"Comrade Commander," Malinin reported excitedly on the phone: "This is the battle report from Major General Sokov."
Because when he answered the phone, Rokossovsky pressed the speakerphone function, which is similar to the hands-free function commonly used in later generations. In this way, everyone in the room could hear the conversation between him and Malinin. He was deeply afraid of Malinin.
For some trivial matter, I called myself, but when I heard the other party say this, I immediately realized that it must be exciting good news, and quickly asked: "Tell me quickly, how is the progress of their attack on the enemy?"
?”
From the tone of Rokossovsky's words, Malinin guessed the environment he was in, so he did not talk nonsense, but reported straight to the point: "Comrade Commander, after a fierce battle, the guards on the left wing of the Sixth Army
The 41st and 71st Divisions have defeated the German Skeleton Division and captured alive the division commander, Colonel Simon. The 67th Guards Division on the right has also occupied the town of Roginsik and is currently engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy.
, but this enemy’s path has been cut off by the 41st Guards Division, and their destruction is only a matter of time.”
"Great, this is really exciting good news." After learning that it was indeed good news, Rokossovsky did not get carried away. In any case, this was a meeting of the Supreme Command.
The commander of the front army was just an observer, and he could not use such trivial matters to affect the progress of the meeting. He quickly said to Malinen: "Chief of Staff, we are still in the meeting. After the meeting is over, you can give the details of the Sixth Army."
Report the battle report to me."
After hanging up the phone, Rokossovsky said to Stalin apologetically: "I'm sorry, Comrade Stalin, because of me, the normal progress of the meeting was affected."
Ever since he learned that the call that interrupted the meeting was actually to report some exciting good news, Stalin had a smile on his face. Hearing Rokossovsky's self-blaming words, he quickly said generously:
"It doesn't matter. If every phone call that interrupts our meeting can give us a piece of good news, I hope every meeting can be interrupted."
"If I remember correctly," Voroshilov, who had rarely spoken at meetings in the past year, suddenly said: "During the battle at the end of February, the original Sixth Army and Popov quickly grouped together.
It was defeated by the German Skeleton Division, Reich Division and Flag Guard Division. I really didn’t expect that the now reorganized Sixth Army could actually defeat these three SS divisions."
"If nothing unexpected happens," Ustinov of the Weapons and Equipment Department continued: "After the Sixth Army has eliminated the German Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division, it can continue to move north to eliminate the troops entrenched in Barvinkovo.
The enemy, there is still a flag guard division there that is giving our army a headache."
"I have a different opinion." Zhukov, who was sitting next to Rokossovsky, unexpectedly said after hearing this: "Under the current circumstances, our army is not suitable to launch an attack on Barvinkovo."
"Why?" Timoshenko heard what Zhukov said, and his eyes widened in surprise: "Marshal Zhukov, why do you think that our army is not suitable to recapture Barvinkovo under the current circumstances? You know, we last summer
The offensive we launched was due to the failure to eliminate the enemies in Barvinkovo in time, which resulted in the failure of our army. If we want to drive the enemies to the other side of the Dnieper River, what we need to do is to eliminate the enemies in Barvinkovo first.
.”
"It is true to eliminate the enemies in Barvinkovo and drive the Germans to the other side of the Dnieper River." Zhukov said to Timoshenko expressionlessly: "But with the current strength of the Sixth Army, it is impossible.
Capture Barvinkovo. Because once they launch an attack on Barvinkovo, the two German armored corps stationed in Izyum may rush to reinforce. At that time, the flanks of the Sixth Army will be attacked by the enemy.
, there is a possibility of being defeated at any time.”
"Comrade Marshal, don't you know that the Sixth Army now has eight infantry divisions, as well as a considerable number of tank brigades and artillery divisions. By the way, they were equipped with two aviation divisions not long ago. Such a powerful strength
, if we launch an attack on Barvinkovo, I don’t think the Germans can support it for long.”
"They do have eight infantry divisions, and they are basically Guards divisions." After Zhukov said this, he asked: "But these divisions were either severely reduced in strength after a long period of fighting;
Renovation work has been completed in the rear area, and most of the troops' commanders and fighters are new recruits, and their combat effectiveness has been severely diluted."
Hearing what Zhukov said, Timoshenko immediately fell silent. He knew that what Zhukov said was the truth. Even though Sokov had eight divisions under his name, the only troops with real combat effectiveness were probably fighting against the skeletons.
Division, the commanders and fighters of the three divisions where the Imperial Division fought fiercely. And after today's battle, it is estimated that there will also be a large number of attrition, resulting in the troops losing combat effectiveness in a short period of time.
Seeing that Timoshenko stopped talking, Zhukov continued: "As far as I know, the reason why General Sokov's troops were able to achieve such results was not only the bravery of the commanders and combatants and the proper use of the commander's tactics, but also their
The new weapons equipped also played a great role."
"New weapon?" Kalinin, who has a white goatee and a cane in his hand at all times, couldn't help but ask after hearing this: "What new weapon?"
"Comrade Kalinin, please allow me to report to you." Hearing Kalinin's question, Ustinov quickly stood up and explained to him: "In fact, as early as during the Battle of Stalingrad, our weapons and equipment department
We have provided a large number of new weapons to the troops commanded by General Sokov, allowing them to test the performance of the weapons for us in battle and provide us with the parameters we need."
"Comrade People's Commissar," Kalinin asked curiously after listening to Ustinov's words: "I want to ask you, we have so many troops, why did you choose General Sokov's troops?
What is the actual cause?"
Faced with Kalinin's question, Ustinov grinned and replied: "Comrade Kalinin, there are many reasons. The most important point is that these new weapons were invented by General Sokov, so that
There shouldn’t be any problem if the inventor comes to test the weapon he invented, right?”
