After Rokossovsky issued an order for strict military discipline, he focused his main efforts on the plan to seize East Prussia. He knew very well in his heart that the right flank of the front army was a forest and lake area, which was not conducive to the deployment of large corps and armored troops, and even if he threw more troops into this area, his role in the offensive would be very limited. The fortifications built by the enemy over the years were enough to hold off attacks from this area.

It is precisely because of this consideration that, when Rokossovsky studied the combat plan, he still advocated placing the main assault forces on the left flank of the front troops. Judging from the current situation, this direction is the best breakthrough point for the troops.

Soon after he reported the operational plan to the General Staff, a call from Stalin was received. Stalin asked on the phone: "Comrade Rokossovsky, do you really think that it is unrealistic to strike from Augustov on the right flank of your front to the Romza region?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Stalin," Rokossovsky replied without hesitation, "that direction was full of forests, lakes and swamps, which were not only not conducive to the deployment of large forces, but also on the way of the advance there were fortifications that the Germans had built for many years. In order to avoid unnecessary sacrifices, I intend to take a defensive position on the right flank and attack the enemy's fortified areas from the left flank of the Front troops. ”

"Didn't you try your best to have your troops attack from the forests and swamps in your battle plan for Bagration?" Regarding Rokossovsky's readiness to abandon the right flank, Stalin said with some displeasure: "Why do you now feel that the same terrain is not suitable for an offensive? ”

"Comrade Stalin," Rokossovsky felt it was necessary for him to explain in the face of Stalin's questioning, so as not to cause misunderstanding on the other side: "In the battle for Bagration, I chose to attack in the forests and swamps because the German defense in that direction was relatively weak, and they did not have a perfect defense system at all, except for some careful fire points on some dry commanding heights. They had fortifications in the Augustov area for several years, and our troops, who had just passed through the forests and swamps, could not have taken such a strong fortress because they lacked sufficient artillery and tank support. ……”

Although Rokossovsky gave Stalin a detailed explanation, he still said unwillingly: "Comrade Rokossovsky, since you feel that your Second Belorussian Front is unable to complete the offensive in the Augustov region, then I will leave this task to Chernyakhovsky's Third Front to complete." And you just need to complete the assault on their left flank. ”

After putting down the phone, Rokossovsky stared at the map in front of him and began to study it carefully. He felt that it would not be a bad thing if Chernyakhovsky's Third Front really accepted the defense of his right flank, at least he could concentrate more powerful forces on the left flank and carry out a fierce assault on the Germans.

While he was immersed in studying the map, Bogolyubov came over to him and said: "Comrade Marshal, General Ragunov, the head of logistics of the Front, is here, and he has something important to report to you. ”

Rokossovsky was in a hurry to find out about the supply of ammunition and materiel, and when he heard that the Minister of Logistics was coming, he hurriedly ordered Bogolyubov: "Please come over!" ”

A moment later, the stocky General Lagunov appeared in front of Rokossovsky. Rokossovsky stood up, walked out from behind the table, stepped forward to take the other party's hand, and said enthusiastically: "Hello, General Lagunov, I was about to send someone to look for you, but I didn't expect you to come first." ”

While shaking hands with Rokossovsky, Lagunov grinned and said: "Comrade Marshal, I have come specifically to report to you. ”

Rokossovsky beckoned the other party to sit down, put a cup of hot tea in front of him, and asked: "General Lagunov, if you have anything, just say it." ”

"Comrade Marshal," Lagunov took Rokossovsky's hot tea, and without bothering to drink it, he put it on the table at any time, but took out a document from the satchel he carried with him, handed it to Rokossovsky, and said in his mouth: "In two days, it will be the October Revolution Day, which is the holiday material that our logistics department is preparing to send to the soldiers, you see, what's wrong?" ”

Rokossovsky took the document in Lagunov's hand, opened it, and saw that it was written: In order to celebrate the 27th anniversary of the Great October Revolution, it is ready to distribute xxx tons of chocolate, xxx tons of coffee, xxx tons of meat sausages to the troops under the Front... and a small amount of vodka......

After seeing the things on the document, Rokossovsky casually put it on the table and asked Lagunov: "Comrade General, I wonder if there are any of these materials in the warehouses of the logistics department of the Front?" ”

"Yes," said Lagunov, nodding his head, "before you came to the Second Front, we had only four armies, and now it has increased to eight. If these supplies give the troops a split, then our warehouses will be empty......"

"Since it's a holiday material for the commanders and fighters, let's distribute it." After hearing this, Rokossovsky said disapprerovitively: "Don't worry if the warehouse is empty, I am sure that the superiors will replenish it for us soon." ”

"Comrade Marshal, I'm just worried about this." Lagunov replied with some embarrassment: "You also know, the festival is coming soon, many factories and shops will be closed, and the replenishment that may be given to us will be postponed." Once we distribute all the supplies in the warehouse according to the plan, and the supplies from the rear are delayed, then it will be difficult for our logistics department to meet the needs of the troops......

"Comrade Minister of Logistics," Su Bojing, who had been sitting next to him without speaking, suddenly interjected and asked, "I want to ask, where will our supplies come from?" ”

"Where did you come from?" Lagunov probably didn't expect Subotin to suddenly ask such a question, and after a short panic, he replied: "It used to be Moscow, and with the liberation of Ukraine, Kyiv can also provide us with a batch of supplies." But the rail capacity has reached saturation, so the supplies we need are slow to come. ”

"What about U.S. aid?" Rokossovsky asked unhurriedly: "If I am not mistaken, they should have unloaded in the port of Murmansk." If the supplies we need are shipped from there, they will certainly be much closer than from Moscow or Kyiv. ”

"Judging by the map, Comrade Marshal, your statement is undoubtedly correct." Lagunov explained to Rokossovsky: "The port of Murmansk is north of Finland, and although Finland has officially withdrawn from the war in September of this year, there are still remnants of the German army in their territory, and if we transport supplies directly from the port, our transportation line may be cut off by the Germans at any time......"

