Red Moscow

It is of great importance to send troops to the forest area to rescue captured commanders and fighters in the prisoner-of-war camp. Before sending troops, Kirillov called Sokov and reported to him: "Comrade commander, we just We have obtained reliable information that there is a prisoner-of-war camp for our commanders and fighters in the forest area north of Letzen."

Knowing that the 3rd Infantry Division had discovered a hidden prisoner-of-war camp in such a short period of time, Sokov asked curiously: "General Kirillov, I don't know who you got this information from." where?"

"Get this information from the head of the Gestapo in the city."

"Oh, the chief of the Gestapo?" Sokov said with some surprise, "They are all diehards. How did you get information from him?"

When Kirillov explained the damaging tricks he used, Sokov couldn't help laughing: "General Kirillov, if the head of the Gestapo doesn't confess, will he be blown into two pieces by the explosives?" Woolen cloth?"

"No, Comrade Commander." Kirillov explained: "The first explosive package was real, but the explosive package strapped to him was fake. Even if he didn't tell him, he wouldn't tell him." It poses no harm. It's just that I didn't expect that these extremely stubborn enemies would be so scared that they would pee their pants."

Sokov laughed a few more times, and then told Kirillov: "General Kirillov, since you know the location of the prisoner-of-war camp, send someone to meet them as soon as possible."

"I have given an order to the chief of staff, Lieutenant Colonel Miyakov, to personally lead a regiment of troops to the rescue."

"General Kirillov," Sokov reminded the other party: "The commanders and fighters detained by the enemy must be short of food and clothing on weekdays. Even if they are still alive at this moment, their bodies may be very weak. When you go, you must bring enough Food, medicine and clothing, and enough vehicles and medical personnel to treat them in a timely manner."

When Kirillov was arranging personnel to rescue the prisoners of war, he didn't think about what Sokov mentioned at all. After hearing this, he quickly replied: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will prepare enough vehicles for the commanders and fighters in the prisoner-of-war camp. , medical staff and enough supplies to get as many people back into our queue as possible."

After putting down the phone, Kirillov said to Myakov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the troops are temporarily leaving..."

"What, the troops are suspended?" Myakov asked in surprise, "Comrade commander, what happened?"

"I didn't think well just now, and I only asked you to take the troops to rescue, but I neglected many important things." Kirillov said guiltily: "But I forgot that these commanders and fighters were full of life in the German prisoner-of-war camps. Tortured, most people must have injuries. Therefore, the troops participating in the rescue must also bring a sufficient number of medical personnel, various supplies and vehicles."

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Miyakov nodded and said, "I will start preparing these supplies immediately."

An hour later, a convoy of more than a hundred trucks left Letzen and headed towards the forest in the north, preparing to rescue the commanders and fighters who were detained in the prisoner-of-war camp.

Fortunately, the head of the Gestapo marked the exact location of the prisoner-of-war camp on the map, otherwise it would not be easy to find such an isolated prisoner-of-war camp in the vast forest.

When the 3rd Infantry Division sent men to the forest to rescue the captured people, Sokov received a call from Rokossovsky: "Misha, come to the headquarters of the Front Army immediately, we are going to call an emergency Military meeting."

After receiving a call from Rokossovsky, Sokov did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly drove to the headquarters of the Front Army, ready to accept a new combat mission.

On the way, Sidolin asked Sokov curiously: "Comrade Commander, you said that Comrade Marshal asked us to go to a meeting. What will happen?"

Sokov recalled the history of this period of time in his mind, and felt that Rokossovsky called everyone for a meeting to discuss the launch of offensive operations in the East Pomeranian region to cover the advancing Berlin. The right wing of the Belarusian First Front Army would not be attacked by the German Vistula Group.

However, although he knew these things, he couldn't tell them in advance, otherwise it would arouse Sidolin's suspicion: After all, Rokossovsky hasn't assigned the task yet, so you already know, where did this information come from?

