Red Moscow

"Comrade Stalin," Zhukov did not immediately mention Sokov's desire to incorporate the rescued prisoners of war into the army, but first mentioned the results of the opponent's battle: "Sokov's troops launched a comprehensive attack on the Hoth Panzer Army retreating south. Attack, they successfully routed the enemy..."

When Stalin heard that it was the result of the battle achieved by Sokov's troops, he listened very seriously. After Zhukov finished speaking, he said, "Comrade Zhukov, this is a remarkable victory. You know, our army not only has strong fortifications, a complete defense system, and two elite army groups near Oboyan, but Facing the attack of the Hoth Armored Army, they were defeated steadily.

But the enemy failed to please Xiao Xiaosha, and was even defeated, leaving behind countless corpses and technical equipment. "

After praising Sokov, he knocked the ashtray of the finished pipe on the ashtray, then put it aside, and said to Zhukov in a deliberative tone: "Comrade Zhukov, do you think we should reward him now? Should he be awarded a medal, or be promoted to his rank? Or should he be promoted to a rank while awarding him a medal?"

"Comrade Stalin!" Zhukov immediately refuted the plan proposed by Stalin: "I think Misha is too young. He was awarded the rank of major general, and there are already many people gossiping behind him. If he is awarded the rank of lieutenant general or higher at this moment I am afraid that he will be isolated from others."

"Comrade Zhukov, but if we don't reward him for such brilliant results, will it chill the hearts of other comrades?"

"Comrade Stalin." Seeing that Stalin was in a good mood at the moment, Zhukov took the opportunity to say, "I have an idea, and I want to hear your opinion."

"Tell me."

"Sokov's troops have been severely reduced after this period of fierce fighting. With their current strength, it is difficult to participate in the next stage of operations." Zhukov tentatively asked: "I don't know if the headquarters can replenish them in time." troops?"

"Comrade Zhukov, I'm afraid this will be very difficult." Stalin sighed and said, "Even if I add troops to him now, adding new recruits who have no combat experience will probably dilute the combat effectiveness of the troops and they will still not be able to participate in the next round." Phase of the attack on Belgorod."

"Actually, it's not impossible to add troops to him." Seeing that the time was almost up, Zhukov took the opportunity and said, "It depends on whether you agree or not."

Zhukov's words aroused Stalin's curiosity: "Where will we replenish him with troops?"

"Our 6th Guards Army and 1st Tank Army liberated several prisoner-of-war camps set up by the enemy during the counterattack in the direction of Oboyan, and rescued more than 20,000 captured commanders and fighters from them. If you have no objection, I plan to add these men to Sokov's troops."

Stalin never dreamed that Zhukov would make such a suggestion. He said displeasedly: "Comrade Zhukov, don't you know that there are many traitors lurking among these captured people?"

"I know, Comrade Stalin." Zhukov heard the anger in Stalin's tone, but he didn't lose his temper immediately. He felt that there was hope in this matter, so he said smoothly, "But I believe Sokov can make good use of these things." People. You know, there are a considerable number of people in his army who were rescued from prisoner-of-war camps.

According to Sokov: These commanders and fighters were bullied by the Germans in the prisoner-of-war camps, and their hearts were filled with hatred for the enemy. Arming them and sending them to the battlefield can display combat effectiveness beyond ordinary people. "

"Oh, is that so?" Stalin said curiously.

"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Zhukov replied affirmatively: "Many battalion and company commanders in his army were rescued from prisoner-of-war camps." Fearing that Stalin would not agree, he added , "As you know, we will launch a new round of offensive against the German army soon. If Sokov's 27th Army is missing in the new offensive, the results may be much less."

Stalin knew very well in his heart that Zhukov's statement was a bit exaggerated. He said this simply because he wanted to agree to add all the rescued prisoners of war to Sokov's troops.

He took out two cigarettes from the cigarette case, crushed them with his fingers, stuffed the shredded tobacco into the cigarette butt, and put it in his mouth, but did not light it immediately. "Comrade Zhukov, if you were me, would you agree to put all prisoners of war into Misha's unit?"

"How should I put it, Comrade Stalin." Seeing that Stalin had thrown the question to himself again, Zhukov said cautiously: "We are currently facing the problem of insufficient soldiers. If we incorporate these people into the army, we will win. , I think it can be tried.”

