Red Moscow

  Chapter 244 The choice of the future

   A week after Adelina left, Sokov suddenly received a call from Malinin. The chief of staff of the army group said hurriedly on the phone: "Major Sokov, hand over your command to the chief of staff, and then rush to the headquarters immediately."

  Sokov didn't know what happened, and as soon as he put down the phone, he said to Potukin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I need to rush to the headquarters of the Army Group immediately, and you will be fully responsible for the work of the division."

"Comrade commander, what happened?" Potukin could not help asking curiously after hearing what Sokov said: "You have not been to the army headquarters for meetings once or twice, but handing over the command to me is still a matter of course." The first time. I think, something must have happened."

   After Potukin finished speaking, he was silent for a moment, and then a surprised expression appeared on his face: "Could it be related to the information brought back by Adelina?"

  Potukin’s words reminded Sokov that the Battle of Stalingrad in history started almost two days ago, so he hurriedly asked, “What date is it today?”

Potukin replied without hesitation: "On the 29th, Comrade Commander, today is June 29, 1942." After figuring out the specific date, Sokov immediately realized that the famous Stalingrad defense battle had begun. , He nodded and said, "Got it!" Then he picked up the steel helmet on the table, put it on his head, and strode out of the division headquarters.

At this moment, Sokov was very excited. He knew that due to the series of defeats of the Soviet army in Kharkov and the Crimea, the hard-won reserve team was exhausted, and the troops on the southern flank were severely damaged. The weakening of the German army allowed the German army to regain the strategic initiative. He knew very well what actions the German army would take next and in which direction to attack. But he understood even more that although he knew these things, he could not tell anyone. Whether others believe it or not is secondary. If every move of the German army is exactly the same as what I said, how can I justify myself in the face of the review by the internal affairs department?

   When he came to the headquarters, Sokov unexpectedly found that apart from several army chiefs, only General Orlov, commander of the infantry army, and Ratshev, his political commissar, attended the meeting. Seeing Sokov walk in, Rokossovsky nodded at him, then motioned for him to sit at an empty seat at the conference table.

After Sokov sat down, Rokossovsky went on to say: "...the German German High Command has recovered from its defeat near Moscow and in the past two months, has given its own The army was supplemented with personnel and technical equipment. Since the Allies did not open up a second front, the Germans could send new divisions from France and Belgium to the East.

At present, Hitler's gangsters have concentrated a large number of troops on the southern flank of the Soviet-German front. Taking advantage of our army's defeat in the Spring Campaign near the Crimea and Kharkov, yesterday, June 28, the commander of Army Group B Wei Khort's 4th Panzer Army and von Zalmut's 2nd Army turned to attack in the direction of Voronezh, and at the junction of the Bryansk Front and the Southwest Front, we implemented the 13th and 40th Armies. assault. Here the enemy broke through our defenses and quickly advanced southeast, putting the initiative on the battlefield into their hands. "

"Comrade Commander," as soon as Rokossovsky finished speaking, Orlov interrupted and asked, "Isn't the commander of the German Second Army Weicks, when did he become Von Zalmut? "

"It's like this, General Orlov." For Orlov's question, Ma Linin explained to him: "According to the intelligence we intercepted, because Hitler felt that the command of the commander of the army group, Marshal von Bock, was too conservative. , he was dismissed from his position, and Wei Kes took over his position. The position of commander of the 2nd Army was taken over by von Zalmut."

"But Comrade Commander, I still don't understand." After listening to Malinin's explanation, Orlov asked, still staring at Rokossovsky: "The location of our 16th Army seems to be too far from Voronezh. It’s a little bit, does the superior want to transfer us to this area?”

"General Orlov, you are right about one thing. The position occupied by the group army is indeed too far away from Voronezh. And even if the superior wants to mobilize us, they need to deploy new troops to take over our defense area. Under the current situation , This is obviously impossible." Rokossovsky looked at Orlov and said: "I received a call this morning from Zhukov, the commander of the Front Army, saying that I have been appointed by the Supreme Command as the commander of the Bryansk Front Army member…"

Knowing that Rokossovsky was appointed as the commander of the Bryansk Front Army, Orlov suddenly showed a surprised expression on his face, then he stretched out his hand to Rokossovsky and said excitedly: "Commander Comrade, please accept my congratulations. Congratulations on your promotion to a higher level!"

"Thank you, General Orlov." When Rokossovsky and Orlov shook hands, their eyes glanced at Sokov's position, but when their eyes met, Sokov seemed to feel that Roko Sovsky said to himself with his eyes: Misha, you guessed it right, I was indeed appointed by the Supreme Command as the commander of the Bryansk Front Army.

