Chapter 1972

  In the next two days, the situation on the battlefield developed in favor of the Soviet army.

Due to the defection of the 20th Infantry Division, when General Koroteyev's 52nd Army launched an attack on the frontal German army, the 116th and 130th Infantry Divisions hidden in the Romanian Army defense zone unexpectedly launched from the rear of the German army attacked. After more than five hours of fierce fighting, the German army, which was attacked from the front and back, was wiped out by the Soviet army with superior strength and equipment. Annihilated the 52nd Army, which blocked the German army, and finally joined forces with Sokov's battle group.

When the commanders and fighters of both sides celebrated the victory and joined forces on the battlefield, Koroteyev called Sokov, ready to express his gratitude to him: "General Sokov, my troops have already joined forces with your troops. gone."

Knowing that Koroteyev's troops broke through the German defenses and joined forces with his own troops, Sokov was also very happy. This meant that he didn't have to worry about his rear being attacked by the German troops, but he could rest assured and boldly The main force was transferred to Romania.

Facing the gratitude expressed by Koroteyev, Sokov said politely: "General Koroteyev, you are welcome. We are friendly troops. To help you is to help myself. The enemy in front of you has been wiped out. , the combat areas of our two troops are connected into one, so that no one has to worry about their rear or flanks being attacked by the enemy. Don’t you think so?”

   "That's right, that's exactly what it is." Koroteyev asked politely, "General Sokov, what are your plans for the next step?"

   "Now my main force is being transferred to Romania. I estimate that the next move will be in that direction." Sokov asked back: "General Koroteyev, what are your plans next?"

"Me," Koroteyev said hesitantly, "after such a long period of fighting, my troops urgently need to be replenished, whether it is soldiers or ammunition. I think my troops may have to rest for a period of time in the future. It's time."

   Knowing that the 52nd Army has been unable to continue fighting after this period of fighting, Sokov couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. But he still said in a steady tone: "General Koroteyev, I estimate that even if you want to take large-scale military operations in Romania, you will have to wait until summer. You have enough time to rest."

   After Sokov put down the phone, Trofimenko asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, what did General Koroteyev say on the phone?"

"He said that after the early battles, his troops need to be replenished, whether it is soldiers or ammunition. For a long time to come, I am afraid that they will not be able to engage in new battles." Sokov said here, see special A disdainful expression appeared on Rofimenko's face, and he quickly explained: "Comrade Deputy Commander, judging from the current situation, even if General Koroteyev's 52nd Army is put into battle, it will not be able to play a role." Not much. It’s better to let them take a good rest for a period of time, so that when a new battle is fought in the future, they can still enter the battlefield as a new force.”

   At this time, a staff officer was asking Trofimenko to answer the phone, saying that it was the deployment of the 27th Army. While Trofimenko was answering the phone, Sokov sat at the table, took out the cigarette case, took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, but he did not light it, but recalled some gradually forgotten memories in his mind .

He vaguely remembered that the Battle of Bucharest took place in August this year, but he couldn't remember the specific details. After all, everyone was concerned about the three troops that rushed directly to Berlin: Zhukov's Belarusian First Front Army, Kogne Rokossovsky's 2nd Ukrainian Front, and Rokossovsky's 2nd Belarusian Front.

   Among them, the most concerned one is naturally Zhukov's Belarusian First Front Army. Apart from Zhukov being a world-class general, more importantly, this army was the first Soviet army to enter Berlin.

  The second is Konev's Ukrainian First Front Army. Since Konev took over as the commander of the Front Army, the combat effectiveness of this force has risen sharply and achieved a series of remarkable achievements.

The most regrettable thing is Rokossovsky. At that time, his troops had already arrived outside Warsaw, but they were transferred to the Second Belarusian Front Army in a secondary direction by Stalin's order, responsible for the East Prussian region. Raiders.

