red moscow

Chapter 2994

Zakharov arrived at the army group headquarters and met with the busy Rokossovsky.

After shaking hands, Rokossovsky got straight to the point: "Comrade Zakharov, how are things in Sunhill and Klin?"

"After the enemy's attack on Sun Mountain failed, although they did not send ground troops to attack again, they did send air force to bomb the city," Zakharov said. "I happened to be passing near the city when the bombing continued. Because I was worried about the casualties of my troops, I immediately went into the city to check the situation as soon as the bombing stopped."

"Were the casualties high?" Rokossovsky asked with some difficulty.

“Not much,” Zakharov said, shaking his head. “Because Lieutenant Colonel Sokov issued an air raid warning in time before the enemy started bombing, allowing most of the troops to take cover, the casualties caused by the bombing were not significant.”

Upon learning that the garrison at Sunhill City had suffered relatively few casualties in the bombing, Rokossovsky felt much more at ease. He nodded and said, "Continue. How's the situation with Klin? Are there any signs of an enemy attack?"

"The enemy is gathering, but it is unlikely that they will launch an attack in the short term."

Upon hearing Zakharov's conclusion, Rokossovsky asked, somewhat puzzled, "The enemy's forces near Klin far exceed ours. How could there be no possibility of an attack? I don't know what your basis is for this conclusion?"

In response to Rokossovsky's question, Zakharov smiled and said, "Comrade Commander, this is exactly what I wanted to report to you today. The reason the enemy dares not attack Klin is because one of our tank divisions is stationed in the nearby city of Greentown."

"What? There's a tank division in Green City?" Upon hearing Zakharov's words, Malinin quickly checked the map. After looking at it, he couldn't help but say with some disappointment, "That's the 30th Army's defense zone. In other words, this tank division should belong to the 30th Army."

“That’s right. From what I understand, that tank division does indeed belong to the 30th Army.” Zakharov made his request to Rokossovsky: “I know you have a good relationship with General Lelyushenko, the commander of that army group. Do you think you could contact him and ask him to transfer this unit to our command?”

Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Rokossovsky rejected his idea: "Comrade Zakharov, please forgive me for being unable to fulfill your request."

"Why?" Zakharov asked, puzzled.

"First of all, all the units currently engaged in combat are facing severe casualties and cannot be replenished in time. Under such circumstances, how could he possibly agree to place our valuable tank division under our command?" Rokossovsky said with a serious expression, "Even if he agreed, the army commander above him would not agree. After all, the 30th Army and we belong to two different army groups."

Rokossovsky's words reminded Zakharov that since Zhukov took over as commander of the Western Front in October, he had sent his deputy—the former front commander, General Konev—to the Kalinin region to command the troops there. However, not long after, the Western Front units under Konev's command were reorganized into the Kalinin Front.

Zakharov slapped his forehead a few times, saying in frustration, "Yes, Commander, you're right. The 30th Army is now under the command of the Kalinin Front. It's practically impossible to get the higher-ups to agree to transfer the tank divisions belonging to the 30th Army to our command."

“Comrades Commanders,” Lobachev, who had been sitting silently to the side, couldn’t help but interject after hearing their conversation, “I think you should consider this issue from a different perspective. Although we cannot request that the tank division be placed under our command, we can ask them to assist us in the operation. When the enemy launches an attack on Klin, the tank division can attack from their flanks and rear, which will not only disrupt the enemy’s offensive steps but also deplete their manpower.”

After hearing this, Rokossovsky slapped his hand on the table and said excitedly, "That's right! Comrade Military Commissioner is right. We were all stuck in a rut. We could have gotten their assistance with the operation with just a phone call, so why were we so insistent on putting that tank division under our command?"

At this point, he picked up the VHF radio on the table and said to everyone, "I'll call General Lelyushenko right away and have him issue orders to the tank division to assist us in the defensive battle in the Klin region."

With the assistance of the communications officer, the call was quickly connected.

However, Rokossovsky was unable to contact Lelyushenko immediately. After ascertaining Rokossovsky's identity, the commander who answered the phone politely said, "I'm sorry, Comrade General, our commander is not at headquarters. He has gone to inspect the troops below, and it is unknown when he will return."

"When he gets back, have him call me. I have something important to discuss with him."

As he hung up the phone, Rokossovsky said with some disappointment, "General Lelyushenko is not at his command post. His subordinates only said that he went to inspect the troops, but they knew nothing about where he went or when he would return."

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of tea, and asked Zakharov, "Zakharov, do you think Misha's troops can hold Sun Mountain City?"

“Comrade Commander, I’m not so sure if other units could hold Taiyangshan City,” Zakharov said. “But the unit holding the city now is Lieutenant Colonel Sokov’s infantry brigade, and I have full confidence in him.”

"Oh, you have so much faith in him?" Rokossovsky asked in surprise.

“Yes, I am very confident.” Zakharov nodded and said, “Based on the city’s terrain, as long as our existing defenses don’t collapse, the enemy can only attack Sunhill City from the north. Lieutenant Colonel Sokov has concentrated most of the city’s garrison in the north and has also set up multiple artillery positions within the city. If the Germans launch an attack from the north, they will not only be blocked by the infantry in the trenches, but also by artillery fire.”

Hearing Zakharov say this, Malinin asked with some puzzlement, "Weren't the two artillery battalions in the infantry brigade assigned to General Kazakov's artillery units? Where did his current artillery units come from?" "I specifically asked him, and he said that a hidden armory was discovered in the forest. The artillery, as well as other weapons and ammunition, that the infantry brigade possesses all come from this armory."

