Stalin's laughter came from the receiver: "Hello, Konstantin Konstantinovich! How is the situation there?"
"Comrade Stalin," Rokossovsky replied respectfully: "The situation at the Puutusk landing site has stabilized. While crushing the enemy's attack, we have also expanded the area of the landing site."
"Well done."
"Also," Rokossovsky felt secretly happy when he heard Stalin's praise, and continued to report: "I convened the commanders of all group armies for a meeting today in order to deploy to them the combat tasks in the new campaign."
"Konstantin Konstantinovich," Stalin asked slowly after Rokossovsky finished speaking: "Do you have a map in front of you?"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Rokossovsky nodded and replied affirmatively: "There is a map in front of me. If you need a map from other places, I will immediately order the chief of staff to find it..."
"Just stick to the map in front of you." Starlin said, "I want to talk to you about something."
"I'm ready, Comrade Stalin. If you need anything, please give me your instructions."
Stalin said "hmm" and began to talk to himself: "Comrade Rokossovsky, after the end of World War I, according to the Treaty of Versailles, Germany, the defeated country at the time, was forced to cede the eastern part of the country to Poland. A large area of territory, the most eye-catching of which is the Danzig area, one of the estuaries of the Baltic Sea. Another 'Polish Corridor' leading to the Baltic Sea also cut the originally connected German territory into two pieces, and Isolating East Prussia to the east of the corridor into an enclave outside of Germany…”
Rokossovsky stared at the map, listened to Stalin's explanation, and his mind was spinning rapidly. He thought to himself: "What is the purpose of Stalin telling me this period of history?"
The answer was soon revealed.
After Stalin finished speaking, he took off the pipe and knocked the ash inside into the ashtray. After doing all this, he put his pipe on the table and said into the microphone: "Comrade Rokossovsky, after my careful consideration and the research decision of the Supreme Command, you will command the troops to complete the attack. Strategy for East Prussia.”
Regarding Stalin's order, Rokossovsky replied with some laughter and tears: "Comrade Stalin, my front troops are now busy launching a new offensive campaign. Both of our offensive directions are too far away from East Prussia. , I am afraid that in the short term, we will not be able to mobilize enough troops to attack the enemies in East Prussia."
"I know the situation on the front line very well." Stalin said lightly: "The troops of the 1st Belarusian Front will continue to stay in place and maintain the current offensive against the German army. The task of conquering East Prussia will be carried out by the 2nd Belarusian Front and The Third Front and the Baltic Front will jointly complete..."
When Rokossovsky heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little bit in his heart. He thought to himself, why did Stalin tell me this? Wouldn't he let me serve as the commander of the Second Front?
As soon as he thought of this, Stalin continued: "According to the order of the Supreme Command, Comrade Rokossovsky, from now on, you have been appointed commander of the Second Belarusian Front."
"Why?" Rokossovsky couldn't help but get excited when he heard what Stalin said, and blurted out: "Comrade Stalin, can you tell me why you need to transfer me from the main direction of attack at this time? Going in the secondary direction?"
Stalin probably never dreamed that Rokossovsky would question him like this. After standing there helplessly for a while, he picked up the cigarette case on the table, took out two cigarettes from it, crushed them with his fingers and stuffed them into the pipe. He argued in a panic: "Comrade Rokossovsky , you blame me wrongly. I did not transfer you to a secondary direction, because in our main combat direction, the 1st and 2nd Belarusian Fronts, and the 1st Ukrainian Front will be responsible for the offensive mission. To achieve the final victory, close cooperation between the three front armies is required, so the Supreme Command is very strict in the selection of front army commanders."
Rokossovsky was silent. He did not expect that he would be transferred at this time, which meant that the troops under his command would not have the opportunity to participate in the battle to liberate Berlin. The person who takes over his position has picked up a ready-made product. As long as he can capture Berlin, he will be included in the annals of history.
Just when Rokossovsky was about to ask who would succeed him, Stalin, who struck a match and lit the cigarette butt, asked casually: "I plan to appoint Zhukov to take over your original position. What do you think of this candidate?" Sample?"