After arriving at the Front Army Command, seeing that all the commanders of the friendly forces had arrived, Sokov and Sidolin found a seat behind and sat down, waiting patiently for Rokossovsky and others to deploy missions to them .

The meeting was presided over by Chief of Staff Bogolyubov. He pointed to the map hanging on the wall with an explanatory stick, and said to the crowd: "Comrades of the commanders of the various armies, you are called here today to deploy An important combat mission."

Knowing that the military meeting convened by Rokossovsky was indeed related to the new combat mission, the commanders below all sat down and stared at Bogolyubov intently, waiting for him to announce the latest What is the combat mission.

"Comrades generals," continued Bogolyubov, "you all know that our 2nd Belarusian Front and Marshal Zhukov's 1st Belorussian Front, as well as Marshal Konev's 1st Ukrainian Front, are advancing side by side towards the Advance in the direction of Berlin. According to the original plan, we will launch a full-scale attack on Berlin in early March."

Hearing Bogolyubov's statement that the attack on Berlin would be launched in March, everyone became excited and began to whisper. Even Sidolin, who was sitting next to Sokov, elbowed him and said in a low voice, "Comrade Commander, did you hear that? Our troops will launch an attack on Berlin in March."

Sokov tilted his head to Sidolin's side and said in a low voice: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't be too blindly optimistic. If we can really launch the final attack on Berlin in March, I think today's meeting will There is no need to convene."

Hearing what Sokov said, Sidolin's face was full of astonishment. Just when he was about to ask for clarification, he only heard Bogolyubov standing on top continue to say: "However, because Marshal Zhukov's troops moved westward too fast, and we were delayed in East Prussia for too long, so As a result, a gap as wide as 150 kilometers appeared between our two front armies. According to the latest situation we have obtained, the Vistula collective of the German army may launch an assault from the right flank of Marshal Zhukov, thereby preventing them from continuing to advance towards Berlin. .”

When everyone learned that there was a 150-kilometer gap in the middle of the two front troops that were supposed to fight side by side, their expressions inevitably became serious. Everyone knew very well that although Zhukov's troops attacked smoothly, if the German army carried out a powerful assault from his right flank, he would definitely suffer huge losses. At that time, let alone continue to advance to Berlin, they may be driven back to the original starting point by the Germans.

"So the Supreme Command gave us a new combat mission, which is to launch an offensive campaign in East Pomerania, severely attack the Vistula Group of the German army, and remove the threat from Marshal Zhukov's right wing." Bogoliu Boff said: "While we launched the offensive campaign in East Pomerania, Marshal Konev, who was on the left wing of Marshal Zhukov, will also launch an offensive at the same time, and together with us, we will wipe out the enemies on both flanks of Marshal Zhukov to ensure that we are on the offensive against Berlin. In the center, the flanks and rear will not be attacked by the German army."

After Bogolyubov introduced the whole situation, he assigned combat missions to each unit next to each other. After Bogolyubov finished assigning tasks, Rokossovsky got up and asked, "Anyone have any questions?"

Hearing what Rokossovsky said, many commanders immediately raised their hands and asked him some questions of their own concern. Fortunately, Rokossovsky had prepared in advance, and he patiently answered all the questions raised by his subordinates.

After the meeting, Sokov and Sidolin came out of the headquarters, but Ponejielin called from behind: "Comrade commander, please wait a moment."

Sokov stopped in his tracks and said to Ponegerin with a smile: "General Ponegerin, your group army is taking on the main offensive task in this offensive campaign. I really envy you for having such a chance to make great achievements."

Pornejelin said with an awkward smile: "Comrade Commander, you are joking. The combat power of the 50th Army is far inferior to that of the 48th Army. I am worried that I will not be able to complete the tasks assigned to me by my superiors. That's why I called you. I want to get your help when the time is right."

The 48th Army was assigned to the second echelon this time. Sokov thought to himself that the purpose of Rokossovsky's arrangement was probably to let other troops consume the vital strength of the German army first. Wait until the enemy is almost exhausted, and then put your own troops into battle, then you can achieve unexpected results.

