"Nonsense, of course you are telling the truth." Rokossovsky said with a sneer: "At this time, I have no interest in listening to lies to comfort me."
"Comrade General," Sokov recalled the history he knew. He remembered that the troops commanded by Rokossovsky received large-scale reinforcements before the launch of the Belorussian campaign, thereby resolving the problem of insufficient troops. See you now
Rokossovsky was worried about this, and he said: "Although our current strength is slightly insufficient, if we want to launch a large-scale offensive campaign, I think the Supreme Command will allocate more troops to you."
"Really?" Rokossovsky looked at Sokov and asked tentatively: "Misha, you are not deliberately making up lies to make me happy, are you?"
"How is this possible, Comrade General." Sokov said with a smile: "Although the Supreme Command is now focusing its offensive on Ukraine, I feel that as time goes by, the Belarusian battlefield will become the main battlefield.
.”
"What about Ukraine?" Ma Linin couldn't help but ask after hearing this: "What will happen on the battlefield in Ukraine?"
"Comrade General, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov said to Rokossovsky and Malinin: "According to my personal judgment, if our army wants to launch a large-scale offensive battle in Belarus, it must take some deceptive actions.
, to divert the attention of the German army. And Ukraine, where the war has just subsided, is undoubtedly the best bait..."
At this point, Sokov deliberately paused for a moment to see if the two of them understood what he was talking about. When Malinin saw that Sokov stopped talking in the middle of his words, he urged: "Comrade Sokov,
Why don't you say anything? Keep talking, I want to hear your opinion."
Malinin's attitude was Rokossovsky's. Since he wanted to continue listening, Sokov himself continued: "I have seen the topographic map of Belarus. There are forests, lakes and swamps everywhere, which is not conducive to large-scale
The deployment of mechanized troops. I think that in the upcoming Belarusian campaign, large-scale tank troops will not be used, so several tank armies in Ukraine may not be used."
When Rokossovsky heard this, he smiled slightly and raised his chin at Sokov: "Misha, keep talking."
"The German army has recently suffered from our tank army in Ukraine, and now the tank army in Ukraine will be their focus. According to their thinking, if our army wants to launch an attack somewhere, it will definitely give priority to mobilizing tank troops.
As long as the tank group army stays somewhere, it means that our army may launch an attack in that direction."
Victor laughed and continued: "When the Germans see that our tank armies are staying in Ukraine, they will definitely think that our army's next main combat area is still in Ukraine. In order to protect Ukraine's food, Dun
Bass's coal, they will definitely dispatch troops from Belarus to reinforce the Ukrainian defenders."
When Rokossovsky heard this, he turned to look at Malinin next to him. The two looked at each other, and they both saw shock in each other's eyes. You know, they studied for almost half a month before they figured out the truth.
But Sokov said it lightly.
"Comrade Sokov, why do you think so?"
Naturally, Sokov would not tell the other party that he saw it from later generations' information, but pretended to say: "Ever since I learned that I was about to be transferred to the 1st Belarusian Front, I began to study the map of Belarus and consider
The next possible offensive campaign.”
"It seems that your research results are good." Rokossovsky heard this and interrupted Sokov's words. "Chief of Staff Malinin and I also have this consideration. We feel that since armor cannot be used on a large scale in Belarus,
Troops, then there is no need to use the several tank armies currently in Ukraine. As long as the tank armies do not move, the Germans will be given the illusion that the focus of our next phase of attack will still be the Ukrainian region, so they can relax in Belarus.
defense."
"Comrade Sokov, I want to test you." Malinin looked at Sokov and said: "If you were the commander of the front army, where would you plan to launch the attack?"
Hearing Malinin's question, Sokov did not rush to answer, but asked the other party: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, can you find me a map? I can introduce my ideas to you on the map."
Soon, the map was found and spread on Rokossovsky's desk. Sokov looked at the map for a while, and after getting roughly familiar with it, he pointed at the map and pointed at Rokossovsky and Malinin.
