After daybreak, the German troops repulsed by artillery fire came back again.
Their mission was to rush to Elbin to join the troops there. The midnight raid on the 48th Group Army was nothing more than hunting rabbits and causing chaos to the Soviet army. Unexpectedly, they stole the chicken but lost the rice, and they themselves paid a heavy price.
The 170th Infantry Division and the 28th Chasseur Division, which participated in the war, adjusted their attack targets. They first launched a sudden attack on the 194th and 399th Infantry Divisions in the Wormdyk area. After successfully repelling these two divisions, they surrounded the Soviet 17th and 96th Infantry Divisions. For a time, the situation in the Elbin area became very unfavorable to the Soviet army.
Although the German army had the upper hand temporarily, Rokossovsky did not panic at all when he learned the news. Although the situation is critical, he now has a lot of troops at his disposal. With just two German divisions, no matter how powerful they are, he can still defeat them.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Rokossovsky asked Bogolyubov: "How is the situation with the Second Assault Army?"
Bogolyubov knew the reason for Rokossovsky's question and quickly replied: "Comrade Marshal, General Fedyuninsky's 2nd Assault Army, according to our original order, will draw the 98th Infantry Army from it. Go to Marienburg and launch an attack on the enemy there. However, the current situation is not very favorable to our army. I suggest changing the original plan and letting the 98th Army turn east, between Wormdyk and Elbing. Build a new line of defense.”
"I think it's okay." Rokossovsky nodded and agreed to Bogolyubov's proposal: "Chief of Staff, please call Fejuninsky immediately and tell him our latest decision, and ask him to get the troops to work as soon as possible. Rush to the designated point. One division is deployed to the south of Elbing, facing east for defense; while the other two divisions serve as reserves."
"Comrade Commander." Bogolyubov reminded Rokossovsky: "General Volsky's 5th Guards Tank Army is located east of Elbin and controls a section of the coastline, cutting off the German army. Lines of communication. Do you think they should be ordered to prepare for an assault?"
"I think it's okay." After Rokossovsky agreed to Bogolyubov's proposal, he ordered him: "Transmit the order immediately."
After receiving the order from Bogolyubov, Volsky immediately called a meeting with his army commanders and brigade commanders.
"Comrade commanders," Voliski said to the commanders attending the meeting: "I have just received news that the German troops who appeared from nowhere successfully repelled the 194th Infantry Division in the Wormdyk area. and the 399th Division, and encircled the 17th and 96th Infantry Divisions, now advancing in the direction of Elbing.”
Hearing what Volsky said, the commanders below couldn't help but start talking. It felt like the Germans were so foolhardy that they actually dared to attack an area where heavy Soviet troops were assembled. Didn't they ever think about the possibility of the entire army being annihilated?
Voliski heard the following discussion and said with a smile: "Comrade commanders, the Germans were unwilling to accept their defeat, so they tried every means to prepare to defeat us on the battlefield, thereby reversing their unfavorable situation. This attack , I think it is of this nature.”
"Comrade Commander." A general sitting below asked: "How many troops does the enemy have?"
"Judging from the intelligence obtained so far, the German troops attacking our army are the 170th Infantry Division and the 28th Chasseur Division, with a total strength of more than 20,000 people."
Everyone originally thought that the German army had mobilized at least four or five divisions, but when they discovered that there were only two divisions, everyone had a relaxed expression on their faces. In everyone's mind, no matter how strong the combat effectiveness of the German army is, if only two divisions dare to attack an area where heavy troops are gathered, it is simply asking for death.
Thinking of this, an impatient commander immediately asked Volsky for an order: "Comrade Commander, please give the order. We will definitely defeat the invading enemy."
Volsky is a cautious person. Although he feels that the enemy's strength is not large, he cannot take it lightly. Therefore, he decisively issued an order: "I plan to dispatch the 3rd Guards Tank Corps and the 29th Tank Corps to launch an attack on the German 28th Jäger Division. We must defeat this German force in the shortest possible time. Trapped troops were rescued.”
The two commanders whose names were called by Voliski stood up quickly and expressed their stance to him: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, we will use powerful fortifications to crush the German attack."
