"You are right, Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff." In response to Shtemenko's proposal, Sokov nodded and said: "I will call the two military commanders Melehov and Chumakov.
."
"Comrade Sokov, I think it is better for the chief of staff, Comrade Smirnov, to execute the orders given to the military commanders." Just when Sokov reached out to pick up the phone, he was stopped by Shtemenko.
He said: "I think I need to talk to you."
Although it was unclear what Shtemenko wanted to talk to him, Sokov faithfully carried out his order and asked Smirnov to inform Melekhov and Chumakov to assemble their troops and attack Uman.
The western movement, according to the original plan, assisted the 18th Guards Army in capturing the two small cities of Heysin and Teplik.
While Smirnov was on the phone, Shtemenko said to him with a serious expression: "Comrade Sokov, I do not deny at all that you have a talent for command that surpasses others."
From the tone of Shtemenko's words, Sokov heard that what the other party wanted to talk to him was very important, and he quickly said seriously: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, if you find that I have done something wrong, please point it out.
Come."
"Comrade Sokov, the reason why we restore the corps-level system within the group army organization is that we hope to reduce the work intensity of the group army leaders, so that when deploying tasks, they do not have to personally contact the division commanders under them, but only need to deploy tasks to
The corps commander will then convey the order to each division, brigade or regiment level unit."
Shtemenko looked at Sokov and said seriously: "As a group army commander, what you should do is to control the overall situation, instead of bypassing the army commanders and directly assigning combat tasks to each division. Your leapfrog command,
If there is a conflict with the orders issued by the military commanders, the division commanders below will be confused and don’t know whose order they should carry out..."
Shtemenko's heartfelt words made Sokov realize that he was indeed not a qualified group army commander. He always made some low-level mistakes of overstepping command. If it weren't for his outstanding military exploits, his superiors would have sent someone to replace him.
. He nodded vigorously and replied: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, you are right. I will pay attention to these issues in the future."
Seeing that Sokov listened to what he said, Shtemenko couldn't help but nodded, and the expression on his face became a little kinder: "Comrade Sokov, according to my personal observation, based on your
Your talent will never stop at being a small army commander. Maybe one day in the future, you can go a step further and hold a higher position. The more so, the more attention you have to pay attention to some details, so as not to suffer from it.
It affects your future. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff." Sokov expressed his gratitude to Shtemenko sincerely: "Thank you for teaching me this."
"Teaching is out of the question." Shtemenko said with a smile: "I am just saying this to you from the perspective of a friend. I hope it will be of some help to your future."
Just as Sokov was about to express his gratitude to him again, a staff officer walked in from outside and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, General Chumakov, commander of the 57th Army, is here. Come with him.
, and a strange general."
Hearing that there was a general coming with Chumakov, Sokov immediately realized that Moskalenko was coming and quickly told his staff: "Hurry and invite them in!"
A moment later, Chumakov came in with a general. He came to Sokov and raised his hand in salute: "Comrade Commander, I was ordered to bring General Moskalenko!"
Seeing clearly that the other party's military rank was the same as his own, Sokov raised his hand to salute him first and said politely: "Hello, General Moskalenko, welcome to my headquarters!"
"Hello, General Sokov." After Moskalenko returned the salute, he shook hands with Sokov. While shaking hands, he said politely and slightly distantly: "I really didn't expect that your troops would be like this."
Taking Uman easily made it impossible for me to complete the task assigned to me by Zhukov."
Sokov was stunned for a moment when he heard what the other party said. Then he understood that Zhukov must have handed over the task of liberating Uman to Moskalenko. But what was unexpected was that Sokov's troops moved quickly and actually captured it ahead of time.
He defeated Uman and completed the task of liberating the city first.
However, Sokov heard the dissatisfaction in the other party's tone, and said with a haha: "General Moskalenko, we were able to seize the city so easily only because of your assistance."
Seeing the confusion on Moskalenko's face, he continued: "If the troops under your command had not successfully attracted the main force of the German Uman Group and left the city's defense empty, how could I have liberated Uman so easily?
Man? I can say that your troops played a great role in the battle to liberate Uman."
