After a day of fierce fighting, all participating troops achieved certain results. Not only did they successfully cross the Oder River, but they also successively established landing sites of varying sizes. Such results not only satisfied Rokossovsky, but also Even the supreme commander himself, who was far away in Moscow, was overjoyed. The fact that the army can successfully cross the Oder River means that this army has taken another big step forward on the road to Berlin.
When the Supreme Command meeting was held that night, Stalin said excitedly: "Comrades, the Second Belorussian Front commanded by Rokossovsky successfully crossed the Oder River and established a landing site on the west bank of the river. This is certainly true. That’s a gratifying thing. But there’s something even more exciting.”
Among the people who came to the meeting, except for a few people such as Antonov and Beria who knew the answer, the rest were confused. They stared at Stalin intently, wanting to hear what he would say next. good news. Just listen to Stalin continue: "Zhukov personally called me and said that this afternoon, the troops of the 3rd Assault Army commanded by General Kuznetsov have arrived on the outskirts of Berlin. The 79th Army under this group has Artillery bombarded certain areas of the city."
After Stalin finished speaking, the entire conference room fell into a brief silence. Except for a few insiders, the rest were in a state of shock. Although everyone said every day that they would go to Berlin and destroy the ruling center of the German Empire, when this day actually arrived, everyone still felt a little unreal.
"Great, this is simply great." The first person to break the silence was Marshal Voroshilov. The short dean stood up and said excitedly: "Comrade Stalin, this is a day worthy of being recorded in history. We must immediately report this good news to the entire army to boost the morale of the army so that we can have more troops arrive in Berlin in a short time."
"Zhukov's troops were able to reach Berlin so quickly because of the support of Marshals Rokossovsky and Konev." Antonov stood up and said, "Especially Marshal Rokossovsky. It was because they successfully pinned down the German Vistula Group north of Berlin and ensured the safety of Marshal Zhukov's flanks that the troops of the 1st Belarusian Front were able to reach the outskirts of Berlin so smoothly."
"We will definitely reward the troops who arrived in Berlin first." Stalin said: "I agree with Marshal Voroshilov's opinion and immediately report the matter to the entire army to boost the morale of our army."
As soon as Stalin finished speaking, he heard a knock on the door, and then the door was opened, and Poskrebyshev appeared at the door.
"What's the matter?" Starling looked at the other person and asked.
"Comrade Stalin," Boskrebyshev replied, "a staff officer from the General Staff came over and said that there was an important battle report that needed to be handed over to Comrade Antonov immediately."
Knowing that Boskrebyshev was looking for Antonov, Stalin shook his head at Antonov and motioned for him to go to the door to get the battle report.
Antonov quickly walked to the door, whispered a few words to Poskrebyshev, and then disappeared behind the door.
Everyone sitting around the conference table looked towards the door. They eagerly wanted to know that it was already night and what important military information would be uploaded to the General Staff. Could it be that the German army in Berlin had begun to counterattack?
After a few minutes of waiting, Antonov walked in from outside the house and closed the door behind him. Everyone stared closely at Antonov's face, trying to tell whether the information reported by the staff was good or bad. But unfortunately, Antonov had no expression on his face, so it was impossible to guess whether he had received good news or bad news.
When Antonov returned to his position, Stalin asked: "Comrade Antonov, I wonder what news your subordinates brought you?"
"They are two battle reports, Comrade Stalin." Antonov replied.
Without waiting for Stalin to ask, he took the initiative and said: "Marshal Konev reported that his 3rd Tank Army has broken into the southern suburbs of Berlin, and the 4th Tank Army has also arrived at the southwestern suburbs of Berlin, and can launch an attack on Berlin at any time. attack."
"Comrade Stalin, this is really great news.
interest. The speaker this time was Marshal Timoshenko. He said emotionally: "Two of the three fronts we advanced towards Berlin have now arrived outside Berlin and are ready to launch a final attack on the city." I have a request, I hope you can agree to it."
"What request?"
"I hope that as a representative of the base camp, I can go to Marshal Zhukov's 1st Belorussian Front and witness with my own eyes the moment when our army occupied Berlin." Timoshenko was originally someone whom Stalin trusted, but due to his influence on the battlefield His performance was mediocre, and the troops under his command suffered repeated defeats. Since the failure of the Second Battle of Kharkov, he has been gradually marginalized, no longer has any real power, and has become a decoration of the Supreme Command. He knew that he was no longer qualified to command the troops in combat, but he was unwilling to miss the moment when the troops captured Berlin. Therefore, he proposed to Stalin that he hoped to go to Zhukov's troops as a representative of the base camp to witness the moment of occupying Berlin.
As soon as Timoshenko finished speaking, Voroshilov also stood up and echoed: "Comrade Stalin, I hope that like Marshal Timoshenko, I can serve as a representative of the base camp and go to Berlin to witness this great history. moment." Voroshilov's fate was even worse than that of Timoshenko. Since he was dismissed from his post as commander of the Leningrad Front by Stalin, he could only serve as a sinecure in the headquarters, giving him the most important job. The first task was to form an investigation team with Molotov during the Moscow Defense War and go to the Western Front Headquarters to investigate the command errors of the then Front Commander General Konev.
Stalin understood the feelings of his two old subordinates very well, but he could not agree to them. Because sitting on the bench with them in the headquarters was Marshal Budyonny, the marshal who personally commanded the military parade in November 1941. He has been the mascot of the headquarters in the past few years, and there is no trace of him. The right to speak. If I agree with Voroshilov and Timoshenko to go to the Berlin front, and Budyonny makes the same request, will I agree?
It was out of this consideration that Stalin shook his head and rejected the request of the two men: "Timoshenko, Voroshilov, now our troops have just arrived on the outskirts of Berlin, whether it is Zhukov or Konev, there are There's a lot of work to do, I think we'd better not disturb them."
