After Sokov followed Sokolovsky to the airport, the convoy drove directly to a transport plane parked next to the runway.
After getting on the plane, Sokov tentatively asked Sokolovsky: "Comrade Deputy Commander, what happened in the direction of Berlin that made us rush back overnight?"
Sokolovsky looked at Sokov and sighed, and said: "Misha, don't worry, you will know the answer in two hours at most." Seeing that Sokolovsky was unwilling to say,
Naturally, Sokov couldn't ask any more questions. He began to wonder in his mind, what happened in the direction of Berlin? If Sokolovsky was so eager to return, could it be that Zhukov was responsible?
What happened? This kind of speculation did not arise out of thin air. After all, the commander-in-chief of the cluster in Germany is Marshal Zhukov, and Sokolovsky is just his deputy. Even if the British, American and French troops wanted to attack the Soviet army,
Zhukov could make his own decision, and there was no need to recall Sokolovsky, who was far away in Nuremberg. Unless the Supreme Command dismissed Zhukov from his post, and Berlin was leaderless, Sokolovsky had to be recalled.
urgently recall cypress
Forest.
But then I thought about it, wasn't Zhukov relieved of his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Group in Germany in March 1946 and assigned to the Odessa Military District as the Commander of the Military District? Could it be that this time has been advanced?
After an hour's flight, the plane landed at the Berlin military airport.
While the plane was still taxiing on the runway, a black car parked next to the runway caught up with it.
When the plane came to a stop, the car happened to be parked not far from the cabin door. Then a major came out from the co-pilot's seat and looked up at the closed cabin door.
The cabin door opened, and after the pilot put down the gangway, he got off the plane first and stood upright next to the gangway.
After Sokolovsky got off the plane, he nodded to the pilot and said politely: "Thank you, comrade pilot!"
The pilot replied quickly and loudly: "Serve the Soviet Motherland!"
When the major saw Sokolovsky get off the plane, he quickly came up to him and raised his hand in salute: "Hello, comrade deputy commander, Marshal Zhukov ordered me to pick you up. Please get in the car."
Sokolovsky glanced at Sokov who was following him, and asked the major politely: "General Sokov is coming back to Berlin with me. Can he follow me to see Marshal Zhukov?"
"Of course, Comrade Deputy Commander." The major nodded and said in a positive tone: "Comrade Marshal also wants to meet General Sokov, so let's get in the car together."
Sokov said nothing and followed Sokolovsky into the car in an orderly manner. He remained silent the whole time to avoid accidentally saying the wrong thing.
After arriving at Zhukov's headquarters, Sokov saw the officers he met along the way with very serious expressions on their faces. It seemed that something big had happened, and he couldn't help but become more and more uneasy. "Hello, Comrade Marshal of the Soviet Union.
.” After entering Zhukov’s office, Sokolovsky took the lead in raising his hand to salute Zhukov, and reported in accordance with the order: “General Sokolovsky, First Deputy Commander of the Group in Germany,
Come report to you!"
"Come on, there are no outsiders here, so there is no need to be so polite." Zhukov came over and shook hands with Sokolovsky: "You know everything. Let's carry out the necessary handover work as soon as possible." Standing next to him.
When Sokov heard what Zhukov said, he couldn't help but be surprised. Could his guess be correct? He looked at Zhukov carefully and found that he had not seen him for only twenty days, but he seemed to be more than ten years older.
That way, even my back is a bit hunched.
"Comrade Marshal, what is going on?" Sokolovsky asked: "Why are you in a hurry to hand over the work?"
"Misha, you are back too." Zhukov did not answer Sokolovsky's question immediately, but called to Sokovsky who was standing next to him: "Stop standing and find a place to sit down."
After Sokolovsky and Sokov sat down, Zhukov picked up a newspaper, came to them, handed it to them and said: "Read this newspaper."
Sokolovsky took the newspaper and began to browse. Sokov quickly leaned his head over and saw clearly that it was a copy of the "Red Star". One of the reports was circled in red pen. Sokovsky guessed that Zhukov asked
The two of them were looking at the circled part, so they concentrated on browsing.
The report read: "After the German surrender, we could see Marshal Zhukov everywhere on the streets of Berlin. He inspected the ruins, looked at the exaggerated Prussian-style statues, and saw those who were fawning and obedient.
