red moscow

Chapter 2995 Not a Step Back
Rokossovsky envisioned waiting until the battlefield situation became clearer the next day before approaching Zhukov to discuss the retreat, hoping to increase his chances of persuading the latter. However, plans often change, and the fighting the following morning even made him question whether his idea of ​​withdrawing his troops to the Istra Reservoir area was a mistake.

Just as dawn broke, Colonel Beloborodov's 78th Infantry Division launched an attack on Volokolamsk from the east and southeast of the city.

This Victory Day unit from Siberia performed admirably on the battlefield, routing the German 258th Division, which was defending the city, with little chance of resistance.

At first, Division Commander Beloborodov had some doubts. Was this some kind of German conspiracy? How could the enemy, who had been so aggressive just two days ago, suddenly become so weak? But as his troops successfully broke through the city's outer defenses and smoothly stormed into the city, his doubts were put to rest.

The battle continued until nine o'clock in the morning. The troops that had entered the city from two directions had already occupied seven or eight streets and were only two or three blocks away from the municipal building in the city center.

Upon seeing this, Beloborodov immediately called Rokossovsky to report the results of the battle.

"Comrade Commander," Beloborodov said excitedly upon hearing Rokossovsky's voice, "my troops have entered Volokolamsk and captured seven or eight streets, and are only two or three blocks away from the city hall."

"What? What did you say?" Rokossovsky asked incredulously upon hearing Beloborodov's words. "Comrade Colonel, what did you just say? Your troops have stormed into Volokolamsk and occupied seven or eight streets?"

“Absolutely right, Comrade Commander.” Belobolodov said proudly, “I never expected the enemy to be so vulnerable. They couldn’t hold out against our attack very quickly.”

"Well done, Colonel," Rokossovsky said approvingly. "Once we recapture Volokolamsk, I will personally recommend you for commendation. By the way, if you encounter any difficulties, you can tell me, and I will try my best to help you resolve them."

“Comrade Commander, the situation is as follows,” Belobolodov replied. “Our division had more than 14,000 men when we went into battle yesterday. But after one round of fighting, we lost more than 1,000 men, and in today’s battle, we lost nearly 2,000 more. I wonder if you could replenish our lost men?”

Upon hearing Beloborodov's question, Rokossovsky's facial muscles twitched violently, and he replied with great embarrassment, "I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel, I have no reserves at hand, so I cannot replenish your lost troops for the time being."

After making the request, Beloborodov had anticipated a high probability of rejection, but hearing Rokossovsky actually refuse him still left him somewhat disappointed. He thought quickly for a moment and continued, "Comrade Commander, if you cannot replenish our division's forces, could you order other units to move towards Volokolamsk?"

Before Rokossovsky could speak, he added, "Comrade Commander, this is what I'm thinking. If my division is to completely recapture Volokolamsk, I'm afraid we'll suffer considerable casualties. By then, our forces will be somewhat insufficient to defend the entire city. Therefore, having friendly forces move closer to us is to ensure that there are enough defenders in the city."

"Don't worry, Comrade Colonel." Rokossovsky did not refuse Beloborodov's request: "I will order the troops around the city to move as close to you as possible."

As soon as Rokossovsky hung up the phone, Malinin, who had overheard his conversation with Beloborodov, immediately spoke up: "Comrade Commander, I really didn't expect the 78th Infantry Division to perform so impressively. They actually broke through the German outer defenses and stormed into the city of Volokolamsk. If all goes well, we should be able to completely recapture Volokolamsk by nightfall at the latest today."

But Rokossovsky was clearly not as optimistic as Malinin. He said with a serious expression, "Although our army is making good progress now, the Germans are not so easy to deal with. Do you think they will be willing to accept seeing the cities they have finally captured being recaptured by our army?"

Upon hearing this, Malinin was startled and immediately asked, "Comrade Commander, do you mean that the German army will launch a counterattack in Volokolamsk and drive our troops out of the city?"