By next month, that is, in May, Konev will be officially appointed as the commander of the Ukrainian First Front Army. If he cannot follow him to the new army, then he can only stay in the Second Front Army and follow The new commander of the front army, who liberated some small countries in Eastern Europe, had no chance of conquering Berlin.

While Sokov was thinking wildly, the phone on the desk rang. He grabbed it and put it to his ear, and Konev's voice came from inside: "Comrade Sokov, I heard that your troops are fighting with Koro General Deyev's troops joined forces?"

  Sokov knew in his heart that Konev must have learned of the news of the meeting of the two troops through his channels. What he asked was just to open up a common topic so that everyone could continue chatting.

   "Yes, Comrade Marshal, we have indeed joined forces." Sokov replied, "But..."

   "But what?"

   "I heard General Korotelev say that after a long period of fighting, his troops urgently need to be replenished with soldiers and ammunition, otherwise they will not be able to continue fighting."

   "General Korotelev is right." Konev said: "His troops are no longer capable of continuing to fight, and must go through a period of rest and replenishment before they can carry out the next combat operation."

"What about us?" Sukov vaguely felt that Konev's call at this time must have something very important, so he asked tentatively: "Should we continue to fight, or temporarily stop attacking like the 52nd Army? Switch to defense on the spot, and wait until the replenishment and rest are completed before launching the next step?"

"Comrade Sokov, I called you just to tell you about this." Konev said solemnly: "The goal of this Uman-Botoshany battle has been achieved, and the next battle will Some mopping up work. In a week, this campaign will be officially over."

   "Then what should we do with our troops in Romania?" Hearing that the battle was coming to an end, Sokov tentatively asked, "Should we stay where we are or withdraw temporarily?"

   "Since the areas that have already been occupied, how can we give up easily." Konev said on the phone: "Naturally, we must continue to hold on. When a new campaign is launched, these places can become the starting point for our troops to gather and attack."

"I understand." Sokov heard Konev's meaning, and he must not give up an inch of land in those occupied areas. It seems that it is necessary to establish permanent fortifications in those places, so that the attack can be retreated. Shou. But before that, you must ask Konev for instructions. After all, the deployment of many resources would not be possible without his help: "Comrade Marshal, should we build some permanent fortifications in the occupied areas to prevent the Germans from What about counterattack?"

"It should be." Konev seemed to have guessed that Sokov would ask this question, and said patiently: "After our campaign is over, the Germans will definitely not allow our troops to enter Romania. They will mobilize troops from other places and find a way to drive us out. So you not only need to build permanent fortifications, but also need to build more, and it is best to form a complete defense system to resist possible German attacks."

Perhaps because he was worried that Sokov would not take his words to heart, Konev also specially emphasized: "Comrade Sokov, you must not take the Germans lightly just because you have won a lot of victories. You know Last year, our army built a large number of fortifications in the Kursk area and deployed heavy troops. However, in the face of the fierce German attack, we were still defeated. If the superiors did not transfer several armies from my army It’s really hard to say who will win the final victory.”

If Sokov didn't understand the course of history, Konev's words might have caused him to panic. After all, a front army's troops relied on a solid and perfect defense system, and they all retreated steadily under the fierce German offensive. He didn't think that his two armies could block the German army's full blow without strong fortifications and a perfect defense system.

  But Sokov is very clear that the Allied forces will land in Normandy in early June, and by then the German defense center will turn to France, and Romania will become irrelevant. For insignificant places, the German army will definitely not organize a large-scale offensive, but build a solid defense to prevent the Soviet army from expanding the occupied area.

However, even if the German army does not take the initiative to give up the offensive, the fortifications that should be repaired still need to be repaired. Sokov made a resource request to Konev: "Comrade Marshal, if you want to build permanent fortifications in many places, it may take a lot I wonder if you can provide us with resources?"

   "Of course." Regarding Sokov's request, Konev readily agreed: "You ask Sameko to make a list of supplies, and I will notify the logistics department to provide you with a full amount."