Rokossovsky's heart froze when he heard Stalin address himself from the previous "you" to a polite and distant address like "you". He said in a hoarse voice: "Stalin Comrade, I think it is undoubtedly the most suitable for Marshal Zhukov to serve as the commander of the First Front. You should select suitable candidates from among the most capable and respected generals to assume such an important position. , and Zhukov is such a person."
After hearing what Rokossovsky said, Stalin finally breathed a sigh of relief. He said to Rokossovsky in a gentle tone: "Comrade Rokossovsky, the Supreme Command is handed over to Belarus." The mission of the Second Front Army is also very important. We will supplement the Front Army with new soldiers and technical equipment to improve the overall combat effectiveness of the army."
Hearing that Rokossovsky did not raise any objections, he continued: "If we want to achieve the final victory, we need the coordination and close cooperation of the three front troops in the main attack direction. If you and Konev's If the troops cannot move forward, Zhukov's troops will be unable to move forward."
The conversation ended, Rokossovsky saluted Stalin, turned and prepared to walk out of the office. When he walked to the door and was about to reach out to open the door, Stalin added: "Comrade Rokossovsky, if you want to ask the staff of the staff and command who have worked together for a long time during the war... If he is brought to a new job, comrade, he will also be brought to the Second Front Army, and I will not object."
Regarding Stalin's proposal, Rokossovsky thought for a while, and then responded politely: "Thank you, Comrade Stalin, I believe that in the new army, we will also meet capable assistants and comrades, so let me Malinin and others should continue to stay in the current army and assist Marshal Zhukov in his work."
Regarding Rokossovsky's statement, Stalin nodded with satisfaction, and then said briefly: "Comrade Rokossovsky, thank you very much for making such a decision. On behalf of Zhukov, I thank you! I wish you good luck. !”
After ending the call with Stalin, Rokossovsky fell weakly into his seat as if all his strength had been drained. Seeing this, Ma Lining, who was standing next to him, asked hurriedly and with concern: "Comrade Commander, what's wrong with you, are you okay?"
Rokossovsky turned to look at Sokov standing aside, and said with a wry smile: "Misha, your dream is very good. I really want to be transferred to other troops."
"What, you are going to be transferred to other units?" Malinin and Telekin couldn't help being shocked after hearing this. When Rokossovsky answered Stalin's call just now, they all consciously walked aside until Rokosovsky They just walked back after Sovsky finished the phone call, so they had no idea what had happened.
"Yes, Comrade Stalin just said on the phone that he is going to arrange for me to serve as commander of the Second Belarusian Front." Rokossovsky faced Telekin and Malinin and said, "Starting from tomorrow, I I can no longer command this force."
"Comrade Commander," Malinen asked: "No matter which army you go to, I will be by your side and be your chief of staff."
Seeing Ma Linin's statement, Telekin was naturally not to be outdone and added: "Me too, I am used to partnering with you. I'm afraid I won't be able to get used to it if you change someone else. So, like Chief of Staff Malinin, I am willing to follow you." Go to any troop.”
"Thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary." Rokossovsky tried his best to put a smile on his face and said to the two of them: "The person who will take over my post is Marshal Zhukov. You should stay and work well." Assist Comrade Marshal to familiarize himself with the environment so that he can better carry out his daily work."
When they heard that the person to replace Rokossovsky was Marshal Zhukov, Telekin and Malinin did not insist on their opinions, but chose to obey silently. Malinen even stated: "Comrade Commander, you can rest assured that I will fully assist Marshal Zhukov in carrying out his good work."
"Misha." Rokossovsky turned to face Sokov and said: "Although the chief of staff and the military commissar cannot accompany me to the new unit, what do you think? Are you willing to go with me?"
Although Sokov also knew in his heart that with his abilities, even if he stayed in the First Belarusian Front, he would still be favored by Zhukov. However, after he had just heard the news that Rokossovsky had been transferred, he had already made a decision. No matter where Rokossovsky went, he should follow him.
