After Zhukov and Vasilevsky came out of Stalin's office, they immediately drafted an order in the name of the Supreme Command and sent a courier by plane to the Second Ukrainian Front.
Although the courier set off by plane, it would take several hours to fly to the front line. Zhukov decided that for such an important matter, he still needed to inform Konev in advance.
After the call was connected, Konev heard that it was Zhukov calling him, and he was somewhat puzzled. He thought to himself that Zhukov should stay in Kiev at this moment and command the troops of the First Front. How could he appear in Moscow?
However, he thought that Zhukov's call to him was definitely not for chatting, but had something more important, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, is there anything important?"
"Marshal Konev, I called you today to announce an order from the Supreme Command!"
Hearing that it was an order from the Supreme Command, Konev suddenly became nervous: "Please tell me!"
"From now on, the 27th Group Army and the 53rd Group Army will be formed into a new combat group. The group commander will be General Sokov, who will also continue to serve as the commander of the 53rd Group Army. The deputy commander will be the current commander of the 27th Group Army.
Commander Trofimenko is in charge.”
"What, two armies are formed into a combat group?" After listening to Zhukov's order, Konev was dumbfounded: "Comrade Marshal, as far as I know, whether it is our army or the German army, a combat group has
The military strength is only a few regiments or brigades, and at most it is only two divisions. This is the first time I have heard of a combat group composed of two armies."
"There is a first time for everything." After Zhukov said this, he explained to Konev: "The Supreme Commander himself is not satisfied with your recent results, so Vasilevsky and I decided after discussion
Form such a combat group to improve the current predicament you are encountering."
Before Konev could speak, he continued: "Marshal Konev, the reason why we merged the 27th and 53rd armies and made Sokov the group commander was because of the consideration of these two armies.
They have all been commanded by Sokov, and commanders at all levels are not only familiar with Sokov, but also like his commanding style."
"But the combat group composed of two armies is a bit too large." Konev said with a wry smile: "I'm worried that Sokov alone will not be able to control this army."
"Isn't there Trofimenko still serving as deputy commander?" Zhukov said: "Although the combat effectiveness of the 27th Army has declined after Trofimenko became the commander of the 27th Army, he is, after all, a veteran with rich experience.
With him assisting Sokov, a veteran commander with command experience, I believe Sokov will be able to manage this unit well."
"Comrade Marshal, let me have a few words with Marshal Konev." Vasilevsky took the microphone from Zhukov's hand, put it to his ear and continued: "Marshal Konev, I am Vasilevsky.
After the Ki. Sokov combat group is established, although the total strength is equivalent to a small front army, they still have to accept your command. If you find Comrade Sokov makes any mistakes in his command, you can point it out to him.
Well."
Konev saw that the deal was done, and even if he wanted to object, it would be of no use, so he could only say helplessly: "Okay, Marshal Vasilevsky, I will convey the order of the Supreme Command to General Sokov immediately.
"
After putting down the phone here, Konev came to the map hanging on the wall and stared at the location of the Dniester River in a daze.
Upon seeing this, Chief of Staff Zakharov hurriedly came over and asked with concern: "Comrade Marshal, what happened? I see that you became a little distracted after answering a phone call."
Konev turned to look at Zakharov and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, something unexpected happened. The superiors plan to withdraw two armies from our front army."
"What, two armies were taken away?" Hearing what Konev said, Zakharov couldn't help but exclaimed. You must know that the Second Front Army now only has seven armies, with a total strength of 600,000.
The removal of two armies is equivalent to reducing one-third of the combat effectiveness. As the chief of staff, it is strange that he is not in a hurry: "Why do superiors do this?"
"It's like this," Konev said to Zakharov: "The Supreme Command is not satisfied with our recent results, so it decided to transfer the 27th and 53rd Army to form a new combat group."
"Use two armies to form a combat cluster?" Zakharov said with a look of shock: "Isn't the troop establishment too large? I really can't think of any commander within the front army who can be qualified to serve as a cluster commander.