After listening to Lagunov's explanation, Rokossovsky finally understood why the port of Murmansk was so close to the 2nd and 3rd Belorussian Fronts, and the logistics department of the base camp had to transport supplies from thousands of kilometers, because this line of communication was constantly under the blockade of the German army.

Rokossovsky felt that what Ragunov said was not worth mentioning compared with the current military deployment to be studied, so he waved his hand at him and said: "General Lagunov, I repeat, since it is a holiday material, let's distribute it immediately." As for the fact that the warehouses are empty, when they will be replenished, we will talk about it later. ”

…………

While Lagunov and Rokossovsky were discussing whether to distribute holiday supplies to the commanders and fighters in accordance with the usual practice, the commanders below were also discussing this matter.

At the headquarters of the 65th Army, Chief of Staff Glebov asked Batov: "Comrade commander, seeing that there are still two days before the October Revolution Day, why haven't the higher-ups distributed the materials for the holiday?" ”

"I don't think it will be distributed." Before Batov could speak, Military Commissar Rakitsky preemptively said: "You must know that before we transferred to the Second Front, this Front had only four armies in total, and now? Excluding the Air Force and Tank Army, there are eight more armies. No matter how much material was stored in the warehouses of the logistics department of the front army, it would not be enough for the eight group armies to divide it equally. ”

"However, if we don't distribute holiday supplies, I'm worried that the commanders and fighters will be emotional." Glebov looked at Batov and asked tentatively: "Comrade commander, why don't you call the marshal and ask when the holiday materials will be distributed?" ”

In response to Glebov's proposal, Batov shook his head and said, "I don't think it's better to ask." Comrade Marshal has just been transferred to the Second Front Army, and he spends a lot of time every day, so there is no need to bother him with such trivial matters. As for the New Year's supplies, Chief of Staff, you can send someone to Warsaw or Lublin to have a look, and procure the supplies needed by the soldiers for the holidays in the name of the army group. ”

"I don't think it's realistic." Rakitsky poured cold water on the two of them again and said: "Lublin and Warsaw are both newly recovered cities, and the residents are all rationed, where can we buy the supplies we need for the holidays." In my opinion, it is better to call Comrade Marshal and ask if we can get the materials for the holidays, so that we can also have a spectrum in our hearts. ”

Hearing that Rakitsky and his own opinions coincided, Glebov hurriedly echoed: "Comrade Military Commissar is right, commander, you can call Comrade Marshal and ask if you can distribute holiday materials?" Even if we can't provide coffee, chocolate, etc., we will find a way to get him to give us more flour and meat, so that our soldiers can eat a hot dumpling. ”

"Yes, yes," Rakitsky continued, "even if there are no other supplies, give more flour and meat and poultry, and let the soldiers eat a meal of Siberian dumplings, I believe it will satisfy everyone." Seeing that his two deputies were singing and harmonizing, Batov couldn't shirk it anymore, so he hurriedly picked up the phone and asked the communications corps to connect to the front headquarters.

After the withdrawal of Batov's 65th Army from Warsaw, it remained stationed in the valley of the two rivers at the confluence of the Vistula and Narev rivers, and together with the 48th Army, was tasked with capturing the fortress of Modlin. When Rokossovsky heard Batov's sudden call, he thought that there was something new about the enemy in the area, and hurriedly asked: "Batov, is there any movement from the enemy of the Modlin Fortress?" ”

"No, Comrade Marshal, the enemy of the Modlin Fortress has not moved at all, and has been honestly staying in the fortress." Somewhat embarrassed, Batov said to Rokossovsky: "I called you today for something else!" ”

"Something else?" Rokossovsky asked with some confusion: "What else?" ”

"That's right," said Batov, with some slurry, "isn't it the October Revolution Day in two days?" According to the usual practice, at this time of the year, the superiors will distribute the materials to the commanders and fighters for the holidays, but this year, at this time, there is no movement at all. ”

Hearing Batov's question, Rokossovsky couldn't help but be angry and funny, and he tried his best to control his emotions and asked: "General Batov, did you call me specifically for this?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." When Batov heard Rokossovsky's tone, he was vaguely angry, and hurriedly explained: "If the logistics department of the Front Army is in trouble and cannot distribute holiday supplies to us, it doesn't matter. Just give us a little more flour and meat and poultry, and let's prepare a meal of Siberian dumplings for the warriors. ”

"Comrade Batov, I'll tell you the truth. General Lagunov, the head of logistics of the Front, has just come to me," Rokossovsky said in a slowed tone: "He said that since the number of troops is now doubled, the warehouses of the logistics department will be empty as soon as the holiday supplies are distributed according to the original plan." That's why I went to the headquarters and asked me what to do. ”

"And how did you reply?" Batov asked tentatively.

"How else can you answer," Rokossovsky said angrily, "of course, I ordered him to distribute all the supplies to the army group first according to the original plan, and as for the problem of empty warehouses, I will find a way to solve it later." ”

"Great, that's great." When Batov heard Rokossovsky say that he had ordered the logistics department to distribute holiday materials, he was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him: "Comrade Marshal, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 65th Army, thank you, thank you for allowing everyone to spend a holiday with peace of mind. ”

"Don't say it's useless." Without waiting for him to finish, Rokossovsky interrupted the rest of his words and admonished: "If the enemy of the Modlin Fortress is not destroyed for a day, it will be a great threat to Warsaw, and you should hurry up to reconnoiter and work out a plan to capture the fortress as soon as possible." ”