red moscow

Chapter 2991

Sokov personally called Rokossovsky to report the news that the German armored column attacking Sunhill had been completely wiped out.

"Comrade Commander, I have good news to tell you," Sokov said excitedly. "The German armored column that attacked Sunhill City has been completely wiped out by the rocket artillery battalion that was reinforced for us by the higher command."

"What? The German troops attacking Sunhill City were all wiped out by you?" After hearing Sokov's report, Rokossovsky said excitedly, "Misha, you did a fantastic job! You wiped out an invading enemy force so easily."

But the next moment, he asked in surprise, "Misha, you just said that the unit that made the greatest contribution to eliminating the enemy was the rocket artillery battalion that the higher-ups reinforced for you? But I don't remember that I ever assigned a rocket artillery battalion to you, and I even transferred two artillery battalions from your unit."

"That's right, Commander," Sokov reported somewhat nervously to Rokossovsky, "The Deputy Commander personally called General Zhukov and explained the current situation in Sun Mountain City. After careful consideration, the General sent us a rocket artillery battalion and two infantry battalions to strengthen the defenses of Sun Mountain City."

"Oh, I see." Rokossovsky nodded slowly after listening, and then said, "I was wondering why General Kazakov hadn't mentioned anything about a rocket artillery battalion to me. How did a rocket artillery battalion suddenly appear in your brigade?"

When Rokossovsky mentioned Kazakov, alarm bells immediately went off in Sokov's mind. He cautiously asked, "Comrade Commander, you're not going to transfer this rocket artillery battalion away, are you?"

“The army group’s artillery units are under the command of General Kazakov,” Rokossovsky said. “Whether this rocket artillery battalion remains with your infantry brigade or is placed under the unified command of the army group’s artillery units is up to General Kazakov.”

Having witnessed the power of the Katyusha rocket launcher, Sokov was unwilling to easily abandon this weapon before the 107mm rocket launcher, a guerrilla weapon, was introduced ahead of schedule. Therefore, he tried to persuade Rokossovsky to abandon his plan to transfer the rocket artillery battalion: "Comrade Commander, after the recent fighting, our brigade has not only suffered heavy losses in manpower and personnel, but also lost most of its heavy weapons, which has seriously affected our brigade's combat effectiveness. Therefore, I implore you to allow this rocket artillery battalion to remain in our brigade."

Rokossovsky pondered Sokov's request for only a few seconds before making a decisive decision: "Alright, Misha. I'll take charge of this. Let this rocket artillery battalion remain in your brigade. I hope you will achieve even greater victories in the battles to come."

"Thank you, Commander, thank you so much!" Upon learning that Rokossovsky had agreed to keep this valuable rocket artillery battalion with him, Sokov beamed with joy and repeatedly thanked him: "On behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the brigade, I express my gratitude to you!"

Just as Sokov was about to put down the phone, Rokossovsky suddenly asked, "By the way, is General Zakharov with you?"

"No, Comrade Commander," Sokov quickly shook his head and replied, "Comrade Deputy Commander left Sun Mountain City last night, saying he went to Klin to inspect the defenses."

Hearing Sokov say this, Rokossovsky sighed softly and continued, "I've lost contact with him and don't know how he is now."

Sokov guessed that Zakharov should be in Klin at the moment, but for various reasons, he was temporarily unable to contact the army group headquarters, so he volunteered, "Comrade Commander, do you need me to send someone to Klin to check?"

Rokossovsky thought about Sokov's suggestion and nodded in agreement: "I think it's a good idea. The person you send should ideally carry a radio, so that when they encounter General Zakharov, they can contact the army group headquarters immediately."

"Understood, Commander. I will send someone to find the Deputy Commander immediately."

After hanging up the phone, Sokov instructed Karsokov, "Comrade Chief of Staff, the headquarters has lost contact with General Zakharov, and the Commander is very worried about his safety. You immediately dispatch a reconnaissance team with a radio to travel by car towards Klin to search for the Deputy Commander. Once they find him, contact the Army Group Headquarters by telephone and report the Deputy Commander's whereabouts."