Sokov's words made Moskalenko happy again: "Comrade Sokov, you are very grateful. I think that Uman was liberated so quickly only because of the coordinated operations of our two front armies...
…”
"You are right, General Moskalenko." Shtemenko, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said: "Without the mutual coordination of the two front armies, it might not be that easy to liberate Uman."
When Moskalenko entered the door, he saw a general standing next to Sokov. He thought it was just Sokov's chief of staff or military commissar, so he didn't pay attention. At this moment, when he heard the other person interrupt, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
He raised his eyebrows. Just when he was about to criticize the other party, he unexpectedly saw that the person speaking was actually the Deputy Chief of General Staff, General Shtemenko, and he suddenly became panicked.
"Hello, Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff." Moskalenko quickly stood at attention and raised his hand to salute Shtemenko: "Excuse me, I didn't see you just now."
"General Moskalenko," Shtemenko stretched out his hand to him and said with a smile: "Congratulations on your return to the 38th Army. I believe your return will make those old subordinates ecstatic.
"
"You are right, Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff." Moskalenko replied: "When my superiors transferred me to the 40th Army, I really couldn't bear to leave these old subordinates. Now I have returned to the 38th Army.
I can fight alongside them again."
"By the way, Comrade Sokov." Shtemenko suddenly remembered that Sokov had served as commander in different armies, so he turned to ask him: "What if your superiors now transfer you back to the 21st or 27th Army?"
, I think you must be very happy?"
Whether it is the 21st Army or the 27th Army, Sokov has made great achievements when commanding these troops. At this moment, listening to Shtemenko say this, it would be a lie to say that he is not moved. But then I thought: It is made of iron.
Even if you have returned to the 21st or 27th Group Army now, many of your familiar subordinates must have been transferred to other units or died in the battle. Instead of going back and reintegrating with the commanders and soldiers below,
It would be more appropriate to stay with the 53rd Army.
Thinking of this, Sokov laughed dryly and said: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, I think it is good for me to stay in the 53rd Army now, and I can also make achievements worthy of being recorded in history."
In fact, Shtemenko regretted his words as soon as he said them. He clearly remembered that Sokov was dismissed from his post as commander of the 27th Army because he was seriously injured and his life or death was uncertain. And this heroic unit was
After changing to a new commander, the performance on the battlefield can be described as lackluster.
As the deputy chief of staff, he naturally knew that at the meeting of the headquarters, more than one person proposed to change the commander of the group army, lest a unit with great military achievements be reduced to a second-rate unit. But because no suitable person could be found,
There are no candidates to replace the commander, so it can only be put on hold for the time being.
Shtemenko was so quick to talk that he actually asked Sokov if he wanted to go back to his old army. If the other party really said he wanted to go back, how should he reply? Fortunately, what he worried about did not happen, and Sokov took the initiative to say yes.
Continuing to stay in the 53rd Army, Shtemenko's heart hanging in his throat was put back into his stomach.
After Moskalenko met Sokov, he began to talk about the purpose of his visit: "General Sokov, now that Uman has been liberated, what is your next battle plan?"
Hearing Moskalenko's question, Sokov couldn't help but hesitate for a moment. Although his combat plan had been reported to Marshal Konev, was it considered a leak to tell the plan to commanders of friendly forces who were not affiliated with each other?
What? He turned his questioning gaze to Shtemenko, hoping to get useful answers from him.
Shtemenko was quite puzzled at first. Why didn’t Sokov say anything when Moskalenko asked him about his next plan? When he saw Sokov’s gaze towards him, he immediately understood what the other person meant and smiled slightly.
He nodded, indicating that he could tell the other party his next plan.
After getting Shtemenko's acquiescence, Sokov had no worries. He dragged the map spread out on the table between himself and Moskalenko, pointed at the red and blue lines on it,
Introducing his next plan: "The next combat mission of our group army is to quickly push to the west of Uman..."
Before he finished speaking, Moskalenko couldn't help but interjected: "Are you going to seize Vinnitsa Oblast?"
"No, General Moskalenko." Sokov waved his hands and said: "Judging from the distribution of the two front armies, I think it is most appropriate for the comrades of the first front army to liberate Vinnitsa Oblast.
