"Comrade Marshal, I think you have noticed something." Since it was Zhukov who asked him to express his opinion, Vasilevsky naturally did not have to hide anything: "Since Trofimenko took over as commander of the 27th Group Army, this
The combat effectiveness of this unit has plummeted. Originally, no one would have any objection to saying that they were the elite of our army. But now, they have been completely reduced to a second-rate unit."
What Zhukov regretted the most was that he thought that in the battle to liberate Kiev, the 27th Army would become the absolute main force and inflict heavy losses on the German troops entrenched in the city. But what he did not expect was that after Sokov was injured, he replaced him
The commander in charge was too conservative in his tactical thinking, which resulted in the troops suffering heavy casualties in the ensuing battle. They had to withdraw from the first line to the second line to rest and recuperate, and changed from the main offensive force to a security force.
"Comrade Vasilevsky, you are right, this is indeed the case." Zhukov sighed and said: "After Trofimenko took over the 27th Army, the performance of this unit was indeed much worse. Supreme Commander
The department has also considered replacing people, but has never found a suitable candidate."
"Now I have thought of a suitable candidate who can replace Trofimenko." Vasilevsky looked at Zhukov and said, "It depends on what you mean."
"Oh, do you have a suitable candidate?" Hearing what Vasilevsky said, Zhukov's eyes suddenly lit up: "Who is he? What position does he hold in which army now?"
Facing a series of questions from Zhukov, Vasilevsky said slowly: "That's Sokov, the commander of the 53rd Army."
"What, you're talking about Misha?" Zhukov couldn't help but frowned: "He is doing well in the 53rd Army now. If he is transferred back to the 27th Army, who will take over the 53rd Army?
Woolen cloth?"
"Comrade Marshal, I think you did not understand what I meant." Seeing that Zhukov misunderstood what he meant, Vasilevsky quickly explained: "While Sokov took over the 27th Army, he continued to command the 53rd Army.
"
With this explanation, Zhukov finally understood: "Comrade Vasilevsky, you mean to let Misha command two armies at the same time. Is my understanding correct?"
"That's right, Comrade Marshal, that's what I mean." Vasilevsky nodded and said: "When the 27th Army just liberated Klementchug, didn't Sokov also command the 27th and 27th Army at the same time?
53rd Army?"
"Yes, it does happen." After Vasilevsky's reminder, Zhukov remembered that such a thing did happen. However, after Sokov commanded the two troops, the results achieved were not ideal: "But
Comrade Vasilevsky, you seem to have forgotten that the results he achieved at that time were not ideal."
"Comrade Marshal, this is actually understandable." Vasilevsky said: "At the beginning, the commanders and fighters at all levels of the 53rd Army had a low sense of identification with Comrade Sokov, so they usually discounted the execution of some of his orders.
.But now he is the commander of the 53rd Group Army, and he has completed the run-in with the lower-level commanders below. Every time an order is given, the troops below can execute it without compromise.
And the 27th Army is his old unit, and it will definitely not disobey his orders. Now that he is allowed to command two armies again, I believe that he will be able to achieve more brilliant results."
"What are your opinions?" After Vasilevsky elaborated his views, he turned to the commanders of the General Staff and asked: "Do you agree with Sokov commanding two armies at the same time?"
Facing the question raised by Vasilevsky, Antonov first expressed his position: "I know General Sokov's abilities. Since the troops of both armies are willing to obey his command, let him command at the same time.
With two armies, what’s not to do?”
Antonov expressed his position, which was equivalent to setting a tone. Shtemenko then said: "I agree with the opinion of the Chief of General Staff and let Sokov serve as the commander of the two armies at the same time."
"Both armies are commanded by Sokov, so what should we do when we report the results?" Ivanov on the side interjected: "Will the results be counted as that of the 27th Army or the 53rd Army?
"
"This is easy to handle." Since Vasilevsky was the first to propose this proposal, he was naturally well prepared. He replied easily: "Then we will organize the two armies into a combat group named after Sokov.
, in this way, no matter which army group has achieved the feats, they all belong to Sokov’s combat group.”
