When the two light cruisers saw the Soviet bombers in the air, they immediately stopped shelling on the opposite shore and made a high-speed maneuver in a zigzag pattern while firing at the planes with anti-aircraft machine guns on the deck, trying to minimize the losses caused by the Soviet bombing.

Soviet bomber squadrons took turns attacking German cruisers. Although two bombers were hit by anti-aircraft fire from the deck, the rest of the bombers successfully completed their bombing mission, sinking one of them and damaging the other, dragging the billowing smoke into the distance.

Rokossovsky soon learned about the results of the Air Force, as well as the losses of the 11th Guards Tank Army. After staring at the battle report and thinking for a while, he said to Bogolyubov: "Chief of staff, you call General Katukov and tell him that the offensive on the port and shipyards is suspended, except for the continuation of the offensive of the mechanized corps on Gdynia from the west. ”

Bogolyubov quickly recorded Rokossovsky's order, raised his head and asked: "Comrade Marshal, are there any other orders?" ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff!" Rokossovsky continued: "You immediately send a telegram to the commander of the Red Banner Baltic Fleet, Admiral Tributs, asking him to dispatch warships to take control of the Gulf of Gdansk and prevent the German ships from returning to the bay again to bombard our forces attacking the Tsopot area. ”

"What about the Air Force?" Bogolyubov asked tentatively: "Do you need to send planes to patrol the skies over the bay?" ”

"It is absolutely necessary to send the air force to patrol the skies over the bay." Rokossovsky replied resolutely: "The planes have a large search area, and they can report to their superiors if they find enemy ships, so that we can take the necessary measures against German ships in the shortest possible time." ”

Bogolyubov left Rokossovsky's office and went into the adjacent war room, ready to pass on the orders. He first asked the operator to send a telegram to the two naval and air commanders, Tributs and Vershinin, and then called Katukov to convey Rokossovsky's orders to him.

Who knew that when Katukov heard the order to suspend the attack on the port, he couldn't help but be anxious: "Comrade Chief of Staff, in today's battle, we have suffered such heavy losses, and the commanders and fighters are holding their breath in their hearts, I am afraid it is a little inappropriate to let them stop attacking the port and shipyards at such a time." ”

"General Katukov, in a little while your troops will be rebuilt and will participate in the general assault on Berlin." After waiting for Katukov to finish speaking, Bogolyubov said unhurriedly: "If the troops suffer serious losses now, even if they are replenished to you after they are rebuilt, I am afraid that the overall combat effectiveness will be reduced, and you don't want your troops to perform unsatisfactory in the battle to liberate Berlin, right?" ”

Bogolyubov's words reminded Katukov that his troops would return to the First Front Army after a while, and if too much strength was consumed at such a time, even if the lost soldiers and technical equipment could be replenished, I am afraid that the combat effectiveness of the troops would be greatly reduced, and whether his troops would be able to successfully break through the last line of defense of the German army was still a question.

It was precisely because of these questions that Katukov, after a period of silence, replied with difficulty: "Well, Comrade Chief of Staff, I obey the order of the marshal to suspend the offensive on the port and shipyards, and only let the mechanized corps continue to attack Gdynia from the west. ”

Rokossovsky knew very well in his heart that Katukov's tank army suffered such a big loss today, which can be regarded as a great loss of vitality, and it is obviously impossible to take Gdynia in a short time. Therefore, he planned to adjust the direction of the attack and first capture Tsopot, which was located in the middle of the two cities, so that it would be difficult for the enemy in the two places to restore contact.

Thinking of this, he picked up the phone, dialed the headquarters of the 19th Army, and the officer who answered the phone said: "I'm Rokossovsky, let your commander answer the phone." ”

When the officer heard that it was Rokossovsky himself, he was taken aback and hurriedly replied in a panic: "Comrade Marshal, please wait a moment, I will immediately ask the commander to answer the phone." ”

Romanovsky's voice soon came out of the earpiece: "Hello, Comrade Marshal! I'm Romanovsky, what are your instructions? ”

"General Romanovsky, I want to ask you." Rokossovsky didn't have time to go around in circles, but asked straight to the point: "When do you think with your current strength, you will be able to take Tsopot?" ”

In response to Rokossovsky's question, Romanovsky was silent for a moment, and then replied: "Comrade Marshal, if we had not been shelled and bombarded by the enemy during the attack on the city, I think we would have taken it within three days." ”

"Rest assured, General Romanovsky, nothing you feared will happen." Rokossovsky comforted the other party and said: "I have sent a telegram to the commander of the Baltic Fleet, General Tributs, asking him to send his navy to patrol the area around the bay to prevent our troops from being shelled by enemy ships during the siege of the city. In addition, the Air Force patrols the skies over the bay, and as soon as enemy ships are spotted, our bomber formations are dispatched. ”

Romanovsky saw that Rokossovsky had taken into account what he was worried about, and his heart suddenly felt much more steady. However, considering that if the capture of such a city, especially when breaking through the outlying positions, without the cooperation of tanks, I am afraid that the casualties of the troops would be very heavy, he cautiously proposed: "Comrade Marshal, if you can strengthen our tank troops, it may be possible to attack more smoothly." ”

"General Panfilov's tank corps is now deployed on the periphery of Tsopot." Even if Romanovsky didn't mention the tanks, Rokossovsky planned to take the initiative to send the 3rd Guards Tank Army to assist them in capturing Tsopot: "When you attack the city, they will fully cooperate with you." In addition, I intend to have a part of General Popov's 70th Army also assist you in the attack on the city. ”

"Comrade Marshal, thank you for your kindness." Romanovsky politely rejected Rokossovsky's proposal: "I have gone to the front to check the terrain, and the front of the attack on the city is limited, and even if the 70th Army is allowed to assist us, I am afraid that it will not be fully launched." Therefore, I think that this offensive task will be carried out by our army group and the 3rd Guards Tank Army of General Panfilov. ”

Seeing that Romanovsky took the initiative to request an independent attack, Rokossovsky was not easy to pour cold water on the other side, and after expressing his agreement, he asked tentatively: "Comrade General, I wonder when your troops will be ready to attack?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, although the troops are already in place, although it is possible to launch an attack." Romanovsky hurriedly replied: "But since this siege operation is a joint operation between our army group and General Panfilov's tank army, I think I need to spend a little time communicating with him about cooperation." As for the time of the attack, I think it will officially start at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. ”