Rokossovsky and Popov drew up a battle plan, and after obtaining Zhukov's approval, the two of them were in full swing and planned to officially launch the first attack on the Lyutinovo area on May 9. Pen, fun, and www.biquge.info

The main reason why May 9 was chosen was because it was the Victory Day of Russia in the future, and if the offensive could achieve the desired results, it would be a very meaningful thing for Rokossovsky.

In the early morning of the 8th, the Germans suddenly launched an attack on the defense area of the 16th Army from several directions. Zhizdra, where the headquarters of the army group was located, was the main target of the German offensive; The infantry corps in the Lyutinovo area was also pinned down by German troops, and it was simply unable to send troops back to Zhizdra. What is even more unexpected is that the Germans actually dispatched a tank battalion to cover an infantry regiment to launch an attack on Suchinich.

Rokossovsky understood in his heart that as soon as the Germans captured Sushnych, the road to the rear was cut off. It was even more difficult to get around the city held by the Germans and carve out a transport route from the forests and swamps, so he had to change his plan and hastily transfer the 86th Tank Brigade, which was ready to be used for the fortification, to Sushnich to prevent the Germans from occupying the city.

When the tank brigade was moving in the direction of Sushnych, Lobachev, who was standing on the side of the road with Rokossovsky, said with emotion: "Fortunately, the condolence group from Moscow went back yesterday, otherwise their lives would be in danger now." ”

Rokossovsky couldn't help but rejoice in his heart, if the condolence group was really trapped in Sushnych by the Germans, he would have to go to Serova himself to rescue Serova and them from danger.

As soon as he and Lobachev returned to the headquarters, they heard Malinin shouting: "Comrade commander, the call of General Zhukov." ”

As the commander of the Front, Zhukov knew very well that the troops of the 16th Army were too scattered, and all the troops that could fight were now being pinned down by the Germans in the Lyutinovo area, and Zhizdra had only two incomplete infantry divisions left, and some troops directly under the army, so he asked worriedly: "Comrade Rokossovsky, can your existing forces block the German attack?" ”

Rokossovsky listened to the rumbling sound of artillery coming from the front, hesitated for a moment and said: "Comrade General, don't worry, even if we fight to the last man, we will never give up Zhizdra." ”

"If you have such determination, I am relieved." After listening to Rokossovsky's statement, Zhukov said: "In order to reduce the pressure on your defense, I will send the air force to carry out a surprise attack on the German armored forces attacking you." ”

"Great, that's great." When Rokossovsky heard that Zhukov planned to send an air force to help in the war, he was overjoyed: "If our air force can provide us with air cover, then the pressure on the troops in defense will be greatly reduced, and we will have a greater certainty of holding Zhizdra." ”

After Rokossovsky put down the phone, he asked Malinin: "Chief of staff, I would like to ask you, if we do not send reinforcements to the defenders in Zhizdra, how many days will they be able to hold out?" ”

Malinin had just heard that Zhukov would send planes to help in the war, and after hearing Rokossovsky's strange question, he thought for a while before he spoke: "I don't think there should be any problem in holding out for three to five days." ”

"Comrade Commander, I want to ask." In response to Rokossovsky's question, Zakharov asked curiously: "We also have a cavalry division as a reserve, why don't we send them to reinforce the city?" ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander, come and see." Rokossovsky pointed to the map on the table and said to Zakharov: "The city of Zhizdra is too small, and if we put all three divisions in the city, it will be too crowded. The enemy's daily shelling will cause us a lot of casualties. ”

"Are you going to use the tactic of refueling and send a new regiment to the city if you lose a regiment?"

Rokossovsky shook his head at Zakharov's speculation and said, "I don't plan to send reinforcements to Zhizdra at all. ”

"What, no reinforcements?" Zakharov was frightened by Rokossovsky's arrangement, and he said in a bit of a panic: "The two divisions in the city have less than 5,000 men, and if they don't send reinforcements, they won't be able to hold out for long." ”

"The cavalry division is only 2,000 people, even if they are all transferred into the city, do you think they can support it for a few more days?"

Hearing Rokossovsky's rhetorical question, Zakharov was somewhat speechless. Rokossovsky paused for a moment before explaining to him: "The remaining units of the 12th Tank Army have been formed, and they will be here the day after tomorrow at the latest, and then we will have two more tank brigades and one more motorized rifle brigade." If we use these units and cavalry divisions as reserves to carry out a counter-assault on the German army, you say, what effect can be achieved? ”

"Comrade commander, our forces are already limited, is it really good to launch a counter-assault at such a time?" Zakharov said with some confidence: "Don't forget that in the battle to defend Moscow, we used up all the precious reserves in counterattacks one after another. ”

"Don't worry, my deputy commander." After listening to Zakharov's worries, Rokossovsky said with a smile: "After our repeated blows, the strength of the German army is not as strong as last year; After a year of baptism of war, our commanders and fighters have greatly improved their combat effectiveness and technical and tactical level, and as long as we make thorough arrangements and carry out counterattacks against the enemy, I believe that we will still have a great chance of victory. ”

Zakharov was persuaded by Rokossovsky, he sat in his position and thought for a long time, then stood up and said decisively to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, the troops in the city need to have a unified command, and I ask you to hand over the command of the troops, and I will command the troops to hold Zhizdra. ”

Rokossovsky held Zakharov's hands tightly and said solemnly: "Comrade Deputy Commander, since you are willing to take on this heavy responsibility, then I will hand over the city of Zhizdra to you." You only need to block the German offensive for three days, and I will be able to launch a counter-assault on the Germans on time. ”