Burning Moscow

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Since it is the election of the commander of the Belarusian Second Front for such an important position, I am definitely more than the candidate. Therefore, after listening to Vasilevsky’s question, Ivanov immediately nodded and replied: "Yes, Comrade Chief of the General Staff, there are two other candidates."

"Let's talk about it," Stalin said suddenly, who had remained silent.

Suddenly hearing Stalin’s voice, Ivanov couldn’t help shivering, but he quickly returned to normal and said in a calm tone: “One is Ivan Danilovichcher Chernia. General Hofsky." Thinking of the commander I mentioned, he was an ordinary division commander before the war. He grew up step by step under the attention of Vasilevsky, and quickly glanced at Huaxi. After Levsky, he quickly gave out Chernyakhovsky’s resume, "...In February 1941, he served as the commander of the 28th Tank Division of the 12th Mechanized Army. From June 1st, he was in the 8th Army of the Northwest Front Army. Participating in the battle in the sequence, the entire division's tanks were lost in the battle, and in December the division was changed to the 241st Infantry Division.

He was awarded a major general on May 3, 1942, and in June served as commander of the 18th Tank Corps, holding on to Voronezh. In July, he served as the commander of the 6o Group Army and fought in the Voronezh Front Army, the Central Front Army and the Ukrainian First Front Army.

On February 14, 1943, he was awarded the title of Lieutenant General. In recognition of his courage and bravery in leading his troops to cross the Dnieper River, Che was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on October 17, 1943.

He was promoted to general on March 5, 1944..."

"Yes, he is a very good commander." At first he said that he only listened to Stalin, but interrupted Ivanov again. He looked at Vasilevsky and asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff , Do you agree with me?"

Vasilevsky quickly got up from his seat and replied respectfully: "Yes, Comrade Stalin, my opinion is the same as yours. I think Comrade Chernyakhovsky is an excellent Commander, besides, he has served as the commander of the group army for two years and has rich commanding experience. I think it is very appropriate for him to assume the position of commander."

Vasilievs basically thought Stalin would agree to his proposal smoothly. He did not expect that the latter waved his hand after hearing his proposal and said unexpectedly: "No, Comrade Vasilevsky, I think It is inappropriate for Chernyakhovsky to serve as the commander of this front."

Stalin's words stunned everyone present. Especially Vasilevsky, he only proposed this candidate after hearing Stalin's praise to Chernyakhovsky, but he was vetoed unexpectedly. Just when everyone didn’t know how to respond, Stalin went on to say: “The size of the Second Front Army is too small. There are only 47th, 61st and 7th Army Groups, as well as the 6th Army of the Air Force. It’s a bit too talented for an excellent commander like Hofsky to serve as a commander. The third Belarusian Army that we plan to form in April will have three combined armies and an airborne army as well as guard tanks. The 5th Army, such a team needs a commander like him."

Hearing that Stalin was planning to appoint Chernyakhovsky as the commander of the Third Front, Vasilevsky secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Ivanov and said: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, please Go on to the next candidate."

"The other candidate is General Pavel Alekseyevich Kurochkin." Compared to Chernyakhovsky, Kurochkin's resume is much better. Therefore, when Ivanov introduced him, he felt that his confidence was a little bit strong: "...He was the old red guard who had attacked the Winter Palace. He was the cavalry division commander in 1935. During the Soviet-Finnish war, Commanded an army. Since the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War, he has served as the commander of the 2o, 43rd, 11th and 34th Army, as well as the deputy commander and commander of the Northwest Front Army, and the deputy commander of the Ukrainian First Front Army. Officer position. He knows how to manage the army and command operations, and he has a clear working method..."

But when Ivanov introduced Kurochkin's resume, Stalin got up from his seat and walked slowly around with his pipe in his hand, occasionally turning his head to look at Ivanov who was talking. After Ivanov finished speaking, Vasilevsky quickly turned his attention to Stalin, wondering if he would express his opinion. Unexpectedly, he saw that Stalin's pipe was not held in his mouth, but continued to be held in his hand, still walking back and forth in the room without expression.

Seeing that Stalin was not going to say anything, Vasilevsky had to ask Ivanov: "Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, who do you think is more appropriate to be the commander of the Belarusian Second Front?"

Ivanov wanted to suggest Kurochkin, but when he saw Zhukov, who had been careless, sit upright and stared at him blankly, he couldn’t help feeling a little hairy. He knew very well about my friendship with Zhukov. See Zhukov’s performance made it clear that Zhukov wanted me to be the commander, so he quickly changed his words and said: “Although Kurochkin’s seniority is old, he is not familiar with the Belarusian region. I suggest that Oshanina Comrades, come and take the post of commander."

After Ivanov had finished speaking, Zhukov turned to Vasilevsky and asked, "Comrade Vasilevsky, I want to know what your opinion is?"

Seeing Zhukov handing over the problem of choice to himself, Vasilevsky glanced quickly at Stalin who was pacing, and then coughed slightly. When he was about to express his opinion, suddenly everyone heard Stalin. Voice: "I do not agree to let Comrade Oshanina take the post of commander of the front army."

Hearing this decision of Stalin, Zhukov couldn't help being stunned. He turned around and looked at Stalin who was still standing behind Ivanov in surprise, thinking in his mind why the other party made such a decision.

Stalin ignored everyone’s astonished gazes. Instead, he walked slowly to his table and sat down, and then said slowly: "I admit that Oshanina is a very good commander. The troops under her command The series of brilliant results achieved are beyond the reach of many male commanders..."

