Rokossovsky was silent for a long time about the order of the Supreme High Command conveyed by Antonov before he spoke: "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, I resolutely obey the decision of the headquarters of the Supreme High Command, and we will transfer the troops designated by the higher authorities to the north and northeast in the shortest possible time to deal with the East Prussian group of the German army. ”

After listening to Rokossovsky's reply, Antonov fell to the ground with a boulder hanging over his heart. He originally thought that Rokossovsky would have to spend a lot of persuasion work even if he wanted to obey this order of the Supreme Command to adjust the direction of the offensive, but he did not expect the other party to agree so readily.

After Rokossovsky put down the phone, he said to the heads of the front armies gathered around the table: "Comrades, the headquarters of the Supreme High Command has just given us the latest operational order, telling the 3rd and 48th armies, the 2nd shock army and the 5th Guards Tank Army to turn to the north and northeast to deal with the German East Prussian group. ”

"What, let's change the direction of the attack?" Hearing Rokossovsky say this, the strongest reaction was none other than Deputy Commander Trubnnikov, who excitedly asked: "If so many troops are transferred at once, then our strength in the frontal offensive will be greatly weakened." At that time, not to mention breaking through the German defenses, whether or not they can block the enemy's counterattack will be a question. ”

"Chief of Staff," since the Supreme High Command has issued the latest operational order, no matter what he says or does, he cannot change this status quo, so Rokossovsky does not intend to discuss the matter with Trubnikov again, but instructs Chief of Staff Bogolyubov: "Immediately notify the commanders of the 3rd and 48th armies, the 2nd shock army, and the 5th Guards Tank Army to come to me for a meeting, and I will assign them new combat missions." ”

By the time Bogolyubov had faithfully carried out this order, Rokossovsky felt the need to inform Zhukov about the change of direction of the main attack of his troops. So he picked up the phone and decisively ordered the operator to connect Zhukov's Front Command.

When Zhukov heard Rokossovsky's voice, he asked with some surprise: "Comrade Rokossovsky, why did you remember to call me, is there anything urgent?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, I have bad news for you." Rokossovsky said in a depressed mood: "According to the order of the superiors, our Front Army will immediately transfer three combined armies of all arms and one tank army to turn north to support Chernyakhovsky's Third Belorussian Front. In this way, your right wing will lose reliable guarantees, and I hope you will take note of this. ”

"Hell, how can this be?" When Zhukov heard Rokossovsky's briefing, his face turned pale, and based on the map in front of him, he judged that what Rokossovsky said was not alarmist, but factual. As soon as the main forces of the Second Front go north, then in the middle of the two fronts, there will be a gap tens of kilometers wide. If the Germans chose this as the breakthrough point, they risked losing their gains in a week's time.

"Why is this happening, why is this happening?" Zhukov asked with some anger: "Comrade Rokossovsky, who gave the order?" ”

"It's Antonov, Chief of the General Staff." Rokossovsky said lightly on the phone: "He said that the troops under the command of General Chernyakhovsky were stubbornly blocked by the German army and could not advance at all, and our army needed to go north to cooperate with them to destroy the enemy in East Prussia." ”

Hearing that the order was given by Antonov, Zhukov was immediately deflated, because he knew very well in his heart that Antonov was Stalin's spokesman. It is quite possible that this order for Rokossovsky to change the direction of the offensive was personally instructed by Stalin himself.

"Thank you, Comrade Rokossovsky." Zhukov said helplessly: "Thank you for informing me that I will deploy effective troops on the right flank as soon as possible to prevent a counter-assault by the Germans." ”

Several commanders of the army group, who had been notified, came to Rokossovsky's office one after another, waiting for the marshal to give them new combat orders. After beckoning everyone to sit down, Rokossovsky said: "Commanders and comrades, there is an important matter that I want to announce to you that I have summoned you here today. ”

When everyone heard Rokossovsky say this, they all focused their eyes on him, waiting for him to give a new battle order, but Rokossovsky announced in a shocking manner: "Immediately stop all offensives in the existing positions, and prepare for the transfer in the shortest possible time." ”

"Comrade Marshal, why is that?" After hearing Rokossovsky's inexplicable order, Fedyuninsky asked on behalf of the crowd: "We are playing well, why stop." ”

"Because the Supreme Command has just given us an order, let's immediately turn around and go north." Rokossovsky slapped his hand twice on the map and said with a wave of anger: "Go and cooperate with General Chernyakhovsky's Third Belorussian Front to destroy the German heavy army group in the East Prussian area." ”

"Comrade Marshal," Gusev, commander of the 48th Army, who had always been a veteran, asked, "from where we will launch an attack on the Germans." ”

Rokossovsky glanced at Gusev, and then said: "Your army group should enter the battlefield from the wide frontage of the Augustov Canal, occupied by the 50th Army, and launch a surprise offensive against the enemy to block the German defenses in this area. ”

Gusev nodded, and then asked: "Then when will our army group be engaged in the attack on the German army?" ”

Rokossovsky stretched out two fingers and said to Gusev: "Two days, I'll give you two days to prepare, and then the attack on the Germans will officially begin." ”

The commander of the 3rd Army, Gorbatov, waited for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, and immediately spoke: "Comrade Marshal, my troops have advanced more than ten kilometers, and General Borkin's troops are still staying along the canal without any movement. If we continue to push forward, we are likely to become alone. ”

"General Gorbatov," Trubnnikov interjected, "on your right flank, isn't there still General Glishin's 49th Army?" With their cooperation, your troops rushing into the depths of the German army will not be alone. ”

"A quick breakthrough of the German defenses in the north requires the cooperation of everyone." Rokossovsky turned around and instructed Bogolyubov: "Send a telegram to General Borkin of the 50th Army, and ask his troops to immediately launch an attack on the Germans on the other side of the Augustov Canal, to contain the enemy's forces, so that our troops can make an effective breakthrough in other areas." ”