Zakharov brought Sokov to the office. When he entered the door, he saw Konev talking on the phone. Susaikov, who was sitting at the conference table, saw Sokov coming and quickly got up and walked over while talking to him.
While shaking hands, he said in a low voice: "Comrade Sokov, the commander is on the phone with the Supreme Commander himself. Please sit down for a while and wait for him to finish the phone call before talking to you."
Sokov agreed and found a chair next to the conference table to sit down. Worried that it would affect Konev's call, several people present unanimously chose silence and waited patiently for the moment the other party ended the call.
The room was very quiet, and the conversation between Konev and Stalin, coupled with the short distance, clearly reached Sokov's ears.
Stalin said: "Comrade Konev, first of all, I congratulate you on your great victory! Secondly, after study by the Supreme Command, I am ready to grant you the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union. What do you think? If you have no objection, may I congratulate you?
?”
Sokov had long known that Konev would be promoted to marshal shortly after the Battle of Cherkasy. When he heard the news, the expressions on his face did not change. And Zakharov and Susaikov
After hearing the news, they couldn't help but look at each other and saw surprise in each other's eyes. They all focused on Konev, wanting to hear his reply.
Stalin's question made Konev seem very embarrassed. To be fair, becoming a marshal was his dream, but when the Supreme Commander himself asked him if he was willing to accept the rank of marshal, he seemed a little hesitant.
After a while, Konev replied with a blushing face: "Comrade Stalin, I thank the Supreme Command for its trust in me, and I am willing to accept the rank of marshal."
"Very good!" After listening to Konev's reply, Stalin continued: "We also have an idea to establish the new rank of Armored Marshal. What do you think about this?"
"Comrade Stalin, I have no objections." Konev thought for a moment and then replied: "Please allow Comrade Pavel Alexeevich Rotmistrov to be awarded the new title of Marshal of the Armored Forces.
Military rank, because he and the troops under his command had outstanding achievements in this battle."
"I agree." Stalin readily agreed to Konev's proposal and continued: "And I think we will also grant the rank of Comrade Fedorenko, Director of the Armored Forces."
When Sokov heard this, he muttered to himself: "It turns out that the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces was created for Fedorenko. And the commander of the 5th Guards Tank Army, Rotmistrov, was just a
It’s just a ride.”
Sokov vaguely remembered that Fedorenko’s full name was Yakov Nikolayevich Fedorenko, and that he was currently serving as Deputy People’s Commissar of Defense and Commander of Armored Tanks and Mechanized Forces. Although it was not clear.
What is his current military rank? But the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces given to him is indeed well deserved.
Stalin added: "Comrade Konev, in this battle, a large number of heroic collectives and individuals emerged from the troops of the Second Ukrainian Front. If you feel that the meritorious commander did not receive the reward he deserved,
, you can tell me we would consider giving him the honor he deserves."
"Comrade Stalin, I was just about to report this to you." Konev turned his head and glanced at Sokov who was sitting at the conference table, and continued: "Lieutenant General Sokov, commander of the 53rd Group Army, is here.
He made great achievements in this battle, but he only received verbal commendations, which I think is far from enough."
Hearing Konev requesting credit for himself, Sokov, who was originally calm, his heart beat faster than expected. He knew very well that Stalin would definitely not refuse Konev's request.
After listening to Konev's proposal, Stalin asked: "Comrade Konev, what kind of reward do you think should be given to him?"
"Although he has now obtained the rank of lieutenant general," Konev's eyes stayed on Sokov and continued to talk about the topic: "But I think that with his ability, he can definitely achieve a higher military rank."
After listening to Stalin on the other end of the phone, he laughed and said: "Comrade Konev, what military rank do you think we should give him? General or marshal? You must know that among the commanders of our army, there are more than 200 commanders in their twenties.
He is the only one who has become a general so far."
