Burning Moscow

~: Inspection front (middle)

phone-reading

After we were back on the road, in the violently bumpy jeep, Terekin, who got permission from Rokosovsky, began to introduce me to the 60th Army: "The 60th Army was in the Moscow Military District in November 1941. It was formed and reorganized into the Assault 3rd Army at the end of December. In July of that year, the 3rd Army of the Reserve Front was reorganized after changing its designation and incorporated into the Voronezh Front to conduct a defensive battle north of Voronezh on the left bank of the Don. Voronezh-Battle of Kastornoye, and the offensive battle of Kharkov. A week ago, it was just incorporated into our Central Front. Chernyakhovsky was the third commander of the army, formerly The two terms are Pulkayev and Antonyuk."

I waited for Terekin to finish, and then asked: "I don't know where the main forces of the group army are deployed?"

Terekin put a map in front of me, pointed to a location next to Kursk and said to me: "Currently the 60th Army is deployed in Kurchatov and Ligov regions, and the German second The group armies confronted each other. Their right wing was the 65th and 70th group armies; the left wing was the 38th and 40th group armies.” When he rolled up the map and put it back in the map bag, he added specifically, “Except The 60th Army has half of its forces, and the remaining four armies are less than one-third of the strength. If the Germans do not attack, we can still hold the existing line of defense. Once they initiate a fierce attack, we will gather Kul The troops in the Skok region will fall into the fate of being encircled."

Hearing what he was worried about, I smiled and said disapprovingly: "Comrade Military Commissioner, you are overworried. According to my judgment, the German forces are not capable of attacking our defense areas in the short term."

As soon as my words were spoken, Rokosovsky was immediately interested. He asked curiously, "Lida. If I remember correctly, when I was in the Kremlin last time, you personally said the same to Comrade Stalin. I want to ask, why do you have such self-confidence?"

Of course I would not tell him, saying that I learned this from the history books of later generations, and quickly pretended to be serious and said: "Comrade Commander, the German army has been fighting for a long time. Not only is the loss of troops serious, but also weapons and ammunition. Extremely lacking. Under such circumstances, it is unrealistic to launch a large-scale offensive."

"But, General Oshanina." Terekin said unconvincingly after hearing my words: "Just two days ago, many of our defensive areas were violently attacked by the Germans. You said the enemy was in a short period of time. Nei won't attack again, it's a bit unreasonable."

"Yes, Lida." Rokosovsky also echoed Terekin and said, "I also think your reason is too far-fetched. Manstein's troops are fighting against the Voronezh Front and the Southwest Front. Indeed they suffered. It is weakened. But the Central Army group deployed near Moscow did not lose much. Once they find that our army is weak, they may launch new attacks against us at any time."

Regarding Rokosovsky’s question, I really feel a headache. I can't tell him that I have traveled through later generations, according to the records of history books. Before the Battle of Kursk in July, the Germans would never launch a large-scale offensive. In this way, I was either treated as a lunatic, or sent into an experiment.

When I was in a dilemma, I suddenly heard Terekin whispered: "Damn, we have gone so far. The road is still so muddy, it seems that Kursk will not be able to be reached before dark."

I heard a key word "muddy" from his words, and I immediately had the idea and said to Rokosovsky sideways: "Comrade Commander, I have a basis for saying this. Don't look at the Germans a few days ago. The offensive was fierce. But the muddy roads caused inconvenience in transportation, and the Germans were far away from their supply base. They had very little ammunition left, and they were simply unable to launch a new offensive."

"Then when do you think they will attack us again?" Rokosovsky asked as soon as I finished talking.

I pretended to think for a while, and then said to Rokosovsky: "I guess the Germans must first consolidate the area they occupy and supply soldiers, weapons and ammunition. Based on their computing capabilities, the Germans It is impossible to launch a new attack on us before mid-June."

"Comrade Commander, if it is really like what General Oshanina analyzed, I think the Germans will definitely choose a special day to launch an offensive against us." Terekin listened to my analysis, and then He turned his head and said his judgment to Rokosovsky: "For the Germans, the most memorable June is only the 22nd. Because on this day two years ago, they did not declare a war against us. , And once won the initiative of the entire battlefield."

Terekin's words caused Rokosovsky to fall into contemplation. For a long time, he maintained a frowning posture, as if he was trying to think about something. After he stretched his brows and let out a sigh of relief, You You said, "Comrade Military Commissioner, what you and Lida said is reasonable. From the analysis of various signs, it will take at least three months for the German army to launch a large-scale offensive. Time to gather troops and hoard ammunition. The possibility of their offensive at the end of June is entirely possible."

"Then our main task now is to build fortifications near Kursk to resist the possible large-scale offensive launched by the Germans." Terekin said with some embarrassment: In such a large area, building so many fortifications means that thousands of manpower are needed. Where should I find so many people?"

"As for the construction of fortifications, when you return to the headquarters, you can communicate with Major General Proshlyakov, Director of the Front Army Corps of Engineers, so that he can work out a specific schedule as soon as possible." I knew about the situation on the front line and assigned tasks to Terekin in front of me: "The fortifications in the main defensive zone are constructed by troops, while the second and third defensive zones, as well as the defensive zones behind the group army and the front army, In addition to the troops, local residents must also actively participate in the construction. In all the orders and instructions issued by the front army headquarters, it must be required to build a solid, multi-layer defensive zone with a deep echelon configuration. In addition, in the entire defense The depth of the battle has the most complete engineering facilities."