"Comrade Marshal, this is a good idea." Antonov gave Vasilevsky a thumbs up: "I think in this way, no one will have any objections."
"Previous combat groups were composed of several divisions or even several brigades." Zhukov said with a serious expression: "Now we need to use two armies to form a combat group. This matter must be reported to the Supreme Commander himself, who will
Let’s decide. Vasilevsky, go with me to see Comrade Stalin now.”
As soon as the two men arrived outside Stalin's office, Poskrebyshev came up to them and asked politely: "Do the two marshals want to see Comrade Stalin?"
"Yes." Zhukov asked tentatively: "Is he in there?"
"He's a little uncomfortable today. He just lay down after taking medicine and is resting." Poskrebyshev asked cautiously: "How about you come back tomorrow?"
"No, we have important things and need to see Comrade Stalin immediately." Zhukov felt that it was urgent to let Sokov serve as the group commander, so he said in a stern tone: "Comrade Boskrebyshev, please do it for me.
Let’s make an announcement.”
Seeing that Zhukov insisted on meeting Stalin, Poskrebyshev could not say anything else. He could only pick up the phone on the table, broadcast a number, and wait patiently.
A few minutes later, Zhukov saw Boskrebyshev straighten his body. It was obviously Stalin who was in the room and picked up the phone: "Comrade Stalin, Marshal Zhukov and Marshal Vasilevsky are outside. They are
They said they have something urgent to do and want to see you. I wonder if you would like to meet them?"
"Okay, I'll let them in right away." After Poskrebyshev put down the phone, he walked to the door and opened it, then stepped aside to make way for Zhukov and Vasilevsky.
After Zhukov and Vasilevsky entered Stalin's office, Poskrebyshev gently closed the door and returned to his seat to sit down.
Stalin was not in the room at the moment. Zhukov and Vasilevsky waited for a while before they saw Stalin walking out of a small room next to him, still wearing pajamas.
"Zhukov, Vasilevsky, you are here!"
The two men quickly raised their hands and saluted Stalin.
Stalin walked behind the desk and sat down, picked up his pipe, and took out two cigarettes from the cigarette case. When he was about to crush the tobacco and stuff it into the pipe, he seemed to remember something and put down the pipe and cigarettes in his hand.
, looked up at the two of them, and asked with a heavy nasal voice: "You guys came to see me at this time, do you have anything important to do?"
"Comrade Stalin, please allow me to report to you." Vasilevsky stepped forward and took the initiative to report to Stalin: "Marshal Konev's troops have reached the Dniester River and have launched an attack on the German army.
But regrettably, due to the tenacious defense of the German troops on the right bank, the attack launched by our army was frustrated. At this moment, Trofimenko's troops have withdrawn to the left bank and are regrouping in preparation for launching a new round of offensive."
After listening to Vasilevsky's report, Stalin walked to the big map on the wall, stared at the position of the Dniester River for a while, and then said: "Didn't Xiao Misha's 53rd Army also start from Otats?"
Did they break through the German defense line and establish a landing site on the right bank? Why didn't they continue to expand their results?"
"Comrade Stalin, the situation is like this." Vasilevsky quickly explained to Stalin: "Because General Sokov's 53rd Army advanced too fast, there were thirty lines of troops between the 27th and 52nd Army on the left and right flanks.
to a gap of fifty kilometers. If they are allowed to continue advancing, their weak wings will be easily attacked by the Germans, and they may be encircled by then."
"Why can't other troops keep up with Xiao Misha's assault speed, thus exposing his flanks to the enemy?" Stalin said with a serious face: "What do these commanders do for a living?"
Vasilevsky turned his head and exchanged a look with Zhukov, indicating that he would propose the formation of a new combat group. After Zhukov and Vasilevsky confirmed their looks, they took a step forward: "Comrade Stalin, I have a few words.
Let’s talk.”
"Please say it, Comrade Zhukov." Stalin said reasonably: "If you have anything to say, just say it."
"Comrade Stalin, you should remember that when Mischa served as the commander of the 27th Group Army, the unit demonstrated super combat effectiveness. There was no position they could not conquer, no territory they could not defend, and every battle they could win with
Minimal casualties, maximum victory."
