Burning Moscow

Chapter 1591 Pontoon bridge on the Vistula

The failure of the Polish offensive has temporarily come to an end. . The fastest update. The next thing we want to study is to use Polish engineers to build a pontoon bridge for tanks and artillery on the Vistula River.

Cui Koff first expressed his opinion: “Comrade commanders, I think the main purpose of building the bridge should be to strengthen the strength of our army at the Magnusev landing site. Our convoy passed the pontoon, except for transporting weapons and ammunition to them. In addition, a large number of tanks and artillery should be transported there, so that our troops can have a stronger counterattack force when they are attacked by German armored divisions.”

“Comrade Commander,” General Tkachenko, the director of the Engineering Corps, was sitting beside him, looking sideways at Cui Kefu worriedly: “The group army has only one antiaircraft artillery regiment, and they are already incapable of performing air defense missions with a defense line of 25 kilometers wide. There is no way to spare any extra power to strengthen the air defense in the area crossing the river.”

“General Tkachenko, don’t worry about that.” Cuikov waved at him and said, “General Belinger, the commander of the Polish 1st Army, once assured me that their artillery division will arrive in Weiss in the near future. By the Wa River, help us strengthen air defense against the ferry.”

“Comrade Commander, there is another problem.” Tkachenko continued: “We lack enough pontoon bridge equipment to build a complete pontoon bridge on the Vistula River.”

“General Bellinger promised me that in addition to sending a high artillery division, he will also send us the 1st Brigade of Polish Engineers to help us erect the pontoon bridge. As for the pontoon bridge equipment you are worried about, they should have enough erection there. One of the pontoons.” Cui Koff: “Comrade Tkachenko, your task is to choose a suitable location as our bridge site.”

“I’ve chosen it a long time ago.” Tkachenko stood up, pointed to the map and said: “I suggest that the location of the bridge be located in the Matejevice area, not only from the Magnuche we built. The landing site of the husband is close, and the river surface is relatively narrow. The distance between the two banks is only 900 meters. More importantly, the river section here has not been bombarded by the Germans.”

After the meeting, I asked Vladimirov who was packing up: “Chief of Staff, has Major Monakov got any news from them?”

Vladimirov shook his head and replied: “I’m sorry, Comrade Deputy Commander, so far, we have not heard from them, and I don’t know if there is a problem with their radio or they were destroyed by the enemy.”

Cui Kefu, who was sitting aside, heard this and said thoughtfully: “If we still can’t get in touch, we can only send people to cross the German defense line again and go to the enemy’s rear to find their whereabouts.”

“Comrade Commander,” General Chernyshov asked tentatively, “Do you think it is possible for them to be discovered by the Germans. After a fierce battle, the entire army was destroyed?”

“No, my Comrade Military Commissioner.” To Chernyshov’s speculation, Cuikov did not hesitate to refute: “After all, it is a force of more than 400 people. Even if the German army wants to eat them, It’s not that easy. Even if you are surrounded by enemies, Major Monakov will send someone out to report to us.”

As soon as Cui Kefu’s words were finished, Colonel Gehrman, the reconnaissance director of the Group Army, walked in from outside. A long distance away, he excitedly reported to Cui Kefu: “Comrade Commander, good news, we are in contact with troops operating behind enemy lines.”

Cui Kefu took the telegram in Gehrman’s hand, read it carefully, and said with a smile: “This Major Monakov is really not easy. He actually went around to the north of Warsaw, hasn’t he been able to contact him.”

Hearing the news of Monakov, I immediately felt a lot more relaxed. I reached out and took the telegram from Trikov’s hand, and asked casually: “What? The major led the troops around to the north of Warsaw. What’s going on?”

“Major Monakov led the troops. When searching for the Kaminsky Brigade behind the enemy, the scouts discovered that a large number of German troops were gathering to the south of Warsaw. The major thought that the enemy was coming towards him, so he moved in with the troops. To the forest.” Cui Kefu said to the other commanders: “When he arrived in the western suburbs of Warsaw, he met a few Jews who had escaped from the city. The rebels in the city were massacring Jews and dissidents. He didn’t want to disturb him. Entering this muddy water, they led the troops to continue moving north.”

