In late April, it was already known to everyone that Marshal Konev was transferred to the First Ukrainian Front. When everyone learned that Sokov would also go to the First Front Army with Marshal Konev, they couldn't help but talk privately. They felt that with Sokov's ability and achievements, he might have the opportunity to become the deputy commander of the Front Army after passing there. member.
But what is surprising is that the day before Konev went to Moscow to participate in the May Day military parade, the Front Army Command officially announced Sokov’s new appointment.
When the appointment was officially announced, everyone, including Sokov, was dumbfounded.
Others were dumbfounded because they discovered that after Sokov went to the First Front Army, his position was not deputy commander of the front army, but a group army commander.
Sokov, Ponedelin, Kirillov and others were dumbfounded because the group army that assigned him the position of commander was not the 40th Army of Lieutenant General Zhimachenko as agreed in advance, but Poleno. Lieutenant General Hu's 47th Army.
Seeing the appointment letter written in black and white, Ponejelin frowned and asked Sokov: "Comrade Commander, what is going on? I didn't say that you would be the commander of the 40th Group Army. Why did you become the commander of the 40th Group Army in the blink of an eye? Where is the 47th Army?"
"I don't know either." After receiving the appointment letter, Sokov called the front army headquarters and wanted to know the reason from Konev, but Zakharov who answered the phone said apologetically: " Sorry, Comrade Sokov, Marshal Konev has already gone to Moscow to participate in the May Day military parade and will not be back until after the 5th at the earliest."
Sokov originally thought that Zakharov, as Konev's chief of staff and having a good relationship with him, should be able to tell him the reason, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, since Marshal Konev is not here, then what? I want to ask you, why has my appointment changed? From the original 40th Group Army to the 47th Group Army?"
It was Zakharov who, as Konev's representative, went to Otac to discuss the future with Sokov. But when he heard Sokov's question today, he was speechless. He didn't know why his superiors adjusted the original plan and appointed Sokov as the commander of the 47th Group Army.
At this moment, when he heard Sokov's questioning, he could only play rogue: "Comrade Sokov, this is your First Front Army's matter. Although I am the Chief of Staff of the Second Front Army, I still have nothing to do with your matters. No authority to know.”
After hearing Zakharov's answer, Sokov knew that he would not gain anything if he continued to ask, so he stopped wasting time and hung up the phone directly.
Seeing Sokov put down the phone, Kirillov asked with some urgency: "Comrade Commander, did General Zakharov say why his superiors suddenly changed their minds?"
"Nothing was asked." Sokov shook his head and said: "It seems that he does not know the specific situation. And Marshal Konev, the only one who knows the inside story, has gone to Moscow again at the moment and cannot be contacted for the moment."
But Ponejelin, who was the first to ask the question, remained silent at this time, seeming to be thinking about something. After a long time, he said: "Comrade Commander, I still have a few reliable friends in Moscow. I will go to them now to inquire about the situation of the 47th Group Army, and then I will report back to you."
After speaking, after obtaining Sokov's consent, he stood up and left the room.
Ponedelin left, and Kirillov felt that there was no point in staying any longer, so he stood up and left.
After both of them left, Smirnov came in from the outside and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, although it took only a few months for our partners to learn that you were going to be transferred, my I still feel quite reluctant to part with it.”
Sokov chuckled and said: "The superiors may think that my mission in the 53rd Army has been completed, and then they will transfer me to a new unit."
"Comrade Commander, I heard a rumor." Smirnov said after sitting down next to Sokov: "It was said that the superiors initially planned to send you to the 40th Group Army, but today's appointment was inexplicably changed to 47th Army. Right?"
Now that the appointment given to him by his superiors has been announced, even if he conceals it, someone will probably figure out the truth soon, so Sokov answered truthfully: "Yes, this is indeed the case."
Smirnov glanced in the direction of the door. Although he saw no one, he still lowered his voice and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I heard that in the appointment letter from the superior, it was originally written that the 40th Army Group. However, a certain former commander of the Army Group may be worried that after you go, you will achieve more impressive results than him, thereby covering up his past glory, so he did something behind the scenes, which led to your transfer to 47th Army."
