Rokossovsky said he would return in an hour, but Sokov and others waited for three hours before he returned to the headquarters.
Seeing Rokossovsky walking in from the outside, the four people who were sitting and chatting all stood up. Malinin stepped forward to greet him, while the three Sokovs straightened their backs at the conference table and greeted Rokossovsky.
Ji Xing pays attention.
After saying hello to Malinin, Rokossovsky came to Sokov. Before Sokov could raise his hand to his forehead, he grabbed it and shook it vigorously: "Comrade Sokov, I represent Belarus."
All officers and men of the First Front welcome you and your subordinates."
If it was an informal occasion, Rokossovsky would call Sokov Misha. Today, this was a formal occasion, so he used his last name plus his job title.
But when the two men were about to finish shaking hands, Rokossovsky pulled Sokov into his arms and gave him a warm hug. He patted Sokov on the back and said
: "Misha, I hope that after you come here, you can continue to achieve more meritorious deeds like you did in other troops."
"Don't worry, Comrade General." Sokov vowed to Rokossovsky: "I will never let you down."
After hearing Sokov's answer, Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction, then let him go, and then went to shake hands with Ponedelin and Kirillov.
"Colonel Kirillov," before Rokossovsky returned, he learned from Malinin that Kirillov was unwilling to serve as chief of staff, so he felt it was necessary to talk to Kirillov: "I
I heard that you are unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of the 47th Group Army, is that true?"
When Malinin called Rokossovsky, Kirillov was beside him. He could clearly hear the conversation between the two. Naturally, he knew that he was unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of the group army. Rokossovsky had already known it.
But since the other party asked him personally, he still answered truthfully: "Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I feel that my abilities are not suitable for serving as the Chief of Staff of the Group Army, so I rejected the appointment arranged by you."
After Rokossovsky waited for Kirillov to finish speaking, he did not express his position immediately, but stared intently, which made Kirillov feel nervous.
After an unknown amount of time, Rokossovsky spoke again: "Colonel Kirillov, since you are unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of this group army, can you recommend a suitable candidate to hold this position?"
According to Rokossovsky's idea, Kirillov will definitely not be able to find a suitable candidate. When the time comes, he can force him to take this position first, and it will not be too late to replace him when a suitable candidate is found in the future.
.
But what he didn't expect was that when Kirillov heard what he said, he nodded vigorously and said affirmatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I really have a suitable candidate who can serve as the chief of staff of the group army."
Kirillov's words aroused Rokossovsky's curiosity: "Oh, is there a suitable candidate? Who is it?"
"Colonel Sidorin, Chief of Staff of the 41st Guards Division." Kirillov said: "I think it is most appropriate for him to serve as Chief of Staff of the Army Group." Perhaps in order to persuade Rokossovsky, he
He even mentioned the cooperation between Sokov and Sidorin in the past, "You know, as early as the Battle of Stalingrad, Colonel Sidorin served as chief of staff and assisted our commander in his work. Since he
He was a qualified chief of staff at that time, so now I think it is very appropriate for him to take a step further and serve as the chief of staff of the group army."
Not only did Rokossovsky not expect that Kirillov would propose Sidorin as a candidate, Sokov also did not expect it. He was stunned at first, but soon felt that the candidate proposed by Kirillov was a perfect fit.
You know. Before Sidorin was transferred here, he was the chief of operations under Chuikov and had rich experience as a staff officer. During his tenure as his chief of staff, he was very satisfied with the abilities he displayed.
"Comrade Sokov," Rokossovsky looked at Sokov and asked, "What do you think of Colonel Kirillov's proposal?"
If Konev had not said hello in advance and prevented the people Sokov took away from causing the stability of the army, maybe Sokov would have considered taking Sidorin away at that time. Even if he could not be the chief of staff of the group army, he could be the chief of staff of the army.
It's also more than enough.
"Comrade General," since Rokossovsky asked this, Sokov naturally had to express his true thoughts: "I think it would be a more correct choice to let Colonel Sidorin serve as my chief of staff. However,
, he now belongs to the Second Ukrainian Front, I wonder if there will be any problems if we transfer him here?"
