Malenkov proposed that Zhukov be the commander of the major counterattack, and Stalin agreed. At the same time, Stalin also thought that once the German head of state died, Germany's number two man Goering was not talented and capable enough to control the entire Germany, and the German army would inevitably
In the midst of chaos, Zhukov's victory in this battle should not be a big problem. If Xu Rui continues to be the chief of staff, it will be detrimental to establishing Zhukov's heroic image and unfavorable to rallying the hearts of the Soviet Union.
Although Xu Rui was powerful, this time in a situation where victory was inevitable, there was no need for him to share the credit with Zhukov. Thinking of this, Stalin had an idea.
"Malenkov, I agree that Comrade Zhukov has full authority to command this counterattack. However, Zhukov only has the rank of general now, and Timoshenko, Vasilevs and others have military ranks above him. It is very inconvenient to command, so I propose,
I wonder what your opinions are on promoting Comrade Zhukov to the rank of marshal."
"I have no objection. Comrade Zhukov has made great military achievements and deserves to be a marshal." Malenkov climbed up and flattered Stalin and said.
After hearing what Malenkov said, everyone expressed their support for Stalin's decision.
In the Soviet Union, Stalin had supreme power. His proposals were in fact decisions. No one dared to object. His proposals were just a formality.
Seeing the unanimous approval, Stalin said happily: "From now on, Comrade Zhukov is the Marshal of the Soviet Union, and he will uniformly command the operations of the entire Soviet army."
After Stalin said this, the audience burst into applause.
After the Politburo meeting, Stalin personally called Zhukov and informed Zhukov of the resolution to show his importance and to win people's hearts.
Zhukov answered the phone and was very grateful when he heard that Stalin promoted him to marshal. Although Zhukov had already prepared for this day, when it actually arrived, he was still very excited.
Stalin said: "Comrade Zhukov, in view of your contribution to the country, the Politburo and the Military Commission have decided to promote you to marshal, with full authority to command this full-line counterattack against Germany."
When Zhukov heard this, he was grateful. Of course he knew that his promotion to marshal meant that Stalin's words had an effect. The Politburo and the Military Commission were just a group of people who followed Stalin's lead.
Zhukov said gratefully: "Comrade Stalin, I thank you and the Soviet people for trusting me. I will definitely work hard to make my own contribution in this war."
Stalin was very satisfied after hearing what Zhukov said. Although Zhukov had a bad temper and even dared to talk back to him, he was indeed a very smart and capable man and he understood the meaning of his words.
Stalin immediately said: "Comrade Zhukov, Comrade Xu Rui has been working too hard recently and his health is not good. There is no need to let him participate in this major counterattack."
When Zhukov heard this, he was shocked and asked why Comrade Stalin didn't let Xu Rui participate in the counterattack. But as soon as his mind changed, Zhukov already understood the meaning of Stalin's words.
Stalin was not worried about Xu Rui's health. He was clearly worried about Xu Rui taking credit from him. If he thought about it carefully, Stalin's words made sense. If a foreigner took away all the limelight in the Soviet war, it would look too much for him.
Incompetent, Zhukov's face couldn't help but burn when he thought of this.
Zhukov knew Xu Rui well. Although Xu Rui did a lot to extort himself for the benefit of China, his military achievements were unparalleled. Zhukov did not want to exclude Xu Rui from this major counterattack.
, but he understood Stalin’s thoughts, and doing so would still be of great benefit to boosting the morale of the country and nation.
Thinking of this, Zhukov said: "I will resolutely implement your order. Comrade Xu Rui is too tired during this period and needs to rest for a while."
Zhukov put down the phone. He also felt that during this period, he had relied too much on Xu Rui. Under the current situation, he was fully capable of independently commanding the troops to drive the German army out of the Soviet Union. At this time, Xu Rui should not let Xu Rui get all the limelight.
It’s good when people come out.
Thinking of this, Zhukov hung up the phone at the Tver City Defense Headquarters...
After some ups and downs, Xu Rui and his Langya squad returned to Tver City. As soon as they entered the city, Xu Rui felt that the atmosphere was different from before. Every soldier he met on the street was filled with smiles and cheers.
Laughter came from time to time. It was the first time since Germany invaded the Soviet Union that I had encountered such a situation.
After thinking about it carefully, Xu Rui already understood that the news of the assassination of the German head of state must have spread throughout Tver. Otherwise, how could these soldiers be in such a good mood?
A group of people slowly arrived at the Tver City Defense Headquarters in a car. Xu Rui and the Langya team got out of the car and prepared to enter the city defense headquarters. However, before they got off the car, they saw Kuznetsov exiting the city defense headquarters.
Walked out.
"Comrade Xu Rui, welcome back!" Kuznetsov said with excitement.
Xu Rui said: "Comrade Kuznetsov, comrades seem to be in a good mood."
