The Soviet counteroffensive under the city of Moscow ended in the victory of the Soviet army, which shattered the myth of the invincibility of the German army in the blitzkrieg and caused irreparable material losses. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

However, in the first few days of the counteroffensive, the German high command did not realize the seriousness of the problem, and Hitler thought that it was only the dying struggle of the Soviet army, and that the fate of these troops participating in the counteroffensive would be the same as those of the Soviet troops who held Kiev, Smolensk and Vyazma, either eliminated in formation or became prisoners of the German army, so no effective measures were taken to contain the large-scale Soviet counteroffensive.

The positions seized by the Germans in Moscow were recaptured by the Soviets one after another, but Field Marshal von Bock, as the commander of Army Group Center, did not pay attention to it, and he wishfully believed that it was because the German forces were too scattered to form an effective breakthrough force, and only then would they lose those positions that had been captured after studying abroad under the fierce offensive of the Soviet army. Therefore, the measures he took were still a headache and a pain in the foot, and wherever the situation was more critical, he would mobilize troops from other relatively calm areas to strengthen there.

Seeing this unstructured German defense, Rokossovsky couldn't help but laugh dumbly, and he remembered that a few years later, when the Allied forces successfully landed in Normandy and advanced inland, the German high command still thought that this was just a feint, and the real direction of the Allied offensive was still in the Calais area. As a result, armored forces were not immediately mobilized to carry out a counterattack, which led to the delay of the fighters. Now the Germans have made a similar mistake, they think that the Soviet army is just an ordinary counterattack, so they have not switched from offensive to defense at all, relying on strong fortifications to consume the consciousness of the Soviet army's vital forces, and even in some areas, the German army has also fought against the Soviet counterattack troops.

After seizing several important small towns in succession, Rokossovsky's attacking forces advanced to the vicinity of Klin, where they joined forces under Zakharov's command. Next, they will launch a counteroffensive against Klin, who has a heavy deployment.

As long as the 16th Army succeeds in recovering Kling and Cumbre del Sol, it will be able to join forces with the 30th Army to the north and better coordinate in the next offensive battles.

Just when Rokossovsky was going to Kling himself to command the troops to fight, he unexpectedly received a call from Zhukov. Zhukov asked straight to the point: "Comrade Rokossovsky, what are you doing?" Are you planning to go to Kling to command the troops to fight? ”

"That's right, Comrade Zhukov." Although Rokossovsky did not know why Zhukov suddenly asked such a question, he replied truthfully: "We have gathered the main forces of the army group in this area, and if we attack the defenders of Klin, we can liberate the city from the clutches of the enemy in a day or two." ”

"Comrade Rokossovsky, now the situation has changed, and with regard to the operation to capture Kling and the city of Sun Hill, the command of the Front has made corresponding adjustments." Zhukov ignored Rokossovsky's attitude and said to himself: "I am ready to put General Vlasov's 20th Army between you and General Lelyushchenko's 30th Army. The task of seizing the city of Cumbre del Sol can be completed by Comrade Vlasov. ”

Rokossovsky had a very bad impression of Vlasov, knowing that he would end up being a shameful traitor. But at this moment, when Zhukov said that his troops would be deployed on the right flank to take over his attack on Sun Hill City, he still behaved very calmly, "Okay, Comrade Zhukov, I will order my troops to transfer the defense area to General Vlasov's troops." ”

After a pause, he continued, "What about Klin?" Will it be us to attack, or will there be Vlasov's troops to liberate? ”

When Rokossovsky said this, his heart was a little sour, after all, after the strikes of the past few days, the German troops in this area have become a little panicked, and it is not a difficult thing to capture these two cities with the support of aircraft, tanks, and artillery. But now that he wants to hand over the honor of liberating these two cities to others, no matter how generous he is, his heart is still a little unbalanced.

However, fortunately, Zhukov did not give Vlasov the task of liberating Kling and the city of Cumbre del Sol, as he imagined, but ordered: "Comrade Rokossovsky, according to our reconnaissance and intercepted German telegrams, know that the enemy is mobilizing troops in the direction of Klin. Since they did not have enough reserves, they had to reinforce the area by drawing troops from other directions where the fighting was not too intense. So I order you, with the exception of one remaining army group to hold Klin, the remaining main forces of the army group, immediately march in the direction of the Istrian reservoir. ”

Rokossovsky was overjoyed when he heard Zhukov say this, because he knew that the German army had limited forces in the direction of the Istrian reservoir and had no strong defenses, and that if an attack had been launched from this direction, the results would have been even more brilliant. Therefore, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Zhukov, are you planning to let us attack the Germans from the direction of the Istrian reservoirs?" ”

"yes, that's what I thought." Zhukov did not hide his true thoughts and instructed: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I remind you of a few points,...... Pursue the enemy fast in case they escape. It is necessary to make extensive use of strong vanguard forces to seize road intersections and passes, and to disrupt the enemy's march and battle formations.

…… I absolutely forbid a frontal assault on the enemy's fortified defensive positions. The vanguard should bypass without stopping, cut off their rear path, and cooperate with the subsequent echelon to destroy them. ”

After telling him about this series of precautions, Zhukov raised his voice and asked, "Did you hear clearly?" ”

"Hear me." Rokossovsky replied in a happy mood: "Comrade General, rest assured, I will resolutely carry out your forces, push the Germans into the depth as quickly as possible, cut off their retreat, and wipe out more fascist invaders under the city of Moscow." ”

To Rokossovsky's reply, Zhukov nodded with satisfaction and said with satisfaction: "Very good, Comrade Rokossovsky, since you think so, then I believe that you can do the same." I am waiting for your good news in the headquarters and report to me as soon as there is any progress. ”

After finishing the call with Zhukov, Rokossovsky immediately called Malinin, who was busy, to his front and instructed him: "Chief of Staff, inform the deputy commander in Klin and the commander in the city of Solhill to temporarily suspend preparations for the attack on the two cities mentioned above." ”

"Ah, stop the assault on Kling and Solhill City?" When Malinin heard Rokossovsky say this, he couldn't help but be taken aback. Since he was busy just now, he did not hear the other side between Rokossovsky and Zhukov at all, so he felt that it was a little too absurd for his commander to suddenly give such an order, so he asked puzzledly: "Our troops are almost all assembled, and if the offensive is stopped at such a time, then the Germans will be given time to strengthen their defenses......

