Rokossovsky was concerned about when his troops would change the direction of attack, while Sokov, who was directing the battle, was thinking about how to use today's advantages to expand his occupied area as much as possible. Originally, his idea was still
I was a bit conservative and felt that after my troops advanced eight to ten kilometers, they would stop advancing and choose a suitable area to build defenses to avoid being separated from the friendly forces on the left and right flanks.
But when he heard that Batov's 65th Army and Popov's 70th Army were also put into the battlefield by Rokossovsky, his thoughts immediately changed 180 degrees. He said to Sidorin:
"Comrade Chief of Staff, leave the 6th Guards Division for defense in the town of Puutusk, and put the 1st Guards Division, the 109th, 211th, and 284th Infantry Divisions into the attack. We must capture as much as possible before dark.
Many German positions."
Upon hearing Sokov's order, Ponedelin reminded him: "Comrade Commander, you have put all your troops into battle. Except for the 6th Guards Division in the town of Puutusk, we have
There is an infantry brigade and troops directly under the group army. If they are attacked by the Germans, I am worried that the headquarters will be in danger."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, don't worry." Sokov said confidently: "According to what I know, the troops launching a full-scale attack on the German army are due to General Batov's 65th Group Army and General Popov.
With the addition of the 70th Group Army, the number has increased to five groups. Coupled with the troops serving as the front reserve force, our army has an absolute advantage on the battlefield. If we don't take this opportunity to expand our results, what are we waiting for?
when?"
After saying these words to Ponedelin, Sokov ordered Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, what are you still doing? Why don't you convey my order quickly? If you continue to delay like this, it is possible that
Delaying the opportunity for war."
In fact, Sidorin had the same idea as Sokov. One hour after launching the attack, his troops advanced five kilometers deep into the enemy's defense. As long as they advance another three to five kilometers forward, today's battle can be stopped.
He chose to switch to defense on the spot. But he did not expect that Sokov would suddenly change his mind and put all his energy into the battle, preparing to make a big deal. He wanted to persuade Sokov to cancel this risky plan.
But after listening to what he said to Ponejelin, he gave up the plan of persuasion: "Okay, Comrade Commander, I will immediately notify the division commanders and ask them to lead their troops into the battlefield through the opened gap as soon as possible."
The German troops in the 48th Group Army's frontal attack area were already defeated. They thought that after advancing five or six kilometers in one breath, the enemy would temporarily slow down the attack speed to give themselves a chance to breathe. But what the Germans did not expect was that
Yes, the first wave of attacking Soviet troops had just stopped, and the second wave of fresh troops launched an attack on their positions. In this way, the troops of the 48th Group Army adopted the tactics of alternate rest and alternate attacks, and always maintained a strong
Their attacking posture left the German army in front of them unable to parry.
The battle continued until about three o'clock in the afternoon. The troops of the 48th Group Army had advanced 18 to 25 kilometers in depth to the German army, leaving the friendly forces on the left and right wings far away. Sidorin saw that his troops alone penetrated deep into the German army.
The depth of the German defenses made me a little worried, so I quickly reminded Sokov: "Comrade Commander, the distance we are advancing is a bit too far. Do you understand that the troops should slow down their attack speed and choose a suitable place to move to defense?"
"
Sokov did not answer him immediately, but asked another question: "Can ammunition and fuel be replenished?"
"Yes." After Sidorin gave him a positive answer, he added: "The wounded can also be transported down in time."
Sokov nodded and said to Ponejelin and others with some regret: "It's a pity that we have fewer troops, otherwise we could have achieved greater results."
Hearing what Sokov said, Ponejelin and Sidorin couldn't help but feel a little bit in their hearts. They thought that most of the troops of the group army were engaged in the battle today. If the front attack did not go smoothly and they wanted to send troops for reinforcements, they would not be able to do so.
Troops. Ponejelin said cautiously: "Comrade Commander, I think you can refer to the opinion of the Chief of Staff. After all, we have advanced too far today and have distanced ourselves from the friendly forces on the left and right flanks. If the German army starts from us
If an attack is launched on both flanks, the troops performing offensive missions may be cut off from their retreat."
