat the German army in front of them to the point of being powerless.

The battle continued until about three o'clock in the afternoon, and the troops of the 48th Army had advanced eighteen to twenty-five kilometers deep into the German army, leaving the friendly forces on the left and right wings far away. When Sidolin saw that his troops had penetrated deep into the German defenses alone, he couldn't help feeling a little worried, and quickly reminded Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the distance we have advanced is a bit too far, do you understand that the troops have slowed down their attack speed?" , choose a suitable location and switch to defense on the spot?"

Sokov did not answer him immediately, but asked another question: "Can the ammunition and fuel be replenished?"

"Yes." After Sidolin gave him an affirmative answer, he added: "The wounded can also be transported down in time."

Sokov nodded, and said to Ponejielin and others with some regrets: "It's a pity that our troops are a little less, otherwise we can achieve greater results."

Hearing what Sokov said, both Ponejielin and Sidolin couldn't help but feel a little bit in their hearts, thinking that most of the army's troops had gone into battle today. If the front attack is not going well, even if you want to send troops to reinforce them, you will not be able to mobilize troops. Pornegerin said cautiously: "Comrade Commander, I think the opinion of the Chief of Staff can be referred to. After all, we have advanced too hard today, and we have already distanced ourselves from the friendly forces on the left and right flanks. If the Germans attack from our two flanks The troops who launch the attack and carry out the offensive mission may be cut off from the back."

"Deputy commander, chief of staff, don't worry." But Sokov said confidently: "So far, the troops fighting at the forefront can get supplies from the rear in time, and they can also treat the wounded in time. Send it down from the front line. This shows that the enemy has been completely defeated by us, and they are simply unable to organize a decent resistance, let alone launch a counterattack against us. I think we should seize this good opportunity and expand the results of the battle in time..."

Before he finished speaking, the high frequency phone on the desk rang. Picking it up, it was Rokossovsky calling: "Misha, how is your army going?"

"Very well, Comrade Marshal." Sokov said with a smile: "My troops have wedged into the German defenses to a depth of 18 to 25 kilometers, and the troops are still advancing."

"Misha, you did a great job!" Rokossovsky asked after praising Sokov, "What are your next plans?"

"Comrade Marshal, according to various signs, the German army in front of our army has completely lost its ability to resist. If we can continue to maintain the current offensive posture, we should be able to advance a few kilometers before dark."

"Your troops have been fighting for almost a day, and the commanders and fighters should be very tired." Rokossovsky asked with concern: "If you continue to fight, will their physical strength be able to support it?"

"Comrade Marshal, you can rest assured about this." Sokov explained to Rokossovsky: "I divided the attacking force into two echelons. The second echelon takes over from them to fight; when the second echelon is tired, the first echelon has almost recovered its physical strength and can re-enter the battlefield to take over the second echelon to fight. Our troops always use alternate rest and alternate attacks attack in the depths of the enemy's defenses."

"This is a good way." Rokossovsky nodded after hearing this, and said with emotion: "If all the troops can be like you, I think the results that can be achieved today will be greater. By the way, Do you have any trouble?"

"There must be difficulties." Sokov said hesitantly: "I have already put most of the troops of the group army into battle, but I always feel that the troops are still a little short. If you can add some troops to me, I think I can still expand the results."

Regarding Sokov's request, Rokossovsky was a little embarrassed. The battle had reached this point, where could he find troops for him? Although I still have a combined army of various arms and a tank army in my hand, the distance between the two is too far. Even if I dispatch it now, it will probably be late at night when I arrive at Sokov.

"Comrade Marshal," Bogolyubov, who was standing beside Rokossovsky, whispered his thoughts to Rokossovsky after hearing the conversation between the two: "Do you see if you are from the Third Army?" He and the Assault 2nd Army deployed troops to enter the battlefield from the gap opened by the 48th Army. After these troops entered the battlefield through the gap, they could attack the enemy's flanks on the left and right, helping their original troops to advance quickly."

After listening to Bogolyubov's proposal, Rokossovsky thought for a while, nodded slowly, and said, "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, this is indeed a good suggestion." Then he said into the microphone, "Misha, the chief of staff made a suggestion. Let the troops of the 3rd Army and the 2nd Assault Army enter the battlefield through the gap you opened, and then attack the enemy's flanks on your left and right flanks. flanking to break the German resistance. What do you think?"

