Burning Moscow

Chapter 1692 Change one’s mind

Early the next morning, Zhukov flew to the headquarters of Katukov. He strode into the command post and, still far away, stretched out his hand to Katukov, and said with a smile: “General Katukov, I congratulate you and congratulate your troops. Successfully crossed the Oder River and was the first to set foot on German territory.”

He then shook hands with Cui Kefu, who was standing aside, and said with a smile on his face: “Comrade Cui Kefu, I want to tell you a good news. At 8 o’clock last night, there were 224 salutes fired at 20 on Red Square to celebrate your success. Liberated Poznan.”

When he came to Berzalin, his face still kept a smile: “Comrade Berzalin, your 5th Assault Army was the first to storm the city of Kinitz and the first to occupy a German city. Troops. The great achievements you and your subordinates have established will be remembered forever in history!”

Finally he came to me, shook my hand briefly, and then walked towards the conference table. Ma Lining, who was following him, shook hands with me and asked in a low voice: “Lida, are you ready for the offense?”

“No, Comrade Chief of Staff.” I also replied in a low voice, “I don’t think the conditions for attacking Berlin are currently available. I don’t know if Marshal Zhukov will change his original intentions when we meet later.”

Malinin looked at Zhukov, who was already seated, and said in a voice that only the two of us could hear: “Marshal Zhukov is a stubborn person. He looks for things that no one can change, not even the Supreme Commander himself. .”

“Comrade Malining, what are you doing standing there?” Zhukov urged a little impatiently after seeing Ma Lining chatting with me, “You two come and sit down. We will have a meeting soon.”

After we were all seated, Zhukov looked at Malinin and said, “Comrade Chief of Staff, please read out the order given to us by the Supreme Command.”

Malinen nodded, stood up, picked up a folder placed in front of him, opened it and said loudly: “The Supreme Command requires us to take active actions to consolidate the victory we have achieved in the last six days. After the follow-up troops catch up and replenish fuel, ammunition and other military supplies to two bases, they immediately attacked Berlin with a swift impact and captured Berlin in two days from January 28th to 29th.”

After listening to the Supreme Command’s order, Cui Kefu and the others began to whisper to each other, but in my heart I was thinking that history has deviated here because of my appearance. We actually came to Austria half a month earlier. On the left bank of the Dehe River, in the order to attack Berlin, the attack time was also advanced from February 15th to 16th to January 28th to 29th, more than half a month earlier.

After listening to Zhukov, he glanced over all the commanders and said slowly: “Everyone has heard it. According to the order of the Supreme Command, we will conquer Berlin in two weeks. You all do well. Are you ready to attack?”

“No, Comrade Marshal.” Seeing the three commanders of the Army Group were silent, I quickly stood up and took the responsibility to myself: “I think the time to attack Berlin is not yet ripe, so I didn’t let them prepare for the attack. .”

After Zhukov heard this, he did not immediately express his position. Instead, he set his sights on General Sokolovsky who came with him. This general is now also the deputy commander of the front army. Hearing Zhukov asking himself, he quickly replied: ” Comrade Marshal, I just talked to Comrade Berzalin and knew that his troops were fighting arduously and brilliantly on the left bank of the Oder River, and the divisions had only half of their forces left, and they were constantly attacked by the Luftwaffe during the battle. Blow.”

“Where is our air force?” After Sokolovsky finished speaking, Zhukov turned his attention to General Lu Duncan, the commander of the Air Force who came to us last night. “General Lu Duncan, why does our air force meet? Let the enemy control the air dominance on the battlefield?”

“Comrade Marshal,” Admiral Lu Duncan replied bitterly: “The enemy’s plane took off from Berlin, and their runway is concrete, which is not restricted by the weather; and our battlefield airport is far away from the frontier. The runway was also damaged by rain. Our fighter pilots risk their lives every time they take off…”

After Lu Duncan finished speaking, he and Orel, the commander of the front equipment troops who had rushed here last night, said: “Comrade Marshal, I specially checked the situation of the tank brigades and found that each brigade only had an average of 40 tanks. There are many brigades with only 15 to 20 tanks, and the replenishment is very slow. The repair base is hundreds of kilometers away, and we cannot repair the damaged tanks in a timely manner.”

The General Political Commissar of the Front Army, Lieutenant General Galazav also added: “Comrade Marshal, the fierce fighting has been going on for three weeks. All our political personnel have been advancing with the advance troops, encouraging the commanders and fighters to establish immortal merits in the battle. They all acted very bravely. But at the same time, I want to tell you, Comrade Marshal, our commanders are tired and they need to rest for a while before they can return to the fight.”

Seeing everyone leaning over and thinking that there is no condition to continue the attack, Zhukov fell silent. He leaned against the back of the chair and looked at the ceiling above, lost in thought. We all knew that Zhukov was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle, so no one spoke. In the huge room, only the sound of everyone’s breathing can be heard.

After a while, I don’t know how long Zhukov finally sat up straight again. Seeing his behavior, we all knew in our hearts that he had made the final decision, so everyone held their breath and stared at him intently, waiting nervously for him to announce the final answer.

Zhukov turned his head and looked at Malinin and said: “Comrade Chief of Staff, we will not attack, and we will not attack Berlin for the time being. After three weeks of intensive fighting and marching, our troops have become exhausted. If we continue to desperately Moving forward, then we will repeat the mistakes of the German army under Moscow at the end of 41. Perhaps all our efforts will be in vain.

“Great, Comrade Marshal.” Ma Lining showed a delighted expression on his face, and he said repeatedly: “I knew it, I knew you would make such a wise decision.”

“Send a report to the Supreme Command.” Zhukov told Malinin: “The reasons for our temporary suspension of the offensive and the current battlefield situation will be reported to the Supreme Commander himself in detail.”

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