The Germans did not build any decent fortifications in this direction, and countless Soviet commanders and fighters rushed across the bridge and pounced on them like wolves, and the soldiers who stayed outside the tents and had no cover fled back like frightened rabbits. The www.biquge.info enemy was on the run, and the Soviet commanders and fighters were chasing after them, and while chasing back, they opened fire on the fleeing enemies.

From the launch of the attack to the total annihilation of a garrison company of the German army, it took less than 20 minutes before and after. When the commander of the division came to count the battle damage, he was surprised to find that nearly 200 enemies had been eliminated, while his own troops had suffered only 20 casualties. He hurriedly turned his head and rushed to the staff officer who was following behind him and said: "Go and report to the group army headquarters that our division has successfully crossed the Wopi River and annihilated a company of the enemy, and its own casualties are only about 20 people." ”

After receiving the telegram, Konev could not help but smile, he handed the telegram to the military commissar sitting next to him, and then said excitedly: "Comrade military commissar, it seems that our strategy is correct, the enemy is attracted by the assault forces of the 16th Army, so our offensive can go so smoothly." ”

After reading the telegram, the military commissar put it on the table next to him, sighed, and said: "Our victories were all won by friendly comrades-in-arms with blood and victories. I think they must be under the onslaught of the enemy right now, and I don't know how long they can hold out in this situation. ”

Konev looked at the map in front of him, pinched his chin and pondered for a moment, then called the chief of staff to him and instructed him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, send a message to the commanders of the divisions participating in the battle that our friendly forces, in order to attract the attention of the Germans, are under the enemy's frenzied attack, and let them speed up their attacks and quickly seize villages and settlements on the west bank of the Wopi River." ”

The battle in the lower reaches of the Wopi River is raging.

After repulsing two German charges in succession, Shebelyuk called Lidyukov. He said anxiously on the phone: "Comrade division commander, the situation is more serious than we imagined. The minefield in front of our positions, after a long period of enemy shelling, could hardly be found without explosions. Moreover, in the process of repelling the enemy's charge, our regiment also suffered heavy casualties, and I beg you to immediately transfer the third regiment, otherwise the position may not be able to hold. ”

"No, Comrade Major, it's not the time to use the Third Regiment." Lidyukov replied resolutely to Shebelyuk: "The enemy's artillery fire is too fierce, and more than 2,000 commanders and fighters of the third regiment went up and placed them in a certain place?" You can't let them hide behind rocks or lie in a crater, right? If it is deployed in this way, after a burst of intensive artillery bombardment by the enemy, there will be no more people left alive on the position. ”

Hearing the silence on Shebelyuk's side, Lidyukov said earnestly: "Comrade Commander said in the telegram that as long as we can attract the enemy's main forces, then the counteroffensive of the 19th Army will go more smoothly. Although our strength and technical equipment are far inferior to those of the Germans, we are an iron Red Army, with an indomitable will to fight and a revolutionary spirit that is not afraid of sacrifice. I am sure that you and your men will be able to withstand the frenzied attack of the Germans. ”

As soon as the call with Shebelyuk was over, Lidyukov connected three more regiments. But after hearing the voice of the third regiment commander, he immediately said in a serious tone: "Comrade regiment commander, the second regiment that is currently blocking the enemy in front has suffered heavy casualties, you must be prepared, although it is difficult to take over their defense?" ”

"No, Comrade Division Commander." The commander of the third regiment immediately expressed his attitude to Lidyukov: "Our regiment has long been ready for all battles, and we can enter the battle at any time as long as you give the order." ”

"Very good, Comrade Regiment Commander, this is very good." When Lidyukov heard the regiment commander's answer, he said with relief: "Let the commanders and fighters continue to rest and recuperate, and when the time is right, I will send your regiment up." ”

As soon as Lidyukov put down the phone, Sakhno, who was staying in the shelter with him, asked strangely: "Comrade division commander, judging from the current situation, the commanders and fighters of the 2nd Regiment have suffered heavy casualties, why don't you transfer people from the fully equipped 3rd Regiment to support them now?" Even if we only transfer one battalion, we will have a much greater chance of holding our position. ”