Stalin lit his own cigarette butt, and said slowly: "Comrade Zhukov, in this way, you agree to incorporate these rescued prisoners of war into Misha's troops. But have you ever considered that if something goes wrong, who will To bear all the consequences caused by it?"

Although Stalin did not explain the consequences, Zhukov knew very well that if so many prisoners of war were incorporated into the 27th Army at once, there might be many uncertainties. It's fine if there are no problems, but once there is a problem, it will be a big problem. So he hesitated for a long time, finally gritted his teeth and said: "Comrade Stalin, if any problems arise in the future, I am willing to take all the responsibilities."

"Okay, Comrade Zhukov. Then put all these rescued prisoners of war into Misha's troops." Stalin was waiting for Zhukov's words, but out of prudence, he specifically urged: "But I I want to remind you that Xiao Xiaosha knows how to fight, and having more troops in hand can play a vital role on the battlefield. But other troops, without my permission, are absolutely not allowed to recruit soldiers from the prisoner-of-war camp. "

The purpose of Zhukov's phone call was to hope that Stalin would agree to add all the rescued prisoners of war to Sokov's troops. Now seeing that the other party agreed to his request, he simply ignored the following conditions: "Don't worry, Comrade Stalin, With the addition of these soldiers, I believe that the 27th Army will soon return to its peak state and make more achievements in the next battle."

When Zhukov put down the phone, he felt his back was soaked in sweat. He took a long breath and said to the crowd: "The supreme commander himself has agreed to add all the more than 20,000 commanders and fighters who were rescued in the Oboyan area to Sukov's troops."

"What, more than 20,000 people, all supplemented by Sokov's troops?" Hearing Zhukov say this, Vatutin's eyes widened in surprise: "Comrade Marshal, you should know that those captured commanders and fighters are from I can’t give all of my Voronezh Front Army to Major General Sokov, at least some of the combat backbone should be brought back.”

"No." Zhukov refused Vatutin's request without hesitation: "The supreme commander himself has already said hello, and the commanders and fighters rescued from the prisoner-of-war camp can only be supplemented by Sokov's troops."

Seeing that Zhukov moved out of Stalin, Vatutin had no choice but to shut his mouth obediently. Since his superiors had already greeted him, no matter how reluctant he was, he could only pinch his nose and admit it, and added all the more than 20,000 commanders and fighters to Soko. husband.

But Apanashenko was not convinced. He also plausibly said: "Comrade Marshal, among the more than 20,000 commanders and fighters, there must be many people who are not firm and panicked. They were scared by the enemy in the prisoner-of-war camp. I lost my courage. If I just add to Major General Sokov’s troops like this, I’m worried that something will go wrong.”

What Apanashenko said is exactly what Zhukov is most worried about. There will inevitably be some scum among the more than 20,000 people. If they are all included in Sokov's army, it is uncertain when they will Make waves.

Zhukov looked at Apanashenko and asked: "Comrade general, do you have any way to solve this problem?"

"Comrade Marshal," Apanashenko said hastily when Zhukov asked himself, "please allow me to go to the 27th Army and supervise their screening work."

Zhukov did not answer the other party immediately, but looked at Vasilevsky and Vatutin and asked, "What do you two think?"

"I have no objection." Vasilevsky took the lead.

"I have no objection." Vatutin then added: "General Apanashenko is the deputy commander of the front army. I think it is very appropriate for him to go to the 27th Army to supervise the screening work."

"Okay!" Seeing that both of them agreed that Apanashenko would go to the 27th Army to supervise the work, Zhukov nodded and said: "Since everyone's opinions have been unified, Comrade Apanashenko will be the representative of the Front Army Command." , rushed to the 27th Army as soon as possible to supervise the screening of prisoners of war."

In order to prevent the other party from interfering with Sokov's command, Zhukov also specifically told the other party: "Comrade General, I think it is necessary to remind you. Your task is only to supervise the screening of prisoners of war, not to guide operations. Therefore, under any circumstances, you must Sokov's military command cannot be interfered with. Do you understand?"

When Apanashenko introduced himself, he did have the idea of ​​interfering with Sokov's command. After all, this young man was too ignorant of martial arts, and the tactics he used were incompatible with the traditional tactics of the Soviet army. More victories, pure luck. I just took this opportunity to go to supervise the screening work to criticize all his wrong tactics.

But after hearing Zhukov's instructions, he found that his wishful thinking had come to nothing, so he could only say helplessly: "Comrade Marshal, don't worry, I will never interfere with his command."