After listening to Sokov's powerful explanation, Chuikov began to think deeply. Krylov, who was next to him, also heard Sokov's report, and whispered to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, I think Colonel Sokov's analysis still makes sense. In any case, the factory area The terrain is flat. If the attacking side has a large number of mechanized troops, it will be easy to break through the opponent's defense. Therefore, I think the possibility of Paulus building the new headquarters in the factory area is very slim."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you and I know very well." Chuikov looked up at Krylov and said: "German soldiers are very brave, but their officers are very timid. Our division-level command post is closest to the front The distance between them is only 300 meters, and the German division headquarters is usually no less than 30 kilometers away from the front line. Not only is their headquarters far away from the front line, but it is also heavily guarded. I am worried that just a light regiment can break through the German commander. The defense of the Ministry may not be an easy task.”
Having said this, Chuikov released his hand covering the microphone and asked Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, are you really sure that you can break through the defense of the German headquarters with a regiment of troops?"
"Comrade Commander," hearing Chuikov's question, Sokov laughed twice and said, "If one regiment is not enough, I can send another regiment for reinforcements. As long as Paulus's headquarters is captured, Even if the entire division is filled in, I think it’s still very cost-effective.”
Hearing this, Krylov once again approached Chuikov's ear and said to him: "Comrade Commander, I think Colonel Sokov's words are very reasonable. As long as Paulus's headquarters can be eliminated, it will count as the loss of a division. , is also acceptable. Besides, this is only the worst possibility. Maybe by the time we find the Paulus headquarters, friendly forces from other directions will have already joined us, and more troops can be mobilized to besiege the German army. ’s headquarters.”
"It makes sense, Comrade Chief of Staff, what you said is very reasonable." After Chuikov praised Krylov, he said into the microphone: "Colonel Sokov, I agree with your plan. I will arrange the troops as soon as possible, but Take over the position of the Belkin Regiment. However, I think it is necessary to remind you that during the transfer process of the troops, the enemy must not be aware of it. Otherwise, with Paulus's character, he will never set up his headquarters where you are. The places I mentioned."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Seeing that Chuikov agreed to his proposal, Sokov felt very happy. He quickly said: "We are confident that the enemy will not notice the mobilization of our troops."
…………
The day after the Belkin Regiment quietly entered the third battalion's position, the 321st Infantry Division of the 65th Group Army, under the command of the division commander Major General Makarenko, launched an attack on Pitomnik Airport.
The last time Sergeant Tavlin led a small team to attack the airport, the German army found that only a small group of Soviet troops were invading, and they returned to the airport one after another when it got dark. After Paulus learned the news, he became furious and ordered the officers responsible for guarding the airport to be shot and sent a company of SS troops to take charge of the defense.
The officers and soldiers of the SS knew very well that because of the heinous crimes they committed against Soviet soldiers and civilians, they were usually shot on the spot after being captured. Therefore, when they saw the Soviet troops attacking from all directions, they did not act like the previous unit. They generally retreat without fighting, but rely on the terrain to resist.
Before the Soviet attack, five transport planes were parked at the airport. Not long ago, these transport planes had just brought supplies to the trapped German troops, and now they were loading the wounded on the plane one after another, intending to transport them outside the encirclement.
Seeing the Soviet troops attacking from different directions, the pilots were frightened. They started to start the plane before all the wounded boarded the plane, and took off in a hurry, hoping to escape from this most dangerous place in the shortest possible time.
In less than two minutes, four transport planes took off one after another. The other transport plane that had not yet had time to take off was unable to taxi along the runway because the runway in front was blocked by dense crowds. Soldiers and wounded who were eager to escape rushed to the plane, trying to get into the cabin and follow the plane to leave this ghost place full of painful memories for them.
Seeing that the Soviet army in the distance was approaching the airport and about to break through the defense line of the garrison, the pilot became anxious. He kept seeing that there were countless people boarding the plane, so he suddenly started the plane, knocking down countless people blocking the way. , taxiing forward quickly along the runway.
The German soldiers blocking the front of the plane did not expect that the plane would suddenly start. They were caught off guard and were knocked down numerous times. A few unlucky ones were even run over by the wheels on the landing gear and died on the spot. Some soldiers who had just squeezed onto the spiral staircase rolled down one after another as the plane started. Before they could get up, countless feet stepped over them to catch up with the retreating plane.
In order to prevent more people from getting into the cabin, a pilot squeezed to the door of the cabin and forcibly closed the door, locking out the German soldiers who were running forward with the plane. Seeing that there was no hope of escape, some desperate soldiers raised their weapons and shot at the taxiing aircraft.
Although there were thousands of people at the airport, only the SS company fought against the Soviet army. Facing the powerful Soviet offensive, they could only support it for less than half an hour before the entire army was destroyed.
Seeing the Soviet troops pouring into the airport like a tide, the remaining German soldiers knew that there was no point in continuing to resist, so they put down their weapons and surrendered to the Soviet troops.
Major General Makarenko came to the airport and saw hundreds of disarmed German soldiers and hundreds of wounded lying beside the runway. He felt a little headache, so he turned around and asked his political commissar Duchenko: "Comrade political commissar, what are you doing?" Tell me, how should we deal with so many wounded people?"
"The enemy has surrendered. It is obviously unrealistic to kill them." Duchenko looked at the wounded lying beside the runway and saw that many of them were turning blue from the cold. They might not be able to hold on for long, even if the health workers came. I'm afraid the chance of resuscitation is not high. After thinking for a while, he suggested to Makarenko: "I think it's better to report this matter to Commander Batov and let them make a decision?"
The call was quickly connected, and Major General Makarenko reported to Batov personally: "Comrade Commander, our division has successfully captured Pitomnik Airport and captured thousands of German soldiers."