Lidyukov looked at his subordinates, smiled and said: "Major, Comrade Commander once told me that to fight a defensive war, it is necessary to leave sufficient reserves. Your first regiment is basically gone, and the current situation of the second regiment is not much better. If I had thrown three regiments into battle so early, by the time we launched a counterattack, I would have no forces at my disposal. ”

"Is it possible for us to fight back?" Sakhno pointed to the battlefield in the distance, and said emotionally: "Comrade division commander, the enemy is constantly attacking us, and it is unknown whether the second regiment can hold its position, but what are you talking about counterattacking here." ”

"Rest assured, I'm sure the time will come soon for us to fight back." After Lidyukov finished speaking, he turned his head and ordered the signal corpsmen behind him: "Send a report to the headquarters and report to Commander Rokossovsky that the 2nd Regiment has suffered heavy casualties under the fierce offensive of the enemy, and I hope that the command of the army group can provide us with the necessary help." ”

Sakhno looked at the telegraph operator and asked Lidyukov on his own initiative: "Comrade division commander, we still have tank detachments and artillery regiments that we do not use, do you want them to participate in the battle now?" ”

"No, the artillery regiment and tank detachment can't move for the time being." Lidyukov said to his subordinates with a serious expression: "They will play an important role at a critical moment with the Third Regiment. ”

At the headquarters of the 16th Army, Rokossovsky received a telegram from Lidyukov. When he looked down at the telegram, Ma Linin, who was standing next to him, suggested to him: "Comrade commander, the 1st Mobu Division has now suffered more than half of the casualties, do you want to withdraw them first?" ”

"Withdrawn?" Rokossovsky finished reading the telegram at this time, and after handing it to Lobachev, he asked Malinin rhetorically: "Why withdraw them?" ”

Malinin looked at Rokossovsky and said cautiously: "The enemy's offensive is too fierce, and if we don't retreat, I'm afraid that they will be wiped out." ”

Rokossovsky shook his head and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you forgotten that it is not only Colonel Lidyukov's 1st Motorized Infantry Division that is currently fighting on the west bank of the Volpi River, but also Colonel Gryaznov's troops. If we had ordered the 1st Division to retreat, they would have been left alone, encircled by the enemy, and even annihilated. So in any case, the 1st Division of General Lidyukov must continue to hold its existing positions and wait for the situation to improve. ”

Lobachev put down the telegram and said with some concern: "Although General Konev's troops have launched an offensive, it is simply impossible for their offensive to completely disrupt the enemy without half a day to a day. I am afraid that Colonel Lidyukov's troops simply will not be able to hold up for that long. ”

"That's right, Comrade Military Commissar, you are quite right." Rokossovsky nodded in agreement with Lobachev's words, and he continued: "So we have to provide them with some support." ”

Hearing that he was going to support the First Division, Malinin's eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurriedly asked: "Comrade Commander, I don't know which division you plan to order to cross the river to reinforce Colonel Lidyukov and them?" ”

"Chief of Staff, do you think that our troops, marching in broad daylight, will not be detected by enemy aircraft?" Rokossovsky said with a straight face and an expressionless face: "If the marching contingent is attacked by the enemy's air raids, it is estimated that by the time they cross the river and reach Lidyukov, there will not be many people left." ”

"So how can we support them?" Malinin asked anxiously.

