Red Moscow

Chapter 2579

After Sokov followed Sokolovsky to the airport, the convoy drove straight to a transport plane parked next to the runway.

After getting on the plane, Sokov tentatively asked Sokolovsky: "Comrade Deputy Commander, what is happening in the direction of Berlin that requires us to rush back overnight?"

Sokolovsky looked at Sokov and sighed, and said: "Misha, don't worry, you will know the answer in two hours at most."

Seeing that Sokolovsky was unwilling to say anything, Sokovsky naturally couldn't ask any more questions. He began to wonder in his mind, what happened in the direction of Berlin? Could it be that Zhukov was so eager to let Sokolovsky return? What happened?

This kind of speculation did not arise out of thin air. After all, the commander-in-chief of the cluster in Germany is Marshal Zhukov, and Sokolovsky is just his deputy. Even if the British, American and French troops want to attack the Soviet army, Zhukov can do it himself. After the decision was made, there was no need to recall Sokolovsky from Nuremberg. Unless the Supreme Command dismissed Zhukov from his post and Berlin was leaderless, Sokolovsky had to be recalled to Berlin urgently.

But then I thought about it, wasn't Zhukov relieved of his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Group in Germany in March 1946 and assigned to the Odessa Military Region as the Commander of the Military Region? Could it be that this time was advanced?

 After a one-hour flight, the plane landed at the Berlin military airport.

While the plane was still taxiing on the runway, a black car parked next to the runway caught up with it.

 When the plane came to a stop, the car happened to be parked not far from the cabin door. Immediately, a major came out from the co-pilot's seat and looked up at the closed door.

The cabin door opened, and after the pilot put down the gangway, he got off the plane first and stood upright next to the gangway.

After Sokolovsky got off the plane, he nodded to the pilot and said politely: "Comrade pilot, thank you!"

The pilot replied quickly and loudly: "Serve the Soviet Motherland!"

Seeing Sokolovsky get off the plane, the major rushed to greet him and raised his hand in salute: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander, Marshal Zhukov ordered me to pick you up. Please get in the car."

Sokolovsky glanced at Sokov who was following him, and asked the major politely: "General Sokov is coming back to Berlin with me. Can he follow me to see Marshal Zhukov?"

"Of course, Comrade Deputy Commander." The major nodded and said in a positive tone: "Comrade Marshal also wants to meet General Sokov, so let's get in the car together."

Sokov said nothing and followed Sokolovsky into the car in an orderly manner. He remained silent the whole time to avoid accidentally saying the wrong thing.

 After arriving at Zhukov's headquarters, Sokov saw the officers he met along the way with very serious expressions on their faces. It seemed that something big had happened, and he couldn't help but become more and more uneasy.

"Hello, Comrade Marshal of the Soviet Union." After entering Zhukov's office, Sokolovsky took the lead in raising his hand to salute Zhukov, and reported in accordance with the doctrine: "First Deputy Commander of the Group in Germany, General Sokolovsky, Come report to you!”

"Come on, there are no outsiders here, so there is no need to be so polite." Zhukov came over and shook hands with Sokolovsky: "You know everything. Let's carry out the necessary handover as soon as possible."

Sokov, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but be surprised when he heard what Zhukov said. Could his guess be correct? He looked at Zhukov carefully and found that he had not seen him for more than twenty days, and he seemed to be more than ten years older, and even his back was a little hunched.

"Comrade Marshal, what is going on?" Sokolovsky asked: "Why are you in a hurry to hand over the work?"

"Misha, you are back too." Zhukov did not answer Sokolovsky's question immediately, but called to Sokovsky who was standing next to him: "Stop standing, find a place to sit down."

 After Sokolovsky and Sokov sat down, Zhukov picked up a newspaper, came to them, handed it to them and said, "Read this newspaper."

 Sokolovsky took the newspaper and began to read it.

Sokov quickly leaned his head over and saw clearly that it was a copy of the Red Star newspaper. One of the reports was circled with a red pen. Sokov guessed that Zhukov wanted them to read the circled part, so he Concentrate on browsing.

