After leaving the hospital, Runev rushed to the General Staff Headquarters as quickly as possible. He planned to inform Antonov and others of Sokov's proposal.
When he arrived at the General Staff Headquarters, he went directly to Shtemenko's office, only to find that the door was closed. When Shtemenko was not found, he turned around and went to Antonov's office. Unexpectedly, he hit a wall again here.
Still no one was found.
He stopped an officer passing by in the corridor and asked: "Major, do you know where Comrade Antonov is?"
The officer recognized Lunev, quickly raised his hand to salute, and replied respectfully: "Hello, General Lunev. Marshal Vasilevsky has just arrived and is convening the chief of general staff and several deputy chiefs of staff for a meeting in the conference room.
Woolen cloth."
After Luniev thanked the officer, he walked quickly towards the conference room.
Seeing Lunev walking into the conference room, Shtemenko quickly stood up and greeted him: "Lunev, you are here!"
Lunev nodded to Shtemenko, then quickly glanced around the room and saw that there were more than 20 people attending the meeting, most of whom he did not know. The person sitting in the main seat was exactly
Marshal Vasilevsky took the initiative to greet Vasilevsky: "Hello, Comrade Marshal."
"Hello, Comrade Lunev." Vasilevsky saw Lunev appearing here, with a surprised expression on his face: "Why are you free to come to the General Staff Headquarters today?"
Although he welcomed Lunev on the surface, he was thinking warily in his heart: "We are having a meeting, what is he doing here from the Ministry of Internal Affairs?"
Fortunately, Antonov spoke in time to relieve his doubts: "Comrade Marshal, Shtemenko and I entrusted General Lunev to go to the hospital to meet Comrade Sokov and learn about his views on the situation in the Zhitomir region.
view."
After saying this, Antonov turned to look at Lunev and asked with a smile: "General Lunev, you rushed over in a hurry, you must have met General Sokov, right?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of General Staff." Lunev showed enough courtesy to Antonov: "I have indeed just returned from Sokov, and I also understand his views on the situation in Zhitomir."
Seeing a map spread out in the middle of the conference table, Lunev knew that before he came in, they were discussing the situation in the Zhitomir area, so he stopped talking in circles and said straight to the point: "He said that with the strength of the 38th Army
, Zhitomir could not be defended at all, and there was even a possibility of being encircled by the Germans. Therefore, he suggested that before the German encirclement was formed, order the 38th Army to abandon the city and retreat to Kiev."
"Absurd, simply ridiculous." As soon as Lunev finished speaking, First Deputy Chief of General Staff Ivanov said: "Zhytomir is a barrier to protect Kiev's security. If we give up this easily
city, then the Germans will easily rush to Kiev. In order to avoid this situation, we must defend Zhytomyr at all costs and crush the Germans' attempt to retake Kiev."
It was Shtemenko's suggestion that Lunev go to see Sokov. Now that Sokov's plan was questioned by Ivanov, Shtemenko felt that he needed to speak out.
: "Comrade Ivanov, I think General Sokov's statement makes sense. The German army attacking Zhitomir was the 48th Armored Corps commanded by Balk. It was only the Flag Guard Division and the 1st Armored Division.
There are more than 400 tanks, and the 38th Group Army has only four infantry divisions, as well as some artillery, cavalry and a small number of tank troops, lacking sufficient anti-tank strength..."
"Yes, they do lack sufficient anti-tank strength." Shtemenko was interrupted by Ivanov before he finished speaking: "But they can rely on city defenses to resist the German attack. At the same time,
We will send other troops to Zhitomir to provide support..."
Seeing Ivanov and Shtemenko having a heated argument over whether to defend or retreat, Runev did not say anything. After all, he was not a member of the General Staff and was not qualified to participate in such a debate, so he went to Shtemenko.
Menko sat down in the empty seat next to him and quietly followed the development of the situation.
After the argument lasted for five or six minutes, it finally came to a halt. Both Ivanov and Antonov turned their attention to Antonov. After all, he was the chief of general staff and qualified to make the final conclusion.
But what the two did not expect was that Antonov did not express any opinion, but looked at Vasilevsky and asked: "Comrade Marshal, I wonder what you think about it?"
Vasilevsky did not expect that Antonov would throw this hot potato to him. He smiled faintly and then said: "Comrade Antonov, you should remember that when the war first broke out, he served as the chief of the general staff.
