A week after Adelina left, Sokov suddenly received a call from Malinin. The chief of staff of the group army said urgently on the phone: "Major Sokov, hand over your command to the chief of staff, and then immediately
Come to the headquarters."
Sokov didn't know what happened. As soon as he put down the phone, he said to Potukin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I need to rush to the group army headquarters immediately. You will be fully responsible for the work of the division."
"Comrade division commander, what happened?" Potukin asked curiously after hearing what Sokov said: "You have been to the group army headquarters for meetings more than once or twice, but handing over the command to me is still
For the first time, I felt that something big must have happened."
After Potukin said this, he was silent for a moment, and then a surprised expression appeared on his face: "Is it related to the intelligence brought back by Agelina?"
Potukin's words reminded Sokov of the historical Battle of Stalingrad, which almost started in these two days, so he quickly asked: "What's the date today?"
Potukin replied without hesitation: "On the 29th, Comrade Division Commander, today is June 29, 1942." After figuring out the specific date, Sokov immediately realized that the famous Battle of Stalingrad had begun.
, he nodded and said: "I know!" Then he picked up the helmet on the table, put it on his head, and strode out of the division headquarters.
At this moment, Sokov was very excited. He knew that due to the Soviet army's series of defeats in Kharkov and Crimea, the hard-won reserves were exhausted, causing serious damage to the troops on the southern flank.
The weakening of the German army allowed the German army to regain the strategic initiative. He knew very well what actions the German army would take next and in which direction it would launch an attack. But he understood even better that although he knew these things, he could not tell anyone. Others
Whether you believe it or not is secondary. If every step of the German army's actions is exactly what it said, how can you justify yourself in the face of scrutiny from the internal affairs department?
When he arrived at the headquarters, Sokov was surprised to find that in addition to several group army leaders, the only people attending the meeting were the commander of the infantry corps, General Orlov, and his army political commissar Ratshev. Seeing Sokov leave,
Coming in, Rokossovsky nodded to him, and then motioned for him to sit in an empty seat next to the conference table.
After Sokov sat down, Rokossovsky continued: "...the German *** command has recovered its strength after being defeated near Moscow, and in the past two months, it has given itself
The army replenished personnel and technical equipment. Since the Allies did not open a second battlefield, the Germans could deploy new divisions from France and Belgium to the East.
At present, Hitler's gangsters have concentrated a large number of troops on the southern flank of the Soviet-German front. Taking advantage of our army's defeat in the spring battles near Crimea and Kharkov, yesterday, June 28, Commander of Army Group B Wei Wei
The 4th Armored Army under the command of Hoth, and the 2nd Army of von Zalmut turned to the offensive in the direction of Voronezh. At the junction of the Bryansk Front and the Southwestern Front, they attacked our 13th and 40th Group Armies.
Implement an assault. The enemy broke through our defenses here and quickly advanced to the southeast, leaving the initiative on the battlefield in their hands."
"Comrade Commander," as soon as Rokossovsky finished speaking, Orlov interrupted and asked: "Isn't the commander of the German 2nd Army Weix? When did he become von Zalmut?
?"
"That's right, General Orlov." Regarding Orlov's question, Malinen explained to him: "According to the intelligence we intercepted, because Hitler felt that the command of Marshal von Bock, the commander of the Army Group, was too excessive.
As a result, he was dismissed from his post and replaced by Weickers. As for the commander of the 2nd Army, von Zalmut took over."
"But Comrade Commander, I still don't understand." After listening to Malinin's explanation, Orlov still stared at Rokossovsky and asked: "The location of our 16th Army seems too far away from Voronezh.
A little bit, does the superior want to transfer us to this area?"
"General Orlov, you are right about one thing. The position occupied by the group army is indeed too far from Voronezh. And even if the superiors want to mobilize us, new troops will need to be mobilized to take over our defense area. Under the current circumstances,
, This is obviously impossible." Rokossovsky looked at Orlov and said: "I received a call from the commander of the Front Army Zhukov this morning, saying that I had been appointed by the Supreme Command as the commander of the Bryansk Front Army.
Member..."
When he learned that Rokossovsky had been appointed as the commander of the Bryansk Front, Orlov's face suddenly showed a surprised expression. Then he stretched out his hand to Rokossovsky and said excitedly: "Commander
Comrade, please accept my congratulations to you. Congratulations on taking on a higher-level position!"
