The fact that Ponedelin, a general who had been captured by the Germans, was actually appointed commander of the 50th Army by Rokossovsky on the recommendation of Sokov, only a few hours later, the entire All commanders at division level and above in the front army knew about it.
Before Ponedelin left Sokov's headquarters, he received a call from Kirillov. An old comrade who had been in the same prisoner of war camp with Ponedelin for several years said with some emotion: "General Ponedelin, I heard that you were appointed as the commander of the 50th Army. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you. Congratulations."
"Kirillov, thank you, thank you!" Ponedelin said; "I never thought that one day I would be able to become the commander of the army group again." He glanced at Sosokov, who was sitting not far away. He continued: "If it weren't for the recommendation of Comrade Commander, I'm afraid I would never have such an opportunity."
Kirillov also agreed with Ponedelin's statement: "You are right. Without the help of Comrade Commander, you and I, as well as the sacrificed Muzychenko, would not be digging in Siberia right now." Potato is imprisoned in the Lubyanka prison. It is precisely because of his constant voice for us that we are where we are today." After a pause, he continued, "Now you go to the new army alone. , I'm afraid a lot of work will be difficult to carry out. Do you think you need my assistance? If so, I will immediately apply to the commander and ask him to transfer me to the 50th Group Army to serve as your subordinate and help you open up the situation there. "
"No, Kirillov." Ponedelin declined Kirillov's kindness politely: "Now you are doing a good job as the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, and you really followed me to the 50th Army. , I’m afraid I won’t be able to provide you with the same position, which will affect your future.”
"It doesn't matter, even if I'm just a captain, I'll be satisfied."
Although he knew that Kirillov was showing kindness to him, Ponedelin still refused: "Thank you for your kindness. It's really not necessary."
Sokov vaguely heard the conversation between Ponedelin and Kirillov. He knew very well that there would be difficulties in the early work of letting Ponedelin serve as the commander of the group army in a new unit. Otherwise, Kirillov Love would not insist on going with him. However, he also lacks talents like Kirillov. If he really leaves, he still needs to select suitable people to take over the position of commander of the 3rd Infantry Division.
Thinking of this, he stood up and walked to Ponedelin, took the phone from his hand, and said into the receiver: "General Kirillov, this is Sokov. I understand what you mean, but I'm here We cannot do without you, and you cannot leave. As for your worry about Comrade Deputy Commander going there, it will be difficult to carry out the work alone. You can rest assured that I will send someone to take office with him."
Kirillov heard what Sokov said and asked curiously: "Who do you plan to send to the new army with General Ponedelin?"
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My subordinates, thinking of you is what I should do, so there is no need to thank me. "
After ending the call with Kirillov, artillery director Potapov called Ponedelin again: "Old man, I heard that you were appointed commander of the 50th Army. Is this true? ?」
"It's true, Misha." Hearing the call from Potapov, Ponedelin smiled and said, "The appointment letter signed by Marshal Rokossovsky is on my shirt right now. In my pocket, this matter cannot be false. After I finish handling the matters here, I will rush over and take office immediately. "
While the two old friends were still chatting on the phone, Rokossovsky's call came in: "Misha, has General Ponedelin set off?"
Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Sokov couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat, secretly thinking that nothing would happen, right? If this was really the case, Ponejelin would be unable to step down. He quickly asked: "Comrade Marshal, what's the matter?"
"That's it, Misha." Rokossovsky said on the phone: "Although I appointed Ponedelin as the commander of the 50th Army, I now find that my consideration seemed to be somewhat improper and I did not give him Arrange deputies so that after he arrives in the new unit, it may be difficult for him to open up the situation in a short period of time."
After figuring out what was going on, Sokov breathed a sigh of relief, and then said: "Comrade Marshal, don't worry about this, I have already taken it into consideration."
"Have you considered it?!" Rokossovsky asked curiously: "How did you consider it?"
"Ponejelin will have to face many new problems when he goes to the new army alone. Those members in the headquarters may need to get used to him for a period of time before they can truly cooperate." Sokov said: "So I plan to start from the original Deploy some of the students from the Frunze Military Academy to follow him to the new army. These students who graduated from the Frunze Military Academy are not only strong in ability, but also have a good relationship with Ponjelin. With their assistance, I believe it will be impossible. How long will it take for Ponejelin to completely open up the situation?"
"Well, you have thought it through very carefully." Rokossovsky nodded after listening to Sokov's words: "Now that you have made a decision, let's do what you said and dispatch a group of students to follow. General Ponejelin will go to the new unit and try to open up the situation there as soon as possible."
Seeing that Rokossovsky agreed to his proposal, Sokov was naturally overjoyed. But he soon thought of Bolkin who had been dismissed from his post, and asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, what are you going to do with General Bolkin?"
"Misha, this is not a problem that you should consider." Rokossovsky heard this question and immediately said in a stern tone: "He has been sent to Moscow overnight. As for how to deal with him, it is a military matter. Court matters."
As soon as he heard the word military court, Sokov's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He secretly wondered whether Bolkin would be sentenced to death for delaying the fighter plane. If that's really the case, it's just not worth it. But then I thought about it, what kind of punishment he received had nothing to do with half a kopeck of his own. Who made him drink too much during the war and delay the opportunity to fight? If it had been at the beginning of the war, he would have ended up like General Pavlov.
