As the order was given, the troops began to move. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info In order to prevent detection by enemy aircraft, infantry fighters, led by commanders of all ranks, advanced in the forest towards the starting point of the offensive. Tanks and artillery, on the other hand, were covered with camouflage nets or planted with tree branches, and if the enemy planes did not reduce their altitude, they might not be able to be spotted.

Rokossovsky stayed in his command, his eyes fixed on his watch, anxiously waiting for the time to attack. Finally seeing that the pointing point was at seven o'clock, he took a long breath, then straightened his waist, turned his head to Kazakov and said: "Comrade artillery chief, when the time comes, order the artillery to open fire!" ”

Kazakov, who had already held the microphone in his hand, nodded, and then shouted to the artillery commander, who had been waiting for his order for a long time: "Comrade commander, order, all artillerymen, open fire!" ”

"Understand, all artillerymen, open fire!" The artillery commander who answered the phone quickly repeated his words.

Soon there was a rumbling of artillery outside, and although Rokossovsky, who was in the headquarters, did not see the shelling process with his own eyes, he could still imagine that the German positions outside Yaltsevo must have been in flames at this moment, and the unprepared German officers and soldiers were scurrying around like headless flies four times.

Not long after the shelling began, Malinin received a call from the tank division, and when he heard clearly what the division commander Mikhailov was saying, he immediately asked Rokossovsky for instructions: "Comrade commander, Colonel Mikhailov has called and said that his troops are ready, and now it is possible to charge at the enemy's positions?" ”

Rokossovsky raised his hand and looked at his watch, less than five minutes had passed since the beginning of the shelling, and this Mikhailov was too anxious. So he waved his hand and said to Malinin: "Chief of Staff, please tell Colonel Mikhailov that the time is not yet ripe, let him wait." ”

When Malinen truthfully conveyed what Rokossovsky said to Mikhailov, the deputy commander, Major General Vinogradov, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but smile, and then said in a relieved tone: "Comrade commander, the fighters of our tank division are very enthusiastic about fighting, and I believe that they will definitely achieve the desired results after they attack later." ”

"That's right, General Vinogradov." Rokossovsky politely replied: "Our surprise blow has thrown the Germans into chaos, and the use of tank forces to carry out a surprise attack at this time will surely achieve great results." However, not long after the shelling began, I felt that the damage inflicted on the enemy was not enough, and if I hastily dispatched a tank assault at this time, it would not achieve my desired effect. ”

Perhaps seeing that the artillery bombardment before the attack was going smoothly, neither bombing nor German artillery fire, Vinogradov asked in a relaxed mood: "I wonder what your ideal effect is?" ”

"According to the doctrine, our troops were to prepare the enemy's positions for more than an hour before proceeding to a ground offensive, and I am sure the Germans were well aware of this." Rokossovsky said calmly: "I want to create a false impression for the enemy, so that they think that we will still attack after an hour of shelling according to the regulations." As long as the shelling lasts another 10 minutes or so, most of the enemy on the position will hide in safe places to avoid our artillery fire, leaving only a limited number of observation posts, and at this time, the time is ripe for our attack. In the face of the assault of our tank forces, they simply did not have time to react at all. In this way, it will be possible to recapture Yaltsevo in one fell swoop, and to rush across the Vopi River after the enemy's rout, to take up a favorable position on the west bank, and to establish a new starting point for our offensive. ”

The shelling went on for another ten minutes or so, and Kazakov whispered a reminder to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, the time is almost up, if you want to give the tank units a surprise attack, now is the best time." ”

Rokossovsky nodded, and then instructed Malinin: "Chief of Staff, call Colonel Mikhailov and ask his tank units to immediately make a surprise attack on the enemy's positions." "When he saw Malinin pick up the phone and prepare to inform Mikhailov, he suddenly remembered that according to the offensive plan, it was Vorobyov's motorized infantry regiment that was tasked with the main attack, and the tank divisions were tasked with covering their flanks and, if necessary, providing fire support. If the priorities were reversed now, Lieutenant Colonel Vorobyov might be in a mood, so he added, "By the way, call Lieutenant Colonel Volobyov again and tell him that the attack time is ahead of schedule, and let the fighters of the motorized infantry regiment take the tanks of the tank division and charge the enemy's positions." ”

Mikhailov, who had long been restless, immediately after receiving a call from Malinin, instructed his commanders: "Comrade commanders, the commander agrees to let our division take the infantry of the motorized infantry regiment and attack the enemy's positions now. Time is pressing, let's all go back to our tanks! ”

"But Comrade Division." A tank major asked worriedly: "The artillery is still shelling the enemy's positions, and if we rush forward at this time, will we be accidentally injured by our own artillery fire?" ”

Regarding the concerns of his subordinates, Mikhailov waved his hand and said disappreciatively: "Don't worry, Comrade Major. When we approach the enemy's position, the artillery fire will carry out extended fire, and it is impossible to accidentally injure our own people. Then he shouted to all the commanders again, "All right, let's go back to our tanks." Remember, commanders at all levels should rush to the forefront of the entire force, understand? ”

"Understood!" The tank commanders agreed in unison, and then scattered back to their tanks.

But after Malinin reported to Rokossovsky about the charge of General Mikhailov himself. Without waiting for Rokossovsky to speak, Major General Vinogradov, who was next to him, said anxiously: "How can you let the division commander take the lead in the charge?" This is just nonsense, Chief of Staff, you call Mikhailov again and ask him to abandon this risky absurdity. ”

In modern warfare, if a commander rushes to the front of the entire unit, if he is sacrificed, it will not only affect the morale of the troops, but may also lead to the paralysis of the command system of the troops. However, in the present situation, the tank commander's tank, rushing to the forefront of the entire attacking force, can play a morale-boosting role.

