Red Moscow

"Comrade Marshal, I think you have noticed something." Since Zhukov asked himself to express his opinion, Vasilevsky naturally did not have to hide anything: "Since Trofimenko took over the post of commander of the 27th Army, this The combat effectiveness of this unit has plummeted. Originally, they were said to be the elite of our army, and I am afraid no one would have any objection. But now, they have been completely reduced to a second-rate unit."

What regretted Zhukov the most was that he thought that in the battle to liberate Kiev, the 27th Army would become the absolute main force, inflicting heavy damage on the German troops entrenched in the city. But what he didn't expect was that after Sokov was injured, the commander who replaced him was too conservative in his tactical thinking, which caused the troops to suffer heavy casualties in the ensuing battle and had to withdraw from the front line to the second line for rest. , From the main offensive force to the security force.

"Comrade Vasilevsky, you are right, that is indeed the case." Zhukov sighed and said: "After Trofimenko took over the 27th Army, the performance of this unit has indeed been much worse. Supreme Commander-in-Chief The Ministry has also considered replacing, but has not found a suitable candidate."

"Now I think of a suitable candidate who can replace Trofimenko." Vasilevsky looked at Zhukov and said, "It depends on what you mean."

"Oh, do you have a suitable candidate?" Hearing what Vasilevsky said, Zhukov's eyes lit up immediately: "Who is he, and what position is he in which army?"

Facing Zhukov's series of questions, Vasilevsky said slowly: "It is Sokov, commander of the 53rd Army."

"What, are you talking about Misha?" Zhukov couldn't help frowning: "He is doing a good job in the 53rd Army now, if he is transferred back to the 27th Army, then who will take over the 53rd Army? Woolen cloth?"

"Comrade Marshal, I don't think you understand what I mean." Seeing that Zhukov misunderstood what he meant, Vasilevsky quickly explained: "While Sokov took over the 27th Army, he continued to command the 53rd Army. "

With such an explanation, Zhukov finally understood: "Comrade Vasilevsky, you mean to let Misha command two armies at the same time. Is my understanding correct?"

"That's right, Comrade Marshal, that's what I mean." Vasilevsky nodded and said, "When the 27th Army just liberated Kremenchug, didn't Sokov command the 27th and the 27th Army at the same time? The 53rd Army?"

"That's right, there is such a thing." After Vasilievsky reminded him, Zhukov remembered that there was indeed such a thing, but after Sokov commanded the two troops, the results achieved were not ideal: "But Comrade Vasilevsky, you seem to have forgotten that the results he achieved at that time were not ideal."

"Comrade Marshal, this is actually understandable." Vasilevsky said: "At the beginning, the commanders and fighters of the 53rd Army at all levels had a low sense of identity with Comrade Sokov, so they usually discounted some of his orders. But now he is the commander of the 53rd Army, and he has completed the running-in with the grassroots commanders below. Every time he gives an order, the troops below can execute without compromise.

And the 27th Army is his old army, and it will certainly not disobey his orders. Now let him command the two armies again, I believe that even more brilliant results will be achieved. "

"What do you guys think?" After explaining his point of view, Vasilevsky turned his head and asked several commanders of the General Staff: "Do you agree to allow Sokov to command two armies at the same time?"

Facing the question raised by Vasilevsky, Antonov first stated: "I know General Sokov's ability. Since the troops of the two armies are willing to obey his command, let him command at the same time. What's wrong with two troops?"

Antonov expressed his position, which was equivalent to setting a tone. Shtemenko then said: "I agree with the opinion of the Chief of General Staff, let Sokov serve as the commander of the two armies at the same time."

"Both armies are commanded by Sokov, so what should we do when the results are reported?" Ivanov interjected, "Will the results be counted as the 27th Army or the 53rd Army? "

"This is easy to handle." Since Vasilevsky was the first to propose this proposal, he naturally made sufficient preparations, and he replied easily: "Then we will form the two armies into a combat group named after Sokov. , so that no matter which group army builds the meritorious service, it belongs to Sokov's combat group."