Position."
"The Supreme Command has made a decision that Sokov will serve as the group commander, and the formal order has been sent by a messenger on a special plane."
"Oh, it turns out that Sokov is the commander of the cluster." When Zakharov heard that this newly formed unit was actually commanded by Sokov, he felt much more at ease, and even took the initiative to say: "Two
The group army is all his old subordinates, and I believe that the commanders and fighters can adapt to his command style, so it shouldn't be difficult to achieve meritorious service on the battlefield."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I'm thinking that since the superiors have appointed Sokov as the commander of the combat cluster, how to fight the next battle, I should ask him first to see what his plans are."
"Comrade Marshal, there is one thing I just forgot to ask." Zakharov asked: "Who is leading this combat group? Is it directly subordinate to the Supreme Command, or is it under our command?"
"Of course they are under our command." Konev said: "In any case, these two armies are still under the combat order of our Second Front Army so far."
"That's good, that's good." Hearing that the newly formed Sokov Combat Group is still affiliated with the combat order of the Second Ukrainian Front, Zakharov couldn't help but be overjoyed: "The more merits Sokov has established, the more achievements we will make."
The benefits will be greater.”
"The current situation on the battlefield is that our army's follow-up attacks are weak." Konev said to Zakharov: "Although the written appointment of the combat group has not yet been sent, you can notify Sokov in advance and ask him to resume
Adjust deployment and prepare to continue advancing deeper into the German defenses."
"Okay, I'll call him right away and tell him the good news."
When Sokov received a call from Zakharov, he was dumbfounded: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, what did you say? The Supreme Command plans to organize the 27th and 53rd Army Groups into a combat group, and I will be in charge.
Commander?" The more he thought about it, the less likely it was, so he asked tentatively, "Are you kidding me?"
"Comrade Sokov," Zakharov heard Sokov ask this question. He immediately stopped the smile on his face and said seriously: "Do you think I will make a joke to you about such a thing? The formal appointment letter is still on the way.
, you will receive it by tomorrow at the latest!”
As soon as Sokov put down the phone, Smirnov immediately stepped forward to shake hands with him: "Comrade Commander, I congratulate you on becoming the commander of the combat group."
"Misha, I also congratulate you." Yakov also smiled and extended his hand to Sokov, "Not long ago, you were saying that you missed your old comrades who fought side by side with you. Now it's better, you have become
As the group commander, your old comrades from the 27th Group Army have become your old subordinates again, and you can fight side by side again."
"By the way, who is the deputy commander of the cluster?" Smirnov asked.
"It's Lieutenant General Trofimenko, the commander of the 27th Group Army." Sokov replied: "As the deputy commander of the group, he assists me in my work."
After Sokov finished speaking, Smirnov took the initiative and said: "Comrade Commander, I have a suggestion. The chief of staff of the cluster should preferably be served by Major General Samyko, chief of staff of the 27th Group Army."
"Why?"
"Because he has been working with you for a long time, he understands your combat style very well, and knows how to convey your orders to various units quickly and accurately." Smirnov said with a normal expression: "Another point is his age.
I am light and energetic, so I can keep working even if I don't sleep for three to five days. But now that I am getting older, I tend to feel sleepy during the day every time I stay up late."
In his heart, Sokov also felt that Samyko was more suitable to be the chief of staff of the cluster than Smirnov. However, now that he was partnering with Smirnov, he rashly proposed to let another commander be his new partner. He was worried about the other commander.
It was inevitable that there would be resistance. Unexpectedly, Smirnov actually offered to let Samyko be the new chief of staff. He followed suit and said: "Okay, comrade chief of staff, since you insist, then I will let Samyko be the new chief of staff."
Cluster Chief of Staff."
In order not to make the other party feel disappointed, after saying this, Sokov added: "Comrade Chief of Staff, although Major General Samyko is my old partner, he has not been in the army as long as you.
