The battle in the direction of Kremenchug progressed more easily than Sokov imagined. With the participation of tanks and artillery, the German resistance began to collapse. Especially when they discovered that the bridge leading to the right bank of the Dnieper River had fallen into
In the hands of the Soviet army, they no longer stubbornly resisted, but took the initiative to lay down their weapons and surrender.
In fact, the main reason why the battle went so smoothly was because the defenders in their hands heard the shouts of the 98th Guards Division and learned that the Soviet troops attacking them were commanded by Sokov, who made them fearful.
At the time of command, everyone from the city defense commander to the soldiers below lost the courage to continue resisting.
The city defense commander did not even organize his troops to try to retake the bridge occupied by the Soviet army. He took the initiative to order the troops to lay down their weapons and surrender to the 98th Guards Division. Because he knew very well that if the troops attacking the city were commanded by other Russians,
Under the command of the general, he will definitely order the troops to continue to hold on until reinforcements arrive.
But now we are encountering Sokov. How can we fight this battle? Rather than being completely wiped out after a fierce battle, it is better to put down our weapons and surrender early, which can also save the lives of more German soldiers and prevent them from paying unnecessary costs.
sacrifice.
Sokov was also very surprised to learn that the garrison of Klemenkoug had surrendered. He was deeply afraid that Chuvashov's telegram was not written clearly. After reading it several times, he confirmed that the 98th Guards Division had really taken
Alighted at Kremenchug.
Samyko confirmed the news that Kremenchug had been liberated, and specifically asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, do you need to report such good news to the commander of the front immediately?"
"Of course, Comrade Chief of Staff." Now the 7th Guards Army is still fighting fiercely with the Germans in Poltava, and the surprise troops they sent actually captured Klementchug and cut off the Germans' retreat. How is this?
Seeing this as an amazing victory, he readily agreed to Samyko’s request: “Immediately call the front army headquarters and report the news of our army’s occupation of Kremenchug to Commander Konev.
"
After calling the front army headquarters, the person who answered the phone was Chief of Staff Zakharov. After listening to Samyko's report, he said in surprise: "General Samyko, what are you talking about? You have liberated Croatia."
Remenchug?”
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff." Samyko replied truthfully: "We have verified the news and the troops of the 98th Guards Division have indeed occupied Kremenchug."
Konev, who was looking at a map at the side, heard the content of Zakharov's phone call. He couldn't help but stand up straight and walked over, took the microphone from Zakharov's hand, put it to his ear and asked: "Hey,
General Samyko, is what you just said true?" When he asked this, he felt particularly uneasy, fearing that Samyko would tell him that the information was wrong. In fact, the troops did not occupy Klemenko.
Then he will feel lost in his heart.
But fortunately, what he worried about did not happen. Samyko reported to Konev swornly: "I reported to Comrade Commander of the Front Army that the information was absolutely accurate. The troops of the 98th Guards Division did control the entire city.
City."
"Great, this is really great." After Konev said yes repeatedly, he said to Samyko: "General Samyko, on behalf of the front headquarters, I would like to congratulate you on such a major victory.
Also, on my behalf, please express my gratitude to the commanders and fighters of the 98th Guards Division for successfully completing the tasks assigned to you by the Front Army Headquarters."
"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sameko replied: "I will forward your request to the commanders and fighters at the grassroots level."
Konev paused for a moment and asked tentatively: "General Samyko, I would like to ask, have you reported this good news to Marshal Zhukov?"
"Not yet, Comrade Commander of the Front Army."
"Why not report it?"
"Because Marshal Zhukov is on his way here, we can't contact him at the moment."
"Oh, Marshal Zhukov is rushing to your place?" Konev asked with some confusion: "I don't understand, why would he suddenly think of going to your place?"
"That's it, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Samyko knew very well that regarding Ponedelin, Muzichenko and Kirillov, even if he didn't report it, Konev could pass his information.
The system knew about this. If he wanted to hide it from him, he might become passive when he knew about it through other channels, so Konev explained truthfully: "We are liberating the prisoner of war camp outside Kremenchug.
