"Is there any problem?" Shtemenko asked in surprise: "Comrade Chief of General Staff, what do you think is not simple about him?"
"Did you know? When Marshal Vasilevsky and I just went to see the Supreme Commander himself, he proposed that Rokossovsky serve as a representative of the base camp and go to the First Ukrainian Front to assist in commanding operations."
"Oh my God!" Shtemenko exclaimed, "He actually guessed it."
"That's right." Antonov nodded and said, "It seems that General Sokov is very far-sighted, and his ideas actually coincide with the decision-making of the Supreme Commander himself."
"Yes," Shtemenko nodded and said, "I think this is why the troops under his command can often win battles."
"What a pity!" Antonov sighed and said, "If he had not been injured, I believe that the 27th Army would have achieved greater results and established greater merits in the battle to liberate Kiev."
From Antonov's words, Shtemenko heard the implication. If Sokov had not been injured and had been commanding the 27th Army, the unit would not be unable to participate in the battle due to heavy losses. If only
With this force holding Zhitomir, the German 48th Armored Corps may not be able to capture the city at all.
"Comrade Chief of General Staff," Shtemenko asked tentatively: "After General Rokossovsky went to the First Ukrainian Front, can he reverse the current situation?"
"I don't know." Antonov shook his head and said thoughtfully: "But at the latest tomorrow, Rokossovsky will go to Kiev as a representative of the base camp to assist Vatutin in commanding the operation. I hope
He can reduce the danger Kiev faces."
During the war years, Russians who wanted to procrastinate in doing things also showed high efficiency. Early the next morning, Sokov's plane landed at a complete military airport in Kiev.
There was a group of people standing next to the runway, and General Vatutin, the commander of the front army, stood at the front. He stared at the taxiing plane expressionlessly, wondering why Stalin had a sudden idea to appoint another commander of the front army as the representative of the base camp.
, came to his own troops to assist in commanding, did he want the other party to replace him?
The bald middle-aged man wearing military casual clothes next to him is Khrushchev, the first SHU secretary in Ukraine. He was originally the military commissar of the front army, but with the liberation of Kiev, his focus shifted from the army to the local area, and he was busy all day
With factories resuming work, shops opening, and the work of rescuing Kiev citizens, we are extremely busy.
Today I learned that Rokossovsky was coming to Kiev as a representative of the base camp, so I immediately rushed from my office to the airport to welcome Rokossovsky.
Next to Khrushchev is Major General Krenyukov, who succeeded him as military commissar. The latter is now quietly describing the problems he has encountered since taking office, and humbly asking Khrushchev how to solve the problems.
.
Behind the three people stood the new Chief of Staff of the Front Army Bogolyubov. Just two days after he took office, he encountered the 38th Army's abandonment of Zhytomir's breakout, which made him depressed. He knew very well that if
If Kiev is lost, his position as chief of staff may be over. Therefore, he looks depressed.
Seeing that the plane was steady on the runway, Khrushchev turned to face the expressionless Vatutin and said: "Comrade Vatutin, General Rokossovsky has arrived. Let's go and greet him."
As soon as the group of people arrived at the plane, Rokossovsky, who was wearing a military coat, had already got off the plane. Vatutin stepped forward and shook his hand and said sincerely: "Hello, Rokossovsky."
Comrade, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the First Ukrainian Front, I welcome you!"
While shaking hands with Vatutin, Rokossovsky said with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Vatutin! I hope that in the coming days, we can work together to defeat the Germans' attempt to retake Kiev."
.”
"I believe we will work together happily."
Khrushchev stepped forward, held Rokossovsky's hand tightly, and said excitedly: "Great, Comrade Rokossovsky, you will assist Commander Vatutin in commanding, and I will
I feel more at ease. I believe that under the leadership of you two, our heroic commanders and fighters will completely crush the German attempt to reoccupy Kiev."
Seeing that Khrushchev trusted him so much, Rokossovsky couldn't help but smile and said: "Comrade Khrushchev, I didn't expect you to have such confidence in me."
"We fought side by side in Stalingrad and defeated the arrogant Paulus." Khrushchev said with a smile: "I know very well what your abilities are. I have reason to believe that Comrade Stalin will
Your decision to send the First Ukrainian Front was absolutely correct."
