Burning Moscow

Chapter 1582 Landing behind enemy lines (middle)

I waited for Rokosovsky to finish before saying slowly: “Comrade Marshal, landing behind enemy lines is very risky, but this is the only feasible plan to penetrate behind enemy lines. Although it is a bit risky, I think it is worth it. test.”

Rokosovsky has long been accustomed to my ingenuity, he said lightly: “Tell me about your plan.”

“I hope the Air Force can provide us with ten transport planes and the same number of gliders. One plane can carry twenty fighters and their accompanying weapons. In this way, we can deploy a battalion of troops behind enemy lines.” In order to reassure Rokosovsky, I specifically emphasized: “The transport plane will land in an open space in the middle of the forest. There is no enemy defense here. This is conducive to us in the shortest possible time to gather the troops that landed and fight against the card. The Minsky Brigade launched an attack.”

After I finished speaking, Rokosovsky did not immediately express his position. Only his heavy breathing came from the earpiece. It seemed that he was thinking painfully whether he could agree to my bold plan.

“Comrade Marshal,” I saw that Rokosovsky was still hesitating, and said quickly while the iron was hot: “We have never carried out airborne operations during the war with the Germans, so the Germans will definitely not take any preventive measures. The chance of success is still very high.”

“Lida, there is another important question. I don’t know if you have considered it.” Rokosovsky waited for me to finish, and said solemnly: “Our pilots are at night, if they implement it in an unfamiliar area. A successful landing? If something goes wrong, not only will it lose a battalion of troops, but it will also cost the Air Force a number of valuable transport aircraft.”

Regarding Rokosovsky’s concerns, I said confidently: “Comrade Marshal, please rest assured. I will send a small team through the German defense zone overnight to rush to the landing site. Wait for our army tomorrow night. After the transport plane arrives, they can set up a bonfire on the ground to guide the direction of our transport plane.”

Seeing that I had considered all the issues that should be considered, Rokosovsky was relieved: “Well, since you think that this is the only means for you to complete the combat mission, then it’s settled. As for From the air force, I will call immediately.”

I put down the phone and let out a long sigh of relief, and then said to Rezhov: “Comrade Commander, the Marshal has agreed to our air landing plan. Now we have two things to do: One is the guards of Colonel Marchenko. The 39th Division’s plan to cross the river to Pulawy at night remains unchanged; the second is that General Kulagin sent a small team overnight to find a way to cross the enemy’s defense line and rush to the place where our military plane landed as soon as possible. When the transport plane arrived with our soldiers in the evening, they lit a bonfire on the ground and pointed out the landing place for our plane.”

Lei Ruofu and the other two division commanders both accepted my order and looked at me and asked, “Comrade Deputy Commander, I don’t know which unit you plan to participate in the airborne operation?”

As soon as Leizhov finished speaking, Kurakin rushed to say: “If my division is on the west bank of the Vistula River and is participating in airborne operations, I think it is most appropriate to draw troops from my hands.”

“No, no.” Marchenko immediately grabbed the mission with Kulakin, “General Kulakin, your troops have been engaged in a tug of war with the Germans for the past two weeks, and the commanders and fighters are very tired. I see the plane landing. It’s up to me to draw troops to carry out the battle behind enemy lines.”

I saw that the two people were fighting more and more fiercely, and I quickly raised my hand to stop them, and then issued an order: “General Kulakin, if you send your troops to the war, they will have to cross the river from the west bank of the Vistula. It is a waste of time. The road is also not safe. And Colonel Marchenko’s troops are stationed near Lublin, not far from the airport, and it’s very convenient for the troops to board the plane. I think the troops participating in the airborne are from Colonel Marchenko’s division. Let’s tune in.”

Seeing that I had arranged for him to deploy troops to participate in the airborne operation, Marchenko smiled immediately. He said to me: “Comrade Deputy Commander, I will call the battalion commander involved in the airborne operation and ask him to come here immediately to accept the mission. .”

After Marchenko finished the phone call, he came over and said to me: “This battalion commander is the most capable of all battalion commanders. He will be responsible for carrying out this task. You will not be disappointed.”

Because I don’t know Marchenko, and I don’t know if there is any exaggeration in what he said, no matter what he said, I always remained silent, except that occasionally I smiled politely at him.

Not long after, someone shouting for a report suddenly came from outside the door. I heard this voice more familiar, and my heart asked, is there anyone I know here? Just about to wait for that person’s voice, Lei Ruofu already shouted at the door: “Come in!”

Following his shouting, a tall officer wearing a brand-new military uniform came in stride He came to us, raised his hand in a salute, and reported to Marchenko. Said: “Comrade Commander, Major Monakov, the 1st Battalion Commander of the 112th Guards Infantry Regiment, came to report, please give instructions!” After saying that, he remained standing at the same place, his chin slightly raised.

Seeing Monakov who suddenly appeared in front of me, I couldn’t help laughing. When Marchenko was about to introduce me, I waved to him, “Comrade Colonel, I know Major Monakov.” After speaking, I took two steps forward and reached out to Monakov. , “Major, we meet again.”

Monakov heard my voice, a look of surprise flashed across his face, but he quickly returned to normal. After raising his hand to salute me, he shook my hand and said excitedly: “Hello, Comrade General, I didn’t expect us to meet again here.”

Leyzhov pointed his finger at me and then at Monakov, and asked unexpectedly: “Comrade Deputy Commander, do you know Major Monakov?”

“Yes,” I shook hands with Monakov and replied with a smile to Rezhov: “I met the major in Kiev and came to Lublin by the same plane today.”

“That’s a coincidence.” Rezhov said with a smile: “Since you know the major, I will not introduce you to each other. Comrade Marchenko is right. Major Monakov is not only the 39th Guardsman. The most capable battalion commander of the division, and among the battalion commanders of the whole army, is one of the best. I believe he will be able to accomplish this glorious and difficult task.”

“Major, please come to the table!” Marchenko said politely to his subordinates: “I will introduce you to the combat mission you are about to perform.”