"Comrade Stalin," Rokossovsky knew that the conversation between himself and Stalin would not be long before it reached Zhukov's ears through some means, and in order to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings, he hurriedly helped Zhukov to justify: "I don't think he is playing tricks, but because the troops are not ready to attack." In the present situation, if his troops did not attack, their exposed flanks would be attacked by the Germans. ”

When Rokossovsky said this, he thought to himself: The reason why we launched the Battle of East Pomerania was to crush the German attack on the right flank of Zhukov's troops, and now we have been fighting with the enemy, but he did not move and let us sing a one-man show, which is somewhat unreasonable. Therefore, he deliberately emphasized: "Comrade Stalin, we do not have the strength to guarantee the flanks now, all reserves are exhausted. Therefore, you either send new forces to strengthen the forces of our front; Or, instruct Zhukov's 1st Belorussian Front to switch to the offensive as soon as possible. ”

Stalin did not immediately express his position on the difficulties raised by Rokossovsky, but lit his pipe, and after taking two puffs, he asked slowly: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I just heard you mention a city of Neo-Stin, didn't I?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Stalin, I did mention to you about Neo-Stettin." Although Rokossovsky did not understand the purpose of Stalin's question, he replied truthfully: "The city is located at the junction of our troops and Zhukov's, where the enemy has gathered heavy forces and can attack at any point on the flank of our troops. ”

"Comrade Rokossovsky, I think so, instead of waiting for Zhukov's troops to attack the enemy in Novostatin, why can't you take the city?" Stalin said unhurriedly: "If you can succeed in capturing the city, I will order someone to salute you on Red Square!" ”

Rokossovsky weighed the advantages and disadvantages of seizing Novostadin and replied: "Comrade Stalin, if we want to capture Novostadin, I think our front army still has this ability. But even if we destroy the enemy entrenched here, if the troops of the First Front remain stationary, then our flanks will still be threatened by the Germans. ”

"You have a point." Stalin expressed support for Rokossovsky's statement: "I will call Zhukov and ask him to launch an offensive against the enemy as soon as possible." ”

After receiving Stalin's promise, Rokossovsky put down the phone, called Bogolyubov in, and instructed him: "Chief of Staff, bring the commander of the 3rd Guards Cavalry Army, General Oslikovsky, I have an important task to be entrusted to him." ”

"Comrade Marshal, have you forgotten that his unit is on guard duty on the left flank of the 19th Army." Bogolyubov, thinking that Rokossovsky had forgotten where the cavalry corps was, hurriedly reminded him: "If they are transferred, the left flank of our army will be exposed to the enemy." ”

"Comrade Stalin just told me on the phone," Rokossovsky said with a smile on his face after waiting for the other side to finish, "If our troops can succeed in capturing Novostadin, he will order people to salute our troops by firing a gun salute on Red Square." ”

Bogolyubov knew very well that the salute on Red Square was all about celebrating major victories, such as the recapture of such important cities as Kyiv and Minsk. Novostettin is just an inconspicuous small city, if it weren't for the fact that the Germans deployed heavy troops here and threatened the flanks of the Front, it is estimated that no one would have noticed this city, and at this moment he heard that as long as he took this city, he would fire a salute on Red Square, Bogolyubov suddenly became motivated: "Okay, Comrade Marshal, I will immediately call General Oslikovsky and ask him to come to you to accept the mission." ”

Oslikovsky's command, located more than thirty kilometers from the headquarters of the Front. As soon as he received a call from Bogolyubov and learned that there was an important task, he immediately rushed over by car.

As soon as he saw Oslikovsky approaching the command, Rokossovsky, who was standing by the wall, greeted him: "Comrade General, come to the map." ”

When Oslikovsky came to his side, Rokossovsky pointed his baton at Novostin on the map and asked: "Comrade General, how far is your cavalry corps from the city?" ”

"Less than five kilometers, Comrade Marshal." Oslikovsky didn't wait for Rokossovsky to ask again, and took the initiative to say: "Don't look at us as cavalry, but we have already built two fortifications in the direction of Novostean, and even if the enemy suddenly attacks, we can block them." ”

"Wrong, Comrade General, you are mistaken." Rokossovsky smiled and said to Osilikovsky: "I called you here today, not to let you fight a defensive battle, but to prepare for you to attack." How about going to capture New Stettin, with confidence? ”

"Attack?" Oslikovsky couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this: "Comrade Marshal, we are cavalry, we don't have any heavy weapons, and if we want to attack a city, I'm afraid we will pay huge casualties." ”

"Comrade General, you can rest assured that you will be supported by powerful artillery fire when you attack." Rokossovsky tapped twice on the position of Novostettin with his explanation stick, and said disdainfully: "Although the Germans have gathered heavy troops here, their aim is to use it as the starting point for their attack, and they have not considered the problem of defense at all. According to the reports of the scouts, there are no strong fortifications in or around the city, and you should be able to take the city with the support of artillery. ”

If the cavalry was asked to charge, Osirichowski would definitely not hesitate at all, but the task he received in front of him was to let the cavalry army attack the city, which made him scratch his head a little. Seeing that Oslikovsky could not make up his mind, Rokossovsky threw out the huge "pie" again: "By the way, General Oslikovsky, I almost forgot to tell you that the decision to seize Novostadin was made by Comrade Stalin. He also specifically mentioned that if we can successfully capture the city, we will be saluted by firing a salute on Red Square. How's that, are you confident of taking the city? ”

If Osirichowsky had just hesitated a little, when he heard that the liberation of the city was ordered by Stalin himself, and that he would even fire a salute after the capture of the city, his eyes could not help but light up, and he felt that there was no problem with what he was worried about, so he said decisively: "Comrade Marshal, since you have entrusted me with such an important task, I assure you that we will definitely seize the city in the shortest possible time." ”

Seeing that Osirichowsky agreed to accept the task, Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction, and then stretched out his hand to the other party and said: "Comrade General, I wish you victory!" ”