"Comrade Stalin," Zhukov did not immediately mention Sokov's desire to integrate the rescued prisoners of war into the army, but first mentioned the results achieved by the other party: "Sokov's troops launched a comprehensive attack on the Huth Armored Group retreating south. Attacking, they successfully defeated the enemy..."
Stalin heard that the victory was achieved by Sokov's troops, and he listened very carefully. After Zhukov finished speaking, he said: "Comrade Zhukov, this is an amazing victory. You know, our army not only has solid fortifications, a complete defense system, and two elite armies near Oboyan, but Facing the attack of the Huth Armored Group Army, they were defeated steadily.
However, the enemy did not get any favor from Xiao Misha, and was even defeated, leaving behind countless corpses and technical equipment. "
After praising Sokov, he knocked the ashes from his finished pipe on the ashtray, put it aside, and said to Zhukov in a consultative tone: "Comrade Zhukov, do you think we should reward him now? Should we award him a medal or promote him to a military rank? Or should we award him a medal and promote him to a first-level military rank?"
"Comrade Stalin!" Zhukov immediately refuted the plan proposed by Stalin: "I think Misha is too young. He was awarded the rank of major general. There are already many people gossiping behind him. If he is awarded lieutenant general or higher at this moment His military rank may cause him to be isolated by others."
"Comrade Zhukov, if we don't reward him for achieving such brilliant results, will it chill other comrades?"
"Comrade Stalin." Zhukov saw that Stalin was in a good mood at this moment, so he took the opportunity to say: "I have an idea and would like to hear your opinion."
"Tell me."
"Sokov's troops have been severely reduced in strength after this period of fierce fighting. With their current strength, it will be difficult for them to participate in the next phase of the battle." Zhukov asked tentatively: "I wonder if the base camp can replenish them in time. troops?"
"Comrade Zhukov, this may be very difficult." Stalin sighed and said: "Even if I replenish his troops now, the addition of new recruits with no combat experience into the army will probably dilute the combat effectiveness of the army, and they will still be unable to participate in the next battle. stage of the attack on Belgorod.”
"Actually, it's not impossible to replenish his troops." Seeing that the time was almost up, Zhukov took the opportunity to say, "It depends on whether you agree or not."
Zhukov's words aroused Stalin's curiosity: "Where can he replenish his troops?"
"Our 6th Guards Army and 1st Tank Army, during their counterattack in the direction of Oboyan, liberated several prisoner of war camps established by the enemy and rescued more than 20,000 captured commanders and combatants. If you have no objection, I intend to replenish Sokov's forces with these men."
Stalin never dreamed that Zhukov would actually make such a suggestion. He said displeasedly: "Comrade Zhukov, don't you know that there are many traitors lurking among these captured personnel?"
"I know, Comrade Stalin." Zhukov heard that although there was anger in Stalin's tone, he did not get angry immediately. He felt that there was hope for the matter, so he said smoothly: "But I believe Sokov can make good use of these things." People. You know, a considerable number of people in his army were rescued from prisoner of war camps.
According to Sokov, these officers and soldiers were bullied by the Germans in the prisoner-of-war camps, and their hearts were filled with hatred for the enemy. Armed and sent to the battlefield, these officers and soldiers could exert greater combat effectiveness than ordinary people. "
"Oh, is that so?" Stalin said curiously.
"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Zhukov replied affirmatively: "There are many battalion and company commanders in his army who were rescued from prisoner of war camps." He was afraid that Stalin would not agree, and added , "You also know that we will soon launch a new round of attack on the German army. If Sokov's 27th Army is missing in the new attack, the results may be much less."
Stalin knew very well that Zhukov's statement was a bit exaggerated. He said this just to get his consent to add all the rescued prisoners of war to Sokov's troops.
He took out two cigarettes from the cigarette case, crushed them with his fingers, stuffed the tobacco into the butt, held it in his mouth, but did not light it immediately. "Comrade Zhukov, if you were me, would you agree to integrate all prisoners of war into Xiao Misha's army?"
"How should I put it, Comrade Stalin." Seeing that Stalin had thrown the problem to him again, Zhukov said cautiously: "We now have a problem of insufficient soldiers. If we integrate these people into the army, we can win. , I think it can be tried.”
Stalin lit his cigarette butt and said slowly: "Comrade Zhukov, so you agree to integrate these rescued prisoners of war into Xiao Misha's army. But have you ever considered who will To bear all the consequences?"
