red moscow

Chapter 3010

Dovator's expression shifted between light and shadow. He struggled to control his emotions and tried his best to speak in a calm tone: "Comrade Commander, although our cavalry corps has the courage to fight to the last man when facing enemy attacks, it is absurd to order our officers and soldiers to sacrifice themselves in battles where we know there is no hope of victory."

“Dovator, like you, I have reservations about such an absurd order,” Rokossovsky said helplessly. “But since the order has been issued, we can only carry it out while choosing an appropriate time to report the true situation here to our superiors.”

"When do you plan to report the true situation near Sun Mountain City to General Zhukov?"

Hearing Dovator's impolite words, Rokossovsky said with a wry smile, "I had been waiting for the right opportunity. Fortunately, your cavalry successfully recaptured the three settlements outside Sun Mountain City. With this victory, I have the confidence to discuss with Zhukov whether to cancel the planned counterattack near Sun Mountain City."

“Then you should report as soon as possible,” Dovator reminded him. “If you’re late, General Zhukov might issue some new operational orders.”

After ending his call with Dovator, Rokossovsky immediately called Zhukov.

When Zhukov heard that it was Rokossovsky calling, he asked directly, "Comrade Rokossovsky, when can you launch a counterattack near Sun Mountain and drive the enemy far away from the city?"

"Comrade Zhukov!" Rokossovsky hurriedly reported, "Before I returned to headquarters, the enemy discovered that their attack from the north of Sun Mountain had failed to make progress, so they sent troops to outflank the city from both sides. I had just arrived in Peshki village and met with General Kamera of the front headquarters' inspection team when the enemy stormed into the village. I had to take some of the headquarters personnel and urgently evacuate the village."

Although Rokossovsky was now under Zhukov's command, in the 1930s, when Rokossovsky was the commander of the 7th Cavalry Division in Timoshenko's cavalry corps, Zhukov was merely a cavalry regimental commander under him. The two were close friends before the war, although their differing tactical views during the Battle of Moscow had caused some friction and strained their relationship. However, upon learning of Rokossovsky's predicament, Zhukov couldn't help but feel anxious.

"Koschika, were you not injured during the transfer?" Zhukov asked with concern.

"No, I'm fine, I'm not injured."

“It’s good that there were no injuries.” Zhukov’s tone became serious again: “According to you, the enemy has outflanked the south of Sun Mountain City and may be able to complete the encirclement of the city, putting the troops inside in danger.”

“You’re right, General Zhukov!” Rokossovsky continued, “Not long ago, the enemy occupied the three settlements of Sverchkovo, Serisevo, and Maltenovo, located southwest and southeast of Sun Mountain City.”

Zhukov quickly located the three settlements Rokossovsky had mentioned on the map, realizing that if the enemy occupied them, they would have effectively encircled Sun Mountain City. Concerned for the city's defenders, Zhukov said anxiously, "Comrade Rokossovsky, you should immediately organize forces to drive the enemy out of the three settlements; otherwise, Sun Mountain City's connection with the outside world will be essentially severed."

“Zhukov, don’t be impatient, I haven’t finished speaking yet,” Rokossovsky continued. “After learning that the three settlements had fallen, I immediately contacted the nearby troops. Coincidentally, Dovator’s cavalry was passing by, so I assigned the task of recapturing the settlements to the cavalry commanders.”

Like Rokossovsky, Zhukov was a cavalryman, so when he learned that the troops participating in the counterattack on the settlements were cavalry, he felt more confident. However, to be on the safe side, he still tentatively asked, "When will the settlements be recaptured?"

“Zhukov, this is exactly what I wanted to tell you,” Rokossovsky said. “After the valiant fighting of the cavalry, the Germans have been driven out and three settlements have been successfully recaptured. Considering that Sokov’s forces are limited and he cannot spare enough troops to strengthen the defenses of the settlements, I intend to leave Dovator’s troops in the settlements.”