"Don't worry, Comrade Brigade Commander." Karsokov nodded and said, "I will immediately dispatch my best reconnaissance team to the Klin region to find the whereabouts of Comrade Deputy Commander."

…………

At the same time, Rokossovsky, who had just hung up the phone and was discussing the Battle of Sunhill with Malinin and Lobachev, suddenly heard the VHF radio on his desk ring. He frowned, stopped talking, and reached for the receiver: "This is Rokossovsky!"

“My dear Konstantin Konstantinovich!” Zhukov’s familiar voice came through the phone receiver. He changed his usual serious tone and said in a relaxed manner, “I have good news to tell you!”

Rokossovsky was delighted upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Has the reserve force that was supposed to be sent to reinforce us arrived?"

Zhukov remained silent for a while before slowly saying, "Rokossovsky, didn't I tell you that I don't have any extra reserves right now? No matter how many requests you make, I can't give you any more reserves."

Realizing he had misunderstood Zhukov, Rokossovsky scratched the back of his head, somewhat embarrassed, and asked, "Comrade General, what is this good news you mentioned?"

"I have just received notification from the Supreme Command that, in view of the heroism and bravery displayed by the 316th Infantry Division in the battle to defend Moscow, as well as the brilliant results achieved, the division is hereby awarded the honorary title of the 8th Guards Infantry Division. At the same time, the division is awarded the Order of the Red Banner Collective."

"Comrade General, this is truly exciting news." Rokossovsky was overjoyed to learn that Panfilov had been awarded the honorary title of Guards Division. "I will pass on this news to General Panfilov as soon as possible."

Seeing Rokossovsky's beaming face, Malinin and Lobachev couldn't help but interject, "Comrade Commander, is there some good news?"

“Of course it’s good news.” Rokossovsky’s lips curled up slightly, unable to hide his joy: “The Supreme Command has awarded Panfilov’s Division the honorary title of the 8th Guards Rifle Division, and they have also been awarded the Order of the Red Banner Collective.” “Comrade Commander, this is truly excellent news,” Malinin immediately echoed. “I think we should call and tell General Panfilov about this right away.”

Rokossovsky nodded and quickly connected to the 316th Infantry Division headquarters.

As soon as he heard a voice coming from the receiver, he said impatiently, "This is Rokossovsky. Let General Panfilov take the call."

But no sooner had he finished speaking than a heavy voice came through the receiver: "Comrade Commander, General Panfilov has recently been killed in action!"

"What?" Rokossovsky could hardly believe his ears and quickly asked again, "What did you say? Repeat it?"

"Panfilov was killed in the battle at the division headquarters."

Rokossovsky didn't ask how Panfilov had died; he simply put down the microphone, removed his military cap, and bowed his head in silent tribute to the fallen Panfilov. Malinin and Lobachev, standing nearby, seemed puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Comrade Commander, what happened?"

Rokossovsky looked up at the two men and said in a low voice, "Panfilov was killed in the battle at the division headquarters."

Panfilov's death is mostly glossed over in most accounts. Later, sensationalist accounts shamelessly fabricated a story claiming that Panfilov was posing outside a trench while being interviewed by a reporter when he was fatally shot by a German sniper. However, the version circulating within the Soviet army was that the division headquarters was attacked by a German force, and Panfilov, while leading his men in a fierce resistance, was tragically killed by a mortar shell that exploded beside him.

Malinin, not bothering to delve into how Panfilov had died, asked Rokossovsky with concern, "Comrade Commander, General Panfilov has been killed. So, who do you intend to put in command of the 316th Infantry Division—no, now the 8th Guards Infantry Division?"

Rokossovsky thought for a moment and said to Malinin, "I think it would be best to let Major General Levyagin, the deputy division commander, take over his position. After all, he is General Panfilov's partner, and under the current circumstances, it is most appropriate for him to take over the command of the 8th Guards Division."