When Zhukov heard Stalin's comment on me, his eyebrows were furrowed, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself: "Comrade Stalin, if you appreciate her so much, why don't you let her be the commander of the army?" Although he thought so. Yes, but at the same time he understood that some words could only be kept in his heart, but could not be said casually, so he could only be patient and wait for Stalin to reveal the final mystery.

"...The reason why I disagree with her being the commander of the front is that she is young, and even if she is so successful in the war, it is difficult to convince the public; second, her rank is the lowest of the three candidates..."

Zhukov heard Stalin’s reason, turned his head and glanced at Vasilievsky next to him, and said to himself, “If you think Lida’s military rank is low, you can be promoted? Vasilievsky was in the war. At that time, he was just a major general. And you think he is outstanding, and you are not promoted to marshal. Because you are worried that he will be promoted too quickly and I will have opinions on you, so he was promoted to general. After a week, Promoted to marshal again."

Just when Zhukov was slandering, he only listened to Stalin’s final decision: "I think the position of commander of the Second Belarusian Army should be held by Admiral Kurochkin. The appointment will be made immediately by order. Comrade Kurochkin’s hands were brought into the hands of Comrade Kurochkin, and he immediately rushed to Belarus to form his troops."

Now that Stalin has made the final decision, no one can raise objections. So Vasilevsky got up quickly, and after a promise, he told Ivanov: "Comrade Deputy Chief of General Staff, you go and prepare the order immediately?"

Ivanov nodded, turned and walked out of the room.

After Ivanov’s back disappeared from the door, Stalin’s facial expression became serious. He looked at Vasilevsky and asked, "Comrade Vasilevsky, I don’t know when you can change your deputy. ?"

"Comrade Stalin," Vasilevsky apparently did not expect Stalin to bring up the matter again, and replied with some embarrassment: "At present, there is no suitable candidate to succeed Comrade Ivanov."

When Zhukov heard Stalin's proposal to change the post of deputy chief of staff, he immediately understood why he opposed my appointment as the commander of the front. It turned out that Ivanov had been implicated. Stalin did not like Ivanov. Zhukov knew it well. As early as the Battle of the Khalha River, due to the need to build a new cluster belonging to the commander of the Far East Front, Stalin urged the General Staff to report. Stern’s detailed whereabouts, Ivanov working in the General Staff, after receiving a telegram from Stern to Chita, assumed that the opponent would be able to reach the battlefield in an hour, and reported it based on this inference. . As a result, after Stalin received the report that Schenter was stranded at Chita Airport due to bad weather the next day, Big Thunder not only sent Ivanov to the military court, but also expelled him from the General Staff.

It was not until 1942, due to the lack of staff, that he had the opportunity to return to the General Staff as Deputy Chief of Staff. As a result, after Stalin found him, he planned to drive him away, because the Supreme Commander himself could not tolerate liars staying in front of him. After Vasilevsky interceded many times on the grounds of a rare talent, Stalin withdrew the order and agreed. Let Ivanov remain in the General Staff, on condition that he will never appear before him.

It is precisely because of a small mistake that he has committed that even if he is full of talent, he will not be appreciated and trusted by Stalin. On the contrary, many of his suggestions or recommended candidates are usually savagely rejected by Stalin. And this time I was defeated in the competition for the position of commander of the front army, and I couldn't get rid of him.

After Zhukov wanted to understand the cause and effect, he immediately had an idea in his mind. He tactfully said to Stalin: "Comrade Stalin, can I talk about my views on this appointment?"

Stalin guessed that he might want to intercede for me, but for his most powerful commander, he sensibly said: "Comrade Zhukov, do not hesitate to say what you think. Even if it is wrong, I will not I will blame you."

After obtaining Stalin’s permission, Zhukov expressed his own views: "I think it is inappropriate for Comrade Kurochkin to be the commander of the front. Although he has held many important positions, he is on the battlefield. The performance on the board is mediocre. If he is really allowed to assume the post of commander, I am worried that we may encounter unexpected problems in the next stage of our counterattack against Belarus."

Zhukov had the courage to say this. He was worried that if he sang against Stalin in this way, it would cause the other side's thunder, and even demote himself to the reserve front. But what is unexpected is that Stalin nodded in agreement with his statement: "Yes, Comrade Zhukov, you have analyzed a lot. Kurochkin is indeed not suitable for the commander of the front. Position."

Stalin's words made Zhukov and Vasilevsky dumbfounded~www.wuxiaspot.com~ The two looked at each other, and both saw the confusion in each other's eyes. Seeing the two people confused, Stalin explained to them with a smile: "I admit that Lida is far better than Kurochkin in commanding operations. But if it comes to forming troops, I guess At this point, Lida can't compare with Kurochkin at all."

"Oh, it turned out to be like this." Zhukov was also a wise man. Hearing Stalin's words, he immediately felt like a mirror: "You plan to wait for Kurochkin to complete the formation of the army before appointing him to other positions."

"We are about to form the Belarusian Third Front in April. After Comrade Chernyakhovsky took office, his position as commander of the 6th Army will be vacated?" Stalin paused for a moment when he said this. After struck a match and lit the cigarette butt, he continued to say: "At that time, let Comrade Kurochkin be the commander of the group army.

As for Kurochkin's ability, Zhukov and Vasilevsky knew very well in their hearts. When they heard that Stalin's next position for him was the commander of the 6th Army, both agreed.

After Stalin took a breath of smoke, he then asked Vasilievsky: "I heard that Rokosovsky’s chief of staff, Malinin, is an excellent staff officer. Do you think he and Ivanov should be exchanged. , What do you think?" (To be continued.)