Red Moscow

Stalin's laughter came from the receiver: "Hello, Konstantin Konstantinovich! How is the situation there?"

"Comrade Stalin," Rokossovsky replied respectfully, "the situation at the Pultusk landing site has stabilized. While crushing the enemy's attack, we have also expanded the area of ​​the landing site."

"Good job."

"Also," Rokossovsky was overjoyed when he heard Stalin's praise, and continued to report, "Today I called a meeting of the commanders of the various armies to deploy combat missions in the new campaign to them."

"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 maps of other places, I will immediately order the chief of staff to find them..."

"Just take the map in front of you." Stalin said, "I want to talk to you about something."

"I'm ready, Comrade Stalin. If there is anything, please order."

Stalin gave a "hmm" and began to say to himself: "Comrade Rokossovsky, after the end of the First World War, according to the "Versailles Treaty", Germany, the defeated country at that time, was forced to cede the eastern part to Poland. Among them, Danzig, one of the estuaries of the Baltic Sea, is the most eye-catching. Another "Polish Corridor" leading to the Baltic Sea also forcibly cut the originally connected German territory into two pieces, and Isolation of East Prussia east of the Corridor as 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 history?"

The answer will be revealed soon.

After Stalin finished his narration, he took off his pipe and knocked the ash inside into the ashtray. After doing all this, he put the pipe on the table and said into the microphone: "Comrade Rokossovsky, after my careful consideration and the decision of the Supreme Command, you will command the troops to complete the inspection. Raiders of East Prussia."

Regarding Stalin's order, Rokossovsky replied with some embarrassment: "Comrade Stalin, my front troops are currently busy launching a new offensive campaign. Our two 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 am very clear about the situation on the front line." Stalin said lightly: "The troops of the Belarusian First Front Army will continue to stay in place and maintain the current offensive against the German army. The task of attacking East Prussia will be carried out by the Belarusian Second and The Third Front, as well as the Baltic Front to complete..."

When Rokossovsky heard this, he couldn't help but thumped in his heart, thinking that what did Stalin tell me, wouldn't he let me be the commander of the Second Front Army?

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 as the commander of the Second Belarusian Front."

"Why?" Rokossovsky couldn't help feeling overwhelmed when he heard what Stalin said, and asked, "Comrade Stalin, can you tell me why at this time I was transferred from the main direction of attack to the Go in the secondary direction?"

Stalin probably never dreamed that Rokossovsky would question him like this. After standing there for a while at a loss, 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, and argued in a panic: "Comrade Rokossovsky , You are wrong about me. I did not transfer you to the secondary direction, because in our main combat direction, the first and second Belarusian fronts and the first Ukrainian front will be responsible for the offensive tasks. In order to win the final victory, the three front armies need to cooperate closely, so the Supreme Command is very strict in the selection of the commanders of the front armies."

Rokossovsky remained silent. He did not expect that he would be transferred at this time, which meant that the troops under his command had no chance to participate in the battle to liberate Berlin. And the person who took over his position picked up a ready-made one. As long as he can win Berlin, he can be recorded in the annals of history.

Just when Rokossovsky was about to ask who would replace him, Stalin struck a match and lit his cigarette butt, and asked casually: "I plan to appoint Zhukov to replace you, what do you think of this candidate?" Sample?"

When he heard Stalin address himself from the previous "you" to the polite and distant address of "you", Rokossovsky's heart was chilled, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Stalin Comrade, I think it is undoubtedly most suitable for Marshal Zhukov to take up the post of commander of the First Front Army. You should choose the right person from among the most capable and respected generals to take up such an important post , 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 will be handed over to Belarus. The task 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 troops.”

Hearing that Rokossovsky did not raise any objections, he went on to say: "If we want to win the final victory, we need the three front forces in the main attack direction to coordinate and cooperate closely. If you and Konev's If the troops cannot move forward, Zhukov's troops will be unable to move an inch."

After the conversation was over, Rokossovsky saluted Stalin and turned to leave the office. When he came to the door and was about to reach out to open it, Stalin added a sentence later: "Comrade Rokossovsky, if you want to send those staff and command staff who have worked together for a long time in the war If you bring comrades to new jobs, you should also bring them to the Second Front Army, I will not object."

Regarding Stalin's proposal, Rokossovsky thought for a while, and then politely responded: "Thank you, Comrade Stalin, I believe that in the new army, we will also meet capable assistants and comrades. Malinin and the others will 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 for making such a decision, and I thank you on behalf of Zhukov! Good luck !"

After finishing the conversation with Stalin, Rokossovsky fell weakly on his seat as if all his strength had been drained. Upon seeing this, Ma Linin hurriedly asked with concern, "Comrade Commander, what's the matter with you, are you all right?"

Rokossovsky turned his head to look at Sokov who was standing aside, and said with a wry smile, "Misha, your dream is very vivid. I really want to be transferred to another unit."

"What, are you going to be transferred to another unit?" After hearing this, Malinin and Terekin couldn't help being surprised. When Rokossovsky answered Stalin's call just now, they all consciously walked aside until Roko They didn't come back until Sovsky finished calling, so they didn't know what happened.