When returning to the headquarters by car, Rokossovsky wanted to ask Khrushchev about the situation of the front army, so he smiled and said to Khrushchev: "Comrade Khrushchev, can you please sit in the same car with me?"
Car?"
"my pleasure!"
On the way, Rokossovsky lowered his voice and asked: "Comrade Khrushchev, as an old friend, I want to ask you a question in private."
Khrushchev nodded, looked at Rokossovsky and said: "If I guess correctly, you want to ask, since the situation near Kiev is so bad, why didn't the base camp take remedial measures earlier?" What he said
The remedial measure mentioned is to remove Vatutin from his post and let other commanders replace him.
Seeing that Khrushchev had guessed what he was thinking, Rokossovsky did not deny it, just nodded, and then stared at Khrushchev, waiting for him to tell the answer he wanted to know.
"Comrade Rokossovsky, you should understand that in the world anti-Japanese war, the situation in all major battlefields has undergone fundamental changes, and the allies have taken the initiative in strategic offensive. In order to discuss accelerating the war process and arrangements for the post-war world
Regarding the issue, the heads of state of the Soviet Union, Britain and the United States will meet in Tehran from November 28 to December 1, 1943." Khrushchev said: "It is precisely because of this meeting that in order to maintain the stability of the situation, certain
Things will inevitably be delayed."
After listening to this, Rokossovsky said to himself that the reason why Vatutin had not been removed from office was that, in addition to this possibility, the more important reason was that Stalin had illusions about Vatutin and felt that he had the ability to crush the German counterattack.
And then the attack resumed near Kiev. It was precisely because of this fluke that the situation deteriorated in a short period of time, making the Soviet army's situation extremely unfavorable.
Khrushchev saw that Rokossovsky was silent and knew that he was thinking about the problem, so he did not disturb him. After seeing Rokossovsky let out a long sigh and sat up straight, he asked again:
"Comrade Rokossovsky, as a representative of the base camp, you are here to assist Vatutin in commanding operations. I want to hear how you plan to crush the German attack on Kiev?"
"I plan to order the 40th Army to assist the 7th Guards Tank Army in launching a fierce attack on the German 25th Armored Division in the Fastiv area, forcing the enemy to reinforce this area, thereby delaying their advance towards Kiev.
"Rokossovsky carefully studied the enemy and enemy situations in this area on the plane in Kiev, so when he heard Khrushchev's question, he could say without hesitation: "And Chernyakhovsky
The general's 60th Army continues to organize a tenacious defense in the area east of Korosten to block the enemy coming from the northwest of Kiev."
While the two were talking, the car stopped and when I looked outside, I saw that they had arrived at the headquarters.
The group came to the conference room, and when Vatutin asked Rokossovsky about the next battle plan, Rokossovsky repeated what he said in the car.
Khrushchev stared at the map for a while, and then asked: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I would like to ask why the First Tank Army deployed in the Broval area is not transferred to the west of Kiev.
To stop the German attack?"
"What?" Rokossovsky couldn't help but be stunned when he heard what Khrushchev said, and then asked: "Katukov's troops are stationed in Brovali?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Seeing Khrushchev nodding in affirmation, Rokossovsky's expression suddenly became serious. He asked Bogolyubov in a stern tone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I ask
You, why is it that General Katukov’s First Tank Army is clearly deployed in Broval, dozens of miles east of Kiev, but why is it shown on the map in Priluki, hundreds of kilometers away?”
"General Rokossovsky," faced Rokossovsky's question, Bogolyubov replied in a panic: "Since the First Tank Army has just been transferred from the base camp reserve, they are on the map.
The position has not been modified yet. I thought you knew about this, so I didn’t mention it specifically when I reported the situation just now..."
"It's nonsense, it's just nonsense." Rokossovsky said angrily: "Such a major event as the mobilization of the tank group army is not reflected on our combat map! The combat deployment made by the head of the front army based on inaccurate intelligence,
Can we win?"
Although Rokossovsky was criticizing Chief of Staff Bogolyubov, Vatutin, who was sitting next to him, felt his face was burning because he was directing operations based on these inaccurate battle reports during this period.