Hearing Stalin say this, the two people's faces were full of disappointment, but they were helpless. If you want to blame, you can only blame yourself for not having the ability. Since the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, Stalin has entrusted the two of them with important responsibilities and made them responsible for commanding the troops in the southwest and west. He hoped that through their rich command experience, Turn around an unfavorable situation. However, their command on the battlefield was lackluster, and they even almost became prisoners of the German army in Kiev. It was reasonable for Stalin to no longer trust him.
After Stalin rejected the request of the two men, he turned to Antonov and said: "Comrade Chief of General Staff, after the meeting is over, no matter how late it is, you must get the Zhukov and Konev troops to Berlin. The news from the suburbs was conveyed to all the troops. I hope that such good news can play a role in rallying the troops and boosting their morale. Do you understand?"
"I understand completely, Comrade Stalin." Antonov nodded and said, "I will arrange this as soon as the meeting is over."
Half an hour after the meeting ended, news that Zhukov and Konev's troops had arrived in the suburbs of Berlin was conveyed to all front headquarters.
After hearing the news, Rokossovsky fell into deep thought. Although he had already guessed that Zhukov's troops would arrive at the outskirts of Berlin earlier than him, when he really waited for this day to come, he was still very worried. depressed. He was even thinking that if he was still the one commanding the First Belarusian Front at this moment, then the honor of being the first to enter Berlin would fall on him. At this moment, his troops have just crossed the Oder River and are still far away from Berlin. No matter how well they fight in the following days, they may not be able to enter Berlin ahead of Zhukov.
After reading the report, Bogolyubov also looked disappointed. He said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Marshal, if our superiors do not allow us to participate in the East Prussia and East Pomerania campaigns, I think We still have a chance to get ahead of the First Front and reach the outskirts of Berlin."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, your idea is too naive.
Bar. "Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Subbotin shook his head and said, "Even if we don't participate in these two battles, I'm afraid we won't be the first unit to reach the outskirts of Berlin."
Bogolyubov turned to look at Subbotin and asked in surprise: "Comrade Military Commissar, why?"
"The reason is very simple," Suboting said with a wry smile: "According to my judgment, the Supreme Command intends to leave the honor of being the first to enter Berlin to the First Front. Even if we arrive near Berlin first, I am afraid we will Order us to stop temporarily and let the troops of the First Front take the first step."
Regarding Suboting's statement, Bogolyubov did not believe it at all: "No, how is this possible?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I think Comrade Military Commissar is right." At this time, Rokossovsky said with a serious expression: "I heard that the First Front launched an attack on the Zelov Heights blocking the front of Berlin on the 16th. Attack. As long as this high ground is captured, the road to Berlin will be smooth. The armored troops of the First Front only need one day and night to reach Berlin. But who knows that Zhukov's attack was frustrated and he launched a high-intensity attack for several days in a row. Despite the fierce attack, the Zelov Heights still could not be taken. It is said that the Supreme Commander himself called Marshal Konev and asked him to allow Zhukov's troops to borrow a road from him to ensure that the First Front Army could arrive first. Berlin."
"Ah, is there such a thing?" Bogolyubov's face was full of doubt: "Comrade Marshal, what you said is not true, is it?"
Regarding Bogolyubov's doubts, Rokossovsky did not defend himself, but said vaguely: "I heard it too. As for whether it is true or false, I can't tell for the time being."
"It's false, it must be false." Bogolyubov said plausibly: "The Germans have said that wherever Zhukov goes, our army will launch an attack and win. I know the Zelov Heights. , it is just a small hilly area blocking the east side of Berlin, and it cannot block the powerful offensive of the First Front at all. Therefore, I think the so-called excuse may be a false rumor."
"Comrade Marshal," Suboting waited for Bogolyubov to finish and asked Rokossovsky for instructions: "Should we immediately distribute the notification from our superiors to each group army?"
"I think it's okay." Rokossovsky nodded and said, "Our army successfully crossed the Oder River today and established landing sites of varying sizes on the west bank. This is a time when morale is high. If we continue Informing them of such good news will definitely boost the morale of our army."
When Bogolyubov sent the notice to all armies, Sokov was fast asleep on the camp bed in the headquarters. When he was sleeping soundly, he suddenly felt someone shaking him. When he opened his eyes, he saw that it was Chief of Staff Sidorin. He asked sleepily: "Chief of Staff, what can I do?"
"Comrade Commander, good news, good news." Sidorin reported emotionally: "We have just received a notification from the Front Army Headquarters, saying that the troops of Marshal Zhukov and Marshal Konev have arrived in Berlin. The suburbs. Troops of the 1st Belarusian Front also shelled the city of Berlin this afternoon."
After learning that Zhukov and Konev's troops had arrived at the outskirts of Berlin, Sokov suddenly woke up. He sat up abruptly and asked Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, what you said is true. Of?"
"Yes, it's true." Sidorin raised the telegram in his hand and said, "This is a telegram sent from the front army headquarters. It cannot be fake."
Sokov snatched the telegram from Sidorin's hand and carefully read its contents with the help of weak light. After reading the above content, he confirmed that what Sidorin just said to him was true. He nodded slowly and said: "Four years, we have finally waited for this day." He raised his head and looked at Xidorin. Dolin asked, "Have you notified the Military Commissioner?"
"I have sent someone to call him." Sidorin replied: "I believe it won't take long before he will come over."
Sure enough, not long after Sidorin finished speaking, Sokov heard a rush of footsteps, and then came Lunev's urgent voice: "Chief of Staff, Comrade Chief of Staff, where did you say the telegram is?" , show it to me quickly."