"Deputy Commander, Chief of Staff, don't worry." But Sokov said confidently: "So far, the troops fighting at the forefront can obtain supplies from the rear in a timely manner, and can also timely transport the wounded.
Sent down from the front line. This shows that the enemy has been completely defeated by us and has no ability to organize a decent resistance, let alone launch a counterattack against us. I think we should seize this good opportunity and expand the results in a timely manner..."
Before he finished speaking, the high-frequency phone on the table rang. When he picked it up and listened, it was Rokossovsky calling: "Misha, how is the progress of your troops?"
"It went very well, Comrade Marshal." Sokov said with a smile: "My troops have wedged themselves into the German defenses to a depth of 18 to 25 kilometers, and now the troops are continuing to advance."
"Misha, great job!" After Rokossovsky praised Sokov, he asked: "What are your plans next?"
"Comrade Marshal, according to various signs, the German troops in front of our group army have completely lost their ability to resist. If we can continue to maintain the current offensive posture, we should be able to advance a few kilometers further before dark."
"Your troops have been fighting for almost a day, and the commanders and soldiers should be very tired." Rokossovsky asked with concern: "If the fighting continues, will their physical strength be able to sustain it?"
"Comrade Marshal, you can rest assured on this." Sokov explained to Rokossovsky: "I divided the offensive troops into two echelons. When the first echelon's attack speed is slow due to fatigue, the second echelon will attack slowly.
The second echelon takes their place in the battle; when the second echelon becomes tired, the first echelon's physical strength has almost recovered and can rejoin the battlefield to take over the battle from the second echelon. In this way, our troops always use alternate rest and alternate attacks.
way to launch an attack deep into the enemy's defenses."
"This is a good idea." Rokossovsky nodded after hearing this and said with emotion: "If all the troops can be like you, I think the results we can achieve today will be greater. By the way,
Do you have any difficulties?"
"There must be difficulties." Sokov said hesitantly: "I have put most of the army's troops into the battle, but I always feel that the troops are still a little short. If you can give me more troops,
I think I can still expand the results."
Regarding Sokov's request, Rokossovsky was a little embarrassed. The battle had reached this level, where could he find troops for him? Although he still had a combined arms group and a tank army, the two
The two were too far apart. Even if I dispatched now, it would probably be late at night before I could reach Sokov.
"Comrade Marshal," Bogolyubov, who was standing next to Rokossovsky, heard the conversation between the two and whispered his thoughts to Rokossovsky: "Do you want to see if we can start from the 3rd Army?"
The troops from the 2nd Assault Group Army will be mobilized to enter the battlefield through the gap opened by the 48th Group Army. After these troops enter the battlefield through the gap, they can launch attacks on the enemy's flanks on the left and right flanks, helping their original troops advance quickly."
After listening to Bogolyubov's suggestion, Rokossovsky thought for a while, nodded slowly, and said: "Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff, this is indeed a good suggestion." Then he said into the microphone,
"Misha, the chief of staff made a suggestion, which is to let the troops of the 3rd Army and the 2nd Assault Army enter the battlefield through the gap you opened, and then launch an attack on the enemy's flanks on your left and right, facing your original troops.
A flanking attack to destroy the German resistance. What do you think?"
"I think it's very good." Sokov added: "To be honest, our troops were wedged too far into the German defenses and have become a lonely army. If the Germans come to their senses and gather their troops to attack our narrow
If we launch an attack on the left and right flanks, our offensive troops will be cut off from their retreat and trapped by the Germans. Now let the friendly forces enter the battlefield through the gap we opened, then attack the weak German flanks, and cooperate with our original troops to move forward.
Pushing forward, it’s simply wonderful.”
"Okay, since you agree to this proposal, I will immediately ask the chief of staff to notify the commanders of these two armies and ask them to mobilize a sufficient number of troops to enter the battlefield through the gap you opened and attack the enemy from the flanks."
