"Misha, while I'm here today, if you have any requests, you can put them forward." Zhukov next to him said: "It can only be within the scope of my ability, and I will help you solve it."
Sokov was originally worried about how to bring his team to the new army. Now when he heard Zhukov say this, he felt as if someone was giving him pillows when he felt sleepy. How could he give up such a good opportunity so easily? He quickly said: "Comrade Marshal
, I really have something to ask you for help with."
"Tell me about it and I'll tell you what it is."
"Comrade Marshal, if I go to the new unit alone, it will be very difficult to carry out the initial work." Sokov asked tentatively: "I wonder if I can take a few people with me?"
Zhukov was silent for a moment, and then said: "I remember that when you transferred from the 21st Group Army to the 27th Group Army at the beginning of the year, you brought dozens of commanders there with you, right?"
"Yes, this is indeed the case." In order for Zhukov to agree to his request, Sokov also emphasized: "The reason why I was able to quickly open up the situation after I became the commander of the 27th Group Army is that I have learned these things
The commander played a great role.”
"This is not a big problem." After listening to Sokov's request, Zhukov said confidently: "You will make a list for me when the time comes, and I will personally negotiate with Comrade Vatutin to ensure that one by one will be included in your list.
New troops.”
Seeing that Zhukov agreed to his request so readily, Sokov began to think about who he should take to the new unit when the time came. Originally it was easiest to just follow the original list, but now many people are in important command
It is obviously inappropriate to transfer them from their posts.
Zhukov saw that although Sokov did not speak, his face was full of joy. He guessed that he must be planning who to select for the new army, and couldn't help but smile. He turned to look at Rokossovsky, called him by his nickname and asked:
"Koschka, do you have anything else to say to Misha? If not, let's go back."
"No more." Rokossovsky said and stood up.
Zhukov turned to Sokov and said: "Misha, do you have anything to add? If not, General Rokossovsky and I are leaving. There are still a lot of things waiting for us to deal with outside.
"
Sokov knew in his heart that both of them took time out of their busy schedules to come see him. They could not stay for too long. What he wanted to say must be said as soon as possible: "Comrade Marshal, I have a few more people, too.
I want to be assigned to the new army, but I don’t know if that’s possible?”
Seeing Sokov's cautious expression when he spoke, Zhukov immediately guessed that the next few people the other party was going to talk about might be in big trouble, so he couldn't help but frowned and asked: "Misha, who are they?
"
"There are only three people." Sokov decided to go all out and said without any scruples: "You must all know them. Major General Ponjelin, the former commander of the 12th Army of the Southwest Front, and Muzi, the former commander of the 6th Army of the Southwest Front.
Lieutenant General Chenko and Major General Kirillov, commander of the 13th Infantry Corps."
Rokossovsky couldn't help but be shocked when he heard these names spoken by Sokov. You must know that when the war broke out, the 9th Mechanized Army he commanded was the 5th Army under the Southwest Front. Now when he heard these names
Seeing the familiar names, he asked in surprise: "Misha, where did you know these three people?"
It turned out that Rokossovsky did not know that Ponedelin and others were rescued from the prisoner of war camp by Sokov, and he couldn't wait to ask: "The three people you mentioned surrendered to the Germans shortly after the war broke out."
, and was sentenced to death in absentia.”
"Comrade General." Sokov knew the origins between Rokossovsky and the three men. If he did not explain the matter clearly, he would forcibly bring the three people to serve in the new army, which would probably lead to Rokossov's
Ski had unnecessary misunderstandings: "The three of them were indeed sentenced to death in absentia, but they did not surrender to the Germans, but were unfortunately captured during the battle."
Thinking that although Ponedelin did not have the highest military rank among the three, he was the most famous, so he used him as an example to explain to Rokossovsky: "For example, General Ponedelin, as far as I know, he
During the Battle of Uman, the troops were dispersed by the superior German army, but he still commanded the staff and guards around him and bravely fought the Germans. After running out of bullets, he engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the Germans. After being seriously injured,
Unfortunately, he became a prisoner of the Germans."