It’s Marshal Zhukov.” After saying this, he closed his mouth and looked down at the map in front of him.
After listening to Vasilevsky's words, Antonov couldn't help but be stunned. He thought to himself that Marshal Zhukov served as the Chief of General Staff in the early days of the war. What is the connection with our meeting today? With this question, he was about to speak,
But out of the corner of his eye, he accidentally caught a glimpse of a place name on the map, and his expression suddenly changed, and he understood the reason why the other party said this.
After Antonov took a deep breath, he looked at Vasilevsky and said: "Comrade Marshal, in this case, it is completely necessary to hold on to Zhitomir."
"Yes." Vasilevsky saw that Antonov understood what he meant, nodded and said: "No matter what, we need the 38th Army to find a way to block the German army in the area west of Zhitomir."
The conversation between the two was like a riddle. Most people in the conference room understood it, but there were some who couldn't. An officer from the combat department asked his colleagues in a low voice: "Do you know Marshal Vasilevsky?"
What do you mean?"
The colleague lowered his voice and replied: "Don't you know that when the German army approached Kiev, Marshal Zhukov told the Supreme Commander himself that Kiev could not be defended at all and suggested that the city be abandoned and retreat to the left bank of the Dnieper River to build a new defense line?
, as a result, he was dismissed from the post of chief of general staff and sent to the then reserve front army as commander."
"So that's it." After listening to his colleague's explanation, the officer finally realized: "No wonder Comrade First Deputy Chief of Staff has a tough attitude and insists on the 38th Group Army staying to defend the city."
"Well, we must defend it even if we can't." The colleague continued: "Under the current situation, no one dares to issue an order for the 38th Group Army to abandon the city."
While the two were whispering, Antonov had already made the final decision: "Then I will immediately call Comrade Vatutin and order the 38th Army to defend Zhitomir at all costs."
Vasilevsky nodded and added: "The 38th Group Army holding on to Zhitomir lacks sufficient anti-tank weapons. If it wants to block the German armored forces, it will inevitably pay huge casualties. Tell General Vatutin that he
The air force in hand should no longer be hidden, and we should do our best to provide air support to the defenders to ensure that the German army cannot capture the city."
"Okay, Comrade Marshal." Antonov said respectfully, "I will convey your wishes to General Vatutin."
He paused and then asked: "Comrade Marshal, I have a question. If the 38th Army really cannot hold Zhytomir, what should we do?" Don't see Antonov obeying Vasilevs.
Based on Key's advice, he planned to let General Moskalenko's 38th Army continue to hold on to Zhitomir, but he still had to prepare for the loss of the city.
"I think we can report this to Rokossovsky and ask him to keep at least one army group east of Kiev for the troops that have not been completely transferred north, and be prepared to support Vatutin at any time."
After saying this, Vasilevsky saw that Antonov was hesitant and immediately guessed what the other party was worried about. He sighed softly and said: "I will call Marshal Zhukov later.
It is most appropriate for him to take part in this matter."
According to the original plan, the troops that liberated Kiev should be the Belarusian Front commanded by Rokossovsky. Although the October offensive failed, as long as the deployment was readjusted and the attack was launched again, there would be a chance to capture Kiev. But just right
While Rokossovsky's troops were preparing to attack again, they received an order from the Supreme Command to move all troops north to make way for the 1st Ukrainian Front, and Vatutin's troops would liberate Kiev.
.
Although this is an order from the Supreme Command, Rokossovsky will definitely still have knots in his heart. If he is directly ordered to leave his troops and be prepared to reinforce Kiev at any time, he will definitely be greatly compromised in executing the order.
Even leaving an army group that was severely weakened in the battle to cope with orders from superiors.
"I think one group army is not enough. More troops are needed." Vasilevsky added: "Comrade Antonov, what other troops do you think can be mobilized?"
"Comrade Shtemenko," Antonov turned to look at Shtemenko and asked: "Tell me, what other troops can be mobilized to rush to Kiev for reinforcements?"
Hearing Antonov ask himself, Shtemenko quickly stood up, opened the book in his hand, looked at it, and then replied: "I think General Katukov's 1st Tank Army can still be mobilized.
and General Rechelidze’s 18th Army.”
"I think it's okay." Vasilevsky was very satisfied with the two troops proposed by Shtemenko, nodded and said: "Then immediately notify them to move closer to Kiev."
