Fortunately, the headquarters' communication lines have been completed, and Konev can call the Supreme Command from here.
However, considering that the other party's call involved confidentiality, except for a few people on duty, Sokov asked everyone else to temporarily avoid it, and even went outside with Melekhov himself.
"Comrade General." After coming outside from the headquarters, Melekhov asked Sokov with some anxiety: "Am I causing trouble for you?"
"Lieutenant Colonel Melekhov, don't worry, it's okay." Sokov comforted the other party and said: "I only hope that after Marshal Konev makes this call, he can save more commanders and fighters who were scattered. Even if he can't
, I can also keep your brother safe."
After listening to Sokov's statement, Melekhov's eyes were slightly red, and he said with tears of gratitude: "Comrade General, on behalf of my brother, thank you!"
While he was talking, Smirnov suddenly said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, it seems that Koshkin is back."
Sokov looked in the direction of the other person's finger, and sure enough he saw a jeep approaching. Since there was no roof, he could clearly see that the person sitting in the passenger seat was none other than Lieutenant Koshkin. Sitting in the back seat was
Warnia and a soldier wearing old-fashioned military uniforms.
"Lieutenant Colonel Melekhov," Sokov turned and asked Melekhov: "Look, is the person sitting next to Warnia your brother?"
Melekhov stared at the people next to Warnia for a long time, and finally nodded and said: "Yes, that's right, that's my brother Khrus. We haven't seen him for two or three years, and he is even thinner than before."
After finishing, he ran down the steps, preparing to meet his brother again after a long absence.
After Melekhov left, Smirnov approached Sokov and whispered: "Comrade Commander, you may have caused yourself a big trouble."
Sokov understood that Smirnov was not an alarmist. He rashly used those commanders and fighters who had been dispersed and had not returned to the team. If someone made a fuss about this matter, he might not be able to bear the consequences. However, he always felt that these
Even if the dispersed commanders and fighters do not find a way to return to the team in time, as long as they do not surrender to the enemy, they can be used with confidence and boldness.
"Comrade Chief of Staff, don't worry." In order to appease Smirnov, he pretended to be calm and said: "I think the Supreme Command will handle the matter as appropriate after understanding the situation."
The jeep stopped at the foot of the steps. The man in old-fashioned military uniform got out of the car and gave Melekhov a warm hug with open arms to welcome him. Warnia, who got out of the car right after, saw this scene.
She couldn't help wiping away tears, but this time she cried with joy.
"Hey, this damn war has caused so many families to be killed and their wives to be separated." Smirnov looked at the reunited family below and said with emotion: "Compared with those unfortunate people, they are quite lucky.
, at least the brothers can be reunited."
"Yes," Sokov replied casually: "Many of our relatives died in the war. All we can do is defeat the German invaders and avenge them."
"Comrade Commander, when do you think we can break into Berlin?" Smirnov said through gritted teeth: "I can't wait for this day to come as soon as possible."
"Come soon, my comrade chief of staff." Thinking that in a little more than a year, the Soviet army would be able to invade Berlin and make Mustache, the culprit who started this war, commit suicide, Sokov felt a little inexplicable in his heart.
However, he did not directly become a prophet, but said thoughtfully: "I think in two years at most, we can invade Berlin, completely defeat the Faxi Temple invaders, and end this damned war."
war."
While the two were talking, they saw that Melekhov had led his brother up the stairs and came to Sokov. Melekhov introduced to his brother: "This is General Sokov.
The troops under his command have occupied the city. If you have any ideas, feel free to tell him."
"Report to Comrade General!" Khrus stood at attention, raised his hand to his forehead, and reported to Sokov with a serious expression: "Second Lieutenant Khrus Melekhov reports to you, I am willing to obey your order.
,Please advise!"
"Please rest a moment, Lieutenant Khrus." Sokov said to Khrus: "I think your wife Warnia should have told you the specific situation."
"Yes, Comrade General." Although Khrus lowered his hand, he still stood upright: "Warnia and the lieutenant you sent have answered all the questions in my heart, so I can feel confident and bold
The land came here.”
