Although the phone used by the bearded man did not leak sound, and Antonov could not hear what the person on the other end of the phone was saying, he still guessed that the person on the other end of the phone was Marshal Zhukov from the title he used.
As the Chief of the General Staff, Antonov naturally knew that the two Marshals Zhukov and Vasilevsky were currently staying in Vatutin's Voronezh Front as representatives of the base camp. What was involved in the call with the bearded man at this moment
The content is nothing more than about the results achieved in the attack on Belgorod.
The bearded man did not keep Antonov waiting for too long. He quickly ended the call, lit the pipe in his mouth, looked up at Antonov, and asked with a smile: "Comrade Chief of General Staff
, I wonder what good news you brought me?"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin! I brought you news about Orel and Belgorod." Antonov nodded and said: "After a fierce and cruel battle, our army
The enemy was driven from the two cities mentioned above and successfully liberated the cities."
After speaking, he opened his briefcase, took out the compiled briefing, carefully placed it in front of the bearded man, and then said respectfully: "Please take a look!"
The bearded man only took a minute or two to read the briefing given to him by Antonov, and then nodded and said: "Comrade Rokossovsky's battle on the northern front lasted for almost half a month.
Only then did we successfully capture Orel, thereby removing the danger to Moscow from the German army and allowing us to use the troops used to defend the city on other battlefields."
When Antonov heard what the bearded man said, he showed a happy smile on his face. You must know that the German troops in Orel threaten the security of Moscow at any time, so that almost seventy divisions of troops can only be placed there.
It cannot be used. Now that Rokossovsky's troops have driven the enemy away from Orel, it means that these idle troops can be put into important battlefields.
Before he could express his opinion, the bearded man continued: "During the battle to liberate Belgorod, the commanders and fighters of the Voronezh Front Army and the Steppe Front Army performed very well. They successfully liberated Belgorod in less than two days.
Gorod."
"The reason why our troops on the southern front were able to liberate Belgorod so quickly was mainly because the troops of the 27th Army attacked quickly. In just half a day after the battle started, they captured the German military building in the municipal building.
Headquarters and drove Hot out of Belgorod."
"Yes, Xiao Misha is indeed very good at fighting. If it weren't for him, I estimate that it would take two to three days at the fastest before our army could capture Belgorod." The bearded man said with emotion: "For this
He is a great hero, how should we reward him?"
"Yesterday I received a report from Marshal Zhukov and General Konev, the commander of the Cao First Army," Antonov reported: "They hope to combine the 62nd Marine Brigade and the 84th Marine Brigade of the 27th Group Army.
Brigade, and the 46th Infantry Brigade, were combined into a new infantry division and given the honorary title of the 98th Guards Division."
Hearing what Antonov said, the bearded man stood up, walked around from behind his desk, frowned and said: "Why would they make such a suggestion? Don't they know that the number of infantry divisions awarded to several infantry divisions at the end of March this year
After receiving the honorary title, has the base camp decided not to add more Guards divisions?"
"The two Marine Corps brigades were the first to rush into Belgorod from the west of the city and were the first to plant the red flag on the top of the municipal building." Antonov explained to the bearded man: "Not only Marshal Zhukov but also
General Konev felt that we should make an exception for such heroic troops and grant them the necessary honors."
The bearded man took the pipe out of his mouth, knocked it on the ashtray twice, then put it on the table, walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, and began to think about the situation reported by Antonov.
Seeing that the bearded man did not object, Antonov realized that there was something wrong with this matter, so he struck while the iron was hot and said: "Also, Major General Sokov accomplished great feats in the Battle of Kursk, but until now, the Supreme Command has not
Give him any award..."
But before Antonov finished speaking, he was interrupted by the bearded man raising his hand: "Comrade Antonov, in fact, after the explanation of the Battle of Kursk, I planned to promote Xiao Misha to a military rank and award him a medal. But.
Comrade Zhukov reminded me that Xiao Misha is too young and is now the youngest general in our army. If he is promoted and decorated rashly, firstly, it will arouse the jealousy of other commanders, and secondly, it will easily make him become arrogant.