“It’s entirely possible.” Rokossovsky nodded, speaking with certainty, “But if we can really recapture Volokolamsk, then the plan to retreat to the Istra Reservoir can be postponed for a while. After all, once we recapture Volokolamsk, we will have a stronghold to contend with the enemy.”

"When do you plan to meet with General Zhukov to discuss our retreat to the Istra Reservoir?"

"Let's wait and see," Rokossovsky said. "We should wait until the 78th Infantry Division achieves its final results before making a decision."

“That works too.” Although Beloborodov’s troops had stormed into Volokolamsk and occupied seven or eight streets, most of the city was still in German hands. It would take some effort to completely control the city.

"Should we report to General Zhukov on the fact that our army is about to recapture Volokolamsk?"

Upon hearing Malinin's suggestion, Rokossovsky pondered for a long time before finally nodding slowly and saying, "I think it's a good idea. At least it will make Zhukov understand that our troops have been fighting the Germans, rather than sitting idly by."

After saying that, he personally called Zhukov.

Upon hearing Zhukov's voice through the receiver, he immediately got straight to the point: "Comrade General, I have good news to tell you."

"What good news?" Zhukov asked coldly on the other end of the phone. "Have you driven the Germans out of our borders?"

“Uh, no,” Rokossovsky replied with a wry smile. “It’s about Volokolamsk.”

"Volokoramsk?!" Zhukov asked, somewhat puzzled. "Didn't your counterattack on the city yesterday end in failure? What, you're not telling me now that your troops have already stormed into the city?"

Faced with Zhukov's question, Rokossovsky remained calm: "Comrade General, I received a call from Colonel Beloborodov a few minutes ago. His 78th Infantry Division has successfully broken through the enemy's defenses in Volokolamsk, stormed into the city, and occupied seven or eight streets, only two blocks away from the city hall."

"Really?" Zhukov was naturally overjoyed to hear such news. But amidst his joy, he questioned the outcome: "Is it true that your troops stormed into Volokolamsk and captured seven or eight streets?" "Of course it's true, Comrade General," Rokossovsky replied truthfully. "Such a result cannot be faked. Even if I wanted to hide it from you, you would surely be able to find out about the progress of this battle through special channels."

"Since you say so, then I'm relieved. I suppose these results are true." Zhukov asked with a smile, "Comrade Rokossovsky, what are your plans next?"

“I have two plans,” Rokossovsky replied. “First, if we can recapture Volokolamsk, we will use it as a stronghold to resist the German offensive; second, if we cannot recapture Volokolamsk, we will need to readjust our defensive lines and concentrate our scattered troops for defense.” He did not directly tell Zhukov that he planned to withdraw his troops to the Istra Reservoir area, but rather subtly indicated that he intended to adjust the defensive lines.

Zhukov, oblivious to Rokossovsky's underlying meaning, nodded and said, "Comrade Rokossovsky, I think your first plan is good: to use Volokolamsk as a stronghold to resist the enemy's attack. You see, if the enemy can't remove this thorn, they simply can't advance towards Moscow."

When Malinin saw Rokossovsky finish his call with Zhukov and put down the receiver, he couldn't help but ask anxiously, "Comrade Commander, why didn't you mention our plan to withdraw our troops to the Istra Reservoir when you were talking to General Zhukov just now?"

“Don’t rush, my Chief of Staff,” Rokossovsky patiently explained to Malinin. “Right now we should focus our attention on the 78th Infantry Division and see if they can live up to expectations and successfully recapture Volokolamsk. It’s not too late to ask Zhukov about the withdrawal after they fail in their battle to recapture the city.”

"That's fine then." Seeing that Rokossovsky already had his own plan, Malinin didn't insist on his own opinion, but humbly asked, "So what should we do next?"

