While Sokov's troops were intensively preparing for war, an unfortunate incident occurred. On the way back from a mission, the director of the armored forces of the group army unfortunately ran over a mine laid by the German army in his jeep, and died heroically on the spot.
Although the 48th Group Army does not have many tank troops, without the director of the armored corps, the tank troops have lost unified command, so someone must be found to take over his position as soon as possible.
"Comrade commanders," Sokov looked at his deputies and raised his voice: "Although our group army has a small number of tank brigades and tank regiments, it is not possible without a unified command, so we have to
Arrange a new commander as the director of armored forces as soon as possible. I wonder if you have a suitable candidate?"
"What about Lieutenant Colonel Glushko?" Ponedelin first expressed his opinion: "I think it is more appropriate for him to serve as the director of the armored force."
But as soon as his candidate was proposed, he was opposed by Sokov: "No, Comrade Deputy Commander. Lieutenant Colonel Glushko is an excellent infantry commander. If he is allowed to command the tank unit, he is a professional."
No. Comrade Chief of Staff, do you have any suitable candidates?"
Sidorin listened to Sokov asking himself, thought for a moment, and asked tentatively: "What about Major Sukharev? According to my observation, his ability is outstanding among the students. If he is appointed as the director of the armored force, he will definitely be able to do it."
We will fully assist you in your work.”
However, the candidate proposed by Sidorin was still rejected by Sokov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, like Lieutenant Colonel Glushko, Major Sukhalev is only familiar with infantry and is an outsider in tank troops."
After both candidates were rejected by Sokov, everyone remained silent and seriously thought about whether there was anyone they knew who was suitable for the position of director of the armored forces of the group army.
After a long time, seeing that everyone was silent, Sokov said: "Comrade commanders, since no one can come up with a suitable candidate, I am going to let Colonel Kirillov take over this position temporarily until he is found.
Once we have found a suitable candidate, it will not be too late for him to hand over his post."
Unexpectedly, Sokov's proposal to let Kirillov serve as director of the armored force was rejected by Kirillov: "Comrade Commander, thank you for your kindness. But I feel that I am not suitable for this position. You should let someone else
Come and take this seat."
Sokov was dissatisfied with the candidates proposed by Ponedelin and Sidorin, and Sokov proposed that Kirillov serve in this position, but was rejected by the person involved. For a time, Sokov was in a dilemma.
.
"Comrade Commander," seeing Sokov's sad face, Ponedelin said tentatively: "I have a suitable candidate who can serve as the director of the armored forces."
When Sokov heard what Kirillov said, his eyes suddenly shone and he said quickly: "Colonel Kirillov, I wonder who the candidate you recommended is and what position he currently holds?"
"Comrade Commander, the person I recommend is called Malyshev, with the rank of colonel." Kirillov said cautiously: "Now he serves as the director of the supply department in the logistics department of the group army."
"Director of the Supply Division of the Logistics Department?!" After hearing the person recommended by Kirillov, Sokov couldn't help but frowned: "Is he really suitable for this position?"
"Very suitable, Comrade Commander." Kirillov said to Sokov: "He had commanded armored forces before the war and has rich command experience."
"Kirillov, since he commanded the armored forces before the war, why is he placed in the logistics department now?" Ponedelin asked tentatively: "Did he make any mistakes?"
"Also," Sidorin waited for Ponedelin to finish, and then intervened and asked: "Comrade Colonel, I wonder what the rank of Colonel Malyshev was before the war?"
"Colonel," Kirillov replied without hesitation: "He has been with the rank of colonel before the war broke out."
This time it was Sokov's turn to frown. Since this man had the rank of colonel before the war and had commanded a tank unit, why was he still standing still three years after the war broke out?
Important command positions were transferred to the logistics unit.
"Colonel Kirillov," Sokov asked Kirillov with a straight face: "His military rank has not changed in the past few years. Did he make any mistakes that caused his military rank to not be promoted?"
In case of being assigned to the logistics department?”
"How should I put it?" Kirillov said hesitantly: "He once ordered someone to blow up the Dnieper River bridge outside Smolensk without asking for permission, and was even ordered to do so by the Western Front.