"Well done." Bartov heard this and said approvingly: "I didn't expect your division to capture the airport so easily. Your next task is to build defenses near the airport to prevent possible German counterattacks. .”
"Understood, Comrade Commander, I will immediately arrange for manpower to build fortifications." After Makarenko agreed, he said to Batov hesitantly: "There is one more thing I want to ask you for."
"What's up?"
"Among the thousands of German soldiers we captured, there are probably more than 300 wounded." Makarenko said with a grimace: "Don't know how to deal with them?"
According to Bartov's idea, these wounded people are a burden, and keeping them will only waste food and medicine. You must know that medicine is also in very short supply for the Soviet army today. But he was asked to issue the order to execute these wounded soldiers, but he couldn't say it out loud. If he really did so, he would not only be criticized by others, but it might also affect his future future.
It was based on this consideration that Bartov was silent for a long time, and then said: "Makarenko, for those German wounded, no soldier is allowed to hurt them. Place them all next to the runway, and I will In an hour's time, a medical team will be sent to your place to treat these wounded people."
After Makarenko put down the phone, he said to Duchenko: "Comrade Political Commissar, the commander just issued an order for us to gather the wounded Germans. He sent people to treat these wounded in two hours."
"Comrade division commander, what did you say?" Duchenko couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise when he heard what Makarenko said: "Comrade Commander said that in two hours, people will be sent here to treat these wounded people?"
"Yes." Makarenko nodded and asked, "Is there any problem?"
Duchenko turned to look at the wounded lying beside the track, sighed softly, and said, "It's such a cold day, and the sheets covering the wounded are so thin, do you think they can last for two hours?"
Makarenko was stunned for a moment after hearing what Duchenko said, and then understood Bartov's intention. He nodded and said: "Comrade Commander is right. These Germans have committed heinous crimes against our country. Even if they are all shot, it is not excessive at all. Since Comrade Commander has given the order, then Let these wounded wait here for two hours, and if they are lucky, they can get reasonable treatment."
After Bartov ended his call with Makarenko, he did not immediately arrange for medical staff to rush to Pitomnik Airport to treat the wounded German soldiers who were shivering in the ice and snow. Instead, he sent medical staff to Rokossovsky. I made a phone call and reported the good news to the other party: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I want to tell you good news. Major General Makarenko's 321st Infantry Division has successfully captured Pitomnik Airport and cut off the Germans. The only connection to the outside world.”
"Well done, Comrade Bartov." Rokossovsky couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard the news. He knew very well that as long as the Soviet army occupied the airport, Paulus's contact with the outside world would be completely cut off. . If they want to get supplies, they can only rely on airdrops. Now that the Soviet Air Force has gained air supremacy over Stalingrad, it is simply a fantasy for the Germans to carry out unscrupulous airdrops. As long as Paulus's troops were cut off from supplies, they would be out of ammunition and food in less than half a month, and it would be much easier to eliminate them by then.
Not only did Rokossovsky see it this way, but even Chief of Staff Malinin had the same view. He even suggested to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, I have an idea, I don't know whether to say it or not."
"Whatever comes to mind, just say it." Rokossovsky knew that his chief of staff would not say this out of nowhere. He must have some new ideas, so he said carelessly: "Even if I am wrong, I will not I’ll blame you.”
"Last time we failed to persuade the Germans to surrender. The comrades we sent could not even enter the German positions." Malinen said: "But now we have occupied Pitomnik Airport and cut off the last connection between the Germans and the outside world. If Sending people to persuade us to surrender at this time may have unexpected effects."
"Send someone again to persuade us to surrender?" Rokossovsky frowned and asked thoughtfully: "Chief of Staff, who do you think should be assigned this task?"
"Last time you gave this task to Colonel Sokov," Malinen said with a smile, "I think we can let him try this time. Maybe there is hope of success."
"Ask Misha to persuade the enemy to surrender again?" Rokossovsky thought about Malinin's proposal for at least five minutes, and finally nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, I agree with your proposal. I personally Send a telegram to Misha and entrust him with this important task."
A few minutes later, Sokov received a call from Rokossovsky. After listening to the order given by the other party, he replied with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I am worried that it will be difficult to complete your order. Although The German army was at the end of its rope, but Paulus still held on to the illusion that Manstein would lead troops to rescue him again. Therefore, even if I tried to persuade him to surrender again, it would probably have no effect."
Thinking of the last time Guchakov was fired upon by machine guns before he even entered the enemy's position, Sokov said with a wry smile: "I'm worried that like last time, I won't even be able to get close to the enemy's position."
"Don't worry, Misha." Seeing Sokov trying to shirk the task he assigned, Rokossovsky comforted him and said: "The situation today is different from last time. At that time, we had not launched Operation Ring. Germany People still don’t know how powerful we are. Now, after several days of attacks, the Germans have re-realized how powerful our army is. In addition, our army has just captured Pitomnik Airport, cutting off their contact with the outside world. . If someone were to be sent to persuade him to surrender at this time, I think Paulus would consider it carefully."
Sokov originally wanted to shirk it, but after hearing Rokossovsky say that he had captured Pitomnik Airport, he immediately realized that now was the best opportunity to persuade him to surrender. Even if Paulus could not be persuaded to surrender, it could shake the morale of the German army and undermine their morale.
Thinking of this, Sokov changed his mind: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I accept your mission. I will go to the enemy's defense area as soon as possible to conduct the second surrender operation."
"Very good, Misha." Hearing Sokov agreed, Rokossovsky couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief. He said into the microphone: "Then I will wait for your good news. Once you come from When the enemy's position returns, report the results to me immediately."
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Set a small goal first, such as remembering in 1 second: Shukeju