"Comrade Marshal, this is a good idea." Antonov gave Vasilevsky a thumbs-up: "I think that in this way, there should be no objection."

"The previous combat groups were composed of several divisions or even several brigades." Zhukov said with a serious expression: "Nowadays, two armies are used to form a combat group. This matter must be reported to the Supreme Commander himself, and he will Let's decide. Vasilevsky, you and I will go to see Comrade Stalin now."

As soon as the two arrived outside Stalin's office, Poskrebyshev greeted him and asked politely, "Do the two marshals want to see Comrade Stalin?"

"Yes." Zhukov asked tentatively, "Is he in there?"

"He's not feeling well today. He just lay down after taking the medicine and is resting." Poskrebyshev asked cautiously, "Why don't you come back tomorrow?"

"No, we have important matters and we need to see Comrade Stalin immediately." Zhukov felt that it was urgent to make Sokov the commander of the cluster, so he said in a stern tone: "Comrade Poskrebyshev, please help Let's report it."

Seeing that Zhukov insisted on seeing Stalin, Poskrebyshev couldn't say anything more, so he picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and waited patiently.

After a few minutes, Zhukov saw Poskrebyshev straighten his body, apparently Stalin picked up the phone in the room: "Comrade Stalin, Marshal Zhukov and Marshal Vasilevsky are outside, they Said that there is something urgent to see you. I wonder if you would like to meet them?"

"Okay, I'll let them in right away." After putting down the phone, Poskrebyshev walked to the door and pushed open the door, then stepped aside to make way for Zhukov and Vasilevsky.

After Zhukov and Vasilevsky entered Stalin's office, Poskrebyshev closed the door gently, returned to his seat and sat down.

Stalin was not in the room at the moment. Zhukov and Vasilevsky waited for a while before seeing Stalin come out of a small room next to him, still in his pajamas.

"Zhukov, Vasilevsky, you are here!"

The two quickly raised their hands to salute Stalin.

Stalin walked to the desk and sat down, picked up his pipe, and took out two more cigarettes from the cigarette case. Just as he was about to crush the shredded tobacco into the pipe, he seemed to remember something and put down the pipe and cigarettes in his hand. , looked up at the two of them, and asked in a nasal voice: "You guys came to see me at this time, is there anything important?"

"Comrade Stalin, please allow me to report to you." Vasilevsky stepped forward and took the initiative to report to Stalin: "Marshal Konev's troops have reached the Transnistria and launched an attack on the German army. Regrettably, due to the tenacious defense of the German army on the right bank, the offensive launched by our army was frustrated. At this moment, Trofimenko's troops have withdrawn to the left bank and are regrouping to prepare for a new round of offensive."

After listening to Vasilevsky's report, Stalin walked to the big map by the wall, stared at the position of the Transnistria for a while, and said, "Didn't the 53rd Army of Misha also come from Otac?" The direction broke through the German defenses and established a landing field on the right bank. Why didn't they continue to expand the results?"

"Comrade Stalin, the situation is like this." Vasilevsky quickly explained to Stalin: "Because General Sokov's 53rd Army advanced too fast, there were 30 troops between the 27th and 52nd Armies on the left and right flanks. If they are allowed to continue to advance, the weak wings will be easily attacked by the German army, and they may fall into an encirclement at that time."

"Why can't the other troops keep up with Xiao Xiaosha's assault speed, thus exposing his flanks to the enemy?" Stalin said with a sinking face, "What are these commanders doing?"

Vasilevsky turned his head and exchanged glances with Zhukov, indicating that he would propose a new combat cluster. After Zhukov and Vasilevsky confirmed their eyes, they took a step forward: "Comrade Stalin, I have a few words to say."

"Please speak, Comrade Zhukov." Stalin said reasonablely: "If you have anything to say, just say it."

"Comrade Stalin, you should remember that when Misha served as the commander of the 27th Army, the unit displayed super-strong combat effectiveness. Maximum victory with minimum casualties."

"Yes, that is indeed the case."