Said: "Look, if we advance from this area to Poland, it is undoubtedly the best route. There are no forests, lakes and swamps along the way. We can also use the deployment of armored forces to march with our large troops. Although this road looks
Yes, but we cannot choose this path."
"Why?" Rokossovsky asked curiously this time.
"The reason is very simple." Sokov said to Rokossovsky: "It is precisely because this road is easy to walk. Not only do we know this, but the Germans also understand this truth. In order to prevent our army from advancing towards Poland, they
A solid and complete defense system will definitely be established along the way. If our troops adopt a strong offensive strategy and break through the German defensive positions step by step, not only will it take a long time, but the casualties of the troops will also reach an alarming level."
Sokov's words made Rokossovsky take a breath. He found that the other party's ideas coincided with his own. The offensive route he first denied was indeed what Sokov said.
If we really attack along this road, by the time we reach the Polish border, I am afraid that there will be very few troops left in the entire front.
"Misha, since you think this road is impassable, from where do you plan to launch the main attack on the enemy?"
"I think the attack should be launched from the Polesier Marsh area."
"Launch an attack from the Polesye Swamp area?" When Rokossovsky heard Sokov say this, a flash of shock flashed in his eyes, but he pretended to be calm and said: "Misha, tell me your reasons.
"
"According to what I know," Sokov began to pretend to analyze the two men again: "In order to defend Belarus, the German command has concentrated a huge force here - Marshal Busch commanded a tank group and three field troops.
The Central Army Group of the Army Group, as well as the right-wing divisions of the 16th Army Group of the Northern Army Group and some tank divisions of the North Ukrainian Army Group.
The German 9th Army fortified the right wing of our front, which blocked our road to Bobruisk. The German 2nd Army occupied and defended a 400-kilometer-wide area in Polesiya, and was in contact with the loyal troops of our front.
The center and left wing face each other.
In the direction of Bobruisk where the right wing of our front army should attack, the German army has strong troops and a large amount of technical equipment. In addition, the German army also has nearly 10 troops in the direction of Brest and Kovel.
The battle reserve of an infantry division.
To be precise, the enemy standing in front of our front army now is a powerful German heavy force group."
After Sokov said these words, even Rokossovsky was stunned. He said with emotion: "Misha, I really didn't expect that you know so much about the deployment of German troops in Belarus. I don't know where you came from.
Did you get this information?"
Fortunately, Sokov had already guessed that Rokossovsky would ask about this matter, and quickly said: "These contents are all analyzed by me based on the captured German documents."
Malinin gave Sokov a thumbs up: "Comrade Sokov, I really didn't expect that the situation you analyzed is almost the same as the actual situation. You are really amazing. How about you come over and be my deputy?"
?”
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," after hearing what Malinin said, Sokov quickly defended himself and said, "I think I am still suitable to be a military chief commanding operations."
Seeing that Malinin wanted to speak, Rokossovsky stopped him: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, stop teasing Misha. He hasn't finished speaking yet. Let him continue."
"I feel that if we want to launch an offensive campaign against the German army, it is not appropriate to use the central and left-wing troops of the front army, but to use the right-wing troops to attack." Sokov picked up the red and blue pencils on the table and used a section of the red pen on
The attack route is drawn on the map: "The right wing of the front is suitable for carrying out assaults in two directions from different areas: all the way from the Rogachev area to Bobruisk Osipovich; all the way from the 65th and 28th Army Groups
From the Ozarich area on the lower reaches of the Berezina River, assault in the general direction of Slutsk."
"No, no." When Malinin heard this, he hurriedly moved his hands and interrupted Sokov's words: "Comrade Sokov, what you said is a bit unconventional, because the attack has only one main direction of assault, so that we can concentrate the main force.
and weapons to deliver a powerful blow to the enemy. And your assault in two directions at the same time will undoubtedly disperse our forces."
