Rokossovsky said he would return in an hour, but Sokov and others waited for three hours before he returned to the headquarters.
Seeing Rokossovsky walking in from outside, the four people who were sitting and chatting all stood up. Malinin stepped forward to greet him, while the three Sokovs straightened their backs at the conference table and paid attention to Rokossovsky.
After saying hello to Malinin, Rokossovsky came to Sokov. Before Sokov could raise his hand to his forehead, he grabbed it and shook it vigorously: "Comrade Sokov, I represent Belarus." All officers and men of the First Front welcome you and your men."
If it was an informal occasion, Rokossovsky would call Sokov Misha. Today, this was a formal occasion, so he called him by his surname plus his job title.
But when the two men were about to finish shaking hands, Rokossovsky pulled Sokov into his arms and gave him a warm hug. While patting Sokov's back with his hand, he said: "Misha, I hope that after you come here, you can continue to achieve more meritorious deeds like you did in other troops."
"Don't worry, Comrade General." Sokov vowed to Rokossovsky: "I will never let you down."
After hearing Sokov's answer, Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction, then let him go, and then went to shake hands with Ponejelin and Kirillov.
"Colonel Kirillov," before Rokossovsky returned, he learned from Malinin that Kirillov was unwilling to serve as chief of staff, so he felt it was necessary to talk to Kirillov: "I I heard that you are unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of the 47th Group Army, is that true?"
When Malinin called Rokossovsky, Kirillov was beside him. He could hear the conversation between the two clearly. He naturally knew that he was unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of the group army. Rokossovsky had already known it. . However, since the other party asked him personally, he still answered truthfully: "Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I feel that my ability is not suitable for serving as the chief of staff of the group army, so I rejected the appointment arranged by you."
After Rokossovsky waited for Kirillov to finish speaking, he did not express his position immediately, but stared intently, which made Kirillov feel nervous.
After an unknown amount of time, Rokossovsky spoke again: "Colonel Kirillov, since you are unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of this group army, can you recommend a suitable candidate to hold this position?"
According to Rokossovsky's idea, Kirillov will definitely not be able to find a suitable candidate. When the time comes, he will be able to force him to take this position first. After finding a suitable candidate in the future, it will not be too late to replace him. .
But what he didn't expect was that when Kirillov heard what he said, he nodded vigorously and said affirmatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I really have a suitable candidate who can serve as the chief of staff of the group army."
Kirillov's words aroused Rokossovsky's curiosity: "Oh, is there a suitable candidate? Who is it?"
"Colonel Sidorin, Chief of Staff of the 41st Guards Division." Kirillov said: "I think it is most appropriate for him to serve as Chief of Staff of the Army Group." Perhaps in order to persuade Rokossovsky, he He even mentioned the cooperation between Sokov and Sidorin in the past, "You know, as early as the Battle of Stalingrad, Colonel Sidorin served as chief of staff and assisted our commander in his work. Since he He was a qualified chief of staff at that time, so now I think it is very appropriate for him to take a step further and serve as the chief of staff of the group army."
Not only did Rokossovsky not expect Kirillov to propose Sidorin, Sokov also did not expect it. He was stunned at first, but soon felt that the candidate proposed by Kirillov couldn't be more suitable. You know, before Sidorin was transferred here, he was the chief of operations under Chuikov and had rich staff experience. During his tenure as his chief of staff, he was very satisfied with the abilities he displayed.
"Comrade Sokov," Rokossovsky looked at Sokov and asked, "What do you think of Colonel Kirillov's proposal?"
If Konev did not say hello in advance and prevent the people Sokov took away from causing the stability of the army, maybe Sokov would have considered taking Sidorin away at that time. Even if you can't be the chief of staff of the group army, being the chief of staff of the army is more than enough.
"Comrade General," since Rokossovsky asked this, Sokov naturally had to express his true thoughts: "I think it would be a more correct choice to let Colonel Sidorin serve as my chief of staff. However, , he now belongs to the Second Ukrainian Front, I wonder if there will be any problems if we transfer him here?"
