Seeing that Mustache didn't give him any instructions, Zeitzler left directly. He seemed a little at a loss and was thinking about how to reply to Model on the other end of the phone.
Model did not know that Mustache had left the headquarters, and kept saying into the microphone: "My head of state, I think it is very unwise to continue to attack Minsk. Our top priority is to find a way to attack Minsk immediately." The beleaguered troops were rescued from the Russian encirclement.”
"Marshal Model," Zeitzler watched the mustache's back disappear from the door, and then said into the microphone: "The head of state has left."
"What, the head of state has left?!" Model asked in surprise: "Then I cancel the proposal to attack Minsk. I wonder if he will accept it?"
"The head of state didn't say anything when he left." As a loyal follower of Mustache, Zeitzler knew Mustache's character very well. Since the other party didn't say anything, it was tantamount to acquiescence: "But your Excellency, Marshal, ahead You know the situation better than we do, and you can handle it how you think you should handle it."
"What does the head of state mean?"
"Although the head of state did not express his position, he did not express his opposition clearly." Zeitzler said into the microphone: "This shows that he acquiesced to your suggestion to give up attacking Minsk."
"So, I can concentrate my forces and do my best to rescue the troops trapped in the Minsk area."
"Exactly, Your Majesty Marshal." Zeitzler said respectfully on the phone: "The top priority right now is to rescue the troops trapped near Minsk from the edge of annihilation." He looked at the people in front of him. The map added, "After freeing the troops, immediately withdraw to Baranovichi, strengthen the defense there, and prepare to accumulate strength to launch a counterattack against the Russians."
After receiving clear instructions from Berlin, Model put down the phone and said to his Chief of Staff Krebs: "Chief of Staff, I have obtained authorization from Berlin to stop the attack on Minsk and concentrate all troops. Get up and go rescue the besieged 4th and 9th Group Armies."
Seeing that Model had finally made up his mind, Krebs showed a relaxed expression on his face: "Your Excellency, Commander, what we should have done a long time ago. The total strength of the Russians far exceeds ours. We are attacking Minsk." At the same time, our other troops were also attacked wildly by the Russians.
The Russian general holding Minsk now is Sokov, who is causing us headaches. Not to mention that our attacking force is at a disadvantage. Even if we have the advantage, we may not be able to recapture the city in a short time. So it is better to use these forces effectively to rescue our trapped troops. "
"Chief of Staff, I think so too." After Model agreed with Krebs, he ordered him: "Immediately contact the commanders of the two infantry divisions and ask their troops to stop the attack on Minsk and turn around. Reinforce trapped troops."
After the German attack on Minsk stopped, Sokov quickly noticed it. He said to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, more than half a day has passed since the last attack. Why didn't the Germans attack again?"
"Comrade Commander, I called and asked the commander at the front." Sidorin replied: "The enemy opposite them has not made any movement, but is showing signs of retreat."
"What, are there signs of retreat?" Sokov asked in surprise: "Is the news reliable?"
"Absolutely reliable, Comrade Commander." Sidorin said: "Judging from the current situation, the Germans will not be able to capture Minsk in a short time. If they continue to invest a large number of troops here, they will not have the power to rescue the victims. The 4th and 9th Group Armies besieged by our army can only watch helplessly as these enemies are eaten up bit by bit by our army."
"So, the Germans have completely stopped their attack on Minsk and are preparing to use their strength to rescue the besieged 4th and 9th Army troops."
"It should be like this, Comrade Commander." Sidorin nodded and approved Sokov's statement: "In a word, we defended Minsk! According to the current war situation, if they want to relieve the besieged troops, then We won’t be able to spare the energy to attack the city.”
After hearing Sidorin's words, Sokov suddenly had an idea in his mind. Judging from the current situation, the Germans must be thinking of rescuing the besieged 4th and 9th generals and letting them retreat to Baranovi. Strange area, where new defenses were reorganized to block our move to liberate Belarus.
