Seeing that Potapov was sent to Moscow, the most uneasy person was Ponedelin. He was worried that his old friend would be in trouble if he left, so that in the next few days, he was completely confused.
In a state of absent-mindedness.
"Comrade Deputy Commander," Sokov saw that Ponedelin was so worried, so he comforted him and said: "From the tone of Marshal Zhukov's words, General Potapov should have no problem going to Moscow this time. You can
Do not worry."
"He has been gone for several days, but there is still no news at all." Ponjelin sighed and said, "It is impossible to say that I am not worried."
"Actually, you can think of it this way, if there is no news, it is good news." Sokov said with a smile: "Maybe one day he will appear in front of you alive again, maybe."
After saying this, Sokov walked up to Sidorin and asked him: "Chief of Staff, what is the current situation of those rescued commanders and fighters?"
"The 120th Guards Division rescued a total of 2,392 people," Sidorin picked up the book on the table, turned to the page where the data was recorded, and said, "374 people were left disabled, 843 were weak, and the remaining
Only 1,175 people can be incorporated into the army."
"1,175 people," Sokov repeated the data and said with some regret: "Although it is a little less, it is better than nothing to supplement the 120th Guards Division."
"Comrade Commander, if all these rescued prisoners of war are added to the 120th Guards Division, I'm worried that the commanders of other units will get upset."
"This is very simple." Sokov smiled faintly and said, "Tell the commanders that if they have the ability, they will also liberate a few prisoner-of-war camps. They can rescue as many prisoners of war as they can."
Sokov's statement seemed fair, but after hearing this, Ponedelin quickly reminded him: "Comrade Commander, I think this is inappropriate."
"What's wrong?"
"If each division enters the rear of the German defense zone to rescue the prisoner of war camps in order to replenish its own troops, it will arouse the alert of the Germans." Ponjelin said: "If the Germans want to prevent our army from attacking
Penetrating and strengthening the defense deployment of the defense zone will have an adverse impact on our subsequent offensive operations."
Sokov had not thought about this problem just now, but now after listening to Ponedelin's reminder, he immediately realized the seriousness of the problem. What if the commanders of the following divisions, in order to replenish their own troops, infiltrated into the enemy's rear without permission?
, to attack or liberate prisoner of war camps, the Germans will definitely strengthen the defense line and prevent the penetration of Soviet troops. If this is true, this means that in the offensive battle early next year, the resistance they will face will be greater than
Much stronger now.
"That being said, we can no longer allow our troops to infiltrate into the enemy's rear to carry out any major operations."
"Yes." Ponejelin gave Sokov an affirmative answer: "The last action of the 120th Guards Division alarmed the enemy, and now they have closed the gap at the junction. In other words, if
It is already impossible for us to infiltrate from this area to the enemy's rear."
After the two chatted for a while, Sidorin intervened and asked: "Comrade Commander, what should we do with those disabled soldiers? They will definitely not be able to return to the army, so we can't just ignore them, right?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, who said we are ignoring these disabled soldiers?" Sokov said sternly: "There are still many jobs suitable for them. I will contact the Military Commissar General Suboting in two days to see if
Can he place these disabled soldiers for us?"
"Comrade Commander, I don't think we can just rely on the Front Army Headquarters to help us solve the problem." Ponejelin said: "I think we also have the ability to relocate them."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, how do you plan to arrange them?" Sidorin interjected and asked.
"Every time we fight, we will capture a lot of prisoners." Ponejelin said: "If we send troops to take care of them, it will take up our precious troops. But if we leave it to these disabled soldiers to take care of them, I think
It’s very appropriate.”
Sidorin expressed doubts about Ponedelin's statement: "Comrade Deputy Commander, many of these disabled soldiers are missing arms and legs. Is it appropriate to let them take care of prisoners of war?"
"I think the deputy commander's proposal is good." Sokov agreed with Ponedelin's proposal: "Although these disabled soldiers are missing arms and legs, I think it is quite appropriate for them to be responsible for taking care of the prisoners of war.
