Stalin had had enough of Voroshilov’s incompetence. He dispatched one of his ablest generals, Georgi Zhukov, a bull-necked, tough commander, to save the situation. Zhukov was flown into Leningrad from Moscow under the cover of cloud but as the clouds dispersed two Messerschmitts pursued his plane. Zhukov landed, was taken to the Smolny Institute, headquarters of Leningrad’s leadership, and arrived still white of face. Zhukov’s first task was to hand Voroshilov an envelope. In it, Voroshilov received his instructions to return to Moscow immediately. Humiliated and probably very afraid, he did
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