Just when Chernyshev was filled with disappointment, Romanov, the director of the Political Department who had been standing silently by the side, suddenly said: "Comrade Commander, it is not impossible to replenish the troops." Popov Didn't the general's 61st Army just liberated several prisoner-of-war camps in the Kozelsk area, and we can definitely obtain the necessary troops from there."
Romanov's words opened up a new idea for Chernyshev: Yes, since the superiors are temporarily unable to recruit new soldiers to the army, they can select some prisoners of war from the newly liberated prisoner-of-war camps to supplement them.
Thinking of this, Chernyshov said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, what the director of the Political Department said makes sense. Some healthy prisoners of war can be selected from the liberated prisoners of war to supplement Istria." Battalion." He was deeply afraid that his proposal would be rejected, so he quickly added, "As far as I know, this battalion has replenished rescued prisoners of war on a large scale before."
Rokossovsky waited for Chernyshev to finish speaking, turned to look at Lobachev, and asked with a smile: "Comrade Military Commissar, what do you think?"
"I think it works." Lobachev said cheerfully: "In addition to replenishing the Istrian battalion, those rescued prisoners of war can also be enriched in various divisions of the group army."
Seeing that both the Military Commissar and the Director of the Political Department suggested using prisoners of war to replenish the troops, Rokossovsky nodded and asked Chernyshev sideways: "General Chernyshov, do you think Istria should be replenished with prisoners of war?" How many people will the battalion need to replenish?”
Chernyshev thought for a while and said hesitantly: "Before they entered the unknown heights, the whole battalion had 630 people. After this period of fighting, there were only 375 people left. I think they should at least be replenished." A hundred people.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Rokossovsky called Malinin over and told him: "Immediately contact General Popov of the 61st Group Army and say that I am going to send people to the Kozelsk area to select some Prisoner of war, I hope he can provide convenience for us."
"Comrade Commander," Malinin asked carefully after recording Rokossovsky's order, "Do you think this matter needs to be reported to General Zhukov?"
Rokossovsky thought about Malinin's proposal and nodded in agreement: "I will call General Zhukov and report this matter to him."
When the call was made to the front army headquarters, Zhukov was not there. The person who answered the phone was the new chief of staff, Major General Golushkevich. He said that the general had gone to inspect the troops below and he did not know when he would be back. As for the replenishment of prisoners of war from the prisoner-of-war camps, it only needs to be negotiated with the 61st Army.
So Rokossovsky called the 61st Army Headquarters again. The person who answered the phone this time was General Popov, the commander of the group army. After waiting for Rokossovsky to finish talking about wanting to recruit additional troops from prisoners of war, he replied: "Comrade Rokossovsky, if you want to add more troops, Soldiers, please come here today. Because I may be relieved of my duties at any time."
"What, dismissed from your post?" Popov's words surprised Rokossovsky, "What happened? Why should you be dismissed from your post?"
Regarding Rokossovsky's question, Popov said with a wry smile: "There was a special commissioner from the Front Army Headquarters. He was very dissatisfied with the current situation of the troops and criticized my command method. I I heard the news and after reading his report, General Zhukov planned to let him take over my position."
Changing generals on the spot is a taboo in the military, especially when the two armies are about to launch a joint operation. Rokossovsky was deeply afraid that the battle plan that had been discussed in advance would be ruined, so he quickly asked: "General Popov, if you are really dismissed, can the battle plan that we discussed in advance be carried out as planned?"
Popov said in an uncertain tone: "I think it should be okay." After a pause, he reminded Rokossovsky again, "Comrade Rokossovsky, if you really need to get out of the prisoner of war camp, To replenish troops, we must send people over today, otherwise it will be too late.”
"I understand, General Popov." Rokossovsky said, "I will send someone there as soon as possible."
Putting down the phone, Rokossovsky said to Romanov: "Comrade Director, I will leave this matter to you. You immediately mobilize the headquarters staff officers, political workers and doctors to form a special team and go to Kozeli Select healthy prisoners of war from the Sk area to replenish our troops."
Later, Rokossovsky ordered Chernyshov: "You should contact Captain Sokov immediately and ask him to rush to Sushinich immediately and go to Kozeli with Comrade Romanov's special team. Sk area.”
…………
After receiving the notice from Chernyshev, Sokov immediately handed over the work in the camp to Belkin, and hurried to Susinich with a guard squad.
Arriving at the division headquarters, Sokov raised his hand to salute Chernyshev and reported: "Comrade division commander, Captain Sokov of the Istrian Battalion is here to report to you. I am waiting for your order. Please instruct!"
"Captain Sokov, you're here!" Chernyshov stood up and shook hands with Sokov, pointed sideways at a political worker wearing round glasses sitting opposite, and said to him: "I'll give you Please introduce me, this is Comrade Romanov, director of the political department of the group army and battalion political commissar."
Sokov quickly faced Romanov, saluted him, and said respectfully: "Hello, comrade political commissar of the battalion."
"Hello, Captain Sokov." Romanov came over, took the initiative to shake hands with Sokov, and said enthusiastically: "I have heard about your deeds for a long time, and today is the first time I see you. Don't stand there Come on, please sit down quickly."
After the three of them sat down, Chernyshev said to Sokov: "Captain Sokov, I called you to the city today because I want you to join Comrade Romanov's special group to go to Kozelsk. Prisoner of war camps in the area to receive a group of healthy prisoners of war and enrich them into the army."
Replenish troops from prisoners of war? Hearing what Chernyshov said, Sokov suddenly felt like a pie in the sky. You must know that among the prisoners of war now, there are more veterans with combat experience. As long as they are added to the army, After a few days of running-in, combat effectiveness can be quickly formed.
Thinking of this, Sokov immediately asked Romanov impatiently: "Comrade political commissar of the battalion, when will we set off?"
Seeing that Sokov was so anxious, Romanov turned and looked at Chernyshev, and said with a smile: "Comrade division commander, it seems that our Captain Sokov is quite anxious." His words attracted everyone's attention. Ernyshov laughed. Romanov raised his hand and looked at his watch, then said, "I think the special team is ready. Let's go now."
