After the artillery preparations of each unit were completed, they all launched an attack on the enemy's defensive positions according to the original plan.
The 3rd Army, under the personal supervision of Marshal Zhukov, simultaneously mobilized the forces of the two armies to launch attacks on Ozeranye and Kostyashevo.
At the beginning, the battle went smoothly, but the German army, who recovered, used tanks to cover the infantry and carried out a crazy counterattack, repelling the Soviet troops who were attacking the third trench. The troops of the 3rd Army were forced to
Retreat to the first and second trenches and set up defenses on the spot.
The attack of Batov's 65th Group Army seemed to be relatively smooth. With the support of the air force, the 18th Infantry Army broke through all five enemy trenches in just one morning.
By noon, their front line had advanced another 5 to 6 kilometers and captured the two strong support points of Rakovich and Petrovic. This enabled General Batov to make up his mind and decisively throw Pano into the breach.
Husband's 1st Guards Tank Corps, this tank corps quickly advanced forward and penetrated directly into the rear of the German Parlich Group. The infantry of the 65th Army made full use of the success of the tank corps and occupied Gratsch and Chem before dark.
Zha, Sekirich area.
The performance of Rokossovsky's 28th Army was not too bad either. They successfully crushed the enemy's resistance and moved forward to Broca, Ospino, and Rogu.
The results were tallied that night. It was found that the four armies involved in the attack broke through the German defense front for 30 kilometers and 5 to 10 kilometers in depth. In particular, the tank troops penetrated 20 kilometers deep and reached the Kneshevich and Romaniše areas.
"Comrade Marshal," Rokossovsky asked with a smile after reporting the day's results to Zhukov, "what do you think of our fight today?"
"I really didn't expect that the attack went so smoothly on the first day." Although Zhukov thought that Operation Bagration would be successful, he was still a little surprised that such results were achieved on the first day of the battle.
"The results achieved today are indeed ideal." Rokossovsky pointed to the map and said to Zhukov: "This will prepare us for the next day to invest General Pliyev at the junction of the 65th Group Army and the 28th Group Army.
The cavalry mechanized cluster created favorable conditions.
As long as this rapid group advances west of Glusk to the Ptich River and dedicates part of its troops to cross the river, it will force the enemy to retreat to the north and northwest. At that time, we can attack Bobruisk with all our strength.
It’s moving forward quickly.”
"Koschka, I have commanded many major battles." Zhukov waited for Rokossovsky's words to come to an end and continued: "But if you achieve such brilliant results on the first day of the war today, I still
This was the first time I saw it. Although our army encountered a tenacious counterattack by the Germans in the offensive area of the 3rd Army, I could see that they were weak in the follow-up. As long as they blocked their counterattack and consumed their effective strength as much as possible, then
The next battle will be much easier to fight."
"Comrade Marshal, I feel that today's attack went so smoothly because of one person's greatest contribution."
Zhukov did not ask who it was, and said bluntly: "Koschka, you are talking about Misha, right? Yes, in today's battle, because his troops were the first to break through the German defense line, the morale of the German army appeared.
The resistance in many areas is not as tenacious as before. By the way, how many kilometers did his troops advance today?"
"15 kilometers, Comrade Marshal." Rokossovsky may have been worried that Zhukov would misunderstand, and specifically explained to him: "Since tanks cannot be used in the area where he is located, these offensive battles are completed by infantry."
"Among the four armies participating in the war, his unit is in the worst position." Zhukov nodded and said: "If someone else commanded this unit, it would have been able to break through the enemy's first and second trenches before dark.
, are not bad. But it only took his troops three hours to successfully break through five German trenches and consolidate their position."
He picked up the red and blue pencils on the table, drew a few red circles on the map, and continued: "If he hadn't been worried that the friendly forces on the left and right would be out of touch, and the lone attacking force in depth would be in danger of being surrounded by the Germans, he might be able to
Push forward further. At least these villages and small towns will be occupied by his troops."