"You don't have to worry about this." Rokossovsky said carelessly: "As long as you are willing to let Colonel Sidorin serve as the chief of staff of the group army, I can contact Marshal Konev immediately, and before he is transferred, I’ll give you Cidolin and ask for it.”
Hearing Rokossovsky's affirmative tone, Sokov suddenly felt confident, "Comrade General, I'll leave it to you. With Sidorin as a capable assistant, I believe that the next work will be carried out. It’s going to be smoother.”
The candidate for the chief of staff of the group army has been confirmed, but there is no final decision on how to place Kirillov. Rokossovsky stood up, walked to Kirillov, shook his head and said in embarrassment: "Colonel Kirillov, how do you think I should arrange for you?"
Kirillov looked at Rokossovsky and said respectfully: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I resolutely obey your orders. I will take up whatever position you assign me to."
"Now that the positions of corps commander and division commander of the 47th Group Army are full, you will definitely not be able to serve as division commander or corps commander." Rokossovsky frowned and said, "Although there are still many vacancies for regiment-level commanders. , but I can’t let an excellent commander like you serve as a regiment leader.”
There is a reason for Rokossovsky to say this. When the war broke out, he had the same military rank as Kirillov and also held the position of military commander. In less than three years, he had become the commander of the front army in charge of a front. However, because Kirillov was captured by the Germans in the Battle of Uman, his position was not only not promoted, but was instead demoted. If you appoint the other party as a regimental commander, it will be harmless but extremely insulting.
At this moment, Ponejelin, who had always remained silent, suddenly said: "Comrade General, can I share my opinion?"
Rokossovsky was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said politely: "General Ponedelin, if you have anything to say, just say it."
"Since the superiors cannot arrange a suitable position for Colonel Kirillov in a short period of time." Ponedelin said cautiously: "I think it is better to let him stay in the headquarters until a suitable position is found. , it won’t be too late to arrange for him to take up the post.”
Regarding Ponedelin's proposal, Rokossovsky thought about it and felt that it was the most suitable choice at the moment, so he nodded in agreement: "Okay then, let Colonel Kirillov stay at the headquarters first. When a suitable position is found, we will rearrange his work. What do you think, Colonel Kirillov, do you have any objections?"
"No." Kirillov replied very readily: "I will resolutely obey your order!" Rokossovsky said he would return in one hour, but Sokov and others waited for three full hours. He returned to headquarters.
Seeing Rokossovsky walking in from outside, the four people who were sitting and chatting all stood up. Malinin stepped forward to greet him, while the three Sokovs straightened their backs at the conference table and paid attention to Rokossovsky.
After saying hello to Malinin, Rokossovsky came to Sokov. Before Sokov could raise his hand to his forehead, he grabbed it and shook it vigorously: "Comrade Sokov, I represent Belarus." All officers and men of the First Front welcome you and your men."
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If it was an informal occasion, Rokossovsky would call Sokov Misha. Today, this was a formal occasion, so he called him by his surname plus his job title.
But when the two men were about to finish shaking hands, Rokossovsky pulled Sokov into his arms and gave him a warm hug. While patting Sokov's back with his hand, he said: "Misha, I hope that after you come here, you can continue to achieve more meritorious deeds like you did in other troops."
"Don't worry, Comrade General." Sokov vowed to Rokossovsky: "I will never let you down."
After hearing Sokov's answer, Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction, then let him go, and then went to shake hands with Ponejelin and Kirillov.
"Colonel Kirillov," before Rokossovsky returned, he learned from Malinin that Kirillov was unwilling to serve as chief of staff, so he felt it was necessary to talk to Kirillov: "I I heard that you are unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of the 47th Group Army, is that true?"
