Five days later, all units of the Ukrainian Second Front, including the Sokov Combat Group, received an order to cease operations personally issued by Konev, and all moved to defense on the spot, seizing the time to rest and replenish.
On the day the order was issued, Zakharov, Chief of Staff of the Front Army, came to the headquarters. After meeting Sokov, he shook hands and asked Sokov: "Is there a quiet place?"
Sokov knew that the other party must have something important to explain, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, do you plan to talk to me in the headquarters, or do you want to talk to me outside?"
"Go outside to talk?" Zakharov asked in surprise: "Where can we talk about things outside?"
"For example, in a cafe or a pub in the city." Sokov said: "As long as I send someone to seal the place in advance, no one will disturb the conversation between the two of us."
"I think it's better to forget it." Zaharov thought for a moment, then waved his hands and said: "We are talking about official business, and it is not suitable to talk outside. I think it is better to find a suitable one in your headquarters.
Place."
Sokov thought about it and realized that the most suitable place for the conversation was the small conference room upstairs. As long as he sent someone to guard the door and no one was allowed to enter, no one would know the content of his conversation with Zakharov.
.
The two came to the conference room and sat on both sides of the long conference table. Koshkin brought them tea, then exited the conference room and closed the door.
"Comrade Sokov," Zakharov said as soon as the door closed, "I believe you already know that Marshal Konev is about to be transferred to the 1st Ukrainian Front to serve as the commander of the front, right?
"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov nodded and said in a positive tone: "I have known it for a long time."
"Before Marshal Konev was officially transferred to the position of commander of the First Front Army, he specifically asked me to come over and ask you if you are really willing to go with him?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Regarding Zakharov's question, Sokov gave an affirmative answer: "When the Marshal asked for my opinion some time ago, I made it clear that I was willing to follow him to Ukraine.
On the one hand, the army. What, is there any problem?"
"Now that your going to the First Ukrainian Front has been confirmed, the next thing we have to talk about is your work arrangements." Zakharov took a sip of the tea in front of him and continued: "According to the Supreme Court,
According to the command, you have three choices."
"Three options?!" Sokov asked in surprise: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I wonder which three options are there?"
Zakharov raised a finger: "First, take over Lieutenant General Pukhov's position and serve as commander of the 13th Army."
Then he raised a second finger: "Since the superiors planned to reassign the 27th Army to the 1st Ukrainian Front, the superiors once considered letting you officially take over Trofimenko's position and serve as the commander of the army.
Job."
"This is impossible." When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but interjected: "Although the 27th Army is a unit I have commanded before, it is now only part of the combat group. If I follow the orders of my superiors,
I took over the post of General Trofimenko and assumed the position of commander of the 27th Army. Maybe others will think that I made some mistake and was demoted by my superiors."
"Yes, Comrade Sokov, you have considered it very carefully." Zakharov nodded and said, "When Marshal Konev received the call, he directly rejected the other party's plan."
When Sokov learned that Konev had rejected an appointment that might damage his reputation, he was somewhat grateful to him. He looked at Zakharov and continued to ask: "Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I don't know.
What’s the third option?”
"The third is to take over the position of Lieutenant General Zhimachenko and serve as the commander of the 40th Group Army." Zakharov may be worried that Sokov does not understand the situation, so he took the initiative to introduce him: "This unit turns out to be the Mozambican army.
Commanded by General Skalenko, the performance on the battlefield was pretty good. But since General Moskalenko was transferred, the combat effectiveness of this unit began to decline, which made the superiors very dissatisfied, so they planned to find a
A capable commander will command this army.
In the Supreme Command, someone suggested that Moskalenko return to command this unit, but it was rejected because the 38th Army currently commanded by General Moskalenko is also inseparable from him. It is here.
In this case, someone thought of you and suggested that you fill this important position."
Sokov was thinking in his mind that Pukhov had served as the commander of the 13th Army since January 1942. Regardless of his record, he could always stay in this position, which proved that his superiors valued him very much.
If he just asked to go to the 13th Army to take over his position without any explanation, I am afraid that even after he takes office, he will encounter resistance from the troops below.
On the contrary, since the transfer of Moskalenko, the 40th Group Army has achieved lackluster results. Commanders at all levels have complained. They definitely hope that someone new can take over Zhimachenko's position. If they choose to go to the 40th Group Army
Group Army, maybe the work will be carried out very smoothly.
After thinking a little more, Sokov looked at Zakharov and said: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I have thought about it. I am going to go to the 40th Group Army and replace General Zhimachenko as the commander of the army."
"Comrade Sokov." Seeing that Sokov made a decision so quickly, Zakharov was secretly surprised, but couldn't help but ask: "Is this your final decision?"
"Yes, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army." Sokov said firmly: "This is my final decision."
"You won't think about it anymore?" Zakharov reminded him kindly: "Once I report your decision, it will be too late for you to regret it even if you want to."
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, this is a decision I made after careful consideration." Sokov looked at Zakharov and said sincerely: "No matter whether I regret it in the future, I will never change my decision again.
.”
Seeing Sokov's resolute attitude, Zakharov nodded slightly and said: "Okay, now that you have made the final decision, let's do what you want and let you serve as the commander of the 40th Group Army.
.”
After Zakharov took two more sips of tea, he introduced Sokov about the situation of the 40th Group Army: "In this battle, the 40th Group Army, as a unit of the Second Ukrainian Front, fought on muddy roads in the spring.
, fought for more than 400 kilometers, and successively forcibly crossed the South Bug River, the Dniester River, the Prut River and other large rivers. Yesterday, they entered the Sheret River, forcibly crossed the river from the march, and officially entered the
Fighting in Romania.”