The report wrote: "After the German surrender, we could see Marshal Zhukov everywhere on the streets of Berlin. He inspected the ruins and looked at the exaggerated Prussian-style statues. When he saw those Germans who were fawning and obedient, , the marshal's eyes showed contempt... On this day, the marshal attended the funeral of the martyrs who died in the Battle of Berlin, and delivered an exciting speech in front of the tomb: 'The heroes who sacrificed for the motherland, freedom and independence will be immortal...' He caught He picked up a handful of soil and threw it into the grave, then walked towards the military flag, picked up the flag and kissed its corner."

After reading the report, Sokov couldn't help but frowned and thought to himself, wasn't this a report from shortly after the Battle of Berlin? What was Zhukov's purpose in letting him and the two read this report? His eyes moved to the masthead of the newspaper and found that the time was May 16, exactly one week after Germany signed the unconditional surrender.

"Comrade Marshal," Sokolovsky put the newspaper on his knees after reading the report and asked Zhukov with some confusion: "I read this report as early as May. Do you have any questions? ?”

Zhukov sneered and said: "Now some people are using this article to make trouble, saying that I took all the credit for defeating Germany, without mentioning the contribution made by the supreme commander himself..."

 Zhukov stopped abruptly mid-sentence. Although he didn't finish what he said, both Sokov and Sokolovsky understood what he wanted to express. Now that the war is over, his role is not as big as before, and some people are ready to do something about him. Article.

“Comrade Marshal,” Sokolovsky asked cautiously, “you are so anxious to call me back and prepare to hand over the work to me. Did you hear some news?”

“I have received news from my own channels that at the meeting of the Supreme Command this afternoon, the proposal to remove me from my post was discussed…”

“What was the outcome of the discussion?” Sokolovsky asked nervously.

"Most of the people who attended the meeting agreed to this proposal, to remove me from my position and let you take over my job." Zhukov said: "Although the formal document has not been released yet, I feel it is necessary to call you back as soon as possible. , and gradually hand over the work at hand to you.”

 “What are you going to do after the handover?”

"Wait." Zhukov said in a serious tone: "Wait for the order from the Supreme Command." "How do you think the Supreme Command will arrange for you after the official order to relieve you of your duties arrives?" Sokolovsky looked worried. He asked seductively: "Should you stay in Berlin or return to Moscow?"

"I think the latter is more likely, so I rushed to call you back and hand over the work to you. If I wait until the order arrives before handing over the work, I'm worried that it will be too late." Zhukov told Sokolovsky After saying this, he turned his attention to Sokov and said apologetically: "Misha, I specially called you to Berlin. I originally wanted to arrange a suitable job for you, but the superior arranged something else. If I go back to Moscow, will you go back with me?"

Hearing Zhukov ask himself, Sokov stood up suddenly and replied loudly: "Comrade Marshal, I will go wherever you go. If you want to go back to Moscow, I will definitely follow you back."

"Very good." Zhukov was very satisfied with Sokov's answer. After asking him to sit down, he said with a smile: "I remember that Asia is going to give birth to a baby in March. You can just stay with her and see her with your own eyes. Watching your child be born.”

 Next, Zhukov began to hand over work to Sokolovsky. Sokovsky felt that standing here seemed a bit redundant, so he took the initiative to say goodbye and leave.

When they returned to the Adlon Hotel, the hotel's front desk staff saw Sokov appearing with a look of astonishment on her face. She glanced behind Sokov and asked in surprise: "Comrade General, who are you?" Came back alone?"

"Yes, something happened here. I rushed back by plane overnight." Sokov nodded and said, "The rest of the people came back by car. It may take some time on the way, but they will all be there later at the latest." came back."

Sokov returned to his room and began to think about the current situation. Zhukov was relieved of his post in March 1946 and was sent to Odessa to serve as commander of the military region. But before that, he was also appointed deputy secretary of defense and commander-in-chief of the army. The Supreme Command made this appointment because they were probably worried that if Zhukov was directly demoted, it would cause a lot of dissatisfaction in the military, so they arranged a job transition for him. After a while, we can find a reason to send him to Odessa to serve as the commander of the military region, and no one will gossip.

 Early the next morning, Sokov came to the school where the 3rd Guard Team was stationed to see how their training was going.

As soon as he entered the school gate, he met Second Lieutenant Breliska, the quartermaster, and quickly greeted him: "Comrade Second Lieutenant!"