Sokov never dreamed that someone was behind the change in his position. Although Smirnov did not specify which former commander he was, he guessed the answer after thinking for a while, and asked Smirnov tentatively: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think who is the person behind the scenes?" Yes. Is this person in the 38th Army now?"
Hearing Sokov's question, Smirnov did not speak, but just laughed twice, acquiescing to Sokov's statement. He said calmly: "You obtained the rank of general at a young age, and you also commanded a combat group with four armies. It would be strange if others weren't jealous. What's more, if you went to the 40th Army, you would definitely Give the army a new look, and then a certain former commander may feel that he has lost face, so he will think of ways to stop you."
However, Sokov soon felt relieved. He chuckled and said: "Chief of Staff, this actually means that the other party admits that my achievements on the battlefield far surpass his. If I were to succeed him in the past, The troops he once commanded have overshadowed his previous aura, so he naturally has to find a way to prevent this from happening."
"By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff." Sokov thought that he would soon go to the 47th Group Army to take up his post. Knowing more about this unit would be very helpful for carrying out his work: "Do you know anything about the 47th Group Army? ?”
"I don't know." Smirnov answered simply: "After all, we have so many armies. It is simply impossible to understand the situation of each army."
Seeing the disappointment on Sokov's face, he quickly added: "But I can ask my friends to find out. If I have any news, I will tell you as soon as possible."
When Sokov was appointed as the commander of the 47th Group Army, Muzichenko was different from everyone else. He was secretly grateful. Fortunately, he rejected Sokov's request, otherwise he would have looked at Sokov and become The butt of everyone’s private jokes.
"Comrade Division Commander," Chief of Staff Major Lekashali saw that Muzichenko was silent and thought he was worried about Sokov's future. He quickly asked with concern: "Why did the superiors suddenly appoint the commander as the commander of the 47th Group Army? As for the officer, what is going on? Did he make some mistake? "
"Make a mistake?" Hearing what Lekashali said, Muzichenko asked in surprise: "Chief of Staff, why do you think that the commander made a mistake and was appointed as the commander of the 47th Group Army? What about?"
"Comrade Commander's current position is the commander of the combat group, and he also commands two combined arms groups and two tank armies." Lekashali said: "According to his current position, even if he has gone to the first front Army, he should also be the deputy commander of the front army. Unexpectedly, the superiors only appointed him as the commander of the 47th Army. Doesn’t this mean he was downgraded? "
Regarding Sokov’s position, Muzichenko did not express any opinion, but asked Lekashali: “Chief of Staff, as far as I know, when the commander goes to the 47th Group Army this time, he will return the one who originally came from Frunze. All the cadets from the military academy have been taken away, and you are one of them. Do you want to stay or leave? If you want to leave, I will naturally have no problem with it; if you want to stay, I will go to the commander to put in a good word for you. "
The reason why Muzichenko wants to retain Lekashali is entirely because the chief of staff cooperates very well with him. If he leaves, it will probably take a long time for the new chief of staff sent by his superiors to cooperate so well.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, he heard Lekashali say: "Comrade division commander, thank you for your kindness. I have decided that no matter where the commander goes, I will follow him. I have stayed in the army. In seven or eight years, it was only during these few months with the commander that I felt that I had learned how to fight."
When he learned that Major Lekashali wanted to leave, Muzichenko said reluctantly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, don't you think about it anymore? Maybe staying is your best choice."
"Division Commander, thank you for your kindness." Major Lekashali repeated what he just said: "I have made a decision. No matter where the commander goes, I will follow him."
"Okay, now that you have made a decision, I will respect your decision." Seeing that Lekashali was determined to leave with Sokov, Muzichenko knew that it was useless to say anything else, so he agreed. made his decision. Then he turned around and asked the other students he brought from the headquarters: "Do you think the same as Major Lekashali?"