At that time, three captured generals were rescued. They were all captured in the Battle of Uman in the early days of the Patriotic War."
"What, the generals who were captured in the Battle of Uman?" Konev asked in surprise: "Who are they?"
"Major General Ponedelin, former commander of the 12th Group Army of the Southwest Front, Lieutenant General Muzichenko, commander of the 6th Army, and Major General Kirillov, commander of the 13th Infantry Army."
After hearing the name Samyko said, Konev couldn't help but frowned. He didn't know about the others, but he was too familiar with Ponedelin. After all, the two had worked together before.
After a long time, he asked tentatively: "General Samyko, I don't know if you know that the commander of the 12th Army, Major General Ponedelin, was sentenced in absentia by the Supreme Military Court for surrendering to the Germans and becoming a shameful traitor.
For the death penalty.”
When Samyko heard what Konev said, he couldn't help but look at Sokov next to him with some embarrassment, wanting to hear his opinion on the matter. Sokov heard the exchange between Samyko and Konev,
He made a gesture to Samyko, indicating that he should tell Konev what he had discussed not long ago.
Samyko, who received Sokov's instructions, bravely said: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, we talked with General Ponedelin not long ago and learned that he was captured by the Germans while seriously wounded.
And after being captured, he has been fighting tenaciously against the enemy. As for the rebellion, I'm afraid there is a misunderstanding."
After Konev waited for Samyko to finish speaking, he did not immediately express his attitude. Instead, he asked: "Have you reported this matter to Marshal Zhukov?"
"The report has been made." Sameko replied: "He came here specially because of this matter."
"Oh, so that's it." Knowing that Zhukov's visit to Sokov's headquarters was related to the disposal of Ponedelin, Konev couldn't sit still, and quickly said into the microphone: "Then I will do it as soon as possible.
Rush over and find out what's going on."
After Samyko put down the phone, he said to Sokov with a grimace: "Comrade Commander, what can we do? No matter Marshal Zhukov is coming, now even the commander of the front army, General Konev, is coming. I'm worried about waiting for them
After arriving, we may no longer be able to protect these generals."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, don't be discouraged." Sokov comforted Samyko and said, "Marshal Zhukov and General Konev are coming over. I don't think it's a bad thing. At least there is room for improvement. If we are directly ordered to send people
Send the three generals there, and I'm afraid their fate will be to be sent to a military court."
After Sokov's explanation, Samyko felt that this was really the case. Lunev, who had never spoken, added on the side: "As far as I know, both Marshal Zhukov and General Konev are
I once had the experience of working with General Ponedelin. Maybe for the sake of their old comrades, they will give General Ponedelin a lighter sentence."
Zhukov arrived at Sokov's headquarters earlier than Konev due to his early departure time.
After Sokov saluted him, Zhukov asked straight to the point: "Misha, where are the three generals you mentioned?"
"Comrade Marshal," Sokov quickly replied: "Generals Muzichenko and Kirillov are still marching with the rescued prisoners of war and have not yet reached the fortress. At this moment, you can only see Poneje
General Lin."
"Then call him over," Zhukov came to the table and sat down, picked up the teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and told Sokov: "I want to talk to him."
Ponedelin was resting in a nearby room. When he heard that Zhukov wanted to see him, he rushed over immediately. But when he walked into the room and saw Zhukov sitting in the room, he immediately broke away from the two soldiers who were supporting him.
He staggered to Zhukov, raised his hand in salute, and said excitedly: "Hello, Comrade Marshal, I'm glad to see you again."
When Zhukov saw the haggard, skinny, ghost-like man in front of him, he carefully identified him for a long time before he said in surprise: "Are you Ponyjelin?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Seeing that Zhukov recognized him, Ponedelin burst into tears. He wiped the sweat running down his face with his palms and replied with a choked voice: "I am Ponedelin.
.”
Ponedelin was so excited after seeing Zhukov that Sokov's heart was full of doubts. Could it be that the two were really old comrades returning? Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain Ponedelin's emotions being so out of control. Fortunately, Lu was beside him.