"Two comrades, comrades." Voliski reminded the two of them: "The enemy you are facing is not just the Jäger Division. German reinforcements may appear somewhere. You must not Take it lightly."
"Understood." The two commanders replied: "We will set aside enough reserves to deal with possible reinforcements from the German army."
"In addition." Volsky continued: "The 8th Guards Tank Corps, the 8th Mechanized Corps, and the 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps serve as reserves and will be put into the battlefield at the appropriate time."
While the 2nd Assault Army and the 5th Guards Tank Army were arranging their troops, Sokov was not idle either. Although he had discovered that the German army did not have much interest in his troops, he still readjusted his deployment and prepared to use an infantry division, two infantry brigades and a tank brigade to attack from the German flank and completely disrupt the German army. Offensive deployment.
As soon as Sokov announced this order, Sukhalev, who was attending the meeting, stood up and said with red eyes: "Comrade Commander, please let our brigade participate in this attack? The German army's sneak attack at night, let us The brigade suffered heavy casualties, and I want to recover this blood debt owed by the Germans from them."
Sokov hoped that the 109th Infantry Brigade could take revenge in today's battle. However, he knew better that after the night battle, the 109th Brigade had been crippled. Even if such a unit went to the battlefield, it would probably not be of much use.
"Major Sukhalev, I understand your desire to avenge the sacrifice of your comrades." Sokov said to Sukhalev: "However, after the night battle, your brigade has been reduced by more than half. Even if I send you When the brigade goes to the battlefield, do you think you can defeat the enemy?”
Sokov's words stopped Sukhalev. He had just been thinking about avenging his fallen comrades, but he had forgotten that his troops were severely weakened in the night battle, and I am afraid that not even half of their combat effectiveness is left. , going into battle under such circumstances is tantamount to letting the soldiers die.
For a moment, Sukharev didn't know what to say, so he could only sit down again. He rested his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands. He only felt ashamed. A few hours ago, he sacrificed so many outstanding subordinates, but he could not avenge them personally. It was a pity. .
"Okay, I will continue to assign tasks." Sokov continued: "The 211th Infantry Division, the 118th and 122nd Brigades, and the 202nd Tank Brigade are responsible for launching attacks from the flanks and rear of the German 170th Infantry Division. We must defeat them in the shortest possible time.”
"Misha." After Sokov finished assigning the task, Runev asked: "Although the German army only has one division, can we really defeat them?"
"No problem." Sokov said confidently: "After a night battle, the regiment of the German 170th Infantry Division that carried out the sneak attack has suffered nearly half of its casualties due to our army's strong counterattack; while the other regiment was killed by our army's The artillery fire has crippled it, and its combat effectiveness has been greatly weakened. The only remaining regiment with real combat effectiveness. Comrade Military Commissar, do you think we have two infantry brigades, one infantry division and one tank brigade? Can’t we defeat the remnants of the Germans?”
Lunev heard the other party's dissatisfaction from Sokov's tone, and quickly explained with a smile: "Misha, don't worry too much, I was just asking casually. I believe that the troops of the 48th Group Army are on any battlefield. , can defeat our enemies."
Hosbach felt very relieved after learning that his two divisions had caused huge chaos to the Soviet army. Just when he was about to put the other two infantry divisions in his hands into the battlefield in order to control the entire situation, he received bad news: the Soviet Third Belarusian Front launched a new attack deep into their defenses. In order to prevent his own defense line from being broken through by the Soviet army, Hosbach could only change the original plan and turn the second echelon that was preparing to enter the battle to the east to stop the Soviet army's advance.
As a result, the 28th Chasseur Division and the 170th Infantry Division, which were fighting fiercely with the Soviet army, became a lone army. Although the German army pushed forward tenaciously towards Elbing in the west, they encountered stubborn resistance from the Soviet army along the way. The Germans finally occupied several villages, but because there were not enough troops left to defend, they fell into the hands of the Soviet army again shortly after the main force left.
After Hosbach learned of this situation, he immediately ordered the 7th Armored Division west of Elbing to launch an attack to the east of the city in an attempt to meet the 28th Chasseur Division, which was attacking westward.