When Malinin called Rokossovsky, Kirillov was beside him. He could hear the conversation between the two clearly. He naturally knew that he was unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of the group army. Rokossovsky had already known it. . However, since the other party asked him personally, he still answered truthfully: "Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I feel that my ability is not suitable for serving as the chief of staff of the group army, so I rejected the appointment arranged by you."
After Rokossovsky waited for Kirillov to finish speaking, he did not express his position immediately, but stared intently, which made Kirillov feel nervous.
After an unknown amount of time, Rokossovsky spoke again: "Colonel Kirillov, since you are unwilling to serve as the chief of staff of this group army, can you recommend a suitable candidate to hold this position?"
According to Rokossovsky's idea, Kirillov will definitely not be able to find a suitable candidate. When the time comes, he will be able to force him to take this position first. After finding a suitable candidate in the future, it will not be too late to replace him. .
But what he didn't expect was that when Kirillov heard what he said, he nodded vigorously and said affirmatively: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I really have a suitable candidate who can serve as the chief of staff of the group army."
Kirillov's words aroused Rokossovsky's curiosity: "Oh, is there a suitable candidate? Who is it?"
"Colonel Sidorin, Chief of Staff of the 41st Guards Division." Kirillov said: "I think it is most appropriate for him to serve as Chief of Staff of the Army Group." Perhaps in order to persuade Rokossovsky, he He even mentioned the cooperation between Sokov and Sidorin in the past, "You know, as early as the Battle of Stalingrad, Colonel Sidorin served as chief of staff and assisted our commander in his work. Since he He was a qualified chief of staff at that time, so now I think it is very appropriate for him to take a step further and serve as the chief of staff of the group army."
Not only did Rokossovsky not expect Kirillov to propose Sidorin, Sokov also did not expect it. He was stunned at first, but soon felt that the candidate proposed by Kirillov couldn't be more suitable. You know, before Sidorin was transferred here, he was the chief of operations under Chuikov and had rich staff experience. During his tenure as his chief of staff, he was very satisfied with the abilities he displayed.
If Konev did not say hello in advance and prevent the people Sokov took away from causing the stability of the army, maybe Sokov would have considered taking Sidorin away at that time. Even if you can't be the chief of staff of the group army, being the chief of staff of the army is more than enough.
"Comrade General," since Rokossovsky asked this, Sokov naturally had to express his true thoughts: "I think it would be a more correct choice to let Colonel Sidorin serve as my chief of staff. However, , he now belongs to the Second Ukrainian Front, I wonder if there will be any problems if we transfer him here?"
"You don't have to worry about this." Rokossovsky said carelessly: "As long as you are willing to let Colonel Sidorin serve as the chief of staff of the group army, I can contact Marshal Konev immediately, and before he is transferred, I’ll give you Cidolin and ask for it.”
Hearing Rokossovsky's affirmative tone, Sokov suddenly felt confident, "Comrade General, I'll leave it to you. With Sidorin as a capable assistant, I believe that the next work will be carried out. It’s going to be smoother.”
The candidate for the chief of staff of the group army has been confirmed, but there is no final decision on how to place Kirillov. Rokossovsky stood up, walked to Kirillov, shook his head and said in embarrassment: "Colonel Kirillov, how do you think I should arrange for you?"
Kirillov looked at Rokossovsky and said respectfully: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I resolutely obey your orders. I will take up whatever position you assign me to."
"Now that the positions of corps commander and division commander of the 47th Group Army are full, you will definitely not be able to serve as division commander or corps commander." Rokossovsky frowned and said, "Although there are still many vacancies for regiment-level commanders. , but I can’t let an excellent commander like you serve as a regiment leader.”
There is a reason for Rokossovsky to say this. When the war broke out, he had the same military rank as Kirillov and also held the position of military commander. In less than three years, he had become the commander of the front army in charge of a front. However, because Kirillov was captured by the Germans in the Battle of Uman, his position was not only not promoted, but was instead demoted. If you appoint the other party as a regimental commander, it will be harmless but extremely insulting.
