The two settlements of Khodkuv and Studjanki are important settlements in the Magnushev landing field. Once the Germans occupy this place, they will not only block the way of the Soviet army's advance, but also use this place as a starting point for their offensive and launch a continuous onslaught on the Soviet troops at the landing site.

The Soviets and Germans engaged in repeated tug-of-war between the two settlements, with the Germans occupying the settlements in the morning and the Soviets retaking them in the afternoon.

Magnushev's landing ground was fought extremely hard, and the situation in Warsaw was not optimistic. Due to the lack of ammunition and heavy weapons of the Soviet and Polish troops in the city, the few buildings held by the Germans could not be taken, and the two sides entered a stalemate.

Faced with the situation at the landing site and in Warsaw, Zhukov was so anxious that he went to Rokossovsky's headquarters to discuss how to break the current stalemate.

Zhukov sat opposite Rokossovsky and asked: "Comrade Rokossovsky, since you were able to quietly cross the Vistula with two divisions of troops and successfully enter Warsaw, why can't you send more troops now, through the same path, into Warsaw again?" ”

"Comrade Marshal," Rokossovsky replied with a wry smile when he heard Zhukov's question: "The situation was different at that time, the Germans did not expect our troops to smuggle across the Vistula at all, so the 79th Guards Division and the 3rd Polish Division were able to cross the Vistula so easily and enter the city of Warsaw.

Now, seeing that our troops had established landing fields in Magnushev and Puvavi, and that Warsaw was seriously threatened from the south, the Germans brought in troops from all directions to counterattack us. Chuikov's 8th Guards Army, why did one of the guards always be on the left bank of the Vistula, that is, to defend against the enemy from the north.

Our 48th and 65th Army was unable to occupy the city of Warsaw on the east bank for a long time, because in addition to the stubborn defense of the German troops in the city, the Germans had drawn so many troops from somewhere, and constantly counterattacked our troops from the north, so that we could not quickly occupy the city of Warsaw according to the original plan. ”

After hearing Rokossovsky's introduction of the information, Zhukov said thoughtfully: "However, from the analysis of the overall situation, the German forces in the south are relatively weak, do you think we can open a breakthrough in that direction?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, this is very difficult." Rokossovsky said with embarrassment: "Although the enemy's forces south of Warsaw are relatively weak, their air force is very strong, and the air supremacy on the battlefield is already in their hands. ”

"And what about our Air Force?" Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Zhukov couldn't help but be taken aback: "You know, there are two air groups under your command, can't they take the air supremacy of the battlefield from the hands of the Germans?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, you should know that since the beginning of the Belarusian campaign, our troops have not rested and have not received any replenishment. At present, there is not only a shortage of soldiers, but also a shortage of weapons, ammunition and various military supplies. Rokossovsky explained to Zhukov: "The fighters of the Air Force, because of the lack of fuel and ammunition, simply cannot rise into the air for combat. As for the Germans, in order to prevent us from crossing the Vistula, they constantly sent air forces to bomb our troops crossing the river. Chuikov's crossing was 25 kilometers wide, but with only two of our anti-aircraft artillery regiments and an incomplete Polish anti-aircraft artillery division, it was simply impossible to stop the enemy's bombardment. ”

"We're not the only ones fighting the enemy right now." After listening to this, Zhukov was silent for a long time before he continued: "The units of the four fronts in Ukraine are also attacking the German army. The huge consumption of troops and materials is also a headache for the logistics department, and they must give priority to the Ukrainian region, so that what we can get will be greatly reduced. ”

After Rokossovsky waited for Zhukov to finish speaking, he asked tentatively: "Could it be that there will be the situation at the beginning of the year again, the logistics department only supplies the troops in Ukraine, and let's not talk about the soldiers, there is not even a single shot to replenish it?" ”