Stalin's statement had obviously been expected by Sokov. After he waited for the other party to finish speaking, he plausibly said: "Comrade Stalin, if Sokov had not taken over the post of commander of the 53rd Army and
Having re-established a solid defense, I am afraid that the German army has already occupied Highland 239 and successfully highlighted our army's encirclement. In that case, we would not be able to achieve a victory of this level."
After finishing speaking, Konev wanted to hear Stalin's response, but the other party remained silent. He could only speak again: "Comrade Stalin, a few months ago, it was the troops commanded by Sokov who occupied Klemen.
Chug took the lead in breaking through the German Dnieper River defense line, tearing a huge gap in the enemy's defense line..."
When Konev introduced the series of results achieved by the troops commanded by Sokov, Stalin remained silent and seemed to be deep in thought. After Konev finished speaking, Stalin said slowly: "He said a few months ago
Having just been promoted to lieutenant general, is it too soon to be promoted to his military rank now?"
"Not fast at all." Konev heard from Stalin's tone that he did not seem to object to Sokov's promotion to the military rank. He couldn't help but feel secretly happy. He quickly said: "I remember that when the war broke out, Vasilievs
Key was still a major general and was promoted to lieutenant general on October 28 of the same year; to general on May 21, 1942; and on January 18, 1943, he was promoted to general. Only 29 years later
God, he was officially promoted to the rank of marshal on February 16, becoming the second wartime marshal after Marshal Zhukov."
He might be worried that Stalin would reject his proposal, so he said cautiously: "Comrade Stalin, you may think that Comrade Sokov is too young, and his hasty promotion will cause dissatisfaction among other generals."
After saying this, Konev paused again for a moment to observe Stalin's reaction. Seeing that the other party did not object, he guessed that he might have hit the target of what the other party was thinking. After taking a deep breath, he continued: "Actually, I think it is.
Because Comrade Sokov is young, his rapid promotion can become an example for everyone to follow."
"Comrade Konev," Stalin finally reacted this time, "I think what you said makes sense. If young Misa was not only in his twenties, but in his forties, given his achievements, I am afraid that he would have died sooner."
He was promoted to general. I will convey your proposal to the Supreme Command and let everyone discuss whether Xiao Misha should be promoted to military rank."
When Konev put down the microphone, Zakharov and Susaikov immediately stood up and walked towards each other. Still following each other, they stretched out their hands and said with a smile: "Comrade Marshal, please accept our heartfelt congratulations."
.Congratulations on obtaining the rank of marshal."
Konev shook hands with the two and said thank you with a smile. But when Sokov also congratulated him, the smile on Konev's face grew bigger: "Comrade Sokov, I also congratulate you. Congratulations."
You are about to receive a higher military rank."
Sokov said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Marshal, the Supreme Commander himself just said that he would consider it. Whether it can obtain the consent of the Supreme Command is still unknown."
"Comrade Sokov, don't worry." Konev saw Sokov's anxiety and comforted him: "Since Comrade Stalin said to submit this matter to the Supreme Command, it means that there is no chance of your promotion to the military rank.
The problem is. I just don’t know whether I will be promoted to general or general in the end."
"I think it's unlikely that the general will do it." Zakharov glanced at Sokov, and then said to Konev: "You know, Sokov is only a group army commander now, unless he can serve as the head of the front army in the future.
Otherwise, the rank of general would be the ceiling of his position."
Regarding Zakharov's statement, Susaikov agreed: "That's right. As far as I know, the highest-ranking commander at the current group army level is General Chuikov of the 8th Guards Army. You know
, his qualifications are much older than Sokov’s, and his superiors will definitely take this issue into consideration when discussing Sokov’s promotion to the military rank.”
Sokov knew very well in his heart that if he could not serve as a higher-level commander, then the rank of general would be out of reach for him. He quickly said: "I think your analysis is correct. With my current position, qualifications and
At your age, being promoted to general is already the limit, and it is simply impossible to obtain a higher military rank."
"Comrade Sokov," Konev said to Sokov: "Don't go back tonight. We all want to have a good chat with you."