"Thank you, General Orlov." When Rokossovsky shook hands with Orlov, his eyes glanced at Sokov's position, but when their eyes met, Sokov seemed to feel that Rokossovsky was
Sovsky said to himself with his eyes: Misha, you guessed it right, I was appointed commander of the Bryansk Front by the Supreme Command.
After a pause, Rokossovsky continued: "General Zhukov meant to let Comrade Malinin take over my post, but he refused. Therefore, when I went to the Bryansk Front this time,
Comrade Malinin will accompany me and continue to serve as my chief of staff. In addition, Kazakov, Orel and Maximenko will also be transferred from the Western Front and take office with me."
After announcing these decisions, Rokossovsky glanced at Orlov and Sokov for a few steps, and then asked tentatively: "I called you here for a meeting today.
I would like to ask for your opinion, should you continue to stay in the 16th Army, or follow me to the Bryansk Front?"
"Comrade Commander," as soon as Rokossovsky finished speaking, Sokov couldn't wait to express his position: "I am willing to accompany you to the Bryansk Front."
"Major Sokov," Rokossovsky heard Sokov say this, his expression did not change at all, but said solemnly: "If you continue to stay in the 16th Army, you will soon be
Officially appointed as the commander of the 31st Guards Division, the military rank will also be promoted to lieutenant colonel. But if you go to the Bryansk Front with me, you can only be a regiment commander at best. So you have to consider it carefully, after all, this is related to your future.
Big things ahead.”
Finally, there was an opportunity to embrace the future marshal of the Soviet Union. How could Sokov let it go easily? He quickly expressed his position and said: "Comrade Commander, I will go wherever you go. Let alone the regimental commander, even if you let me be
I am willing to serve as battalion commander or even company commander."
Rokossovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's statement, and a smile appeared on his face. Soon, he turned to Orlov and asked: "What do you mean, Orlov?"
General Love?"
"This, this..." Orlov did not expect Rokossovsky to ask his opinion directly, and he seemed a little flustered, "I need to think about it seriously."
Rokossovsky seemed to have a special regard for Orlov. After hearing what he said, he immediately expressed his position and said: "General Orlov, I am about to go to the Bryansk Front and need experienced commanders to assist me in my work.
, you are the best candidate. I promise you, as long as you agree to go together, let alone the commander of the infantry army, you can even serve as the commander of a group army."
The conditions proposed by Rokossovsky moved Orlov a little, and he couldn't help turning his head and glanced at Ratshev beside him. The military political commissar immediately said: "Comrade Commander, although we both
We haven't been together for a long time, but we are already a whole. No matter what decision you make, I will firmly support you."
Although Rokossovsky made generous offers and his partner Ratshev also expressed his attitude, Orlov was still thinking with a frown. Seeing Orlov being so indecisive, Sokov couldn't help but feel.
I thought to myself: Among the list of seventy army commanders of the Soviet Army, there seems to have never been a person like Orlov. It seems that he finally rejected the invitation sent to him by Rokossovsky.
"Comrade Commander," Orlov finally asked after thinking for a long time: "Can I ask who will take over your position?"
"My position will be taken over by Major General Bagramyan, the Chief of Operations of the Southwestern Front." From Orlov's question, Rokossovsky heard that the other party was unwilling to go to the Bryansk Front with him, and his face couldn't help but
With a disappointed expression on his face, he nodded at the other party and said, "I hope you and the new commander can cooperate well."
Sokov keenly discovered that when Orlov expressed his attitude, not only Rokossovsky was disappointed, but even Ratshev, who was sitting there, sighed softly. It seemed that he was disappointed with Orlov.
My husband missed this opportunity and felt deep regret.
After the meeting, Rokossovsky waited for Orlov and Ratshev to leave, and then told Sokov: "Misha, go back and hurry up and pack up. We will set off at noon tomorrow."
After Sokov waited for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, can I bring the Istria Battalion to the Bryansk Front together?" When he asked this question, he had already thought about it.
Even if Rokossovsky disagrees, he still has to bring Vanya, Grisa, Seryosha, Asya and others with him. With his own team, he can quickly join the new army.
Stand firm.
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Rokossovsky said simply: "Okay. After all, the Istria Battalion has been a separate combat unit until now. Even if it is transferred, it will not have any impact.
”
When he learned that he could take the Istrian battalion with him to the new unit, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed. He quickly raised his hand to his forehead, saluted Rokossovsky, and asked at the same time: "Comrade Commander, allow me to
Do you want to go back to the army to arrange work now?"
"Okay." Rokossovsky nodded with a smile and said, "We will set off at 12 noon tomorrow. Don't let you and your troops be late."
This chapter has been completed!