Zhukov gripped the microphone, his fingers tapping lightly on the table as he quickly considered whether he should agree to Rokossovsky's proposal to leave the cavalry near Sun Mountain. After a few minutes of deliberation, he finally made his decision: "Comrade Rokossovsky, since you intend to use a cavalry company to defend the settlement, I think it's acceptable. My thinking is this: if the enemy launches another attack on Sun Mountain, the cavalry can decisively strike, attacking the enemy's flanks and rear, disrupting their offensive, and seizing the initiative on the battlefield."

Seeing that Zhukov didn't mention launching a counterattack near Sun Mountain again, Rokossovsky felt much more at ease. After this period of fighting, the 16th Army had been severely weakened, and its current strength was barely enough for defense. But if it were used for offense, it would be severely stretched thin.

Just as Rokossovsky was about to hang up, Zhukov said something that gave him a headache: "Comrade Rokossovsky, your defensive line is constantly moving eastward, which means that the Germans are getting closer to Moscow, and this is absolutely unacceptable. Therefore, you must use your existing forces to launch continuous counterattacks against the German army in suitable locations. Even if you cannot crush the enemy's offensive, you can at least keep them firmly pinned down and thus seize the initiative on the battlefield."

As a senior commander, Rokossovsky certainly wanted to take control of the battlefield, but he was now in a situation where he had no resources. His forces were limited, and the area he was defending was so large. If he was to waste his precious manpower on continuous counterattacks, where would he find the troops to hold the existing defensive line?

He didn't argue with Zhukov on the phone, but instead said ambiguously, "Okay, Zhukov, I will try my best to keep the enemy at bay and prevent them from getting close to Moscow."

After making the call, Rokossovsky asked Malinin, "How is the retreat of our troops going?"

Malinin glanced down at his notebook and reported to Rokossovsky, "Comrade Commander, except for Colonel Beloborodov's 78th Infantry Division on the west bank of the Istra River, which is carrying out a covering mission, the rest of the troops have crossed the Istra River and are gradually withdrawing to their designated defensive areas."

Rokossovsky nodded slowly and said in a heavy tone, "Colonel Beloborodov's troops were put into battle on November 17, and in just one week, the division had lost nearly half its men. I don't know how many men they will have left after they have completed their covering mission."

Malinin fell silent. He knew this covering mission was extremely dangerous. With an incomplete infantry division, they had to hold off the fierce attack of two enemy infantry divisions and one armored division. He didn't know how many soldiers would survive and retreat to the east bank.

“Comrade Commander,” Lobachev, who had been sitting silently beside him, suddenly spoke up, “I think we can compile and report the heroic deeds of the 78th Infantry Division, making them exemplary figures to be commended by higher authorities.” “That’s a good idea,” Malinin nodded in agreement. “If the higher authorities agree to commend them, it might boost morale and stabilize the troops. If the troops can unleash extraordinary combat power, perhaps more officers and soldiers will be able to cross the Istra River alive.”

Meanwhile, in the city of Sun Mountain, Sokov received another call from Dovator, who informed him that Rokossovsky had agreed to leave the cavalry behind to defend the three settlements and ensure the security of the city's south side. Sokov was overjoyed.

“Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander,” Sokov said to Berkin, who had just returned from the north of the city, “General Dovator’s cavalry corps is now deployed on the south side of the city, which is a great thing for us. Their presence means that we no longer need to spend too much effort defending the south side of the city; at the same time, when the city is attacked by the enemy, they can even take the opportunity to launch attacks on the enemy’s flanks and rear, disrupting the enemy’s offensive plans.”

But Belkin's face showed no smile after hearing this: "Comrade Brigade Commander, I think that the cavalry corps staying in the settlement, on the surface, reduces our worries. But their presence might invite a more intense retaliation from the enemy."

"A more violent retaliation?" Upon hearing Belkin's words, Karsokov couldn't help but ask curiously, "Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander, could you elaborate?"