Kalinin never dreamed that the reason why Ustinov would hand over newly manufactured weapons to Sokov's troops was entirely because these weapons were developed by Sokov. The muscles on his face twitched a few times.
Next, he said with some embarrassment: "So that's what happened. I really didn't expect that this General Sokov not only knows how to fight, but also knows how to invent new weapons." He turned to Stalin and said, "Comrade Stalin, Sokov
The general is a great asset to our army. I think it is very inappropriate to put him on the dangerous front line."
"I have also considered transferring him back from the front." Stalin said to Kalinin while smoking his pipe: "So I raised the matter directly with him through Comrade Ustinov, but unfortunately
But, he chose to refuse, and he even said that only by staying at the forefront can he better utilize his talents."
"Yes, I also think that he can play a greater role on the battlefield than in the weapons and equipment department." Zhukov, who has always had a good impression of Sokov, said unabashedly: "Don't say it from afar, just
Let’s talk about the Battle of Stalingrad. If it weren’t for the 41st Guards Division commanded by Sokov, who had firmly defended Mamayev Heights, preventing the enemy from approaching our ferry and cutting off the connection between the city and the outside world.
Soldiers and various supplies are constantly being transported into the city, and Chuikov's 62nd Army may not be able to survive even September."
Kalinin said with a smile: "Comrade Zhukov, it seems that you are very optimistic about this young general?"
"Anyone who has dealt with him will have the same feeling as me." Zhukov said, turning his face sideways to Rokossovsky beside him: "You think so, Comrade Rokossovsky?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Rokossovsky nodded quickly and responded: "Sokov is a very capable commander. If he were not too young, with the results he has achieved, he can definitely achieve
Higher military rank."
"Marshal Zhukov," Timoshenko disagreed with Zhukov's statement: "Yes, he is indeed very capable, but I have seen his resume. He has never attended any military academy and commanded a division.
Even a group army may not be a problem. But if he is asked to command more troops, I don't think he is qualified for such a position."
Timoshenko's words made the whole room fall silent. People who knew Sokov began to think about what he said silently in their hearts. Judging from Sokov's resume, before joining the army, he was indeed lackluster. But since then
After he led several soldiers to resolutely block the German reconnaissance detachment trying to occupy the town in Khimki, he began to rise to prominence step by step. Especially in the Battle of Stalingrad that ended not long ago, he established an immortal
of merit.
"Marshal Timoshenko, I don't agree with you." A person's speech broke the silence in the room: "I have dealt with Sokov before, what kind of person he is, I have more to say than you
Quan. Yes, he did not go to any military school, but he knew how to keep learning during the war and learn how to be an excellent commander. Judging from the battle report obtained today, the newly acquired position of commander of the group army is
He is very competent.”
After Timoshenko saw the people who were fighting for Sokov, he couldn't help being surprised: "Comrade Khrushchev, do you really think that Major General Sokov is completely qualified for a higher position?"
"I think he can do it." Khrushchev said confidently: "However, when he just served as a higher-level commander, he may make some small mistakes that are easy to make due to lack of experience. Therefore, we are choosing and
He must be cautious when partnering with deputies, and let deputies with rich experience remind him not to make mistakes."
"Comrade Khrushchev, what you said makes sense." Stalin agreed with Khrushchev's proposal. "When he takes up a higher-level commander position in the future, he must select two experienced commanders.
Comrade, be his deputy and help him perform his duties better. Next, let’s discuss whether we should attack Barvinkovo?”
Timoshenko felt particularly depressed when he saw that Stalin was speaking good words for Sokov, consciously or unconsciously. However, when he heard Stalin asking if he could attack Barvinkovo, he immediately expressed his opinion: "Comrade Stalin,
I think it is completely necessary to attack Barvinkovo. Think about it, if our army occupied this place, then Izyum's two armored divisions and several German divisions would be surrounded by our army. Maybe we can
Organize a special campaign against the enemies of Ijumu to severely attack these enemies."
"I have just said that the time to attack Barvinkovo is not yet mature." Zhukov knew very well that the reason why Timoshenko never forgets Barvinkovo is because of the attack he organized last year.
Because he underestimated the enemies of Barvinkovo, he was attacked by the German army from the flank during the attack. As a result, the attack failed and the troops were lost. Although he sympathized with Timoshenko in his heart, he could not just watch the troops.
He launched the wrong attack at the wrong time, so he retorted with a clear attitude: "We should see that although the enemy suffered heavy losses near the Red Army Village, the enemy's strength is still very strong. If he attacks rashly, Sokov's
The Sixth Army will suffer huge losses. Once the Sixth Army is seriously reduced in strength, there will be a huge gap in the defense area they are responsible for, and then the enemy will be able to wedge into our defense area through the gap."
"Konstantin Konstantinovich." After Stalin waited for Zhukov to finish speaking, he called Rokossovsky's real and father's name and asked: "Tell me, can we attack Barvinkovo?"
?”
Rokossovsky was not sure what Stalin was thinking. After hearing this question, he couldn't help but hesitate. His mind was spinning rapidly, thinking about how to answer Stalin's question.
"It doesn't matter," Stalin saw Rokossovsky's embarrassment and quickly comforted him and said, "Whatever comes to your mind, just say it. Even if you say it wrong, I won't blame you."
Rokossovsky then said thoughtfully: "To be honest, I also want to seize the Barvinkovo area as soon as possible, because our front troops are preparing to transfer to the Orel area one after another. If we can seize
The words of Izyum and Barvinkovo can make our transfer smoother."
"I understand what you mean." Stalin interrupted before he could finish his words: "You do not agree to attack Barvinkovo."