“Yes, I understand.” Malinin nodded and said, “I will call later to announce the headquarters’ decision that Major General Levyagin, the deputy division commander, will replace General Panfilov.”

After arranging who would take over command of the 8th Guards Division, Malinin raised a new question: "Comrade Commander, with the fall of Volokolamsk, our existing defensive lines have become riddled with holes. Although we have tried our best to fill these gaps, our precious manpower has been exhausted in the counterattacks of the past few days. With our current strength, it is clearly unrealistic to continue to hold the existing defensive lines. Do you think we can adjust our defensive deployment?"

Upon hearing Malinin's question, Rokossovsky frowned again: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you mean we should abandon our current defensive lines and temporarily retreat?"

“That’s right, that’s what I’m thinking.” After saying this, Malinin deliberately observed Rokossovsky’s reaction. Seeing his expression, he continued, “The original defensive line is a hundred kilometers wide. With our strength weakened, we simply don’t have enough power to hold it. Therefore, I think we should withdraw the troops to reduce the width of the defensive front. In this way, not only will we have enough troops for defense, but we can even free up some troops as reserves for the army group. What do you think?”

Even if Malinin hadn't brought it up, Rokossovsky had already considered a similar plan. His 16th Army was a hastily assembled, ragtag force; it was already a miracle it had held out this long. The severely weakened troops, if left to defend their current positions, risked being picked off piecemeal by the Germans. It was better to take advantage of the situation before it completely deteriorated, temporarily withdrawing the troops to an ideal area to rebuild their fortifications and resist the German offensive.

Thinking of this, Rokossovsky's gaze swept back and forth across the map, finally settling on a place, and he said, "I think there's a place that would be suitable."

Ma Lining quickly asked, "Where do you think would be more suitable?"

“Look, it’s here.” Rokossovsky pointed to the eastern side of the defensive line and said, “Istra Reservoir. The defensive front here is only thirty kilometers long. If we choose this as the new defensive zone, we will not only have enough troops for defense, but also be able to free up some troops as reserves.”

Malinin smiled, for the place Rokossovsky had described was exactly what he had chosen beforehand. He nodded vigorously, agreeing, "Comrade Commander, your choice is excellent; it's very advantageous for defense. Not only does it narrow the defensive front, but it also has numerous lakes and swamps, which are detrimental to German armored assaults. It is indeed an ideal defensive zone."

Seeing that Malinin agreed with his views, Rokossovsky felt much more at ease, at least he didn't have to spend time persuading his assistant.

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of the already cold tea, and instructed Malinin, "Comrade Chief of Staff, immediately dispatch engineering personnel to the Istra Reservoir area to find a suitable place to construct defensive fortifications. Once the fortifications are nearly completed, we will officially withdraw the troops."

“Okay, I’ll contact the chief of the engineering corps immediately and have him send someone to the Istra Reservoir area.” After saying this, Malinin cautiously asked, “Comrade Commander, if we are to evacuate to the Istra Reservoir area, do we need to report this to General Zhukov?”

Rokossovsky considered Malinin's suggestion for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Don't rush to say anything. Knowing Zhukov as I do, if he finds out we intend to retreat, he will be furious and order us to counterattack the Germans at all costs and recapture those lost positions. If we do that, the consequences will be the depletion of our manpower and a further weakening of our defensive lines. At that point, the Germans could easily break through our defenses with just a single division."

"So, the construction of a new defensive line at the Istra Reservoir is indeed being kept secret from the army headquarters?"

“Yes, this matter must be kept secret not only from the front headquarters but also from our own troops, lest they know that we will soon be withdrawing and lose the will to hold the existing defensive line,” Rokossovsky said. “Once the new defensive line is completed, I will personally go to the front headquarters and ask Zhukov to allow my troops to withdraw to the Istra Reservoir.”

(End of this chapter)