." At this point, Sokov suddenly thought that the general in front of him was from the First Front Army, and quickly added: "Vinnitsa is the closest to your defense area, and it is up to you to complete the task of liberating the city.
It’s the most appropriate.”
Moskalenko just hummed and urged Sokov: "General Sokov, liberating Vinnitsa is definitely the task of our First Front Army. You'd better tell us your next plan."
Sokov remembered that the history books said that Moskalenko was famous for his bad temper. He often got angry when commanding battles. He not only cursed the enemy, but was not polite to his subordinates at all. He also had a hatred for staff officers and civilian personnel.
habit. Seeing his behavior now, I couldn't help but have a bad impression of him.
However, since the opponent wanted to know his next battle plan, Sokov naturally continued: "My troops will advance to Heysin and Ceplik in the west. After seizing these two small cities, they will then forcefully cross Nanbug.
River. After completing the crossing operation, control some towns, and then allocate some troops to advance towards the Dniester River..."
After listening to Sokov's plan, Moskalenko raised his head and asked: "General Sokov, do you think your troops can complete such a difficult task?"
Faced with Moskalenko's provocative attitude, Sokov felt a little uncomfortable, but in front of Shtemenko, he still gave him due respect: "General Moskalenko, I believe that I
Our subordinates must be capable of completing such a task."
"Come on, General Sokov." But after listening to this, Moskalenko said disdainfully: "Although the unit that liberated Uman this time is the 53rd Army, the combat effectiveness of this unit is...
It is obvious to all. I do not think that your troops have the ability to successfully cross the South Bug River. Therefore, I suggest that you better stop your troops and make way for my troops. I am confident that I can command the troops to cross.
Cross the South Bug River."
Sokov suddenly became angry for no reason. My troops captured Uman. Now they are advancing to the west, but you jumped out halfway and asked my troops to make way for you. Let your troops make achievements. Uncle can bear it, aunt
Can't bear it.
Just when he was about to have an attack, he felt someone tugging on his sleeve. When he turned around, it turned out to be Shtemenko. Seeing Shtemenko, Sokov's anger was more than half extinguished. He was still here.
As the representative of the base camp, Shtemenko is the deputy chief of staff. He can not only command you and me, but even Zhukov and Konev have to give him three points. For this kind of negotiation, it is enough for him to come forward.
"Comrade Moskalenko, I think you are wrong." Shtemenko said slowly: "Before occupying the entire city, Sokov sent troops westward to capture Heysin and Teplik. If
If nothing else goes wrong, the vanguard troops may have started fighting with the German troops outside these two cities.
Ask them to make way for you, how to make way? Order the troops to stop attacking and withdraw from the battle to make way for you. Is this what you mean, General Moskalenko?"
The task Moskalenko received this time was to lead his troops to capture Uman, then continue to advance westward, liberate the two cities on the left bank of the South Bug River, forcefully cross the South Bug River, and establish a landing site on the left bank area.
But because Sokov's troops occupied Uman first, his battle plan was completely disrupted.
In order to reverse his disadvantage, he ordered Sokov to make way for him almost without thinking. Not only was Sokov unaccustomed to this problem, but even Shtemenko also allowed him to take credit.
"Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff," Seeing that Shtemenko actually spoke for Sokov, Moskalenko immediately realized that he had said the wrong thing and quickly explained: "You have misunderstood. Marshal Zhukov assigned me the battle plan."
The mission is to capture Uman and then continue to advance westward, mop up the enemies on the left bank, then forcibly cross the South Bug River, and establish a stable landing site on the right bank to allow the main force to cross the river."
"General Moskalenko, you don't have to say anything." Shtemenko waved to him and said: "The situation on the battlefield is always changing rapidly. As a senior commander, you must know how to respond to changes in the battlefield situation.
To adjust the combat deployment. Now that Uman has been liberated by the 53rd Army, you can send troops to take over the city, but I think you can cancel the plan to advance westward."
After saying this, Shtemenko saw that Moskalenko opened his mouth and seemed to want to say something, so he raised his hand to interrupt him and said domineeringly: "This matter is settled, if there is any problem
, you can ask Marshal Zhukov to come to me directly to argue."
This chapter has been completed!