After a short pause, Rokossovsky continued: "General Zhukov meant to let Comrade Malinin take over my position, but he refused. Therefore, when I went to the Bryansk Front Army this time, Comrade Malinin will go with me and continue to serve as my chief of staff. In addition, Kazakov, Orel and Maximenko will also be transferred from the Western Front to take office with me."

After announcing these decisions, Rokossovsky glanced back and forth between Orlov and Sokov for a few steps, and asked tentatively: "I called you here for a meeting today. I want to ask for your opinion, do you intend to stay in the 16th Army, or follow me to the Bryansk Front Army?"

   "Comrade Commander," as soon as Rokossovsky's voice fell, Sokov couldn't wait to express his position: "I am willing to go with you to the Bryansk Front Army."

"Major Sokov," Rokossovsky said solemnly, without any change of expression when he heard Sokov say this, "you will stay in the 16th Army, and you will soon be dismissed." Officially appointed as the commander of the 31st Guards Division, the rank will also be promoted to lieutenant colonel. But if you go to the Bryansk Front Army with me, you can only be a regiment commander at best. So you have to think carefully, after all, this is related to your future Big things ahead."

Finally, there was an opportunity to hold the thigh of the future Marshal of the Soviet Union. How could Sokov let it go easily? He quickly stated: "Comrade Commander, I will go wherever you go. Let alone the commander, even if you let me be Battalion commander, even company commander, I am willing."

   Rokossovsky was very satisfied with Sokov's statement, and a smile could not help but appear on his face. Soon, he turned to Orlov and asked, "What do you mean, General Orlov?"

   "This, this..." Orlov didn't expect Rokossovsky to ask his own opinion directly, and he couldn't help but seem a little flustered, "I need to think about it seriously."

Rokossovsky seemed to attach great importance to Orlov. Hearing what he said, he immediately stated: "General Orlov, I am about to go to the Bryansk Front Army, and I need an experienced commander to assist me in my work. , you are the best candidate. I assure you, as long as you agree to go together, not to mention the commander of the infantry army, even if you are the commander of an army group, it is also possible."

  The conditions proposed by Rokossovsky moved Orlov a little, and he couldn't help turning his head to glance at Ratshev beside him. The military political commissar immediately said: "Comrade commander, although the two of us have not been partners for a long time, we are already a whole. No matter what decision you make, I will firmly support you."

  Although Rokossovsky proposed generous conditions and his partner Ratshev also expressed his attitude, Orlov was still frowning and thinking. Seeing Orlov being so indecisive, Sokov couldn’t help but think to himself: Among the 70 commanders of the Soviet Army, Orlov seemed to have never been there. It seems that he rejected Rokosov in the end. Ski's invitation to him.

   "Comrade Commander," Orlov finally asked after a long time of thinking, "may I ask who will take over your position?"

"My position will be taken over by Major General Bagramyan, the Chief of Operations of the Southwest Front Army." From Orlov's questioning, Rokossovsky heard that the other party was unwilling to go to the Bryansk Front Army with him, and his face could not help but Showing a disappointed expression, he nodded at the other party and said, "I hope you and the new commander can cooperate well."

Sokov keenly noticed that when Orlov expressed his attitude, not only Rokossovsky was disappointed, but even Ratshev sighed softly when he was sitting. I am deeply sorry for the missed opportunity.

  After the meeting, Rokossovsky waited for Orlov and Ratshev to leave, and then told Sokov: "Misha, go back and pack as soon as possible. We will leave at noon tomorrow."

After Rokossovsky finished speaking, Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, can I bring the Istria battalion to the Bryansk Front?" When he asked this question, he had already considered it. Well, even if Rokossovsky disagrees, he has to bring Vanya, Grisa, Seryozha, Assia and others with him. With his own team, he can quickly move forward in the new army. Stand your ground.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Rokossovsky said very simply: "Yes. After all, the Istria Battalion has been a separate combat unit until now. Even if it is transferred, it will not have any impact. "

Knowing that he could take the Istria battalion with him to the new army, Sokov couldn't help being overjoyed. He quickly raised his hand to his forehead, saluted Rokossovsky, and asked at the same time: "Comrade commander, allow me Go back to the army to arrange work now?"

   "Yes." Rokossovsky nodded with a smile, and said, "We will set off at twelve o'clock tomorrow, so you and your troops should not be late."

  (end of this chapter)