"Marshal Rokossovsky, you know what?" Vasilevsky said on the phone: "As a result of your heroic fighting, the defeated enemy fled to our combat area one after another, and as a result, I had to send troops directly under the Front Army to assist the combat troops in capturing prisoners. ”

This may be a typical example of being cheap and behaved, Rokossovsky thought silently in his heart, but still said with a smile on his face: "Comrade Marshal, I really want to congratulate you, so that you can take more prisoners." ”

After a few jokes, Rokossovsky said with a straight face: "Comrade Marshal, please tell me about your situation there. "After Vasilevsky became the commander of the Third Front of Belarus, he reported directly to the Supreme Command what kind of results he achieved, and generally did not communicate with Rokossovsky, so that Rokossovsky knew very little about the situation of the Third Front.

"Marshal Rokossovsky," Vasilevsky said politely, "our troops are approaching the Vistula, and the 48th Army is currently approaching the right flank of your 2nd Shock Army. According to the information I have, a triangle has been formed between the two army groups, and enemy units occupy this area in order to secure their link with Zemrandmi Island by relying on the narrow strip of Felish-Huanglonga. ”

Hearing Vasilevsky say this, Rokossovsky understood his intentions and asked tentatively: "In this case, we must find a way to destroy the enemy in this area in order to completely isolate the enemy on Zemrandemi Island." ”

"That's right, that's right." Vasilevsky nodded and said: "In order to clear the enemy in this area as soon as possible, I feel that it is necessary for us to strengthen our forces in this direction. ”

"Strengthening forces in this direction?" Rokossovsky repeated Vasilevsky's words as he stared at the map in front of him, trying to figure out which troops to move to that area. He did not rush to make a decision, but cautiously said into the microphone: "Comrade Marshal, I will discuss it with the leaders of the front army, and I will inform you as soon as there is a result." ”

"Well, Marshal Rokossovsky." Vasilevsky knew that such a major event could not be decided by Rokossovsky alone, and he would definitely have to communicate with other chiefs of the front, so he said reasonably: "I am waiting for your good news, good luck!" ”

Knowing that the troops of the Third Front had already considered themselves, Rokossovsky realized that he should adjust his strategy in a timely manner, so he summoned Bogolyubov, Subotin, and General Trubnikov, deputy commander of the Front, to his office, and after briefly briefing the three of them on the situation, he asked: "Comrades, commanders, how should we adjust our operational deployment next? ”

"Comrade Marshal," Trubnikov was the first to speak, who got up and walked to the wall, pointed to the map hanging on it, and said: "Judging by the fighting of the last two days, General Katukov's troops are progressing very well, they have managed to break through the German line of defense and reach the Putzigelvik Bay. At present, the units of the 1st Guards Tank Army, which are continuing to advance along Danzig Bay, are in order to assault Gdynia from the north. ”

"Comrade Deputy Commander," Bogolyubov couldn't help but interject when he heard this, "Are you planning to hand over the offensive on our left flank to the 1st Guards Tank Army to complete?" ”

"Yes," Trubnikov admitted to Bogolyubov's speculation: "We can leave the 19th Army on the left flank to cooperate with General Katukov's operations, and then transfer the 70th and 49th armies to the right flank and replenish our offensive forces in this direction." ”

In order to get Rokossovsky to agree to his battle plan, Trubnikov also went out of his way to emphasize: "At present, General Fedyuninsky's 2nd Shock Army has advanced to eight kilometers south of Danzig, and if their forces can be strengthened, I hope that it will not be long before they will be able to capture the city." ”

"Comrade Marshal," Bogolyubov heard this, remembering the somewhat inexplicable defeat of the Estonian 8th Army not long ago, and echoed him: "I think it is possible to redirect General Pern's troops to Danzig in order to strengthen the attack force of the 2nd Shock Army." ”

After listening to this, Rokossovsky did not immediately express his opinion, but asked without moving: "Do you all have the same opinion?" ”

Before answering Rokossovsky's question, Trubnikov first set his eyes on Bogolyubov and Subotin, and when he saw that both of them nodded in agreement, he said confidently: "Yes, Comrade Marshal, our opinion is unanimous. ”

"Since everyone agrees, then transfer the troops on the left flank to the right flank as soon as possible." Rokossovsky added something of his own to Trubnikov's proposal: "The enemy of Gdynia, hand it over to the 19th Army to destroy; A part of the 70th Army and the 49th Army, plus Panfilov's 3rd Guards Tank Army, was responsible for the capture of Tsopot. Batov's forces continued to move to the right flank, joining forces with Fedyuninsky to attack Danzig. ”

After finishing speaking, Rokossovsky's gaze swept over the three of them, and then asked unhurriedly: "Do you have different opinions?" ”

"Nope!" The three of them replied in unison.

Bogolyubov added: "Comrade Marshal, it may take a little time for such a large-scale movement of our army. ”

"No problem, I'll give you three days to mobilize your troops, and by the way, let the commanders and fighters hurry up and rest." Rokossovsky said: "As soon as the appointed time is up, they will immediately launch an offensive in their respective areas of responsibility." ”

"We have made such a large-scale adjustment of troops, which will definitely have a huge impact on the next battle situation." Seeing that everyone was silent, Su Bojing got up and said, "Before the troops are officially transferred, should we report to the Supreme Command to see if the superiors have different views?" ”

"No, Comrade Military Commissar, there is no need to report this troop movement to the Supreme Command." Rokossovsky looked at Subotin and said: "We have the right to adjust our deployment on our own front, and this has long been allowed by the Supreme Command. ”

"Well, Comrade Marshal." Seeing that Rokossovsky did not intend to report this to his superiors, Bogolyubov was also happy to be quiet, he stood up and said: "I will go through the commanders of the various army groups, and they will complete the transfer of troops as soon as possible." ”