In the early morning, the defenders of Danzig heard the roar of aircraft engines in the air and immediately retreated into various bunkers or dugouts to avoid the impending Soviet air raids.

However, to their surprise, after the Soviet planes came over the city, there was no sound of bomb explosions. The roar of the aircraft engines faded away, and the German officers and soldiers poked their heads out of their hiding places and looked curiously into the air, only to see countless pieces of paper flying in the air. When the piece of paper fell to the ground, a German soldier came forward to pick it up and looked at it, and it turned out to be a letter of persuasion written in German.

When the officers saw the soldiers picking up the leaflets distributed by the Soviets, they quickly shouted loudly for them to throw away the leaflets, claiming that it was a conspiracy of the Russians in an attempt to break the will of the defenders.

In the same way, it happened in Gdynia, the defenders who were holding their positions saw the Soviets shooting at them with mortars, and then what they fired was not deadly shells, but propaganda leaflets, leaflets flying all over the sky, so that the defenders understood that Tsopot, which connected the two cities of Danzig and Gdynia, had been lost, and now the defenders of the two places had been completely separated.

Although the officers tried their best to rush at the soldiers' hind feet, telling them that this was a rumor of the Soviet army, Tsopott would definitely not fall. Although the soldiers ostensibly believed what the officers said, they were clouded in their hearts, and they became even less confident that they would be able to hold the city.

As for the dropping of leaflets in the two cities to persuade the defenders to lay down their arms, Rokossovsky only had the mentality of doing his best, and if the enemy was willing to surrender, he would be able to reduce some unnecessary casualties; If the enemy does not surrender, it is very simple, just launch a full-scale attack and completely destroy them.

Even if no one took the initiative to stand up and surrender, when they learned that Tsopot had been occupied by the Soviets, their will to resist would not be as resolute as before, so as long as the attacking troops attacked fiercely, the defenders in the city would soon collapse.

"Comrade Marshal, Comrade Marshal." Just as Rokossovsky was considering whether he should take advantage of the victory and pursue the enemy entrenched on the island, after clearing the enemy from the sea, Bogolyubov hurriedly walked in from outside. Seeing the other party's flustered expression, Rokossovsky's heart couldn't help but chuckle, but he still forced himself to calm down and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, what's wrong?" ”

"Telegram." Bogolyubov replied briefly: "A telegram from the Supreme High Command. ”

"A telegram from the High Command?" As soon as Rokossovsky heard Bogolyubov say this, he realized that something was wrong, it stands to reason that if the superiors have the latest instructions, they should call themselves directly, how can they send telegrams? With such doubts in mind, he took the telegram and read it carefully.

After reading the contents of the telegram clearly, Rokossovsky's brows couldn't help frowning, he put the telegram on the table, raised his head and looked at Bogolyubov and asked: "Chief of Staff, has the authenticity of this telegram been verified?" ”

Bogolyubov nodded vigorously and replied: "It has been verified, and it is indeed a telegram from the General Staff." ”

"Hell!" Rokossovsky frowned and said: "Didn't you say that Katukov's troops would be returned in early April?" How did it get to today? ”

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Bogolyubov also said with a bitter face: "In this way, our operational deployment will be completely disrupted. Do you want to contact the Supreme Command and wait for us to capture Gdynia, and then let the 1st Guards Tank Army return to the building? ”

Rokossovsky was also very impressed by Bogolyubov's proposal, and now that Gdynia was surrounded by the 1st Guards Tank Army, it might only take two or three days to capture the city. However, if other troops were to replace their attack, it would take two days for the troops to move and assemble alone, which would be tantamount to giving the Germans a chance to breathe, and in this way, the next battle would be more difficult.

However, considering that the orders were given by telegram from the superiors, it may be that he was afraid that he would emphasize the difficulties faced by the troops on the phone. Thinking about this, Rokossovsky realized that even if he called the Supreme Command, he might not be able to shake the other party's determination, so he decisively decided to rely on his existing forces to completely eliminate the enemies in these two cities.

"Chief of Staff, record orders." Rokossovsky looked at Bogolyubov and said: "Order the troops of the 49th and 70th armies to immediately enter Tsopot, take over the defense of the 19th Army, and clear the city of the remnants of the enemy." The 19th Army and the 3rd Guards Tank Army, after handing over the defense, immediately turned north to take over the 1st Guards Tank Army and continue the final offensive against Gdynia. ”

"Comrade Marshal," said Bogolyubov, hesitantly responding to Rokossovsky's order, "will we cause confusion if we carry out such a large-scale transfer?" ”

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff." Rokossovsky stood up, tapped his fingers on the map on the table, and said to Bogolyubov: "You see, it is Batov's 65th Army and Fedyuninsky's 2nd Shock Army that are currently besieging Danzig, and they are not adjusting. The 49th and 70th armies, both deployed southwest of Tsopot, were very convenient to enter the city. As for the 19th Army and the 3rd Guards Tank Army, they went the shortest distance north from Tsopott to Gdynia. I estimate that in a day at most, we will be able to complete the redeployment of our forces. ”

"And what about today's noon attack?" Bogolyubov continued: "Is there a need for a timeout? ”

"At present, the geographical areas of the adjustment are only Gdynia and Tsopot, and the deployment in the direction of Danzig has not made any changes." Rokossovsky's eyes were still fixed on the map, and he said without raising his head: "Inform Batov and Fedyuninsky that the original time of the attack will not change." ”

Bogolyubov took two steps towards the door, stopped again, turned his head and asked Rokossovsky: "Comrade Marshal, shall we wait a little longer, maybe there are quite a few officers and soldiers in the city, after reading the leaflets we have distributed, they will lay down their arms and surrender to us." ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, have you forgotten that in those days Paulus's troops were surrounded by us in Stalingrad, and our army used radio and leaflets every day to persuade them to surrender, but before Paulus was captured by us, several more places came out to surrender to us?" Rokossovsky said to Bogolyubov: "Our leaflets are at best to shake the hearts of the enemy, and it is not easy to get them to come out and surrender obediently." ”

He waved his hand at Bogolyubov: "Go, Comrade Chief of Staff, tell the commanders of the two army groups that as soon as our offensive begins, if the enemy does not surrender, resolutely and decisively destroy them." ”

Without waiting for Bogolyubov to walk out of the door, an officer walked in from the outside, raised his hand to salute the two, and said respectfully: "Comrade Marshal, the commander of the Polish tank brigade, General Mezhchan, and the chief of staff, Colonel Polischuk, want to meet you, I wonder if you will allow them to come in?" ”