On May 7th, 1945 – at the invitation of Montgomery – Rokossovsky visited his Headquarters in Wismar. On May 10th, 1945, the British Field Marshal paid a return visit to the location of the Soviet troops. From the memoirs of Rokossovsky:
“We responded to the British courtesy with our own Soviet courtesy and invited Field Marshal Montgomery (and his associates) to our place. It was decided to hold the reception with full Russian hospitality.
In the Guard of Honour we put the Kuban 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps of Oslikovsky in Equestrian Ranks – in full Cossack uniform! They made a huge impression on Montgomery and his Officers. The British, with admiring glances, followed the famously retiring cavalry for a long time. After the Welcoming Ceremony, the guests were invited to a large hall, where the table was skilfully and tastefully set. Sitting at a plentiful table (the British had been talking standing up out of politeness) our guests felt even better. The conversation took on a heartfelt character. Montgomery himself, at first trying (in a very delicate way) to limit the time of his visit, stopped looking at his watch and willingly got involved in the general conversation!
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 