"Yes, Comrade Stalin said on the phone just now that he is going to arrange for me to serve as the commander of the Second Belarusian Front Army." Rokossovsky said to Terekin and Malinin: "Starting tomorrow, I will You can no longer command this force."

"Comrade Commander," Malinin asked, "no matter which unit you go to, I will be by your side and be your chief of staff."

Seeing Ma Linin's statement, Terekin was naturally not far behind, and added: "Me too, I'm used to partnering with you. If I change someone, I'm afraid I won't be able to get used to it for a while. So I, like Chief of Staff Ma Linin, are willing to follow you to any army."

"Thank you for your kindness, but it's not necessary." Rokossovsky tried to squeeze a smile on his face, and said to the two: "It is Marshal Zhukov who will replace me. You should stay and have a good time." 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 who had come to replace Rokossovsky was Marshal Zhukov, Teretin and Malinin no longer insisted on their opinions, but chose to obey silently. Ma Linin even stated: "Comrade Commander, don't worry, I will do my best to assist Marshal Zhukov in carrying out a good job."

"Misha." Rokossovsky turned to Sokov and said, "Although the chief of staff and the military commissar can't go with me to the new unit, what's your opinion? Would you like to come with me?"

Although Sokov also knew in his heart that with his own ability, even if he stayed in the Belarusian First Front Army, he could still get Zhukov's respect. However, after he just heard the news of Rokossovsky's transfer, he had already made a decision that no matter where Rokossovsky went, he should follow him.

So facing the question raised by Rokossovsky, he said decisively: "Comrade Marshal, as long as the superior can assign the 48th Army to the command of the Second Belarusian Front Army, I can follow you to the new army."

As soon as Sokov finished his statement, 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 can make him change his mind."

Rokossovsky's mentality was stable at this time, and he said nonchalantly: "Comrade Marshal, you don't have to feel guilty, I have already figured out this matter. I am a Bolshevik, just a brick, and I can move it wherever I need it. "

These few words of Rokossovsky made Zhukov's hanging heart fall back into his stomach, because as long as he made a promise to himself, then taking over the command of the Belarusian First Front Army 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 patted hard a few times. Seeing that everyone's attention was drawn to him, he said loudly : "Comrades, I announce an important appointment to everyone. Starting tomorrow, I will no longer serve as the commander of the Belarusian First Front Army. My position will be replaced by Marshal Zhukov, who everyone is familiar with."

Rokossovsky's words, like sprinkling a handful of salt in a hot pan, exploded immediately. Except for Malinin, Terekin and Sokov, everyone else was talking: "What did Comrade Commander just say? He will be replaced by Marshal Zhukov. Is this true?"

"Damn it, what the hell is going on? The war is imminent, how can you change the commander of the front army at this time?"

"Quiet, comrades, please keep quiet." Seeing that the situation was out of control, Ma Linin quickly imitated Rokossovsky, raised his hands above his head, clapped vigorously, and said loudly: "Don't forget you Don’t talk anymore.” After the silence in the room returned, he looked at Rokossovsky and said, “Comrade Commander, please tell everyone where the headquarters has arranged for you.”

Rokossovsky tried to force a smile on his face and said: "The headquarters appointed me as the commander of the Second Belarusian Front."

Hearing that Rokossovsky was not dismissed, but transferred to the Second Front Army as the commander, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. A staff officer asked loudly: "Comrade Marshal, do you plan to take those people to the new army with you?"

The staff officer said what everyone was thinking, and many people thought to themselves: If the commander needs manpower to go with him to the new army, 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 army, I will not take any personnel with me for this personnel transfer." Comrade is going to the new army with me. I hope you can actively cooperate with Marshal Zhukov to carry out various tasks of the front army. Do you understand?"

There was silence in the room, and no one spoke. Seeing the reaction of the crowd, Rokossovsky knew in his heart that everyone was fighting for him, and he couldn't help but feel warm in his heart. But in order for Zhukov to take over the troops smoothly, he added another sentence: "This is the last order I gave before leaving this united combat group. Can everyone obey?"

"Yes!" Everyone answered in unison this time: "We will definitely actively cooperate with the new commander and carry out all the daily work well."

After listening to everyone's statements, Rokossovsky nodded in satisfaction, then raised his hand at everyone, and said, "Okay, let's go back to work."

After everyone returned to their posts, Rokossovsky shook his head at Sokov and said, "Misha, come with me for a walk."

The two came outside the headquarters, and Rokossovsky saw a few cars parked in the opposite parking lot, and Ponejielin, Sidolin, and a group of soldiers were standing beside the cars and chatting. He couldn't help laughing and said, "Misha, your subordinates are waiting for you in the parking lot. I'm all to blame for dragging you to chat for so long and making these people wait for so long."

"Comrade Marshal, you have nothing to do here anyway." Sokov asked Rokossovsky tentatively: "Why don't you go to my army and stay for two days, and you won't be able to come back when Marshal Zhukov comes to take over the army." Late."