"Immediately send a telegram to the 8th Guards Division and the 126th Infantry Division near the city, instructing them to try to break free from the enemy's entanglement and move towards Volokolamsk to support the 78th Infantry Division, which is currently fighting in the city," Rokossovsky said. "I believe that with the assistance of these two units, Colonel Beloborodov's chances of recapturing the city will be greatly increased."

Upon hearing this, Malinin's face lit up with joy, and he nodded vigorously: "I will immediately send a telegram to the two division commanders, instructing them to move as close as possible to Volokolamsk to support the 78th Infantry Division which is fighting in the city."

With the addition of two divisions, the fighting in Volokolamsk became more favorable for the Soviet forces. At 11:30 AM, the 126th Infantry Division, which had entered the city from the northwest, joined forces with the 78th Infantry Division. Meanwhile, the 8th Guards Division, arriving from the east, entered the city through the breach and, relying on their familiarity with the terrain, launched attacks on several key facilities.

By 1:40 PM, two-thirds of Volokolamsk had fallen into Soviet hands. By all accounts, recapturing the entire city before nightfall seemed highly probable.

However, just when everyone thought victory was in sight, something unexpected happened.

The German Reich Division entered the city, replacing the demoralized 258th Infantry Division, and with a swift counter-offensive, halted the Soviet offensive.

The Soviet troops, whose offensive had been thwarted, had just withdrawn to their starting point and hadn't even had a chance to catch their breath when the officers and soldiers of the Reich Division attacked.

Whether in terms of individual soldier skills and tactics or overall combat effectiveness, the officers and soldiers of the Reich Division far surpassed the Soviet commanders and soldiers in the city.

Under the powerful offensive of the Reich Division, the Soviet commanders and soldiers who held their positions showed bravery and tenacity, but in the end they were no match for the enemy and were forced to retreat in defeat, just as they had done in the morning when they fought the 258th Infantry Division.

The fighting lasted until four o'clock, when the Soviet troops were all driven out of the city, and the city fell back into German hands.

Upon learning this news, Rokossovsky did not get angry. Instead, he said to Malinin, "Comrade Chief of Staff, have the divisions that are withdrawing from the city withdraw to their pre-arranged positions in an orderly manner and organize defenses there. I need to go to the front headquarters immediately to report to General Zhukov about the preparations for withdrawal."

When Rokossovsky appeared before Zhukov, Zhukov was taken aback at first, then asked, "Koschka, what brings you here? Do you have good news to tell me?"

“I’m sorry, Georgy Konstantinovich!” Rokossovsky replied with a look of shame, “I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you. I bring you bad news, not good news. Our counterattack on Volokolamsk has failed, and the troops that entered the city have been driven out of the city by the enemy.”

"How could this be?" Zhukov asked, frowning. "Weren't you doing quite well this morning? Even in the afternoon, your offensive didn't weaken, and you even occupied two-thirds of the city. How come you've been driven out of the city in the blink of an eye?"

Rokossovsky quickly gave Zhukov a detailed report on the fighting situation in Volokolamsk, and then cautiously said, "I came to see you today because I need your permission for something."

"What's the matter? Tell me."

"Please allow me to withdraw the troops to the Istrian Reservoir area," Rokossovsky said clearly. "The terrain there is complex and not conducive to the deployment of German mechanized forces. More importantly, establishing new defenses there will greatly reduce our defensive front. We will not only have enough troops for defense, but we can even free up some troops to deploy as a second line of defense, as a reserve..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhukov suddenly stood up, gripped the edge of the table with both hands, leaned forward slightly, and said through gritted teeth, "No, Comrade Rokossovsky, I disagree, I disagree with your troops withdrawing."

"However, with the fall of Volokolamsk, our defenses have been shattered, and under these circumstances, it is extremely difficult to ensure that the Germans do not break through our lines."

"Whether you can hold off the Germans is your business," Zhukov said in an unquestionable tone. "I only have one order for you: hold your ground and do not retreat an inch."

(End of this chapter)