Red Moscow

"Nonsense, of course it is telling the truth." Rokossovsky said with a sneer: "At this time, I have no interest in listening to lies to comfort me."

"Comrade General," Sokov recalled the history he knew, and remembered that the troops commanded by Rokossovsky had been supplemented on a large scale before the launch of the Belarus campaign, thus resolutely resolving the problem of insufficient troops. Seeing that Rokossovsky was worried about this at the moment, he said: "Although our current strength is slightly insufficient, if we want to launch a large-scale offensive campaign, I think the Supreme Command will assign you more troops. "

"Really?" Rokossovsky looked at Sokov and asked tentatively, "Misha, you didn't make up a lie just to make me happy, did you?"

"How is this possible, Comrade General." Sokov said with a smile: "Don't look at the fact that the Supreme Command is focusing its offensive on Ukraine, but I think that as time goes by, the Belarusian battlefield will become the main battlefield. .”

"What about Ukraine?" Hearing this, Ma Linin couldn't help asking: "What will happen to the Ukrainian battlefield?"

"Comrade General, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov said to Rokossovsky and Malinin: "According to my personal judgment, if our army is going to launch a large-scale offensive in Belarus, it must take some deceptive actions. , to divert the attention of the German army. Ukraine, where the war has just subsided, is undoubtedly the best bait..."

Having said that, Sokov deliberately paused for a moment to see if the two of them understood what he said. When Malinin saw that Sokov stopped talking halfway through, he urged: "Comrade Sokov, why don't you say it? Keep talking, I want to hear your opinion."

Malinin's attitude is Rokossovsky's attitude. Since he wanted to listen, Sokov himself went on to say: "I have seen topographic maps of Belarus, and there are forests, lakes, and swamps everywhere, which is not conducive to large-scale development. The deployment of mechanized troops. I think that in the upcoming Belarus campaign, large-scale tank troops should not be used, so the several tank armies in Ukraine may not be used.”

Rokossovsky smiled slightly when he heard this, and raised his chin at Sokov: "Misha, keep talking."

"The German army has recently suffered from our tank army in Ukraine, and now the tank army in Ukraine will be their focus. According to their thinking, if our army wants to launch an attack somewhere, it will definitely give priority to mobilizing tank troops. As long as the tank army stays somewhere, it means that our army may launch an attack in that direction."

Victor laughed and continued: "When the Germans see that our tank army is staying in Ukraine, they will definitely think that our army's next main combat area is still in Ukraine. Coal from Bath, they will surely draw troops from Belarus to reinforce the Ukrainian defenders."

When Rokossovsky heard this, he turned his head and looked at Ma Linin next to him. The two looked at each other, and they both saw shock in each other's eyes. You know, they studied for almost half a month before figuring out the truth, but Sokov said it lightly.

"Comrade Sokov, why do you think so?"

Naturally, Sokov would not tell the other party that he had seen it from the materials of later generations, but pretended to say: "Since I learned that I was about to be transferred to the First Belarusian Front Army, I began to study the map of Belarus and consider The next possible offensive campaign."

"It seems that your research results are good." Rokossovsky interrupted Sokov after hearing this, "Chief of Staff Marinin and I also had the same considerations, thinking that since Belarus cannot use armor on a large scale troops, then there is no need to use the several tank armies currently in Ukraine. As long as the tank armies do not move, the Germans will have the illusion that the focus of our next stage of attack is still the Ukrainian region, so we can relax in Belarus defense."

"Comrade Sokov, I want to test you." Malinin looked at Sokov and said, "If you are the commander of the front army, where do you plan to attack from?"

Hearing Malinin's question, Sokov did not rush to answer, but asked the other party: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, can you find me a map? I can introduce my ideas to you on the map."

Soon, the map was found and spread on Rokossovsky's desk. Sokov looked at the map for a while, and after getting a general familiarity with it, he pointed to the map and pointed at Rokossovsky and Malinin. Said: "Look, if you advance from this area to Poland, it is undoubtedly the best route. There are no forests, lakes and swamps along the way. You can also use the deployment of armored forces to march with our large army. Although this road looks like Good, but we just can’t choose that path.”

"Why?" Rokossovsky asked curiously this time.

"The reason is very simple." Sokov said to Rokossovsky: "It is precisely because this road is easy to walk. Not only we know it, but the Germans also understand this truth. In order to prevent our army from advancing towards Poland, they A solid and complete defense system will definitely be established along the way. If our troops adopt a storm strategy and break through the German defensive positions step by step, not only will it take a long time, but the casualties of the troops will also reach an astonishing level."

Sokov's words made Rokossovsky gasp. He found that the opponent's thinking actually coincided with his own. The attack line he first denied was indeed what Sokov said. lines. If you really attack along this road, when you reach the Polish border, I am afraid that there will be very few troops left in the entire front army.

"Misha, since you feel that this road will not work, from what position do you plan to launch the main attack on the enemy?"

"I think the attack should be launched from the Polesiye swamp area."

"Attack from the Polesiye Swamp?" Rokossovsky was shocked when he heard Sokov say that, but he pretended to be calm and said: "Misha, tell me your reason. "

"According to what I know," Sokov began to pretend to analyze the two of them again: "In order to defend Belarus, the German command has concentrated a huge force here-Marshal Busch commanded a tank army and three field troops. The Central Army Group of the Army Group, as well as the right-wing divisions of the 16th Army Group of the Northern Army Group and some tank divisions of the Northern Ukraine Army Group.

Facing the right flank of our front was the German 9th Army, which blocked our road to Bobruisk. The German 2nd Army occupied and defended an area 400 kilometers wide in Polesiye, opposite the central and left flanks of our front.

