Chapter 254 Command
Major General Anuvrievich knew what Katukov was talking about, and if the Germans paused their offensive in the direction of Volokolamsk, then it is quite possible to turn their attention to Tver, which is very bad for Tver It's not a good thing to say.
But Major General Anuvrievich also understood why Katukov sighed... This is the order of the Supreme Command, and no one can challenge this order.
"We have already discussed this issue, Comrade Katukov!" Major General Anufryevich said: "And more than once, what you need to consider is not this, but how to occupy Tver as soon as possible... When the crisis comes Before!"
"Yes, Comrade Major General!" Katukov replied.
In fact, Katukov not only discussed with Major General Anufryevich, he also argued with Commissar Fomin.
As the political commissar of the 333rd regiment, Fumin was also sent to Tver as an important figure as a cover.
"This is a wrong plan!" Katukov said: "It doesn't make any sense to continue the counterattack, it will only put the Mozhaisky line of defense in danger!"
Katukov did not dare to say "Moscow is in danger", because this would be considered a dangerous statement of incitement and defeatism.
"In fact it makes sense!" Commissar Fumin said: "As long as we occupy Tver, it will deal a serious blow to the German logistics!"
"You also said...'as long as'!" Katukov replied: "The problem is that it is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it forms a salient on our defense line. Even if we occupy Tver, we will not be able to defend it for long! The strategic significance is It's one thing, is it realistic, is it feasible, is another! If so, I think Berlin is very important, why don't we attack Berlin?"
"Comrade Katukov!" In the end, Commissar Fumin could only reply helplessly: "You may not understand something, this is not something I can decide!"
Katukov also calmed down when he heard the words. He nodded and replied: "I know, Comrade Political Commissar! I just... want to say what's on my mind!"
Political Commissar Fuming nodded to express his understanding.
In fact, it wasn’t Zhukov who was most depressed. He was at least sitting in the headquarters. Although it was uncomfortable to be relieved of his command, everyone knew that it was not Zhukov’s fault.
The most repressed are actually the frontline commanders and fighters.
Soldiers charged meaninglessly on the front line, and fell in batches under the guns of the enemy, so all the confusion and pressure will be pressed on the grassroots commanders from the bottom up...they are under double pressure, from the superior and from the The subordinates even have their own conscience to condemn them, but they can't say anything, and they even have to risk their lives for it.
As Major General Anufrievich said, this is not something Katukov should consider.
However, Major General Anufrievich soon found out that he was wrong... Internally, maybe this should not be considered, but this is just a way to avoid reality, and the battlefield is real, and it is cruel Reality.
"Comrade Major General!" Just when Major General Anufryevich was still worrying about capturing Tver, the signal soldier reported loudly: "Our left wing has found enemy tanks!"
Major General Anufrievich raised his head abruptly, and Colonel Katukov stopped what he was doing and looked this way.
"How many people are there? What's the serial number?" Major General Anufrievich asked.
"I don't know!" The communications soldier replied.
"Reconnaissance immediately!"
"yes!"
After Anufrievich gave the order, he walked around the office anxiously.
This is also one of the drawbacks of the Supreme Command's command of operations. At this time, the Soviet army was worried that they would be flanked by the enemy, and there are still signs of it.
It stands to reason that the Soviet army should organize a retreat as soon as possible instead of reconnaissance.
The fighter plane is fleeting, and many times on the battlefield, it is not necessary to have a clear reconnaissance before taking the next step, especially at such a dangerous moment... It is better to be wrong than to miss it, because once the German army from the southwest If the attack is confirmed, the Soviet army will be surrounded. It is very dangerous to continue to attack Tver or to stop here waiting for the reconnaissance results.
The problem is that if there is no definite reconnaissance result, the Supreme Command will not agree to retreat at all.
Anufrievich knew this, and Katukov knew it.
So, they had to wait, waiting for the frontline troops to get the "evidence".
A few minutes later, the reconnaissance results did not come, but the flanking crisis information was uploaded one by one:
"Enemy tanks are coming, at least one tank battalion!"
"They broke through our outer defense line, Comrade Agafonov died!"
"We are bombed by enemy planes, Comrade Stasiev requests reinforcements!"
…
At this time, Anufrievich no longer cared about waiting for the results of the reconnaissance.
In fact, it is usually difficult to get any reconnaissance results when the enemy is under a strong attack, because the Soviet army is retreating and the enemy is advancing, it will be very difficult to capture prisoners and get information from them.
"Comrade Rokossovsky!" Anufrievich reported on the phone: "We are under fierce enemy attack, southwest...I request to retreat, otherwise we may be surrounded by the enemy!"
Rokossovsky couldn't help being stunned when he heard this. He actually wanted to withdraw the troops that attacked Tver a long time ago, but this was also not something he could decide.
So Rokossovsky called Zhukovna, the headquarters of the Western Front Army.
Although Zhukov actually no longer has command authority, he is still the commander in name.
Zhukov could only turn his attention to Bulganin, and Bulganin also knew that this matter was no small matter, so he contacted the Supreme Command... From this, we can also see that this command system and process are complicated, and it takes a long time. If there is a problem in the first ring and cannot be contacted, it can almost be said that there is no one to direct.
Because Rokossovsky, including Zhukov and Bulganin, did not dare to make claims.
This is the disadvantage of remote command, but there are many people on the battlefield who like to have such a powerful remote command.
Then, when the front line was already on fire, the Supreme Command issued an order unhurriedly: "It may be that the enemy ordered our tank troops to block their attack in order to disperse the pressure of our army's attack!"
Anufryevich couldn't help but curse when he got this order, which almost made them wait here to die.
However, the strange thing is that the German attack slowed down at this time... Their purpose does not seem to be to encircle and annihilate the Soviet army.
(end of this chapter)
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