"I think it's very good." Sokov added: "To be honest, our troops have wedged too far into the German defenses and have become a lone army. If the Germans recover their senses and gather troops to attack our narrow If the left and right flanks launch an attack, our offensive troops will be cut off from the rear and trapped in the encirclement of the Germans. Now let the friendly forces enter the battlefield from the gap we opened, and then attack the weak flanks of the German army, and cooperate with our original troops to move forward Pushing forward, it's just fantastic."

"Okay, since you also agree with this proposal, then I will immediately ask the chief of staff to notify the commanders of the two armies so that they can deploy a sufficient number of troops to enter the battlefield through the gap you opened and attack the enemy from the flank."

After Sokov finished talking with Rokossovsky, he immediately called Sidolin to him and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the Marshal just said that he intends to let the troops of the 3rd Army and the 2nd Assault Army Enter the battlefield from the gap we opened, and then launch an attack from the German flank to cooperate with their main force. Say hello to the commanders below and ask them to do a good job of identification. Don't be alone and Our own people are fighting."

"Understood." Sidolin nodded, and replied decisively: "I will convey your order immediately."

"Comrade Commander," Ponejielin said after Sidolin walked away, "At first, I was worried that we would become a lone army deep behind the enemy's rear because of our rapid advance. I didn't expect that Comrade Marshal would think of letting the left and right wings Troops, enter the field through the gaps we have opened so that they can avoid some of the German strong defenses and attack from the enemy's flank, thereby breaking the German defenses and allowing their main forces to advance quickly."

"In large corps operations, it is not enough for just one or two troops to perform well." Lunev, who had been silent all the time, interjected, "Only the more troops that perform well, the more advantage we will gain on the battlefield." big."

"Comrade Military Commissioner is right." Sokov echoed, "If our troops on the left and right flanks can also advance quickly, I believe we will achieve even greater results before it gets dark today."

Lunev said with a smile: "If we can capture the entire East Prussian region within two months, then we can turn around and go west, together with the First Front Army, to launch an attack in the direction of Berlin."

"Liberate East Prussia within two months?" Although attacking Berlin is a very tempting goal, Ponegerin, as the deputy commander, did not consider that far. What he considered was the current liberation of East Prussia. Battle: "I don't think things are that optimistic. You know, this is the holy land of the Germans. In order to prevent us from taking this land, they will definitely resist tenaciously. According to my estimation, the East and West can be resolved before August this year. People in the Prussian area are already considered fast."

Sokov, who came from later generations, knew very well that even after the Germans chose to surrender unconditionally, the German troops in many areas of East Prussia were still making their final resistance. If there is no surrender order issued by Berlin, the fighting in East Prussia does not know how long it will last. Thinking of this, he said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I think there is a possibility that after the battle for the liberation of East Prussia has reached a certain stage, the Supreme Command may order new troops to participate in the war against East Prussia." attack, and our force may turn west and join the attack on Berlin."

Regarding Sokov's statement, both Lunev and Ponegerin were surprised. The two hurriedly looked down at the map spread out on the table, carefully pondering how feasible Sokov's statement was. .

After looking at it for a while, Ponegerin raised his head, looked at Sokov and said, "Comrade Commander, I think your statement is indeed possible."

And Lunev is not a military commander. Although he looked at the map for a long time, he couldn't see anything. Hearing what Bonegelin said at this moment, I couldn't help asking: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I don't quite understand what you mean, can you explain in detail?"

Ponegerin nodded, pointed to the map and said to Lunev: "Comrade Military Commissar, if we control this large area of ​​East Prussia, the German army will be compressed to the northeast. Once the Germans retreat there, the distance from us It is too far away. If we continue to attack, there will be problems in logistics and supplies. If the remaining areas of East Prussia are handed over to General Cherniakhovsky's Third Front Army and the Baltic Sea Front Army Attacking is obviously more appropriate. Now that our Second Front Army has escaped from East Prussia, it is logical to turn around and attack Berlin."

Lunev did not express any opinion immediately after listening, but turned to Sokov and asked, "Misha, do you think so too?"

"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov replied affirmatively, "I do have the same idea."

After listening to Sokov, Lunev became excited: "I originally thought that the Second Front Army would have no chance to participate in the battle to liberate Berlin as the Raiders of East Prussia. But now it seems that our participation in the attack on Berlin may be existing."

"You're right, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov continued: "The troops attacking Berlin at the same time, in addition to Marshal Zhukov's Belarusian First Front Army, also Marshal Konev's Ukrainian First Front Army. The three armies are advancing towards Berlin at the same time, and it depends on which army is more powerful and luckier, so that it can enter Berlin first."