Nev saw the confusion on Sokov's face, so he leaned close to his ear and whispered: "Comrade Commander, you may not know that as early as 1940, Marshal Zhukov served as the commander of the Kiev Special Military District
After the war broke out, the Kiev Special Military District was renamed the Southwestern Front."
With Runev's explanation, everything that happened before him can be explained. Maybe when Zhukov was the commander of the Kiev Special Military District, he had some personal relations with Ponedelin. Later, when he learned that the other party had become a traitor, he had him killed.
Entered into another volume. But after Zhukov listened to his explanation today, he felt that he might have wrongly blamed Ponedelin, so he couldn't wait to see him.
Sure enough, when Ponedelin finished telling all his experiences in the German prisoner-of-war camp, Zhukov fell into deep thought, thinking about how to exonerate his old subordinates.
Before Zhukov could come up with a good idea, Konev appeared.
Seeing Konev's appearance, Ponedelin was stunned for a moment, then stepped forward and saluted Konev: "Hello, General Konev, I'm glad to see you here."
Ponedelin's voice greeting Konev woke Zhukov out of his reverie. He looked at Ponedelin, then at Konev, and asked: "General Konev, do you know him?"
?”
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Konev replied in a positive tone: "When I was studying at the Frunze Military Academy, General Ponedelin served as my instructor."
When he mentioned that Ponedelin had served as his teacher, the expression on Konev's face was not relaxed, but became more serious: "But what I didn't expect is that you are actually suspected of collaborating with the enemy and treason. The top military officer
The court has sentenced you to death in absentia in September 1941."
Hearing what Konev said, Ponedelin couldn't help but look ashen. He didn't expect that he would be captured by the enemy. He had always been strong and unyielding, but he was still a traitor in the eyes of his own people. His whole heart felt as cold as falling into an ice cellar.
.
Sokov felt that it was time for him to appear at this moment. He took a step forward and asked Konev tentatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I wonder what intelligence you relied on to determine that General Ponedelin was guilty of treason and collaboration with the enemy?"
"
"Among the many documents we captured," Konev said, although he was talking to Sokov, his eyes were always fixed on Ponedelin, "there are several photos of Ponedelin posing with German officers. From the German
Judging from the officers' expressions, the conversation between them was very pleasant."
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, is there any other evidence besides this?" Sokov felt that it was extremely absurd to conclude that Ponejelin was suspected of collaborating with the enemy based on just a few captured photos, so he continued.
He continued: "I don't think we can suspect that one of our mid-level and senior commanders has betrayed the motherland and the people based on a few photos."
Konev shook his head and retorted: "Isn't it enough to have photos of him posing with the Germans? If the photos cannot be used as evidence, how could the Supreme Military Court sentence him to death in absentia?"
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, relying on a few photos as evidence is far from enough." Sokov waited for Konev to finish speaking, then pointed at the disheveled and extremely weak Ponedelin and said: "Please be careful.
Take a good look at General Ponejelin in front of you. After enduring two or three years of torture by the Germans in the prisoner of war camp, he has long since become less human and more like a ghost. If he really rebels
Do you think the Germans will still put him in such a prisoner of war camp and let him fend for himself?"
"Misha is right." At this moment, Zhukov stood up in time to support Sokov's speech: "I think what he said is very reasonable. If General Ponedelin really became a traitor, he would not have done anything wrong.
As embarrassed as I am now. At the appropriate time, I will advise the Supreme Commander himself and ask the Supreme Military Court to re-hear his case. If it is proven that he is really not a traitor, he will be cleared at that time."
"Misha," after Zhukov said these words, he looked at Sokov and asked: "If General Ponedelin is really okay, what are your plans?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Sokov had always wanted to recruit Ponedelin into his command. Hearing Zhukov's question, he quickly replied resolutely: "My abilities are limited, and it is very difficult to serve as the commander of this group army.
It's hard, I need an experienced senior commander to help me manage the troops. General Ponejelin is undoubtedly the best candidate."