The offensive launched by the 16th Army became difficult after daybreak. www.biquge.info The German army has a well-established defense system and strong fortifications in this area, and the sudden drop in temperature last night only froze to death those officers and soldiers who stayed in the field fortifications, and only a small amount of frostbite appeared to those German officers and soldiers who hid in the permanent fortifications to keep warm, so they could immediately organize effective resistance when they saw the attacking troops of the Soviet army rushing over.

Under the cover of tanks, they were completely unafraid of the rain of bullets pouring on the German positions, putting their personal life and death aside, and bravely launched waves of group charges with bayonets. Although they paid a heavy price of casualties, the soldiers pointed out that the enemy who tried to resist stubbornly with strong fortifications was defeated and retreated.

Rokossovsky saw the telegram from the front in the command headquarters, leaned down and stared at the map in front of him, frowning and thinking about how the next attack would begin. Chief of Staff Ma Linin happened to be holding a newly received telegram and came over to report to him, and when he saw his expression, he couldn't help but ask curiously: "Comrade commander, what are you thinking?" ”

"Because the Germans did not expect that our army would suddenly launch a large-scale counteroffensive, we were caught by surprise. Coupled with the sudden drop in temperature last night, the Germans who stayed in the field fortifications were frozen to death or frostbitten in large numbers, so we were able to achieve great results. Rokossovsky tapped the map on the table with the red and blue pencil in his hand, and continued: "We are fighting on two fronts at the same time, how can we allocate the existing forces in order to maximize the results we have achieved? ”

Malinin is an excellent chief of staff, don't look at the orders he usually gives to Rokossovsky, they are all obedient, but this does not mean that he does not have his own opinions. After listening to Rokossovsky's words, he pointed to Klin's location and said: "Comrade commander, I think we should take Kling as the main direction of attack next. ”

"Clint as the main offensive direction?" After listening to Malinin's proposal, Rokossovsky couldn't help but ask curiously: "Chief of Staff, can you tell me your reasons?" ”

"The reason why I suggest that we choose to focus on Kling is because of two things." Malinin, who had been well thought out for a long time, spoke eloquently: "First, Deputy Commander General Zakharov has gathered a lot of troops here, which can cooperate with our first offensive force to launch an attack on Klin; Second, once the Germans found that Kling was the focus of our offensive, they would draw troops from other directions to strengthen their defenses in the Kling area. In this way, the enemy's forces in other directions will become weak, and the next stage of the attack of friendly forces will become advantageous. ”

"Fantastic, Comrade Chief of Staff. You're amazing! After listening to Malinin's analysis, Rokossovsky immediately gave him a thumbs up and said with emotion: "I think you are really condescending to be the chief of staff here with me." Do you have any plans to come up with the idea of commanding a unit alone, if you wish, I can propose to General Zhukov that you be sent to the post of commander of a certain army group. You must know that the army lacks a commander like you who has both rich theory and actual combat experience. ”

Unexpectedly, after he finished speaking, Ma Lining actually shook his head at him, and said resolutely: "Comrade commander, I don't want to be the commander of any group army, I hope to stay by your side forever and be your chief of staff!" ”

The reason why Rokossovsky made this suggestion to Malinin was that there was always a tradition of contempt for staff officers in the Soviet army, and he was also thinking about Malinin's future. Since Ma Linin refused, he couldn't persuade him again. At this moment, he suddenly found that Ma Lining, who was about to leave, was still holding a telegram in his hand, and hurriedly stopped him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, where did you get the telegram in your hand?" ”

"Oh, it's a telegram from the deputy commander." Malinin found that he was going to hand over the telegram to Rokossovsky, and he held it tightly in his hand, and hurriedly raised his hand to hand it over, and at the same time said a little embarrassedly: "He has successfully returned to the Kling area, and is actively gathering troops to prepare for an attack on the defenders of Klin City at the right time." ”

As soon as the next strategy was drawn up, Zhukov's phone call came in, and when he heard that the person who answered the phone was Rokossovsky, he asked straight to the point: "Comrade Rokossovsky, how is your situation there?" ”