"You are right, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov nodded and approved Malinin's statement, but he continued: "This somewhat unconventional decision will undoubtedly cause our army to disperse its forces, but in Poland
We have no other way out of the Lessie Swamp area. To be precise, we have no other way to win the battle.
For example, the terrain in the direction of Rogachev and Bobruisk can only allow our army to use a small number of troops at the beginning of the attack. If there is no assault in another area to respond to this group, then the enemy will not let us go.
Break through its defenses here and possibly mobilize troops from areas we have not attacked.
Implementing assaults in two directions at the same time can solve all problems: it not only solves the problem of the main army groups on the right wing of the front entering the battle at the same time, but also prevents the enemy from maneuvering. No matter which of these two areas succeeds first, the enemy will be defeated.
This puts the army in a difficult situation and ensures that our front army can smoothly develop the next stage of the offensive."
After Sokov finished speaking, the room fell into silence.
Rokossovsky and Malinin stared at the attack route drawn by Sokov on the map, and both fell into deep thought, thinking about this bold plan proposed by Sokov. And Sokov did not bother them.
People just sit aside and wait quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, Rokossovsky let out a long sigh and said, "Misha, I have to say that your plan is very bold, but very practical."
"Comrade Commander," after hearing what Rokossovsky said, Malinin raised his head and asked curiously: "Are you planning to report this plan to the Supreme Command?"
"Is there anything I can't do, my comrade chief of staff?" Rokossovsky asked rhetorically.
Malinin stared at the map and answered what Rokossovsky said: "It was unexpected enough to launch an attack from the swamp area, but now it has to be divided into two attack directions. If this plan is submitted, I am worried that it will be rejected by my superiors.
.”
Sokov was convinced by Malinin's statement. He clearly remembered that in real history, after Rokossovsky reported his combat plan to Stalin, he was kicked out of the conference room twice by Stalin.
Stalin kicked him out and repeatedly asked him if he insisted on this battle plan. When he heard that Rokossovsky still insisted on his plan, Stalin chose to compromise and finally implemented the Belorussian campaign according to his plan.
"Don't worry about this." Rokossovsky waved his hands and said, "When the Supreme Command approves a combat plan, it will refer to the suggestions of commanders on each front to decide whether it passes the review."
"I hope it will pass." Ma Linin said with some lack of confidence: "Although Comrade Sokov's plan is bold, if it is implemented, it will speed up our attack in Belarus. I estimate that we will be able to liberate ourselves in half a year at most.
All of Belarus.”
Listening to what Malinin said, Sokov thought to himself: In fact, it didn't take that long. After the offensive campaign code-named 'Bagration' began, the entire territory of Belarus was liberated in just two months.
However, there is a reason for Malinin's speculation. The Soviet army has been fighting in Ukraine for half a year, and it still has an average territory in the hands of the Germans. By analogy, the troops of the Belarusian Front must liberate all of Belarus.
For the environment, it starts at least half a year.
Rokossovsky accidentally caught a glimpse of Sokov's smile and realized that the other party might not agree with Malinin's statement, so he said to him: "Misha, you don't seem to agree with the chief of staff's statement. You said
Say, if we launch an offensive campaign in Belarus, how long will it take to liberate the entire territory of Belarus?"
"Comrade General, I think the Chief of Staff of the Front Army is too conservative." Sokov said: "If we really launch an attack from the swamp area, we will definitely catch the enemy by surprise. As long as we can successfully break through a few points, their defense line will be
Will collapse. As long as the defense line collapses, the enemy will retreat. I don’t think the troops who have lost their organic structures can withstand our army’s powerful offensive. Therefore, I think this Belarusian campaign will take at least three months to liberate.
All of Belarus.”
Sokov was worried about scaring Rokossovsky and Malinin, so he deliberately changed the original two months to three months. But this extended time still shocked Malinin: "What, we are in three
Can Belarus be liberated within a month? Comrade Sokov, your statement is too outrageous, right?"