"Comrade Chief of Staff, although the enemy has stopped its military operations against Minsk, we cannot do without any indication." Sokov told Sidorin: "Order the 109th Infantry Brigade and the 284th Infantry Division to start from the area where they are located. , launched an attack on the German army's flank and rear, disrupting their reinforcement plan."
The German offensive in the past two days made Sidorin feel very uncomfortable. Now that there was a chance for revenge, how could he let it go so easily? He quickly followed Sokov's order and called the two commanders. Let them immediately put their troops into the attack on the German troops outside the city.
While Sokov launched a counterattack outside Minsk, the battle in the Baranovichi area was also in full swing. Ponejelin left the infantry brigade in reserve, then commanded the other two divisions to launch a fierce attack deep into the German defenses.
The attack went more smoothly than expected. This was because the German Baranovich heavy group used its main force to deal with the attack of Batov's troops, while the force to block Sokov's assault troops was relatively weak. .
After two days and two nights of fierce fighting, the assault force reached the outskirts of Baranovichi.
Ponejelin, who was staying at the forward headquarters, heard the explosion from the other direction of the city and looked at the rising smoke. He knew that Batov's troops were attacking the city on the other side of the city.
He quickly summoned the three division commanders and said to them: "Comrade Commander, after two days of fierce fighting, we have successfully arrived outside the city of Baranovichi. Now on the other side of the city, a fierce battle is going on. The battle should be General Batov’s 65th Army trying to seize the city from the enemy.”
"Comrade Deputy Commander," as soon as Ponejelin finished speaking, the infantry brigade commander Victor said: "The 65th Group Army has stronger forces than us, and the attack they launch will inevitably attract the attention of the German army. I estimate that the enemy will place all its main defensive forces in the path of the friendly forces' attack, while our defense line will appear weak because all the main forces have been mobilized. This is really a good time for us to attack. "
"That's right, Lieutenant Colonel Victor." Ponyjelin agreed with Victor's statement, "Since the enemy's main force is used to deal with General Batov's troops, then we should Use this opportunity to quickly capture Baranovichi."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, please give me the order." Onupriyenko volunteered: "Our division is willing to assume the main offensive task and liberate Baranovichi from the hands of the Germans as soon as possible."
In response to Onupryenko's request, Ponedelin shook his head and said: "I'm sorry, General Onupryenko, I can't agree to your request. You know, your troops have gone through successive fierce battles. , the attrition is very serious, I am afraid it will be difficult to complete the task of liberating the city."
Seeing that Onupryenko's request was rejected by Ponedelin, Tolstikov felt that this was a rare opportunity for his troops, so he continued: "Comrade Deputy Commander, since you If you feel that the 6th Guards Division cannot complete this glorious mission, then leave the task of liberating the city to my 1st Guards Division!"
Unexpectedly, Ponedelin still did not agree: "General Tolstikov, I understand your mood at the moment, but I cannot give the task of liberating the city to your division. As for the reason, it is the same as before, your division is in After a long battle, the force was reduced by nearly half. If it were to take on the main attack mission again, it would cause the force to lose its combat effectiveness. Therefore, I decided to hand over this glorious and arduous task to the 122nd Infantry Brigade commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Victor. .”
Although Tolstikov and his wife had already guessed such a result, they still couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when they heard Ponedelin say it himself. After hearing this, Victor expressed his stance to Ponijelin with excitement and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, don't worry, we will never betray your trust. I will definitely do it in the shortest possible time. Take over the whole city.”
Just as the 122nd Infantry Brigade was making preparations for the attack, the 65th Group Army, which was attacking from the other side of Baranovichi, had stopped its attack. Commander Bartov felt that his troops were exhausted, so he ordered them to withdraw and rest first, and then recharge their batteries before launching an attack on the city.
After giving such an order, Batov returned to his headquarters. He wanted to eat a hot meal, take a hot bath, and have a good sleep. After regaining his strength, he would command the troops to march toward Barano. Vicky launched a new attack.
As soon as the food was put on the table, before he could move his knife and fork, the sound of a car braking suddenly came from outside the window. He first heard the sound of the car door opening and then slamming shut, and then heard Zhukov's loud voice: "Batov, where is Batov?"