Lunev, who was sitting next to Shtemenko, originally had doubts about Sokov's proposal, but after listening to the speech at the meeting, he quickly understood that Sokov's proposal was very correct, but due to special circumstances
The reason is that even though we know that Zhytomir cannot be defended, we still have to find a way to mount a resolute defense here.
When Antonov announced the adjournment of the meeting, Runev immediately stood up and strode outside. His idea was simple: go to the hospital immediately and tell Sokov the decision at the General Staff meeting.
As soon as Lunev walked out of the General Staff Building, a lieutenant colonel officer ran out of the building quickly. He came to Lunev's side, raised his hand and saluted, and asked: "Are you General Lunev?"
?”
"Yes, I am Lunev." Lunev looked at the other person with a blank expression and asked: "What can I do, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel?"
"That's it, General Lunev." The lieutenant colonel smiled and explained to Lunev: "I am the officer on duty today. I just received a call from Deputy Chief of General Staff Shtemenko. He asked you to go to his
A trip to the office."
Lunev knew in his heart that Shtemenko's call to go to his office must be related to the meeting that had just ended. After thanking the officer, he entered the building again.
Walking into Shtemenko's office, Lunev saw that Shtemenko had just put down the phone, so he asked straight to the point: "What do you want from me?" He thought of going to the hospital to ask Sokov's opinion, but
When he brought it to the meeting but was easily rejected, Lunev felt very unhappy, and there was naturally a hint of anger in his tone when he spoke.
"Don't be angry, old man." Shtemenko naturally understood Lunev's mood at the moment, and quickly asked him to sit down and poured him a cup of hot tea: "Please drink tea!"
"I know that you feel aggrieved by what happened today." Shtemenko returned to his desk and sat down, looking at Lunev and said: "Actually, I have the same view as General Sokov, and I feel that sticking to the day care
Mir has no meaning, but will consume the precious manpower of the 1st Ukrainian Front."
After saying this, he sighed and continued: "But there is no way. If our army voluntarily abandons Zhytomyr, not only will Erhard Rouse's 4th Armored Group get a chance to breathe, but also Bal
The 48th Armored Corps of Croatia can also rush directly to the outside of Kiev along the Zhitomyr-Kiev highway. At that time, the 3rd Guards Tank Army that has arrived at Berdichev and the 3rd Guards Tank Army that is attacking Korosten
The 60th Group Army will be cut off from its retreat and become a lone army behind enemy lines."
"But if Zhitomir falls, what will you do?" Lunev said with a sneer: "Even if the 38th Army can break through the German encirclement, it will probably suffer heavy casualties and be unable to participate in the defense of Kiev. Until then.
At this time, the capital of Ukraine is still in danger of being lost."
"We have also considered this." Shtemenko said with a wry smile: "Didn't you hear that at the meeting, Marshal Vasilevsky proposed that Rokossovsky send troops nearby to reinforce Kiev?
Also, I just called two other group army commanders and ordered them to move towards Kiev as quickly as possible. They must enter the designated position and make all battle preparations before the German army reaches the outside of Kiev."
"How to deploy defense is a matter for your General Staff." Lunev said with some displeasure: "Then why did you call me back?"
"Lunev, if I'm not wrong, you are in such a hurry to leave that you must want to go to the hospital to find General Sokov and tell him what you heard at the meeting." Shtemenko looked at Lunev.
Ask: "Am I right?"
"Yes, I just considered it." Lunev did not hide his true thoughts and asked: "Is there something wrong?"
"If I were you, I would not go to the hospital." Shtemenko reminded Lunev: "Even if you tell Sokov what you heard and saw at the meeting, what can he do?
What? His injury has not recovered yet, and it is impossible for him to return to the 27th Army to command the troops to resolve the current dilemma."
"Shtemenko, I understand everything you said." Lunev also sighed and said, "I didn't think well. Don't worry, I won't go to the hospital. It won't change anything anyway. I still have something to do, first of all
gone."
"I'll see you off." Seeing that Lunev was about to leave, Shtemenko quickly stood up and walked around from behind the table.
He personally sent Lunev out of the General Staff building, held his hand and said gratefully: "Lunev, although I did not adopt General Sokov's suggestion today, I still want to express my gratitude to you on behalf of the General Staff.
.”
This chapter has been completed!