"But we saw the leaflet at that time, which had a photo of General Ponejelin and the German general..."
"Comrade General," Sokov interrupted Rokossovsky before he could finish his words: "That is just a conspiracy of the Germans. They are trying to use this false propaganda to undermine the confidence of our commanders and combatants.
Military spirit and morale.”
As Ponejelin's old comrade-in-arms, Rokossovsky did not believe that he would surrender to the Germans, but the contents of those leaflets had to make him doubtful. Listening to Sokov's words at this moment, he was cautious
He asked: "Comrade Sokov, can you ensure that what you said is true and credible?"
Sokov heard that Rokossovsky's name for him had changed, and he realized that the other party was very concerned about the authenticity of this matter, so he nodded and said: "Comrade General, I can guarantee you with my own life.
What was said is all true. When my troops captured Kremenchug, they liberated a prisoner of war camp in which Ponedelin, Muzichenko and Kirillov were imprisoned, and
He was tortured until he was as thin as a stick."
Having said this, Sokov deliberately paused for a moment to observe the expressions of Zhukov and Rokossovsky. Zhukov had obviously known the truth of the matter for a long time. When Sokov said this, the expression on his face did not change.
The slightest change. But Rokossovsky was an uninformed person, with shock written all over his face.
In order to let Rokossovsky know that what he said was true, Sokov also specifically added: "It is said that when Vlasov wanted to form an army to compete with us, he went to the prisoner of war camp to meet him.
I passed General Ponejelin, but was scolded by him."
"So, we all wrongly blamed General Ponedelin and the others." After Rokossovsky finished saying this, he hesitated for a moment and asked tentatively: "Then where are the three of them now?"
"I know this." Before Sokov could speak, Zhukov rushed to say: "After the three of them were rescued by Misha's troops, they were sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a period of review. It was found that there were no problems, so they
Their detention was lifted and their military duties were restored."
Seeing that Zhukov knew the whereabouts of the three, Rokossovsky quickly asked: "Comrade Marshal, I don't know where the three of them are now. If possible, I would like to see them."
"I will take you over to see them later." Zhukov said understandingly: "Not only are you and them comrades in the Southwest Front Army, before the war broke out, I served as the commander of the Kiev Special Military District, and the three of them were also my subordinates.
.It’s only natural to go and see them.”
Sokov originally thought that after making this request, he would get a scolding from Zhukov, but the situation was obviously better than he imagined. Not only did Zhukov not blame himself, but he also offered to take Rokossovsky to see Sokovsky.
Nedelin et al.
"What about their military ranks?" Sokov asked: "Now all three of them have been demoted to majors. Even if they enter the new army, they cannot serve as higher-level commanders."
After hearing this, Zhukov sneered and said: "Misha, have you forgotten that they were captured at the beginning of the war? The set of military theories and accumulated combat experience they have mastered are simply not applicable on today's battlefield.
.Don’t mention giving them a group army, even if it’s just an infantry corps or even an infantry division, I’m afraid they won’t be able to command it well.”
Sokov couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He was worried. When Zhukov commented on them like this, he wanted to imply that these three people were not suitable to follow him to the new army.
Just when he mustered up the courage to ask Zhukov, he heard him say to Rokossovsky: "Koschka, you have a good chat with them later, and if possible, let them come to your unit as soon as possible."
Go report and give them time to understand what today's war is like. If anyone can quickly adapt to the new war model in a short period of time, when Misha takes charge of the new army, he will be transferred to assist Misha."
Rokossovsky turned to look at Sokov who was lying on the hospital bed, then turned to ask Zhukov: "How should we place unqualified people?"
"That means they have been eliminated by the times and are no longer suitable to stay on the battlefield. Let them go back wherever they came from." Zhukov said with a serious expression: "This kind of people only stay by Misha's side.
It can have the opposite effect of holding back.”
"clear."
When Zhukov and Rokossovsky reached the door, they suddenly stopped and walked back to Sokov's bedside. He bent down and said, "Misha, there is one more important thing. I almost forgot."
Hearing Zhukov say that there was something important, Sokov couldn't help but feel nervous. After taking a deep breath, he bit the bullet and said: "Comrade Marshal, please tell me, I'm mentally prepared."