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Faced with Rokossovsky's rebuke, Bogolyubov could only choose to endure it silently, without any room for rebuttal. In the end, it was Khrushchev who came out to smooth things over: "Comrade Rokossovsky, in fact, this matter does not matter.
General Bogolyubov cannot be completely blamed. You must know that he, the chief of staff of the front army, has only been in office for a few days. Since he took office, the Germans have been launching attacks continuously, leaving him no time to sort out his situation.
In the work here, under such circumstances, it is inevitable that there will be some minor mistakes."
After getting angry at Bogolyubov, Rokossovsky also realized that he was a bit too picky. He had just taken office a few days ago, and he probably didn't even recognize the division commander below. If he was expected to perform his duties as a staff officer immediately,
The responsibility of the chief of staff is indeed a bit overwhelming. Now that Khrushchev came out to smooth things over, he said smoothly: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, give General Katukov an order to get them to Kiev as soon as possible, in the Jetmir area.
Launch a counterattack against the German 48th Armored Corps and block their advance, giving our army enough time to reinforce its defense lines."
When Vatutin heard that a counterattack was going to be launched in the Jetmir area, he tentatively asked Rokossovsky: "General Rokossovsky, after Katukov's tank army joins the battle, we will be able to crush the German army."
An attack on Kiev?”
"How can it be so easy?" Rokossovsky shook his head and said helplessly: "The initiative on the battlefield is currently in the hands of the Germans. No matter how much power we invest now, we cannot do it in a short time.
Defeat them within the time limit. I think our top priority right now is to stabilize the front line away from Kiev. Only after our army has reassembled its heavy troops can we launch another offensive against the Germans."
Thinking that as long as there are heavy enemy groups near Kiev, the city may be lost again. As the first SHU of Ukraine, remembering Khrushchev, he couldn't help but feel anxious. He asked worriedly: "Comrade Rokossovsky,
I want to know when our troops can launch a counterattack against the enemy again?"
"It will take half a month at the fastest." Rokossovsky said helplessly: "According to my understanding, the current situation is worse than I imagined. To completely reverse the current unfavorable situation, it will take at least half a month."
Months of preparation time.”
"Comrade Rokossovsky, I understand what you said." Khrushchev said with a serious face: "If the enemies near Kiev are not completely eliminated, we will not be able to carry out local work with all our strength.
At that time, factories could not resume work, schools could not reopen, and collective farms could not resume farming... As a result, the areas we recovered would not only be unable to support the military operations, but would instead become a burden to the military, which we do not want to see."
"Don't worry, Comrade Khrushchev," Rokossovsky comforted him with a smile: "Even if we can't crush the German attack in the short term, we are fully capable of blocking them so that they can't get close to Kiev and influence them.
Until you start working."
"If you say that, I feel relieved, Comrade Rokossovsky." Khrushchev finally heard what he wanted to hear. He stood up, stretched out his hand to Rokossovsky, and said friendly: "I
It’s time to get back to work. I wish you a happy cooperation with General Vatutin and crush the enemy’s attack on the city as soon as possible.”
After Khrushchev left, Vatutin, who was in a slightly transparent state, asked Rokossovsky with a grimace: "Comrade Rokossovsky, since you are the representative of the base camp, what should we do next?"
How to do it?"
"Of course, we are ordering the troops who are in contact with the enemy to continue to resist, buying us precious time to consolidate Kiev's city defense." Rokossovsky knew Vatutin's character well and knew that he liked to take the initiative to attack, so he warned him first.
He said: "Comrade Vatutin, I know that many troops are coming to Kiev now, but even after they arrive in Kiev, we cannot immediately put them into counterattack."
"Why?" Vatutin retorted: "The earlier our troops launch a counterattack, the less prepared the enemy will be, and the greater the chance of victory."
"Comrade Vatutin, you have a gambling mentality." Rokossovsky said unceremoniously: "The newly arrived troops knew nothing about the situation here and rushed into the battle. Even if they could initially obtain
We will win some victories, but we will soon suffer setbacks in the following battles due to unfamiliarity with the terrain and lack of understanding of the enemy's situation. We must accumulate strength and wait until we are strong enough to launch a new round of offensive against the German army.