Preparations for the offensive campaign have been in full swing.

In order to enable commanders at all levels to better grasp the situation of the troops in battle, Rokossovsky, Malinin, Zakharkin, and others, after repeated study, finally issued several regulations to the group armies, one of which is: During the battle, the observation posts of commanders at all levels should be set up in the position closest to the troops, of which the observation post of the division commander should be 500 to 1,000 kilometers away from the attack position of the troops, and the observation post of the army commander should be 2 kilometers away from the attack position of the troops. And the observation post of the commander of the army group was three kilometers from the position of the troops attacking.

After all, in the past few years of warfare, everyone has done this, and sometimes when the battle is unfavorable to them, the enemy has rushed to a place just a few dozen meters away from their command post. Therefore, they felt that it was a natural thing to receive such an order.

But Ponomarenko, who did not know much about the situation in the army, made a special phone call to Rokossovsky after seeing this regulation, and asked with some trepidation: "Comrade commander, is it a bit inappropriate to let commanders at all levels set up their command posts so close to the attack position?" As soon as the enemy breaks through the defenses of our troops, it will not take long to rush to the observation post, so that the commanders who stay there will be in danger. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Ponomarenko." Rokossovsky patiently waited for Ponomarenko to finish speaking before he began to express his opinion: "I have always advocated that the commander should be with his troops, so that he can not only know what is happening at the front in time, but also boost the morale of our troops......"

After reassuring Ponomarenko with explanations, Rokossovsky urgently convened an impromptu meeting and summoned all the heads of the front. He first asked Anji Pienko about the logistics. He knew very well in his heart that fighting a war was about logistics, and if his logistics supplies were the same as in previous months, then there would be no need to fight this battle.

Andypinkko produced a document and briefed Rokossovsky on the number of warehouses built in the troop assembly area, as well as the situation of various weapons, ammunition, and supplies. He confidently said: "Comrade commander, rest assured, we have a sufficient number of vehicles at our disposal and have the ability to transfer troops and equipment from one place to another at any time. ”

Then reporting to him was the chief of the engineering corps, Proyakov, who stood up and said: "Comrade commander, at the moment we have the 35th Assault Engineer Brigade, the 27th Construction Detachment, the 9th Guards Assault Engineer Battalion, the 10th Separate Engineer Battalion, as well as the 1st, 6th and 8th separate Assault Engineer Battalions equipped with mine-sweeping dogs.

With such a configuration, we can not only pave roads and build bridges for the troops, clear minefields and other auxiliary work; It can even play a greater role as an assault force in urban street fighting. ”

After Proyakov's speech, Oryol, Rudenko, and others also spoke one after another, saying that they would provide sufficient artillery and air support for the attacking troops during the course of the campaign.

After the responsible persons of all branches of the armed forces had finished speaking, Rokossovsky said to Malinin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you are now concurrently holding the post of chief of staff of the Belarusian partisan command, and you should establish close ties with the partisan detachments so that the partisans can receive specific instructions from us on when and where to destroy the lines of communication and attack the German bases. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Ma Lining nodded and replied: "I have considered all the issues that should be considered. I have ordered them to blow up enemy trains on the Bobruisk - Osipovichi - Minsk, Baranovichi - Luninets and other main railway lines starting on June 18. At the same time, it was necessary to continue to destroy the German army's communication lines on a large scale, so that the enemy's communications could only be transmitted by radio or signal corps. ”

Rokossovsky glanced at the calendar hanging on the wall, and continued: "Today is June 15th, and there is only one week left before the start of the campaign, have all our troops arrived at their designated positions?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Ma Linin hurriedly replied: "The troops of the front army have all entered the starting position. We had an advantage over the Germans in both directions of breakthrough - three to four times the enemy's forces, four to six times more artillery and tanks. In addition, there are more than 2,000 aircraft that can provide sufficient cover and support for our ground forces. ”

"Comrade commanders," Rokossovsky said in front of everyone, waiting for Malinin to finish, "since the initiative is completely in the hands of our army, we dare to take the risk of equal size and strength of the enemy and us, and strengthen our forces and weapons in the direction of the main assault by greatly weakening the troops in the secondary direction."

The troops, on the other hand, are equipped with a large number of vehicles as means of transport, as well as artillery trailers, self-propelled guns, and other technical equipment, which greatly enhances the mobility of our various army groups......"

…………

When there were still four days before the start of the offensive campaign, Rokossovsky suddenly received a call from Zhukov: "Hey, Comrade Rokossovsky, have you visited your left flank recently?" ”

"No," Rokossovsky replied, glancing at the map in front of him, and finding that his main focus had recently been on the right flank, "I am studying the situation on the right flank of the Front." ”

"If I were you, I'd go to the left at once." Zhukov smiled on the phone and said: "Maybe you will have an unexpected gain." ”

"An unexpected bonus?" Rokossovsky was about to ask what the unexpected catch was, but Zhukov had already hung up. He put down the phone, called Malinin in front of him, and ordered: "Comrade Chief of Staff, gather the commanders of all arms, and we must rush to the left flank of Kovel as soon as possible to understand the situation there." ”

Malinin guessed that the reason why Rokossovsky suddenly decided to go to Kovely might have something to do with the phone call Zhukov had just received, so he hurriedly agreed, and then went to call the commanders of all branches of the armed forces who had gone out to return to the headquarters to assemble.