An arrest warrant was issued on the charge of blowing up bridges over the Dnieper River and interfering with the restoration of order in Smolensk."
"Blow up the bridge on the Dnieper River?" Sokov was confused and asked puzzledly: "Why did he blow up the bridge?"
"Comrade Commander, if you are interested, I can call someone over." Kirillov said with a smile: "It would be more appropriate for you to ask him in person."
In order to find out more about Colonel Malyshev's blowing up of the Dnieper River bridge, Sokov agreed to Kirillov's request and asked him to invite Malyshev to his headquarters.
Ten minutes later, Colonel Malyshev, who was not tall and had a round face, appeared in the headquarters.
Sokov shook hands with him, and then asked politely: "Comrade Colonel, I heard that you once ordered the bridge over the Dnieper River to be blown up. Is this true?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Regarding Sokov's question, Malyshev replied affirmatively: "This is indeed the case."
"Tell me why you wanted to blow up the bridge over the Dnieper River."
Since Sokov asked about this matter, Malyshev did not hide anything and told a story from the past three years: "It happened one month after the war broke out, when the German army launched a fierce attack on Smolensk. What I said
I knew a tank brigade and several militia brigades, which were stubbornly resisting the enemy's attack in the city. However, due to the difference in strength and equipment, the troops under my command were quickly exhausted. In order to prevent the Germans from passing the bridge
, broke into the city from the left bank of the Dnieper River, and I decisively ordered the bridge to be blown up, dividing the enemy attacking the city on both sides of the Dnieper River."
Upon hearing this, Sokov realized that under the circumstances, blowing up the Dnieper River Bridge was undoubtedly the right choice. If he had been in the city at that time, he might have issued the same order. He paused for a moment and asked tentatively: "
I heard that the Western Front issued an arrest warrant for you, how did you escape safely in the end?"
"It was the commander of the 16th Group Army, General Lukin, and the chief of staff, Colonel Shalin, who saved me." Malyshev explained: "Colonel Shalin told the members of the investigation team that the order to blow up the bridge was drafted by him and the director of engineers.
, I am just an executor.
The commander, General Lukin, reported to his superiors that it was precisely because I blew up the bridge in time and divided the enemy attacking Smolensk on both sides of the Dnieper River that the enemy was unable to complete their intention to seize the city in a short period of time.
Not only is there no fault, but it is meritorious."
Sokov knew that Lukin and Colonel Sarin rescued Malyshev, but why he was assigned to the logistics department is an unsolved mystery: "Then how did you end up in the logistics department?"
"This is the case," Malyshev continued to Sokov: "Although with the help of General Lukin and Colonel Sarin, I was temporarily out of danger. But with the transfer of General Lukin and Colonel Sarin, this
The matter was brought out to make a fuss again. To make matters worse, the 16th Army was annihilated by the Germans in the Vyazma area. Although I was one of the few who escaped by chance, my superiors became suspicious of me.
After the screening and review, he was assigned to work in the logistics department."
Hearing the other party mention the 16th Army many times, Sokov was secretly thinking that after Lukin left the 16th Army, Rokossovsky took over as commander. I wonder if he has any feelings for Colonel Malyshev.
no impression.
Sokov then thought, if Konev had not ordered Rokossovsky to go to Vyazma to receive the troops, but had asked Lukin to receive the troops, would history have been rewritten here? The original wartime
Marshal Rokossovsky became a prisoner of the Germans; and General Lukin, who was captured by the Germans, was lucky enough to become another wartime marshal?
"Comrade Commander, Comrade Commander." Seeing Sokov suddenly fell silent, Sidorin touched him with his elbow, and when he looked at him, he whispered, "What did you think about it?"
"What are you thinking about?" Sokov was still thinking about the identity change between Lukin and Rokossovsky, so he didn't understand what Sidorin meant for a while.
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin saw that Sokov was absent-minded at the moment and quickly explained to him: "Do you agree to let Colonel Malyshev serve as the director of the armored forces?"