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Terekin took a pen and paper in the bumpy car, carefully recording Rokosovsky's orders. "When I return to the headquarters, I will go to General Proshlyakov and work out a detailed construction schedule with him as soon as possible."

Then they began to study some trivial things in the front army. I listened for a while, and when I was confused, I simply leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes to rest. Although I closed my eyes, I didn't fall asleep. I kept thinking: Before the battle of Kursk, the Soviet defense focused on the northwest of Kursk. It is far from the direction of defense deployed at this moment.

However, after thinking about it, Rokosovsky and the others are only deploying defensive areas based on the intelligence obtained from the battlefield. It is inevitable that the focus of defense will be deviated. Anyway, as long as the Battle of Kursk doesn't break out for a day, they will always have the possibility to adjust the deployment of troops, and there is no need for me as an outsider to worry about it.

When we arrived at the Central Front, it was already around seven o'clock in the evening. Fortunately, Chernyakhovsky, who was waiting for Rokosovsky here, has not left yet, giving me the opportunity to meet this legendary young commander.

Wait for him to salute Rokosovsky. Regardless of his rank equal to mine, I stepped forward and raised my hand to salute him. At the same time, I said politely: "Hello, General Chernyakhovsky!"

Chernyakhovsky was taken aback by the sudden emergence of me. Just as I was looking up and down with a strange look, Rokosovsky had already introduced us by the side: "Chel Comrade Nyakhovsky, you may not know her yet. Let me introduce you. This is Lieutenant General Oshanina."

"It turned out to be you, Comrade Oshanina." After Chernyakhovsky heard my name from Rokosovsky's mouth, there was an expression of surprise on his face immediately, and he stretched out With both hands, he said excitedly: "Hello, hello! I have heard a lot of legends about you before. I didn't expect to see you here. I am so lucky."

Chernyakhovsky’s praise to me aroused Rokosovsky’s curiosity. He asked Chernyakhovsky in surprise: "Comrade General, I don’t know if you have heard of Li What kind of legends have you reached?"

Hearing Rokosovsky’s question, Chernyakhovsky shrugged and replied, “About the youngest female general in our army. There are many legends. The first one is In the defense of Stalingrad, she commanded a newly formed independent division and blocked the German army at Mamayev Hill for several months; the second was that not long ago, she commanded troops to circulate behind the enemy. Not only did it inflict heavy losses on the enemy, it effectively contained Manstein’s forces, but also successfully regained the capital of Ukraine-Kiev, which greatly boosted the morale of our army."

Seeing that Chernyakhovsky still had signs of continuing to speak, Rokosovsky quickly raised his hand to stop him, and asked first: "General Chernyakhovsky, to Lida Compliments, you can continue later. What I want to know now is that you rushed to the front army headquarters and waited for me for several hours. Is there anything important?"

"This is the situation, Comrade Commander." Upon hearing Rokosovsky's question, Chernyakhovsky immediately ignored me and reported to Rokosovsky with a serious expression: "I found a problem while researching the map, so I came to you to discuss it and see if it is necessary to immediately adjust our military deployment."

"Adjust the deployment of troops?" Rokosovsky frowned again when he heard Chernyakhovsky say this, but instead of expressing his own opinion, he asked: "Cherniakhovsky said. General Hofsky, I want to know, why do you have such strange thoughts in your mind?"

"Comrade Commander." Although Rokosovsky’s tone was a bit unkind, Chernyakhovsky replied without humility: "I think we have chosen the wrong direction of defense. If we do not make large-scale adjustments, If they are attacked by the Germans, they will inevitably pay a painful price."

"Tell me, how should our military strength be adjusted?" Rokosovsky asked blankly after listening.

"Comrade Commander, please see." Chernyakhovsky called Rokosovsky to the table, pointed to the map on the table and said: "Our current defense focus is Aimed at the 2nd Army of the German Army in the Seim River Basin to the west of Kursk. However, after the intelligence analysis I have, we should defend the north of Kursk, where the Orel and Bryansk regions are deployed. The German 9th Army, the 2nd Tank Army, and their 6th Air Force."

I stood by and heard Chernyakhovsky’s analysis, and I couldn’t help but nodded secretly, saying that it’s no wonder he can become an excellent commander~lightnovelpub.net~ It is indeed more comprehensive than other commanders. I know that the defensive focus of the Kursk battle is on the north and south, because I have learned all this from the history books, and Chernyakhovsky only pointed out so accurately based on the limited information he has. The defense focus of our army has chosen the wrong direction.

After listening to Chernyakhovsky’s explanation, Rokosovsky turned his head and asked me: "Lida, what do you think of General Chernyakhovsky? judgment?"

I didn't expect that Rokosovsky would suddenly ask for my opinion, and I couldn't help being stunned. But after a while, I came back to my senses and replied decisively: "Comrade Commander, I think General Chernyakhovsky’s judgment is quite accurate. We are currently defensive, except for the south. Apart from the Manstein forces in Kharkov and Belgorod, there is only the German Orel Group north of Kursk. The enemy forces to the south are dealt with by the Voronezh Front of General Vatutin; and we have to deal with The main German force should be directly north."

"The Orel Group!" Rokosovsky couldn't help laughing after repeating the word: "Lida, your expression is very accurate. Judging by the strength of the German forces gathered near Orel, It is quite accurate to call them a group." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)