   "That would be great, Comrade Marshal! Thank you, thank you very much!"

   Just when Sokov thought that Konev was going to end the call, he suddenly heard him say with some hesitation: "Sokov, there is one more thing I want to tell you."

  Sokov felt that Konev's tone of voice was a bit strange, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, what's the matter?"

   "It's like this." After a fierce ideological struggle in his heart, Konev decided to tell the truth to Sokov: "I may be transferred from the First Front Army after a while and serve in other troops..."

Hearing what Konev said, Sokov couldn't help secretly delighting in his heart, which meant that the other party was about to take office in the First Ukrainian Front Army, but he still pretended to be confused and asked: "Ah, Comrade Marshal, you want to be transferred to Other troops? I don’t know which troops it is, can I go with you?”

  The purpose of Konev calling Sokov today is to talk to this subordinate who can surprise him repeatedly, and see if he has any plans to go to the new army with him. At this moment, hearing that the other party has expressed his willingness to leave with him, I can't help feeling ecstatic.

But he still said solemnly: "Comrade Sokov, I am about to take over the position of Marshal Zhukov and command the troops of the Ukrainian First Front Army. If you want to go with me, I am afraid that you will no longer be able to be a combat group like you are today." Commander, command several armies at the same time. I can only let you command one army at most, so you have to think about it, don’t regret it after I arrive at the new army, it’s too late.”

"Comrade Marshal," Sokov knew that this was the best time to express his attitude, and he said solemnly: "It is my honor to accept the command of such an excellent commander like you. If I can follow you to Ukraine, the first For the front army, let alone being a group army commander, even if it is just an army commander, or even a division commander, I am very happy."

"Pull it down." After listening to Sokov's statement, Konev felt relieved, and even joked with the other party: "Let you be the division commander, and the commanders on other fronts will not swallow me alive. You know , The highest rank of a division commander in our army is a major general, and you, a general, will become a division commander, and people who don’t know the inside story think you made a mistake.”

  Sokov didn't speak, just giggled silly.

After a while, Konev sighed softly, and then asked: "Comrade Sokov, I want to ask you, if you go to the First Ukrainian Front with me, who is going to take your current position?" To take over?"

   "Is there any need to say that?" Sokov said casually: "General Trofimenko can be appointed. He was originally the deputy commander of the combat group, and it is logical to take over my position."

   Regarding Sokov's recommendation, Konev did not comment, but continued: "In order for you to start working as soon as possible after you arrive in the new army, I allow you to bring a group of people to the First Front Army."

"That's really great." Sokov also worried that he would become a poor commander after he went directly to the First Front Army, but since Konev said this, he can justifiably send his cronies, and Some capable commanders were taken away, and went to the new army to assist them in their work.

However, Konev may have guessed Sokov's intentions, and reminded him specifically: "Comrade Sokov, you can bring people you think you can trust to the new army. However, the transfer of these people cannot affect the current situation." There is a troop operation. Understand?"

"Understood." Sokov originally wanted to bring division commanders such as Muzichenko and Kirillov to the new army, but since Konev had been vaccinated, he could only bring this lure to the new army. People's thoughts are pushed out of their minds, and they start to think about taking those people away again.

"After the battle is over, there will be a period of rest." Konev said: "I left almost at that time, so you have to think about it recently, and prepare to take those people to the new army together, so as not to leave temporarily , If you are in a hurry, it will not be good if you make mistakes."

"Comrade Marshal, I've already thought about it." Sokov felt that since Ponedelin, Muzichenko, and Kirillov, who hold important positions, cannot be taken away, he should take away the officers from the Frunze Military Academy. Those students, although they did not hold any important positions during this period, after training on the battlefield, they are completely qualified for new positions in the new army: "I plan to bring all the students from the Frunze Military Academy to to the new army."

  (end of this chapter)