At this moment, when he heard Ponegerin talking about this matter, he said with a smile: "General Ponegerin, Comrade Marshal arranged for our army to serve as the second echelon. It is still unknown whether we are eligible to participate in this offensive battle. But you Don't worry, even if you don't get orders from your superiors, as long as you need it, just call me, and I will definitely support you with all my strength."

Having received Sokov's promise, Ponegerin's heart suddenly became much more at ease. He then asked tentatively: "By the way, how is Kirillov doing now?"

"He did well." Sidolin said with a smile: "A few days ago, the 3rd Infantry Division under his command launched an attack on Letzen. The enemies in the city put up simple resistance and surrendered to him. Yes, and the division was awarded an Order of the Red Banner for it."

"That's really good." Ponedelin nodded and said, "Comrade Commander, if I need your help, can you send Kirillov's troops over?"

"No problem." Sokov replied readily, "If you need help, just say hello to me, not to mention the 3rd Infantry Division, even other units, I will give it to you without hesitation." Sent."

After expressing his thanks to Sokov and Sidorin, Ponedelin left the Front Army headquarters by car.

Looking at the passing vehicles, Sidolin tentatively asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, if General Ponejielin asked you for help in an offensive campaign, would you really send troops to reinforce it?"

"The answer is yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov said in an affirmative tone: "Don't say that General Ponejielin used to be the deputy commander of the 48th Army. When difficulties come to us for help, we should not hesitate to lend a helping hand to them.”

Sokov raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said to Sidolin: "Let's go, Chief of Staff, we will rush back to the Army Group Command immediately. I want to know how the rescue operation of the 3rd Infantry Division is going."

After bumping on the road for more than an hour, the two finally returned to the group army headquarters.

As soon as Sokov entered the door, Lunev came up to him and asked curiously, "Misha, I wonder what tasks were assigned to us in today's meeting?"

"According to the order of the Supreme Command, Marshal Zhukov's Belarusian First Front Army will launch an attack on Berlin in March." Sokov said to Lunev: "But now between his troops and our troops, there is a A gap as wide as 150 kilometers. And the Vistula Group of the German army is gathering on his right wing at the moment, and may launch an attack at any time. Comrade Marshal called us for a meeting today to relieve the danger of Marshal Zhukov’s right wing. Therefore, in the next In a few days, we will launch an offensive operation in the East Pomeranian region."

"So that's the case." Lunev nodded and said, "I guess we have arranged a main attack mission for us this time, right?"

"Comrade Military Commissioner, you guessed wrong." Sidolin next to Sokov said, "This time Comrade Marshal asked us to serve as the second echelon and not directly participate in the early offensive."

"What, put our army group in the second echelon?" Lunev couldn't help asking in shock after hearing this: "Why is that?"

"I think Comrade Marshal's arrangement must have Zhou Xiang's consideration." Sokov said: "If the most elite troops are lost in the Battle of East Pomerania, when we start to attack Berlin, Which force should be sent to take the city?"

Lunev thought about it carefully, and felt that what Sokov said made sense. The offensive campaign launched in East Pomerania this time must have been extremely tragic. If the 48th Army suffered huge losses, it is estimated that there will be nothing to do after the battle to attack Berlin begins. Thinking of this, he nodded and said, "Comrade Marshal is more thoughtful."

"By the way, Comrade Military Commissioner." As soon as Sokov entered the door, he wanted to ask Kirillov about sending troops to rescue the captured people, but was interrupted by Lunev. Finally found the opportunity at this moment, he immediately asked impatiently: "Is there any news from Mr. Kirillov?"

Unexpectedly, Lunev shook his head after hearing this, and said, "No, several hours have passed, but I haven't gotten any news. I guess their troops haven't found the prisoner-of-war camp yet."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov told Sidolin: "Call General Kirillov and ask him how the situation is there. Has the rescue team arrived at the prisoner-of-war camp at this moment?"

"Okay, Comrade Commander." Sidolin nodded, "I'll call right away."