Zhu Keda couldn't stand it any longer and said loudly: "If you think the Chief of General Staff can only talk nonsense, then why do you need him!? I request that I be relieved of my post as Chief of General Staff immediately and sent to the front line.
.There I might be more useful to the motherland."
And dismissed Zhukov as chief of general staff?
Although Zhukov took the initiative this time, Stalin knew how bad the impact would be if he really did it.
The two dismissals of Zhukov, who had increasingly high hopes in the Soviet military, made anyone think that Stalin was ignorant and ignorant.
"Please calm down," Stalin did not choose to rebuke Zhukov this time, but said with rare patience: "Besides... if you raise the question like this... we will be without you...
..."
At this point, Stalin stopped talking.
The next person to speak was Zhukov.
"As a soldier, I am always ready to implement any decision of the Supreme Command. But I have my own views on the situation and combat methods, and I believe this view is correct. And I will do whatever the General Staff and I think.
report."
Stalin did not interrupt Zhukov, he had calmed down. When he summoned Zhukov back, he had already thought that this might happen.
Thinking about another Pavlov who was submissive to him but could not win the battle, Stalin suddenly felt that it seemed possible that he could endure Zhukov whose opinions often conflicted with his.
He gently said to Laikov: "Go back to work. We will study it immediately and call you later."
When he heard this, Zhukov put away the map and left the office with a heavy heart.
He knew that although Stalin did not reprimand him, he did not support him either. From this point of view, the plan to abandon Kiev should be impossible to implement.
About half an hour later, Zhukov was called back to Stalin.
"We discussed it," Stalin said to Zhukov who returned: "The headquarters decided to remove you from the post of chief of general staff again, but this is because we want you to take on actual work. Everyone agreed that you have the ability to perform under actual combat conditions
The practical experience of commanding troops will definitely play a greater role in combat troops."
At the end, Stalin did not forget to add: "Of course, Comrade Zhukov, you are still the Deputy People's Commissar of Defense and a member of the Supreme Command. There is no need to worry about this."
It seemed that Stalin was not willing to send Zhukov to Siberia, but he was also unwilling to listen to his suggestions. Therefore, he chose a method of retaining Zhukov's false position, contacting him as chief of general staff, and then sending him to the front line as a pawn.
"Where did you order me to go?" Zhukov didn't care about this. Instead of letting him stay at the headquarters to fight Stalin every day and argue about the battle plan, with both sides chattering endlessly but without any conclusion, it would be better to let him go to the front line and do some work.
A frontline commander.
In this way, it may be a good decision for him and Stalin.
"Where would you like to work?" Although he was driving away Zhukov, Stalin was no longer as ruthless as last time.
"I can go to work anywhere, drive a tank or command a front, a group army, a corps, or even a division." Zhukov no longer accepted Stalin's small favor.
"Let's do this, Comrade Zhukov. You just said that you would organize a counterattack in Yelnia, so please take charge of this matter. I will order the preparations on the Rzhev-Vyazma defense line to be organized.
The group armies are all unified as the reserve front army, and you will serve as the commander of this reserve front army."
"Look, when can you leave?" Stalin couldn't wait to send Zhukov to a place where he couldn't see him but where Zhukov could use his abilities.
"I need to bring some documents and information, as well as the deduction plan I made. It will be completed in about an hour." Zhukov replied without any expression.
"Okay, let Shaposhnikov take over your job. Please note that you are still a member of the Supreme Command. Also, nominally, you are still the chief of general staff of our army."
In the end, Stalin still did not forget to do superficial things. He did not want others to accuse him behind his back that he had driven away Zhukov, so he had to reserve a relatively large-looking false position for Zhukov to show that he was magnanimous in employing people.
.
.
.
"So, you came to us like this and then joined forces with me?"
In the joint headquarters of the Western Front and the Reserve Front, Timoshenko smiled wryly and chatted with Zhukov.
He originally thought that when Zhukov came here, Stalin suddenly woke up and realized that Moscow was in danger and needed to rely on military strategists like Zhukov to turn the tide.
Although Timoshenko is not much less famous than Zhukov, he knows how far apart the "victory battles" he fought are from those fought by Zhukov.
He admits that he is not at best a good general, but Zhukov is definitely a great commander!
It's a pity that Stalin didn't seem to realize this.
Zhukov was sent to lead troops to the Western Front just to drive Zhukov away and achieve peace.
"Forget it, I heard that your attack on Yelnia encountered SS troops and suffered heavy losses." Zhukov seemed not to want to mention more about what he experienced in Moscow, and just concentrated on talking to Timoshenko.
: "We'd better study carefully now on how to spend two long months with these so-called most elite troops in Germany..."
Southwestern Front Army Headquarters.
Kilponos received a reiterated order from the Kremlin.
Moreover, once this order comes, it is a double order!
1. Hold on to Kiev and all troops are not allowed to retreat across the Dnieper River.
Second, cut off the connection between the German 1st Armored Group and the Infantry Corps and attack the flanks of the enemy Armored Corps.
Kilponos tore up the order telegram from Moscow on the spot.
This is another impossible task!
However, now that the high command has made a decision, they have to be prepared to defend Kiev. Even if they eventually fall, it will take a while and consume more German power.
As for the order to attack the German armored forces, let's wait until Stalin is in his sweet dream and attack alone.
"Inform all ministries to garrison on site and strengthen or build new fortifications." Kilponos sent a telegram to his officers: "The most difficult days have arrived..."