I am impatient. Therefore, the series of promotions and honors originally planned have been put on hold for the time being."
"So that's it." After listening to the bearded explanation, Antonov finally understood why Sokov had made so many military exploits but had never been promoted or decorated. It turned out to be because he was worried about his young age.
Just assuming a high-level position will destroy this person in disguise.
However, out of consideration for caring for talents, Antonov felt that it was urgent to give Sokov a promotion and a medal, and quickly reminded him: "Your consideration is correct. But I think that if Sokov
My husband has made such great achievements, but he has never been promoted or awarded any honors. I'm afraid it will chill his subordinates."
Hearing what Antonov said, the bearded man stared at him for a long time, then nodded slowly and said: "Comrade Antonov, you are right. Xiao Misha has made so many achievements, but we have always
It's really unjustifiable without any indication. I think you just informed Xiao Misha in the name of the Supreme Command that his request has been approved and two marine brigades and one infantry brigade can be reorganized into the 98th Guards
division."
Antonov originally thought that he would have to waste more time to convince Big Beard to agree to reorganize Sokov's three brigades into Guards Divisions. However, he did not expect that Big Beard would do this without waiting for his persuasion.
He readily agreed to the adaptation and couldn't help but be overjoyed for a while.
"Comrade Antonov," the bearded man saw Antonov's happy face and added: "He was given a new designation, but he was not given additional troops and commanders were not dispatched.
Commanders at all levels are directly appointed by Xiao Misha."
"Understood!" Antonov waited for the bearded man to finish speaking, and quickly replied loudly: "I will inform General Sokov of this good news as soon as possible."
"Also." The bearded man picked up the cigarette box on the table, took out two cigarettes from it, crushed them with his fingers, and stuffed the tobacco into the pipe: "Our troops liberated Orel on the same day.
Belgorod, this is a great victory. Tell me, how should we celebrate such a victory?"
Antonov thought for a while and replied: "According to the tradition in the army, after a great victory, a gun salute can be fired to celebrate. Do you think we will arrange the manpower to fire a gun salute in Red Square to celebrate our victory?"
The army succeeded in liberating the cities of Orel and Belgorod?”
"I think it's okay." The bearded man was very satisfied with Antonov's proposal: "I think you will be responsible for when to fire the salute and the specifications."
Antonov returned to his office and the first thing he did after putting away his briefcase was to pick up the phone and call the Sokov headquarters on the outskirts of Belgorod.
After the call was connected, Antonov said straight to the point: "I am Antonov, Chief of General Staff. Please help me speak to Major General Sokov."
Soon, Sokov's respectful voice came from the receiver: "Hello, Comrade Chief of General Staff, I am Major General Sokov, Commander of the 27th Group Army. Please give me your instructions!"
"Comrade Sokov, on behalf of the Supreme Command, I formally inform you that the superiors have approved your reorganization plan to merge two Marine Corps brigades and an infantry brigade into a new infantry division, and granted the 98th Guards Infantry Division
I will send someone to deliver the honorary title, official documents and the Guards Division flag to you within three days."
When Sokov heard this amazing good news, he couldn't help but be overjoyed. He quickly said into the microphone: "Comrade Chief of General Staff, thank you! On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 98th Guards Division, I would like to express my gratitude to you."
"Comrade Sokov," Antonov said with a smile: "You don't need to thank me. This is a decision made by the Supreme Command. As long as you achieve greater feats in the next battle, it will be better than anything else."
All strong. By the way, there is another important thing, I almost forgot to tell you."
"What's going on?" Sokov asked curiously.
"To celebrate the liberation of Orel and Belgorod by our army on the same day." Antonov said excitedly: "The Supreme Command decided that tonight, that is, at 22:00 on August 4, 1943, at
Moscow's Red Square celebrated victory with a 12-gun salute of 120 guns. You know, this is the first time we have celebrated a victory with a salute of guns since the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. This may become a routine in the future.