“Comrade Commander.” After Zakharov finished speaking, Malinin looked at Rokossovsky and said with emotion, “This Lieutenant Colonel Sokov is really something else. Our army has built many hidden armories in the forests outside Moscow, and he actually found several of them. When I learned that he had found artillery in one of the armories, I also organized people to search the forest, but we found nothing.”

Zakharov raised his eyebrows and said in surprise, "Is he really that capable? He can even find a secret armory hidden in the forest."

"That's the truth," Ma Lining said truthfully. "Comrade Deputy Commander, due to supply problems in the later stages, the infantry brigade has basically never received supplies from us since its formation. They have to find their own ways to obtain the weapons, ammunition, and various combat materials they use."

Before Zakharov could speak, the phone rang, and Malinin reached out and picked it up.

The call came from Colonel Beloborodov, commander of the 78th Infantry Division. He was somewhat excited as he said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have good news to tell you. My 231st Regiment is advancing along the road and has reached the outskirts of Volokolamsk. We can see the buildings in the city clearly even without binoculars."

"Comrade Colonel, well done!" When Malinin heard that Beloborodov's troops had actually reached the outskirts of Volokolamsk, he was overjoyed and said repeatedly, "Keep up the good work. If you can retake the city from the Germans, your division will be awarded the Order of the Red Banner."

Malinin's promise excited Beloborodov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is what you're saying true? If my troops recapture Volokolamsk from the Germans, will we really be awarded the Order of the Red Banner?"

"I assure you with my own honor that the honor you will receive if you can take the city back from the Germans will exceed your imagination."

"I understand, Comrade Chief of Staff." After receiving Malinin's promise, Beloborodov said excitedly, "I will immediately organize the troops and launch an attack on the city. We will definitely be able to enter the city before dark."

After listening to Malinin's report, Rokossovsky frowned. Seeing this, Zakharov asked curiously, "Comrade Commander, Colonel Beloborodov said his troops can recapture Volokolamsk, which is good news. Why are you so worried?"

"Comrade Zakharov, you may not know this, but the day before you took office, we launched a new counterattack against Volokolamsk," Rokossovsky sighed. "Although it went smoothly, and in the early stages of the counterattack, the cavalry commanders even stormed into the city, the enemy quickly recovered from the chaos and launched counterattacks in different areas, even initiating attacks in some places, keeping us on our toes."

"Think about it, back then we amassed nearly half of our army group for a counter-offensive against Volokolamsk, and we still couldn't recapture the city. Now, with only Beloborodov's 78th Infantry Division, the idea of ​​taking the city back from the Germans is simply a pipe dream."

After a moment's hesitation, Malinin tentatively asked, "Comrade Commander, since the 78th Infantry Division doesn't have much of a chance of winning the counterattack on Volokolamsk, shouldn't we issue an order to Colonel Beloborodov to stop the attack on the city?"

But Rokossovsky shook his head: "Even if we know that the hope of recapturing the city is slim, this offensive cannot be stopped. Offense is sometimes the best defense. In this way, the enemy will have to divert troops to deal with this attacking force, and thus will not be able to concentrate their forces to launch a full-scale attack on us. We can then take advantage of the time when the enemy's offensive weakens to consolidate our defenses."

"By the way, the chief of the engineering corps reported that he has found several suitable locations in the Istra Reservoir area to establish defensive positions." Malinin asked Rokossovsky, "When should we withdraw to the Istra Reservoir area?"

Just as Rokossovsky was about to answer, Zakharov asked in astonishment, "Comrade Chief of Staff, what did you say? We are to evacuate to the Istra Reservoir area. When was this decision made? How come I had no idea?"

"The decision to withdraw the troops was made by the chief of staff and me," Rokossovsky explained to Zakharov when he asked. "Without consulting with superiors, withdrawing troops without authorization will certainly result in severe punishment if the higher-ups investigate. If we hadn't informed you beforehand, you could escape punishment even if the higher-ups hold you accountable later."

“How could you do this?” Zakharov was displeased after hearing Rokossovsky’s explanation: “I am the deputy commander of the 16th Army. How could you make such an important decision without consulting me? Are you not afraid of being punished by your superiors afterward, but do you think I am? By doing this, you are not treating me as a member of the 16th Army. Your actions have chilled my heart.”

Although Zakharov was complaining, Rokossovsky was deeply moved. He grasped Zakharov's hand and said, "I'm sorry, Comrade Zakharov, we were wrong this time. Next time I make such an important decision, I will definitely consult with you beforehand."

"When will we evacuate to the Istra Reservoir area?" Zakharov asked.

Rokossovsky thought for a moment and replied, "According to the original plan, after our engineering corps has built new fortifications in the Istra Reservoir area, we can arrange for troops to withdraw to the area in an orderly manner and organize new defenses."

After listening, Zakharov slowly nodded, then asked his question: "Comrade Commander, will General Zhukov agree to your order to withdraw the troops?"

Rokossovsky did not answer the question directly, but instead asked in return, "Comrade Zakharov, what do you think?"

Zakharov thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Based on my understanding of General Zhukov, he certainly won't agree to your request." Before Rokossovsky could ask further, he continued, "Your plan to withdraw troops to the Istra Reservoir area to organize a new defense is a matter you're considering as commander of the 16th Army. But Zhukov, as commander of the Western Front, considers things from a different perspective. He doesn't want any unit to retreat, which would cause the entire front to fall apart. I bet if you actually mentioned this to him face-to-face, you'd get a severe scolding."

After listening to Zakharov's heartfelt words, Rokossovsky smiled faintly; he had expected what Zakharov said. Although he knew that making a request directly to Zhukov would be met with rebuke, he still decided to go see Zhukov the next day.

(End of this chapter)