"Comrade General, we are fighting with the Germans for Kryukovo. Due to the fact that the enemy had strong fortifications here, we launched several attacks, which were unsuccessful. Rokossovsky said with some embarrassment: "See if you can send us some more reserves, or send the air force to provide air support." ”

"The weather is bad today, and the Air Force can't take off." Zhukov sat in front of the window, looked at the heavy snow outside the window, and continued: "The cavalry and technical equipment that the superiors have replenished you will probably arrive at noon tomorrow. ”

Although he heard that the troops could not receive air support during the offensive because of the weather, the cavalry and technical equipment replenished by the superiors would arrive the next day, and Rokossovsky's heart was quite happy. He said with concern to Zhukov: "Comrade General, you have been under too much pressure lately, you must take time to rest well, otherwise you will be exhausted." ”

It had been more than a week since the meeting of the commanders of the army group had been called, and Zhukov felt that he was in a state of physical and mental exhaustion. Not only does drowsiness come from time to time when reading documents, but I especially want to sleep; At the same time, his eyes were bloodshot, and his voice became hoarse from the incessant phone calls.

Hearing Rokossovsky's words of concern at this moment, Zhukov's heart felt a burst of warmth, he took a sip of the strong tea placed in front of him for refreshment, and said with a smile: "Comrade Rokossovsky, you don't have to worry about my body, you still think about how to destroy the enemy." ”

When Rokossovsky put down the phone, Lobachev, who was sitting next to him and had never spoken, sighed softly and said: "Comrade commander, I think that General Zhukov may have been extremely tired, and he is insisting on commanding the battle with his extraordinary perseverance. ”

Rokossovsky nodded at what his military commissar said, and echoed: "Who doesn't feel tired under strong pressure during the war? The reason why General Zhukov always maintained a strong will and worked selflessly was to lead us to defeat the fascist invaders at an early date. ”

As soon as the assignment was completed, a staff officer came in from the outside and reported to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, comrade of the special company has arrived, and now he is at the door. ”

"Special Lian?!" After Rokossovsky repeated this number, he suddenly remembered that it was the anti-United Nations troops commanded by Tian Shuzi, because they showed heroic tenacity and great results in the battle to defend Khimki and block German reinforcements, so he and Lobachev jointly signed a commendation order for the department, and it should be the people of the Anti-United Nations to receive the medal. Thinking of this, he asked the staff officer who came to report the news: "How many people are there outside the door?" ”

"One!" The staff officer raised a finger and said, "It's a second lieutenant, I guess it's a platoon commander or something." ”

Hearing that there was a second lieutenant waiting outside the door, Rokossovsky knew that it must not be Tian Shuzi or the translator Wang Erzhu, because neither of them had the rank of second lieutenant. However, he still politely said to the staff officer: "Let him in!" ”

A moment later, a young ensign walked into the headquarters. He came to Rokossovsky, raised his hand in place, saluted a military salute, and said loudly in proficient Russian: "Comrade commander, Second Lieutenant Zhu Zhendong, deputy commander of the special company, reports to you, I have been ordered to come, please instruct!" ”

Rokossovsky shook the second lieutenant's hand and said in a friendly manner: "Comrade second lieutenant, your company is fighting well in Khimki!" Not only did they destroy the enemy who rushed into Khimki, but they also blocked the reinforcements of a German regiment with an infantry company that was not fully manned, which is remarkable! ”

Hearing Rokossovsky praising the Anti-Japanese Union, Lobachev also echoed: "Yes, Comrade Ensign, you guys are amazing. To tell you the truth, when Comrade Commander asked you to hold on to Khimki, I really didn't feel comfortable handing over such an important area to you. But everything that happened next proved that Comrade Commander had a good vision. ”

After Zhu Zhendong waited for Lobachev to finish speaking, he turned to face Rokossovsky and said with a serious expression: "Comrade commander, I was ordered to come to the headquarters to receive orders, please give orders!" ”

