Rokossovsky was surprised to learn that the two commanders of the Polish tank brigade had asked for a meeting, but he quickly recovered and ordered the officer who reported the news: "Comrade officer, hurry up and invite the two commanders in!" ”

After the officers had left, Rokossovsky said to Bogolyubov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, during the campaign for the liberation of Warsaw, I met these two commanders, who, together with the Polish anti-aircraft artillery divisions, covered the forced crossing of the Vistula by our troops and assisted in the successful establishment of a landing ground on the left bank. I really didn't expect them to be here, what a surprise. ”

"Strange." Bogolyubov wondered: "Why are they here?" You know, we weren't notified of the presence of Polish troops nearby. ”

"Don't be in a hurry, Comrade Chief of Staff." Rokossovsky waved his hand at Bogolyubov and said: "Everything will be worked out." ”

After a short time, the officer led Major General Mei Ri-chan and Colonel Polisius into the room. The two of them walked quickly in front of Rokossovsky, stood upright, raised their hands and saluted, and said in slightly stiff Russian: "Hello, Comrade Marshal, the commander of the Polish tank brigade, Mezhcan, and the chief of staff, Polisius, report to you that we have been ordered to come and assist you in taking Danzig, please instruct!" ”

"Assist us in taking Danzig?" When Rokossovsky heard what the other party said, he couldn't help but glance at Bogolyubov in surprise, wondering if he had received a similar notice. But Bogolyubov shook his head at him, saying that he did not know about it at all.

While shaking hands with Mei Rican, Rokossovsky asked curiously: "General Mei Rican, can I ask, from whom did you receive the combat order?" ”

Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Mei Rican's face showed an expression of surprise: "Why, Comrade Marshal, didn't our commander, General Behringer, inform you of the news that we are coming?" ”

"Nope." Rokossovsky shook his head and replied truthfully: "We have not received any notice. ”

Mei Rican replied with some embarrassment: "I think it may be because of the negligence of the higher authorities that they did not inform you of the news of our arrival in time. ”

"Comrade Marshal," Polisius added on the side, "Gdansk is the second political center after Poland, and since the Germans occupied the city, it was renamed Danzig." We have come here to liberate this important city of the motherland together with the great Soviet Red Army. ”

After listening to Polisius's account, Rokossovsky suddenly understood in his heart why Behringer would send a tank brigade to participate in this offensive, which contained far more political significance than military significance. After thinking about this key question, Rokossovsky nodded and said: "Comrade Poliszyuk, presumably you are familiar with the situation in the city, can you give us a brief introduction to this ancient city?" ”

As the chief of staff of the tank brigade, Polisiuk was well aware of the strength of his troops, and forty or fifty tanks did not play much role in the battle to liberate Gdansk, or Danzig, but at best it was a symbolic meaning, indicating that in the liberation of this ancient and great Polish city, the Polish army fought together with the great Soviet Red Army and defeated the invaders of Faxi Temple.

He pointed to the map that Rokossovsky had spread out on the table with his hand and asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, can I use your map?" After receiving permission, he went to the table, pointed to the location of Danzig on the map, and explained to Rokossovsky: "The central area of the city has many excellent buildings from the Hanseatic era, all of which are located in the area adjacent to the Long Street and the Long Square, the so-called Long Street is not long, only a short section from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate, but there are many beautiful buildings and sculptures along the street......"

"Please wait a minute," Rokossovsky heard this, and couldn't help but interrupt Polisius, and asked humbly: "Comrade Colonel, can you tell me, what is the Hanseatic League?" ”

Seeing that Rokossovsky didn't know about the Hanseatic League, Polisius's face couldn't help but show a surprised expression, but he still patiently explained to the other party: "The Hanseatic League is a commercial and political alliance formed between cities in northern Germany. The word Hanseatic means 'commune' or 'guild' in German. It gradually took shape in the 13th century and flourished in the 14th century, with a maximum of 160 member cities. In 1367, a leading body headed by the city of Lübeck was established, with the participation of wealthy merchants and aristocrats from Hamburg, Cologne, Bremen and other large cities, with arms and coffers. The League monopolized trade in the Baltic Sea and established trading posts along the coast from London in the west to Novgorod in the east. However, it declined in the 15th century and dissolved in 1669. ”

After figuring out what the Hanseatic League was, Rokossovsky waved his hand at Polisius and motioned for him to continue. Polisius continued: "The High Gate, built in 1574-1576, was the first gate to enter the main city, and was decorated with the coat of arms of Gdansk.

The Golden Gate, in the style of the Arc de Triomphe, was built in 1612-1614.

Long Street, although the name is Long Street, is actually not very long. Running from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate on the banks of the Motrava River, it is the main street in the main city, lined with old buildings from Gdansk.

The long square is the main square of the main city. The city's most important ceremonies and festivals take place here. In the middle of the square is the fountain of Neptune, the goddess of the sea, and the white golden house is one of the most beautiful buildings in Gdansk, and the statue-covered 17th-century building was once the residence of wealthy merchants.

Built in 1379-1492, the town hall is a combination of Gothic and Renaissance, and the 82-meter-high bell tower is topped by King Sigismund? Gilded statue of Gust. ……”

After listening to Polissiuk's introduction, Rokossovsky realized the importance of such a city in the minds of the Polish people, and could not help but glance at Bogolyubov, thinking to himself: Our bombing and shelling will not destroy this ancient city with a long history, right?

Bogolyubov guessed from Rokossovsky's expression what he was worried about, and hurriedly replied: "Comrade Marshal, rest assured, our bombardment and shelling of Danzig has always been concentrated on the German positions outside the city, and the degree of damage to the city is very low. ”

Hearing Bogolyubov say this, Rokossovsky's heart suddenly became much more steady, he nodded, and said to the two of them: "General Mezhcan, Colonel Polisius, our attack on the city will begin soon." If you are assigned to the first assault echelon at this time, first, it will be too late in time, and second, it will be easy to cause unnecessary chaos. Therefore, I intend to wait for our army to storm the city, and then I will throw you into battle, and you will occupy the town hall. What do you think? ”

In Mei Rican's heart, he was always worried that Rokossovsky would assign him an unachievable task, but after listening to the arrangements for his troops, his heart suddenly became much more steady, and he hurriedly replied: "There is no problem, Comrade Marshal, my troops and I resolutely obey your command." ”