"Comrade Marshal, I want to ask." Sidorin interrupted and asked: "What is the composition of the Krajov Army?"
"After the German army occupied Poland, the exiled government in London quickly established a huge resistance network in response to the current situation. It relied on the pre-war Polish domestic military system and intelligence network. The resistance network not only had guerrillas, but also the government The institutions and the legislative assembly were already in place, so that there was a strange situation in Poland where 'the day belongs to the Communist Party and the night belongs to Poland'." Zhukov introduced to Sidorin: "In 1942, according to the order of the Polish government in exile, Consolidated forces from across Poland were consolidated into the Home Army also known as the Krajow Army.
As an armed force behind enemy lines commanded by the exiled government, the Krajov Army is very powerful, possessing not only light weapons, but also heavy weapons. In addition to digging for weapons and equipment buried before the war, weapons acquisition channels also include purchasing from the black market, manufacturing by oneself, and receiving airdropped supplies from the Allies.
In 1944, the total strength of the Polish Krajow Army exceeded 400,000. In addition, the German army had suffered repeated defeats on our soil, and more troops had to be deployed to supplement it, so the control over Poland declined. . It was against this background that the Poles began their own national restoration movement, and the plan itself was of great political significance. "
"Misha, I have another mission this time." After chatting with Sidorin for a while, Zhukov asked Sokov: "Is there a colonel named Malyshev in your army group?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Sokov nodded and replied: "There is indeed such a colonel. Not long ago, I just appointed him as the director of the armored forces of the group army. Do you have anything to do with him?"
"It's like this," Zhukov explained: "Three years ago, when the leading troops of the German army rushed into Smolensk, he ordered people to blow up the bridge over the Dnieper River."
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"Yes, this is indeed the case." When Sokov heard Zhukov specifically mention this matter, he thought that the Supreme Command was planning to settle accounts with Malyshev, and quickly explained to Zhukov: "If he hadn't ordered someone to blow it up in time, The bridge prevented more German troops from crossing the river, and I am afraid Smolensk would have been lost long ago.”
After Zhukov heard Sokov's words, he couldn't help laughing: "Misha, are you so eager to defend Colonel Malyshev, are you worried that I will send him to a military court?"
Seeing that Zhukov guessed what he was thinking, Sokov scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and asked cautiously: "Isn't it?"
"Of course not." Zhukov said: "After a long investigation, the Supreme Command found that among the people involved in the bombing of the Dnieper River Bridge, Colonel Malyshev had made great achievements. But regrettably, The commander who accomplished such great feats did not receive the recognition he deserved. I am here today just to make up for the mistakes made by the Supreme Command back then."
Hearing what Zhukov said, the stone hanging in Sokov's heart was finally put back in his stomach. He looked at Zhukov and asked: "Comrade Marshal, I wonder if the Supreme Command plans to reward him now?"
Zhukov did not speak, but raised his hands above his head and clapped twice.
Hearing the sound of Zhukov clapping his hands, a colonel walked in from outside the door. He came to Zhukov, handed a small suitcase in his hand to Zhukov, turned around and raised his hands in salute, then turned and left. The whole set of actions was like The movement is as smooth as clouds and flowing water.
Zhukov placed the suitcase on the table and immediately opened the lid. Sokov could see clearly at a glance that there was a brand new military uniform inside. On the epaulettes of the military uniform were the stars representing the generals.
"Comrade Marshal," Sokov saw this and asked in surprise: "The Supreme Command plans to promote Colonel Malyshev to general?"
Zhukov nodded and then said: "In addition to promoting him to general, he will also be awarded a Gold Star Medal and receive the honorary title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'."
Such a reward is fully worthy of Malyshev's achievements. Sokov waited for Zhukov to finish speaking, then turned around and ordered Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, call Colonel Malyshev immediately and ask him to come here. But in order to give him a surprise, don't tell him what happened for the time being. whats the matter."
"Okay, Comrade Commander." Sidorin said with a smile, "I'll call him right away and ask him to come over immediately."
Ten minutes later, Malyshev hurried to the headquarters.
