Chapter 85 Trip to Moscow (Part 2)

In the back seat of the car, where the interior space was tight and only the driver, Zhukov's close confidant, who was in charge of driving could hear, Zhukov, who spoke softly, blurted out those words of kind reminder to Rokossovsky beside him.

"I don't blame you, Comrade Rokossovsky, for the fact that you didn't know much about Pavlov just after you returned to Moscow."

"But I want to remind you here to prevent you from making mistakes in the future."

"Pavlov has been summoned back to Moscow to undergo a dismissal investigation by the General Staff and the Ministry of Internal Affairs due to his poor command on the front line, the loss of cities and territory, and the destruction of many main forces of the Western Front. Comrade Stalin has no doubts about what he did on the front line. He was so angry that he personally issued an order to remove Pavlov from his position as commander of the Western Front. "

After finishing his sentence, Zhukov paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, there was a soft lamentation in his words.

"In the past few days, I have reported to Comrade Stalin many times on the progress of the investigation of the Pavlov case. Comrade Stalin has been extremely disappointed with the series of inactions and stupid actions of Pavlov's frontline command."

"As expected, Pavlov will inevitably die this time. I have only seen Comrade Stalin look so angry during the period of counter-revolutionaries. So during this time in Moscow, whenever you talk about Pavlov You must be careful in your words and deeds when talking about your husband’s case. My old friend must never be called comrade or comrade-in-arms again.”

"Since the Germans launched their invasion, there have been several times more special agents from the Ministry of Internal Affairs investigating and wandering around Moscow than before the war. I don't want to hear that you were targeted by these people because you said something wrong. I'm telling you this. Do you understand what I mean? Comrade Rokossovsky."

After hearing Zhukov's patient and kind words of advice to him, he never expected that a front army commander who was famous a month ago would end up like this in the blink of an eye. However, when Luo was extremely shocked, Kossovsky felt calm after thinking about the previous great counter-revolutionary incident that almost killed him.

During the terrorist incident that swept the entire Soviet Union, Rokossovsky, who was slandered and accused of having private dealings with Polish and Japanese spy agencies, was absurdly sentenced to death after a short review process.

If Marshal Timoshenko, who was Rokossovsky's old boss, had not intervened and secretly interfered, the bullet used when Rokossovsky was executed was replaced by a blank bullet. Rokossovsky, who dominated the Soviet-German battlefield during World War II and left his name in history, has probably become a tragedy and an unjust ghost like Marshal Tukhachevsky.

"I understand, Comrade Zhukov, thank you for your kind reminder. Now I want to know if the Supreme Command has any new arrangements for bringing me back this time?"

As the car slowly arrived at its final destination while decelerating at a constant speed, Zhukov, who saw that Rokossovsky beside him understood what he meant, immediately opened the door and nodded quietly.

"Come with me, Comrade Rokossovsky, your arrangements have been drawn up."

When Rokossovsky, who followed Zhukov's lead, came all the way to the conference hall of the Red Army General Staff Headquarters, he came to stand in front of the huge frontline strategic situation map hanging on the wall, which he had already knitted in his mind. Zhukov, who had heard the relevant words, blurted out the words first.

"Look here, Comrade Rokossovsky."

"The German Army Group Center is undoubtedly the most powerful of the three German battle groups that launched the invasion. The series of battles and directions it is currently fighting also prove that its subsequent intentions are very obvious. It is Moscow, the capital of our motherland.”

"For this reason, the city of Smolensk, which guards the gate to Moscow, must not be lost! The Supreme Command has decided to form several battle groups in the direction of Smolensk to launch a counterattack against the German Army Group Center, stop them and attack them Retreat to the city of Smolensk to defeat its subsequent strategic intention to attack Moscow."

After finishing his words, he immediately turned his head and cast his gaze on Rokossovsky beside him. When Zhukov spoke again, his words were obviously filled with more firmness and encouragement.

"There is only one purpose for transferring you back to Moscow this time, my old friend. One of the newly formed battle groups ordered by the Supreme Command will be commanded by you, with the organizational designation of the 16th Group Army, and you will serve as the commander of the group army. Directly under the command of Marshal Timoshenko, commander of the Western Front. "

"In addition, the initial mission of your army group is expected to be to form a "vacuum" in the direction of Smolensk to prevent the German army from continuing to advance in the direction of Vyazma."

"The current overall strategic situation and battle situation are not optimistic. Old friend, several frontline armies including the Western Front Army that you are about to take office have suffered heavy losses and their strength has been greatly reduced. Therefore, the size of your group army will not be too large. It may At first only a few incomplete divisions can be delivered to you."

"In addition, in order to make up for the lack of strength of your group army to a certain extent, after you set off for your post and go to the front line. From Moscow to Yartsev, the troops you encounter along the way, including remnants and rest troops, will be collected by you. Specifically, Instructions are received at the Western Front Headquarters."

Speaking of this, I always feel that these teams, which were temporarily put together by defeated soldiers and stragglers, were handed over to Rokossovsky's hands to challenge the most powerful German Army Group Center. There was a bit of guilt in his words. Zhukov, who was full of meaning, raised his head after thinking for a moment and continued to speak.

"You must have a rough understanding of the battle situation along the way from the front line to Moscow. Old friend, except for a few staff officers and guards sent by the General Staff, I will basically not be able to help you anymore. It’s not your business.”

"Although I may not be able to help you much with my authority and current situation, there are some things I will eventually tell you. If there is anything I can do to help you within the scope of my authority, please Just say, old friend, I won’t refuse if I can help you.”

Hearing Zhukov, the Chief of General Staff of the Red Army, speak like this, Rokossovsky, who had something in mind to ask for, smiled calmly and then turned around and answered.