red moscow

Chapter 2664

"You are talking about General Petrov, right?" Although Sokov did not mention the specific name, Malinin knew who he was talking about: "He led the defense of Odessa and Sevastopol. In October 1941, he served as the commander of the 10th Army. In 44, he served as the commander of the North Caucasus Front and participated in the Kerch-Elitigen landing battle and the liberation of Maikop and Krasnodar. In 1943, he served as the commander of the Second Belorussian Front and the Fourth Ukrainian Front, and was awarded the rank of General."

Since Malinin had already told him the other party's resume, Sokov naturally would not deny it: "Yes, it's him."

Malinin was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Misha, you are right. He is indeed very capable in commanding the troops to defend. But when it comes to offensive operations, his strength is still a little lacking. You know, he was dismissed from his post as commander of the Second Belorussian Front after only two months, and he was dismissed two days before the start of Operation Bagration. This shows that the Supreme Command also realized that he was not capable enough to command the troops to participate in such a large-scale counterattack."

"I think so."

"Misha," Malinin hesitated for a moment, but still said decisively, "According to the intelligence I have obtained, the Supreme Command intended to have you replace Petrov as the commander of the Second Belorussian Front. Later, some people said that you were too young and might not be able to convince the public, which might have an adverse impact on the subsequent Bagration operation. It was for this reason that after Petrov was dismissed, General Zakharov took over the position."

"General Malinin, the decision made by the Supreme Command is correct." Sokov is very self-aware. With his own ability, being an army commander is already the limit. If he is really allowed to command the Second Belorussian Front, he might be sent to a military court in the end. Therefore, he should abandon his unrealistic fantasies and just be a good army commander: "With my ability, I am not enough to command a front army."

Malinin chuckled twice and said, "You should remember that I was the chief of staff of the First Belorussian Front at the time, and Marshal Rokossovsky was the commander. We once discussed this issue. Marshal Rokossovsky said that with your ability, it might be a bit difficult to command such a large army at the beginning, but as long as you have capable subordinates to assist you, it won't take long for your command level to be greatly improved. Maybe in the future, the troops you command will be the first to rush into Berlin."

Hearing Malinin talking about being the first to rush into Berlin, Sokov couldn't help but laugh dryly. He had always dreamed that his troops would be the first to enter Berlin, but things were unpredictable. With the transfer of Marshal Rokossovsky, he was transferred from the First Front to the Second Front, and the main attack direction he was responsible for was also adjusted. He soon found out that no matter how hard he tried, no matter how many victories he won, he was not qualified to be the first to enter Berlin.

Malinin obviously also realized this. His old partner Rokossovsky was transferred away from the First Front by Stalin because of his Polish ancestry, and lost the qualification to enter Berlin first. If there is any regret, Rokossovsky's regret is greater than Sokov's.

"Misha, you must be very tired after sitting on the train for such a long time." Malinin stood up and said to Sokov, "Go back and rest first. If there is anything, we can talk about it when we meet tomorrow."

Sokov returned to the room arranged by Malinin for him. After a simple wash, he lay down on the bed to rest. The journey was indeed very tiring for him.

In the middle of the night, he felt like there was another person on the bed. Just by the feel of his hand, he knew who it was.

The next morning, he woke up Kopalova who was sleeping next to him: "Kopalova, it's getting late, shall we go out for breakfast?"

Kopalova struggled to sit up and said to Sokov, "Misha, I contacted Moscow yesterday and they said they would send someone to meet me as soon as possible. After breakfast, I will go to the press station to make preliminary preparations."

Sokov put his arm around Kopalova's shoulders and asked softly, "Now that you've been to the press station, do you have time to come over later?"

Kopalova thought for a moment, then said, "I am the only one in the press station, and I cannot leave casually. But if you really miss me, you can come to find me. Got it?"

When the two arrived at the restaurant, Seryosha, Vaseligov and Seryoelkov were almost finished with breakfast.

Seeing Sokov and Kopalova coming, Shelyoerkov quickly served them two meals, put them down and said, "Please eat, and enjoy your appetite!"

"Seryosha," Sokov said to Seryosha as he started to eat, "Kopalova will go to the press station after breakfast. You take two guards to see her off later."

"Ah, are you leaving so soon?" After saying this, Seryosha turned to look at Kopalova and asked, "Kopalova, can't you stay here for two more days? You know, even if the newspaper sends a new reporter, it will take several days."

"There's nothing I can do," Kopalova said helplessly. "The newspaper asked me to do the preliminary work for the press station first, so that when the people sent by Moscow arrive, I can start work as soon as possible."

"Comrade General," Vaseligov waited for Kopalova to finish speaking, then asked Sokov tentatively, "What are your plans for today?"

"I'm going to meet General Malinin later. I guess he will send someone to accompany me to the 4th Guards Army to take up my post." Sokov said, "Vaseligov, Seryoelkov, the two of you go with me."

"Yes!" Vaseligov and Seryokov answered in unison.

After breakfast, Kopalova said goodbye to Sokov and, accompanied by Seryosha and two guards, went to the area where the press station was located. Sokov took Seryokov and Vaserigov to Malinin's headquarters to accept his new position.

Arriving at the office, Malinin put down his work, walked over and shook hands with Sokov, and said, "After I reported to my superiors about the attack you had on the road yesterday, Marshal Zhukov called me early in the morning to inquire about your details. I told him that although most of the passengers on the train were killed by the bandits, you were not hurt because you were protected by several capable guards."

"Marshal Zhukov is really thoughtful." Sokov said gratefully, "He even called me personally for my matter."

