Just when Sokov was looking forward to the day of attacking Berlin, bad news came. In order to strengthen the strength of the Third Belarusian Front, the base camp planned to transfer the 3rd and 48th Army to Chernyakhovsky
General command.
When Sokov heard the news, his whole body was like a deflated rubber ball, leaning on his chair without moving.
Sidorin was so angry that he walked back and forth in the room, saying: "How could this happen? How could this happen? Didn't you tell us to turn around and head west to prepare to participate in the attack on Berlin? How could we be killed in the blink of an eye?"
It was placed under the command of the 3rd Belorussian Front, what on earth is going on?"
Lunev also said with a puzzled look: "Yes, this is quite strange. The superiors should know that our army group's combat effectiveness is quite strong. No matter which direction it is placed, it can achieve the desired results. Why did it suddenly decide to put us
Where is it assigned to the Third Front?"
"Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov said with a serious expression: "Do you think it is because the combat effectiveness of our group army is too strong that the Supreme Command made such a decision and assigned us to the Third Front Army?
Strengthen the offensive capabilities of this front and strive to capture Königsberg and Danzig as soon as possible?"
Lunev did not agree with Sokov's statement, but at the same time he did not deny it. Instead, he said cautiously: "Misha, don't worry, I'll call Comrade Beria to find out what happened.
what happened."
"Okay, Comrade Military Commissar." Sokov tried his best to put a smile on his face: "I'll leave it to you. If there is a way to make the Supreme Command change its mind, it would naturally be the best situation. If it is true
No, we have to prepare to go to the Third Front."
When Lunev got through Beria's phone, the other party thought that Lunev was doing it for Shura's sake, so he asked directly: "Comrade Lunev, how is the matter I asked you to handle? Shura has been found."
?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Beria." Upon hearing Beria's question, Lunev said apologetically: "I tried very hard and couldn't find Shura in the Second Belarusian Front. But I got some
There are clues that he may be in General Chernyakhovsky’s Third Front.”
"Oh, it's possible to be in General Chernyakhovsky's Third Belarusian Front. That would be great." Beria said with a smile: "Anyway, your army will be assigned to this front soon. For
Your search for Shula's whereabouts will be of great help."
"Comrade Beria, I called you today just to find out why the Supreme Command suddenly decided to place us under the command of the Third Belarusian Front?"
"I can't tell you who specifically proposed this matter." Beria said: "That person said that the performance of the Third Belarusian Front in East Prussia is not ideal. Not to mention the slow progress of the troops, sometimes it is difficult to occupy
area, but not long after, the German army drove them back. This showed that the front army lacked a force with strong combat effectiveness. Then the other party gave an example of the outstanding performance of the 48th Group Army in this battle, and finally put forward a logical
, if the 48th Group Army is placed under the command of the Third Front, the overall combat effectiveness may be improved."
When Runev heard what Beria said, his heart dropped. If the situation was really as he said, there would be basically no room for change. After chatting with Beria for a few more words, Runev put down the phone. Runev
The husband looked at Sokov and said: "Misha, I have already asked, there is no room for maneuver on this matter. It seems that we are going to be ready to go to the Third Front."
After finally getting the opportunity to attack Berlin, how could Sokov give up so easily? He stood up and said to Lunev and Sidorin: "Military Commissar, Chief of Staff, I decided to call Comrade Marshal immediately and ask him to come forward.
Intercede for me and see if we can stay on the Second Front."
"I'm afraid it's difficult." Lunev shook his head and said: "Since it was the decision made by the Supreme Command, I don't think anyone can change this matter."
"Try calling. You may fail, but there is a glimmer of hope of success." Sokov picked up the phone and dialed the number and said: "But if I don't try, the hope of success is zero. I don't want to wait until the future.
, when I think back to today, I regret that I didn’t try to change certain things.”
Seeing Sokov's resolute attitude, Runev nodded and said sincerely: "I wish you good luck!"
