Chapter 1991: long-lost old friend

  Chapter 1991 Long-lost old friend

   "It makes sense, it makes sense." Sidolin's words made Sokov feel very reasonable. If Yakov was really transferred to the front line, there would definitely be no results if he came forward to inquire, but if Zhukov or Rokossovsky came forward, the situation would be quite different. "However, Marshal Zhukov is too busy to bother him with such a trivial matter. I think it's better to find a suitable time and ask Comrade General to help me with this."

  While chatting here, the phone on the table rang, and Sidolin grabbed the phone: "I am Colonel Sidolin, Chief of Staff, where are you?"

After a while, the expression on Sidolin's face became weird: "So it's you, Asiya, I really didn't expect you to call." He glanced at Sokov quickly, and asked tentatively, " Comrade Commander is by my side, do you want to talk to him?"

   After speaking, Sidolin handed over the receiver and said to Sokov, "Comrade Commander, it's Asia's call."

   Knowing that it was Asia who called, Sokov was full of curiosity. How did the other party know that he had come to the 48th Army? He took the microphone and pressed it to his ear, and said softly, "Asiya, hello!"

   "Misha!" Assia on the receiver said a little excitedly: "You have been transferred, why didn't you notify me in time?"

Assia's words made Sokov a little embarrassed. He was busy thinking about how to strengthen his defense and study the attack route these two days, so he really forgot about it. : "I'm sorry, Asiya, I just took over the new army, and I'm busy with work, so I completely forgot to call you to inform you. You won't be angry with me, will you?"

   "No, no, how could I be angry with you for such a trivial matter?" Assia said reasonablely: "But this is not an example. If there are similar things in the future, remember to notify me as soon as possible."

"No problem, no problem." Sokov replied readily: "If there is another similar thing, I will definitely notify you as soon as possible. By the way, how did you know that I was transferred to the 48th Army? "

  Sokov knew very well that even Zhukov knew about his transfer to the 48th Army before he came here, and how did Asya, who was thousands of miles away, know about it. Could it be that there is an eyeliner arranged by her by her side?

"Didn't you call the weapons and equipment department today?" Assia said with a smile: "One of the operators accidentally revealed it to me when he came to see a doctor. I will call you with the mentality of giving it a try." I made this call, but I didn’t expect to get through.”

   Oh, it turned out to be the case. Assia's explanation reminded Sokov that when he called Yakov, he had indeed revealed his identity to the switchboard operator. It was because of this that Assia knew that he had been transferred to a new unit.

  Sokov had a flash of inspiration. The operator didn't know where Yakov was transferred, but Asiya should know. After all, Yakov knew about his relationship with Asiya, so he would definitely tell her about his future whereabouts intentionally or unintentionally. Thinking of this, he tentatively asked: "Asiya, I called the weaponry department to find Yasha today, but the operator told me that Yasha had been transferred. Do you know where Yasha was transferred? "

"Misha, I only found out about Yasha's transfer yesterday." Asiya said, "I just got home last night when I received a call from Yasha, saying that he had been transferred. Armament Department, if you call home again, let me tell you."

  As soon as Sokov heard that there was something interesting, he quickly asked again: "Did he say where he was transferred to?"

   "Say it." Asya said: "He said that he is now in the General Staff, serving as the deputy to the Chief of Operations, General Shtemenko."

   "What, he transferred the General Staff?" Sokov couldn't help being surprised when he learned that Yakov was actually transferred to the General Staff: "Is this news reliable?"

   "I don't know if it's reliable." Asiya said, "But Yasha told me so on the phone."

"Hey, I really didn't expect that he was actually transferred to the General Staff." Sokov remembered that Shtemenko had offered him an olive branch, but he rejected it without hesitation. Now the other party let Yako Husband took over the position promised to him at the beginning. Although it sounds nice to work in the General Staff, it doesn't have much real power. When I was in the weapons and equipment department before, I could get myself all kinds of weapons, but now I can't do anything. Sokov said angrily: "In this way, even if I want to make weapons, I'm afraid I have no choice."