When the commanders of the various branches of the armed forces came to the headquarters, there was another disagreement on how to get to Kovilli. "Comrade commander, the distance from us to Kovelli is too long, if you take an armored car, it will take at least a day, and now that the big war is imminent, we don't have so much time to waste on the road, so I suggest that you go by plane." ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Rudenko objected: "No, you can't fly." Although flying is the most time-saving, with so many senior commanders on the same plane, if something unexpected happens, it will cause incalculable losses to the troops. ”

Logistics Minister Antypinkko said: "Since we can't fly and we can't take armored vehicles, then let's take armored trains instead." Not only is it fast, but even if it is attacked by the remnants of fascist bandits on the road, it is completely capable of self-defense. ”

"Even if you take an armored train, you can only get to Sarne." Malinen interjected and asked, "What about the rest of the journey?" ”

Hearing this, Rokossovsky looked at Rudenko and asked: "Comrade Rudenko, we have a field airfield in the Sallne region, are there transport planes there?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Rudenko thought for a moment, and then put forward his own proposal: "I propose that we go to Sallne by armored train, and from there transfer to transport planes. It only takes half an hour for the plane to reach its destination, and even if the enemy spots our plane, by the time they make their move, we will have landed safely. ”

After confirming the transportation route and means of transportation, Rokossovsky gave a brief explanation of the work in the headquarters to Malinin and Zakharkin, and then set off with several commanders of various branches of the army.

Four hours later, Rokossovsky and others came to the temporary headquarters of the left flank troops, where they met with the commanders of the four army groups. Unexpectedly, just as Rokossovsky was listening to their debriefing, an unexpected guest came.

A dignified, serious-looking, well-dressed conductor walked in from outside. Looking at the Polish military uniform worn by the other party, Rokossovsky couldn't help but pause for a moment, and when he was thinking about whether this was the unexpected surprise that Zhukov said, the person who came had already walked up to him, raised his hand and saluted, and said: "Comrade commander, the commander of the Polish First Army, Sigmund Behringer, reports to you, from now on, my troops will obey your orders, please instruct!" ”

"Hello, General Behringer." After listening to the other party's identity, Rokossovsky immediately understood that this must be the unexpected surprise that Zhukov said, and hurriedly shook the other party's hand and said: "On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the First Belorussian Front, I welcome you to join!" ”

As soon as Behringer sat down, Rokossovsky began to talk to him. During a conversation, he learns that the unit was formed from Polish volunteers at the request of the Polish Patriot League. Behringer was a key officer in the Polish Army, not only fighting against the German invasion of Poland, but also fighting alongside the Soviets during the Great Patriotic War. All in all, he is an excellent commander who can be trusted and has a wealth of combat experience.

After reporting on the situation of the army, Behringer made his request to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, the commanders and fighters of our unit are ready for all battles, and they strongly hope to have a decisive battle with the enemy who enslaved the Motherland as soon as possible. Therefore, I hope that you will not let us stay in the second echelon for too long, and that you will allow us to participate in offensive operations as soon as possible. ”

"Don't worry, General Behringer." Although Rokossovsky did not know how effective the Polish army was, seeing that Bellinger's enthusiasm for battle was so high, he said with a smile: "I will transfer you to the front line at the right time, and give everyone the opportunity to show their combat ability." ”

"Great, that's great, Comrade Commander." Behringer rubbed his hands excitedly, and then said to Rokossovsky with some nervousness: "Comrade commander, if you have time, I would like to invite you to my troops to have a look. ”

"Well," even if Bellinger didn't say anything, Rokossovsky, wanting to see how the spirit of this friendly army was, stood up and said, "Let's go now." ”

Rokossovsky took only Terekin and Kazakov and followed Behringer to the headquarters of the Polish First Army. Since Behringer had called the headquarters in advance, when the group arrived at their destination, the members of the headquarters were all standing neatly outside the building.

Behringer led Rokossovsky to an elderly general and solemnly introduced him: "Comrade commander, this is the military commissar of the army group is General Alexander Zavatsky, an old Polish revolutionary, a former miner, a member of the Polish Workers' Party. He was intellectual, approachable, energetic, and enjoyed great prestige among the Polish working class and working people, and was greatly loved by the troops. ”

Listening to Bellinger's introduction in such detail, Rokossovsky understood that the prestige of the old general in front of him in the army was quite high, so he took the initiative to extend his hand to the other party and said in a friendly manner: "Hello, General Zavatsky, it's a pleasure to meet you. ”

"Hello, Comrade Commander." Zavatsky shook Rokossovsky's hand and said excitedly: "I have heard your name for a long time, and it is my honor to fight side by side with you!" ”

Behringer came to the second commander and introduced Rokossovsky: "This is the military commissar of the Second Army, General Karol Sverchevsky, who has been serving in the Soviet Red Army, rising from private to general. During the Spanish Civil War, he served as the commander of the International Brigade. ”

"Hello, General Sverchevsky, it's a pleasure to meet you." Rokossovsky said with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Comrade Commander." The other party held Rokossovsky's hand tightly and said with the same excitement: "I hope to establish a great feat under your leadership." ”

Next, Bellinger introduced Rokossovsky to Kolchitsa Kolchisa, chief of staff of the army group, and Strazhevsky, chief of operations. After introducing the important members of the command, Behringer made a gesture of invitation to Rokossovsky and said politely: "Comrade commander, please come in, the members of our command want to hear with their own ears that you have assigned us tasks." ”