At the time of Cui Kefu’s words, I have read the content of the telegram. Seeing the telegram put on the table, I was dissatisfied: “What did this Major Monakov do? The task given to him by his superiors is to destroy the Kaminsky brigade. But he did it well and took hundreds of people around behind the enemy lines. I really thought that the Germans were blind and deaf, as if they could not be found.”

After hearing what I said, Trikov said to the reconnaissance director: “Colon Gehrman, send a telegram to Monakov to remind him not to forget his mission and to destroy the Kaminsky brigade as soon as possible.”

…………

In the evening, four school-level officers wearing Polish military uniforms, led by the Director of Engineering Tkachenko, walked in from outside the door, and Chief of Staff Vladimirov, who was standing near the door, saw them. An uninvited guest asked Tkachenko in amazement: “Comrade Director, where did these Polish commanders come from?”

Before Tkachenko could answer, a middle-aged colonel next to him raised his hand and saluted Vladimirov: “Hello, Comrade General! I am the commander of the Polish Anti-aircraft Artillery Division, Kopovich. Colonel, came here specially to establish contact with General Cui Kefu.”

“It turned out to be Colonel Prokopovic.” Cuikov, who was looking at the map, straightened up and walked towards the Polish officer with a smile. At the same time, he kindly said, “I heard General Belinger mentioned you during the day. I represent All the commanders and fighters of the Eighth Army of the Guard, welcome your arrival!”

After shaking hands with Prokopovich, he turned his gaze to another weak colonel and asked politely: “You are Colonel Lyubansky, and you and your engineering brigade are welcome!” End, He walked over and held the opponent’s hand tightly and shook it vigorously.

Seeing Trikov’s enthusiasm for Lyubanski, I think it’s a matter of course, because with the arrival of the Polish Engineer Brigade, a pontoon bridge for transport vehicles and troops will appear on the Vistula River, which will strengthen The strength of the Magnusev landing field is very advantageous.

After greeting the two division brigades, Tkachenko introduced two other commanders to Trikov. Lieutenant Colonel Zeliginski, the political deputy brigade commander of the Engineer Brigade, and Major Sokolovsky, the chief of staff of the Artillery Division.

“Comrades commanders, please come here.” After the brief introduction, Cuikov greeted everyone to the table, pointed to the map and asked Liubansky: “Colonel Liubansky, this is where you are going to erect the pontoon. Place, I don’t know how long it will take you to complete the erection of the pontoon?”

“Comrade General,” Ljubansky asked, staring at the map, “I don’t know how the water flows on this section of the river and how wide the river is? Also, how many wooden boats can be collected in a short period of time?”

Regarding Lyubanski’s series of questions, Cui Koff said: “The water flow in this section of the river is smooth, with a width of 900 meters and a depth of about 5 meters. It is the most suitable section for bridge construction, and it will not be affected by the German long-range artillery. Safety. The risk factor is the lowest in the process of erecting the pontoon. As for the number of wooden boats needed to build the bridge,” he turned his head and asked Tkachenko who was standing next to him, “Comrade Chief of Engineering, this question is still up to you. Come answer.”

“So far, we have collected more than 200 wooden boats of various specifications. In addition, there are 30 100-meter steel cables and tools needed for bridge erection.” Tkachenko asked tentatively after finishing the data. Liubansky: “Comrade Colonel, we don’t have enough supplies. I don’t know if you can make up the remaining part?”

Liubansky frowned and thought for a while, then nodded his head and said: “No problem, I think our brigade can provide the remaining bridge materials. But the bridge also requires a lot of wood, my staff. Limited, I don’t know if you can provide some necessary help.”

I knew that the necessary help Liubansky mentioned was that I wanted to find some soldiers to help them cut down trees, so I made my own claim: “Don’t worry, comrade colonel, we will send soldiers to help you cut down trees. Are you right, General? Comrade?” My last sentence was directed at Cui Kefu.

“Yes, yes,” Cui Kefu nodded quickly: “Comrade Colonel, in order to ensure that there is enough wood for the bridge, I will send you as many people as you need to help.”

Seeing that his request was fulfilled, Liubansky’s words immediately felt confident: “Comrade General, as long as the manpower and materials are sufficient, I will be able to complete the erection of the pontoon at the latest before dawn.”

After getting the assurance from Lyubaski, Trikov looked at Prokopovic and asked, “Comrade Colonel, if the pontoon bridge is erected, you will be responsible for the task of air defense at the ferry.”

