The Third Reich in Desperation

"It is impossible for the German army in the direction of Moscow to carry out a large-scale offensive campaign recently, because they have suffered too much loss in Smolensk and lack the strength to replenish the various armies and protect the left and right wings of the Central Army Group. Moreover, I have also instructed Timoshen Comrade Brother, repeatedly launched the Smolensk recapture battle during this period to contain and consume the strength of the German army."

Zhukov said bluntly: "In Ukraine, the battle may start in the Dnepropetrovsk and Kremenchug areas, because the German tank group has arrived in this area. The enemy is likely to attack the southwestern front guarding Kiev. Assault on the flanks and rear."

"What's your suggestion?" Stalin asked directly without any nonsense.

"Immediately deploy reinforcements from the Far East to make up for the losses during this period. At the same time, the Southwest Front Army must immediately withdraw all of them across the Dnieper River, and gather no less than 5 reserves of reinforced divisions for them in the rear."

Stalin immediately asked: "Then what about Kiev?

Zhukov paused. He knew what the words "abandoning Kiev" meant to Stalin.But at the same time, he also understood that emotions should not be used at this time. As the chief of staff, he had the responsibility to recommend that he take the only correct decision at the moment.

So he bluntly said: "Kiev has to give up!"

After an embarrassing silence, Zhukov saw that Stalin hadn't spoken, so he controlled his emotions and continued to report: "In the western direction, we need to continue to organize counter-assaults to retake the Yernia salient occupied by the enemy. Otherwise, the bridgehead Possibly used by the Germans to attack Moscow."

"Where is there any counter-assault? What nonsense!" Stalin broke out: "You still have to hand over Kiev to the enemy, thank you for thinking of it!"

Text 776 Nominal Chief of Staff

Zhu Ke couldn't bear it anymore, and said loudly: "If you think the chief of the general staff can only talk nonsense, then why do you need him!? I request that I be relieved of my post as chief of the general staff immediately and send me to the front line .I might be more useful to my country there."

Also dismissed Zhukov as chief of the general staff?

Although Zhukov took the initiative this time, Stalin understood how bad the impact would be if he really did that.

The removal of Zhukov, who was increasingly expected by people in the Soviet military, was dismissed twice. From anyone's point of view, he felt that Stalin was fatuous and ignorant.

"Please calm down," Stalin did not choose to reprimand Zhukov this time, but said with a rare temper: "Besides...if you ask the question like this...we will be without you... ..."

Having said that, Stalin stopped talking.

It was Zhukov who spoke next.

"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 the method of combat, and I believe that this view is correct. And I will do what I and the General Staff think. report."

Stalin did not interrupt Zhukov, who had calmed down.When he summoned Zhukov back, he had already thought that this might happen.

Thinking about another Pavlov who bowed to him but was unable to win battles, Stalin suddenly felt that Zhukov, whose opinions often conflicted with his, seemed to be able to do it.

He said softly to Laikov: "Go back to work, we will study it right away 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.

After about half an hour, Zhukov was called back to Stalin.

"We discussed it," Stalin said to the returned Zhukov: "The High Command has decided to dismiss you as chief of the general staff again, but this is because we want you to take on practical work. It is agreed that you have 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 a member of the Deputy People's Commissar of National Defense and the Supreme Command, so there is no need to worry about that."

It seemed that Stalin was neither happy to send Zhukov to Siberia nor willing to listen to his suggestion.Therefore, I chose a method of retaining Zhukov's vacant position, contacting his actual position as chief of 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 in the headquarters to fight Stalin every day, arguing about the battle plan, and the two sides chattered endlessly without any conclusions, it would be better to let him go to the front line. A frontline commander.

In this way, it may be a good decision for him and Stalin.

"Where do you want to work?" Although Zhukov was driven away, Stalin was no longer as merciless as last time.

"I can work anywhere, drive a tank or command a front army, an army group, an army, or even a division." Zhukov no longer accepts Stalin's love.

"Well, Comrade Zhukov. You just said that you are going to organize a counterattack in Yernia, so I ask you to take charge of this matter. I will order the Rzhev-Vyazma defense line. The army and group armies are all unified as the reserve front army, and you will be the commander of the reserve front army.”

"Look, when can you leave?" Stalin couldn't wait to send Zhukov to a place where he could not see but where Zhukov's ability could be used again.

"I need to bring some documents and materials, as well as the deduction plan I made, and I can pack it up in about an hour." Zhukov replied without a trace of expression.

"Okay, let Shaposhnikov take over your job. Please note that you are still a member of the Supreme Command. Also, in name, you are still the chief of the general staff of our army to the outside world."

In the end, Stalin still did not forget to play tricks on the surface.He didn't want others to accuse him of driving Zhukov away, so he wanted to reserve a relatively large vacant position for Zhukov at all, so that he could appear to be magnanimous in employing people.

.

.

.

"So, you just came to us and joined me?"

In the joint headquarters of the Western Front and the Reserve Front, Timoshenko chatted with Zhukov with a wry smile.

He originally thought that when Zhukov came here, Stalin suddenly woke up and realized that Moscow was in danger, and he needed to rely heavily on military strategists like Zhukov to turn the tide.

Although Timoshenko is not much less famous than Zhukov, he knows that the "victorious battles" he fought are far from the battles Zhukov fought.

He thinks that he is not at most a good general, but Zhukov is definitely a great handsome talent!

It's a pity that Stalin didn't seem to realize this.

Sending Zhukov to lead troops to the Western Front was just to drive away Zhukov and try to be quiet.

"Forget it, I heard that your attack on Yernia encountered SS troops and suffered heavy losses." Zhukov didn't seem to want to talk about what he experienced in Moscow, but only focused on talking with Timoshenko. : "Let's study carefully now, how to spend two long months with these so-called Germany's most elite troops..."

Southwest Front Army Command.

Kirponos received a renewed order from the Kremlin.

Moreover, when this order came, it was still a double order!

One, stick 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's Panzer Corps.

Kirponos tore up the order telegram from Moscow on the spot.

Another impossible task!

However, now that the high command has made a decision, they can only be prepared to defend Kiev to the death. Even if they lose it in the end, it will take a while to consume more German forces.

As for the order to attack the German armored forces, it is better to wait for Stalin to attack alone in his dream.

"Notify the ministries, garrison on the spot, strengthen or build new fortifications." Kirponos sent a telegram to his officers: "The most difficult days have come..."

Text 777 Postpone update

(Updated in a few hours, shouldn't be too long.)

Zhu Kedasi couldn't bear it anymore, and said loudly: "If you think the chief of the general staff can only talk nonsense, then why do you need him!? I request that I be relieved of my post as chief of the general staff immediately and send me to the front line .I might be more useful to my country there."