Although Stalin did not explain the consequences, Zhukov knew very well that if so many prisoners of war were integrated into the 27th Army at once, there would probably be many uncertainties. It's okay if there is no problem, but if there is a problem, it will be a big problem. So he hesitated for a long time, and finally gritted his teeth and said: "Comrade Stalin, if there are any problems in the future, I am willing to take all the responsibility."
"Okay, Comrade Zhukov. Then integrate these rescued prisoners of war into Xiaomisha's troops." Stalin was waiting for this sentence from Zhukov, but out of caution, he also specifically warned: "But I I want to remind you that Xiao Misha knows how to fight and has more troops, which can play a vital role on the battlefield. But other troops, without my permission, are absolutely not allowed to recruit troops from prisoner-of-war camps. "
The purpose of Zhukov's call was to hope that Stalin would agree to add all the rescued prisoners of war to Sokov's troops. Now that the other party agreed to his request, he simply ignored the subsequent conditions: "Don't worry, Comrade Stalin, With the addition of these soldiers, I believe that the 27th Army will soon return to its peak state and achieve more meritorious deeds in the following battles."
When Zhukov put down the phone, he felt that his back was soaked with sweat. He took a long breath and said to everyone: "The Supreme Commander himself has agreed to add all the more than 20,000 commanders and fighters rescued in the Oboyan area to Sokov's army."
"What, more than 20,000 people, all added to Sokov's troops?" Hearing what Zhukov said, Vatutin's eyes widened in surprise: "Comrade Marshal, you should know that those captured commanders and fighters came from I cannot give all of my Voronezh Front to Major General Sokov, but at least some of the combat backbone must be returned to the army."
"No." Zhukov refused Vatutin's request without hesitation: "The Supreme Commander himself has already said hello that the commanders and fighters rescued from the prisoner of war camps can only be supplemented by Sokov's troops."
Seeing Zhukov move out of Stalin, Vatutin had no choice but to shut his mouth obediently. Since the above had already said hello, even if he was reluctant to part with it, he could only hold his nose and admit it, and replenish all the more than 20,000 commanders and fighters to Soko. husband.
But Apanashenko was not convinced. He even said plausibly: "Comrade Marshal, among the more than 20,000 commanders and fighters, there must be many unsteady elements and panicked elements. They were frightened by the enemy in the prisoner-of-war camp." I lost my courage. If we just replenish Major General Sokov’s troops, I’m worried that something will go wrong.”
What Apanashenko said is exactly what Zhukov is most worried about. There will inevitably be some scum among the more than 20,000 people. If they are all integrated into Sokov's army, there is no telling when they will Make waves.
Zhukov looked at Apanashenko and asked: "Comrade General, do you have any ideas to solve this problem?"
"Comrade Marshal," Apanashenko said quickly after hearing Zhukov asking himself: "Please allow me to go to the 27th Army to supervise their screening work."
Zhukov did not reply immediately, but looked at Vasilevsky and Vatutin and asked: "What are your opinions?"
"I have no objection." Vasilevsky was the first to express his opinion.
"I have no objection either." Vatutin then added: "General Apanashenko is the deputy commander of the front army. I think it is very appropriate for him to go to the 27th Army to supervise the screening work."
"Okay!" Seeing that both of them agreed that Apanashenko should go to the 27th Army to supervise the work, Zhukov nodded and said: "Since everyone's opinions have been unified, Comrade Apanashenko will serve as the representative of the front army headquarters. , rush to the 27th Group Army as soon as possible to supervise the screening of prisoners of war."
In order to prevent the other party from interfering with Sokov's command, Zhukov also specifically warned the other party: "Comrade General, I think it is necessary to remind you. Your task is only to supervise the screening of prisoners of war, not to guide operations, so under any circumstances, You cannot interfere with Sokov’s military command. Do you understand?”
When Apanashenko recommended himself, he did have the idea of interfering with Sokov's command. After all, this young man was too ungrateful and the tactics he used were incompatible with the traditional tactics of the Soviet army. He was a typical adventurist who could achieve such success. Many wins are purely a matter of luck. I just took advantage of this opportunity to supervise the screening work and criticize all his wrong tactics.
But after listening to Zhukov's instructions, he found that his wishful thinking had failed, and he could only say helplessly: "Comrade Marshal, don't worry, I will never interfere with his command."
