In the next few days, Chuikov's troops expanded the area of the Magnushev landing site and deployed six infantry divisions at the landing site to resist the crazy German attack.
On the surface, it seems that the strength of the Magnushev landing site has increased, but because the pontoon bridge that was just erected was blown up again by the Germans, the supply of the troops on the left bank has become a big problem. If the consumed ammunition and materials cannot be replenished in time,
Then these troops will soon be in a situation of running out of ammunition and food.
The existence of the Magnushev landing site posed a serious threat to the German Warsaw Group from the south. In order to eliminate this threat, the German army devoted all the main forces that could be mobilized in the left bank area to fight for the Magnushev landing site.
fighting.
After the efforts of the two engineering units of the Front Army and the Group Army, the pontoon bridge was finally erected on the Vistula River again, and artillery and ammunition began to pass through the bridge. However, the German bomber formation soon appeared over the pontoon bridge and violently attacked the pontoon bridge.
of bombing.
The leading German bomber dived towards the convoy on the pontoon with a scream. The window glass of a truck was shattered by bullets. Before the driver could recover, he was beaten to death by the dense bullets.
The soldiers escorting the car hurriedly raised their guns and fired into the air, but two mere rifles could pose no threat to the German bombers. The second enemy plane then swooped down, its onboard machine gun spitting tongues of flame, hitting the car from the front to the rear.
The car was set on fire, and the soldiers escorting the car didn't even have a chance to jump out of the car before they became on fire.
As soon as they saw the car on fire on the pontoon bridge, the enemy planes behind them immediately found the target of the attack. They used a two-plane formation to dive in turns and launched a crazy massacre against the convoy on the pontoon bridge. In just a few minutes, the pontoon bridge was full of people.
The damaged vehicles and fallen soldiers. The blood shed by the martyrs stained the Vistula River red.
Seeing the convoy on the pontoon suffering such heavy casualties, the officers and soldiers of the Polish anti-aircraft artillery division on the riverside, which was responsible for air defense missions, became anxious. They fired desperately into the air in an attempt to shoot down the invading German bombers.
Several German bombers turned around and came towards the air defense positions on the shore. They swooped down from high altitudes and dropped aerial bombs on the air defense positions. The exploding aerial bombs blew the cannons into pieces and the anti-aircraft guns.
The broken limbs of the soldiers were thrown high into the air and wrapped in the mist woven into clouds of mud and smoke.
Although the anti-aircraft positions were bombed by the Germans and the anti-aircraft artillerymen suffered heavy casualties, the surviving anti-aircraft artillerymen still stuck to their posts and fired at enemy aircraft in the air.
The artillery fire from the Polish anti-aircraft artillery division attracted some German bombers, but because the pontoons were filled with burning trucks, it was obviously unrealistic for the convoy to continue crossing the river. After receiving the report, Chuikov immediately issued an order to the tank brigade commander on the riverside.
After receiving the order, he immediately sent two tanks onto the pontoon bridge to clean up the burning trucks and make way for the vehicles behind them.
The order was simple, but the execution was not so easy. Although a large number of trucks on the pontoon were destroyed by German bombers, many of the trucks were still intact. After the tanks got on the pontoon, they cleaned up some of the burning trucks. In order to let them go
The intact trucks left the bridge first, and they had to retreat to the right bank first to make way for the trucks.
The purpose of the German bomber formation was to destroy the Soviet pontoon bridge on the Vistula River. Now the Soviet tanks were slowly clearing the destroyed vehicles on the bridge, which undoubtedly provided targets for those bombers to attack. Just five minutes later
, the tank that did not have time to retreat from the pontoon bridge was directly hit by an aerial bomb, and sank to the bottom of the water along with the fragments of the blown pontoon bridge.
At the same time, the German army intensified its attack on the landing site. The 19th Armored Division carried out an assault along the Pilica River, and the Goering Armored Division carried out an assault along the Radomka River. In the middle of these two armies were the 17th and
45th Infantry Division.
Their endless attacks put the commanders and fighters of the 4th Guards Army under tremendous pressure. Faced with the enemy's powerful offensive, the Soviet troops, lacking anti-tank weapons, had to abandon some occupied villages and move toward Vistula.
The direction of the river recedes.