Sokov looked at his uniform, which had some patches but was clean. He nodded with satisfaction, and then asked with a smile: "It seems that you cherish your uniform very much. How is it? Have you renewed it?"
Plans to return to the army?"
Hearing what Sokov said, Khrus's eyes widened in surprise. He asked tentatively: "Comrade General, can I really return to the army?"
"certainly!"
"You won't send me to some punishment camp, will you?"
"How could this be possible?" Seeing that the other party was still a little wary, Sokov explained to him: "Originally, your brother Melekhov is now a lieutenant colonel, so you can let him arrange a job for you. But he is
If you need to avoid suspicion in this matter, I will arrange a position in the army for you on his behalf."
"Koshkin," Sokov turned to Koshkin and said, "Last time you said that the guard company was short of a platoon commander. What do you think of Second Lieutenant Khrus? Is he qualified for this position?"
Since it was Sokov who spoke, even if it was inappropriate, Koshkin did not dare to say it was inappropriate: "It is appropriate, of course it is appropriate. Since it was arranged by Comrade Commander himself, it must be appropriate."
How could Khrus not see that Sokov was deliberately helping him? He waited for the other party to finish speaking, and then said with gratitude: "Thank you, Comrade General, I really don't know how to thank you."
Sokov chuckled, "Lieutenant Khrus, you don't need to thank me. If you want to thank me, you should thank your wife Warnia and your brother Melehov. When you were missing, he went out of his way to find you."
I'm helping, and I hope that when I liberate the prisoner of war camp, I can see if you are locked up by the Germans."
"Koshkin!" Sokov then said to Koshkin: "Immediately change Lieutenant Khrus into a new suit, so that he will look more energetic."
As soon as Sokov's affairs were arranged, a staff officer who stayed in the headquarters ran out and reported to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, Marshal Konev invites you in, saying that we have something important to discuss.
"
When Sokov walked into the headquarters, he saw Konev sitting at the table with a gloomy look. He quickly asked with concern: "Comrade Marshal, how is the situation? Has the Supreme Command rejected your proposal?
"
Konev tried his best to put a smile on his face and said: "Don't worry, Comrade Sokov, since I am communicating with the Supreme Command personally, there is no problem. The Supreme Commander himself has promised me that all
If officers and soldiers who have been separated and have not returned to the unit are found within our battle lines, as long as there are no problems after the review and screening, they can be directly incorporated into the unit, and there is no need to worry about other things."
Although Konev said it lightly, Sokov knew very well in his heart that the other party must have been begging Stalin for a long time before he obtained such a promise. Although there are many people he wants to save, the current situation is already
The limit is reached, and if you are still greedy, it will only be counterproductive.
"Comrade Marshal," Sokov took two steps back. After standing at attention, he said to Konev seriously: "On behalf of those commanders and soldiers who were dispersed and unable to return to the team, I would like to express my gratitude to you!"
After finishing, he raised his hand and saluted the other party with a solemn military salute.
"Comrade Sokov," Konev did not return the salute. He just nodded to Sokov and said, "I'm really sorry. My ability is limited and I can only help those comrades on our front. I can't help those on other fronts."
Already."
"This is enough, Comrade Marshal." Sokov said to Konev: "At the beginning of the war, our army lost millions of troops in Ukraine. I speculate that after they were dispersed, they could neither return to the rear nor return to the rear.
Suitable commanders and fighters who can join the guerrillas may have settled in various cities. Most of them hope to become a member of the army again when our army returns."
In order to increase his persuasiveness, he specially added: "At least Lieutenant Colonel Melekhov's brother is such a person."
After Sokov's reminder, Konev immediately remembered what Sokov had reported to him not long ago, and asked tentatively: "Is his brother here?"
"coming!"
"How are you going to settle him?"
"My most capable guard company commander, Lieutenant Koshkin, happens to have a vacancy for a platoon commander in his company, so I asked Second Lieutenant Herus to take over this position."
