Opening Moves

“We believe that the 6th tried a stand north of Fulda but was already outflanked so withdrew before it was tested.”

Prescribing an area bounded by Kassel, Giessen, Hanau and Fulda, Malinin spoke of no palpable resistance.

“13th Army relieved the paratroops at Alsfeld and is already fighting in Giessen itself!”

Dropping the tip of the pointer down the map the triumphant voice continued.

“3rd Guards Army is approaching Offenbach, just west of Frankfurt. Resistance is heavy and losses are increasing but progress was still being made. However,” he sought out the newly arrived document and read it aloud, “Colonel-General Gordov reports a set-back on the Nidderau – Hanau axis where a tank attack is in progress as we speak, seemingly aimed at trapping the units west of Hanau. Gordov is moving 22nd Rifle Corps and 87th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment into line to prevent this and roll them back. He has postponed his attack on Offenbach until he is clearer on the situation.”

Zhukov knew Gordov well and understood the man knew his business. He would leave it to him, and after all, 3rd Guards was a huge formation. Still, as he made a small note on his report, a word to Konev of Second Red Banner to watch and prepare to reinforce would not go amiss.

Malinin waited until his boss was back concentrating on the briefing.

“Here we have an issue.”

He circled the area between Frankfurt and Würzburg, drawing Zhukov’s attention to the nothingness it contained.

“We believe that elements of the US 42nd and 63rd Infantry are falling back through this area but I have concerns over their ability to cause problems in the rear of either 3rd or 5th Guards.”

“Agreed,” said Zhukov instantly, “Send warnings to Konev and ask him what he has done to address the matter.”

Zhukov held no love for Konev but expected the man to have seen the problem and resolved it already. Still, just in case.

“5th Guards Army is fighting hard in Würzburg and the situation is not wholly clear. Lieutenant-General Paramzin has been badly wounded from what we understand but this area, above all others, lacks the specific information we need.”

More scribbling meant more work for Konev.

“Our drive to Bamberg suddenly moved forward as the Amerikanisti defenders seem to have withdrawn at speed. Bamberg fell late yesterday evening and our lead units are fighting now on the outskirts of Erlangen. Not without cost, as the bridges over the Main at Hallstadt were blown and American artillery unluckily savaged the bridging engineers while they were at work.”

Malinin thumped the centre of Bayreuth.

“The allies worked out what was happening here too quickly and it seems the units in and around Bayreuth will escape our trap. However, air force ground-attack regiments harried them yesterday and will do so today.”

“65th Army is pushing onwards towards Nürnberg, pursuing an Amerikanisti tank division in full flight. This has been confirmed as the 16th Tank’s, an untested new unit. This was not identified as being in the area and 65th has no tanks. Rossokovsky informs us that he has sent one of his reserve tank corps to back up 65th in case the enemy starts showing some fight.”

Zhukov expected nothing less from one of his best generals.

“In Regensburg, 2nd Shock Army has taken heavy casualties trying to prevent destruction of bridges over the Danube and the Naab. They have been, in the main, unsuccessful. General Fedyuninski has relieved one corps and two Divisional commanders and requests more bridging assets for his advance.”

Zhukov looked at a separate list on the table in front of him.

“No, not from me. Tell Rokossovsky it’s his mess to sort out and no engineers will be coming from me. I need all of mine. Make that very clear General.”

Another order issued and the briefing ploughed on.

“5th Guards Tank Army,” the name never failed to give everyone in earshot a buzz, for it was a huge and extremely powerful formation, “Reached Straubling to find the bridges down, so deflected north-west, crossed the river at Wörth and is also fighting inside Regensburg, but on the south side.”

That was good news.

“5th Guards Tank’s southern prong surprised the defenders at Deggendorf and captured the Danube bridges intact.”

That was good news indeed.

“29th Tank Corps has reached Landshut where it has run into the 4th US Tank Division. However, Volsky has managed to send part of 8th Mechanised Corps northwards towards Regensburg, which should relieve the pressure on 3rd Guards as well as his own units there.”

“Fighting at Passau is intense.”

Malinin searched for a document.

“Lieutenant- General Romanowsky states that the defenders, the 26th Infantry, are fanatics and must be an elite unit. He reports that his 134th Rifle Corps is all but destroyed and the bridges are down so no progress can be made.”

Zhukov’s pencil descended, ready to condemn the man but was halted as Malinin continued.