"But, Comrade Marshal." Although Konev has not officially obtained the rank of Marshal, Sokov's title has been changed accordingly. He said awkwardly: "But my chief of staff and military commissar are still in the theater at this moment.
They're waiting for me in the parking lot outside. If I don't go back, they won't leave."
"This is easy to handle. I'll just send someone to inform them." After Zakharov finished speaking, he picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and said into the phone: "I'm Zakharov.
Comrade Colonel, I now give you a task. You rush outside the small auditorium immediately and inform the comrades of the 53rd Army that their commander will stay at the headquarters tonight and let them go back first."
"Zakharov," when Zaharov hung up the phone, Konev suddenly said to him: "I feel a little tired and want to lie down and rest. I will leave all affairs in the front to you."
.”
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Zakharov nodded and said, "You can rest assured, I will take care of everything here."
Konev nodded, explained to Susekov and Sokov, then stood up and left the office.
After Konev left, Susaikov explained to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, during the Battle of Cherkasy, the commander only slept three or four hours a day. Sometimes as soon as he closed his eyes, he would
When urgent military information was sent to him, he immediately got up to deal with it. He was really tired and was going to take a rest after the meeting, but he was delayed because he answered a call from the Supreme Commander himself."
As soon as Susykov mentioned Stalin, Susykov immediately remembered an important thing and quickly asked the two of them: "About General Rotmistrov's obtaining the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces, should he be notified personally?"
?”
"Yes, yes, we should tell Rotmistrov the good news." Susekov looked at Zakharov and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, should you make this call, or should I?
?”
"Comrade Military Commissar, you'd better do the fighting." Zakharov said with a smile: "If he heard the call I made, he would think there was some combat mission."
The call was quickly connected, and Rotmistrov, who had just returned to his headquarters, asked: "Hello, Comrade Military Commissar, what can I do for you?"
"I congratulate you, Comrade Rotmistrov." Susaikov said loudly: "Congratulations on obtaining the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces."
"Comrade Military Commissar, please stop joking." Rotmistrov thought Susaikov was joking with him, and explained: "There is no marshal of armored forces among the ranks of our army."
Seeing that Rotmistrov did not believe in him, Susaikov said seriously: "Comrade Rotmistrov, how could I possibly make a joke to you about such an important matter? Although I used to hold the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces in the past.
, does not mean that there will be none in the future. To tell you the truth, this is a military rank just established by the Supreme Commander himself. In addition to you, Comrade Fedorenko will also receive this military rank."
Since Susykov mentioned Fedorenko, it was obvious that he was not joking with him, but he still asked cautiously: "Comrade Military Commissar, are you really not joking with me?"
"Of course not." Seeing that Rotmistrov was still dubious until now, Susykov said with some laughter and tears: "You will know whether it is true or false when your superiors officially promote him."
Since Susykov had already spoken to this extent, it would be rude to doubt him any more. It was only at this moment that Rotmistrov was sure that his becoming Marshal of the Armored Forces was not an auditory hallucination, but a hallucination.
It is true and reliable. He said emotionally into the microphone: "Comrade Military Commissar, thank you for telling me such good news. In order to celebrate, I plan to take out the Portvin wine that I have treasured for many years and invite you to
Let’s all drink together.”
"Comrade Rotmistrov, the commander has already laid down to rest at the moment. It's better to save your Portwine for now." Susekov said with a smile: "When the day of official promotion comes,
It's not too late for you to bring some warm port wine to celebrate."
"Comrade Military Commissar," although Susaikov told the other party that Konev had laid down to rest, Rotmistrov could not remain calm at this moment. He said loudly: "I think I still
Send me the port wine so that I don't drink it all out of joy before I get promoted."
Susekov guessed Rotmistrov's little thoughts and knew that the other party wanted to come to the headquarters to confirm in person, so he readily agreed: "Okay, Comrade Rotmistrov, I will
Zakharov and I will be waiting for you in the office. Just come to us directly. By the way, don’t forget to bring your bottle of port wine.”