The phone call from the Front Army Headquarters was connected, but the person who answered the phone was Chief of Staff Bogolyubov. He heard Sokov's voice and quickly said: "Comrade Marshal is calling the Supreme Headquarters to discuss your transfer."
The thing about the group army’s stay. Is that why you called here too?”
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Knowing that Rokossovsky was working hard on his own affairs at the moment, Sokov felt warm in his heart. He tentatively asked Bogolyubov: "What do you think about this matter?"
Is the chance of success high?"
"No, General Sokov." Bogolyubov said seriously: "If you want me to tell the truth, I will tell you that there is basically no hope of success in this matter. Comrade Marshal called the Supreme Command and
I’m just doing my best.”
The only spark of hope in Sokov's heart was extinguished by Bogolyubov's basin of ice water. He couldn't remember what he said later or how he put down the phone.
Seeing Sokov sitting there in a daze as if he was seriously ill, Sidorin couldn't bear it, so he walked over to persuade him: "Comrade Commander, since there is no room for change in this matter,
Then think about it. It is certainly a pity that we cannot participate in the attack on Berlin, but if we can take the lead in taking Königsberg or Danzig, it will be a great achievement."
"Misha," Lunev came to sit next to Sokov and comforted him and said: "I know what you are thinking. You think that the combat effectiveness of our 48th Group Army is strong and can change the situation of the battle in any direction.
The effect is great, so if it can become the force that attacks Berlin, it might become the first force to break into the city in the future.”
"Yes." As soon as Sokov opened his mouth, he unexpectedly found that his voice had become hoarse at some point.
"Drink some water." Lunev placed a cup of hot tea in front of Sokov and continued: "You are the commander of the group army. If you fail to recover because of this matter, I am afraid it will have a negative impact on the morale of the army.
, when we go to the battlefield, I’m afraid it will be difficult to win the battle.”
When Luniev said this, Sokov's heart changed. He thought that he would not be able to go to Berlin anyway. Then when fighting in East Prussia, he would no longer be able to fight as hard as before. As long as he let go
Slow down the attack speed, fight steadily, stay consistent with the surrounding friendly forces, and never try to attract any attention.
The phone on the table rang. Although it was within arm's reach of Victor, he did not move. Finally, Lunev picked up the phone: "I'm Lunev, where are you?...
Oh, it’s Comrade Marshal, please wait a moment, I’ll ask him to answer the phone.”
"Hello, Comrade Marshal." Sokov said in an extremely hoarse voice: "I am Sokov, what are your instructions?"
"Misha, I'm sorry." Rokossovsky said apologetically on the phone: "I have tried my best, but this is a decision made by the Supreme Command, and I have no way to change them.
decision."
"So, I will soon cease to be a member of the 2nd Belorussian Front."
"Yes."
"Hey, what a pity." Sokov said regretfully: "I still want to follow you to conquer Berlin."
"There is no way, this may become the biggest regret in your life." Rokossovsky said: "Each of us has regrets, but we have no ability to change everything."
After saying this, Rokossovsky suddenly didn't know what to say. The two of them just held the microphone like this. You didn't speak, and I didn't speak either. They both remained silent.
After an unknown amount of time, Rokossovsky felt that he should put down the phone and said into the phone: "Misha, when Yasha called two days ago and said he wanted to return to the front line, maybe we should agree to it.
Now that he has gone to Chernyakhovsky's Third Belorussian Front, if your troops are transferred there, will you feel awkward when you two meet?"
"What, what? Comrade Marshal, what did you just say?" After hearing what Rokossovsky said, Sokov suddenly had an idea in his mind and thought of a way to break the situation, and quickly asked: "You just said,
Is it true that Yasha went to General Chernyakhovsky’s Third Front?”
"Yes, of course it is true." Rokossovsky said: "When I called Chief of General Staff Antonov, he told me personally that Yasha would be there in two days at the latest.
Report to General Chernyakhovsky’s headquarters.”
Hearing this, Sokov waved his arms excitedly and said excitedly: "Comrade Marshal, I thought of a way to avoid going to the Third Front."