In the direction of Bobruisk, where the right wing of our front should attack, the German army has a strong force and a large number of technical equipment. In addition, the German army also has nearly 10 infantry divisions in the battle reserve in the direction of Brest and Kovel.

To be precise, the enemy standing in front of our front army today is a powerful German heavy army group. "

After Sokov's words, even Rokossovsky was stunned. He said with emotion: "Misha, I really didn't expect that you know so much about the deployment of German troops in Belarus. I don't know where you come from." What information did you get?"

Fortunately, Sokov had already guessed that Rokossovsky would pursue this matter, and quickly said: "These contents are all analyzed by me based on the captured German documents."

Malinin gave Sokov a thumbs up: "Comrade Sokov, I really didn't expect that the situation you analyzed is almost the same as the actual situation. You are really amazing, or you can come over and be my deputy." ?”

"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," Sukov quickly defended himself after hearing what Malinin said, "I think I'm still suitable to be a military chief who directs operations."

Seeing that Malinin was about to speak, Rokossovsky stopped him: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, stop teasing Misha, he hasn't finished speaking yet, let him continue."

"I think that if an offensive campaign is to be carried out against the German army, it is not appropriate to use the central and left-wing troops of the front army, but to use the right-wing troops to attack." Sukov picked up the red and blue pencils on the table, and used a section of the red pen to draw The route of attack is drawn on the map: "The right wing of the Front is suitable for assaults in two directions from different locations: one from the Rogachev area to Bobruisk Osipovich; the other with the 65th and 28th armies From the Ozarich region on the lower reaches of the Berezina River, attack in the general direction of Slutsk."

"No, no." Malinin hurriedly waved his hands when he heard this, and interrupted Sokov's words: "Comrade Sokov, what you said is a bit unconventional, because there is only one main assault direction for the attack, so that we can concentrate the main force And weapons, to carry out a powerful blow to the enemy. And you carry out assaults in two directions at the same time, which will undoubtedly disperse our forces."

"You are right, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov nodded in recognition of Malinin's statement, but he continued: "This somewhat unconventional decision will undoubtedly disperse our troops, but in Poland We have no other way out of the Lesier swamp area, to be precise, we have no other way to victory in the battle.

For example, the terrain in the direction of Rogachev and Bobruisk can only allow our army to use a small amount of troops at the beginning of the offensive. If there is no assault in another area to echo this group, then the enemy will not let us Break through its defenses here and possibly bring troops here from areas we are not attacking.

Simultaneous assaults in two directions can solve all problems: it solves the problem of simultaneous entry of the main army groups on the right wing of the front into battle, and prevents the enemy from maneuvering. The army is in a difficult situation, and it is guaranteed that our front army can smoothly develop the next stage of offensive. "

After Sokov finished speaking, the room fell into silence.

Rokossovsky and Malinin stared at the offensive route drawn by Sokov on the map, and both fell into contemplation, thinking about the bold plan proposed by Sokov. And Sokov didn't bother the two of them, just sat aside and waited quietly.

After an unknown amount of time, Rokossovsky sighed and said, "Misha, I have to say that your plan is very bold, but very practical."

"Comrade Commander," Malinin raised his head after hearing what Rokossovsky said, and asked curiously, "Are you planning to report this plan to the Supreme Command?"

"Is there anything wrong, my Comrade Chief of Staff?" Rokossovsky asked rhetorically.

Malinin stared at the map, and answered what Rokossovsky said: "The attack from the swamp area was unexpected enough, but now we have to divide it into two attack directions. I am afraid that the superior will reject this plan when it is reported. .”

Sokov deeply agrees with Malinin's statement. He clearly remembers that in real history, after Rokossovsky reported his battle plan to Stalin, Stalin was forced out of the conference room twice. Li was thrown out, and repeatedly asked him whether he insisted on this battle plan. When he heard that Rokossovsky still insisted on his plan, Stalin chose to compromise and finally implemented the Belarus campaign according to his plan.

"Don't worry about this." Rokossovsky waved his hands and said: "When the Supreme Command approves the combat plan, it will refer to the suggestions of the commanders on each front to decide whether to pass the review."

"I hope it will pass." Malinin said with some lack of confidence: "Comrade Sokov's plan is bold, but if it is implemented, it will speed up our strategy in Belarus. I estimate that we will be able to liberate Belarus in half a year at most." All of Belarus."

Listening to what Malinin said, Sokov thought to himself: In fact, it will not take that long. After the offensive campaign code-named "Bagration" began, in just two months, the entire territory of Belarus was liberated. However, there is also a reason for Ma Linin's speculation. The Soviet army has been fighting in Ukraine for half a year, and there is still a general country, which is still in the hands of the Germans. By analogy, it will take at least half a year for the troops of the Belarusian Front to liberate the entire territory of Belarus.

Rokossovsky accidentally caught a glimpse of the smile on Sokov's mouth, and realized that the other party might not agree with what Malinin said, so he said to him: "Misha, you seem to disagree with the chief of staff's statement. You said Say, if we launch an offensive campaign in Belarus, how long will it take to liberate the entire territory of Belarus?"

"Comrade general, I think the chief of staff of the front army is too conservative." Sokov said: "If we really launch an attack from the swamp area, we will definitely catch the enemy by surprise. As long as we can successfully break through a few points, their defense line will be closed." It will collapse. As long as the line of defense collapses, the enemy will retreat. I don’t think that the troops that have lost their organization can withstand the powerful offensive of our army. Therefore, I think this Belarusian campaign will take at least three months to be liberated All of Belarus."

Sokov was worried about frightening Rokossovsky and Malinin, so he deliberately said the original two months into three months. But this extended time still shocked Malinin: "What, we will be able to liberate Belarus within three months? Comrade Sokov, your statement is too outrageous, right?"