The pontoon bridge on the Vistula River was blown up, which will inevitably affect the mood of the commanders and fighters at the landing site on the left bank. Chief of Staff Beleyavsky asked Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, due to the German bombing, now our contact with the left bank has been interrupted again
.Now the morale of the commanders and soldiers who are holding on to the landing site has been affected to some extent. What should we do next?"
Chuikov thought for a while and replied: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have a bold idea. We should move the group army headquarters to the left bank of the Vistula River. In this way, the commanders and fighters at the landing site will see that we have also arrived on the left bank.
, which is very helpful in improving morale and rallying military morale.”
"What, move the army headquarters to the left bank of the Vistula River?" Chuikov's idea startled Belyavsky, who quickly reminded Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, is it too dangerous?"
"The soldiers fighting to the death with the enemy at the landing site are not more dangerous than us." Chuikov said in an unquestionable tone: "This matter is settled. After dark, members of the headquarters will cross the river by boat and arrive at the landing site.
Establish our new headquarters in the woods in the southwest."
"Comrade Commander, this matter is of great importance. Do you want to ask Comrade Marshal for instructions?" Beleyavsky asked cautiously: "Otherwise, once he accuses us of making arbitrary decisions, we will be in trouble."
When Chuikov heard that Belyavsky's words made sense, he nodded in agreement: "Okay, I will personally call Comrade Marshal and tell him my decision."
Rokossovsky was also surprised when he learned that Chuikov planned to move the headquarters to the left bank of the Vistula River: "Comrade Chuikov, why would you think of moving the headquarters to the left bank of the Vistula River?"
"Comrade Marshal, the reason is very simple." Chuikov said with a smile: "You have said before that the presence of commanders in the sight of soldiers during battle will increase their courage and enable them to fight the enemy more bravely.
.By doing this, I faithfully carried out your order."
Rokossovsky thought about it carefully and realized that he had really said this before. At the same time, he also ordered the commanders of the troops not to wear camouflage field ranks, so that it would be difficult for the soldiers to see who was at a glance.
Commanders, resulting in a loss of unified command and falling into chaos when the battle fails.
"Okay, Comrade Chuikov." Rokossovsky thought for a while and agreed to Chuikov's request: "You can move the headquarters to the left bank of the Vistula River, but you have to pay attention to your own safety. Once you see
If the situation is not right, immediately withdraw to the right bank. Do you understand?"
"I understand completely, Comrade Marshal."
But when Rokossovsky put down the phone, Malinin, who heard the conversation between the two, came over and asked with a worried look: "Comrade Commander, General Chuikov has moved his group army headquarters to the left bank of the Vistula River. Will you?"
Wouldn’t it be too risky?”
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, it is indeed a bit too risky to move the group army headquarters to the left bank at this moment." Rokossovsky sighed and said: "But Chuikov's consideration is also correct, because the German air force is closely blocking the
If Chuikov still stays on the right bank of the Vistula River and prevents our army from erecting a pontoon bridge on the river, then the troops holding on to the landing site will encounter some difficulties at this moment, it will inevitably have an adverse impact on the morale and morale of the troops.
.
But if he gets to the left bank, as long as the commanders and fighters on the landing field understand that their commander is in the same danger as them, then the morale of the troops can be improved and the commanders and fighters will be more brave in battle."
"What a pity." Malinin said with regret: "Our air force now has to provide air support for the 2nd Tank Army and the 1st Polish Army in Warsaw, and cannot allocate forces to support Chuikov, otherwise he would not have to take risks on the left bank.
.”
Speaking of the Polish 1st Army, Rokossovsky thought of the Polish anti-aircraft artillery division that was now providing anti-aircraft firepower to Chuikov's troops on the bank of the Vistula River. He quickly asked Malinin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I heard that the Polish Army
The artillerymen made a lot of sacrifices in today's battle, is this true?"
Malinen nodded and said in a positive tone: "Two of the anti-aircraft artillery regiments suffered more than two-thirds of the casualties, and the other anti-aircraft artillery regiment also suffered one-half of the casualties. In a word, the Polish anti-aircraft division's air defense today
During the battle, it was disabled by the German air force."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you immediately contacted General Bellinger to inform him of the matter, and at the same time expressed condolences to those Polish soldiers who died and were injured."
After Malinin got through the phone call to the headquarters of the Polish 1st Army, Bellinger, who answered the telegram, said apologetically: "General Bellinger, in today's battle, the Polish anti-aircraft artillery division, in order to protect the pontoon bridge on the Vistula River, attacked the enemy.