The sudden action of the German 7th Armored Division disrupted the deployment of the Soviet army, and the defense line of the 3rd Guards Tank Corps was torn open by the Germans. The 83rd Chasseur Regiment of the 28th Chasseur Division, which attacked from east to west, took advantage of this opportunity to successfully merge with the 7th Armored Division, and under their cover, successfully entered the city of Elbin.
The offensive operation against the Soviet army commanded by Hosbach was approved by Reinhardt. They hope that through such an offensive battle, they can tell Mustache that with the current strength of the German army, it is impossible to hold on to Königsberg and other areas of East Prussia. The only way is to abandon East Prussia and gather precious troops in In the German mainland, a desperate struggle began with the Soviet troops who were preparing to rush to Berlin.
But unfortunately, Reinhardt and his chief of staff were relieved of their duties by Mustache before the offensive began. Although their replacements have not yet arrived, they have completely lost command of the troops and cannot dispatch more reinforcements to Hosbach as originally agreed. As a result, the German troops responsible for the offensive mission were initially It is destined to become a lone army.
The battle near Elbing would soon reach Berlin. After Mustache learned about this, a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart. He hoped that this attack would deal a heavy blow to the Soviet troops near Elbin and crush their attempt to rush to Berlin from here.
But unfortunately, as the fighting continued into the afternoon, there was still no exciting news. After a long wait, Mustache completely lost his patience. He said to Guderian: "Guderian, the troops of the 4th Army are escaping to the German mainland. This is absolutely not allowed. You immediately issue an order to relieve Ho Hosbach's position, and arrange new candidates to take over the positions of Reinhardt and Hosbach."
Guderian was dumbfounded when he heard Mustache's order. Although Hosbach's attack did not make much progress, it caused great trouble to the Soviet army. If troops can be mobilized for reinforcements at this time, good results will be achieved. Even if the unfavorable situation in East Prussia cannot be completely reversed, at least in local areas, the German army can maintain a certain advantage. But Mustache directly announced that Hosbach would be dismissed from his post. Guderian could imagine that once this order was issued, the German troops attacking in the Elbin area at this moment would suffer defeat due to reasons such as lack of morale and low morale.
Although he knew the consequences of this order in his heart, he also understood the consequences of contradicting Mustache, but he did not dare to say anything and could only pass on the order obediently.
When Hosbach, who was far away in East Prussia, received a call from Guderian, he thought that the other party was about to provide assistance to him, and said excitedly: "Your Excellency, Chief of General Staff, you are preparing to send us more reinforcements. To completely defeat the Russians?”
But he didn't expect that the words Guderian said at the next moment made his heart feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave: "I'm sorry, General Hosbach, I may have disappointed you. I didn't mean to make this call. Let me tell you when our reinforcements will arrive, but rather convey the orders of the head of state."
"An order from the head of state?" After hearing what Guderian said, Hosbach asked nervously: "What order?"
"From now on, you have been dismissed from your current position." Guderian said with a grimace: "The plane to pick you up will arrive in the evening. You will take that plane back to Berlin by then. I will send someone there then." I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
Hearing that he had been dismissed and had to fly back to Berlin immediately, Hosbach asked anxiously: "Your Excellency, Chief of General Staff, if I am dismissed from my post, who will command the troops? The battle between our army and the Russians, This is the most critical moment, and if I leave like this, I'm worried that our carefully organized offense will end in failure."
"Even if it fails, there is nothing that can be done." Guderian said helplessly: "This is an order personally issued by the head of state, and no one can change it."
Now that Guderian had spoken to this extent, Hosbach knew in his heart that no matter what he said, he would not be able to change Mustache's decision. He asked with a wry smile: "Your Excellency, Chief of General Staff, can you tell me, if I return to Berlin now, what will the Führer plan to do with us? Will we go to a military court or be shot directly?"
"General Hosbach, don't be so pessimistic." Guderian enlightened the other party: "Even if you are not dismissed, you will not reach this point. I think you may be relieved of all military duties and then let you Stay at home."
(End of chapter)