“Don’t worry, Comrade General, I will deploy a regiment of anti-aircraft guns at the ferry…” Prokopovic confidently said: “The German planes do not come, as long as they come, I will discipline them whether they come or not. Back.”

“Two colonels, I’m just waiting for your good news.” Cui Koff reached out to the two colonels, shaking hands and adding: “Some time ago, Marshal Rokosovsky gave me a reply. In the battle to liberate Warsaw, the outstanding commanders who emerged must be rewarded and even directly awarded the title of “Hero of the Soviet Union.” Although neither of you are Soviet, just make sure that the pontoon can play in the battle to liberate Warsaw. For an important role, I would suggest that Comrade Marshal grant the two of you medals and the honorary title of “Hero of the Soviet Union”.”

Originally, the two colonels were only politely communicating with Cui Kefu. When they heard that they might be able to make an exception to get the title of “Hero of the Soviet Union”, their eyes flashed, and they all said to Cui Kefu in unison: “Comrade General, please rest assured We will certainly not disappoint your trust.”

After sending away a few Polish commanders, Cuikov called the Chief of Staff and the Minister of Logistics in front of him, and said to the two of them: “Colonel Lyubanski will be able to complete the erection of the pontoon before dawn. So you two The task is to have the transport convoy rush to the river before dawn to transport all the urgently needed weapons and ammunition from the other side. If possible, transport the 11th tank brigade and one or two artillery regiments to the other side of the river. .”

Vladimirov heard that Trikov mentioned that the artillery should be transported to the other side, and he was careful: “Comrade Commander, on the west bank of the Vistula, there is the 65th Regiment of the 35th Guards Artillery Division. We can consider giving priority. Give them enough artillery shells. In addition, the 39th Guards Division of Colonel Marchenko now has half of its forces on the west bank of the river. Do you consider sending the 87th Guards Artillery Regiment described by the division to the opposite bank. go with?”

After listening to Vladimirov’s proposal, Trikov immediately nodded and said without hesitation: “Yes, just do as you please. Our Magnusev landing site in the West Bank is not large, only in After supplementing with sufficient troops and technical equipment, we will be able to expand the strength of the landing field.”

After dark, the engineering brigade began to build bridges over the Vistula River.

Cui Kefu and I were worried, so we took a few people to the river to inspect. More than a hundred meters away from the river, more than 20 anti-aircraft guns lined up. Judging from the uniforms worn by the soldiers, I recognized them as soldiers of the Polish artillery division at a glance. I left the queue and walked towards the anti-aircraft artillery. I asked an officer with three five-pointed stars on his epaulettes, and asked, “Comrade Captain, are you an artillery division?”

“Yes, Comrade General.” After reading my epaulettes, the Polish captain replied respectfully: “We belong to the high artillery regiment.”

“Are all the anti-aircraft guns here?” I then asked.

The captain shook his head, “There are only the first and second battalions here. The third battalion’s anti-aircraft guns are hidden elsewhere. Once the pontoon is erected, it will be deployed on the opposite side of the river.”

After thanking the captain, I turned around and returned to Trikov’s side, and said to him: “Comrade General, it seems that Colonel Prokopovic has considered very thoughtful Anti-aircraft guns are placed on both banks of the Vistula River. , This kind of air defense effect is the best.”

When we came to the river, we saw a busy scene. The engineers and soldiers fixed the wooden boats with steel cables and then covered them with planks. In order to prevent the pontoon from moving under the impact of the current, they laid down wooden piles in many sections to fix the load-bearing wooden boats.

Seeing the floating bridge taking shape little by little, Cui Kefu’s face showed a smile. He turned his head to me: “Lida, you see, the soldiers of the Engineer Brigade are quite swift. If nothing happens, the pontoon can be built before dawn. Let’s go and see the transport convoys. To see if they are not ready to cross the river.”

At dawn, a pontoon spanned across the banks of the Vistula River. Amidst the cheers of the soldiers, a female traffic controller standing at the end of the bridge waved the signal flag in her hand. After seeing the passable signal, the military vehicles loaded with ammunition and materials that had been waiting on the shore a long time ago started up, and one after another drove onto the pontoon bridge, swaying towards the opposite bank.

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