After listening to everyone's debriefings, Rokossovsky realized that the situation at the front was much worse than he had imagined. After five months of fierce fighting www.biquge.info the number of soldiers lost by the troops was not effectively replenished, and the area of defense also increased several times as the German army retreated, resulting in weak defenses everywhere. So much so that in the event of a battle, it is no longer possible to draw troops from somewhere to strengthen the main area as before.

Rokossovsky stared at the map in front of him for a long time, and finally asked Zakharov: "Comrade Deputy Commander, please tell me truthfully, with our current strength, can we complete the offensive task assigned to us by our superiors?" ”

Hearing this, Zakharov hesitated for a moment, and then replied: "Comrade commander, if you want to hear the truth, I can tell you that we will not be able to complete such an offensive if our superiors do not give us additional troops and provide us with the necessary air support. ”

After Zakharov finished speaking, Rokossovsky cautiously asked: "Won't the 61st Army, even with the addition of the right flank, be able to accomplish this task?" ”

"It's hard to say," Zakharov said with some hesitation, "as far as I know, the situation with General Popov is not very good either. With the expansion of the defense zone, their shortage of troops was also exposed. However, as the line of defense shrinks, the enemy is able to masse more forces than ours in a local area, which makes our offensive extremely difficult. ”

Although Zakharov spoke very implicitly, Rokossovsky still heard the voice-over: even if we have more troops than the enemy, we will not necessarily win, and even more so the current forces are far less than the enemy.

Rokossovsky stood up and asked the commander sitting at the table: "I plan to go to General Popov's 61st Army, who wants to accompany me?" ”

In the past, wherever Rokossovsky went, he was usually accompanied by military commissar Lobachev, but at the moment he shook his head and said: "Comrade commander, although I would like to accompany you to General Popov, at present the political workers in the army are doing propaganda and mobilization work to the fighters, encouraging them to make meritorious deeds in battle. I want to keep abreast of the situation of the troops in a timely manner, so I can't just leave the headquarters for the time being. ”

Seeing that Lobachev could not accompany him to the headquarters of friendly forces, Rokossovsky's eyes swept over several other commanders one by one, as if no one could leave their posts without permission. Just as he put on his big-brimmed hat and was about to leave alone, Kazakov stood up and said with sincerity: "Comrade Comrade Commander, I don't have anything to do now, it's better for me to accompany you to General Popov's command." ”

Rokossovsky thought that if Kazakov accompanied him, he could also study with Popov's deputy the question of how to use artillery when the two armies fought together, so he nodded and said briskly: "Okay, then you will accompany me to the 61st Army." ”

The two drove to the village where the headquarters of the 51st Army was located more than 20 kilometers away, and Rokossovsky thought that he would be closely interrogated. But the soldier on duty only bent down and glanced into the car, and after seeing Rokossovsky sitting inside, he immediately stood up and saluted, stretched out his hand and let him go.

Seeing that the guards in the village were so lax, Kazakov couldn't help but say worriedly: "Koschika, why is General Popov's defense here so lax, if the Germans come to attack, it will be terrible." ”

Compared with Kazakov's panic, Rokossovsky was quite calm, and he smiled and said to Kazakov: "Don't worry, my comrade artillery commander, we were here a few months ago, and I believe that the soldier must have recognized us, which is why he let us enter the village so easily." If he sees an unfamiliar face, he will definitely take a closer look. ”

Rokossovsky's analysis, which was confirmed when they entered Popov's command. Seeing Rokossovsky walk into his headquarters, General Popov immediately greeted him with a smile on his face, gave him a warm hug, and asked with concern: "General Rokossovsky, are your injuries healed?" ”

"Thank you for your concern, I've been cured a long time ago." After expressing his gratitude to Popov, Rokossovsky directly explained his intentions: "General Popov, I have come to you today to discuss the organization of an offensive campaign by our two armies. ”

"Oh, Comrade Rokossovsky, if you don't say it, I was just about to mention it to you." Popov said with a sad face: "Don't look at the formation of our group army, there are seven infantry divisions, two cavalry divisions, artillery and other troops, but you can see how big the area we defend, to hold these areas, it is not enough to deploy fewer troops. So the only ones I could fight with were the 387th and 391st Infantry Divisions, plus an artillery regiment and an incomplete tank brigade, with a total strength of no more than 5,000 men. ”