"Alright, Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't have to say anything." Rokossovsky didn't wait for Malinin to finish speaking, and then interrupted his later words: "General Zhukov just called and said that the task of liberating Sun Hill City has been handed over to General Vlasov's 20th Army, and you let our commander outside Sun Hill City hand over the offensive starting position to General Vlasov. ”

"We're not going to fight Cumbre del Sol." When Malinin heard Rokossovsky say this, a disappointed expression appeared on his face, and he then asked: "What about Klin?" Also handed over to friendly forces to liberate? ”

"It's up to us to liberate Kling, but in the current situation, we won't attack for the time being." Rokossovsky pointed to the map and explained to Malinin: "Let the deputy commander, General Zakharov, lead a detachment and stay in Klin to monitor the defenders in the city." The rest of the army group had already advanced at a rapid pace towards the Istrian reservoir and joined up with the 9th Guards Division, which was holding on to the area. ”

Malinin has an excellent staff officer, and before Rokossovsky's words were finished, he guessed the next step of deployment, and a smile appeared on his face again: "Comrade commander, I understand. You see, since there are no major battles in the direction of the Istrian reservoirs, and the enemy's forces deployed here are relatively weak, if we launch a new offensive in this area, we will surely achieve great results. ”

Seeing that Malinin's analysis was completely consistent with the facts, Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction and ordered: "Chief of Staff, since you understand the operational intentions of the Front Command, then transfer the main forces of the group army to this area as soon as possible and prepare for a new offensive." ”

Taking advantage of Malinin's dispatch of troops, Rokossovsky walked back to the table where Lobachev was sitting, picked up the telephone on the table, and called Colonel Beloborodov, who was defending the Istrian reservoir. As soon as the phone called, he couldn't wait to ask: "Hey, is it Comrade Belorodov?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander, it's me." Beloborodov, having heard Rokossovsky's voice, asked politely: "What instructions do you have?" ”

"Comrade Colonel!" Rokossovsky did not immediately give him an order, but asked about the situation in the troops: "How are the mood of the fighters these days?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," Beloborodov immediately excitedly reported when he heard Rokossovsky's question: "The offensive we launched in the early morning of December 6 achieved great results, and the morale of the commanders and fighters of the whole division was high. In the past few days, due to the lack of troops, we have not been able to continue to advance, and quite a number of commanders have called me and asked when their superiors can give us additional troops so that we can continue to attack the enemy. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Beloborodov." After listening to the other party's answer, Rokossovsky knew that the 9th Guards Division was now in high spirits, so he said with confidence: "The main forces of our army group will be driven to the Istrian reservoir area one after another, preparing to launch a new offensive against the German army. In addition to reinforcing the fortifications and preparing for the attack, you also need to send a reconnaissance group to reconnoiter the strength and defensive deployment of the German army, so that the main force can launch an attack smoothly. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Hearing Rokossovsky's words, Beloborodov immediately stated: "I will immediately send a reconnaissance group to reconnoiter the enemy. ”

After giving the order to the troops assembled in Klin and Sun Hill, Malinin walked up to Rokossovsky, looked up at him and said: "Comrade commander, General Katukov's 1st Guards Tank Brigade just finished replenishing yesterday, do you think you should throw them in the direction of Klin, or in the direction of the Istrian reservoir?" ”

Rokossovsky thought for only a moment about Malinin's question, and then gave the answer: "Deploy them in the Istrian reservoir, General Katukov is a general who can fight, and if our cavalry and infantry can be supported by his tanks when attacking, then the offensive will be much smoother." ”

"Comrade Commander, there is one more thing." The smile on Malinin's face flickered, and he continued: "The current thick snow makes our offensive difficult, and even if the German defenses are crushed by us, it will be difficult for our tanks or cavalry to maneuver on both sides of the road to cut off the enemy's retreat while pursuing them. As a result, it is bound that a large number of enemies will successfully escape after being hit by our troops. ”

After listening to Malinin's words, Rokossovsky realized that he had thought about the problem too simply, the thick snow limited the mobility of tanks and cavalry, and the infantry who walked on two legs was even more restricted. Thinking of this, he frowned and asked Ma Lining: "Chief of Staff, do you have any good ideas?" ”

"I felt that this situation should be reported to the higher authorities immediately," Malinin cautiously advised, "and I would like to ask the higher authorities to send us ski and airborne units and throw them into the battlefield in order to cut off the retreat of the German army." ”

"That's a good idea, I'll report it to Zhukov right away." After Rokossovsky finished saying this, his eyes suddenly fixed on a location on the map in a daze, and after a long time, he spoke: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think that after the German defense is crushed by us, in order to get rid of our pursuit, they will definitely take some special measures. ”

"Special means?" Malinin asked puzzledly: "What special means will the Germans take?" ”

"Look here, it's the Istrian reservoir." Rokossovsky pointed his finger at the spot he had been staring at and said: "Once the Germans blow up the reservoir, then the Istrian River will become an obstacle in our way, and we must find a way to solve this problem." ”