"Misha, don't worry." Assia heard the frustration in Sokov's tone, and comforted him, "The person who took over Yasha's position is said to have just returned from the front line. I will meet him tomorrow. See Can you get some of the latest weapons and equipment for your troops through him."

Although Sokov felt that it was unlikely that Assia would go out and succeed in this matter, under the current circumstances, he could only treat a dead horse as a living horse doctor: "Okay, Assia, then I'll leave it to you. If you have any news, call me immediately."

   "Don't worry, Misha." Assia said on the other end of the phone: "If there is any latest news, I will call you as soon as possible."

  At the same time, the military meeting urgently convened by the Supreme Command is being held.

In addition to Stalin and Rokossovsky, the participants in the meeting also included Zhukov, Vasilevsky, Konev, Bagramyan, Meretskov and other important front army commanders, as well as general Chief of Staff Antonov, Chief of Operations Shtemenko and others.

After Rokossovsky introduced his battle plan to the people present, he said in a steady tone: "According to the intelligence from reconnaissance, it is completely in line with our speculation. First of all, the enemy ruled out the possibility of us attacking in this direction." Therefore, the enemy's defense in this area is not as strong as in other areas; secondly, not only people can pass through the swampy area, but even heavy weapons can pass through if the road is paved with wood. Because of this, I propose to use the four armies on the right wing of our front - The 3rd, 48th, 65th and 28th armies, the main attack on Bobruisk."

   After listening to it, Stalin looked up at Rokossovsky and said with a half-smile? : "What, Comrade Rokossovsky, you and Zhukov wanted to drag our troops into the swamp?"

   Rokossovsky grinned and said: "This road is indeed difficult, Comrade Stalin. But there is a possibility of success."

   After saying this, Rokossovsky was a little flustered when he saw Stalin smiling and said nothing, but he still tried to calm down and said: "We have considered all the issues that should be considered, Comrade Stalin."

This time Stalin finally spoke: "But why do I feel that you don't seem to have considered all the issues that should be considered." As he said, he raised his chin towards the distant door: "Go to the room outside, and then go to the other room, and then go to the other room." Consider your battle plan, Comrade Rokossovsky."

   Rokossovsky did not expect that he would be kicked out by Stalin at the meeting, so he could only pack up the combat map on the table and leave disgruntled.

   After Rokossovsky left the room, Stalin said slowly: "Next, let us listen to Comrade Vasilevsky's opinion."

Hearing Stalin call his name, Vasilevsky did not dare to neglect, and hurriedly got up and walked towards the map hanging on the wall, while Stalin continued: "As we all know, under the command of Comrade Vasilevsky, the Liberation Army The battle in Rimia was very successful. After that, Comrade Vasilevsky and Comrade Zhukov worked together to formulate a plan for the entire summer campaign." Having said this, Stalin stopped and turned to look at the Vasilevsky standing in front of the map.

  Vasilevsky saw Stalin's eyes cast on him, and quickly said: "Comrade Stalin, when formulating the summer campaign plan, we first considered the opinions of the commanders of the various armies who attended this meeting.

   What we are going to conduct this time is the summer campaign of 1944, which is to conduct a series of large-scale operations in this vast area from the Baltic Sea coast to the Corpathian Mountains. The summer campaign plan will be carried out in this order:

  The first attack was determined to be at the beginning of June. The Leningrad front moved first, followed by the Karelian Isthmus front, and the direction of attack was Vyborg. The purpose of this operation is to completely defeat the Finnish army, thereby forcing the country to withdraw from the war. "

  Hearing this, Stalin turned to Meretskov: "I wish you success, Meretskov."

  Hearing what Stalin said, Meretskov, the former chief of the general staff, had a smile on his face and said honestly: "Thank you, Comrade Stalin!"

After the exchange between Stalin and Meretskov, Vasilevsky and others continued: "After that, the General Staff suggested that Belarus should be chosen as the active direction, because this direction has many special advantages. Comrade Stalin .

  First of all, this distance is the shortest from Belarus to Berlin.

  Secondly, fighting in Belarus, we can get the support of Belarusian guerrillas.