Hearing Sokov calling him, Breliska, who was talking to others, immediately stopped the conversation, walked quickly towards Sokov, and took the initiative to salute. She said a little emotionally: "Comrade General, you are back!"

"Yes, I'm back." Sokov nodded and asked, "How is the training of the troops?"

"Not bad." Breliska said: "After all, they are all soldiers. After a week of training, they began to patrol the streets in batches."

 “Where is Captain Hosenfeld?”

 “He is not here, comrade general.”

 “Where did you go?”

 “Go home.”

Sokov was stunned after hearing this, thinking to himself, isn't it forbidden to leave the camp casually here? How could Hosenfeld come home alone? Then he asked in confusion: "What is he doing when he goes home?"

"Comrade General, you don't know yet." Hearing Sokov's question, Bryliska looked particularly excited: "His wife and children were found. It was Officer Bayer who found them in Bavaria and personally took them to him. They sent it back. Captain Hosenfeld just went home to reunite with his family, and I don’t know if he will come back today.”

After hearing this, Sokov said that taking the train is fast. If Vaserigov and the others set off after dawn, they are still bumpy on the road. If they go fast, they will be able to reach Berlin tomorrow morning. He wanted to visit Hosenfeld and his wife and children in Wilhelmstrasse, but considering that he did not understand Russian, even if he went, he would not be able to communicate with them. After hesitating for a moment, he asked Breliska: "What about Ernst, the liaison officer? Where is he?"

"I'm sorry, Comrade General, he's not here." Breliska understood Sokov's meaning and quickly explained to him: "He led a patrol and won't be back until noon at the earliest. If you want to visit Wilhelm Street Captain Hosenfeld and his family, I’m afraid there’s no one to translate for you.”

 When he learned that Ernst was not there either, Sokov immediately gave up the idea of ​​going to Wilhelmstrasse. After chatting for a few words with Bryliska, he turned around and left the school.

As soon as he returned to the Adlon Hotel, the female soldier on duty at the front desk greeted Sokov: "Comrade General, I have a message from you."

Sokov raised his eyebrows and asked, "Whose message is it?"

"It's a call from Marshal Zhukov's adjutant." The female soldier said: "After he asked you to come back, he immediately went to the headquarters. Comrade Marshal has something urgent to see you."

After Sokov thanked the female soldier, he turned around and walked out of the hotel. Fortunately, the car Zhukov had prepared for him last night had not left yet. He opened the door and got in, and said to the driver: "Drive to the headquarters."

 Ten minutes later, the car arrived at the headquarters. Sokov opened the car door, jumped out of the car, and walked quickly towards the building. He had an ominous premonition in his heart. The order to relieve Zhukov from his post had probably arrived. Zhukov called him to see him, which might be related to this matter.

Sure enough, when Sokov arrived at Zhukov's office, he found that there was no one in the crowded waiting room except Zhukov's adjutant. When the other party saw Sokov arriving, he immediately stood up to greet him: "General Sokov, you are here! Marshal Zhukov is waiting for you inside!"

Sokov walked into the office toward the other party and saw Zhukov sitting behind his desk immersed in work. He quickly reported: "Comrade Marshal!..."

Before Sokov could finish his words, Zhukov raised his head, waved to him and said, "Misha, come to me!"

Sokov quickly came to Zhukov's desk and looked at him intently, waiting for him to give him an order.

"Misha," Zhukov sighed softly and said, "I have just received a personnel order from the Supreme Command, asking me to return to Moscow immediately to take up a new position, and the work of the cluster in Germany will be temporarily handed over to Sokolov. Mr. Ski will be in charge.”

Hearing what Zhukov said, Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, doesn't the personnel order of the Supreme Command clearly state that you will be removed from your post?"

"No, I was just asked to go back and take up a new position." Zhukov replied: "And the work of the cluster in Germany is only temporarily in charge of Sokolovsky."

Seeing the relaxed expression on Zhukov's face, Sokov's mood became heavy. It seemed that the development of things was consistent with his memory. The Supreme Command asked Zhukov to return to Moscow and assume a new position, which was nothing more than making him deputy minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the army. Then after a period of time, they would find reasons to remove him from his position and send him to Odessa. The small military region serves as the commander of the military region.