After the crowd had calmed down, Rokossovsky continued: "Comrades, if our troops do not enter the designated area as soon as possible to take over the defense of the 1st Belorussian Front, then their march to Berlin must not be postponed. Wouldn't that give the enemy more time to prepare? ”

Originally, some people wanted to argue with Rokossovsky, but when they heard this, they hurriedly swallowed back the words that came to their mouths. Everyone knew in their hearts that the sooner they marched to Berlin, the sooner they could end this damned war. If it is really because of the slow movement of his troops that the course of the war is affected, it will certainly have an impact on his own future.

Seeing that everyone was swayed by their own words, Rokossovsky struck while the iron was hot and said: "Judging from the current situation, this war will end in two or three months at most." At that time, there will be no need to retain so many of the current troops, many units will be dismantled, and the demobilized soldiers will return to their original posts to participate in the basic work of rebuilding the motherland. If you don't want your troops to be laid off, then you have to build up more merit in the next battles. ”

For the first time, Rokossovsky raised the issue of the dismantling of troops after the war at a meeting attended by the heads of the army groups, which was tantamount to sounding the alarm bell for everyone. Several commanders of the group army, who originally wanted to complain, were deeply afraid that their troops would become the first units to be reduced, and they also hid the grumbling words they were about to say deep in their hearts.

"Since everyone has no objections, then I'll start deploying the mission." Rokossovsky said: "We will deploy the troops of the three armies in the Artedam and Schwaiter areas in five days. Comrades, that is, the selected troops will march 300 to 350 kilometers in five days to reach the new combat area, which is not a light task. ”

Marching 300 to 350 kilometers in five days was a difficult task, but at the moment no army commander complained, because no one wanted the troops under his command to become the first troops to be dismantled from the base camp. After a long while, Batov stood up and asked cautiously: "Comrade Marshal, I wonder which troops of the three armies you plan to send to the Artdam and Schwedt sections?" ”

"After my study with the chief of staff," Rokossovsky glanced at Bogolyubov, who was sitting on the side, and continued: "It was decided that the 49th Army, the 70th Army, and the 65th Army would march to the Artedam and Schwaiter sections. Batov, leave the finishing touches in Danzig to Fedyuninsky. ”

Hearing Rokossovsky call his name, Fedyuninsky quickly got up and replied loudly: "Yes, Comrade Marshal!" I will quickly purge the city of the remnants of the enemy and restore order to the city. ”

"The three armies that will set off tomorrow to rush to the Artem and Schwaiter sections are only the first echelon we have sent." Rokossovsky nodded at Fedyuninsky, motioned for him to sit down, and said with a normal expression: "Next, your 2nd Shock Army will also move westward, so you must race against time to deal with everything in Danzig." ”

Seeing that Rokossovsky had arranged for the movement of four armies to the west, and had forgotten about himself, Romanovsky was a little breathless, and without waiting for Rokossovsky's roll call, he stood up abruptly and asked bluntly: "Comrade Marshal, what is the task of my army group?" ”

"General Romanovsky, your 19th Army has a difficult task." Seeing that Romanovsky had taken the initiative to stand up, Rokossovsky began to assign him a task: "You must also complete the crushing of the enemy in the Putziger-Neelonga narrow strip north of Danzig. After completing this mission, you will remain in your existing combat area and take over the 93rd and 153rd fortifications assigned to you, and take on the defense of the Baltic coast to the mouth of the Oder River. ”

Knowing that his troops could not participate in the battle for the assault on Berlin, Romanovsky's face was full of disappointment. Although Rokossovsky felt sorry for them, he knew in his heart that if there was no strong force to defend such a newly occupied area, it was possible to re-lose it in the event of a German counterattack by the German army that had taken refuge on the island. Therefore, he said to Romanovsky with a serious expression: "I know that you cannot participate in the battle for the attack on Berlin, and you are disappointed in your heart. But have you ever thought that if we have occupied so many new areas, if we do not have a strong army to defend them, and if the enemy we drive to the sea counterattacks, then who will defend these places? ”

After Rokossovsky's explanation, Romanovsky immediately realized that the responsibility on his shoulders was heavy, and he quickly straightened up and replied: "I understand, Comrade Marshal. We will resolutely hold on to these lands, which have taken so many sacrifices of our soldiers, and will never let the Germans take them again. ”

"Comrades," Rokossovsky continued, after assigning tasks to the commanders of the army groups present, "although the base camp ordered us to leave tomorrow, in order to ensure the smooth march of the troops, the three army commanders can postpone the departure of your troops by one day. But you must first send people to send a professional detachment to reconnoiter your route, repair the roads, remove obstacles, and build detours. Guards were organized at bridges and ferries, traffic wardens were set up at intersections, and so on......"

After waiting for Rokossovsky to finish, Bogolyubov stood up and said: "Comrades, since the transportation capacity of the railway is extremely limited, after my consultation with Comrade Marshal, it was decided that only tanks and other equipment that travel on tracks can be transported by rail.

Marches by road could use all means of transport, including horse-drawn carriages and automobiles. The march of the troops takes the method of reciprocal leaping, that is, some of the fighters first ride in the car, and after reaching the fixed area, they get off the car and walk, while the vehicle returns to transport the troops that have fallen behind.

In the process of advancing to the designated area, all units must accurately observe the schedule and strict marching discipline to avoid the occurrence of road rush and traffic jam......s."

All the questions that should be explained were explained, but in the end, Rokossovsky habitually asked: "Do you still have any questions?" ”

"Nope!" All the commanders of the army group replied in unison.

"Since there is no problem, then the respective troops will prepare." Rokossovsky waved his hand at the crowd and finally said: "Remember, we are in a race against time, and we must do it against time." Good luck! ”