Although the captain of the motorized rifle brigade no longer had any trouble with Captain Rumako, who shot and killed the German prisoners, the pickets of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which arrived later, brought Rumako back to the tank corps.

About such a disposition of Zhumako, it gave the army commander Panov a headache. In the order issued by the headquarters of the Front shortly thereafter, it was specifically stated that anyone who commits acts that do not correspond to the status of a soldier of the Red Army, regardless of the merits he has performed, will be sent to a military court, severely punished, and even shot on the spot.

If it was an ordinary officer who made such a mistake, Panov, without saying a word, immediately sent someone to send him to a military court. But Jumako was a highly successful commander, as illustrated by the five medals he wore on his chest.

Seeing that Panov was so embarrassed about this matter, the military commissar of the tank army cautiously said to him: "Comrade commander, although this matter is of a rather bad nature, it is excusable. If you can't deal with it, you might as well report it to the front army command and let Comrade Marshal personally handle the matter. ”

Although Panov was also very angry at Zhumako's violation of military discipline, if he really sent an officer who had repeatedly made military exploits to a military tribunal like this, he was unwilling in his heart, and after hearing the military commissar's proposal at this moment, he nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Military Commissar, I will personally report this matter to Comrade Marshal. ”

When Rokossovsky received Panov's call, he was a little surprised, because if the tank army wanted to report the results of the battle, it was usually reported to the chief of staff Bogolyubov by telephone or telegram, and it was very rare to call himself directly. So he asked with some curiosity: "General Panov, do you have something?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, there is one thing that I need to report to you immediately." Panov gave a detailed report to Rokossovsky about Captain Zhumako's affairs, and finally said: "Comrade Marshal, this is a commander who has repeatedly made military achievements, and he made such a mistake only because he watched his comrades-in-arms being killed by the enemy in front of him, and he lost his mind on impulse. ”

"Seeing the sacrifice of our comrades-in-arms, none of us feel uncomfortable." Rokossovsky said angrily: "Could this be a reason for him to massacre prisoners of war?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, I know that it is wrong for him to do this." Panov hurriedly defended his subordinates, saying: "But today's fierce fighting requires a commander with rich combat experience like him......"

"Alright, General Panov." Rokossovsky didn't wait for him to finish, he directly interrupted his later words and said coldly: "Since the higher authorities have issued an order prohibiting anyone from making an order that does not match the identity of the commander and fighter of the Red Army, then whoever violates the military order should be punished." ”

Panov, from the tone in which Rokossovsky spoke, heard that his intercession did not play any role, and he could only helplessly say: "I'm sorry, Comrade Marshal, I was wrong. I'm going to have him court-martialed and get him to be punished. ”

"There is no need to go to court-martials." After waiting for Panov to finish, Rokossovsky continued: "On behalf of the Front Command, I now announce the decision on his disposition: in view of the seriousness of the massacre of prisoners by Captain Zhumako on the battlefield, it should have been handed over to a military tribunal, but after consideration, it was considered that Captain Zhumako had performed valiantly on the battlefield and had made no small meritorious service, and in addition, he had made such a radical move in order to avenge his comrades. Therefore, it is now decided to remove him from the post of commander of the 1st Tank Battalion and temporarily act as the battalion commander until the new battalion commander takes office; In addition, he was not honored for his exploits in the campaign. ”

Panov originally thought that Captain Zhumako would be in danger this time, but when he heard the decision announced by Rokossovsky, he couldn't help but be overjoyed, don't look at the removal of the other party's battalion commander, but as long as he does not send a new battalion commander, then Zhumako can still continue to command the first tank battalion. He hurriedly thanked Rokossovsky: "Thank you, thank you, Comrade Marshal!" I will immediately inform Captain Jumako of your disposition. ”

After dealing with Captain Zhumako's affairs, Rokossovsky continued to ask: "What are your losses in the battle with the 190th Assault Gun Group?" ”

"We lost 25 T-34 tanks and destroyed eight German assault guns." Panov replied with some shame: "But the German 190th assault artillery group has been driven out of this area by us. ”

After waiting for Panov's report, Rokossovsky only hummed softly, and then ordered: "General Panov, immediately turn your troops to the west to seize the town of Thon in the middle reaches of the Vistula River and cut the German defense line." ”

Hearing Rokossovsky's order, Panov said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Marshal, if we turn to the west at this moment, then we will weaken the assault force of the 65th Army. You see, will General Batov object? ”

"Batov there, I'll go talk to him." Rokossovsky said in an unquestioning tone: "Your army immediately turned west and went to capture the town of Thorn, understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Marshal." When Panov heard that Rokossovsky was willing to communicate with Batov, he replied cheerfully: "I immediately give an order to the troops to immediately adjust the direction of the attack." ”

When Su Bojing saw Rokossovsky put down the phone, he immediately said to Rokossovsky with a serious expression: "Comrade Marshal, you just let go of the tank battalion commander so easily?" I am afraid that once this precedent is set, the military discipline of the troops will ...... in the future."

"Comrade Military Commissar, I did this for a reason." Rokossovsky cut off Subotin's words and explained his reasons to him: "When our army was counterattacking under the city of Moscow, we encountered the brutal murder of the female scout Zoya by the Germans, and when Comrade Stalin learned about it, he immediately issued an order to all the commanders and fighters of the Western Front: All officers and soldiers of the 332nd German Regiment captured will be shot on the spot, and we will absolutely not accept their surrender.

The reason why I was reluctant to hold Captain Zhumako accountable was that he saw his comrade being shot by the Germans in front of his eyes, and out of a moment of anger, he killed the enemy who laid down his arms. Although this is wrong, I think it is also forgivable. ”

Su Bojing was silent for a long time about Rokossovsky's statement, and finally nodded and said: "Comrade Marshal, it is completely understandable to avenge your comrades-in-arms on the battlefield and take some drastic actions. I fully agree with your decision! ”