"That's right. The cavalry has recaptured the settlements and taken over the task of holding them, which means there are a large number of troops stationed there," Belkin said with a serious expression. "The cavalry are different from our infantry. In addition to their large numbers, they also have almost the same number of horses. If the enemy sends out their air force to bombard the settlements, the losses they suffer will certainly be considerable."

Belkin's words were a wake-up call for Sokov.

He raised his hand and slapped his forehead hard, saying with annoyance, "How could I have forgotten about this? I must call General Dovator immediately and remind him to strengthen air defenses to avoid unnecessary losses."

Soon, Sokov called Dovator: "Comrade General, this is Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. I have something important to tell you."

Recognizing Sokov's voice, Dovator chuckled and said, "Oh, it's Lieutenant Colonel Sokov. Why are you calling so urgently? Is there something important?"

“Yes, Comrade General, I do have something important to tell you.” Sokov said quickly, “The large number of cavalry gathered in the three settlements has likely been discovered by enemy scouts. If they send in their air force to bomb the settlements, you will likely suffer considerable losses. Therefore, I suggest that you evacuate the horses to the nearby forest as soon as possible and quickly build some air-raid shelters to avoid the upcoming German bombing.”

After hearing Sokov's words, Dovator's expression turned serious: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, you are right. We have nearly 10,000 men and a similar number of horses, scattered across three settlements. If the enemy bombs these settlements, we will certainly suffer considerable losses. Thank you, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel. I will immediately arrange for men to move the horses to the nearby forests for concealment, to avoid being bombed by enemy aircraft."

Seeing that Dovator took his reminder seriously, Sokov felt relieved.

A dozen minutes later, just as Sokov and Belkin were discussing the upcoming defense tasks, the telephone on the table rang.

Karsokov grabbed the microphone and held it to his ear: "I am Chief of Staff Karsokov. Who are you?"

The voice of the observation post came through the receiver: "Comrade Chief of Staff, this is the observation post in the city. I have noticed a large number of people and horses leaving the settlements to the south of the city and heading towards the nearby forest. I suspect that the cavalry are retreating, so I am reporting to the brigade headquarters."

After the observation post finished speaking, Karsokov said dismissively, "I understand. You don't need to worry about what the cavalry are doing. You just need to report your observations to us. Got it?"

"remember!"

Karsokov hung up the phone and reported to Sokov and Belkin: "Comrades, the observation post reports that a large number of people and horses have poured out of the settlements south of the city and are heading towards the nearby forest. The observation post analyzes that the cavalry may be preparing to retreat, but I think that General Dovator has listened to your advice and is ordering his men to move the horses to the nearby forest."

Sokov nodded upon hearing this: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I hope that, as you have analyzed, General Dovator ordered the cavalry to move their horses into the forest. Otherwise, once the enemy planes arrive, the cavalrymen in the settlement will suffer heavy casualties."

An hour later, Sokov received a call from Dovator.

Dovator's voice, coming through the receiver, carried a hint of excitement: "Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, I have followed your suggestion and had the soldiers move all the horses to the nearby forest and assigned people to guard them. As for the settlement, we are using the existing basements in the houses to build new air-raid shelters. I hope that enemy bombers will not appear over the settlement before we finish."

Sokov was unsure when enemy bombers would appear over the settlement, but he was worried about Dovator's safety and quickly reminded him, "Comrade General, I think for your safety, you should also move to the nearby forest and set up a command post there to command the troops scattered in the three settlements."

“Lieutenant Colonel Sokov, thank you for your kind offer.” But Dovator politely declined Sokov’s suggestion: “My soldiers are not afraid to sacrifice themselves. How can I, as the corps commander, hide in a safe place out of fear?” Perhaps worried that Sokov would try to persuade him further, he continued, “General Rokossovsky once said that commanders should establish their headquarters close to their soldiers, so that when the soldiers see their commander, they will be filled with courage. I think he was right, and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

(End of this chapter)