"But after he was injured and left the army, the combat effectiveness of this army began to decline. I thought they would definitely become the main force in Kiev. Unexpectedly, in less than a month, the original army of nearly 100,000 officers and soldiers , there are less than 30,000 people left, thus missing the opportunity to liberate Kiev, and can only stay on the second line to serve as security missions."

"Well, I remember this." Stalin nodded thoughtfully: "At that time we were still discussing Trofimenko's ability, which could not be compared with Misha. But there is no suitable candidate for the time being, so we can only let He remains in position."

Speaking of this, Stalin suddenly realized that he seemed to have overlooked an important question, and asked quickly: "So, you have found someone who can replace him?"

"Yes, Comrade Stalin, we have found a replacement for him."

"What's his name? Which army is he in now? What position and rank?"

"Comrade Stalin, I'm talking about Misha."

"What, is Xiaoxiaosha?" Zhukov's words made Stalin a little confused: "Comrade Zhukov, I don't quite understand what you mean. Xiaoxiaosha is now the commander of the 53rd Army. If you let him return to the 27th Army, who will take over?" What about his job?"

"There is no need to send someone to replace him." At this time Vasilevsky stepped forward and added: "I have discussed with Marshal Zhukov and plan to let him command the 27th and 53rd armies at the same time."

"Let Xiao Xiaosha command two armies at the same time?" Stalin asked in surprise: "Is this appropriate?"

"Appropriate, very appropriate." Vasilevsky nodded vigorously, and said in an affirmative tone: "He once had the experience of commanding two army groups at the same time, not to mention that he is familiar with these two armies. I think that if he can Putting him back in command of both armies will certainly speed up our liberation of our homeland."

Vasilevsky's words reminded Stalin, and he frowned and said, "I remember that Misha seemed to have commanded two armies at the same time before, but he didn't achieve any decent results."

"Your memory is correct, Comrade Stalin." Vasilevsky explained to Stalin: "At that time, he was still in command of the 27th Army, and his superiors suddenly placed the 53rd Army under his command temporarily. The members were somewhat resistant to him, so when executing orders, he was not determined enough, which made it difficult for him to achieve greater results."

"It didn't work at the beginning, can it be done now?"

"Comrade Stalin, I think it is very appropriate for him to command two more army groups now." Vasilevsky continued: "Whether it is the commanders and fighters of the 27th Army or the 53rd Army, they all fully agree with his ability. I believe that when he gives another order, the commanders and fighters below will definitely execute it unconditionally."

"If both armies are under his command, what designation should I adopt?" Stalin asked: "In the name of the 27th Army or the 53rd Army?"

"We plan to form the two armies into a new combat group. Sokov will serve as the commander of the group and command the two armies' operations against the enemy."

"Aren't the combat clusters in the past formed with several brigades as units?" Stalin raised his own doubts, "Would it be too large to form a combat cluster with two armies now? With Xiao Misha's ability , Can you command this army well?"

"Comrade Stalin, don't worry." Vasilevsky said to Stalin: "This is the result of repeated discussions between Marshal Zhukov and I. We agreed that with Comrade Sokov's ability, he is completely qualified for the battle group. Commander's job."

"Okay." Stalin readily agreed, "Then go ahead and form a new battle group."

After a pause, he remembered an important matter, and quickly asked again: "Then Lieutenant General Trofimenko, commander of the 27th Army, how do you plan to arrange it?"

"With his ability, there is no doubt that he can no longer serve as the commander of the 27th Army." Vasilevsky replied: "But considering that he has also made a lot of achievements in the war, we plan to demote him to He is the deputy commander of the 27th Army and concurrently serves as the deputy commander of the combat group, responsible for assisting Sokov in the war.”

Stalin nodded and said: "Comrade Vasilevsky, since you have considered all the things that should be considered, it is better to issue the appointment of Misha in written form as soon as possible. And inform him, and faithfully perform his duties." If the position of the commander of the combat group is not done well and the desired results cannot be achieved, I will personally remove him from his post."