Rokossovsky did not immediately tell him about the next combat mission, but said curiously: "Comrade second lieutenant, why didn't your company commander come?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Zhu Zhendong hurriedly replied: "The company commander does not understand Russian, and our interpreter was wounded in the leg in the battle a few days ago, so after discussion with several commanders, it was decided to send me to receive orders." ”

After listening to Zhu Zhendong's explanation, Rokossovsky nodded, then turned around and glanced at Lobachev, who was sitting on the side, and motioned for him to take out the medal he had prepared. After Lobachev saw Rokossovsky's eyes, he nodded understandingly, got up and walked to the wall, took off a rucksack hanging on it, carried it in front of Zhu Zhendong, and said to him with a smile: "Comrade Second Lieutenant, for your bravery and tenacity in the defense of Khimki and the great results you have achieved, the command of the army group has decided to award you a medal. There are twenty medals in this backpack, you can take them back and let your company commander distribute them himself. ”

Zhu Zhendong took the backpack in Lobachev's hand, carried it in his hand and continued to ask: "I don't know what the next combat mission of our company is?" ”

"Don't be in a hurry, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Seeing Zhu Zhendong's mood for war, Rokossovsky hurriedly smiled and said to him: "Your task now is to stay in Khimki to rest and recuperate, wait for your superiors to replenish your troops, and then go into battle at the right time." ”

When Zhu Zhendong heard Rokossovsky say this, he knew in his heart that his superiors would not give any orders for the time being, so he hurriedly asked respectfully: "Comrade Commander and Comrade Military Commissar, are you allowed to go back to the army?" ”

"Go, go, go." Rokossovsky waved his hand at him and continued: "Please express on my behalf to the commanders and fighters of the company for their contribution to the defense of Moscow. ”

Hearing Rokossovsky praising the Anti-Japanese Union, Lobachev also echoed: "Yes, Comrade Ensign, you guys are amazing. To tell you the truth, when Comrade Commander asked you to hold on to Khimki, I really didn't feel comfortable handing over such an important area to you. But everything that happened next proved that Comrade Commander had a good vision. ”

After Zhu Zhendong waited for Lobachev to finish speaking, he turned to face Rokossovsky and said with a serious expression: "Comrade commander, I was ordered to come to the headquarters to receive orders, please give orders!" ”

Rokossovsky did not immediately tell him about the next combat mission, but said curiously: "Comrade second lieutenant, why didn't your company commander come?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Zhu Zhendong hurriedly replied: "The company commander does not understand Russian, and our interpreter was wounded in the leg in the battle a few days ago, so after discussion with several commanders, it was decided to send me to receive orders." ”

After listening to Zhu Zhendong's explanation, Rokossovsky nodded, then turned around and glanced at Lobachev, who was sitting on the side, and motioned for him to take out the medal he had prepared. After Lobachev saw Rokossovsky's eyes, he nodded understandingly, got up and walked to the wall, took off a rucksack hanging on it, carried it in front of Zhu Zhendong, and said to him with a smile: "Comrade Second Lieutenant, for your bravery and tenacity in the defense of Khimki and the great results you have achieved, the command of the army group has decided to award you a medal. There are twenty medals in this backpack, you can take them back and let your company commander distribute them himself. ”

Zhu Zhendong took the backpack in Lobachev's hand, carried it in his hand and continued to ask: "I don't know what the next combat mission of our company is?" ”

"Don't be in a hurry, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Seeing Zhu Zhendong's mood for war, Rokossovsky hurriedly smiled and said to him: "Your task now is to stay in Khimki to rest and recuperate, wait for your superiors to replenish your troops, and then go into battle at the right time." ”

When Zhu Zhendong heard Rokossovsky say this, he knew in his heart that his superiors would not give any orders for the time being, so he hurriedly asked respectfully: "Comrade Commander and Comrade Military Commissar, are you allowed to go back to the army?" ”

"Go, go, go." Rokossovsky waved his hand at him and continued: "Please express on my behalf to the commanders and fighters of the company for their contribution to the defense of Moscow. ”