After he entered the door, he was about to salute Sokov, but unexpectedly found that Marshal Zhukov was also there. He hesitated for a while, not knowing who to salute first.
Fortunately, Zhukov saw his embarrassment and said reasonably: "Report to your commander."
The relieved Malyshev quickly raised his hand and saluted Sokov, and reported in accordance with the order: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Malyshev, Director of the Armored Forces of the Group Army, reports to you. I am here on your order, please give instructions!"
"Please rest a moment!" After Sokov returned the gift, he pointed to the small suitcase that closed the lid again and said: "This box is a gift from Marshal Zhukov to you. See if you like it."
Malyshev didn't know why Zhukov gave him a gift, but he still walked to the table and reached out to lift the lid of the small suitcase. After seeing clearly what was inside, he couldn't help but be stunned. After a moment, he turned to Zhukov and said: "Comrade Marshal, you may be mistaken. I am only a colonel, and this is a general's uniform."
"That's right, Comrade Malyshev." Zhukov smiled and said to Malyshev: "The Supreme Command has completed the investigation into your order to blow up the Dnieper River Bridge. After a detailed investigation, it was found that It is precisely because you ordered people to blow up the bridge in time that the Germans were not allowed to capture Smolensk in a short time, thus buying valuable time for our army to adjust its deployment and gather troops. In recognition of your achievements, The Supreme Command has made a decision to grant you the rank of major general." As he said that, he extended his hand to the other party, "Major General Malyshev, I congratulate you!"
Hearing what Marshal Zhukov said, Malyshev's eyes suddenly turned red. He held Zhukov's hand tightly and said with tears of gratitude: "Thank you, Comrade Marshal! Thank you!"
"General Malyshev, I think I should apologize to you on behalf of the Supreme Command." Zhukov said: "The honor that should have been yours long ago has been three years late."
He took out the medal box and the award certificate from the box, and handed them to Malyshev: "General Malyshev, this is the Gold Star Medal awarded to you by the Supreme Command, as well as the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union. .congratulations!"
Before Malyshev came here, he must have never dreamed that the Supreme Command would remember things so clearly that he had almost forgotten, and not only promoted him to a military rank, but even awarded him the highest honor.
Just as he was immersed in joy, he suddenly heard Zhukov ask him: "General Malyshev, I wonder what your plans are next? Should you continue to stay in the 48th Army or go back to work in the rear? We can make it according to your personal wishes. , to arrange your future work."
"Comrade Marshal, thank you for your kindness." Malyshev glanced at Sokov not far away, and then said to Zhukov: "I think it is good to be in the 48th Army. I don't plan to go anywhere else. .”
"Okay then." Seeing that Malyshev was unwilling to leave the 48th Army, Zhukov did not force himself: "Since you want to stay here, just stay."
"Thank you, Comrade Marshal!" After Malyshev expressed his thanks to Zhukov, he then made a request: "Comrade Marshal, I have a request. Can you agree to it?"
"Tell me, what's your request?" Zhukov said: "As long as it's a reasonable request and within my capabilities, I can definitely agree to it."
"That's it, Comrade Marshal." Malyshev said: "Many soldiers died in order to blow up the Dnieper River Bridge. I want to take advantage of the short opportunity for the troops to temporarily stop fighting and rest and recuperate to go to Sri Lanka. Molensk, do you agree to erect a monument on the bank of the Dnieper River in memory of those fallen soldiers?"
"Agree, of course I agree." Zhukov even suggested to Malyshev: "Use the best marble to erect a monument for these fallen soldiers." He took out a pen and paper and started writing quickly on the paper. While writing, he said, "Now Smolensk has returned to normal work. With this note from me, you can go to the local garrison and ask them to help you build a monument by the river."
Sidorin touched Sokov with his arm and whispered in an envious tone: "Comrade Commander, did you hear that? Comrade Marshal personally gave him a note and asked him to find the local garrison for help."
Based on Sokov's understanding of later Russia, the so-called monument is usually a piece of marble as tall as a person, with a black background and different shapes, with some introduction written in red or white letters on it, and it is a simple monument. The monument Malyshev wanted to erect when he returned to Smolensk was probably a black marble tree planted by the river.
