Malashenko's wait did not last long, and the combat meeting Vatutin mentioned soon began.
Attending the meeting were three group army commanders and a division commander of the Guards Rocket Artillery Division directly under the front army.
Except for one colonel and division commander, all the military officers present at the meeting had at least the rank of major general, including Malashenko himself.
When attending such meetings in the past, Malashenko only felt that his military rank was too far behind everyone else, and he had no sense of integration. He was just a spectator in the auditorium to listen to the show.
But now, Malashenko looked around and sat in his seat, muttering to himself that this general is nothing more than that. I have the same fucking rank as you now. I don’t have to say anything like that in the meeting later.
I was no longer as cautious and hesitant as I used to be.
"Do you want me to speak later? Or should I just sit here and listen?"
The prepared Malashenko was still not very sure, so he simply muttered in a low voice and looked for answers to the political commissar Petrov on the side.
"Comrade Commander will call the roll call. If not, I think it's better for you to sit quietly. There is no need to show off in this kind of occasion. Many people's troops far exceed ours. It will be good for you to keep a low profile."
Political Commissar Petrov is right. After the new reorganization, the Stalin Guards 1st Tank Division certainly has huge strength. The total strength is almost twice that of the previous brigade level, reaching a total of over 200 tanks of various types and
Self-propelled artillery, in terms of the quantity of technical equipment alone, is far beyond what conventional troops of the same level can match.
But compared with the troops of the group army commanders here, Malashenko's troops still appear relatively small.
They often have four or five infantry divisions under their command, and they also have several brigade-level units attached to them. In terms of strategic role, they are far more important than Malashenko's division.
Malashenko, who doesn't like meetings, doesn't often attend such scenes. Political Commissar Petrov, who knows more about this than Malashenko, is also teaching Malashenko little by little how to deal with such situations in the future.
Try to keep the scene as low-key as possible.
In this way, even if one day he can no longer be by Malashenko's side, this kid who has been promoted so fast that ordinary people can't imagine can still handle it on his own. Being too showy in such a big scene will never be a good thing.
A good thing.
Up to now, I am still immersed in the secret joy and complacency of climbing to the position of general. To be honest, Malashenko has really been feeling a little ecstatic recently. The star on his shoulder also has a title, the one on the military uniform.
Every change made Malashenko feel that he was more powerful than ever before, completely different from the little school officer he had been before.
"Forget it, let's be more honest here, so as not to offend any villain."
Malashenko, who silently told himself not to jump too much, then heard the voice from Vatutin. Vatutin, who came to preside over the meeting in person, had a brief conversation with the chief of staff and exchanged opinions.
Holding the command whip in his hand, he came to the battle zone map and officially began to speak.
"Comrades, this is the first operational meeting at the front level that we have held since the end of the Battle of Kursk and the reorganization into the First Ukrainian Front."
"In the Battle of the Southern Front of Kursk, our front troops showed bravery and fearlessness, carried forward the fighting spirit of not being afraid of powerful enemies, and gave the arrogant Manstein and his fascist lackeys a
With a heavy blow, the enemy's strategic intention of occupying Prokhorovka and then opening a gap to move northward and other rounds of Fascist bandits was ruined!"
"Since the Fascists have not achieved their strategic intentions and Kursk is still in our hands, there is no doubt that this is a great victory that belongs to all of our Red Army, all the comrades here, and all the soldiers! Here,
In the name of the Front Army Headquarters, I would like to convey the commendation order given to us by Supreme Leader Comrade Stalin and express my congratulations to the comrades!"
Pah pah pah pah——
Before Vatugin could finish his words, a burst of intensive applause came from every corner of the venue.
Everyone present at the meeting, regardless of their military rank or position, applauded enthusiastically, celebrating this another great Red Army victory since the end of the Battle of Stalingrad.
Even Malashenko, who was sitting a little further away from Vatutin, gave the strongest warm applause together with Commissar Petrov next to him. This great victory belongs to those who have worked hard for it.
Everyone and everyone is qualified to share this joy.
Vatutin, who looked around the venue for a week, quietly fixed his gaze on Malashenko, and blurted out some words that he had already prepared.
"In this great victory, I would like to pay special tribute to one of our comrades, named after our great leader, the commander of Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division: Major General Malashenko."
"Comrade Malashenko led his troops to successfully block the enemy's strategic intentions and hold on to his position. From the moment he came into contact with the enemy, he delayed the onslaught of three SS armored divisions for more than 24 hours. For us
The implementation of strategic counterattack bought extremely precious time, preventing the enemy from quickly changing offense and defense and falling into a passive state of deadlock."
"The decisive battle of the Kursk Southern Front Battle was the Battle of Prokhorovka, and the decisive point of the Battle of Prokhorovka was the nameless village."
"Comrade Malashenko used his actual actions to let those SS scum with their nostrils turned upward, their hearts full of madness, and their hands stained with the blood of our comrades and the people know what the real iron fist of the Red Army is! The sacrifice of Division Commander Suvorov is not
It makes no sense, Comrade Stalin has already issued an order posthumously awarding Suvorov the Hero of the Soviet Union award."
"Whether it is him or Malashenko, I hope that every one of our commanders and comrades, as well as political workers, can learn from the power of example and turn it into their own motivation to move forward."
"Everyone just dedicated the first round of warm applause to the great victory achieved by our joint efforts. Now, I suggest that everyone dedicate the second round of applause to our Comrade Malashenko and the Soviet Union who sacrificed their lives heroically for the victory.
Comrade Wolof, and every comrade who fell in this battle."
Pah pah pah pah——
To be honest, Malashenko really didn't expect that Vatutin would come out like this, let alone on such an occasion.
And now, with the whole audience watching with warm applause and Vatutin looking at him expectantly, Malashenko knew it was time for him to stand up and say something.