If he does something inappropriate, feel free to mention it."
Sokov's words were very helpful to Smirnov. He nodded and said: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, I will definitely try my best to assist General Samyko in carrying out his daily work."
As he was talking, the phone on the table suddenly rang.
Smirnov, who was the closest, casually grabbed the microphone, put it to his ear and said: "Yes, this is the 53rd Army Headquarters. Where are you from?... What, the 27th Army Headquarters?...
Hello, I am Major General Smirnov, Chief of Staff of the Group Army... Please wait a moment, I will get the commander to answer the phone right away."
The next moment, Smirnov covered the microphone with his hand and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, it is General Trofimenko, the commander of the 27th Group Army, who wants to talk to you."
"Hello, General Trofimenko!" Sokov took the phone and said politely: "I am Sokov!"
"Hello, General Sokov!" Trofimenko said respectfully on the other end of the phone: "I just received a call from the front army headquarters. I learned that our two armies have been combined into a new combat group. I came here specifically to
Called to report to you."
"General Trofimenko," Sokov asked into the microphone: "Have you informed the troops under the group army about the newly formed combat group?"
"No, General Sokov." Trofimenko said respectfully on the phone: "I have just received the notice from the front army headquarters, and I haven't had time to convey it to the troops below."
"General Trofimenko, I suggest that you inform the subordinate troops immediately." Sokov felt somewhat unhappy when he heard that the other party said that he had not yet had time to inform the subordinate troops about the formation of the combat group: "Now there are people on the battlefield.
For many fighters, I may give orders directly to the division commanders. If you don't convey this matter to each unit in time, what should I do if those commanders don't obey my orders?"
Hearing what Sokov said, Trofimenko was really dumbfounded. He secretly said that the 27th Army was originally your old team. Even if you gave orders directly to the division commander, who should not obey them?
But there are some things that you just need to understand in your heart, but you can't say them out loud. Therefore, Trofimenko, who is mute and eats coptis, can only say in a low voice: "General Sokov, it was my lack of thinking. I immediately conveyed the matter of forming the combat group."
Go down and let all division commanders know the news."
"We must not relax about the forced crossing of the Dniester River." Since he can now command Trofimenko, Sokov will naturally give orders to the other party: "Wait for General Chuvashov's 98th Guards Division.
After the battle started on the right bank, the troops on the left bank immediately carried out a forced crossing, putting the Germans in a position of being attacked from both sides and ensuring that the troops could break through the German Transnistria defense line."
"Don't worry, General Sokov." Trofimenko replied: "The chief of staff, General Samyko, is responsible for this matter. I think he will never betray your trust."
When the other party mentioned Samyko's name, Sokov couldn't help but said: "General Trofimenko, I wonder if Samyko is by your side? I want to say a few words to him."
"I'm sorry, General Sokov." Unexpectedly, Trofimenko politely refused and said, "General Samyko is at the bank of the Dniester River at the moment. I'm afraid he won't be able to answer your call for the time being."
When he learned that Samek could not answer his call, Sokov felt a little disappointed. But considering that the other party was also doing business, he could only say with regret: "Then when I am free, I will go over and see him."
"
After Smirnov waited for Sokov to put down the phone, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, since we have troops on the right bank of the Dniester River, why not let them launch an attack and take the opportunity to expand the area of our landing site?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, I also want to expand the area of the landing site." Sokov said rather helplessly: "Currently, the only troops stationed at the landing site on the right bank are the two regiments of the 41st Guards Division. If they are allowed to expand their results, they will not be able to expand the area.
Do not spread our forces. If the Germans launch a counterattack at this moment, our troops on the right bank will be in danger, and we must not take such a risk."
"Then when do you plan to take action?"
"We have to wait until General Afnin's 18th Guards Army arrives at the Dniester River." Sokov stared at the map and said: "His troops are the most powerful in our group army. After they arrive, we will
Then we can confidently and boldly develop deeper into the enemy's defenses to expand the area of our landing site."