Kuznetsov smiled and said: "Yes, the German head of state was assassinated, the morale of the comrades was greatly boosted, and everyone was happy. This is all the credit of you and the Wolf Fang Squadron."
Xu Rui said: "Comrade Kuznetsov, let's go in and talk."
After hearing Xu Rui's words, Kuznetsov looked embarrassed and hesitated.
When Xu Rui saw something was wrong, he asked: "Comrade Kuznetsov, what's the matter?"
Kuznetsov said: "Comrade Xu Rui, I just received a call from Comrade Zhukov..." Kuznetsov hesitated to speak.
"Comrade Kuznetsov, if you have anything to say, feel free to say it."
Kuznetsov said: "That's it, Comrade Xu Rui, there are two good news. The first good news is that a comprehensive counterattack is about to begin."
Xu Rui nodded. The German head of state was assassinated. Counterattack under such circumstances was in line with Zhukov's usual style. However, he always felt that counterattacking in this way would be too hasty.
"What about the second good news?" Xu Rui asked.
"Comrade Zhukov said that you and the Langya detachment have been too tired for a period of time. Therefore, after study by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, the Military Commission decided to give you and Langya a month's vacation. You can use this vacation to adjust well."
Take a moment to relax your body and mind..."
"What? Give us a holiday?" All the members of the Wolf Fang Team were stunned when they heard this. Isn't this a typical example of killing the donkey?
Calling Donkey and others immediately started shouting, clamoring to argue with Zhukov.
Xu Rui waved his hand to signal everyone to be silent, and then said calmly: "Thank you Comrade Zhukov for your kindness. In this case, we, Langya, should be respectful and obey the order and take a good rest for a month."
When Kuznetsov heard what Xu Rui said, he immediately smiled and said: "Comrade Xu Rui, you really understand justice. I always thought you would be dissatisfied, but it seems that I was overly worried.
Comrade Xu Rui, from now on, you and Langya are on vacation, and you can freely enjoy your vacation."
Xu Rui didn't say anything and turned around with the Langya team.
Looking at the retreating figures of Xu Rui and others, Kuznetsov felt a little uncomfortable. From the bottom of his heart, he sympathized with Xu Rui. He was not rewarded for his high achievements, but was kicked out of the command position.
But as a Soviet, he can completely understand the methods of Stalin and Zhukov. After all, Xu Rui is not a Soviet, and he cannot take all the credit...
"Damn it, Zhukov is killing a donkey. He is really not a thing!" On the way back to Langya Station, he called the donkey and cursed him all the way.
Leng Tiefeng said: "Can you please be more honest when calling me a donkey? Shut your mouth!"
"Captain, I feel bad!" said the donkey.
Leng Tiefeng said: "You feel uncomfortable, I feel even more uncomfortable than you. We spent a lot of effort to kill the German head of state, but we got this result..."
Xu Rui said: "Stop talking!"
Leng Tiefeng said: "Lao Xu, aren't you angry?"
Xu Rui said: "I'm not angry. I have a holiday to enjoy. What's there to be angry about?"
Leng Tiefeng looked at Xu Rui in confusion and said, "Old Xu, this doesn't look like your character."
Xu Rui snorted coldly and said: "The Soviets want to die themselves, but I want to see the excitement."
"Huh? Lao Xu, what do you think?" Leng Tiefeng asked in surprise.
Xu Rui did not answer, but just said: "Look, the Soviets are going to suffer a big loss. I was originally thinking about how to get out of the incident, but now it's better. The Soviets took the initiative to let me withdraw, so don't
It’s my fault that I have no moral integrity.”
Leng Tiefeng looked at Xu Rui very puzzled. He knew that Xu Rui must have foreseen something, but now he couldn't clearly explain what exactly Xu Rui had foreseen...
Moscow, Zhukov's headquarters. Zhukov formulated a huge counterattack plan in a very short period of time. In Zhukov's plan, it reached Qutver in the north, Smolensk in the middle, and Stalingrad and Crimea in the south.
, the Soviet army will launch a comprehensive counterattack.
This is the largest counterattack launched by the Soviet army since the outbreak of the war. Zhukov estimates that three to four million troops will be invested in this counterattack. Such a large-scale army already accounts for hundreds of the total Soviet army.
At more than 75%, Zhukov is preparing to launch a full-scale counterattack against the German army from the south, center, and north directions at the same time, striving to drive the German army away from the current defense line within a month and retake Leningrad and Crimea.
In Asia, the Caucasus, and Ukraine, within two months, the German troops were completely driven out of Soviet territory.
By then, if the Germans have not surrendered, the Soviet army will march westward and seize German-occupied Poland, Yugoslavia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and other countries, and eventually occupy the German mainland and end the entire World War II.
, the Soviet army will become the overlord of the entire Europe and reproduce the glory of the "European Gendarmerie"...
