Burning Moscow

Chapter 1652 Crossing the river plan

Because the commanders of the various armies are far more familiar with the situation in their own defense zones than we are, with their concerted efforts, a new combat plan was quickly drawn up.

After the meeting, Rokosovsky picked up the newly released plan and read it carefully. Malining and I didn’t dare to bother him, so we could only wait patiently for him to finish reading, and then ask him what he thought of the plan.

We waited for half an hour, and finally saw Rokosovsky put down the battle plan in his hands. Ma Lining asked immediately, eagerly: “How is it, Comrade Marshal, is this plan okay?”

Rokosovsky turned his head to look at Malinin, and said, “It’s not only okay, it’s a perfect plan.” Just as a smile appeared on Malinin’s face, I heard Rokosovsky add again. , “But I think this plan should not be reported for the time being.”

“Why?” Both of us were confused by Rokosowski’s words.

“Don’t forget, in one month, Marshal Zhukov should come to take over as the commander of the front.” Rokosovsky threw the plan on the table and continued: “Before he arrives, the troops will be impossible. Take a large-scale military operation. Even if this combat plan is reported and approved by the Supreme Command, who can guarantee that after Zhukov takes office, the situation of the enemy and ourselves will not change? You said, according to this at that time Do you plan to implement operations in the plan, or should you make a separate plan?”

“Comrade Commander, you are very reasonable.” After listening to Rokosovsky’s words, Malinin nodded and said: “The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, regardless of how our battle plan is still done. Not bad. But it will take a month for the new commander to take up his post. In addition, it will take some time to get familiar with the troops and understand the deployment of the enemy’s troops. This plan will really be useless when it arrives. Up.”

“There is one more point,” Rokosowski continued to add: “The winter in Poland will come in November, and it will have many adverse effects on marches and operations. We must also take this unfavorable factor. considering.”

After the original battle plan was drawn up, I was still a little bit complacent. I felt that according to the plan we envisioned, attacking the German army from the landing field south of Warsaw would surely achieve great results. Maybe we won’t wait until 1945. Liberate the entire territory of Poland, and troops can go to the border between Poland and Germany. But after listening to Rokosovsky’s analysis at this moment, I feel that I think things are too simple.

“Comrade Marshal,” I looked at Rokosovsky and asked humbly: “What should I do with this battle plan?”

“Stay here for now.” Rokosovsky couldn’t help sighing again, and then said: “Before I leave here, I plan to stay in the troops below for a while, and then get familiar with the situation on the front line. Li. Da, you and Comrade Malining will be responsible for the affairs of the Front Army Headquarters.”

“I don’t know which unit you plan to go to?” Ma Lining asked.

I thought Rokosovsky would say to visit the Serotsk landing site north of Warsaw. After all, the two armies arranged there might be under the command of the Second Front. Unexpectedly, he said, “I plan to stay at the two landing sites of Magnusev and Puławy during this time, and then study with the commanders of the group army how to transport heavy equipment across the river.”

“Comrade Commander, please be forgiving.” As soon as his voice fell, Malinen tried his best to dissuade him: “You have just returned from the west bank of the Vistula River, and now you are going again. I don’t think it is necessary. I see. You’d better go to the landing field on the west bank of the Narew River. After all, our army has a favorable position there, and in the future these two armies may also be placed under your command.”

“The Cerotsk landing site, I will go sooner or later.” Rokosovsky waved to Malinen and said: “However, our first task is to consider how to transport heavy equipment across the Vistula River. No matter who will be the commander of the front army in the future, he should choose to attack from the two landing sites of Magnuszev and Puławy to the depths of the German army and detour back to Poznan, the industrial city of Poland.”

“Comrade Commander, I beg you again.” Malinen looked at Rokosovsky and said sincerely: “The west bank of the Vistula is too dangerous today. For your safety, I do not recommend that you go there. Go there.”

Rokosovsky grinned when he heard Malinin suddenly using the honorific “you” to himself, and then said to Malinin: “Don’t worry, Comrade Chief of Staff, I know what you worry about. Although I I feel a little emotional about this sudden transfer, but I will never risk my life because of it. I went to the west bank of the Vistula River, in addition to studying the deployment of the German army, in order to solve the problem of restoring cross-strait traffic.”

“Unless our army is in the south of Warsaw and has complete control over the air, then the pontoon bridge erected on the Vistula River can be used.” Seeing Rokosovsky guessed his thoughts, Malinen quickly studied and stared at the map. To cover up his anxiety: “Otherwise, as soon as the enemy plane is dispatched, the floating bridge we have worked so hard to erect will be wiped out.”

Seeing that the two of them had been struggling with the bridge, a thought suddenly came to my mind. As soon as the two stopped, I immediately asked: “Comrade Marshal, I want to ask, in what months does the Vistula River freeze every year?”

“The freezing season on the Vistula?” Rokosovsky heard this question from me and immediately turned to ask Malinin: “Chief of Staff, do you know?”

“As far as I know, the Vistula River will freeze in certain sections every December.” Malinen frowned and said: “But how thick the river can be? This needs to be asked about the weather. Experts know.”

As soon as Ma Lining finished speaking, I hurriedly asked humbly: “Chief of Staff, do you think that if we want our tanks to pass through the Vistula River, how thick is the ice layer?”

Regarding the data I asked about Rokosovsky seemed to know it for a long time. He rushed to Malinin and said to me: “If you only need to bear the weight of a person, seven centimeters is enough; To withstand a horse and a 2mm artillery, the thickness of the ice layer needs to be at least 15 cm; and for the t-34 to reach the opposite shore smoothly, it will not work without a thickness of 20 cm.”

“Comrade Commander, we should also consider,” Malinen reminded Rokosovsky: “The thickness of the ice on the river surface is not the same. The ice on the shore is much thicker than the ice in the center of the river. Maybe in On the shore, the ice layer can still bear the weight of the tank, but when it comes to the center of the river, even the weight of horses and artillery can’t bear it.”

“Chief of Staff, you make sense. We can’t think about things too simply, thinking that as soon as the Vistula River freezes, we can move the armored forces to the opposite bank. Rather than relying on the success of crossing the river, we cannot rely on it. In the weather, it’s better to find a way to erect more pontoon bridges on the Vistula River.” Rokosovsky nodded in agreement with Malinin’s opinion, and then said: “I will rush to the other side of the river tomorrow morning, and The commander of the group army discussed the matter of bridging.” Mobile users, please browse and read for a better reading experience.

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