Huge casualties were incurred in the bombing. On behalf of Comrade Marshal and I, I would like to express my condolences to the sacrificed and injured officers and men of the Anti-aircraft Artillery Division."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Bellinger had known about this for a long time. He was considering whether to call Rokossovsky and ask if the anti-aircraft artillery division could be withdrawn to rest. But now after listening to Malinin,
He immediately changed his mind: "In order to defend our great motherland, no matter how high the price is, we still think it is worth it. Don't worry, even if the entire anti-aircraft artillery division is exhausted, we will do our best to
Ensure air defense along the Vistula River."
Malinen put down the phone, relayed what Bellinger said to Rokossovsky, and then asked: "Comrade Commander, do you think the Polish anti-aircraft artillery division should be allowed to withdraw for a period of rest?"
Rokossovsky thought for a moment, then shook his head and said: "I don't think it's necessary. With the pontoon bridge on the Vistula River blown up, the Polish anti-aircraft artillery division will have few chances to participate in the battle, so let them continue
Staying where they are now is equivalent to letting them rest and recuperate."
"But the anti-aircraft artillery division suffered such heavy casualties, it is equivalent to being disabled." Malinin cautiously suggested to Rokossovsky: "Look, if we can find a way to supplement them."
"There is no problem with the anti-aircraft guns." Rokossovsky said to Malinin: "As for the soldiers, they need to figure out their own solutions. After all, they are Polish troops. Placing our people in their troops will make them
General Bellinger is paranoid. He thinks that we are doing this just to evacuate all his commanders. In order to avoid such misunderstandings, let him find his own way to replenish troops."
"Okay, Comrade Commander, let's do what you said." Malinen said: "I will replenish the lost anti-aircraft guns for the anti-aircraft artillery division as soon as possible. As for the soldiers, let them continue to think of a solution."
Chuikov took members of the group army headquarters, took advantage of the cover of night, crossed the Vistula River in a small boat, and arrived at the left bank area. Glazunov, commander of the 4th Guards Army, personally led people to greet him on the shore.
When Chuikov appeared in front of him, he complained: "Comrade Commander, the situation in the left bank area is so bad, why did you move the headquarters here too?"
After hearing this, Chuikov said with a smile: "General Glazunov, I am worried that the interruption of the relationship between the landing site and the right bank will have a negative impact on the morale and morale of the defenders on the landing site. I came here specifically to boost morale.
"
Faced with Chuikov's statement, General Glazunov was speechless. After he laughed twice, he said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, I have selected a forest to the southwest of the landing site as a group army
The headquarters' new headquarters, houses and positions have been constructed, and you can move in directly."
"This is great, General Glazunov." Chuikov smiled and said to Glazunov: "I was worried at first, thinking that after the members of the headquarters arrived on the left bank, they would have to dig trenches and build houses in the dark, but no
I thought you had already prepared it for us."
"Comrade Commander," Glazunov continued: "I have transferred two regiments from the 47th Guards Division and deployed them near the new headquarters to serve as security guards for you. If the German army comes to invade, use their
The strength is enough to withstand three or four hours, enough to support me until I lead the main force to rush over for reinforcements."
"General Glazunov, thank you for your kindness." Chuikov said gratefully: "The combat effectiveness of the 47th Guards Division is the strongest among the 4th Guards Army. I am very happy to have them responsible for the defense of the headquarters.
rest assured."
After Glazunov sent Chuikov and others to the new headquarters of the army group headquarters, he excused himself and left, saying that there were still things in the army.
As soon as General Glazunov left, Belyavsky urged the communication soldiers to seize the time to set up antennas and pull telephone lines, hoping to restore the command function of the headquarters in the shortest possible time.
As soon as the telephone line was laid, Chuikov received a call from Rokossovsky: "Comrade Chuikov, how are you? How is the establishment of your new headquarters?"
"The establishment has been basically completed." Chuikov continued without waiting for Rokossovsky to ask further: "It was General Glazunov, commander of the 4th Guards Army, who learned that we were going to establish a new headquarters on the left bank.
After that, we immediately organized manpower to build houses and build fortifications at our preset headquarters location. By the time we crossed the river and reached the left bank, all these things were ready. We only needed to set up antennas and lay telephone lines to formally exercise the command of the group army.