There was an unspoken understanding that such interviews would inevitably end with more executions for sabotage and the like.
“Personnel and equipment shortages have obviously been caused by combat operations, but particularly heavy losses have resulted from enemy air action.”
Malinin halted and accepted the full cup that Zhukov pushed across the table at him.
Taking a deep draught, he cleared his throat and continued.
“Thank you, Comrade Marshall. Some examples of this. Two full bridging brigades were badly mauled when Allied bombers attacked the Vessertal concentration site near Suhl. Marshall Bagramyan reports his available heavy bridging capacity down to two companies of the 106th Engineers, both of which have seen combat and have limited equipment, as a result of ground attack by the RAF.”
Another swallow of tea brought needed moisture to a throat drying out, not just from speaking but from genuine horror at the unfolding situation.
“Karelian Front is sending its own bridging assets to 1st Baltic, but this will have an effect upon our intended Norway operations. A necessary evil, but one that Bagramyan and Govorov shared with us only when they were already committed to the move.”
The criticism was genuine. Although the move made sense, it had not been approved, having been sorted out between the two front commanders alone.
“We will sort that out in good time, Comrade, even though that wily old Armenian kept us out of it. For now it is a good arrangement on their part and we would have supported it immediately, would we not?”
A point Malinin conceded immediately.
“Marshall Malinovsky is desperate for more assets. He reports that the 112th Pontoon Battalion is his sole intact bridging unit with good capability, the others having little equipment left. He also states that casualties amongst his experienced engineers have been punishing. You will recall that you instructed that the latest batch of replacements went straight to him?”
Zhukov nodded, understanding that Malinin’s tone indicated that had not been straight-forward.
“A partisan ambush derailed the train carrying the engineer troops at the Bode River Bridge, near Hedersleben, resulting in heavy casualties.”
Zhukov looked quizzically at Malinin.
“Apologies, Comrade Marshall,” and orienting himself on the table map, he swiftly indicated the precise location of the attack.
“Our comrades of the NKVD?”
“Were effective after the event, and destroyed the partisan unit that carried out the attack. Additional patrols are now being mounted and hostages have been taken from the local communities.”
Neither man found it necessary to give voice to the thoughts that such reprisals were standard chekist fare.
“I will send a report to Comrade Beria shortly, and also request additional vigilance from his units. We cannot afford these losses. They are unnecessary and avoidable.”
Malinin flourished a handful of paper.
“These reports all indicate either higher than expected casualties in our bridging units, higher rates of consumption of specialist equipment, or both,” and in an attempt to add something positive before the crunch arrived, Malinin added brightly, “Your order to marry dedicated anti-aircraft support units to bridging units is being carried out, and we should see a reduction in casualties from air attack as a result.”
The Chief of Staff cleared his throat and delivered his most important line.
“We have a problem here, Comrade Marshall.”
A document was produced from a separate pile and placed before Zhukov.
“We seem to have sufficient assets to take our forces through to Phase four, provided we do not see repeats of the partisan ambush and also replacements come at the promised rates, both in men and equipment.”
“And at an acceptable standard.”
Zhukov’s comment was under his breath, but still reached the CoS’s ears.
“Yes, Comrade Marshall.”
Zhukov grunted, his eyes taking in the projections Malinin had prepared.
“That includes the assets we have removed from the Poles. We have not asked for Polish volunteers as yet, Comrade Marshall?”
Spoken as a question, his words received a shake of the head from Zhukov.
“Not at this time. They are about as trustworthy as a bag of snakes.”
And, by way of confirmation of the decision, Malinin read a paragraph from a report by the Chief Engineer Officer of 1st Baltic Front.
“It appears likely that not all apparatus requested has been made available, and that considerable amounts of that which has been reassigned from the Poles, as well as the equipment recovered by the Polish engineers, appears to be excessively worn, even damaged.”
Receiving nothing more than a knowing look, he continued.
“NKVD is not acting at this time, for obvious reasons, but we may not be able to ignore the issue for much longer. Bagramyan has requested a large number of their armoured vehicles as replacements for his own force. That will give us a further indication as to loyalties.”
“Indeed Comrade. Enough of the Poles for now. What is your conclusion on the matter of bridging engineers?”
“We simply will not have the assets to successfully cross the Rhine as matters stand.”
That was guaranteed to get the Commander-in-Chief’s attention. Silence ensued as Zhukov reread the figures.
“I agree. Vasilevsky?”
“His assets were depleted at the start, Comrade Marshall. If he loses any more, his ability offensively will be greatly reduced.”
Wiping his bald pate with his right hand, Zhukov considered the problem.
“One for STAVKA to ponder, Malinin. Have the written request for more resources prepared immediately.”
The CoS made the appropriate record in his notes.
“Anywhere else we can get assets from?”
Malinin shook his head as he spoke.
“We have stripped out Central and Southern areas to the absolute bare minimums, to nothing in some cases. On my authority, all units are being circulated with orders to remove any officers or men with bridging experience from their roster and transfer them to Army command from where they can be appropriately allocated.”
“Good work, Malinin. That should give us something extra to work with, although I hope it doesn’t disrupt the parent units too much.”
The CoS shrugged as the priority now was bridging engineers, not tanks or infantry.
Zhukov stood and tugged down his tunic.
“I will be flying back to Moscow this afternoon and I will bring this to the attention of STAVKA. Make sure those reports,” he indicated Malinin’s written list, “Are ready as soon as possible. Maybe I will return with more positive news?”
Malinin tidied up the papers and hurried away to get the necessary orders drafted.
As he reached the door, he was almost bowled over by a staff Lieutenant-Colonel.
“Apologies, Comrade Polkovnik General.”
“Well what has got you so excited, Garimov?”
The man brandished a message sheet.
“I need to see Comrade Marshall Zhukov, Sir.”
Malinin stepped aside, allowing the excited officer to enter the room.
Snapping to attention in front of his commander, Garimov offered up a radio message slip, which Zhukov took and read.
The Chief of Staff silently enquired of Garimov, his probing look seeking out the nature of the news that was making his commander smile.
The Lieutenant-Colonel addressed him with equal formality.
“Sir,” heard a satisfied Malinin, “Marshall Bagramyan reports Hamburg has fallen.”
Zhukov took his place on the aircraft, a genuine lend-lease American C-47, and immediately felt it lurch as the aircrew received clearance for take-off, right on the appointed time of 1230 hrs.