When the Germans arrived, the Marshal's eyes showed contempt... On this day, the Marshal attended the funeral of the martyrs who died in the Battle of Berlin and delivered an exciting speech in front of the tomb: 'The heroes who sacrificed their lives for the motherland, freedom and independence'
They will live forever...' He grabbed a handful of soil and threw it into the grave. Then he walked towards the military flag, picked up the flag and kissed a corner of it." After reading the report, Sokov couldn't help but frown, thinking that this is not true.
The report shortly after the Battle of Berlin? What was Zhukov’s purpose in letting the two of them read this report? His eyes moved to the masthead of the newspaper, and he asked
The current time is May 16, exactly one week after Germany signed the unconditional surrender.
"Comrade Marshal," Sokolovsky put the newspaper on his knees after reading the report and asked Zhukov with some confusion: "I read this report as early as May. Do you have any questions?
?”
Zhukov sneered and said: "Now some people are using this article to make an argument, saying that I took all the credit for defeating Germany, without mentioning the contribution made by the supreme commander himself..." Zhukov's words
Halfway through, it stopped abruptly. Although he did not finish what he said, both Sokov and Sokolovsky understood what he wanted to express. Now that the war is over, his role is not as important as before.
He is so big, some people are ready to make a fuss about him.
"Comrade Marshal," Sokolovsky asked cautiously: "You are so anxious to call me back and prepare to hand over the work to me. Did you hear any rumors?"
"I received news from my own channels that the Supreme Command discussed the proposal to remove me from my post at a meeting this afternoon..."
"What was the outcome of the discussion?" Sokolovsky asked nervously. "Most of the people who attended the meeting agreed to the proposal to remove me from my post and let you take over my job." Zhukov said: "
Although the official documents haven't come out yet, I think it's necessary to get your information as soon as possible
Call me back and hand over the work in hand to you step by step."
"What are you going to do after handing over the work?"
"Wait." Zhukov said in a serious tone: "Wait for the order from the Supreme Command."
"How do you think the Supreme High Command will arrange for you after the official order to relieve you from your post arrives?" Sokolovsky asked with a worried face: "Should you continue to stay in Berlin, or should you return?
Moscow?" "I think the latter is more likely, so I rushed to call you back and hand over the work to you. If I wait until the order arrives before handing over the work, I'm worried that it will be too late." Zhukov told Sokolow
After Fsky said this, he turned his attention to Sokov and said apologetically: "Misha, I specially called you to Berlin. I originally wanted to arrange a suitable job for you, but the superior arranged it instead."
choose other candidates. If
If I go back to Moscow, will you go back with me?"
Hearing Zhukov ask himself, Sokov stood up suddenly and replied loudly: "Comrade Marshal, I will go wherever you go. If you want to go back to Moscow, I will definitely follow you back." "Very good."
." Zhukov was very satisfied with Sokov's answer. After asking him to sit down, he said with a smile: "I remember that Asia is going to have a baby in March. You can just stay with her and see yourself with your own eyes.
of
a child is born."
Next, Zhukov began to hand over the work to Sokolovsky. Sokovsky felt that standing here seemed a bit redundant, so he took the initiative to say goodbye and leave. When he returned to the Adlon Hotel, the hotel's front desk staff saw Sokolovsky
Her husband appeared with a look of astonishment on her face. She glanced behind Sokov and asked in surprise: "Comrade General, you came back alone."
of?"
"Yes, something happened here. I rushed back by plane overnight." Sokov nodded and said, "The rest of the people came back by car. It may take some time on the way, but they will all be there later at the latest."
Back." Sokov returned to his room and began to think about the current situation. Zhukov was relieved of his post in March 1946 and was sent to Odessa to serve as the commander of the military region. But before that, he had
Appointed as Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The Supreme Command made this appointment because they were worried that Zhukov would be directly demoted, which would cause a lot of dissatisfaction in the military, so they arranged a job transition for him. etc.
Pass one
After a while, we can find a reason to send him to Odessa to serve as the commander of the military region, and no one will gossip about him.
Early the next morning, Sokov came to the school where the 3rd Guard Team was stationed to see how their training was going.
As soon as he entered the school gate, he met Second Lieutenant Breliska, the quartermaster, and quickly greeted him: "Comrade Second Lieutenant!"