Unexpectedly, when Zhukov saw Sokov's expression, he laughed out loud: "Misha, why are you so nervous? What I am going to tell you is a great thing."
When he learned that it was a good thing, Sokov immediately became energetic: "Comrade Marshal, I wonder what a good thing it is?"
"The Supreme Command has just made a decision to commend you for your heroism and bravery in the war, as well as your great results." Zhukov said with a smile: "It has been decided to officially promote you to lieutenant general and you will receive
An Order of Lenin. The new military rank and medal will be delivered here in two days." With that, Zhukov stretched out his hand to Sokov, "Misha, please accept my congratulations to you!"
Hearing this news, Sokov was completely stunned. He originally thought that since he was injured and hospitalized this time, he might not be able to get promoted in the military rank for the time being. He might have to wait until the Battle of Belarus before he could get the chance to be promoted again, but he didn't expect
I hope that my already higher military rank will appear in front of me like this.
As soon as Sokov mechanically shook Zhukov's hand, Rokossovsky reached out to express his heartfelt congratulations. He quickly took Rokossovsky's hand again and thanked him repeatedly.
After Asiya sent Zhukov and two back, she rushed directly to Sokov's hospital bed, grabbed his hand, and said emotionally: "Misha, I can't believe that the Supreme Command actually promoted you to lieutenant general.
You also received a medal of Lenin, you are so awesome."
At this time, Sokov had not yet fully woken up from the shock. Hearing Asiya's words, he quickly asked: "Asiya, you just heard Marshal Zhukov say that I was promoted to Lieutenant General.
, can you still get an Order of the Red Banner?”
"Yes, yes, I heard it." Asiya nodded vigorously twice, correcting Sokov's mistake at the same time: "What you received was not the Order of the Red Banner, but the Order of Lenin, which is second only to the Gold Star Medal.
"
After receiving confirmation from Asiya's mouth, Sokov could finally confirm that what he just heard was the truth and not a dream.
"Misha," Sokov and Asiya were the only two people in the room now, so Asiya said without any scruples: "In fact, with the merits you have established, you should have been promoted to lieutenant general and received the corresponding rewards a long time ago.
I got the medal. But I don’t know why it took so long.”
Sokov had heard rumors before that the reason why he had great military exploits but had never been promoted was entirely because he was too young and his age had become his shortcoming. Now that Asiya asked, he naturally told the truth.
This happened: "It is said that the Supreme Command planned to promote me to lieutenant general when I was transferred to the 27th Army. But there were some different voices saying that I was too young. If I was promoted too quickly, it would be detrimental to my future.
Growth is not good, so promotion has been put on hold for the time being."
"So that's it." Asiya originally wanted to complain a few words, but then she thought about it, and it seemed that it made sense for the other party to do this. After all, Sokov was only in his early twenties, and if he was promoted to lieutenant general, he would definitely
There will be some commanders at the same level who will have grudges, which will greatly affect unity. So she nodded and said: "The person who prevented you from being promoted may have a good intention, in order to prevent you from provoking others because you were promoted too quickly.
Jealousy, this will be very detrimental to your command on the battlefield."
Sokov agreed very much with Asiya's statement. For example, some time ago, when the 53rd Army was temporarily placed under his command, the orders given to him by several senior commanders of the Army were either followed or violated.
Deliberately making big compromises resulted in many tasks not being completed as planned.
Asiya stood up, walked back and forth in the room, and said happily: "Misha, you said such a big happy event, how can we celebrate it?"
"I can't get out of bed yet, even if I want to celebrate, I can't." Sokov said with a wry smile: "I can't lie on the bed and dance with you, right? I think I'd better forget it."
"No, how can such a good thing be forgotten so easily!" Asiya began to think in her mind, how to celebrate Sokov's promotion and award: "I want to think about it carefully, what should I do?
Let’s celebrate you.”
"Asiya, it's really unnecessary." Seeing Asiya's persistence, Sokov said with some laughter and tears: "It's just promotion and honors, there's no need to make the whole city uproar."