Steel Soviet Union

As Zhukov said, the personal conflicts between Vatutin and Konev have actually been accumulated for a long time. To be specific, we have to go back to the Battle of Cherkasy. read

If the original historical trajectory was followed, the First Ukrainian Front commanded by Vatutin should have been responsible for encircling the point and providing reinforcements, while the Second Ukrainian Front commanded by Konev was responsible for destroying the German troops in the encirclement.

But because of the existence of Malashenko's singular point in time, this timeline that has been tampered with by time travelers and has changed beyond recognition has embarked on a completely different track.

Perhaps out of his deep love for the unit named after him, Zhukov made a detailed analysis of the strategic situation and suggested that Vatutin's 1st Ukrainian Front be the main force in the encirclement. After annihilating the besieged German troops as soon as possible and making a quick victory, the kind father who repeatedly weighed the pros and cons finally nodded and agreed to this suggestion.

From this, a series of events occurred that changed the trajectory of time, including our Comrade Ma commanding the leader of the division to encircle and outflank deeply, rushing into the belly of the Germans and turning the German rear upside down, and our own frontal assault. The strategic clusters formed a strong cooperation, making it impossible for the German army to concentrate its superior forces to fight and die faster when being attacked from both sides.

Until the end, the German breakout group was intercepted halfway by Malashenko and pinned to death in the encirclement. The armed SS "Viking" division and the "Walloni" Panzergrenadier Brigade were full of Hitler's elite troops. All of these were Malashenko's outstanding achievements in the battle of Cherkasy under the command of Vatutin.

Even Comrade Stalin, the kind father far away in Moscow, clapped his hands and applauded when he heard the news. At the combat meeting of the Supreme Command, which he personally chaired, he also specifically praised Malashenko by name in front of everyone, saying Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division is worthy of being the most elite model unit of the Guards. Such wonderful battles have set an example for the entire army and are worth learning from.

Zhukov, who was sitting next to the leader comrade at the meeting, was a little puzzled. It was obvious that Malashenko and the leader division were commanded by Vatutin. Why did Comrade Stalin only praise Malashenko by name and not mention that Vatutin was here? What about the achievements in the process?

Was it the command errors Vatutin made in this battle that made his loving father dissatisfied? Or is there some other reason that I don't know about?

Zhukov was not sure what the reason was, so he could only guess at the possible results. As for asking Comrade Stalin about this matter in person, that would be even more outrageous. In principle, Zhukov does not want Comrade Stalin to feel that he is overly partial to anyone. This is not what he should do as a senior commander, and he might be criticized. Misunderstood as forming cliques and attacking dissidents.

But not long after the incident, Comrade Stalin issued a promotion order to Konev to marshal, commending him for his meritorious service in intercepting and blocking Manstein's troops who failed to break through the encirclement and failed to rescue the besieged German troops. Incidentally, in the name of the leader, I congratulated the Second Ukrainian Front commanded by Konev, which played an irrefutable important role in the final victory of this battle.

As for Vatutin, he received a commendation telegram in the name of the Supreme Command, not Stalin personally, and an Order of Lenin, plus a salute to the 1st Ukrainian Front in Moscow's Red Square.

In such a comparison, anyone with a discerning eye can tell who Comrade Supreme Leader loves more at a glance. Vatutin, who is not stupid, was aggrieved for this, and even called Zhukov in frustration.

"Comrade Marshal, others don't understand, but you do."

"Our Ukrainian First Front made tremendous efforts and sacrifices to achieve the final victory in this battle. Not only me, but almost everyone in the entire front headquarters had not slept for several nights, and some comrades were confused even standing there. , Dozing off, almost falling down but still not resting.”

"And Comrade Malashenko, he personally led the commando team through fire and water, rushed into the enemy's rear lines, and fought every encounter, every attack, and every pursuit with perfection! Carrying it alone Every one of them is impeccable! It is no exaggeration to say that the leader division is the protagonist of a normal battle, and Malashenko is the one who allows the leader division to accomplish all this."

"I, as well as all the commanders, soldiers, and comrades of our front army love this collective and desperately want to win honors for the First Ukrainian Front Army. But why, why is it that only the Second Front Army has received such a high honor? Honor? Our first front army is inferior? I don’t understand.”

Zhukov, who was holding the microphone on the other end of the phone, had actually roughly guessed the truth. As the supreme ruler, the way of serving as a subordinate was probably the root cause of all this.

But the more this happens, the less Zhukov can make it clear to Vatutin that he cannot get rid of the habit of making irresponsible remarks about leaders and speculating on the will of the Holy Spirit. This trend must not be formed, otherwise it will Big trouble.

After thinking deeply for a while and extinguishing the cigarette butt in his hand, Zhukov, who was still smoking from his mouth, frowned and slowly spoke to Vatutin on the other end of the phone.

"Comrade Vatutin, this is an order from the Supreme Commander, a decision made by the Supreme Commander. You and I are both soldiers and Red Army soldiers. Let us execute the order without reservation."

Vatutin on the other end of the phone was silent for about seven or eight seconds. It was not until Zhukov was worried about whether he had been stimulated and was about to ask again that an echo suddenly came from the phone.

"Yes, Comrade Marshal, we must execute the order!"

Vatutin is an emotional person, especially when it comes to matters such as military honor. Zhukov could tell from the voice on the phone that Vatutin was about to cry.

The military serves politics, but soldiers are always inevitably affected by politics.

It's not easy to be a pure soldier, especially the higher you go, the harder it becomes.

Zhukov, holding a cigarette between his fingers and still smoking, sat behind his desk with blurred eyes, his eyes wandering uncertainly in the smoke. Some decisions that would probably affect the rest of his life may have started at this time, and have already happened. Slowly turning the gears and quietly starting.

But what Zhukov did not expect was that the hidden danger of disharmony between Vatutin and Konev would come to an end at the conclusion of Operation Bagration and before the next stage of the overseas combat operation against Poland was about to begin. broke out, and the cause turned out to be a fight for the ownership of Malashenko and his leadership division.