When she heard Sokov calling him, Bryliska, who was talking to others, immediately stopped the conversation, walked quickly towards Sokov, took the initiative to salute, and said with a little excitement: "Comrade General, you are back!"
"Yes, I'm back." Sokov nodded and asked, "How is the training of the troops?"
"Not bad." Breliska said: "After all, they are all soldiers. After a week of training, they began to patrol the streets in batches."
"Where is Captain Hosenfeld?"
"He's not here, comrade general."
"Where did you go?"
"Going home."
After hearing this, Sokov was stunned and thought to himself, isn't it forbidden to leave the camp casually? How could Hosenfeld go home alone? Then he asked puzzledly: "What is he doing when he goes home?" "Comrade General, what are you still doing?
I don’t know.” Hearing Sokov’s question, Breliska looked particularly excited: “His wife and children were found. It was Officer Bayer who found them in Bavaria and personally brought them to him.
They were sent back. Captain Hosenfeld just went home to reunite with his family, and I don’t know if he will come back today.” After hearing this, Sokov said that it would be faster to take the train. If Vaserigov and the others get there after dawn,
He set off, the road was still bumpy at the moment, but if he went fast, he would be able to reach Berlin tomorrow morning. He wanted to visit Wilhelmstrasse to visit Huo Huo
Seinfeld and his wife and children, but considering that he did not understand Russian, even if he went there, he would not be able to communicate with the other party. After hesitating for a moment, he asked Bryliska: "What about Ernst, the liaison officer? He is here
Where?" "I'm sorry, Comrade General, he's not here." Breliska understood Sokov's meaning and quickly explained to him: "He led a patrol and won't be back until noon at the earliest. If you want
Visit on Wilhelmstrasse
Captain Hosenfeld and his family, I’m afraid there is no one to translate for you.”
When he learned that Ernst was not there either, Sokov immediately gave up the idea of going to Wilhelmstrasse. After chatting for a few words with Bryliska, he turned around and left the school.
As soon as he returned to the Adlon Hotel, the female soldier on duty at the front desk greeted Sokov: "Comrade General, I have a message from you."
Sokov raised his eyebrows and asked: "Whose message is it?"
"It's a call from Marshal Zhukov's adjutant." The female soldier said: "After he asked you to come back, he immediately went to the headquarters. Comrade Marshal has something urgent to see you."
After Sokov thanked the female soldier, he turned and walked out of the hotel. Fortunately, the car Zhukov had prepared for him last night had not left yet. He opened the door and got in, and said to the driver: "Drive to the headquarters."
Minutes later, the car arrived at the headquarters. Sokov opened the car door, jumped out of the car, and walked quickly towards the building. He had an ominous premonition in his heart that the order to relieve Zhukov from his post had probably arrived.
Calling himself to see him may have something to do with this matter. Sure enough, after Sokov came to Zhukov's office, he found that there was no one in the crowded waiting room except Zhukov's adjutant. The other party saw Sokov
When he arrived, he immediately stood up to greet him: "Soko
General Husband, you are here! Marshal Zhukov is waiting for you inside!"
Sokov walked into the office toward the other party and saw Zhukov sitting behind his desk immersed in work. He quickly reported: "Comrade Marshal!..."
Before Sokov finished speaking, Zhukov raised his head, waved to him, and said: "Misha, come to me!"
Sokov quickly came to Zhukov's desk and looked at him intently, waiting for him to give him an order. "Misha," Zhukov sighed softly and said, "I just received it from the Supreme Command.
personnel order, allowing me to return to Moscow immediately to assume a new position, while the work of the cluster in Germany was temporarily handed over to Sokolov
Mr. Ski will be responsible in the future."
After hearing what Zhukov said, Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, doesn't the personnel order of the Supreme Command clearly state that you will be removed from your post?"
"No, I was just asked to go back and take up a new position." Zhukov replied: "And the work of the cluster in Germany is only temporarily in charge of Sokolovsky." Seeing the relaxed expression on Zhukov's face, Sokovsky
But his heart became heavy. It seemed that the development of things was consistent with his memory. The Supreme Command asked Zhukov to return to Moscow and take up a new position. It was nothing more than letting him serve as Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and then after a while
time, find reasons to remove him from his post, and assign him to a small military region like Odessa to serve as military region commander.