Under the leadership of the lieutenant, Sokov came to the front headquarters and met the commander, General Konev, the military commissar, Lieutenant General Mekhlis, and the chief of staff, Lieutenant General Zakharov.
After entering the door, Sokov faced the three people, raised his hands in a ring salute, and said loudly: "Hello, comrade commander, Major General Sokov has been ordered to report!"
"General Sokov, we have been waiting for you." The first person to greet Sokov was naturally the commander, General Konev. He took the initiative to extend his hand to Sokov and asked with concern: "It's been a smooth journey. Bar?"
Sokov looked at Konev in front of him and found that there was still a big difference between his appearance and the photos of later generations. At this moment, he was at a low point in his life. His face was thin and full of melancholy, and he was not as round as he was when he conquered Berlin. The shape of the two is simply different. He quickly stretched out his hands to hold the other person's hand and said respectfully: "Thank you, Comrade Commander, for your concern. On the second day of our departure, we encountered German snipers on the road and sacrificed several soldiers. But the enemy's snipers They were also wiped out by us.”
The next person who greeted Sokov was Mehlis. Looking at the general with a round face in front of him, his eyes narrowed into a line when he smiled, Sokov could not believe that this was a man with a "little Mehlis, known as the King of Reporters. He secretly thought that the other party had reported Rokossovsky's style issues to Stalin, but he had hit a soft nail. He didn't know if the other party had made a report at this time.
Although Sokov took the initiative to join the Steppe Front because he wanted to make contributions with Konev, a potential force, he did not expect to meet Mehlis here. His reputation in the army was not good. Due to his blind command, the Soviet army once lost half a million troops in a week. But out of politeness, Thasokov shook hands with the other party and greeted politely: "Hello, Comrade Military Commissar, nice to meet you."
Chief of Staff Zakharov waited for Sokov to finish greeting the other two commanders, then stepped forward and gave him a bear hug. He slapped Sokov on the back with his hand and said with a smile: "Sokov, you are really not simple. When the counterattack under Moscow began, you were just a corporal, and now you are a general. .”
"Hello, General Zakharov." Sokov met an acquaintance here and said excitedly: "Since I escorted Rokossovsky back to Moscow for treatment at the beginning of last year, we haven't seen each other for a year. , are you okay?"
Seeing the doubts on the faces of Konev and others, Zakharov quickly explained to them: "I met General Sokov when I was the deputy commander of the 16th Army. At that time, he was the commander of Istria. Company commander."
After Zakharov explained, Konev's face immediately showed an expression of realization. But Mehlis just nodded calmly.
"General Sokov!" After the simple greetings, Konev officially announced the appointment of Sokov: "According to the instructions of the headquarters of the Supreme Command, it is necessary to appoint someone with rich war experience and rich combat training and organizational experience. Commander of the 27th Army. Now, I officially appoint you as the commander of the 27th Army. General Sokov, I congratulate you."
"Thank you, Comrade Commander of the Front Army."
After Mehlis and Zakharov shook hands with Sokov one by one and congratulated him, Konev continued: "General Sokov, let me introduce to you the tasks of your army group. Please Come to the map."
When Sokov stood in front of the map, Konev continued: "Your army group is now stationed in the Koski area. Your task is to seize the time to build strong defense fortifications to prevent possible attacks by the German army."
Sokov looked at the location of the Koski area. It was located to the north of Kastornoye and was full of forests, swamps and lakes. The Germans had no ability to reach this location. If Konev really followed Konev's plan, The order was given to build strong and complete fortifications in this area, which was not only a waste of people and money, but also had no use at all.
After Konev finished introducing the situation, he waited for a moment. Seeing that Sokov did not speak, he automatically asked: "How is it, General Sokov, do you have anything to say?"
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," since Konev asked him to express his opinion, Sokov naturally would not miss this good opportunity and said quickly: "I feel that what I have to do after taking office is to smoothly and with high quality To complete the combat training and political education specially designed by the front army. As for national defense fortifications, I don’t think it is necessary to build them.”
Sokov's deterioration was earth-shattering. Konev's face became solemn: "General Sokov, don't you know that the Hitlerites have a large number of new tanks and self-propelled artillery. If we don't have strong defenses, we have to stop them." They are simply impossible.”
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army, you are right." Sokov agreed with Konev's statement: "Based on my experience in fighting with the Germans, when faced with a large number of new tanks and self-propelled vehicles, If the enemy of artillery does not have strong fortifications, it will be impossible to stop them.”
"Since you understand this truth." Seeing that Sokov also agreed with his statement, the anger on Sokov's face subsided slightly: "Then why do you still put forward the ridiculous suggestion of not building fortifications?"
"Because I feel that the enemy has no ability to reach our group army's defense area." Sokov replied in a humble tone: "There is no need to build such defenses."
Hearing what Sokov said, Konev couldn't help but sneered: "General Sokov, do you think that if the Germans can't reach your defense area, they won't be able to reach it?..."
"Comrade Commander," at this moment, Mehlis unexpectedly spoke: "I think what General Sokov said makes sense. We must believe in our friendly forces. They will definitely be able to defend their positions and prevent the enemy from defeating the enemy." Closer to Moscow. Our troops are now located east of Moscow. I believe that even if there are no fortifications, we don’t have to worry about the enemy’s attack.”
If someone else had said this, Konev might have thought twice about it. But the man who spoke, Mehlis, was a layman who did not understand military affairs but liked to give blind orders. His mistakes even caused the Soviet army to lose half a million troops in a week and lose the Kerch Peninsula.
Konev glanced at Mekhlis and said expressionlessly: "Comrade Military Commissar, as the commander of the front army, I will strictly implement the orders of the base camp and build defense fortifications in the existing area that can resist the German attack. Absolutely not If we rely on luck, just imagine, if we don’t build any fortifications in the defense area, but the enemy breaks through the friendly defenses and rushes in front of us, how will we stop them then?”
After saying these words, Konev turned to Sokov and ordered him in a stern tone: "General Sokov, as a commander, don't you know that orders from superiors can only be carried out and are not allowed?" Was it discussed? After you returned to the army, you immediately started the construction of defense fortifications, do you understand?"
Faced with such a strict order from Konev, Sokov couldn't help but smile bitterly, and then replied bravely: "Understood, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I will immediately start the construction of national defense fortifications after taking office."
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