Zagrebin of the 77th Engineers exchanged a rueful look with the commander of the 4th Guards Tank Brigade, Arkady Yarishlov.
“Starting at Pfennigstedterfeld, 11th Guards Army,” he acknowledged Galitsky and Semenov, commander and CoS respectively, “You will launch attacks designed to commit the enemy reserves forward or force them to change position.”
“At these points,” Bagramyan tapped the map to punctuate each name as he went, “Wildeshausen, Hölingen, Colnrade, Goldenstedt, Barnstorf, Rechtern, Dreeke, Drebber, and finally Heede, and Hengemühle.”
“11th Guards will take 3rd Guards Mechanised Corps and 22nd Guards Rifle Corps under orders, to be employed only as blocking formations once an attack is halted. Clear, Comrades?”
“Yes, Comrade Marshal.”
Although, in truth, neither man understood exactly why they were being given two prime formations, and then being restricted on how to employ them.
“The timetable for your attacks is to reflect the need to draw the enemy reserves southwards all the time. I need 11th Guards to create a timetable in the minds of the Allies, one to which we will conform, until we strike and open them up like a ripe peach.”
“Comrade General Christyakov,” the commander of 6th Guards Army came to attention, “Your Army is my breakthrough formation, ready to exploit the gap once it is made.”
Outlining a different area of the front, Bagramyan continued.
“Here, you will follow the descending frontline with some assault formations; openly, not hidden in any way. I want the Allies to know of them.”
He stopped at two large wooded areas.
“Here, this is where I want you to hide the rest of your units. My plan is in the process of approval with the Stavka, and I have requested a Tank Corps to be assigned to you as an essential part of the breakthrough.”
Christyakov beamed at Rybko, his CoS, having just been handed his largest and most important command since he had taken to soldiering.
“Also hidden in these two woods,” he checked the names, “Wietingsmoor and Freistattermoor, will be Special Group Obinin.”
Major General Obinin, the temporary commander of 2nd Guards Tank Corps, had already been briefed on his part, so he was not fazed by the announcement. In truth, the man was bordering on total mental exhaustion, but the front he presented gave no indication on how close he was to breaking.
Bagramyan paused to sip some water before continuing.
“Special Group Obinin will be responsible for breaching the Hunte River defences, and capturing intact the rail bridge here,” the group leant forward as one, “At Barnstorf.”
Each man could mentally envisage the sights, and smell the smoke, that would envelop the small German township, whose only crime was to possess an undamaged rail bridge capable of sustaining the weight of heavy armour.
In each man’s mind’s eye, the Soviet forces swept over the defenders in a glorious wave.
Then the euphoria of the moment was gone, replaced with the fatalism of the experienced soldier,
More than one in the room looked at the map with a jaundiced eye.
‘Barnstorf.’
“Comrade Obinin has already submitted a plan of attack based upon the best intelligence available, and it may be that we will obtain three bridges over the Hunte as a result of this assault.”
Returning his attention to Christyakov, the cunning Armenian Marshal smiled encouragingly.
“6th Guards will commence deploying its concealed forces as soon as the forcing of the Hunte seems likely, timed to cross as soon as the river line is ours, keeping up the pressure, and forcing the Allies to keep moving westwards. You will concentrate your Army as soon as possible, passing them over the river immediately the opportunity presents itself.”
It was Zagrebin’s turn to receive attention.
“Our comrades from the 77th Engineer Bridge Brigade will commence their work as soon as you give them the signal, either repairing the existing, or laying new bridges, whichever will give us the most benefit at the time.”
Bagramyan’s voice took a sterner tone.
“I don’t need to remind you how valuable the 77th is, and its preservation is to be considered a priority over all others, Comrades.”
Simply put, there were few bridging unit left, and even fewer with the resources to actually construct a viable bridge; 77th was one such rarity, albeit one missing its 3rd Battalion, and of reduced strength across the board.
It was Galitsky who broached subject number one.
“Comrade Marshal, our supply situation seems to have eased at the moment, but are we guaranteed sufficient for our needs in this operation, and beyond?”
Galitsky had already suffered because of a lack of vital munitions and fuels, and had been bound to raise the matter. Bagramyan was ready with his reply.
“Comrade Marshal Zhukov assures me the extra resources are on their way, and will be distributed within the next two days. They will also be protected by additional assets from our brothers in the NKVD.”
“Comrade Marshal, Special Group Obinin,” Christyakov took the floor, “What is its strength? Is it enough to do the job, or will I need to reinforce it?”
Bagramyan was momentarily irritated, as that information was in the operational plan in each man’s possession.
Then a thought overtook him.
‘He’s an excellent soldier, so why hasn’t he looked at the document first?’
He looked around the ensemble, and now saw something dangerous in all their faces.
‘They are tired. Blyad, but they are all tired!’
Nonetheless, 1st Baltic had a job to do, so he continued.
“Comrade General, Group Obinin is an all-arms formation made up of sections from 2nd Guards Tanks, 36th Guards Rifles, 6th Guards Heavy Tanks, and the 77th Engineers. Assign one of your Guards Rifles Corps to be prepared to lend modest assistance, by all means, but I want you to preserve your Army to fight west of the Hunte. You will not get embroiled in the fighting at Barnstorf.”
That was clear.
For the benefit of all, but focussing on Obinin and the two Colonels flanking him, Bagramyan spoke forcefully.
“Group Obinin has the strength, and the quality, to take Barnstorf, and to permit the 77th Engineers to do their job. If they expend their last bullet and last tank,” he deliberately avoided saying ‘last man’, “In doing it, then they will have succeeded in their mission, Comrades. Is that clear?”
Undeniably, it was crystal clear.
Special Group Obinin would take Barnstorf, or be wiped out in the attempt.
“Comrade Marshal,” all eyes swivelled on the Guards Colonel of Tanks who dared to speak. His awards were impressive, and spoke volumes for his experience, as well as his experiences.
“Comrade Polkovnik Yarishlov?”
“Sir, you have outlined excellent provisions by our comrades in the Red Air Force, but how effective can they be, given the grievous losses they have sustained in beating back the Allied regiments?”
More than one listener smiled, understanding that, Colonel or not, the man understood how to speak without incriminating himself in defeatist talk. They all understood that the Red Air Force had been crucified by the capitalist squadrons, and was bordering on ineffective, unless real efforts were made to focus resources on limited operations.
“Comrade Polkovnik, I am assured by our frontal aviation commander, General Mayor Buianskiy, that all our forces involved in this operation will receive the maximum fighter cover possible, and that tactical air support will also be widely available to units on the ground.”
‘Very carefully answered Comrade Marshal.’