Zhukov looked at Rokossovsky and said: "Comrade Rokossovsky, you are talking about the worst. We are currently fighting in Poland, and if we take Warsaw, we will be a threat to Berlin, and in any case, the High Command will provide us with the necessary replenishment, even if the number of men, weapons and supplies is small, but there will be no more of the situation at the beginning of the year. ”

"It would be great if you could give us an addition." Rokossovsky frowned and said: "The two divisions currently in Warsaw are facing a situation of running out of ammunition and food, and if they are not replenished as soon as possible, I am afraid that they will be completely wiped out either by the Germans into the Vistula." ”

"Supplement, how to supplement?" Zhukov also said with a sad face: "As far as I know, the equipment for crossing the river of Chuikov's troops is constantly transporting supplies to the opposite bank and transporting the wounded commanders and fighters back from the opposite bank. ”

"There are other ways we can cross the river by boat." Rokossovsky said carefully: "For example, an airdrop for the troops in the city. ”

"Airdrop?!" When Zhukov heard this suggestion, he thought about it, and then shook his head and refused: "No, the Germans still have strong anti-aircraft fire on the east bank. If we send planes to airdrop the troops in the city, I fear that they will be shot down by German anti-aircraft fire one after the other, like harriers. ”

Seeing that Zhukov rejected his proposal, Rokossovsky was not discouraged and quickly proposed a second plan: "Since you think that airdrops are not advisable, then we can use airborne methods to transport weapons, ammunition and military supplies to the troops in the city." Look here," he said, pointing to the map on the table with his hand, "the Vlanov Palace, which our army occupies, has an open plain in front of it, and it is completely capable of taking off and landing transport planes. I intend to order the transport planes carrying the supplies to land in this area. If necessary, we can also transport more troops to Warsaw. ”

Rokossovsky's last words deeply moved Zhukov. Although this method is risky, it is undoubtedly the best choice when it comes to replenishing the troops in the city with weapons, ammunition and military supplies. Therefore, after much thought, Zhukov nodded and said to Rokossovsky: "Okay, I will ask the commander of the Air Force for twenty transport planes to bring weapons, ammunition and supplies in." ”

"Twenty transport planes," Rokossovsky said with some tears and laughter when he heard this number: "Comrade Marshal, will it be too little?" ”

"We only have 60 transport planes in total, and they are all aided by the United States." Hearing that Rokossovsky was too little, Zhukov glared at him and said: "If you give us twenty, it will account for one-third of the total." ”

Don't see that Rokossovsky is now the commander of the Front, but he really doesn't know much about the situation in the Air Force. When I heard that the Air Force had only 60 transport planes aided by the United States, I couldn't help but be surprised. However, if Zhukov can really get twenty transport planes, then he can provide enough weapons and ammunition for the troops in Warsaw, especially those anti-tank weapons, so that in the face of German tanks, the soldiers will no longer have to use their own flesh and blood to blow up the tanks.

"That's what you think?" Zhukov saw Rokossovsky's thoughtful look, and couldn't help but ask curiously: "Are you really planning to risk delivering supplies to the city?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Marshal, that's exactly what I thought." Rokossovsky nodded and said: "If we do not provide ammunition for the troops in the city, when the ammunition is exhausted, they will have to abandon the area that the commanders and fighters have shed blood and sacrifice and withdraw from the city of Warsaw." This situation is definitely something we don't want to see.

If they take the risk of transporting weapons and ammunition, military supplies and soldiers for them, they can be strengthened. By then they would have enough strength to hold out until the main forces of our army arrived. ”

"Why do you use the word 'stick'?" Zhukov asked with a somewhat unpleasant face: "Can't our troops in the city occupy the entire city?" You must know that the total strength of the German army is only 2,000 men, while our two divisions combined are 12,000 men, and the ratio of strength is six to one. ”

"Yes, we do have an advantage in numbers." Rokossovsky patiently explained: "But due to the lack of heavy weapons for the fortification, coupled with the ammunition carried by the commanders and fighters, they were almost exhausted during these days of fighting. Therefore, they are temporarily unable to continue to attack the German army, so they can only turn to the defense on the spot, and then launch a new attack after replenishing weapons and ammunition. ”