Sokov vaguely remembered that he seemed to have seen a piece of information somewhere, saying that after Marshal Konev became the commander of the 1st Ukrainian Front, the Supreme Command merged the 1st and 2nd Fronts, and the total strength was
The number reached 1.2 million. But later someone pointed out that if such a huge army was given the command of one person, it would probably be insufficient. So the newly merged troops were divided into two again, but many of them were originally
The troops of the Second Front Army naturally stayed in the order of operations of the First Front Army.
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army," Sokov also took a few sips of the tea in front of him to calm down his emotions, and then asked: "I wonder when Marshal Konev will take office?"
Zakharov smiled and said to Sokov: "Marshal Konev received a notice from the Supreme Command yesterday, asking him to participate in this year's May Day military parade. Even if he wants to take office in the new army, he has to wait for this grand event.
Let’s talk about it after the celebrations. After all, we haven’t held a May Day military parade in two years since the war broke out.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, in addition to the May Day military parade that has not been held for two years, the October Day military parade has also not been held for two years since the German troops came to the city in 1941."
"Yes, Comrade Sokov, you remember correctly." Zakharov nodded and said: "Our most elite troops are all fighting the enemy on the battlefield. If they are sent back for military parade, I am afraid it will affect the battlefield.
situation, so the military parade activities in the past two years have been temporarily suspended. Just wait, when we completely defeat the German invaders, our country will definitely hold a grand military parade ceremony."
When Sokov heard what the other party said, he couldn't help but think to himself: No, just a month and a half after the Germans surrendered, Stalin held a grand military parade on June 22, and hundreds of captured German flags were thrown in
In front of Lenin's tomb, countless pairs of feet stepped on it.
Thinking that he would have the opportunity to participate in such a grand ceremony in the future, Sokov couldn't help but get excited. He said to Zakharov in a hoarse voice: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I think what you said will definitely become a reality.
I hope I can live to see that day and participate in that grand celebration."
"Yes, Comrade Sokov, you will definitely be able to participate in that grand celebration in person." Zakharov began to envision a bright future for Sokov: "By then, maybe you can personally lead a formation,
Strutting across Red Square."
While Sokov was thinking about it, he heard Zakharov say something that disappointed him: "Comrade Sokov, if you really went to the First Ukrainian Front, have you considered
What should Lieutenant General Nedelin, Colonel Muzichenko, and Colonel Kirillov do?"
After hearing this, Sokov couldn't help being stunned, and then asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, did someone above say something else?"
"Although no one said hello to this matter, everyone probably knows in their hearts that the three of them can stay in the combat cluster largely because of your presence." Zaharov looked at Sokov and said, "But
If you leave this force, do you think anyone will continue to reuse them? I believe it won't be long before the three of them will be replaced by others and become insignificant people in the force again."
Sokov was thinking in his heart that Zakharov came here not to figure out his next plan, but for the three of Ponejelin. Thinking of this, he asked: "Front Army
Comrade Chief of Staff, do you have any good ideas to prevent the three of them from being marginalized?"
"The only way is to let the three of them go to the new unit with you." Zakharov said: "With their abilities, even without your care, they are still very competent as division commanders or even army commanders."
Sokov agreed very much with Zakharov's statement: "You are right, Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army. In any case, the three of them were group army commanders or commanders in the early days of the war. No matter what,
I can't compare with them in terms of military age or combat experience. I don't have to take care of them at all, and they can also complete the tasks assigned by their superiors very well."
"Marshal Konev said that you can take a group of people with you when you leave, but the premise is that it does not affect the normal operation of the current army." Zaharov continued: "I think, in addition to taking away the Frunze Military
The group of students from the academy can also take the three of them away with them."
"Is this possible?" Sokov asked his own question: "Marshal Konev has said hello in advance. The people I took with me when I left must not affect the normal operation of the army."
"Yes, the three of them, Ponejelin, do hold important positions now." Zakharov said with a sneer: "But have you ever thought that maybe you went to the Second Front today, and tomorrow the three of them will be there?"
Relieved of his position?"
"Okay then, I will find an opportunity to talk to the three of them, explain to them clearly the problems they are facing today, and then ask them what they really think."
Being able to take away the three Ponedelin people is the most ideal result for Sokov. When he arrived at the new unit, he had to quickly open up the situation, relying solely on his identity as the commander and the group of students he brought there.
It is very difficult. But if the three Ponijelins are around, the situation will be very different. Although they do not hold important positions, their old acquaintances and subordinates are scattered everywhere. In the 40th Group Army
There should be quite a few of them. As long as they say hello, I believe those people will fully cooperate with me to carry out my work.
Zakharov stood up and said to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, my mission here today has been completed." After speaking, he took the initiative to extend his hand, "There is still something at the headquarters, I need to be urgent.
Hurry back and see you later."
Sokov stood up, shook hands with Zakharov, and then sent him to the door of the conference room. Sokov originally wanted to send him off, but was stopped by the other party: "Okay, Comrade Sokov, just send him off."
Come here. Good luck! Goodbye!"
Watching Zakharov's leaving back, Sokov stood there in a daze, thinking in his mind how he should explain this matter to the three of Ponedelin.
"Comrade Commander," Koshkin saw Sokov standing there in a daze and couldn't help but ask, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Koshkin's voice woke Sokov out of his thoughts. He quickly ordered the other party: "Immediately call General Ponedelin, Colonel Muzichenko and Colonel Kirillov."
I called them and asked them to come see me as soon as possible and tell them that I had something important to see them."
"Where do you want them to meet you?"
"Right here." Sokov pointed to the conference room next to him: "I will wait for the three of them here."