"Yes, it is indeed like this."
"But after he was injured and left the unit, the combat effectiveness of this unit began to decline. I thought they would definitely become the main force of Kiev. Who knew that in less than a month, the unit of nearly 100,000 officers and soldiers
, with less than 30,000 people left, thus missing the opportunity to liberate Kiev, and could only stay on the second line to perform security duties."
"Well, I remember this." Stalin nodded thoughtfully: "At that time, we were still discussing Trofimenko's ability, which cannot be compared with Xiao Misha. But for the time being, there is no suitable candidate, so we can only let him
He remains in position."
At this point, Stalin suddenly realized that he seemed to have overlooked an important issue, and quickly asked: "So, you have found someone who can replace him?"
"Yes, Comrade Stalin, we have found someone who can replace him."
"What is his name? Which army is he in now? What position does he hold and what is his rank?"
"Comrade Stalin, the person I'm talking about is Misha."
"What, is Xiaomisha?" Zhukov's words made Stalin a little confused: "Comrade Zhukov, I don't quite understand what you mean. Xiaomisha is now the commander of the 53rd Army. If you ask him to return to the 27th Army, who will take over?
What's his job?"
"There is no need to send someone to take over his position." At this time, Vasilevsky stepped forward and added: "I have discussed with Marshal Zhukov and plan to let him command the 27th and 53rd Group Armies at the same time."
"Let Xiao Misha command two armies at the same time?" Stalin asked in surprise: "Is this appropriate?"
"It's appropriate, very appropriate." Vasilevsky nodded vigorously and said in a positive tone: "He once had the experience of commanding two armies at the same time. What's more, he is familiar with both armies. I think if he can
Letting him take command of the two troops again will definitely speed up our efforts to liberate the country."
Vasilevsky's words reminded Stalin, and he frowned and said: "I remember that Xiao Misha seemed to have commanded two armies at the same time before, but he did not achieve any decent results."
"Your memory is correct, Comrade Stalin." Vasilevsky explained to Stalin: "At that time, he was still commanding the 27th Army, and his superiors suddenly temporarily placed the 53rd Army under his command.
The officers were somewhat resistant to him, so they were not resolute enough when executing orders, which made it difficult for him to achieve greater results."
"It didn't work at first, so how can it be done now?"
"Comrade Stalin, I think it is most appropriate for him to command two more armies now." Vasilevsky continued: "Both the commanders and fighters of the 27th Army and the 53rd Army fully recognized his abilities.
.I believe that when he issues any orders again, the commanders and soldiers below will definitely carry them out unconditionally."
"If both armies are under his command, what designation should I use?" Stalin asked: "Should it be in the name of the 27th Army or the 53rd Army?"
"We plan to form the two armies into a new combat cluster. Sokov will serve as the commander of the cluster and uniformly command the two armies' operations against the enemy."
"Aren't the previous combat clusters all organized in units of several brigades?" Stalin raised his own doubts, "Now that two armies form a combat cluster, would it be too large? With Xiao Misha's ability
, can you command this army well?"
"Comrade Stalin, don't worry." Vasilevsky said to Stalin: "This is the result of repeated discussions between Marshal Zhukov and I. We agree that Comrade Sokov is fully qualified to serve as a combat group with his abilities.
Duties of Commander."
"Okay." Stalin agreed readily: "Then just go ahead and form a new combat group."
After pausing for a moment, he remembered an important thing and quickly asked again: "What about Lieutenant General Trofimenko, commander of the 27th Group Army, how do you plan to arrange it?"
"With his ability, there is no doubt that he can no longer serve as the commander of the 27th Group Army." Vasilevsky replied: "But considering that he has also established a lot of meritorious service in the war, we plan to demote him
He is the deputy commander of the 27th Group Army and also serves as the deputy commander of the combat group, responsible for assisting Sokov in starting the war."
Stalin nodded and said: "Comrade Vasilevsky, since you have considered everything that should be considered, it is better to issue Xiao Misha's appointment in writing as soon as possible. And inform him and faithfully fulfill his appointment."
If he does not perform well as the commander of the combat group and cannot achieve the desired results, I will personally remove him from his post."