At 7 a.m. on the 17th, at the headquarters of the Western Front Army.
General Golikov and Chief of Staff Ivan Stepanovich were eating black bread while looking at a map.
At this moment, the communications staff officer opened the door and saluted, "Report, a telegram from High Command."
General Golikov, holding a pair of compasses, gestured on the map without looking up and said, "Read."
The communications staff officer opened the telegram, "General Golikov is appointed as the Commander of the Suhayaveli Front Army, and General Ivan Stepanovich as the Acting Commander of the Western Front Army."
General Golikov put down his compasses, "Just as I expected. High Command wouldn't simply interfere with General Andrey's command; they would replace him, so there's no need to worry about overstepping the chain of command becoming the norm. When a general is relieved, it's only logical for High Command to issue a new order to all the Army Groups below."