Rokossovsky did not answer his question right away, but called Kazakov to him and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Artillery, please immediately order the artillery battalion to shell the German positions on the west bank of the Wopi River. Then he instructed Malinin, "Chief of Staff, you call Colonel Orlov of the 108th Division again, and ask him to order the troops to take a posture of preparing to cross the river to attract the attention of the enemy." ”

After Rokossovsky finished assigning the task, Kazakov and Malinin were still frowning and thinking about their intention to give such an order, so he sighed softly and took the initiative to explain: "According to the previous report, the enemy not only transferred the troops from the upper reaches of the Volpi River to Lidyukov and them, but also transferred many defenders along the river. Even if we send troops to reinforce Lidyukov at this time, it will be a little too late. In that case, why don't we make a feint and draw the enemy's attention away from Lidyukov and them to the Vopi River, so as not to relieve the pressure on the 1st Motor Infantry Division? ”

After listening to Rokossovsky's explanation, the two immediately came to their senses. Kazakov patted his forehead and said, "I'm so confused, I can't figure out such a simple truth." The enemy's first reaction to the shelling of their positions was that we were ready to attack, and the feint of the 108th Division on the east bank of the Wopi River was all the more convinced. This allowed them to redeploy part of the forces of Lidyukov's division, which was attacking Lidyukov, back to their positions on the west bank of the Woppy River. Wonderful, this plan of Comrade Commander is really wonderful. ”

Rokossovsky smiled and waved at him, and ordered: "Now that you understand my intentions, what are you still stunned about, go and carry out my orders immediately." ”

Rokossovsky shook his head and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you forgotten that it is not only Colonel Lidyukov's 1st Motorized Infantry Division that is currently fighting on the west bank of the Volpi River, but also Colonel Gryaznov's troops. If we had ordered the 1st Division to retreat, they would have been left alone, encircled by the enemy, and even annihilated. So in any case, the 1st Division of General Lidyukov must continue to hold its existing positions and wait for the situation to improve. ”

Lobachev put down the telegram and said with some concern: "Although General Konev's troops have launched an offensive, it is simply impossible for their offensive to completely disrupt the enemy without half a day to a day. I am afraid that Colonel Lidyukov's troops simply will not be able to hold up for that long. ”

"That's right, Comrade Military Commissar, you are quite right." Rokossovsky nodded in agreement with Lobachev's words, and he continued: "So we have to provide them with some support." ”

Hearing that he was going to support the First Division, Malinin's eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurriedly asked: "Comrade Commander, I don't know which division you plan to order to cross the river to reinforce Colonel Lidyukov and them?" ”

"Chief of Staff, do you think that our troops, marching in broad daylight, will not be detected by enemy aircraft?" Rokossovsky said with a straight face and an expressionless face: "If the marching contingent is attacked by the enemy's air raids, it is estimated that by the time they cross the river and reach Lidyukov, there will not be many people left." ”

"So how can we support them?" Malinin asked anxiously.

Rokossovsky did not answer his question right away, but called Kazakov to him and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Artillery, please immediately order the artillery battalion to shell the German positions on the west bank of the Wopi River. Then he instructed Malinin, "Chief of Staff, you call Colonel Orlov of the 108th Division again, and ask him to order the troops to take a posture of preparing to cross the river to attract the attention of the enemy." ”

After Rokossovsky finished assigning the task, Kazakov and Malinin were still frowning and thinking about their intention to give such an order, so he sighed softly and took the initiative to explain: "According to the previous report, the enemy not only transferred the troops from the upper reaches of the Volpi River to Lidyukov and them, but also transferred many defenders along the river. Even if we send troops to reinforce Lidyukov at this time, it will be a little too late. In that case, why don't we make a feint and draw the enemy's attention away from Lidyukov and them to the Vopi River, so as not to relieve the pressure on the 1st Motor Infantry Division? ”

After listening to Rokossovsky's explanation, the two immediately came to their senses. Kazakov patted his forehead and said, "I'm so confused, I can't figure out such a simple truth." The enemy's first reaction to the shelling of their positions was that we were ready to attack, and the feint of the 108th Division on the east bank of the Wopi River was all the more convinced. This allowed them to redeploy part of the forces of Lidyukov's division, which was attacking Lidyukov, back to their positions on the west bank of the Woppy River. Wonderful, this plan of Comrade Commander is really wonderful. ”

Rokossovsky smiled and waved at him, and ordered: "Now that you understand my intentions, what are you still stunned about, go and carry out my orders immediately." (To be continued.) )