It was based on this consideration that Rokossovsky hurriedly stopped Malinin when he saw that Malinin had picked up the phone and was about to contact Mikhailov again: "Chief of Staff, don't call yet." Then he said to Major General Vinogradov: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I know that your fears are justified. However, the current situation is different, if the commanders and fighters of the tank division suddenly retreat backwards when they see the tank of the division commander who was originally rushing to the front, it will be a fatal blow to morale. ”

"However, it is too dangerous to let a division commander take the lead in the charge." Major General Vinogradov retorted unwillingly: "As soon as he dies, then the command of the entire unit will be paralyzed." ”

"Maybe it's not as bad as you think." Rokossovsky comforted Vinogradov and said: "After all, he is riding in a KV heavy tank newly equipped for the troops, and as long as it is not bombarded by the enemy's heavy artillery or bombed by aircraft, there should not be much danger." Later, when the troops of the tank division have successfully crossed the Wopi River, I will personally give the order for Colonel Mikhailov to withdraw, do you think this will be done? ”

Seeing that Rokossovsky was talking to himself in a consultative tone, Major General Vinogradov could no longer be stubborn, so he could only nod helplessly, that is, acquiesce in everything that is happening at the moment. Rokossovsky turned to Kazakov and said: "Comrade Chief of Artillery, please inform the artillery observers at the front that as soon as it is discovered that our tanks are approaching the enemy's positions, let the artillery fire in the rear extend the fire, and do not accidentally injure your own people." ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Kazakov swore that "I had long thought about it, as soon as the artillery spotter spotted our tank, reaching a distance of 500 meters from the shelling area, the artillery fire in the rear would be notified for extended firing." ”

The tank division led by Mikhailov approached the outlying positions of Yaltsevo in just five or six minutes. Just when the colonel feared that if the artillery fire did not extend the fire, his tank unit would rush headlong into the shelling area. However, he was surprised to find that the artillery fire on the outlying positions had been transferred to the city, and he was immediately overjoyed, and hurriedly issued an order to his subordinates to speed up the car through the radio in the car.

The German officers and soldiers in the outer fortifications finally waited for the Soviet artillery fire to go away, and the whole person was not fully awake, but unexpectedly found dozens of tanks full of Soviet officers and soldiers, rushing towards them with great momentum. The quick reaction immediately pounced on the nearest point of fire and strafed the tank with machine guns. And many more soldiers, after a brief hesitation, made the choice of running along the trenches full of floating earth, pulling their legs and running wildly.

But after Malinin reported to Rokossovsky about the charge of General Mikhailov himself. Without waiting for Rokossovsky to speak, Major General Vinogradov, who was next to him, said anxiously: "How can you let the division commander take the lead in the charge?" This is just nonsense, Chief of Staff, you call Mikhailov again and ask him to abandon this risky absurdity. ”

In modern warfare, if a commander rushes to the front of the entire unit, if he is sacrificed, it will not only affect the morale of the troops, but may also lead to the paralysis of the command system of the troops. However, in the present situation, the tank commander's tank, rushing to the forefront of the entire attacking force, can play a morale-boosting role.

It was based on this consideration that Rokossovsky hurriedly stopped Malinin when he saw that Malinin had picked up the phone and was about to contact Mikhailov again: "Chief of Staff, don't call yet." Then he said to Major General Vinogradov: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I know that your fears are justified. However, the current situation is different, if the commanders and fighters of the tank division suddenly retreat backwards when they see the tank of the division commander who was originally rushing to the front, it will be a fatal blow to morale. ”

"However, it is too dangerous to let a division commander take the lead in the charge." Major General Vinogradov retorted unwillingly: "As soon as he dies, then the command of the entire unit will be paralyzed." ”

"Maybe it's not as bad as you think." Rokossovsky comforted Vinogradov and said: "After all, he is riding in a KV heavy tank newly equipped for the troops, and as long as it is not bombarded by the enemy's heavy artillery or bombed by aircraft, there should not be much danger." Later, when the troops of the tank division have successfully crossed the Wopi River, I will personally give the order for Colonel Mikhailov to withdraw, do you think this will be done? ”

Seeing that Rokossovsky was talking to himself in a consultative tone, Major General Vinogradov could no longer be stubborn, so he could only nod helplessly, that is, acquiesce in everything that is happening at the moment. Rokossovsky turned to Kazakov and said: "Comrade Chief of Artillery, please inform the artillery observers at the front that as soon as it is discovered that our tanks are approaching the enemy's positions, let the artillery fire in the rear extend the fire, and do not accidentally injure your own people." ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Kazakov swore that "I had long thought about it, as soon as the artillery spotter spotted our tank, reaching a distance of 500 meters from the shelling area, the artillery fire in the rear would be notified for extended firing." ”

The tank division led by Mikhailov approached the outlying positions of Yaltsevo in just five or six minutes. Just when the colonel feared that if the artillery fire did not extend the fire, his tank unit would rush headlong into the shelling area. However, he was surprised to find that the artillery fire on the outlying positions had been transferred to the city, and he was immediately overjoyed, and hurriedly issued an order to his subordinates to speed up the car through the radio in the car.

The German officers and soldiers in the outer fortifications finally waited for the Soviet artillery fire to go away, and the whole person was not fully awake, but unexpectedly found dozens of tanks full of Soviet officers and soldiers, rushing towards them with great momentum. The quick reaction immediately pounced on the nearest point of fire and strafed the tank with machine guns. And many more soldiers, after a brief hesitation, made the choice of running along the trenches full of floating earth, pulling their legs and running wildly.

Seeing that the enemy did not resist, but turned around and ran, Mikhailov was even more proud, and hurriedly ordered (to be continued. )