The fact that Ponedelin, a general who had been captured by the Germans, was appointed commander of the 50th Army by Rokossovsky on the recommendation of Sokov, only a few hours later, the entire
All commanders at division level and above in the front army knew about it.
Before Ponedelin left Sokov's headquarters, he received a call from Kirillov. An old comrade who had been in the same prisoner of war camp with Ponedelin for several years was a little excited.
Said: "General Ponejelin, I heard that you have been appointed as the commander of the 50th Army. I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to you."
"Kirillov, thank you, thank you!" Ponedelin said; "I never thought that one day I would be able to become the commander of the group army again." He glanced at Sosokov, who was sitting not far away.
He continued: "If it weren't for the recommendation of Comrade Commander, I'm afraid I would never have such an opportunity."
Kirillov also agreed with Ponedelin's statement: "You are right. Without the help of Comrade Commander, you and I, as well as the sacrificed Muzychenko, would not be digging in Siberia right now."
Potato is imprisoned in the Lubyanka prison. It is precisely because of his constant voice for us that we are where we are today." After a pause, he continued, "Now you go to the new army alone.
, I'm afraid a lot of work will be difficult to carry out. Do you think you need my assistance? If so, I will immediately apply to the commander and ask him to transfer me to the 50th Group Army to serve as your subordinate and help you open up the situation there.
"
"No, Kirillov." Ponedelin declined Kirillov's kindness politely: "Now you are doing a good job as the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, and you really followed me to the 50th Army.
, I'm afraid I won't be able to provide you with the same position, which will affect your future."
"It doesn't matter, even if I'm just a group leader, I'll be satisfied."
Knowing that Kirillov was showing his kindness, Ponedelin still refused: "Thank you for your kindness, it's really not necessary."
Sokov vaguely heard the conversation between Ponedelin and Kirilov. He knew very well that there would be difficulties in the early work of letting Ponedelin serve as the commander of the group army in a new unit. Otherwise, Kirillov
Love would not urge him to go with him. However, he also lacks talents like Kirillov. If he really leaves, he still needs to choose the right person to replace the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.
position.
Thinking of this, he stood up and walked to Ponedelin, took the phone from his hand, and said into the receiver: "General Kirillov, this is Sokov. I understand what you mean, but I am here
We can't do without you, and you can't leave. As for your worry about where Comrade Deputy Commander has gone, it will be difficult to carry out the work if he is alone. You can rest assured that I will send someone to take up the post with him."
Kirillov heard what Sokov said and asked curiously: "Who do you plan to send to the new army with General Ponedelin?"
"Who else could be there, of course, are my old classmates at the Frunze Military Academy." Sokov actually felt quite guilty about these classmates. He asked them to follow him to the 48th Army, but only a few of them served as
The specific positions of military commanders have been replaced, and the remaining people are working as staff officers in the headquarters. For these military commanders who have come down from the battlefield, it is simply a waste. Now Ponejelin is about to take up his post in the new army.
Sokov planned to transfer some students to go with him, so that not only would Ponedelin have assistants, but those old classmates would also have the opportunity to display their talents.
"Comrade Commander," Kirillov suddenly felt more at ease after hearing what Sokov said. He knew those students and their abilities. If they could really follow Ponejelin to the new army,
Ponejelin now has a group of right-hand assistants, and it will no longer be difficult to quickly open up the situation in the new army: "You are so thoughtful. I would like to express my gratitude to you on behalf of Ponejelin."
.”
"General Kirillov, you're so polite." Sokov said with a smile: "You are all my subordinates, and I should do it for your sake. There is no need to thank me."
After ending the call with Kirillov, artillery director Potapov called Ponedelin again: "Old man, I heard that you were appointed commander of the 50th Army. Is this true?
?”
"It's true, Misha." Hearing the call from Potapov, Ponedelin smiled and said: "The appointment letter signed by Marshal Rokossovsky himself is on my shirt right now.
