Burning Moscow

Boroda put the document on the table, glanced down, looked up at the commanders in the room, and said solemnly: "Comrades, as of today, the arduous battle of Liuban is over. In the half-year battle, the Volkhov Front’s commanders and fighters showed rare bravery and tenacity. Because of the Germans’ superiority in military weapons and equipment, and their superiority in the battlefield, we wanted to help the Leningrad Front to break The purpose of the German siege of the city was not achieved." Seeing that everyone became frustrated after hearing this, he added: "However, our army is fighting stubbornly. The Germans have to stop us from advancing. A considerable number of reserves were transferred in the direction of Leningrad, which greatly reduced the pressure on the defenders in the city and disrupted the German plan to quickly seize Leningrad."

The purpose of this battle was not achieved for many reasons. The Volkhov Front is a front between Lake Ladoga and Lake Ilmen. It starts from Novgorod in the east, and descends along the Volkhov River, forming an arc near Kirich, turning towards Schlusselburg. The area separating the Volkhov Front and Leningrad Front is a 16-kilometer zone occupied and guarded by the Germans. On the surface, as long as enough troops are concentrated to carry out a powerful assault, it is enough to make two The front army joined forces to break the siege imposed on Leningrad by the enemy.

But when our army’s offensive campaign was launched, we discovered that we had encountered rare terrain that was not convenient for offensive. On the way forward, there were boundless forests, swamp mud, watery peatlands, and destroyed. the way. Our struggle against nature is no less than an arduous struggle against the enemy. In order to fight and live, the army did not dig trenches, but repaired earth and wooden walls, instead of digging ditches, but to level the ground, spread garden trees and bundles of firewood for several kilometers, and built wooden platforms for artillery and mortars. .

As the main force of the campaign, the 2nd Assault Army, in this difficult natural environment. Gradually, he lost the ability to continue the offensive, and was unable to eliminate the enemy's heavy army group encircled by our army. In the end, he was surrounded by heavy German soldiers. In this case, the Front Army Headquarters had to place the 52nd and 59th Army Groups on both sides of the long and narrow supply line to ensure the logistic supplies of the 2nd Assault Army.

In mid-June, because the supply line was cut off by the Germans, in order to prevent the 2nd Assault Army in the encirclement from being wiped out. The front army headquarters gave them an order to break through. With the tenacious fighting of the commanders of the 2nd Assault Group and the active cooperation of the 52nd and 59th Group Armies, the unit successfully highlighted the encirclement of the German army.

However, the Second Assault Army suffered heavy casualties, with the casualties reaching more than 30,000, and many units were crippled or even wiped out. What is more serious is that the commanders of the group army command broke through. Separated from the main force, all the whereabouts are still unknown. "

Vlasov was taken prisoner, this is an ironclad fact. But the rest of the commanders of the headquarters are also missing, so they won't all be captured. In that case, the 2nd Assault Army would be embarrassed. I raised my eyebrows. Just about to interrupt and ask, Boroda went on to say: "According to Commander Meretskov’s plan, the 2nd Assault Group, which was protruding from the encirclement, formed a group with the 52nd and 59th Army and retreated to Wo Rest and refurbishment along the Erkhov River to replenish personnel and weapons...."

"I fully agree with the deployment of Comrades Commander of the Front Army. The troops of our army that have just ended the Battle of Liuban are currently very tired. They need to be supplemented and rested before launching a new campaign." Interjecting was Sholov, who has been very active. Lieutenant colonel, but his attitude towards us has improved, at least on the surface, he will no longer antagonize us.

"It's a pity, Comrade Sholof." Boroda said lightly: "Maybe in a short period of time, the army can't stop and rest. Our army will soon launch a new battle."

The audience was in an uproar when he said this. I also frowned slightly. I thought that our army’s troops are now at the end of the battle. Without rest and replenishment, they will immediately be engaged in new battles. Isn’t that the old star hangs himself — is it too long?