Hearing Zhukov calling him, Bartov did not dare to neglect and ran out of the room to greet him: "Comrade Marshal, you came just in time. I was planning to eat. Please eat something together."
Unexpectedly, Zhukov said angrily: "General Batov, I thought you were outside the city of Baranovich at this moment, commanding the troops to attack the city, but you unexpectedly ran back to the headquarters to eat and drink. "
"Comrade Marshal," Batov defended himself after being scolded: "After a week-long battle, the officers and soldiers have become exhausted. I think it is necessary to let them rest for a while before attacking Baranovich. It’s not too late to attack.”
"Do you know that while your troops are resting, the Germans in the city are using the time you gave them to desperately strengthen their fortifications and consolidate their defenses." Zhukov said angrily: "This way, when you launch another attack , the enemy can rely on the reinforced fortifications to consume more of your vitality."
Although Batov tried his best to explain to Zhukov, the latter simply refused to listen. He just kept criticizing the other party for delaying the fighter opportunity, which would lead to a greater price for seizing the city.
Lieutenant General Rajecki, the military commissar of the group army, saw that his commander had been severely criticized by Zhukov, and he was willing to help relieve the siege. Unexpectedly, as soon as he opened his mouth, Zhukov cast a stern look at him, forcing him to shut his mouth obediently.
After Zhukov gave Bartov a severe lesson, he softened his tone and said: "Now there is a chance to save it. I wonder if you are willing to take it?"
"What opportunity?" Bartov asked quickly.
"This opportunity is for you to go outside Baranovichi immediately and command the troops to attack the city. If you don't take this city, you won't come back." After saying that, before Bartov could speak, he turned around and headed outside. Go. When a stool tripped him, he stood up straight and kicked the stool into the corner.
Looking at Zhukov's leaving figure, Rajecki nervously said to Bartov: "Comrade Commander, it seems that Marshal Zhukov is really angry this time. What should we do?"
Bartov took a deep breath and then said: "Marshal Zhukov is right. Now that we have arrived outside the city of Baranovichi, we should continue to attack until we take the city. Now outside the city The troops stopped attacking, which gave the Germans a chance to breathe. They will use this time to strengthen the fortifications and consolidate their defenses. When we complete the construction and restart the attack, the German fortifications will cause us huge harm. casualties."
He walked to the table, grabbed a few slices of bread from the plate, stuffed it into his mouth, and said vaguely: "I will return to the front immediately and command the troops to attack Baranovichi, and strive to do it in the shortest possible time." Take this city within the time limit.”
Unexpectedly, before he walked out of the headquarters, he heard the rumbling sound of artillery coming from the direction of Baranovich. He stopped, tried hard to swallow the bread in his mouth, and then asked his chief of staff: "Chief of Staff, What's going on? Why are there gunfire in the direction of Baranovich? Is it possible that some unit has launched an attack on the enemy without permission?"
"Comrade Commander, I don't know either." The chief of staff said, picking up the phone on the table: "I'll call the front line and ask what's going on."
A few minutes later, the chief of staff put down the phone and said to Batov in surprise: "Comrade Commander, I asked the observation post at the front and they said that the sound of artillery came from the other end of the city. It seemed that friendly forces were attacking. city."
When he learned that friendly forces were attacking Baranovichi, Bartov's expression suddenly became serious, because he knew that his superiors had ordered his army and part of the 48th Group Army to attack the German Baranovichi. A heavily armed group launched an attack. Now that his troops are still on standby, it goes without saying that the troops launching the attack are Sokov's 48th Army.
Thinking of the various costs his troops had paid in the past few days of fighting, Bartov couldn't help but feel a little anxious. His troops had already arrived outside the city of Baranovichi. If the friendly forces captured the city first, what would happen to them? Where to put your face?
After understanding this, he immediately ordered the Chief of Staff: "Chief of Staff, call the forward troops and order them to launch an attack immediately. They must break through the German city defenses before friendly forces rush into the city."
