Engaging his commanders eyes, Malinin took advantage of their special relationship.
“Resistance has exceeded our expectations in a number of areas and our casualties have been higher than anticipated.”
Zhukov remained impassive.
“The good news is that their air forces have been heavily disrupted by Kurgan, and we have seen little organised operational direction from them, and what there has been has been limited and we have inflicted some severe losses on those that have tried. We are winning the Air War convincingly.”
It was a bold claim but the facts could not be denied. Few allied sorties made any impact and a number were intercepted and put to the sword.
“Our navy has lost a number of small vessels but has inflicted serious losses on the enemy, although it should be remembered that they have huge maritime resources to call upon. However, the Baltic is definitely closed and our navy has started to interdict the reinforcement line, sinking one large ship and causing huge loss of life amongst the soldiers on board.”
Malinin took a sip of his water to wet his throat.
“The naval war is not a war we can win but our Soviet Fleets are performing magnificently and causing huge problems that will assist us in our goals.”
The General picked up a document in order to quote precisely.
“Pekunin informs us that Tito is extremely offended that he was not informed about our plans and has stated to both the Comrade General Secretary and the Allied leaders that he is remaining neutral until both sides ‘come to their senses’, at which time he will mediate between us.”
Malinin looked up at his boss, who looked less than amused.
“Pekunin reports that Tito’s submission also stated that his national borders are to be considered sacred and inviolable, either by land or air. Any violation will be met with force and the invader repulsed.”
Malinin skim read, hurrying to get to the crucial part.
“Contrary to previous reports, it is now the Yugoslavian position to remain neutral regardless and to guarantee their borders to both sides.”
Putting the report back in its rightful place, he spoke, almost as if to no one in particular
“It seems our General Pekunin has hitched his horse to the wrong sledge.”
A staff Major hurried up and placed a document before the General, who took in its contents quickly and dismissed the officer.
“In the Far East, our forces and those of Imperial Japan have been successful beyond all expectations, inflicting deep wounds on the American Navy and already using the German equipment well on mainland China.”
Addressing Zhukov directly, Malinin offered a shortcut.
“A briefing document on that operation has been prepared for later so that we can concentrate on the situation in Europe.”
Zhukov nodded his approval, especially as he had suggested the improvement to Malinin after the previous days briefing.
“Fighting continues in Lübeck, with 21st Army launching a direct assault on the northern suburbs and 10th Guards Army flanking to the south. Last reports received placed elements of the 8th Guards Rifle Corps here, north of Kastdorf.”
Looking down at his notes, he continued.
“We have identified enemy from the British 15th Infantry and 11th Armoured Division as well as the American 82nd US Airborne Division defending.”
Moving his pointer down to just above Hamburg, Malinin moved on.
“Reinbek fell in the night and 4th Shock Army is in the eastern suburbs of Hamburg. 4th also sent a column north and they have reached and taken Bargteheide, hopefully relieving our surviving paratroopers at Ahrensberg before the morning is out.”
“43rd Army has performed brilliantly, Comrade Marshall.”
Zhukov noted Malinin’s praise by placing an asterisk next to that part of the document, ready for his recommendations for promotion and awards at a later date.
“Not only have they broken through at Geesthacht and Bergedorf but Major-General Lenskii sent 92nd Rifle Corps southwards to crush the defenders of Lüneberg who were holding up 11th Guards Army. They are now driving hard south of the Elbe and were fighting in Winsen at last report.”
Zhukov placed another asterisk on his paperwork as he could appreciate that Lenskii had done extremely well with his small army.
“A note of caution here. 11th has a wide-open left flank in its drive for Hamburg. Galitskiy has placed the paratrooper units he relieved as a guard force on the major roads but he is vulnerable if the allies get organised.”
Zhukov made a note to remind him to assess that more closely at the end of the briefing and gestured for Malinin to proceed.
“2nd Guards Tank Army encountered some problems with bridges but that has been overcome now,” he flatly acknowledged for Zhukov, “Not without cost in valuable bridging assets I must add Comrade Marshall.”
Zhukov made no note; he did not need to.
“On the upside, an American infantry regiment was crushed by 1st Mechanised Corps units overnight and 2nd now have outflanked Braunschweig,” looking down at his notes once more, “Being now attempting to cross the canal at Wenden.”
Malinin cleared his throat in an affected way, a sure sign to his commander that something bad was coming.
“In Braunschweig itself, 69th Army were stopped in their tracks by a British tank unit. Details are sketchy but we believe that the 68th Tank Battalion was badly mauled by a British Guards Armoured Unit. This we did not have on intelligence and its appearance was a surprise. 69th is reorienting to push again but I suggest that may not be necessary, given 2nd Guards Tank being past Braunschweig to the north already. I suspect the British will withdraw.”
Zhukov considered that and agreed, especially as the allies seemed to be avoiding any outflanking or encirclement risk to date, preferring to preserve their force. Very wise he mused.
Moving the pointer slightly to the south the briefing took an upbeat note.
“Here 3rd Army has found a huge hole opened up in front of them and Colonel-General Gorbatov pushed his tanks forward as fast as he could. They have run into problems here at Hildesheim where the Amerikanisti have rallied. However, we appear to have struck on the hinge between two US divisions. 2nd Tank has folded back to the north-west and the 30th Infantry to the south-west.”
Slapping the map on Göttingen, he continued.
“Here we appear to have an opportunity to exploit. We can bite off north and south here and destroy one infantry and one tank division in situ. If Malinovsky releases more assets now”
No more needed to be said and he waited as Zhukov thought through the matter.
“Very well comrade. Tell Malinovsky to release 1st Guards Tank Corps and one of the First Red Banners’ spare rifle corps to Gorbatov’s command. Order him to exploit the gap opening between Hildesheim and Göttingen…” pausing to study the map, “…With either Paderborn or Minden in mind but closing the rear door on Göttingen. Tell him also I will be moving some reserve assets up closer so that if he finds favourable conditions he is to exploit in the knowledge that substantial reinforcements will be close at hand.”
Zhukov made a suitable notation on his paperwork, already mentally ticking off which units he would move up ready. He looked up once he had thought through the list, Malinin taking his cue.
“At Kassel our units are embroiled in heavy street fighting in some areas and tank battles to the north and south.”
The General’s concern was obvious.
“We have identified parts of the 8th American Tank Division here at Witzenhausen, where they badly handled one of our tank regiments.”
He was unable to recall the designation but progressed anyway.
“South of Kassel one of their tank-destroyer units reduced 1315th Guards SP to flames inside one hour. American Jackson Tanks with big guns; very nasty. In the end, they were driven off with artillery and our forces are holding until a heavy tank regiment arrives to support the advance.”