"Quiet. Please keep quiet." Boroda knocked on the table two times unhappily, calmed down the whispers among the commanders, and went on to say: "Start a new battle immediately. This is an order from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. On May 12, in order to prevent the German army from launching a new offensive against Moscow from the southwest, our Southwest Front Army, under the command of Marshal Timo Xin, took the initiative to launch an offensive against the German army. Some progress was made in the first three days. , The troops advanced for more than 30 kilometers, but our army’s offensive was soon effectively contained by the German army. On the contrary, it created a good opportunity for the German army to encircle the Soviet army.

On the 10th day of our army’s offensive, German Field Marshal von Bock suddenly launched a large-scale counterattack against our army’s flanks with the strength of 11 divisions, causing the 6th, 9th and 57th of our Southwest Front. The group army was deeply encircled and almost completely wiped out. As of June 28, the German army had achieved a huge military advantage in the south. On June 30, the German Sixth Army broke through the defense lines of the Soviet 21st and 28th Army in the direction of Voronezh. The Soviet army's situation in the entire southern direction deteriorated further. "

Hearing the news of our army's defeat, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became depressed. No one spoke, they were all staring at Boroda who was speaking, patiently listening to him explain the current situation of the enemy and ourselves: "...What's more serious is that July 4th was yesterday, our important military fortress in the south: The fortress of Sevas Potor was captured by the German Marshal von Manstein’s 11th Army. The soldiers who stood by the fortress suffered extremely heavy losses, as long as a few people stood out from the siege."

Having said that, he paused, scanned the audience with his eyes, and made a summary: "It is precisely because of the current unfavorable situation that the base camp has decided to implement a new battle. In addition to breaking through the blockade, we hope that we will The Hof Front Army launched active operations in the northwest to contain more enemies so that they could not transfer their forces to the south and ensure that a decisive battle might be launched in the south."

After introducing the situation, Boroda said: "Who has any questions?" After speaking, he sat down directly.

"Comrade Chief of Staff," a lieutenant colonel in a black tank uniform sitting on my left side stood up. He tentatively asked Boroda: "Can I speak?"

Boroda nodded at him, and said kindly: "Please speak, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel."

"I want to know, where will we be. And when will we launch an attack?"

I turned my head to Boroda, waiting for his answer. Boroda picked up the document on the table and read: "The location of this battle was chosen at the so-called Schlusselburg-Signavino Outburst. It was the German army in September 1941. It is formed on the southern shore of Lake Doga. The advantage of choosing this direction is that it is the closest route from the southeast to the Neva River and Leningrad."

The lieutenant colonel did not sit down, but leaned on the table and said to Boroda: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I want to remind you. I have been to the place you just mentioned. The topography of the protrusion is not suitable for offensive operations. The area of ​​peat mining area is very large. It extends from the shore of Lake Ladoga to the village of Signavino, and south of Signano is dense forest and large swamps, which are difficult for infantry to pass here. , Let alone our tank unit, which severely restricts the mobility of the army, but is very beneficial to the defending side. The only dry place in this direction is the Signavino Heights. It is higher than the surrounding area. The plain is ten to fifteen meters. Naturally, it has become the enemy's main position on the offensive route of our army, and any movement within a few kilometers will be noticed by the enemy on the high ground."

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how do I call you?" Before Boroda could answer, I spoke first, because I think this lieutenant colonel is a very capable person, if I can bring him over. Maybe it will become my reliable team in the future.

The lieutenant colonel was stunned for a moment, and then straightened his body and replied: "Report to the commander, comrade, I am the tank commander, Lieutenant Colonel Donskoy."

I smiled at him amicably and said, "Commander Donskoy, please sit down. The Chief of Staff Boroda will answer your questions."

After Donskoy sat down, Boroda continued: “Lieutenant Colonel Donskoy’s observational power is very strong, and the situation is indeed as he said. After the German occupation of the area, in order to make Schlusselburg -The Signavino protrusion became an unbreakable fortress. They used various terrains to build defensive positions along rivers, lakes, deep trenches and swamps, highlands and forest areas, and set up many resistance hubs and support points. Artillery and mortar batteries are deployed in the center of the resistance hub. The density of anti-tank artillery is seven or eight per square kilometer on the front. The personnel are in a strong shelter, and barbed wire is erected in the front of the position and landmines are buried. In the future, terrain that was originally inconvenient to attack will become easier to defend and difficult to attack...."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I don't understand." This time the person who couldn't help but interjected became me. I asked strangely: "Since the Supreme Command has learned the specific situation of the frontier and knows that this is not conducive to the deployment and offensive of the troops, why choose this area as a breakthrough?"