So when faced with the question raised by Rokossovsky, he said decisively: "Comrade Marshal, as long as the superiors can place the 48th Army under the command of the Second Belarusian Front, I can follow you to the new unit."
As soon as Sokov finished expressing his position, Zhukov's phone call came in. After hearing Rokossovsky's voice, he said apologetically: "Koschka, I know this appointment is very sudden for you, but this is the final decision made by the Supreme Commander himself. No one could make him change his mind."
Rokossovsky's mentality had stabilized at this time. He said calmly: "Comrade Marshal, you don't have to feel guilty. I have already figured this out. I am a Bolshevik, just a brick. I can move it wherever it is needed." "
Rokossovsky's words made Zhukov's hanging heart fall back into his stomach again, because as long as the other party made a commitment to him, taking over the command of the 1st Belarusian Front would become abnormal. easy.
Next, Rokossovsky was about to tell the news to other people in the headquarters. He raised his hands above his head and clapped them hard a few times. Seeing that everyone's attention was attracted to him, he said loudly : "Comrades, I announce to you an important appointment. Starting tomorrow, I will no longer serve as the commander of the 1st Belarusian Front. My position will be replaced by Marshal Zhukov, who is familiar to everyone."
Rokossovsky’s words were like a handful of salt thrown into a hot pot, and it exploded immediately. Except for Malinin, Telekin and Sokov, everyone else was talking about it: "What did Comrade Commander just say? Marshal Zhukov will replace him. Is this true?"
"What the hell, what's going on? The war is about to begin, how can you change the commander of the front army at this time?"
"Quiet, comrades, please keep quiet." Seeing that the situation was getting out of control, Malinin quickly imitated Rokossovsky's example, raised his hands above his head, applauded vigorously, and said loudly: "Don't forget you Don't talk anymore about your identity." After the silence returned to the room, he looked at Rokossovsky and said: "Comrade Commander, please tell everyone where the base camp has arranged for you to go."
Rokossovsky tried his best to put a smile on his face and said: "The base camp appointed me as the commander of the Second Belarusian Front."
Everyone could not help but breathe a sigh of relief when they heard that Rokossovsky was not dismissed from his post, but was instead transferred to the Second Front as commander. A staff officer asked loudly: "Comrade Marshal, who are you going to take with you to the new army?"
The staff officer said what everyone was thinking, and many people were thinking to themselves: If the commander needs manpower to follow him to a new unit, I will definitely sign up.
Unexpectedly, Rokossovsky shook his head and rejected everyone's good intentions: "Comrades, I have already told the Supreme Commander himself that in order to ensure the stability of the front troops, I will not bring any personnel transfer this time. Comrade, I went to the new army with me. I hope you can actively cooperate with Marshal Zhukov and carry out various tasks of the front army. Do you understand?"
There was silence in the room, no one spoke. Seeing everyone's reaction, Rokossovsky knew in his heart that everyone was fighting for him, which made him feel warm in his heart. But in order for Zhukov to take over the troops smoothly, he added: "This is the last order I gave before leaving this united fighting collective. Can everyone obey it?"
"Yes!" Everyone answered in unison this time: "We will definitely actively cooperate with the new commander and carry out all daily work."
After listening to everyone's opinions, Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction, then raised his hands to everyone and said, "Okay, let's go back to work."
After everyone returned to their respective posts, Rokossovsky shook his head at Sokov and said: "Misha, come with me for a walk."
The two came outside the headquarters. Rokossovsky saw several cars parked in the parking lot opposite. Ponejelin, Sidorin and a group of soldiers were standing next to the cars chatting. He couldn't help but smile and said: "Misha, your subordinates are waiting for you in the parking lot. It's all my fault for dragging you to chat for so long and keeping these people waiting."
"Comrade Marshal, you have nothing to do here anyway." Sokov asked Rokossovsky tentatively: "How about you go to my army and stay for two days, and then come back when Marshal Zhukov comes to take over the army? Late."
(End of chapter)
