From 01.08.1944 to 26.08.1944 the army has lost 35649 men (killed,
wounded, missing) and received 10237 men as reinforcments, which does not
cover its losses. For example: 4th grds rifle corps has lost 7777 men
while fighting for the bridgehead and received only 3081 reinforcements.
At present time the divisions have shrinked down to just 4000 - 4200 men,
mainly because of the rifle companies which have only 30 -35 men.
In the last days of fighting for enlargening the bridgehead exhaustness is
observable in the units. There is no combat impulse anymore, letargy is
evident. Daily losses shrink the numbers of already small companies as a
result of what there is no success in the battles for enlarging the
bridgehead. For example: 4th grds rifle corps has moved only about 1-2 km
(on a 10km front) for a whole day of fighting on 26.08.1944 and lost 405
men mainly active bayonets which is roughly equal to 11 rifle companies
(counting 35 men each).
I consider the following:
Widen the defensive strip for the Polish army on the bridgehead and
place one rifle division from the 8th grds Army behind it. Thereby the
rifle corps of the 8th grds Army could be gradually pulled back for
rest, refilling their numbers and train them to prepare for the
forthcomming offensive operations.
To further widen the bridgehead the Polish army could solve local
offensive tasks.
7th grds corps - to cross the Vistula river in the Kobilnitza - Vargotzyn
region and in cooperation with the forces of 8th army to clear the region
of river Rodomka, road Severynuw - Kuzenitze.
Stalin, Molotov.: It is
very strange that in such a difficult time for Leningrad comrade Zhdanov
does not feel the necessity to come to the device and call in any of us to
share information. If we from Moscow wouldn’t call you to the device, then
probably com. Zhdanov would forget about Moscow and muscovites, who could
help Leningrad. It seems that Leningrad, headed by com. Zhdanov is not in
the USSR but somewhere on an island in the Pacific ocean. Please let us know
about what you are doing, how is it going and how you plan to get out of the
current situation? Over. Stalin, Molotov.
Khozin, Zhdanov.: сom.
Stalin, com. Molotov, we admit this our mistake, but we wanted to report
only on something significant. For all this time we were busy transporting
KV tanks to the left bank of Neva. We succeeded. 20 KV tanks, 10 T-34 and 16
light tanks have been transferred to the left bank of Neva during the last
several nights. Yesterday (30.11) we started an offensive, supported by
these tanks the first day of which has resulted in a significant success. On
the front of the breakthrough, the first enemy entrenchment line has been
taken. We are continuing the offensive and count on success. To exploit that
success we are bringing in two fresh divisions and additional tanks. We
wanted to report when there are more results. During this time, we
took to work the commanders of the armies that are in defensive positions:
42nd, 23rd armies and Seaside groups, for their insufficient activity. We
took one division from each of them to reinforce the active region of the
55th and 8th armies. During this time we have formed two ski regiments and
two separate ski battalions and are currently forming a third ski regiment.
We had in mind a very interesting operation which could bring us quick
results, by using the 80th division with a ski regiment from the ice of
Ladoga lake. The ski regiment had to operate in the rear of the 8th army on
the left flank of Neva. This operation however was disrupted because of the
cowardly-treacherous behaviour of the command of the 80th division. The
division commander Frolov has refused to execute the operation three hours
before the start of the operation. The operation therefore was re-scheduled
to the next day but the surprise factor was lost. We have sent you a request
to allow the trial of the commander of the 80th division and the
commissioner of the division Ivanov and shoot them. The front council is
forced to deal with traitors and panic mongers, most of whom are among the
high command staff. We wholefully support the promotion of young personnel
who want to fight. Regarding the situation on the front of the 55th
army there is nothing to boast of. On the front of the 54th army, the most
threatened area is the direction of Voybokalo, Myary. Several measures were
taken there: in the region of Serokaska a strike group was formed,
containing the 80th rifle division,
, two ski battalions, which is intended to counter strike the enemies flank
and rear. The concentration will finish on 02.12. To Fedyuninsky we
send another 1000 reinforcements. The situation in the Volkhov
direction is stable. Transferring of the brigade with tanks is nearing
completion with only two battalions remaining. We will finish all the
transferring together with tanks.
We ask to:
faster push of our forces towards Budogosh, Kirishy to deny the enemy of
his supply routes.
2- accelerate transferring of all the reinforcements planned by com.
Shadenko for the 54th army.
3- we lack the heavy shells (152mm), we ask to send those to Babaevo from
where we will transfer them to us. Over.
S.,M.:
shoot Folov and Ivanov and declare that in the press.
we will try to supply the 152 shells for you
the reinforcements from Schadenko also
we will take Tikhvin soon and then pile up to Budogosh, Kirishy
where you lack the shells for 152mm, massively use 120mm mortars, those
are very effective at defeating the enemy.
K.,Z.: Acknowledged, all
will be done. We are sure that we can please you in the following days.
S.,M.: Do not waste time.
Not only each day is important, but also each hour. The enemy has
concentrated against Moscow all of his forces from almost all the fronts.
All other fronts are in a good situation to strike the enemy, including your
Front. Use this opportunity to strike the enemy before it is too late. I
repeat, do not miss the chance. Over. Good bye, wish you luck. Stalin,
Molotov.
K.,Z.: We will fight as
beasts on all the regions of our front without delaying for even a minute.
Good bye. Thank you. Zhdanov, Khozin.