"Comrade Marshal, today is the first day of Operation Bagration, and we still have plenty of time." Rokossovsky said with a smile: "If we don't let Misha control the speed and let him play freely, I'm afraid,
Our troops are still struggling in the swamp, while his troops have already rushed to the gates of Minsk."
"If his troops can rush to the gates of Minsk within three days." Zhukov said jokingly: "I can make my own decision and award his troops the honorary title of Minsk."
"Comrade Marshal, just say these things to me in private, but don't let Misha hear it." Rokossovsky said with a smile: "If he knew you said this, he might lead two divisions himself.
, rush directly to Minsk. When the time comes, will you award this honorary title to the troops, or not?"
"I believe that with Misha's ability, if he is allowed to lead two divisions freely, he might be able to rush outside the city of Minsk within three days." Although he achieved a big victory today, Zhukov still remained awake.
His mind: "But next, they will face attacks from all directions. No matter how powerful his troops are, they may not be able to stop the repeated attacks of several German divisions, and they may be annihilated."
"Then do you have any instructions for him, Comrade Marshal?"
Zhukov thought for a while, then shook his head and said: "I think it is best not to interfere with the actions of front-line commanders at the moment, and let them freely exert their command capabilities according to the actual situation on the battlefield."
"That's right." Rokossovsky agreed with Zhukov's statement: "I believe that Misha, who has not been disturbed in any way, may be able to create more miracles."
"Chief of Staff," Rokossovsky finished speaking, turned around, called Malinin, and ordered him: "Immediately send today's battle report to the commanders of each group army, so that they can understand the progress of today's day, and
Be prepared for tomorrow's attack."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Ma Lining nodded and said, "I will immediately arrange for today's battle report to be distributed to the commanders of each group army so that they can have an overall understanding of the results achieved today."
After receiving the battle report from the front army headquarters, Sokov said to Ponedelin and Sidorin: "Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff, take a look at today's battle report. On the first day of Operation Bagration,
Having achieved such significant results is a good sign."
Ponejelin took the battle report and read it carefully, handed it to Sidorin, and said: "Comrade Commander, today's attack is generally good, but the performance of the 3rd Army is not ideal.
It can be said that they held back the entire offensive force."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, you can't say that." Sokov did not agree with Ponedelin's statement: "The 3rd Army's performance today is not ideal. There are many reasons. But I think Marshal Zhukov
Staying in the army headquarters put a certain amount of psychological pressure on General Gorbatov, which led to him making mistakes in his command."
"I agree with Comrade Commander's statement." Sidorin echoed: "If I were to command a unit alone, and there was a senior commander sitting next to me, I would definitely feel very nervous and worried.
Poor command will leave a bad impact on the opponent. As we all know, the more nervous people are, the more likely they are to make mistakes. The poor performance of the 3rd Army today may be related to General Gorbatov being too nervous."
"Well, that's what I think." Sokov said: "Maybe in two days, when General Gorbatov is not so nervous when facing Marshal Zhukov, his troops will be able to perform better."
"Comrade Commander, look here." Sidorin pointed to the map and said to Sokov: "Our troops are only more than three hundred kilometers away from Minsk. If we let the hovercraft take part of the troops and pounce directly on Minsk, it would be better.
How wonderful."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, your suggestion is indeed very tempting." Sokov nodded and said: "But have you ever thought about how powerful a force with only a thousand people and no heavy weapons could be if they rushed to the gates of Minsk?
What's the use? Maybe we will be surrounded by enemies from all directions before we enter the city, and then we can only watch helplessly as the enemies eat up the assault force we sent."
"I understand, Comrade Commander." Sidorin said with a wry smile: "I just feel that after the first day of the assault, the hovercraft unit will be of little use, which is a pity."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, the hovercraft is not useless." As a guest, Belgin was not originally going to speak when Sokov and others were studying the deployment, but after hearing what Sidorin said, he couldn't help but speak.