"Yes," several staff officers nodded at the same time and said unanimously in a affirmative tone: "We have the same decision as the chief of staff. No matter where Comrade Commander goes, we will go with him."
Seeing that several students, like Major Lekashali, were preparing to follow Sokov to the 47th Army, Muzichenko suddenly felt as if all his strength had been drained. These people were his most capable assistants. If they all If he leaves, he will become a mere commander. I am afraid that he will not be as comfortable commanding the troops in the future as before.
But at the same time, he knew in his heart that since the departure of these subordinates was already a certainty, even if he got angry at them, it would be of no use. Instead, he would have established several enemies. So he forced a smile on his face and said with a forced smile: "I respect your choice, and I wish you good luck!"
Just when Muzichenko was in a panic, Ponedelin returned to Sokov's office and reported to him: "Comrade Commander, I already have a general understanding of the situation of the 47th Group Army and need to do it immediately. Report to you."
Sokov was also very interested in the troops he was about to take charge of. Since Ponedelin said that he already understood the general situation, it would be okay to listen. He nodded and said, "Okay, let's talk about it." .”
"The earliest 47th Group Army was formed on the basis of the 28th Mechanized Army of the Transcaucasus Military District. It fought successively within the Transcaucasus Front, the Crimean Front and the North Caucasus Front. It was not disbanded until the end of October 1943, and the troops were handed over to The 27th and 38th Group Armies were mobilized, and the Army Headquarters led the directly affiliated troops to mobilize the reserves of the Supreme Command Base Camp.
In January this year, it was temporarily incorporated into the 1st Ukrainian Front. In February, the group army headquarters moved to the Sarny area and was transferred to the newly built Second Belorussian Front. In March, the 77th and 125th Infantry Corps, as well as the 307th Infantry Division and other units were incorporated, restoring combat capability. Conduct defensive operations on the front lines of Yamny and Dombrovich.
In the second half of March, offensive battles were carried out in the direction of Kovel. In early April, he was incorporated into General Rokossovsky's 1st Belorussian Front and fought within its organization..."
"Wait a minute, General Ponedelin." Hearing this, Sokov couldn't help but interrupt Ponedelin, "Didn't my superiors ask me to go to the 1st Ukrainian Front? Why is the 47th Army now? Does it still belong to the order of operations of the 1st Belarusian Front?"
"Comrade Commander, this is also something that puzzles me." Ponedelin frowned and said: "It stands to reason that the 1st Belarusian Front was just placed under the command of the 1st Belarusian Front at the beginning of this month, and at the beginning of next month it was placed under the command of the 2nd Ukrainian Front. I think such frequent changes in army command are a bit unrealistic."
"If this army group is not assigned to the 1st Ukrainian Front," Sokov also frowned, "then wouldn't we become General Rokossovsky's subordinates?"
Ponedelin kindly reminded Sokov: "Yes, if the command relationship of the army does not change, when you are transferred to the 47th Group Army next month, then you will become a subordinate of General Rokossovsky. It will no longer be under the command of Marshal Konev."
Sokov was thinking that it would not be a bad thing if his troops belonged to the 1st Belorussian Front. In a few months, Zhukov will replace Rokossovsky as the new commander of the front. If his troops can stay under Zhukov's command, he may be the first to command his troops to rush into Berlin in the Battle of Berlin next year.
Seeing that Sokov was deep in thought, Ponedelin could not disturb him, so he could only sit aside and wait patiently. After Sokov finally returned to normal, he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, how about you ask Marshal Konev again to find out whether you will be his subordinate in the future or Rokossovsky?" The general’s subordinates?”
After listening to what Ponedelin said, Sokov shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and said helplessly: "General Ponedelin, I also want to ask Marshal Konev what is going on. . But now that he has gone to Moscow, I can’t contact him at all, so we can only wait until he comes back from Moscow.”
After hearing what Sokov said, Ponedelin was silent for a while and then said: "Comrade Commander, in fact, it is not necessarily a bad thing for us to go to the 1st Belarusian Front. I heard that General Rokossovsky is also a He is an excellent commander, and you can often win battles with him."