"Oh?!" When Rokossovsky was thinking about how to persuade Sokov, he unexpectedly heard that he thought of a way to avoid going to the Third Front, and he suddenly became interested: "What way can I tell you?
!”
"Comrade Marshal," Sokov said to Rokossovsky, "many people in the Supreme Command should know about my close relationship with Yasha."
"Not many people, but everyone." Rokossovsky said: "Is your method related to your relationship with Yasha?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Sokov said: "You can call Comrade Stalin personally and tell him that I have a close relationship with Yasha. If my troops were not on the Third Front, Yasha would go after he arrived at the front line.
The place is naturally the Front Army Headquarters, which is the place with the lowest risk factor. But if my troops go to the Third Front Army, then based on the friendship between Yasha and me, he will definitely choose to go to my 48th Group Army, which will make
He was in an unsafe condition."
"Great, this is a great idea." When Rokossovsky heard this, he slapped the table hard and said excitedly: "Misha, you are so smart, you can actually come up with this idea."
Such a good idea. I know it well. If I report this matter directly to Comrade Stalin, maybe he will change the decision of the Supreme Command and keep your troops."
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "This can be said to be the only chance. If Comrade Stalin does not agree, I will take the troops to Chernyakhovs with peace of mind.
General Ji's Third Front Army reports for duty, and there will definitely be no more complaints."
"Misha." Rokossovsky said: "I immediately called Comrade Stalin, hoping to change his mind through this matter."
When Rokossovsky put down the phone, Suboting, who was sitting next to him, asked in surprise: "Comrade Marshal, General Sokov has really thought of a good idea?"
Rokossovsky nodded and said in a positive tone: "Yes, Comrade Military Commissar, I really can't think of a better way than him. If I follow his prompts and talk to the Supreme Commander himself, the other party will
There is a high chance that the original decision will be changed.”
After saying that, he dialed the Kremlin's switchboard using a high-frequency phone, announced his home address, and asked the other party to help him get through to Stalin's office.
After receiving the call from Rokossovsky, Stalin guessed what the other party wanted to say, and said with a smile: "Dear Konstantin Konstantinovich, I know why you called me.
What happened? I can tell you clearly that the reason why the Supreme Command made such a decision is that it felt that the Third Belarusian Front commanded by General Chernyakhovsky was too weak and needed to be joined by troops with strong combat effectiveness.
To enhance their overall combat effectiveness.”
"Comrade Stalin, I understand what you mean." Rokossovsky said cautiously: "The reason why I called you is because I remembered an important matter related to you and I need to report to you immediately."
"Important things related to me." Stalin lit his pipe and asked with a smile: "What important things are they?"
"It's like this. Yasha called me a few days ago, hoping that I would agree to let him come to the front line." Rokossovsky said: "You also know that although our army has taken the initiative on the battlefield, each side has
This danger still existed, so I politely declined Yasha's proposal. Unexpectedly, he turned around and got in touch with General Chernyakhovsky, preparing to serve as a staff officer at his front headquarters."
"Oh, is there such a thing?" Stalin, who had just put the pipe in his mouth, heard what Rokossovsky said, immediately took out the pipe and said solemnly: "Is this true? How can I
Don’t know anything?”
"Maybe Comrade Antonov hasn't had time to report to you yet." Rokossovsky continued; "You know, Yasha and Misha are close friends of life and death, and he wanted to go to Misha in the first place.
I refused directly because I was worried about the danger. Later, even when I heard that Yasha was going to the Third Front Army, I felt there was nothing to worry about. But now the Supreme Command decided to transfer the 48th Army to the 3rd Front Army.
Commander of the Third Front Army. Do you think, based on the friendship between the two of them, would Yasha take the initiative to apply to join the 48th Group Army?"
Hearing what Rokossovsky said, Stalin couldn't help taking a breath, but he still tried his best to say in a calm tone: "Okay, Comrade Rokossovsky, thank you for telling me this, I will
We will verify it as soon as possible. I wish you good health!" After saying that, Rokossovsky hung up the phone without waiting for anything else.