.Even if they have no legs and can only sit, they can sit there and use machine guns to monitor the prisoners of war in the prison camp..."
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Ponedelin added next to him: "As far as I know, there is a pilot who won the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'. He has no legs. He usually walks with crutches and prosthetic limbs.
He needed help getting on and off the plane. But even so, he still shot down seven enemy planes in the air battle."
After Sokov and Ponedelin's stories, Sidorin suddenly felt his eyes light up. He didn't expect that using disabled people to manage the prisoner of war camp would be a good choice. "Comrade commanders, I really didn't expect that using disabled people to manage the prison camp would be a good choice."
Soldiers can still be put to such great use. I will make a call right away and have people arrange suitable jobs for them."
"Can their bodies be affected?" Ponejelin asked.
"No problem." Sidorin said confidently: "They suffered a lot in the German prisoner-of-war camp. Now letting them take care of the German prisoners-of-war is an opportunity for them to take revenge. I believe they will definitely
Someone who can do the job.”
Just when Sidorin reached for the phone, the phone rang first.
"I am Sidorin." Sidorin said: "Where are you?"
"It's Bogolyubov." The voice of the Chief of Staff of the Front came over the phone: "I have something important that I want to formally inform you of."
Knowing that the other party had something important to notify, Sidorin couldn't help but feel a little nervous: "Please tell me, General Bogolyubov, I'm listening."
"That's right," Bogolyubov said: "After research and decision by the front army headquarters, a new artillery director will be sent to you this afternoon. I hope you can receive him well."
"But, General Bogolyubov." Sidorin quickly defended: "We already have an artillery director, and I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate to send another one."
"The original artillery director is about to be transferred." Bogolyubov said: "From now on, the artillery unit of your army will be commanded by the new artillery director. Do you understand?"
Hearing what Bogolyubov said, Sidorin had no choice but to agree: "I understand, General Bogolyubov."
After a pause, Sidorin remembered something again and asked hurriedly: "What is the name of the new artillery director? Did he come alone, or did the front army headquarters send someone to accompany him?"
"He took office this time with only one guard around him and no one from the headquarters." Bogolyubov said on the phone: "You should be able to recognize him when you see him."
Sidorin put down the phone and said to Sokov with a depressed look: "Comrade Commander, the Chief of Staff of the Front Army just called and said that the artillery director assigned to us by our superiors will be arriving in the afternoon and asked us to do a good job in reception.
"
"Hell, our artillery director is doing a good job, so how could he suddenly be replaced?" Sokov frowned and said, "Also, I don't know what kind of person the new artillery director is and whether he is easy to get along with."
"Comrade Commander, you don't have to worry about this." Ponedelin said to Sokov: "If the artillery director is a difficult person to get along with, just don't let him stay in the headquarters. Out of sight, out of mind.
Well."
"That's true." Sokov nodded and turned to Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, is our armored force director Colonel Malyshev back?"
The last time Colonel Malyshev asked for leave, he said he would go to Smolensk to pay homage to his fallen comrades. It had been so long, but he had not returned yet. Sokov couldn't help but worry about him. If he really
Failure to come back means that the superiors will send a new director of armored forces over, and it will take a certain amount of time to get used to the new commander.
"He came back a few days ago." Sidorin replied: "He spends most of his time in the 202nd Tank Brigade now. He said that he should get familiar with the troops below as soon as possible so that he can better command in the next battle.
Troops fighting.”
"Since he has come back, he should say hello to me." Sokov said with some displeasure: "It turns out he has been back for a few days, and I didn't know until today."
"Comrade Commander, this is all my fault." Sidorin quickly admitted his mistake to Sokov: "In fact, when Colonel Malyshev came back, he called the headquarters to report it. I was the one who answered the call.
Phone call, I think since he came back to work, it’s not a big deal, so he didn’t report to you in time.”
Sokov felt that there was no need to get angry with Sidorin over such a thing. He could only tell the other party: "Forget it this time. If something similar happens next time, remember to report it to me in time."