   As you know, Comrade Stalin. There are 270,000 guerrillas active in Belarus.

   Thirdly, when we liberate Belarus and our troops reach Polish soil, the friendly Polish people will be there to meet us. They have been fighting the Faxi Temple occupying forces for five years.

  All of these show the correctness of our choice.

  The troops participating in this battle will be: General Cherniakhovsky's Belarusian Third Front, and General Rokossovsky's Belarusian First Front. "

"Now I suggest," Stalin interrupted Vasilevsky again, and after everyone focused on him, he said slowly: "name this operation 'Bagratian', In memory of our predecessor, the commander who honored our Russian army in 1812."

  He turned his head to Vasilevsky again: "Comrade Vasilevsky, please continue."

"After the start of the 'Bagratian' operation, when the German High Command realized that our troops were going to have a decisive battle with them here - in Belarus, and when the reserves were transferred from the south, Field Marshal Konev The Ukrainian First Front took the opportunity to attack Lvov."

   Speaking of this, Vasilevsky deliberately paused for a moment to observe Konev's watch. Seeing that the new commander of the Ukrainian First Front nodded slightly, he went on to say: "In the end, due to these powerful offensives launched by our army, the enemy will inevitably suffer a disastrous defeat. At that time, we can turn to Balkan offensive, directed at Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Hungary."

   After Vasilevsky finished speaking, Stalin slowly turned around and looked at Zhukov who was sitting on his lower left: "Do you have anything to add, Comrade Zhukov?"

Zhukov, who remained silent throughout the meeting, heard Stalin asking for his opinion, and said unhurriedly: "Comrade Stalin, I served in the Belarusian Military District for a long time before the war, and I am very familiar with the situation in the combat area. It is impossible to use a large number of tanks to fight in these swamps and forest areas, so I suggest," he stood up and continued straightening his back, "use only a small number of tank troops as a breakthrough force, and take Ukraine The four tank armies of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tank armies on the right wing of the 1st Front remained in place and were not used for the time being.

  In this way, the enemy can be confused first. After all, the German commanders knew where our tank army was stationed through their scouts. They will mistakenly believe that our main attack direction is in Ukraine instead of Belarus.

  Secondly, these tank armies staying at the original station will be a strong reserve force for our second-stage offensive.

   The third point can also provide reliable protection for the left wing of General Rokossovsky's attacking force. "

   After patiently listening to Zhukov's opinion, Stalin nodded slightly and said with a smile on his face, "I agree."

   After Zhukov sat down, Stalin said, "Call Rokossovsky in."

   Soon, Rokossovsky, who was holding a map, walked in from the door and walked to the middle of the meeting room with firm steps.

Stalin stood up, put his hands behind his back, and asked with a half-smile: "Comrade Rokossovsky, have you considered clearly where your main attack should be?" As Ski spoke, he asked himself, "Still through the swamp?"

   "Yes, Comrade Stalin." Rokossovsky replied affirmatively: "The main direction of attack is from my right flank, directly towards Bobruisk. I am sure that this direction is correct, Comrade Stalin."

Stalin smiled. He circled Rokossovsky for half a circle, and then said: "Since the front-line commander insists on his opinion, it shows that he has indeed carefully considered this offensive plan." He quickly Stepping towards his desk, he said, "Give me the map, Comrade Rokossovsky."

   After waiting for Stalin to take his seat, Rokossovsky carefully placed the map in front of him. Stalin casually picked up the pencil on the table and wrote in a fluttering motion: "Agreed! Stalin."

When Rokossovsky's battle plan was approved by Stalin, Sokov received a call from Asiya from the Armament Department: "Misha, I have good news for you. Take over Yakov's position. The officer in question is your former partner, Colonel Belkin."

   "What, is it Colonel Belkin?" After hearing this long-lost name, Sokov couldn't help becoming emotional, "Assia, are you sure you didn't admit the wrong person?"

"How is this possible?" Assia said on the phone: "When you were still the battalion commander, he was your political deputy battalion commander, your old partner, how could I admit my mistake. I told him the situation After that, he said that if you need anything, just give him a call, and he will fully support you."

  (end of this chapter)