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff. What is going on?" When I heard my question first, the commanders in the room also agreed.

"Please be quiet!" Boroda's tone at this moment was quite a bit of the majesty of a superior, and the room suddenly became quiet. "The Supreme Commander’s choice of this direction has a dual purpose: First, under smooth conditions, we can Reach the Neva River within two or three days to create the possibility of joining forces with the Leningrad Front, because the Volkhov Front does not have the strength to carry out a longer battle. Secondly, we launched an offensive in a direction that the enemy did not expect. Ensure the suddenness of this assault and gain an advantage with this. Of course, will the peat bogs to the north of Signavino and the dense forests to the south cause great difficulties for me, especially difficult to use heavy artillery and Powerful technical weapons. But where can I find better terrain than here? As for swamps and forests, you know, this is a prominent symbol in the north of our country, from Lake Ladoga to Novgorod, everywhere. It’s this kind of terrain."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, what is our current mission?" When Boroda's speech came to an end, someone asked questions again. This time it was Head Sholov who spoke.

"Our current task is to gather the scattered troops and prepare for transfer at any time. And take advantage of this short time to take a break. As for weapons and ammunition, we don't need to worry about it. The Supreme Command will provide us with supplies in the near future. . "Speaking of this, he leaned his head over and said in a low voice: "Comrade Commander, the task is finished, can the meeting be adjourned?"

I nodded, helped the table to stand up, and said: "The task has been set up, the meeting is over." Seeing everyone stood up in a hurry, and after saluting, I turned around and wanted to go out. I quickly added: "Others can go back." Yes, the heads stay."

It didn't take long, and there were only seven people sitting on either side of the table. After I greeted them to sit down, I said, "Dear comrades, although I served as the acting commander of the 378th Division, I still don't know you. Take this opportunity to get to know you and everyone, please introduce yourself." I first pointed to Sholov, who was sitting on the right, "Let’s start with the head of Sholov."

So Xiaolov stood up, straightened his body and reported: "Shorov, commander of the 1134th regiment, rank of lieutenant colonel."

He had just finished the report, and the pudgy political worker sitting on his right stood up and reported loudly: "I am Gagarin, political commissar of the 1134th regiment."

The third person who stood up was a tall, well-proportioned middle-aged man: "Comrade Reporter, I am Lieutenant Colonel Peterel, head of the 1133th Regiment."

On the right side of Lieutenant Colonel Peter is also a political worker. I guess it should be his political commissar. Sure enough, the commander wearing round-frame glasses stood up and reported: "I am Avakov, political commissar of the 1133th regiment~www.NovelMTL.com~ The commander on the right has finished introducing, and then it’s left. First stand up. It was Lieutenant Colonel Donskoy, the commander of the tank. He briefly introduced his name and rank and sat down.

I think that in other regiments, a regimental leader and a political commissar come to the meeting, but he is the only one. So he asked curiously: "Commander Donskoy, how about your political commissar, why didn't he see his people?"

Donskoy's expression suddenly turned sad, he sighed, and said: "My political commissar was hit by enemy heavy artillery in the tank in the battle last week and died heroically. There is currently no superior. Send a new political commissar to the regiment, so today I am alone in the meeting."

Hearing the sacrifice of his political commissar, I smiled bitterly, did not say anything, just gestured to the remaining commander to introduce myself. The two commanders of the 1132th Regiment also stood up and showed me their identities. One was the commander of the regiment, Major Yatzenuk, and the other was the political commissar Zorothin.

ps: Thank you kjs12, Ouyang Yun, 163, Yan E for your rewards on the day the book was released, and t00030003 for your monthly ticket.

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