Vasilevsky did not expect Zhukov to make a request to speak at such a time, he hesitated for a moment, turned his inquiring gaze to Stalin, and only after seeing that the latter bowed slightly in agreement, did he politely say to Zhukov: "Please speak, Comrade Marshal!" ”

Zhukov stood up, habitually swept his gaze over the crowd one by one, and said: "The enemy is not only building fortifications in the Alps, but also discovering fortifications hidden in the mountains in the areas controlled by our troops. ”

"Comrade Zhukov," Stalin asked, frowning, hearing this, "since you have discovered the enemy's fortifications hidden in the mountains, have you taken any necessary measures?" ”

Zhukov faced Stalin, nodded and said: "Comrade Stalin, after learning that there were enemy fortifications in the mountains outside the city of Breslau, I dispatched an infantry brigade and two tank battalions and carried out an experimental attack. Unfortunately, our attack was not successful. ”

As for what Zhukov said, Rokossovsky, like the rest of the participants, heard about it for the first time. Since enemy fortifications had been found in the mountains outside the city of Breslau, there must have been such fortifications in other areas. If the necessary countermeasures are not taken, these fortifications, located in the rear of the Soviet army, will cause certain problems for the upcoming battle of Berlin.

"Comrade Konev," Stalin waited for Zhukov to finish, then turned his gaze to Konev, who was sitting next to him silently: "In your area of control, did you find the enemy's fortifications hidden in the mountains?" ”

Konev hurriedly stood up and replied respectfully: "Comrade Stalin, at the moment no secret fortifications of the enemy have been discovered, except for a few German fortresses that have not yet been conquered by our troops. ”

"What about you?" Stalin finally stopped his gaze on Rokossovsky: "Comrade Rokossovsky, did you find the enemy's secret fortifications there?" ”

"Nope." Rokossovsky got up and shook his head and said, "I haven't found it yet." ”

Stalin raised his hands and pressed down for a moment, signaling the marshals to re-seat. When they were all seated, he asked with a smile on his face: "Comrades, I would like to ask you, what should we do with these German fortifications or secret fortifications that are in the area controlled by our troops?" After he finished asking, he paused slightly, and then pointed his finger at Antonov, "Comrade Antonov, you are the chief of the General Staff of the Red Army, you will talk about it first." ”

Antonov, who was named by Stalin, stood up again, and after coughing lightly, said: "...... Our army is striking at the enemy more and more fiercely day by day, and this is the best means of hastening the arrival of victory. Today, Marshal Zhukov's First Belorussian Front and Marshal Rokossovsky's Second Belorussian Front have successfully cleared out the enemy in the Pomeranian region, so that the German heavy army group in this area no longer exists, and provided a comprehensive and reliable guarantee for our army's upcoming Berlin campaign.

As for the German fortifications in the areas controlled by our troops, as well as the secret fortifications that have just been discovered, we only need to leave a part of our forces for surveillance. As long as we succeed in capturing Berlin, these enemies will not be a cause for concern. ”

Vasilevsky, who was sitting on the side, heard Antonov's remarks with an anxious expression on his face. He opened his mouth several times to say something, but he was afraid of interrupting Antonov's train of thought, so he swallowed back when the words came to his lips. However, these abnormal behaviors of his were all seen by Stalin, and as soon as Antonov's words were finished, Stalin said to Vasilevsky: "Comrade Vasilevsky, I see that you seem to have a different opinion of what Antonov said. Then tell us now how we should deal with the enemy in the rear of our army? ”

"Comrade Stalin, I do not agree with Antonov." Vasilevsky got up and said: "If we do not clear the enemy in the rear, we will rashly start the battle of Berlin, and then these enemies, who are hiding in fortresses or secret fortifications, will appear and harass the rear of our army, cut off our lines of communication, and make it impossible for us to concentrate our attack on Berlin with all our might."

Therefore, I felt that the attack on Berlin should be postponed, and that heavy forces should be mobilized first to pull out the fortresses and secret fortifications left by the Germans in our rear. After all this has been done, it is not too late to attack Berlin. ”

Zhukov first sneered at Vasilevsky's statement, and then retorted: "Comrade Vasilevsky, you said that the attack on Berlin should be postponed, and heavy troops should be mobilized to encircle and suppress the fortresses and secret fortifications in our rear. Then let me ask you, how long do you think it will take us to clear the enemy from the rear? ”

Vasilevsky pondered for a moment, and replied with some hesitation, "I think probably, about a month is enough." ”

"A month?!" Hearing Vasilevsky's answer, Zhukov sneered again: "To capture a fortress with strong defenses and heavy defenses, if it can be taken within a month, it will be considered a quick action." Besides, there are definitely more than one enemy fortresses and secret fortifications in our rear, and if it takes a month to capture each place, how long will it take to clear the enemy in our rear? If we delay the attack on Berlin, then the enemy can use this time to mobilize forces to strengthen their defenses, and by the time we launch the Battle of Berlin, we will pay an even heavier price than we do now. ”

Stalin did not make any judgment on the differences between several people, but pointed at Rokossovsky with his hand and said with a smile: "Comrade Rokossovsky, everyone has talked about their own opinions, you can also talk about it." ”

"Comrades, before we discuss the question of whether to attack Berlin directly, or to attack Berlin after clearing the enemy, we must first make it clear." Rokossovsky, seeing that Stalin had allowed himself to express his opinion, did not refuse, stood up and said: "Whether it is a fortress or a hidden fortification, their function is to defend, not to attack. Therefore, I agree with Comrade Antonov that the rest of the forces, with the exception of a small number of forces left to monitor the enemy in the rear of our troops, should be concentrated for the assault on Berlin......"

"Marshal Rokossovsky," Vasilevsky said reluctantly, seeing that Rokossovsky opposed his proposal, "the German troops in these fortifications and secret fortifications in our rear will pose a threat to our supply lines." ”

"Comrade Vasilevsky, you don't have to worry about this." Rokossovsky confidently said: "Marshal Zhukov's troops are ready to attack Berlin, and I believe that he can end the battle of Berlin within a month." As soon as Berlin is taken, the enemy, who is hiding in the rear fortresses and fortifications of our army, will be demoralized and demoralized. ”

"Do you really think that Marshal Zhukov's troops will be able to end the Battle of Berlin in a month?"

Rokossovsky nodded and said confidently: "What is the morale and combat effectiveness of Marshal Zhukov's troops, I think I still have the right to speak." Even if only one of them attacked Berlin, they would be able to solve the battle within a month, not to mention that now there are my troops in the north and Marshal Konev's troops in the south, do you think the Germans can withstand our three-way attack? ”

"The Germans set a trap in Berlin and tried to provoke discord between us and the Allies. The only way to block the trap of the Germans is to occupy Berlin by our army. Stalin tapped his pipe twice on the edge of the ashtray and said: "That is, our immediate priority is to take Berlin." As for the German fortifications and fortifications in the rear of our troops, it was enough to leave the necessary forces for surveillance and blockade. ”