"You don't have to worry about this." Rokossovsky said carelessly: "As long as you are willing to let Colonel Sidorin serve as the chief of staff of the group army, I can contact Marshal Konev immediately, and before he is transferred,
I’ll give you Cidolin and ask for it.”
Hearing Rokossovsky's affirmative tone, Sokov suddenly felt confident, "Comrade General, I'll leave it to you. With Sidorin as a capable assistant, I believe that the next work will be carried out.
It will get smoother.”
The candidate for the chief of staff of the group army has been confirmed, but there is no conclusion yet on how to place Kirillov. Rokossovsky stood up, walked in front of Kirillov, shook his head and said in embarrassment: "Kirilov
Colonel Rilov, how do you think I should arrange for you?"
Kirillov looked at Rokossovsky and said respectfully: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I resolutely obey your orders. I will take up whatever position you assign me to take."
"Now that the positions of corps commander and division commander of the 47th Group Army are full, you will definitely not be able to serve as division commander or corps commander." Rokossovsky frowned and said, "Although there are still many vacancies for regiment-level commanders.
, but I can’t let an excellent commander like you serve as a regiment leader.”
There is a reason for Rokossovsky to say this. When the war broke out, he had the same military rank as Kirillov and also held the position of army commander. In less than three years, he had become the front commander in charge of a front.
However, because Kirillov was captured by the Germans in the Battle of Uman, his position was not promoted, but was demoted. If he was appointed as a regimental commander, it would be harmless but extremely insulting.
powerful.
At this moment, Ponejelin, who had always remained silent, suddenly said: "Comrade General, can I share my opinion?"
Rokossovsky was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said politely: "General Ponedelin, if you have anything to say, just say it."
"Since the superiors cannot arrange a suitable position for Colonel Kirillov in a short period of time." Ponedelin said cautiously: "I think it is better to let him stay in the headquarters until a suitable position is found.
, it won’t be too late to arrange for him to take up the post.”
Regarding Ponedelin's proposal, Rokossovsky thought about it and felt that it was the most suitable choice at present, so he nodded in agreement: "Okay, let Colonel Kirillov stay in the headquarters first.
When a suitable position is found, we can rearrange his work. What do you think, Colonel Kirillov, do you have any objections?"
"No." Kirillov answered very readily: "I firmly obey your orders!"
Everyone's work was arranged, and Sokov then asked: "Comrade General, I wonder when we will go to the 47th Group Army and take over the command there?"
"Don't be anxious, Comrade Sokov." Rokossovsky waved his hand to Sokov and said: "You have just arrived, stay here to rest for two days. It is best to wait until Colonel Sidorin comes.
, I will send you to take office together."
Although Sokov wished he could appear at the 47th Army Headquarters right now and take over the command of the troops from Lieutenant General Polenov. But since Rokossovsky said he would not go there for two days, he did not
Anyway, I can only stay obediently and wait patiently for the arrival of Sidorin.
Sidorin, who was far away in Romania, was feeling regretful when he learned the news that Sokov had been transferred. Suddenly he received a call from Army Commander Afunin, saying that he was about to be transferred to the 1st Belarusian Front.
He immediately handed over his duties to the deputy chief of staff and took the plane arranged by his superiors to travel to a new area.
After the plane took off, Sidorin looked down through the glass. He could see the Prut River that he had crossed not long ago, as well as the dense forest. He thought to himself that he was transferred to the 1st Belarusian Front this time.
It must be related to Sokov, but I don't know what position he will be assigned.
When the plane landed at the simple field airport, Sidorin got off the plane. A captain ran over from the side, stopped in front of him, raised his hand in salute, and asked politely: "Excuse me, are you from the 41st Guards Division West?"
Colonel Dorling?"
"Yes, I am Cidolin!"
Before Sidorin could ask the other party's name, the captain had already turned his body to one side and made a greeting gesture: "Comrade Colonel, the car to pick you up is parked next to the runway. Please get in the car and I will take you to the headquarters.
.”
"Headquarters?" Sidorin heard the other party say headquarters and couldn't help but curiously asked: "What headquarters, group army headquarters or front army headquarters?"
"Of course it's the Front Army Headquarters."