"Misha, I'm calling you because I want to ask your opinion on something." Rokossovsky said, "If you don't agree, I will tell you."
When Rokossovsky said that he had something to discuss with him, Sokov said respectfully: "Comrade Marshal, if you have anything to do, please feel free to tell me."
"It's like this. I just received a call from Yakov. He said that with his father's permission, he wanted to return to the front line." Rokossovsky said cautiously: "Although I am opposed to him returning to the battlefield. , but since the Supreme Commander himself agreed to this matter, I can't object. Therefore, after thinking over and over again, I feel that it is most appropriate to place him in your army. Not only because you are good friends, but more importantly, you have Sufficient ability to ensure his personal safety."
Hearing that Yakov wanted to return to the front line, Sokov couldn't help being a little dumbfounded. If you just send any weapons and equipment to the front line as before, you will definitely welcome them. But if you want to return to the front line, that's a different story. Regardless of the current situation on the battlefield, it is becoming more and more favorable to the Soviet army.
, but even as an important commander, there is still the possibility of encountering danger. For example, General Chernyakhovsky will be killed due to German shelling in half a month. If Yakov returned to the front line, no place would be safe unless he stayed in Rokossovsky's headquarters.
When Rokossovsky heard Sokov's delay in speaking, he asked curiously: "Misha, why don't you speak?"
"Comrade Marshal, I'm thinking, why does Yasha want to return to the front line?" Sokov said cautiously: "Is it because he wants to use this last opportunity to make achievements on the battlefield? So he did not hesitate to give up his position in the General Staff , but also to return to the forefront.”
"Misha, what you said makes sense." Rokossovsky also agreed with Sokov's statement: "After all, it is very difficult for him to stay in the General Staff and want to make contributions. It’s easy, that is to say, if you continue to stay, there won’t be any chance of promotion. Rather than staying there and dawdling, it’s better to go back to the front line and give it a try. Maybe you can make some achievements and get a chance to be promoted.”
"Comrade Marshal," Sokov told Rokossovsky what he was thinking: "How about you place Yasha in your headquarters, so that the risk can be minimized. If there is If given the opportunity, what kind of meritorious deeds can he achieve?"
"No, no." Unexpectedly, Rokossovsky shook his head and said, "I think it would be better for him to stay in my headquarters all day long than to stay at the General Staff. Misha, now you have two choices. First, let Yakov go to your place and serve as a division commander or brigade commander or something; or, reject his request and let him stay at the General Staff Headquarters."
"Then let him stay at the General Staff." Sokov said: "I think the risk on the front line is too great. If he really wants to come, I'm afraid he will be in danger."
Rokossovsky originally thought that as long as he told Sokov that Yakov wanted to come to the front, the other party would not hesitate to ask Yakov to go to his 48th Army and make arrangements for him in advance. What a job. Unexpectedly, after he finished speaking, he discovered that the other party did not want to accept Yakov at all, and even wanted to place Yakov in his own front army headquarters. This made things difficult.
"Misha, your proposal makes it very difficult for me." Rokossovsky said with a wry smile: "Someone from above has already informed me that Yakov's return to the front line is a certainty. This is a fact that no one can change. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Marshal." Sokov smiled bitterly and said to Rokossovsky: "Actually, I'm not safe here either. If Yakov really comes, if something happens, I can't afford this. responsibility."
After hearing this, Rokossovsky sighed and continued: "Misha, this is the first time I have discovered that you are such a stubborn person. Forget it, since you are unwilling to accept Yakov, then I will not force it. , I will tell the superiors and let them find a way to keep Yakov in the General Staff."
"That's right, Comrade Marshal." Sokov quickly said smoothly: "I think it is undoubtedly the best choice to let Yasha stay in the General Staff. You must discuss it carefully with the superiors and don't let Yasha come. Let’s take risks on the front lines.”
When Rokossovsky put down the phone, Suboting, who was sitting next to him, immediately came over and curiously asked Rokossovsky: "Comrade Marshal, why did General Sokov refuse to accept Yakov? You know, they are good brothers who have shared weal and woe."
Rokossovsky stared at Subbotin and said: "Comrade Military Commissar, I think Misha did this because he and Yasha are better friends than brothers, and they are not willing to let each other take risks on the front line, so That’s why I tried my best to keep Yasha in the General Staff Headquarters.”
"But when the superiors ask about this, how should we answer?" Suboting said awkwardly, "You have to find a way out."
Rokossovsky frowned and thought for a while, then said: "The superior only said that Yasha wanted to return to the front line, but did not say that he must return to our army. Do you think this will work? Let him cut it. Ernyakhovsky's Third Front."
"To General Chernyakhovsky's Third Front?" Subotin frowned after hearing this: "Is this possible?"
"How will you know if you don't try?" Rokossovsky said with a smile: "The two of us jointly reported to our superiors, explaining that the current situation of our front army is indeed not suitable for Yasha, and it is better to let him go to other units. In addition to General Chernyakhovsky’s Third Front, Marshal Zhukov’s First Front, and Marshal Konev’s First Ukrainian Front, etc., can all be Yasha’s choices.”
"That's right." Rokossovsky's words suddenly opened Suboting's vision: "I will get in touch with the higher-ups right now and tell them our decision, and ask them to inform Yasha that he can choose to go to other troops. .”