In my pocket, this matter is definitely not true. After I finish handling the matters here, I will rush over and take office immediately. "
While the two old friends were still chatting on the phone, Rokossovsky's call came in: "Misha, has General Ponedelin set off?"
Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Sokov couldn't help but feel a little in his heart, secretly thinking that nothing would happen, right? If that were the case, Ponedelin would be unable to step down. He quickly asked
He said: "Comrade Marshal, what can I do?"
"That's it, Misha." Rokossovsky said on the phone: "Although I appointed Ponedelin as the commander of the 50th Army, I now find that my consideration seemed to be somewhat improper and I did not give him
Arrange deputies so that after he arrives in the new unit, it may be difficult for him to open up the situation in a short period of time."
After figuring out what was going on, Sokov breathed a sigh of relief, and then said: "Comrade Marshal, don't worry about this, I have already taken it into consideration."
"Have you considered it?!" Rokossovsky asked curiously: "How did you consider it?"
"Ponejelin will face many new problems when he goes to the new army alone. Those members in the headquarters may need to get along with him for a period of time before they can truly cooperate." Sokov said: "So I plan to start from the original
Deploy some of the students from the Frunze Military Academy to follow him to the new army. These students who graduated from the Frunze Military Academy are not only strong in ability, but also have a good relationship with Ponjelin. With their assistance, I believe it will be impossible.
How long will it take for Ponejelin to completely open up the situation?"
"Well, you are very thoughtful." After listening to Sokov's words, Rokossovsky nodded and said: "Now that you have made a decision, then do what you said and dispatch a group of students to follow.
General Ponejelin went to the new unit and tried to open up the situation there as soon as possible."
Seeing that Rokossovsky agreed to his proposal, Sokov was naturally overjoyed. But he soon thought of Bolkin who had been dismissed from his post, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, what about Bolkin?"
General, how do you plan to deal with it?"
"Misha, this is not a problem that you should consider." Rokossovsky heard this question and immediately said in a stern tone: "He has been sent to Moscow overnight. As for how to deal with him, it is up to the military."
Court matters."
As soon as he heard the word military court, Sokov's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He secretly wondered whether Bolkin would be sentenced to death for delaying the fighter plane? If that was the case, it would be too unworthy. But
Then I thought about it, what kind of punishment he received had nothing to do with half a kopeck of his own. Who made him drink too much during the war and delay the opportunity to fight? If it was at the beginning of the war, he must have been like General Pavlov.
ending.
"Misha, I'm calling you because I want to ask your opinion on something." Rokossovsky said, "If you don't agree, I will tell you."
When Rokossovsky said that he had something to discuss with him, Sokov said respectfully: "Comrade Marshal, if you have anything to do, please feel free to tell me."
"It's like this. I just received a call from Yakov. He said that with his father's permission, he wanted to return to the front line." Rokossovsky said cautiously: "Although I object to him returning to the battlefield.
, but since the Supreme Commander himself agreed to this matter, I can't object. Therefore, after thinking over and over again, I feel that it is most appropriate to place him in your army. Not only because you are good friends, but more importantly, you have
Sufficient ability to ensure his personal safety."
Hearing that Yakov wanted to return to the front line, Sokov couldn't help but be a little dumbfounded. If he just sent any weapons and equipment to the front line as before, he would definitely welcome it. But if he wanted to return to the front line, that would be a different matter.
Regardless of the current situation on the battlefield, it is becoming more and more favorable to the Soviet army, but even as an important commander, there is still the possibility of encountering danger. For example, General Chernyakhovsky will be in danger in half a month.
He would be killed by the German shelling. If Yakov returned to the front line, no place would be safe unless he stayed in Rokossovsky's headquarters.
When Rokossovsky heard Sokov's delay in speaking, he asked curiously: "Misha, why don't you speak?"