"Misha, I will send my adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Onishchenko, to accompany you to take up your post in the 4th Guards Army."

"Thank you so much."

When Sokov was about to leave, Malinin held his hand and said earnestly: "Misha, in this offensive plan, the 4th Guards Army under your command will be the first to attack the enemy. If you have any good ideas, remember to communicate with me in time. You must remember that I am your strong backing."

Sokov came outside and found Vaseligov chatting with Onishchenko.

Seeing Sokov coming out, Vaserigov and Seryokov stood at attention. Onishchenko raised his hand and saluted, saying respectfully: "I am sending you to the 4th Guards Army on the orders of the commander. If you are ready, we will set off now."

The convoy to the headquarters of the 4th Guards Army was very simple, with only three jeeps. Shelyokov sat in the first jeep, Vaseligov sat in the last car, and Sokov and Onishchenko sat in the middle car.

On the way, Sokov kept looking out the window, trying to see how long it would take to arrive.

Onishchenko misunderstood Sokov's expression and took the initiative to explain: "Comrade General, don't worry. You are now in Vienna. It is safe here. All the enemies have been eliminated by us. There will be no danger."

But Sokov laughed and said, "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you must not let your guard down. If a certain unit pretends to be bandits and attacks us, then our small convoy will be in danger of being wiped out."

"Comrade General, your worries are unnecessary." Onishchenko said with a smile: "I can assure you that there are no enemies near Vienna."

"That's not necessarily true." Sokov had done his homework before coming here. The defense zone of the 4th Guards Army borders the U.S. Army. If the other side wants to do something, they can just pretend to be bandits and launch a sneak attack on him. If that happens, he will be killed unjustly: "Don't forget that there are U.S. troops stationed next to the defense zone of the th Guards Army. If they want to disguise themselves as bandits and launch a sneak attack, we may die without knowing why."

"Comrade General, aren't the U.S. troops our allies?" Onishchenko asked puzzledly, "Why did they attack us?"

"Before Germany surrendered, we would naturally work together because of the common enemy." Sokov was unhappy that Onishchenko didn't even know such basic common sense, but considering that he was Malinin's adjutant, he patiently explained to him: "If the common enemy is eliminated, then the former allies may become enemies because of some small problems. Do you want to see this happen?"

"No," Onishchenko answered very straightforwardly: "The war has just ended, why should we continue to fight? Aren't there enough deaths among us?"

"In this war, we lost 20 to 30 million people." Sokov said, "We really don't want to fight, but some people are provoking us, so we must be prepared for war."

"Comrade General, so this military exercise is intended to intimidate our former allies?"

Sokov knew very well that as Malinin's adjutant, Onishchenko must know a lot of information that ordinary people could not know, so he did not hide it, but said truthfully: "Yes, that's what I mean. This is a military exercise. If the other side is not honest, the exercise may become a formal military operation."

Soon, the convoy stopped next to a building. Onishchenko, who was sitting in the co-pilot seat, turned around and said, "Comrade General, we have arrived at your headquarters!"

After several people got off the car and were about to walk inside, the second lieutenant on duty with two sentries at the door raised his hand to block their way: "Please show your ID!"

Hearing the lieutenant's words, Vasherigov immediately became angry: "What? You want to see our ID? Do you know who he is?"

Sokov knew that checking ID was a Russian tradition. Lenin was checked for ID when he walked on the street. So he took out his ID and handed it to the other party: "Comrade Lieutenant, this is my ID, please have a look."

The lieutenant had heard that his superiors were going to send a new commander. When Sokov and his companions got off the car, he saw the rank on Sokov's shoulder strap and guessed that the new commander might have taken office. After reading Sokov's ID, he was even more certain that this was the new commander. He stood at attention, raised his hand to salute Sokov, and shouted loudly, "Hello, Comrade Commander!"

Sokov took the certificate handed to him by the lieutenant and walked into the building, ready to officially take over the command of the unit.

When we arrived at the commander's office, there was no other furniture except a desk, two leather armchairs and a long sofa.

Onishchenko brought Sokov to the door of the office and said with a smile: "Comrade General, this is your office. Please come in quickly."

After Sokov entered the office, he turned around and asked Onishchenko: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, when can I see my subordinates?"

"Comrade General, please be patient. I will call them immediately to come over." After saying that, Onishchenko picked up the phone on the table and started dialing.

A few minutes later, a short and slightly fat major ran in from outside.

After seeing Onishchenko, he couldn't wait to ask: "Lieutenant Colonel Onishchenko, where is our new commander?"

"I'm here." Sokov said before Onishchenko could speak: "Major, who are you?"

"Hello, Comrade Commander!" Upon learning that the person sitting behind the desk was the new commander, the fat major quickly raised his hand and saluted: "I am Major Shekhovtsov, the head of the Logistics Department. How can I help you?"

Sokov pointed at Vaseligov and Seryokov and said, "They are both responsible for protecting my safety. Please arrange an office for them."

"Yes, Comrade Commandant," Shekhovtsov said respectfully. "Anything else you want me to do?"

"Why are you the only one left in the headquarters? Where are the others?"

Hearing Sokov's question, Shekhovtsov quickly replied, "The troops started preparing for the exercise some time ago, and the chief of staff and a group of staff from the headquarters went to inspect the base." He raised his hand to check the time and continued, "They have been gone for more than an hour, and they will probably be back here at noon."

When Sokov learned that the chief of staff had gone out for an inspection, he naturally did not want to wait here foolishly, so he said to Shekhovtsov: "Comrade Chief, please help me arrange a car immediately. I also want to visit the troops by the way."

(End of this chapter)