"
Samyko, who was standing aside, vaguely heard what Sokov was talking about about the Guards Division, and quickly came over. As soon as Sokov put down the phone, he couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Commander, the Chief of General Staff is on the phone."
What did Li He say to you? I seem to have heard him mention something about the Guards Division."
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Knowing that the Marine Corps Brigade and the Infantry Brigade could be converted into Guards Divisions, Sokov was in a particularly happy mood. He told Samyko: "The Supreme Command agreed to convert the two Marine Corps Brigades into Guards Divisions."
The combat brigade and infantry brigade were reorganized into a new infantry division and given the designation of the 98th Guards Division. Formal orders and military flags will be sent within three days."
"This is good news." Sameko said excitedly after hearing this: "I think we need to recruit a few brigade commanders to the headquarters to tell them this good news."
After saying this, Sameko remembered a key question and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, I wonder if the division commander was sent by his superiors or was he born from among the original three brigade commanders?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, regarding the question you asked, the Chief of General Staff said that the superiors will not send us new commanders, so the commanders of the division at all levels will be selected from the original unit commanders."
An hour later, after receiving the notice, Colonel Chuvashov, Lieutenant Colonel Dobrushin, and Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov hurried to the headquarters.
After Sokov and the other three saluted him, he stepped forward to shake hands with them one by one and said enthusiastically: "Hello, comrade commanders! You and your subordinates have achieved great success in the battle to liberate Belgorod.
We have achieved huge results. I called the three of you here just to announce to you the latest decision of the superiors."
After saying these words, Sokov took a step back and nodded to Sameko next to him, indicating that he could formally inform the three of them of the results he had just studied.
After seeing Sokov's eyes, Samyko nodded, took out a note full of words and said: "In order to commend your three brigades in the battle to liberate Belgorod, the Supreme Command
Due to the great merits of the establishment, it was decided to merge the three brigades into a new infantry division, designated as the 98th Guards Infantry Division. The 296th, 299th, and 302nd Guards Infantry Regiments and the 239th Guards Artillery Regiment were established below...
…”
When the three of them heard Samek say that the Supreme Command had reorganized their troops into the 98th Guards Division, they were stunned at first, and then showed expressions of ecstasy on their faces.
Samyko continued: "After study by the group army leaders, they decided to appoint Colonel Chuvashov as the division commander, Lieutenant Colonel Dobrushin as the deputy division commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Uzakov as the chief of staff. The three infantry regiments and
The selection of the commander of an artillery regiment, as well as the selection of battalion and company commanders under the four regiments, will be studied and decided by the three of you and reported to the group army headquarters."
After Sokov waited for Samyko to finish reading, he asked the three of them with a smile: "Congratulations to the three division commanders of the Guards Division. Is there anything else you need to add?"
After the three of them looked at each other, Chuvashov took a step forward, straightened his body and replied: "Comrade Commander, thank you for your trust in us. We assure you that we will never live up to your expectations. In the next step
In the battle, establish more meritorious deeds."
After listening to Chuvasov's statement, Sokov nodded slightly. He then remembered something and said to Chuvasov: "Comrade Colonel, I would like to recommend a candidate for the regimental commander to you."
When Chuvashov heard what Sokov said, a trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes. But after a moment, he still pretended to be calm and asked: "I wonder who Comrade Commander intends to recommend to me as the leader of the regiment?"
"Major Shamrich, commander of the first battalion under your command," Sokov saw Chuvashov's displeasure, but he did not care about it. Instead, he said to himself: "This naval commander has been under Stalin for a long time."
He was my subordinate during the Battle of Grad. According to my observation, he is a very capable commander. Being just a battalion commander would be too unfair to him."
When he learned that the candidate recommended to him by Sokov was actually his most trusted commander of the first battalion, Major Shamrich, Chuvashov felt relieved. He smiled and replied: "Comrade Commander, your thoughts are not the same as mine."
Similarly, I also think that Major Shamrih is only serving as the battalion commander, which is a bit too unqualified. Since you think he is fully qualified for the position of regimental commander, then I plan to appoint him as the commander of the 296th Guards Infantry Regiment. I don’t know.