"I am going to appoint Colonel Malyshev as the director of the armored forces of the group army." Sokov sat up straight, coughed slightly, cleared his throat and said, "I don't know if you have any different opinions."
Colonel Malyshev never imagined that Kirillov would call him here, and after asking Sokov to question him, he was going to appoint him as the director of the armored force of the group army. Surprised, he stared at him with his eyes.
Looking at the several commanders present, they were filled with anxiety, fearing that someone might raise objections.
Fortunately, Malyshev's worries did not come true. As soon as Sokov finished speaking, Ponedelin and others expressed their support for Sokov's appointment, and Colonel Malyshev served as the director of armored forces of the group army.
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Shortly after Colonel Malyshev left, Rokossovsky called. He asked with concern on the phone: "Misha, I heard that your armored force director was unfortunately in contact with someone on the way back from a mission.
Lei died?"
"Yes, Comrade General." Sokov said with a heavy heart: "My director of armored forces did hit a mine and died."
"What a pity." Rokossovsky sighed and asked tentatively: "Do you need me to send you a new director of armored forces?"
"Thank you, Comrade General!" Faced with Rokossovsky's kindness, Sokov expressed his gratitude, and then said: "But I have appointed a new director of armored forces."
"You have appointed a new director of armored forces?!" Rokossovsky asked curiously: "Who is it?"
"Colonel Malyshev, the new director of armored forces is Colonel Malyshev." Sokov specifically emphasized the other party's original identity: "He is the director of the supply department of the logistics department of the group army."
"Misha, what did you say?" Rokossovsky said in surprise: "If you let a director of the Supply Division of the Logistics Department serve as the director of armored forces, do you think he is qualified for the job?"
"I think he should be able to." Sokov said cautiously: "Before the war broke out, Colonel Malyshev began to command the armored forces. During the battle to defend Smolensk, he once commanded a tank brigade and
Several militia brigades fought against the German troops attacking the city."
"Wait a minute, Misha!" Rokossovsky heard this and interrupted Sokov's next words. He asked tentatively: "Did the Colonel Malyshev you mentioned explode without authorization?"
The one who destroyed the bridge over the Dnieper? Is it the same name, or is it him?"
"Of course it's him." Seeing that Rokossovsky was so familiar with this person, Sokov couldn't help but asked worriedly: "Comrade General, you won't object to my appointment, right?"
"No objection, no objection." Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Rokossovsky said with a smile: "I heard about this after I took over the post of commander of the 16th Group Army, and I originally wanted to entrust him with the task.
However, Marshal Konev was transferred to Vyazma to take over the troops, leaving him in his original army.
You should be very clear about what happened next. The 16th Army was annihilated by the Germans in Vyazma. Only the members of the Army Headquarters led by me went to other places to avoid the fate of being surrounded and annihilated by the Germans. And I also lost my life.
When I heard about Colonel Malyshev, I thought he had died in the battle, but I didn’t expect that he was still alive.”
From Rokossovsky's words, Sokov realized that the wartime marshal quite appreciated Malyshev, and his original worries disappeared. However, for the sake of safety, he still cautiously
Question: "Comrade General, so you have no objection to my appointment of Colonel Malyshev as the director of the armored forces?"
"No objection, no objection." Rokossovsky said: "I think it is undoubtedly the most suitable for Colonel Malyshev to serve as the director of the armored forces. In order to better utilize his strengths, I plan to
I'll give you two more tank brigades."
Sokov never dreamed that after Rokossovsky learned who his new director of armored forces was, he would be so generous in preparing to place two tank brigades under his command. This made him overjoyed: "Commander
Comrade, is this true? Do you really intend to put two more tank brigades under our command?"
"Of course it's true." Rokossovsky said in an affirmative tone: "Misha, when did you see that I didn't mean what I said? I said I would give you two tank brigades, and I will definitely give it to you. In the end,
As late as tonight, you will see these two tank brigades appearing in your defense zone."
"Comrade General." After confirming that Rokossovsky was not joking with him, Sokov quickly said seriously: "On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 48th Group Army, I would like to express my gratitude to you. In the next battle, I will
Proper use of these two tank brigades will allow them to achieve greater results."