Steel Soviet Union

"Tell me about the current situation of Malashenko and Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division, Vatutin. Comrade Stalin has always been thinking about this unit named after him, and specifically asked me to inquire about it this time. Be clear about the situation.”

Since the end of the Battle of Stalingrad, Malashenko has been working under Vatutin.

First, at that time in Kursk, Vatutin called Comrade Stalin on the back of an ox and forced him to be under his command. On the southern front of Kursk, he and the Germans beat the brains out of the dog.

Then came the Battle of Cherkasy, and the 1st Stalin Guards Tank Division was reorganized under Vatutin's 1st Ukrainian Front and participated in the battle as the most elite division-level tank unit of the entire front.

Zhukov, who has not used Malashenko and his troops for a long time, is also very concerned about it. This Red Army tank hero, who was single-handedly promoted by him as Bole, has achieved too many legendary achievements so far.

Regarding Malashenko, there is another small episode that makes Zhukov find it quite interesting and a little surprising when he thinks about it now.

This is what happened

A while ago, the Supreme Command in Moscow held a regular meeting to discuss the recent frontline battle conditions and the Red Army's next operational strategy. The people attending the meeting were naturally all big names. Zhukov, Vasilevsky, Voroshilov and others were all present. The person presiding over the meeting was Comrade Stalin, our supreme leader.

What surprised Zhukov was that Khrushchev, a somewhat untouchable guy, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and was actually allowed to attend the meeting by Comrade Stalin.

Since the Red Army's war has been going smoothly in recent times, this regular meeting of the Supreme Command was held in a relaxed atmosphere.

When the meeting was about to end, Khrushchev, who had eaten too much corn on the cob and had nothing to do, suddenly asked for the floor and suggested something about hero selection to Comrade Stalin.

It is said that Comrade Katukov is good at commanding tank troops to defeat the enemy from the front and has achieved many results. Comrade Katukov should be awarded a Hero of the Soviet Union medal and then inform the entire army to boost morale and set an example. It would be useful in breaking down the enemy's resistance, and Khrushchev claimed that the Red Army now needed a dose of heroism to boost morale.

This matter could have been discussed privately after the meeting, but since the atmosphere at this meeting was relatively relaxed, there was nothing urgent that everyone could talk about. Therefore, when Khrushchev raised this matter, no one expressed any objection and everyone thought about it. Many people even agreed with Khrushchev's idea and felt that it should be promoted again.

But what no one expected was that our loving father, Comrade Stalin, held the cigarette butt in his hand, shook his beard while puffing away the smoke, and then opened his mouth to express his different thoughts.

"I think the idea of ​​establishing a heroic image for publicity and encouragement is okay. I agree and support it. But Comrade Khrushchev, don't you think that if a commander and combatant from the tank unit is selected for publicity and portrayal, someone else will be better than Katu Is Comrade Kove more suitable?"

"Well"

Khrushchev, who was caught off guard by such a retort on the spot by his loving comrade and was momentarily put off the stage, was very embarrassed and couldn't think of what to say for a long time.

Khrushchev's IQ would not fail to understand Stalin's words, and he quickly understood who the person Comrade Stalin was hinting at was.

But to be honest, Khrushchev had never negotiated with this man, especially the last time he met him, he didn't even say hello. Although he may not have seen him or was in an emergency and ignored him, Khrushchev never thought of recommending this person to Comrade Stalin. Why should he say good things to him when he has no relationship with him?

Unexpectedly, this man actually still had some weight in the eyes of Comrade Stalin. Now, he was able to steal the chicken but make it difficult for him to get off the stage.

Who among the high-ranking figures who often hang out on the Moscow streets would not know that Comrade Stalin's rhetorical question is particularly difficult to answer. If you say this incorrectly, you will get into trouble. Not everyone has Zhukov's brute qualifications to quarrel with Comrade Stalin.

"Comrade Stalin, I am just a suggestion. You see, Comrade Katukov is also brave in combat and can be regarded as an example, right? Of course, he is a little worse than Comrade Malashenko. I was negligent for a while. I didn’t take this into consideration. I will think more carefully about it next time before I speak, I will definitely do so.”

When Khrushchev said this, he looked quite nervous and even distracted. He was afraid that he would get into trouble if he said something wrong. The whole way he sat there was quite funny. On the other hand, Comrade Stalin sat there without saying a word. Hold the cigarette butt and listen quietly.

Such a scene made Zhukov want to laugh a little. It is estimated that Khrushchev wanted to take the opportunity to express himself and make good suggestions so that Comrade Stalin could praise him. Unexpectedly, this flattery hit the horse's leg, and the suggestions he proposed were completely contrary to Comrade Stalin's ideas and were very different.

"Comrade Stalin has always cared about the division named after him, and Malashenko by the way. It's just that some people just returned to Moscow and didn't know about it."

Taking advantage of Comrade Stalin's opportunity to look through the important documents just sent by his secretary and whose sight was blocked, Vasilevsky, who was sitting next to Zhukov, whispered something into his good friend's ear. With a slight smile on his face, Zhukov responded with a slight nod without saying much. He seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

Malashenko, whom he single-handedly promoted, fell into the eyes of Comrade Stalin, which was also good for Zhukov himself, who had a keen eye for talents.

"Well, in that case, let's continue this meeting here first."

"Zhukov, before you return to the front line, draft a commendation message and prepare it for notification to the entire army. Vatutin called me yesterday to tell me that Stalin's 1st Guards Tank Division went deep into the enemy's rear alone, causing chaos in the enemy's rear and destroying a large number of enemies. The elite troops and support troops played a very important role in the smooth advancement of the Cherkasy Battle, which is very good!”

"We must give corresponding rewards and honors to front-line commanders and fighters who have shouldered important responsibilities and performed outstandingly! The war to defend the motherland and the Soviet Union has reached a critical turning point. At this time, the heroic fighting of all the Red Army is even more needed."

"I hope you can bring the spirit of this meeting back to the troops and to the front line. The Red Army needs more outstanding front-line commanders and fighters like Comrade Malashenko."