"Comrade Zhukov," Stalin couldn't help but feel a little unhappy when he heard Zhukov's refusal so simply: "Can you tell me the reason for your refusal?" ”

"Comrade Stalin, by order of the Supreme High Command, our Front will be the main force in the assault on Berlin. There were many German fortresses and fortifications along the way, and it would have been very difficult to break through these German defensive barriers without a strong tank army. Zhukov said in the microphone: "Therefore, I do not agree to lend the tank army to Rokossovsky for their use." ”

"But have you ever thought that," said Stalin, "Rokossovsky borrowed the tank army from you in order to destroy the enemy in East Pomerania as soon as possible, to ensure the security of your right flank, so that you can move towards Berlin without fear of being attacked from the flank." ”

Zhukov did not understand what Stalin said, but he was more worried that after this unit was lent, it would be officially placed under the command of the Second Front after a long time; Even if they are reluctant to come back, it is estimated that many important combat units will also be emptied. If the base camp had replenished itself in a timely manner, it would not have been a big deal to lend the tank army to Rokossovsky, but now that the troops and equipment have suffered heavy losses, the base camp has given itself very little supplies and it has come very slowly, and in this case, in order to ensure that the combat effectiveness of the troops is not reduced, the only way to keep the existing troops in their hands can only be found.

"That's it, Comrade Zhukov, I'll propose a plan, you see if it's okay." Stalin guessed the reason for Zhukov's reluctance to borrow troops, so he took the initiative to say to him: "How about this tank army you lent to Rokossovsky, as soon as the enemy in East Pomerania is annihilated, it will be rebuilt?" ”

Hearing Stalin say this, Zhukov knew very well in his heart that the tank army in his hands now has to be borrowed and borrowed, and it has to be borrowed if it is not borrowed. Therefore, after a moment's hesitation, he replied: "Well, as long as Rokossovsky can guarantee that after the annihilation of the enemy in East Pomerania, the troops will be rebuilt, I can agree to borrow troops." On one other point, however, he must assure me that in the process of using this force, it is absolutely not possible to replenish other forces in an organized manner. ”

"Comrade Zhukov, don't worry." When Stalin saw that Zhukov was relieved, his heart was much more steady: "I think you promise that as soon as the battle in East Pomerania is over, this army will be rebuilt as soon as possible." Moreover, I will specifically tell Rokossovsky not to transfer units from this unit into formed units to supplement other units. ”

Seeing that Stalin personally vouched for Rokossovsky, Zhukov made a dispatch and proposed: "Comrade Stalin, according to my plan, the tank army that will be responsible for the northward assault mission is the 1st Guards Tank Army under the command of General Katukov. If Rokossovsky can guarantee the timely return of the troops and without damaging the original formation of the troops, I can immediately hand over the troops to the Second Front. ”

"I know Katukov, he is an excellent commander of tank troops, and I believe that under the command of Rokossovsky, he will definitely achieve good results." Stalin picked up his pipe, put it in his mouth, and continued: "Since you have agreed to borrow troops, then the next thing is for you and Rokossovsky to negotiate personally. ”

"Understood, Comrade Stalin." Zhukov hurriedly replied.

…………

In the evening, the command of the 2nd Belorussian Front.

A messenger from Kzlin, holding three glass bottles of clear liquid, stood in front of Rokossovsky with his back straight.

Chief of Staff Bogolyubov stared at the bottle in his hand and asked curiously: "Comrade lieutenant, this is what General Panfilov asked you to send us?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." When the messenger heard Bogolyubov's question, he nodded vigorously and replied: "This is a gift from the commander that I have ordered to send you. ”

"It's not close from Kzlin here." Rokossovsky said with emotion on the side: "I don't know how many hours you sat on the road? ”

The messenger hurriedly turned to Rokossovsky and said: "Comrade Marshal, the road is in too bad condition, if I return by car, I should still be on the road at the moment." I came back by transport plane and flew for only half an hour on the way. ”

Rokossovsky nodded slightly and asked: "Comrade lieutenant, can I ask, what gift did General Panfilov give us?" ”

"It's the sea, Comrade Marshal." The messenger replied with some agitation: "Our vanguard has reached the shores of the Baltic Sea, and this is the sea water they have retrieved, and Comrade Commander ordered me to send it to the chiefs of the front to taste. ”

"Oh, it's the waters of the Baltic Sea?!" When Rokossovsky heard the messenger say this, his eyes lit up: "Then we have to taste it." So saying, he asked the messenger to place the bottle on the conference table, opened one of the bottles himself, and poured some water into each of the empty cups.

After doing all this, he made a gesture to the crowd and said: "Comrade commanders, everyone come and taste the waters of the Baltic Sea and see how it tastes?" ”

The first to pick up the cup was military commissar Su Bojing, who, after taking a sip, said: "The water is bitter and salty, with a bit of algae flavor, it is indeed the water of the Baltic Sea!" ”

As soon as Su Bojing's words were finished, Bogolyubov also took a sip of the cup and said in a loud voice: "That's right, as soon as you taste the taste of this seawater, you will know that it is seawater from the Baltic Sea." ”

Just as everyone was tasting the seawater, a staff officer walked in from outside and reported to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Marshal, a general has come from outside, saying that he wants to see you. ”

Rokossovsky thought that one of his subordinates had something to look for him, so he casually asked: "Is it the commander of which army group or the commander or division commander below?" ”

"No, Comrade Marshal." The staff officer shook his head and replied: "I have never met this general, and he should not be the commander of our front. ”

Hearing what the staff officer said, Rokossovsky couldn't help but be interested, and hurriedly ordered the staff officer: "Hurry up and invite him in." ”

Soon after the staff officer went out of the room, a tall general walked in quickly. In the astonished eyes of everyone, he came to Rokossovsky, raised his hand and saluted, and said respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Marshal. The commander of the 1st Guards Tank Army, Katukov, was ordered to report to you. By order of the superiors, from now on, my troops and I will be under your command. ”