"It is a good thing to establish a new combat group." After reading the telegram, Vasilevsky showed a relaxed expression on his face: "In this way, our army can force the enemy to fight in two directions. For
It is very helpful for us to hold Stalingrad."
"I don't agree with the establishment of a combat cluster." Zhukov said clearly: "Have you ever thought about where the troops who formed the combat cluster come from? After these troops enter the city, the weapons, ammunition and various supplies required are also needed.
How do I replenish it?”
"There are now five infantry divisions and seven infantry brigades rushing to Stalingrad day and night." Vasilevsky said unconvinced: "We can definitely let these troops enter the city and form what Chuikov mentioned.
Combat Group. As for supplies, we can issue a mobilization order to the Volga Fleet and ask them to dispatch more ships to transport soldiers and supplies to the city."
"Now the German Air Force has mastered the air superiority over Stalingrad. They used bombing and artillery to implement a strict blockade of the Volga River in an attempt to cut off the connection between the east bank and the city." Zhukov patted the table and said: "In
Without air superiority, sending a large number of ships across the river will make them targets for enemy bombing and artillery fire."
Stalin did not express any opinion on the dispute between Zhukov and Vasilevsky. On the contrary, he lit his pipe and listened to the debate between the two with interest, hoping to obtain useful information from it.
"Even if the German Air Force gains air supremacy over Stalingrad, we can still dispatch aircraft to drive enemy planes away from the Volga River." Vasilevskiy tapped the location of the Volga River on the table map with red and blue pencils.
Next, he continued: "We can also deploy anti-aircraft fire along the river bank to assist the air force in driving away enemy planes."
"Comrade Chief of General Staff, have you ever thought that using the troops heading to Stalingrad will affect the counterattack plan we just formulated." Zhukov slapped the map several times with his palm, "Such a move
Come on, the counterattack plan we finally worked out must be revised..."
…………
When the two of them were almost done arguing and Stalin had finished smoking, he knocked the ashes from his pipe into the ashtray, and then said calmly: "I listened to the debate between you two, and I think you all got it right.
It makes sense. Chuikov's colleagues objected because they were worried that their superiors would not allocate more troops to them; they were worried that even if their superiors gave them new troops, the logistics of these troops would still be a big problem.
Zhukov objected because the troops Vasilevskiy was going to use were the ones we planned to use to participate in the Stalingrad counterattack.
The reason why Comrade Vasilevsky and Comrade Gurov, who proposed this plan, wanted to establish a new combat group in the city was to disperse the enemy's strength and allow them to fight in two directions at the same time, so as to reach the lightening factory.
The pressure placed on the district defenders.”
"Comrade Stalin," Zhukov saw that Stalin did not take any side, so he asked with a sense of luck: "What do you mean, should this new combat group be formed, or should it not be formed?"
"I think that in order to defend Stalingrad, we should take any effective measures. Therefore, I think it is completely necessary to form a new combat group." When Stalin said this, he deliberately paused and observed the expressions of the two men. Vasile
Seeing that Stalin agreed with his opinion, Vsky couldn't help but be elated; while Zhukov, when he heard that his opinion was rejected, looked depressed.
"Comrade Zhukov, don't worry." Seeing Zhukov's disappointed look, Stalin felt that he should comfort him: "Although the establishment of a new combat group will use the troops rushing to Stalingrad, we can definitely think of it.
A compromise approach to solve this problem."
Zhukov looked up at Stalin and asked in surprise: "Comrade Stalin, I wonder if there is any compromise?"
"We can give priority to replenishing the incompletely organized troops that have been withdrawn from Stalingrad, so that they can take over those troops to participate in the major counterattack." Stalin said confidently: "These troops have all fought in Stalingrad.
However, they know the situation in the city very well, and if they can participate in the counterattack, I think their role will be far greater than that of the originally planned troops."
Since Stalin had already said this, Zhukov knew that even if he opposed it, it would not help, so he simply asked quietly: "Okay, Comrade Stalin, since you agree to form a new combat group, then I will resolutely
I will obey your orders. But I would like to ask, who are the candidates for the combat group commander?"
Stalin turned to look at Antonov standing aside and asked: "Comrade Minister of War, did Yeremenko only send you a telegram?" The purpose of his question was because the telegram only mentioned
Regarding the establishment of a combat group, there was no mention of who would be the commander.
Antonov quickly shook his head and said: "Comrade Stalin, this is the only telegram. I don't know who General Chuikov plans to recommend as the commander of the combat group."
Stalin pointed at Ivanov with his hand and said: "Then you call Yereomenko now and tell him that I have agreed to form a combat group in Stalingrad and ask him to report the candidate of the commander immediately.
"
Antonov walked to his desk, picked up the phone on the desk, and asked the Kremlin switchboard to contact the Stalingrad Front Army Headquarters. Hearing Yeremenko's voice coming from the receiver, Antonov
The husband quickly said politely: "Hello, General Yeremenko! I am Antonov, the Minister of War. Comrade Stalin asked me to tell you that he has agreed to the establishment of a new combat group in Stalingrad. I want to
I want to ask, who are the candidates for the commander of the combat group?... What, he is the only one? Was it recommended by General Chuikov?... I understand, I will convey your words to Comrade Stalin, wish you good luck! Goodbye!
"
After Antonov put down the phone, he walked up to Stalin, straightened his body and replied: "Comrade Stalin, I have asked General Yereomenko, and he said that the commander recommended by General Chuikov is the 41st Guards
Division Commander Colonel Sokov."
"Who, who do you think it is?" Stalin was filling his pipe with cut tobacco. When he heard Antonov say this, his hands trembled and he scattered a lot of cut tobacco on the table. He didn't care to continue pretending.
When the tobacco was gone, he put the pipe on the table, looked at Antonov and said: "Who is the candidate you mentioned? Say it again."
"Colonel Sokov, commander of the 41st Guards Division." Antonov replied quickly.
"Ah, it's him?!" After Vasilevsky heard Sokov's name clearly, he couldn't help but said in surprise: "He is too young, is he qualified for this position?"
"Comrade Chief of General Staff," Zhukov said with a smile when he heard that the candidate recommended by Chuikov was actually Sokov: "Although Xiao Misha is not old, when it comes to fighting, he has a good way. At least.
In my memory, he has never lost a battle, and I think it is very appropriate for Chuikov to recommend him as the commander of the combat group."
This chapter has been completed!