When Malinin put the telegram from Batov on the table, Rokossovsky simply skimmed through the contents, then handed the telegram to Zhukov and asked noncommittally: "Comrade Marshal, this is a telegram just sent by Batov, his troops occupied the commanding heights of the German army, but when they advanced, they were intercepted by heavy German artillery fire, and the troops suffered heavy casualties. What do you think should happen next? ”

After reading the contents of the telegram, Zhukov pursed his lips and said to Malinin: "Order Batov, stop the offensive for the time being!" ”

"Yes, order Batov to stop the offensive." Malinin agreed, then turned to the side and made a phone call.

"Comrade Rokossovsky," Zhukov said thoughtfully after Malinin walked away: "You are right, our attack on Barich was expected by the enemy, and they would be on the defensive line and inflict huge casualties on our troops with a well-developed defensive system. ”

Seeing that Zhukov had realized that it would not work to take the most convenient way to attack, Rokossovsky's heart could not help but secretly rejoice, and he hurriedly asked: "Comrade Marshal, do you think we can turn the direction of the main attack in the future to the left flank of the front?" You know, the enemy doesn't pay much attention to that direction. ”

Although Zhukov stayed at Rokossovsky's headquarters every day, he did not know much about the situation on the left flank of the Front: "Tell me about the situation on your left flank. ”

"The terrain on our left flank is complex, with a lot of rivers and beaches, and quite a few swamps." Rokossovsky picked up the map he had just marked, put it in front of Zhukov, and said to him: "It is not conducive to the development of a large army. ”

Zhukov glanced up at Rokossovsky and asked: "How is the defense of the German army there?" ”

Rokossovsky, who had a good knowledge of the terrain there, replied: "Because it was difficult for troops to pass through those areas, the Germans did not have any tight defensive lines, but set up scattered strongholds on some dry heights nearby. It is more appropriate to spy on our army than to defend against the offensive of our army. ”

"Oh, that's right." Zhukov said, putting a large-brimmed hat on the table on his head, and said to Rokossovsky: "Let's go, let's go and see the terrain." ”

The convoy drove on the road for an hour and came to the command of Batov. Seeing Zhukov and Rokossovsky walking in, Batov hurriedly got up to greet them, and at the same time took the initiative to admit his mistake: "Comrade Marshal, Comrade Commander, we did not fight well today and betrayed your trust. ”

"It's not your fault," Zhukov waved his hand at Batov and said magnanimously: "The reason why the troops suffered heavy casualties was because our attack had long been expected by the enemy, and they were able to use the perfect defense system to strike at our army in a targeted manner. ”

Seeing that Zhukov and Rokossovsky came to his headquarters, not to criticize himself, Batov secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and then expressed his attitude to Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, I will order the troops to regroup after dark, and launch another attack on the German defensive positions tomorrow." ”

Because Zhukov was present, Rokossovsky did not speak, but stared at Zhukov with his eyes, wanting to hear what he had to say. "No need, Comrade Batov," Zhukov replied, shaking his head, "no more offensive for the time being." We're here today to adjust the direction of the attack. ”

Hearing Zhukov say this, Bartov hurriedly sat down beside him and cautiously asked: "Comrade Marshal, then where are we going to attack from?" ”

Zhukov's eyes looked at Rokossovsky, but he said to Batov: "In fact, before the start of your offensive, Rokossovsky mentioned that the main direction of attack would be chosen on the left flank of the Front troops. Not to mention you at the time, even I thought it was absurd to choose the direction of the attack in a swampy area that was not conducive to the deployment of the troops. But judging by the current situation, maybe he was right. ”

After waiting for Zhukov to finish speaking, Batov hurriedly took over the topic: "Comrade Commander's assumption is completely correct. I went to the swamp last night to check that there were no decent fortifications at the other end of the swamp, and we could easily break through the enemy's defenses with even one division. ”

"Comrade Batov," Batov's words intrigued Zhukov, who quickly got up from his seat and instructed: "Immediately go to the edge of the swamp where we go." ”

Hearing that Zhukov was going to the edge of the swamp, Batov hurriedly glanced at the chief of staff, Glebov, who bowed his head slightly to indicate that he knew. Rokossovsky saw this small action between the two in private, and guessed that it might be that Batov asked Glebov to set up a guard in order to ensure Zhukov's safety.

Rokossovsky's conjecture was soon confirmed, and when the group reached the edge of the swamp, he could sense a kind of imminent battle as soon as he got out of the car: the tanks parked at the edge of the forest aimed their guns at the opposite side of the swamp; The heavy machine gunners in the trenches moved into their firing positions; The snipers also took their positions, aiming their sniper rifles wrapped in cloth in front of them. Zhukov also noticed this, but he did not speak, but walked silently along the grass on the outer side of the forest.

Zhukov stopped next to a small tree, raised his binoculars and looked across the swamp, carefully checking the movements of the German troops. After some observation, he realized that what he saw was the same as what Rokossovsky had reported to him, so he put down his binoculars, turned his head and asked Rokossovsky: "Comrade Rokossovsky, how far is it from us to the other side?" ”

In response to this question, without waiting for Rokossovsky to speak, Batov preemptively said: "Report to Comrade Marshal, the distance from the opposite bank is more than 600 meters. ”

"More than six hundred meters?!" After repeating this number, Zhukov said to Rokossovsky: "That is, where we are, we are all within the range of the German MG42 machine guns?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Marshal, that's right." Rokossovsky replied very dryly: "Therefore, before the attack, we still need to suppress the German strongholds with artillery fire and cover the successful passage of our troops through the swamps." ”

"I want to ask," Zhukov pulled Rokossovsky aside and asked cautiously, "how are you going to let our troops pass through the swamp?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, please look." Rokossovsky pointed to the wide swamp and said: "I intend to have the sappers pave the road in the swamp with wood, so that not only our infantry can pass quickly, but even tanks and self-propelled guns can pass through the swamp." ”

"And when are you going to pave the road?" Zhukov asked with some concern: "Once our sappers are discovered by the Germans while paving the road, they can condescendingly shoot at the sappers, which will inevitably bring a lot of casualties." ”

"All thought out, Comrade Marshal." Faced with Zhukov's concerns, Rokossovsky said with a smile: "I intend to let the sappers drive stakes in the swamp while our troops are shelling the German positions, and ordinary fighters can help to put the prepared wood on these stakes." We paved the road and advanced as we went, and by the time the vanguard reached the opposite bank, the wooden passage was completed, and our tanks and self-propelled guns could follow these roads to the opposite bank. ”

"You have thought it through, and by doing so, our troops will be able to successfully pass through the swamp and break through the enemy's lines by surprise." After listening to what Rokossovsky said, Zhukov nodded and said approvingly: "If you draw up a plan as soon as possible and put it forward at the next military meeting of the Supreme Command, I will resolutely support you." ”