In the blink of an eye, afternoon came.
While Sokov and others were having lunch, a staff officer suddenly ran in from outside and said emotionally: "Comrade Commander, the new artillery director has arrived and is at the door."
After hearing this, Sokov did not move from his seat, but casually said to the staff officer: "Ask him to come in."
The staff officer did not expect Sokov's attitude to be so indifferent. He was stunned for a moment, but he still quickly ran out of the headquarters to ask for the mysterious artillery director.
"Comrade Commander," Seeing Sokov's indifferent reaction, Sidorin couldn't help but remind him: "Isn't it bad for us to ignore the artillery director like this?"
"It's okay," Sokov said disapprovingly: "If he feels that we are indifferent to him, he can just leave. I will never stop him."
Unexpectedly, as soon as Sokov finished speaking, he heard a loud voice in the room: "Comrade commanders, I wish you a good appetite!"
When Sokov and others heard this person's voice, they couldn't help but trembled. Then they cast their eyes in disbelief in the direction of the voice. Ponedelin even stood up and took a few steps toward the person.
The visitor stopped not far away from the three of them and asked with a smile: "Why, we haven't seen each other for a few days, don't you recognize me?"
"Misha!" Ponedelin heard what the other party said, and quickly walked over, gave him a hug, and said excitedly: "My God, didn't you go to Moscow? Why are you here?"
"
"My superiors appointed me as the artillery director of the group army, so I'm here!"
The arrival of someone shocked Sokov and Sidorin to their feet. Sidorin asked tentatively: "General Potapov, are you the new artillery director?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." The artillery director who appeared in the headquarters at this moment was none other than Potapov, who had gone to Moscow a few days ago. He answered Sidorin's question with a smile: "In the future
We are partners."
"General Potapov," Sokov asked curiously when he saw that Potapov was wearing a brand-new general uniform, "Are you really the artillery director sent to us by your superiors?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander, this is indeed the case." Potapov said, taking out a square piece of paper from the briefcase he was carrying, and handed it to Sokov: "This is
My letter of appointment.”
Sokov unfolded the piece of paper and saw that it was indeed Potapov's appointment letter, with the signatures of Rokossovsky, Subbotin and others underneath. He handed the appointment letter to Sidorin.
After that, he extended his hand to the other party and said friendly: "General Potapov, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 48th Group Army, I welcome you to become one of us."
"Misha, you haven't had lunch yet." Ponedelin pulled Potapov to the table, pointed to the food on the table and said to him: "Sit down and eat something together."
Naturally, Potapov would not be polite to Ponejelin's enthusiasm. He casually found an empty seat to sit down and said to everyone with a smile: "I happen to be hungry, so I won't be polite."
Ponedelin poured a cup of tea, placed it in front of Potapov, and asked curiously: "Misha, what on earth is going on? Didn't you go to Moscow to see Comrade Stalin? How come in the blink of an eye, he became
Where is the artillery director of our army group?"
Sokov and others also had the same question. Now that Ponedelin had asked the question, he and Sidorin stared at Potapov intently, wanting to hear his answer.
"I heard Pavel say some time ago that all generals who are rescued will be sent to Lubyanka for review." Potapov said: "I was on the plane to Moscow at that time, and I was really worried to the extreme. I was deeply afraid.
Once you leave, you will never come back.
Unexpectedly, after the plane landed, the person who came to pick me up was a colonel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I originally thought that I would be taken to Lubyanka for review, but when the bus arrived at the destination, I found out that I was actually sent to
Kremlin. Under his guidance, I met the Supreme Commander himself."
Sokov was secretly thinking that after Potapov arrived in Moscow, the person who picked him up was actually a colonel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and took him directly to the Kremlin to meet the Supreme Commander himself, which showed that Stalin still cared about him.
. In this case, the next meeting will definitely be held in a very harmonious atmosphere.
He noticed that Potapov had stopped for some reason, so he raised his chin at the other person and said: "Go on, General Potapov, I wonder what happened when you met the Supreme Commander himself?"