"Well, that's okay." Konev agreed with Sokov's arrangement. "Anyway, he has been away from the army for too long. If he is directly placed in the combat unit as a platoon leader, it will indeed be a problem."
It's not very suitable. But if he stays by your side, if you have time, you can train him, and he might become your effective assistant in the future."
Seeing Sokov's confused look, Konev explained to him: "You know, those who could become officers before the war all studied in military academies, and they were both theoretically and practically advanced.
So much experience.”
Sokov felt that what Konev said was very reasonable. People who could become officers before the war were somewhat capable. Sokov believed that Khrus only needed to stay in his guard unit for three months to become an officer.
He learned the application of many tactics. The reason why he made the decision to keep Khrus in the guard force was that he felt that after training, he should be an excellent officer.
Konev raised his hand and looked at his watch and said, "Everything that needs to be done is done, and it's time for me to return to the headquarters."
When Sokov saw Konev off, he asked cautiously: "Comrade Marshal, I wonder when the 237th Division will arrive?"
"Don't be anxious, Comrade Sokov." Konev said lightly: "This unit is on the march and there is no way to contact them. If you wait patiently, they may arrive at the designated location tomorrow."
Sokov originally sent this unit to the open-pit mines to assist Lieutenant Colonel Ponedelin in taking care of the rescued prisoners of war. As a result, as soon as they arrived, they accepted other tasks and were sent to other areas. Now it is not easy.
It was time to return to the army, but unfortunately the division commander died again and was replaced by Kurishenko, who had just been dismissed.
The two came outside the headquarters. Melekhov, who was reminiscing with his brother, saw Konev appearing at the door of the headquarters. He quickly stepped forward, straightened his back and asked: "Comrade Marshal, are you going back?"
?"
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Melekhov." Konev glanced at Khrus and Warnia who were standing not far away, nodded to them, and then said to Melekhov: "Get ready.
lets go."
After sending Konev away, Sokov and Smirnov returned to the headquarters.
Taking advantage of the time when no one was around, Smirnov tentatively asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, what did the Marshal say about that matter?"
"He said that as long as they are within our battle lines, any commanders and fighters who were dispersed during the battle, did not return to the team in time due to various reasons, and did not join the guerrillas, can be directly incorporated into the combat unit after being reviewed and found to be no problem. Notes
It is a regular combat force, not a punishment camp."
As a veteran soldier, Smirnov naturally understood how much effort was needed to accomplish this. After listening to Sokov's words, he couldn't help but said with emotion: "I think Marshal Konev made this request after
, must have been reprimanded by the Supreme Commander himself, it was really not easy for him."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you are right." Sokov recalled that when he came in, he saw Konev's dejected look. He must have been greatly wronged, but he couldn't show it in front of his subordinates.
Just come out: "I also feel that Marshal Konev was reprimanded by his superiors after raising this matter. But he still silently endured all the grievances in order to help thousands of commanders and combatants."
"Comrade Commander," Smirnov said to Sokov: "There are about 16,000 commanders and fighters rescued from the mines. They may cross the South Bug River tomorrow. Do you think they should be resettled?
Where is it?"
"When will the remaining troops in Helsing and Jeplik cities be able to cross the river?"
"Tomorrow too."
"Now that the time has come together, give General Afunin a new order to ask his subordinates to assist the rescued commanders and soldiers to cross the river." Sokov said: "After crossing the river, some of them will arrive at our location.
Lichin, part of them went to Chernivtsi..."
"What, heading to Chernivtsi?" Smirnov heard this and couldn't help but remind Sokov: "Now it is a place bordering the enemy, and a battle will break out at any time. The commanders and fighters who have just been rescued,
Even if they are incorporated into the troops on the spot, it may be difficult to form combat effectiveness in a short period of time."
"It doesn't matter, Comrade Chief of Staff, just follow my orders." Sokov said to Smirnov: "The enemies near Chernivtsi are basically all Romanian troops. They dare not attack me casually.
"We will launch an attack on the army's position." He said in a disdainful tone, "Even if there are reckless enemies who rashly attack Chernivtsi, the city's defenders can easily defeat them."