"Comrade Marshal, I am wondering why Yasha wants to return to the front line?" Sokov said cautiously: "Does he want to use this last opportunity to make achievements on the battlefield? So he did not hesitate to give up his position in the General Staff
, but also to return to the forefront.”
"Misha, what you said makes sense." Rokossovsky also agreed with Sokov's statement: "After all, it is very difficult for him to make contributions in the General Staff.
It's easy, that is to say, if you continue to stay, there won't be any chance of promotion. Rather than staying there and dawdling, it's better to go back to the front line and give it a try. Maybe you can make some achievements and get a chance to be promoted."
"Comrade Marshal," Sokov told Rokossovsky what he was thinking: "How about you place Yasha in your headquarters, so that the risk can be minimized. If there is
What kind of meritorious deeds can he achieve given the opportunity?"
"No, no." Unexpectedly, Rokossovsky shook his head and said, "I think it would be better for him to stay in my headquarters all day long than to stay at the General Staff. Misha now has two choices.
, one is to let Yakov go to your place and serve as a division commander or brigade commander or something; or, reject his request and let him continue to stay in the General Staff Headquarters."
"Then let him stay at the General Staff Headquarters." Sokov said: "I think the risk on the front line is too great. If he really wants to come, I'm afraid he will be in danger."
Rokossovsky originally thought that as long as he told Sokov that Yakov wanted to come to the front, the other party would not hesitate to ask Yakov to go to his 48th Army and make arrangements for him in advance.
What kind of position? After he finished talking, he discovered that the other party didn't want to accept Yakov at all, and even wanted to place Yakov in his own front army headquarters. This made things difficult.
"Misha, your proposal makes it very difficult for me to handle." Rokossovsky said with a wry smile: "Someone from above has already informed me that Yakov's return to the front line is a certainty.
This is a fact that no one can change. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Marshal." Sokov smiled bitterly and said to Rokossovsky: "Actually, I am not safe here. If Yakov really comes, if something happens, I can't afford this.
responsibility."
After hearing this, Rokossovsky sighed and continued: "Misha, this is the first time I have discovered that you are such a stubborn person. Forget it, since you are not willing to accept Yakov, then I will not force it.
, I will tell the superiors and let them find a way to keep Yakov in the General Staff."
"That's right, Comrade Marshal." Sokov quickly said: "I think it is undoubtedly the best choice to let Yasha stay in the General Staff. You must discuss it carefully with the superiors and don't let Yasha come.
Adventure on the front lines.”
When Rokossovsky put down the phone, Suboting, who was sitting next to him, immediately came over and curiously asked Rokossovsky: "Comrade Marshal, why did General Sokov refuse to accept Yakov?
You know, they are good brothers who have shared weal and woe."
Rokossovsky stared at Subbotin and said: "Comrade Military Commissar, I think Misha did this because he and Yasha are good friends who are better than brothers, and they are not willing to let each other take risks on the front line, so
So I tried my best to keep Yasha in the General Staff."
"But when the superiors ask about this, how should we answer?" Su Bojing said in embarrassment: "You have to find a way out."
Rokossovsky frowned and thought for a while, then said: "The superior only said that Yasha wanted to return to the front line, but did not say that he must return to our army. Do you think this will work? Let him do it.
Ernyakhovsky’s Third Front.”
"To the Third Front of General Chernyakhovsky?" Subbotin couldn't help but frowned after hearing this: "Is this possible?"
"How will you know if you don't try?" Rokossovsky said with a smile: "The two of us jointly reported to our superiors, explaining that the current situation of our front army is indeed not suitable for Yasha to be placed. It is better to let him go to other units.
In addition to General Chernyakhovsky’s Third Front, there are also Marshal Zhukov’s First Front, and Marshal Konev’s First Ukrainian Front, etc., which can all be Yasha’s choices.”
"Yes, that's right." Rokossovsky's words suddenly opened Suboting's vision: "I will get in touch with the superiors immediately, tell them our decision, and ask them to inform Yasha that he can choose to go to other troops.