Said: "Although my hovercraft does not need to charge in the front for the next attack, it can transport your troops, equipment and various supplies that are urgently needed on the front for you from behind."
"Belgin is right. If we had not received the help of the hovercraft today, in just two hours, we would have helped us send 20,000 commanders and fighters to the other side of the swamp, and also helped us transport tanks, heavy artillery and various urgently needed items.
supplies. It is precisely because of the help of the hovercraft unit that our attack today was so smooth." Sokov looked at Belkin and said: "In the coming days, if we do not have the support of the hovercraft unit,
I am afraid that the attacking troops will soon run out of ammunition and supplies, and the attack will be weak."
Belkin grinned when he heard what Sokov said, and suddenly brought the topic to an unrelated topic: "It's a pity that it is already June and the sowing season has been missed. Otherwise, in such a fertile land,
, it would be such a pleasant thing to find a place to build a house and grow some vegetables."
"I feel the same about what you said." Unexpectedly, as soon as Belkin finished speaking, Ponedelin also sighed with emotion: "If the war is over, I would also like to find a place to build a house here, and wait until spring every May.
When it comes, sow the seeds in the fields, wait until autumn to harvest, and live a leisurely retirement life without having to think about fighting the enemy to the death on the battlefield."
The words of the two men reminded Sokov vaguely of the conversation he had with Asya not long after they met, saying that when the war was over, they would build a small wooden house on the outskirts of Moscow and open a vegetable patch in front of the door.
Sow seeds, wait until autumn, harvest again, and live a self-sufficient and ordinary life.
"Hey, hey, hey, comrades, commanders." Seeing that the three of them were starting to have their own thoughts, Sidorin quickly tapped his fingers on the table a few times and said, "What we want to discuss now is how to fight tomorrow's battle.
Why are you thinking about what to do after the war is over?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Ponedelin said to Sidorin with a smile: "I was too absorbed in thinking about the future."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin gave Nedelin a reasonable smile, looked at Sokov and asked, "How should we fight tomorrow's battle?"
"It's still the same as today's method of fighting." Sokov said: "Occupy a position and consolidate it. Use the tactics of step by step and steady attack to advance deeper into the enemy's defense. Chief of Staff, you must tell the division commanders,
No matter how much advantage our army has, we must not advance rashly. You must know that we have left the friendly forces on the left and right wings far behind. If we advance too fast, we will become the only force that advances rashly. The Germans
Our offensive force can be easily cut into two sections and then encircled."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Faced with Sokov's instructions, Sidorin said with a smile: "You have said this many times. The commanders of the divisions below are not novices. I believe they know how to take the next step.
How to fight the next battle?"
Although Sokov knew that it was very annoying for him to emphasize one thing again and again, in order to avoid underestimating the enemy, leading to an upper hand in the battle, and finally being counter-attacked by the enemy, he had to act more cautiously.
Sokov nodded, pointed at the map and said to everyone: "Judging from the current situation, friendly forces will cross the Berezina River in the near future and form an encirclement of Bobruisk. And our army group
Our mission is to be the first of all the attacking troops to rush into the city."
"Comrade Commander, I have confidence in you." Sidorin waited for Sokov to finish and said with a smile: "As far as I know, whether it is the liberation of Belgorod or Kharkov, your troops
They were the first to rush into the city. Even in the battle to attack Uman a few months ago, your troops were the first to rush into the city. I believe that in the battle to liberate Bobruisk,
The troops under your command can still be the first to rush into the city and insert them on the roof of the city hall."
Sokov also laughed when he heard what Sidorin said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, according to what you said, we should prepare more flags to ensure that our troops can rush into each attacking city in the shortest time.
Plant the flag on the commanding heights of the city within the time limit."
"There is no problem in preparing more red flags." Ponejelin couldn't help but interjected after hearing this: "I immediately contacted the post-production minister and asked him to prepare a few more red flags for the troops so that our troops can rush in.
After the city, we can complete the task of planting the flag in the shortest time."