After Sokov ended his call with Rokossovsky, he immediately called Sidorin to him and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the marshal just said that he planned to let the troops of the 3rd Army and the 2nd Assault Army
Enter the battlefield through the gap we opened, and then launch an attack from the flank of the German army to coordinate with their main force advancing. Say hello to the commanders below and ask them to do a good job of identification. Don't do it yourself.
Our own people started fighting."
"Understood." Sidorin nodded and replied decisively: "I will go and convey your order immediately."
"Comrade Commander," Ponedelin said after Sidorin walked away: "Originally, I was worried that because we were advancing too fast, we would become a lone force deep behind the enemy's rear. I didn't expect that Comrade Marshal would think of letting the troops on the left and right flanks
Troops enter the battlefield through the gaps we have opened, so that they can avoid some of the German's strong defensive areas and launch attacks from the enemy's flanks, thereby breaking down the German defenses and allowing their main forces to advance quickly."
"In a large corps operation, it is not enough for one or two troops to perform well." Lunev, who had been silent, interjected: "Only the more troops that perform well, the greater the advantage we will gain on the battlefield.
big."
"Comrade Military Comrade is right." Sokov agreed: "If our troops on the left and right wings can advance quickly, I believe that we will achieve greater results before dark today."
Runev said with a smile: "If we can seize the entire East Prussia area within two months, then we can turn around and head west, together with the First Front, to launch an attack in the direction of Berlin."
"Liberate East Prussia within two months?" Although attacking Berlin is a very tempting goal, as the deputy commander, Ponejelin did not consider that far. What he considered was the current liberation of East Prussia.
Battle: "I don't think things are that optimistic. You know, this is a holy land for the Germans. In order to prevent us from seizing this land, they will definitely put up tenacious resistance. According to my estimation, the East China Sea can be solved before August this year."
The people in Prussia are already quite fast."
Sokov, who came from a later generation, knew very well that even after the Germans chose to surrender unconditionally, the German troops in many areas of East Prussia were still making final resistance. Without the surrender order issued by Berlin, the battle in East Prussia would not have been possible.
How long will it last? Thinking of this, he said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I think it is possible that after the battle to liberate East Prussia reaches a certain stage, the Supreme Command may order new troops to participate.
Attack on East Prussia, and our troops may turn around and head west to participate in the attack on Berlin."
Both Lunev and Ponedelin were surprised by Sokov's statement. They quickly looked down at the map spread out on the table and carefully considered the feasibility of Sokov's statement.
.
After watching for a while, Ponedelin raised his head, looked at Sokov and said: "Comrade Commander, I think your statement is indeed possible."
Lunev was not a military commander. Although he had read the map for a long time, he could not see any clues. At this moment, hearing what Ponedelin said, he couldn't help but ask: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I don't know much about it."
I understand what you mean, can you explain it in detail?"
Ponejelin nodded, pointed at the map and said to Luniev: "Comrade Military Commissar, if we control this large area of East Prussia, the German army will be compressed to the northeast. Once the Germans retreat there, it will be a short distance from us.
It would be too far. If we continue to attack, there will be problems in logistics and supply. And if the remaining areas of East Prussia are handed over to General Chernyakhovsky's Third Front and the Baltic Front for implementation
Attack is obviously more appropriate. Since our Second Front has escaped from East Prussia, it is logical to turn around and attack Berlin."
After hearing this, Lunev did not immediately express any opinion. Instead, he turned to Sokov and asked: "Misha, do you think so too?"
"Yes, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov replied affirmatively: "I do have such thoughts."
After listening to Sokov's words, Lunev became excited: "I originally thought that the Second Front Army would be the commander of the East Prussian region and would not have the opportunity to participate in the battle to liberate Berlin. But now it seems that we may participate in the attack on Berlin.
existing."
"You are right, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov continued: "The troops attacking Berlin at the same time include, in addition to Marshal Zhukov's 1st Belarusian Front, Marshal Konev's 1st Ukrainian Front.
Three armies advance towards Berlin at the same time. It depends on which army has stronger combat effectiveness and better luck, so that it can enter Berlin first."