Having reached a consensus, Rokossovsky and Zhukov immediately dialed the command of the Air Force. Hearing Porenin's voice, Rokossovsky asked straight to the point: "Comrade General, tell me, how many fighters do you still have that can take to the skies to fight?" ”

Porenin hesitated for a moment, then replied decisively: "Report to Comrade Marshal, there are only about thirty fighters that can still be lifted into the air for combat at present. However, the fuel and ammunition we have can only sustain the troops for two to three days. If we don't get any supplements, our planes won't be able to fight in the air. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade General, supplies will arrive for you soon." Rokossovsky finally asked: "Can you send a group of qualified pilots there to fly transport planes?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Although he did not know the purpose of Rokossovsky's question, Porenin replied truthfully: "We now have a lot of idle pilots who can let them fly transport planes." Comrade Marshal, can you tell me, what are the tasks of these transport aircraft? ”

"Twenty transport planes," Rokossovsky said with some tears and laughter when he heard this number: "Comrade Marshal, will it be too little?" ”

"We only have 60 transport planes in total, and they are all aided by the United States." Hearing that Rokossovsky was too little, Zhukov glared at him and said: "If you give us twenty, it will account for one-third of the total." ”

Don't see that Rokossovsky is now the commander of the Front, but he really doesn't know much about the situation in the Air Force. When I heard that the Air Force had only 60 transport planes aided by the United States, I couldn't help but be surprised. However, if Zhukov can really get twenty transport planes, then he can provide enough weapons and ammunition for the troops in Warsaw, especially those anti-tank weapons, so that in the face of German tanks, the soldiers will no longer have to use their own flesh and blood to blow up the tanks.

"That's what you think?" Zhukov saw Rokossovsky's thoughtful look, and couldn't help but ask curiously: "Are you really planning to risk delivering supplies to the city?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Marshal, that's exactly what I thought." Rokossovsky nodded and said: "If we do not provide ammunition for the troops in the city, when the ammunition is exhausted, they will have to abandon the area that the commanders and fighters have shed blood and sacrifice and withdraw from the city of Warsaw." This situation is definitely something we don't want to see.

If they take the risk of transporting weapons and ammunition, military supplies and soldiers for them, they can be strengthened. By then they would have enough strength to hold out until the main forces of our army arrived. ”

"Why do you use the word 'stick'?" Zhukov asked with a somewhat unpleasant face: "Can't our troops in the city occupy the entire city?" You must know that the total strength of the German army is only 2,000 men, while our two divisions combined are 12,000 men, and the ratio of strength is six to one. ”

"Yes, we do have an advantage in numbers." Rokossovsky patiently explained: "But due to the lack of heavy weapons for the fortification, coupled with the ammunition carried by the commanders and fighters, they were almost exhausted during these days of fighting. Therefore, they are temporarily unable to continue to attack the German army, so they can only turn to the defense on the spot, and then launch a new attack after replenishing weapons and ammunition. ”

Having reached a consensus, Rokossovsky and Zhukov immediately dialed the command of the Air Force. Hearing Porenin's voice, Rokossovsky asked straight to the point: "Comrade General, tell me, how many fighters do you still have that can take to the skies to fight?" ”

Porenin hesitated for a moment, then replied decisively: "Report to Comrade Marshal, there are only about thirty fighters that can still be lifted into the air for combat at present. However, the fuel and ammunition we have can only sustain the troops for two to three days. If we don't get any supplements, our planes won't be able to fight in the air. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade General, supplies will arrive for you soon." Rokossovsky finally asked: "Can you send a group of qualified pilots there to fly transport planes?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Although he did not know the purpose of Rokossovsky's question, Porenin replied truthfully: "We now have a lot of idle pilots who can let them fly transport planes." Comrade Marshal, can you tell me, what are the tasks of these transport aircraft? ”