The captain quickly drove Sidorin to the location of the headquarters, then took him into the building and handed him to a major waiting here: "Comrade Major, I have already picked him up!
"
"Thank you, Comrade Captain." The major nodded to the captain and said politely: "Leave the rest to me, and you can continue your work."
The captain saluted the major and turned to leave.
Seeing the captain leaving, the major raised his hand and saluted Sidorin: "Hello, comrade colonel. My name is Lekashali. I used to be the chief of staff of the 233rd Infantry Division."
"The 233rd Infantry Division?!" Sidorin repeated the unit number and said with some surprise: "Isn't this unit affiliated with the 49th Infantry Army of the Second Ukrainian Front? Could it be that you are under the command of the 1st Belarusian Front?
Already?"
Unexpectedly, Lekashali smiled faintly after hearing this and said: "Comrade Colonel, it's not that the army has changed its affiliation, but that a group of our regiment-level commanders have all followed Commander Sokov here."
"Oh, you also came here with the commander?" Sidorin heard that the other party came here with Sokov, and couldn't help but curiously asked: "Do you know where the commander is now?"
"Comrade Colonel, don't be anxious." Lekashali said to Sidorin with a smile: "I am taking you to see him now."
Hearing that he would see Sokov soon, Sidorin could not hold his breath and quickly urged Lekashali: "Comrade Major, walk faster, I want to see the commander as soon as possible."
Lekashali took Sidorin to Sokov's office, stood at the door and shouted inside: "Report to Comrade Commander, Colonel Sidorin has arrived."
This is the office that Rokossovsky arranged for Sokov and others. Sokov is sitting behind his desk at the moment, chatting with Ponedelin, Kirillov and others. Hearing Lekashali’s report
, immediately stood up and said with some urgency: "Hurry up and ask Colonel Sidorin to come in!"
Sidorin walked into the room and saw Sokov walking around the desk and walking towards him. He quickly raised his hand to his forehead and said loudly: "Comrade General, former Chief of Staff of the 41st Guards Division, Colonel West
Duolin reports to you, I have been ordered..." When he said this, Xiduolin suddenly got stuck and said that he was ordered to come. This transfer seems to have nothing to do with Sokov. But it doesn't matter. Someone will pick him up as soon as he gets off the plane.
He brought it to Sokov. For a moment, Sidorin didn't know what to say.
"Hello, Colonel Sidorin, I've finally looked forward to having you here." Sokov stepped forward and shook hands with Sidorin, then greeted: "Please take a seat quickly."
But Victor did not sit down immediately, because he saw that Ponedelin was still here. Not to mention that Ponedelin was now a general, and not long ago, he was the commander of the 41st Guards Division, and he was his partner. Naturally,
You should come up and say hello: "Hello, Comrade General, I'm glad to see you here."
"I'm glad to see you here, Comrade Chief of Staff."
Hearing Ponejelin calling his chief of staff, Sidorin waved his hand and said with a smile: "Comrade General, don't say that, I have been dismissed from the position of chief of staff of the division. Next, my superiors will arrange for me to serve as chief of staff."
What the position is, I don’t know.”
"You don't know, but I do, Colonel Sidorin." Ponedelin held Sidorin's hand and said with a smile: "Now you are the chief of staff of our 47th Group Army."
"Comrade General, please stop joking." Sidorin did not take Ponedelin's words to heart. Not long ago, he was the chief of staff of a division. How could he become the chief of staff of a group army in the blink of an eye? This span is too big.
point.
"Colonel Sidorin, how could I joke with you about such a thing?" Ponedelin continued to smile and said: "If you are unlucky, you can ask Colonel Kirillov or the comrade commander, they can prove it.
What I said is real."
Sidorin and Kirillov were not familiar with each other, so naturally they would not ask strangers to confirm the matter, so they cast an inquiring look at Sokov and asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, what did General Ponedelin say?"
Is it all true?"
"Of course it's true." Sokov nodded, confirming Ponedelin's statement, but added: "Initially, the superiors appointed Colonel Kirillov to this position, but he felt that he was not suitable for it.
, and recommended you to General Rokossovsky. After obtaining our consent, you were officially appointed as the Chief of Staff of the 47th Group Army."