Taking the note written by Zhukov, Malyshev thanked him profusely, and then said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I would like to ask you for a few days' leave!"
"Okay." Sokov readily agreed to the other party's request, and then asked: "I wonder how many days of leave you want to take?"
Malyshev thought for a while and then replied: "It will take at least a week, because it is more than a thousand kilometers away from Smolensk. Even by train, it will take a day and a night."
"No need to go to such trouble." Zhukov said: "I happen to be going back to Moscow, so you can come with me. When the plane passes through Smolensk, I ask the pilot to land at the local airport and let you get off the plane. This will save a lot of money." Less time.”
Hearing that Zhukov was willing to let him take a downwind flight, Malyshev changed his mind: "Comrade Commander, then I will take four days' leave. I believe I will be able to come back by then."
"Come back in four days, the time is a bit too tight." Sokov said: "Well, I'll give you a week. If you can come back early, come back early, and try not to exceed the time."
"Comrade Marshal, I also heard a rumor." Malyshev said to Zhukov: "It's about Commander Lukin."
"About Lukin?" Zhukov knew that it was precisely because of Lukin's protection that Malyshev was not sent to a military court, otherwise he would not be here today to award him a medal. At this moment, when I heard the other party said news about Lu Jin, I quickly asked: "Do you know where his cemetery is?"
"No, Comrade Marshal, it has nothing to do with the cemetery." Malyshev quickly explained to Zhukov: "I heard others say that during the battle in Vyazma, his headquarters was hit by a German artillery shell, and he himself His legs were blown off and he was captured by the Germans while unconscious and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Poland."
When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but whisper in his heart. He remembered that Lukin had been detained in a concentration camp in the German army after he was captured, because the German Marshal von Bock admired him and hoped that the prisoner of war camp could provide him with a Prisoners of war should be treated as they should. It was precisely because of von Bock's greetings that Lu Jin was able to successfully survive until the war. When he returned home from the prisoner of war camp, he was greeted as a hero.
Zhukov obviously also had a good impression of Lukin. After hearing what Malyshev said, he couldn't help but curiously asked: "General Malyshev, do you know which prisoner of war camp Comrade Lukin is being held in?"
"I don't know." Malyshev shook his head and said with a wry smile: "The soldier was injured at the time. After telling me the news, he was sent to the rear, and then there was no news about him again. I have never heard from him again. So far, we don’t know if he is still alive.”
"That's such a pity." Zhukov showed a disappointed expression on his face, but he still comforted Malyshev and said: "But don't worry, I will tell the commander below that after liberating the prisoner of war camp established by the German army in Poland , be sure to check carefully whether Comrade Lu Jin is included."
"Comrade Marshal, I want to ask." Although he received Zhukov's promise, Malyshev still asked with some anxiety: "If Commander Lukin is still alive and is successfully rescued by our army, what will happen to him?" Punishment? As far as I know, those commanders and fighters rescued from prisoner-of-war camps must undergo strict review and screening, and many will even be sent to punishment camps."
"General Malyshev, you can rest assured on this." Zhukov assured Malyshev: "With Comrade Lukin's identity, even if he is really captured by the Germans, when we rescue him, he will not Any punishment will be meted out."
After Malyshev left with Zhukov, Sidorin said: "When the war is won, we feel that we must erect a monument in Poland to commemorate the commanders and soldiers who sacrificed their lives to liberate Poland."
Hearing what Sidorin said, Sokov couldn't help but show a bitter expression on his face. Monuments were erected in Poland to commemorate the commanders and fighters who sacrificed their lives to liberate Poland. If the relationship between the two countries is friendly, these monuments will still be a symbol of the friendship between the two countries. But if the two countries turn against each other, these monuments will become extremely annoying and may even be smashed down by Poland.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov said, "I think that after the war is over, it would be more appropriate to build monuments for our fallen commanders and soldiers in cities where we have fought desperate battles with the enemy."
Sidorin stared at Sokov for a long time, and finally nodded slowly, agreeing with the other party's statement: "Comrade Commander, your idea should be correct."
