Although the city of Warsaw was still threatened by the Germans to the north, west, and southwest, the situation in the city gradually stabilized with the arrival of Batov's 65th Army, and not only the factories were opened, shops were opened, and even entertainment facilities such as cinemas, theaters, cafes, and bars were reopened.

Rokossovsky, seeing that the situation in Warsaw was stabilizing, decided to move his own command to the city. After some discussion, he decided to temporarily place the new headquarters in the royal palace next to the Vistula River. After making a decision, he immediately sent Malinin to the city to fight the front station and establish the headquarters as soon as possible.

Malinin was very efficient, and less than an hour after entering the city, he called Rokossovsky and reported to him that the new command was ready for service.

After receiving this call, Rokossovsky happily said to Terekin: "Comrade Military Commissar, the chief of staff has already arranged the new command, let's go to the city." ”

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Terekin shook his head and said politely: "Comrade Marshal, I will also rush to Lublin to meet the responsible comrades of the Polish National Liberation Committee and consult with them about the specific time and steps for the new government to enter Warsaw. ”

A few days earlier, Rokossovsky had heard Terekin mention this. According to his original idea, the new government could enter the city of Warsaw at the same time as his own headquarters, and choose a suitable place to work. However, I heard from the Polish side that after the new government entered Warsaw, in order to declare its ownership of the city, it was planned to hold a military parade of the Polish First Army and a large parade of the citizens of Warsaw.

It was after hearing this request that Rokossovsky decisively dismissed the idea of entering Warsaw at the same time as the new government. Not to mention that the situation at the Magnushew landing ground is still serious, and it is impossible to transfer troops of the Polish First Army into the city of Warsaw; Even organizing a march of the citizens of Warsaw was an anachronism, and if the Germans shelled the city from outside the city while the march was going on, it was bound to cause huge casualties among the citizens.

Now that the situation along the Vistula has just improved, Terekin has brought up the old story again, and Rokossovsky must pay attention to it. After some careful consideration, he said to Terekin: "Comrade Military Commissar, when you consult with the Polish comrades this time, you must stress that if they want to organize a parade of the First Polish Army and a large parade of the citizens of Warsaw immediately after entering the city of Warsaw, it will only be possible until the landing ground of Magnushev in Chuikov is connected with the city of Warsaw, or after our troops have succeeded in seizing the fortress of Modlin. Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Marshal." Terekin nodded and agreed with Rokossovsky's proposal: "I will explain to the Polish comrades in detail what you are worried about, hoping that they will understand the plight of our army." ”

Rokossovsky and Terekin split into two routes, the former taking the members of the command to the new headquarters in Warsaw; And the latter, under the protection of a guard squad, rushed to Lublin.

After entering the city of Warsaw on the east bank of the Vistula, looking at the devastated city, Orel, who was sitting next to Rokossovsky, could not help but say with emotion: "Comrade commander, it seems that the battle of our army to seize Warsaw is really fierce enough, you see, there are hardly any intact buildings in the city." ”

Without waiting for Rokossovsky to speak, the adjutant sitting in the co-pilot's seat had already half-turned his body and said to Orel with a smile: "General Orel, our army and the German army have been fighting repeatedly in this area for a long time, and the damage to the city is inevitably a bit big. After the Vistula River, the situation in the main city is much better than here. ”

When the convoy passed by the Vilansk railway station, Rokossovsky pointed out the window and said to the adjutant: "When you get to the headquarters later, you remember to remind me that the Vilansk railway station should be reopened to traffic as soon as possible, so that we can transport troops, technical equipment and all kinds of materials needed in the city to the city as quickly as possible." ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." The adjutant agreed, silently taking Rokossovsky's words to heart.

The convoy crossed the well-preserved bridge and reached the west bank of the Vistula River and entered the main city. What appeared to Rokossovsky at the moment was a different scene, with European medieval red-spired buildings lined up one after another. In particular, the palace next to the river, with its continuous splendid buildings, amazed Rokossovsky and his family.

Malinin and Bartov, who were waiting outside the palace, saw the convoy stop in front of them, and Malinin hurriedly stepped forward to open the door for Rokossovsky, and said respectfully: "Comrade commander, welcome to the new command!" ”

Rokossovsky nodded at Malinin, shook hands with him, and asked bluntly: "Chief of Staff, can the new command be put into service immediately?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Malinin replied in the affirmative: "The new command is ready to be put into service at any time." ”

Rokossovsky came to Batov again, shook hands with him, and said with a smile: "Comrade Batov, I'm really sorry that because of me, your command had to move out of the palace. I don't know where you've moved? ”

"It's not far from here." Batov hurriedly replied: "The Museum of Archaeology is not far away, only a few hundred meters from here. It was also a stone building, which could withstand German shelling and bombardment. After a few more pleasantries with Batov, Rokossovsky walked into the command headquarters with Malinin.

In the splendid new command, Rokossovsky said to Malinin: "Chief of Staff, give me Chuikov immediately, I will talk to him." ”

The phone was quickly connected, and Chuikov's voice was heard coming from the receiver, and Rokossovsky said into the microphone: "Chuikov?" I am Rokossovsky, and the units of the 47th Army are entering the city of Warsaw one after another, and it may be another day before they can attack the enemy. During this time, will you be able to hold off the German onslaught? ”

"Comrade Marshal, please rest assured." Regarding Rokossovsky's concerns, Chuikov said with confidence: "Our army group has completed the construction of the defensive zone, built wide minefields and barbed wire barriers, and more than a dozen trenches separated by 2 to 300 meters, connected by trenches. In areas where enemy tanks and infantry could be concentrated, we deployed artillery and mortar fire. In vulnerable directions, 20 artillery pieces per kilometer are deployed. At the same time, we have organized a ring defense in all large settlements...... In a word, it is no longer easy for the enemy to break through the defenses of our army. ”

"Very well, Comrade Chuikov. You guys are doing a great job. Rokossovsky highly praised Chuikov's defensive deployment, "As long as you hold out for two more days, you will be devastating in attacking the enemy at the landing site from the front." At that time, the landing site and Warsaw will form a well-developed defensive system and completely crush the enemy's attempts to retake Warsaw. ”