Chapter 1404 Removing Budyonny

"This is a turning point." Stalin said: "The defense of Smolensk broke the German encirclement myth, and we can also break out of the German encirclement in an organic way. In the future, we will not be afraid. German siege tactics."

Stalin was very happy.

So far, the situation in the Soviets is still not optimistic. After the Germans have beaten Smolensk, they can continue to advance eastward and threaten Moscow. The army in the north is also heading towards Moscow. In the south, in the Battle of Uman, the Soviet Union Hundreds of thousands of troops were also lost, and in the Caucasus, Turkey has crossed the border and formally intervened in the war.

Although there are crises everywhere, Stalin is still optimistic. He even believes that now is a turning point, and the Great Patriotic War has seen a glimmer of light!

"As the Germans continue to attack, the Germans' logistical supply lines will become longer and longer. The Germans' tank units are completely dependent on fuel. Now we are not only fighting on the front lines, but also behind the enemy, we have to launch." Stalin said. : "Let the Germans know that our Soviets are not Britain, France, so easy to be occupied, we will set the Germans' backs on fire!"

The territory of the Soviet is vast. It is definitely not comparable to the small countries of France and the United Kingdom. The Germans have occupied several republics, which will not affect the overall situation of the Soviet at all. On the contrary, in those occupied areas, there are still a lot of The people loyal to the Soviets, including some who did not have time to retreat, would be organized together to wage guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines, sabotage the Germans' railways, roads, stop them from transporting supplies to the front, and flank support for frontal battles .

Stalin also valued this.

The Russians have a long history of guerrilla warfare. As early as the war in 1812, the Russian guerrillas overwhelmed Napoleon's army. Although Napoleon hit Moscow back then, he finally returned in a daze, and the guerrillas definitely contributed.

It is a pity that in the 1930s, the Soviet Union had completely abandoned guerrilla warfare, and the commanders of various units had not learned the essentials of guerrilla warfare. Therefore, although Stalin shouted loudly, Stalin now does not know that their guerrilla warfare, In fact, it doesn't work at all.

Even in history, it took about 43 years for the guerrillas to play their role.

On the contrary, Germany has been prepared for a long time, establishing the Belarusian Liberation Army, etc. After Germany occupied it, it has already made corresponding preparations to stabilize the order.

However, it was time for Stalin to relax a little. He seemed to have seen the gradual change in the war situation. At this moment, a telegram from the front made him feel bad again.

"Marshal Budyonny is calling."

After receiving the telegram, Stalin immediately frowned, read the telegram hastily, and Stalin slammed the telegram on the table: "Budyonny, timid as a mouse, regardless of the overall situation, actually has Such an idea has really failed the Soviet years of training!"

Comrade Stalin was outraged.

The subordinates on the side carefully took the telegram, and their expressions changed.

Comrade Stalin, the battle of Smolensk has confirmed the strength of the German armored forces. We are worried that the end of Smolensk will appear in Kyiv, and we ask to give up Kyiv and retreat to the rear to avoid being surrounded by German troops again.

Budyonny didn't say much, but it hurt Stalin deeply.

The Battle of Smolensk was a failure, but it was only after the bloody battle of the Soviet soldiers that delayed the progress of the Germans and dealt a heavy blow to the arrogance of the Germans, they had no choice but to retreat.

In this battle, talents like Lukin and Rokossovsky also emerged.

What about Kyiv? Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine, and now, Budyonny wants to retreat without a fight! Coward, absolutely coward, how could he come up with such a plan?

In fact, Stalin knew very well that when Zhukov suggested giving up Kyiv, he also accepted Budyonny's request. Although it was a time of war, Stalin's control over the army was quite strong. Beria had already reported on the contact between Budyonny and Zhukov.

Because Zhukov suggested that the Kyiv defenders retreat, Stalin even removed Zhukov from his post and asked him to organize a reserve force. Stalin's attitude was already obvious. At such a time, Budyonny dared to put forward his opinions in person. !

This is literally hitting Stalin in the face!

Stalin was quite satisfied with Budyonny, the old marshal. The two had a deep personal relationship, and they forged a deep friendship as early as during the civil war. reason for the impact.

But now, Budyonny actually dared to make this request. This was the inverse scale that touched Stalin, and Stalin would never allow it!

"Pass my order to relieve Budyonny from the position of commander-in-chief in the southwest direction." Stalin said, and the temperature of the entire conference room dropped several degrees.

Budyonny, Stalin's most trusted subordinate and one of the few remaining marshals, was relieved by Stalin's words.

No one dared to object.

"Order Timoshen to go to Kyiv immediately and take over from Budyonny," Stalin continued.

Timoshenko was originally the commander-in-chief of the Western Front. After cleaning up Pavlov's mess, he retreated to Smolensk and organized a defense in Smolensk. Although he still failed in the end, at least it satisfied Stalin. .

Now that Germany has occupied Smolensk, Timoshenko moved backwards, and Stalin simply threw Timoshenko to Kyiv and let the enterprising Budyonny come back!

Stalin was angry, he didn't know, and he regretted it not long after, because his decision completely ruined the retreat of the 660,000 defenders in Kyiv. Germany learned the lesson in Smolensk, surrounded by Kyiv, and there were no defenders. Can break out.

The only Zhukov who dared to advise Stalin has been kicked out. Now, everyone is obedient to Stalin.

At this time, no one in the Kremlin knew that the entire armored army group of the German Central Army had quietly moved south after the Smolensk battle, preparing to go directly to the east side of Kyiv to make dumplings.

What Germany used this time was not a tactic of two-sided attack, it was simply a surprise attack.