Hearing that the 51st Army could only contribute no more than five thousand troops in the next battle, Rokossovsky couldn't help frowning. After a pause, he asked, "General Popov, can't you find a way to replenish the troops from somewhere else?" For example, the wounded and sick discharged from the hospital? ”

Popov shook his head, and then said: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I have been using the method you said for a long time, and even the logistics personnel of the group army and various divisions have been replenished to the combat units, but the shortage of soldiers is still surprisingly high. ”

Kazakov interjected: "General Popov, the situation of our army group is also not ideal, from the beginning of the attack on Sushnych, the soldiers we lost in battle have not been replenished in time. I thought that the Battle of Moscow was over and our army group could take the opportunity to reorganize, but who knew that the higher authorities had given us the offensive task of breaking through the German Zhizdra line and liberating Bryansk. If we can add the 10th Army on the left flank, our chances of victory will be even greater. ”

"The 10th Army cannot be counted on for the time being," said Popov, shaking his head as soon as Kazakov's words were finished: "The enemy, in order to re-establish the starting point of the offensive rushing towards Moscow, is now constantly launching counterattacks in the southwest of you, and that General Popov has devoted all his energies to thinking about how to resist the German offensive, and there is no time for us to take joint action." Otherwise, General Zhukov would not have given the order for joint operations just to our two armies. ”

Rokossovsky knew that the difficulties faced by both armies would not be solved in the short term, so he could only change the topic and discuss with Popov the matter of the two armies working together: "...... When Major General Orlov's infantry corps attacks Lyutinovo, I hope that your troops will launch a simultaneous attack from the north and join forces to destroy the enemy assembled in this area. After freeing up, we will once again deal with the enemy in the Diatikovo region and establish a starting position for the assault on Bryansk......"

After listening to Rokossovsky's plan, Popov frowned and asked: "As far as I know, the enemy in the Lyutinovo area at the moment has only one infantry regiment, and we use one infantry corps plus two infantry divisions to attack, isn't it a bit too big and overkill?" ”

"General Popov," Rokossovsky explained to Popov in order to dispel his doubts, "not only do we have a limited number of troops, but also a small number of artillery and tanks attached to our troops, and it is obviously unrealistic to swallow up a large army of the enemy in one gulp." Therefore, we must adjust the way of fighting, adopt the method of destroying one by one, and eat the enemy bit by bit. As soon as we clear the enemy from the periphery and then attack in the direction of Bryansk, the resistance will be greatly reduced......"

After listening to Rokossovsky's delicate analysis, Popov couldn't help but nod his head approvingly, and said with emotion: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I now understand why General Zhukov specified that you should be in charge of this joint offensive. Judging by the plan you've just described, you're more well-thought out and tactically flexible than I am. I believe that if you follow this battle plan of yours, you will definitely achieve the desired results. ”

When Rokossovsky heard Popov mention Zhukov, he couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart, saying that he had returned to his headquarters for most of the day, and he had not yet reported his whereabouts to the commander of the Front, and he did not know whether it would cause Zhukov's dissatisfaction. Thinking of this, he hurriedly asked Popov: "Comrade General, can you talk directly to the front army headquarters here?" I would like to give General Zhukov a call. ”

Popov nodded, and then instructed the director of his communications corps: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please contact the Front Command immediately, General Rokossovsky wants to talk to the Commander of the Front." ”

After the phone was connected, Rokossovsky heard Zhukov's slightly impatient voice coming from inside: "I'm Zhukov, where are you?" ”

"Hello, Comrade General, I'm Rokossovsky." Rokossovsky hurriedly reported to his home and said: "I have returned from Moscow. ”

Hearing that it was Rokossovsky talking to him on the phone, Zhukov's tone softened a lot: "It turned out to be you, Rokossovsky." How's it going, are all the injuries healed? ”

"Yes, Comrade Marshal, my injuries have healed, and after asking for instructions, I officially return to the team today."

"Where are you now?" Zhukov frowned and asked: "At the headquarters of the 16th Army?" ”

"No, Comrade General," Rokossovsky said carefully, "I am at the headquarters of the 61st Army, discussing with General Popov about a joint offensive." ”

"Is the battle plan out yet?" Zhukov immediately asked.

"Yes, it has been worked out. I will have General Popov send it to you in the form of a telegram right away. ”