Chapter 1659: The Living Vatutin

Vatutin did not die, at least not in this timeline.

Malashenko successfully saved Vatutin according to his own will, and the tragedy of the Red Army general dying at the hands of Ukrainian bandits no longer existed.

Correspondingly, some things that were supposed to happen after Vatutin's death in the existing history also changed accordingly, which even Malashenko, as a time traveler, could not predict.

After the Battle of Cherkasy, Vatutin was sent to the Belarusian border by Moscow with a transfer order and was ordered to serve as the commander of the Third Belarusian Front. He will be one of the four main fronts participating in the Belarusian Campaign and will be responsible for the most important assault mission.

This large-scale battle is the fifth of the ten Stalin assaults, code-named "Operation Bagration", and will be the largest strategic counterattack launched by the Soviet Army against the German Army so far. The main force alone deployed four fronts at once, and the number of troops in the auxiliary combat direction was even greater.

"You performed very well in Cherkasy, Vatutin, and I am very satisfied with your performance."

"Zhukov suggested that I could consider promoting you to marshal. He said you deserved the honor. Of course, I agree with him. But I also think that the marshal, as the pinnacle of a soldier's career, should be set off by more brilliant and glorious moments.

"The next action will be the most brilliant of the Red Army's strategic counterattack against the enemy. Take it! Win victory for the motherland! I will sign the promotion order in Moscow and wait for your good news. Thousands of Red Army soldiers will witness the birth of a new marshal together. That is your moment, Vatutin. "

Comrade Stalin, the loving father, had his considerations and decisions. Vatutin, who knew what he should do, just said in person that he would live up to expectations and resolutely win the next battle, showing his determination to win and his courage to face difficulties. He did not ask for too much honor and reward, and was meticulous. Comrade Stalin's smile seemed particularly satisfied.

Malachenko did not know this. In fact, after the last meeting with Comrade Stalin, Malachenko had never seen Comrade Stalin again. But there was nothing strange about this. It would be abnormal for a small field army major general to be frequently met by the leader.

Sitting in the back seat of the GAZ-Jipu and looking at the grassland scenery that kept passing by outside the window, Malachenko, who was deeply touched in his heart, could not help but turn his head and say to the political commissar sitting next to him.

"Look at this place, how beautiful it is. If it weren't for the war, I think I would bring Natalia here to have a good time and make up for my debt to her.

After hearing what Malashenko said, he smiled faintly. The political commissar spoke without thinking and directly defeated Malashenko.

"Only bring Natalia? Have you forgotten who again?"

""

Malashenko, who looked embarrassed, certainly knew what the political commissar meant. It must be said that Natalia's weight in his heart is indeed heavier than Anya. Malashenko has to admit this and face reality, but this is not a reason for Malashenko to continue to dwell on this issue.

"Well, let's talk about business. Kotin sent a telegram a few days ago saying that the new equipment will be shipped in the near future and asked us to pay attention to receiving it. Have you checked it? Is the goods on the road now? If they are on the road, where are they going?"

The "goods" in Malashenko's mouth, of course, refers to a series of new consensus points reached after the last Cherkassy battle, after taking leave to return to the rear to discuss with Kotin. Kotin had promised Malashenko that these new consensus points would be transformed into practical equipment results. Now Malashenko just wanted to use this batch of new goods that could stimulate and improve combat power in a short time.

"I asked someone to check. There is indeed a special train departing from Chelyabinsk, and its destination is the Belarusian front near us. The heavy-loaded train is full of confidential military equipment, and there is an escort team accompanying the train throughout the journey."

"The train should arrive at the front line today or tomorrow. You can expect it to arrive tomorrow. I guess we will be busy with combat meetings for the rest of the day. Even if the things arrive, you won't have time to see them. You, as a division commander, must act like a division commander at a certain time."

The division commander doesn't look like a division commander. He is a hands-off boss all day long and only thinks about going to the battlefield. He is more like a commando captain than a division commander.

Malashenko, who was a little embarrassed by what he was said, of course knew this, but the batch of goods that Kotin promised to deliver as soon as possible was indeed too tempting.

You should know that this batch of goods means a double improvement in protection and firepower. Malashenko, who doesn't know the specific situation, can only rely on speculation. It is natural that he can't suppress his inner expectations and excitement.

But as the political commissar said, the first task is to make the next important combat meeting well. Including Malashenko's car, a small convoy of three cars soon arrived at the front headquarters.

"Good boy, I haven't seen you for more than two months, and you feel stronger than before!"

Not only is he familiar with Vatutin, but he also has a special relationship with him because of his life-saving grace. Vatutin, who already has a good impression of Malashenko, now almost treats Comrade Lao Ma as his little brother. Even the opening remarks of this meeting are completely different from those of other subordinates.

Faced with Vatutin's smiling "praise", Malashenko could only scratch his head embarrassedly and speak slowly.

"It's not considered strong, but actually fat. I almost vomited meat recently. It's meat every day, hey."

"Are you about to vomit the meat? That's a good thing. Store more energy so that you can fight more vigorously after the battle begins! Comrade Commander supports you in doing this."

He made a joke with Malashenko with a smile on his face. Even Malashenko, who was thicker than the city wall, began to feel a little embarrassed. Fortunately, Comrade Vatutin, who was always ready to stop, stopped there and pointed to a small sofa in his office and said casually.

"I called you here this time because I want to talk to you alone about some things. There are some things I don't want to explain so clearly in front of everyone at the combat meeting. Some things are only suitable for you to know. Do you understand what I mean?"

Malashenko sat on the sofa in the direction of Vatutin's finger, and then nodded slightly as if he understood.

"I think I should understand, at least roughly, Comrade Commander."

"Ha, you are still the most honest. You know, there are many people who like to show off their abilities in front of me. They all have their own ideas and purposes. There are not many generals as frank as you."