"No, Comrade Commander, you can't do this." Sokov's words scared Lunev beside him to death. He rushed over and cut off the phone, saying in horror: "What if you take advantage of us?" It would be a mistake to exchange the captured German division commander for Asiya, and you and I will both be court-martialed."
When Sokov called, Chief of Staff Samyko saw that he looked extremely nervous and anxious, and that he was on the verge of collapse. This was in sharp contrast to his previous calmness when commanding operations. He couldn't help but be stunned, so much so that he couldn't help but No attention was paid to his proposed quid pro quo. Hearing Runev's voice at this moment, he realized that if Sokov's reckless behavior was not stopped in time, he would cause a huge disaster.
Seeing Sokov turning the handle at the bottom of the phone again, Samyko quickly grabbed him and persuaded him: "Comrade Commander, please calm down. How can we negotiate terms with the enemy? If we do this, Mistakes are going to be made.”
Sokov, who was being held down by Luniev and Samyko, gradually calmed down after a short period of anger and anxiety. He realized that he was confused if he cared. Since the person involved was his relative, he Completely confused and don't know how to deal with it. If Lunev and Samyko had not stopped their stupid behavior in time, I am afraid that they would have caused a huge disaster. Even if Zhukov came forward, I would not be able to protect themselves.
Sokov tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thinking to himself, if the commander of the 19th Armored Division, General Schmidt, knew about the relationship between Asiya and him, even if he was willing to trade Simon, he would agree to his proposal. Conditions? With this question in mind, he looked up at Luniev and Samek: "Asia has fallen into the hands of the enemy. I can't just stand by and watch. Do you have any good ideas to rescue her?"
After a brief silence, Lunev said: "Comrade Commander, fortunately, it was the Wehrmacht who captured Asiya, not the SS, so the success rate of rescuing her can be greatly improved."
"Comrade Military Commissar," upon hearing what Luniev said, Samyko asked in confusion, "I don't quite understand what you mean. Can you explain it to me?"
"The reason is very simple. The SS is the most brutal force in the German army. Once they become their prisoners, both soldiers and civilians are likely to be killed." Luniev saw that Samek did not understand what he meant, so he Explain to him: "The Wehrmacht is much better. They usually send the captured prisoners directly to the prisoner of war camps in the rear. They will not kill prisoners at will like the inhumane SS. That's why I said , Asiya fell into the hands of the National Defense Forces, and the chance of being rescued by us is very high."
When Samek heard this, the military commissar was right. If it fell into the hands of the SS, the other party would definitely massacre the prisoners on the spot, without even giving him time to rescue him. But if it falls into the hands of the National Defense Forces, there will at least be time for rescue. He quickly asked: "Comrade Military Commissioner, do you have any good ideas to rescue Asiya?"
Hearing Samyko's question, Sokov quickly turned his attention to Lunev, wanting to hear what good ideas he had. Unexpectedly, Lunev looked at Sokov and said with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander, have you forgotten that not long ago, we used the body of the commander of the 6th Armored Division to exchange for a lot of valuables from the enemy?" Are there a few wounded?"
"Yes, there is such a thing." Sokov said casually: "But what does it have to do with rescuing Asiya?"
"Of course it does matter." Lunev continued: "Since we can use the corpse of the commander of the 6th Armored Division to exchange for the wounded in the hands of the enemy, then we can also use the German corpses in the field hospital to exchange for Asia and the others."
"This is a good idea." Samyko waited for Lunev to finish speaking, gave him a thumbs up, and then turned to ask Sokov: "Comrade Commander, do you agree with this plan?"
Using the corpses of German soldiers to exchange for Asiya and others sounds like a worthwhile plan, but who should be sent to carry out this task? Sokov asked hesitantly: "Who do you think should be sent to negotiate with the Germans?"
Lunev looked at Sokov with a strange look and said: "Comrade Commander, didn't you just want the scouts of the 182nd Division to contact the German commander? I think that negotiating with the German army can be done completely It’s up to them.”
"Yes, yes, Comrade Military Commissar, you have said a lot. This matter can be handed over to the reconnaissance team and let them negotiate with the German army." Sokov said, grabbed the phone on the table and cranked it a few times. Finally, he picked up the microphone and put it to his ear and said: "I am Sokov, pick me up from the 182nd Division headquarters."
After the phone call was connected, Sokov gave Khokhlov a new order without hesitation: "Comrade Colonel, you immediately use telegrams to contact the comrades of the reconnaissance group. I authorize them to contact the commander of the German 19th Armored Division General Schmidt negotiated to exchange the German corpses in the field hospital for Asiya and others."
Khokhlov originally thought that Sokov was planning to trade Simon for Asya, and he was beating a drum in his heart. He knew very well that once he did this, his future would be in doubt, and he might even be sent to a military court. At this moment, he heard that the corpses of the German soldiers who had been shot were only used in exchange for a few captured medical staff. He suddenly felt more at ease and quickly replied: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will contact the reconnaissance team immediately. Let them negotiate with the Germans.”
"Very good." Sokov said into the phone: "As soon as the other party has a reply, let me know immediately."
Lunev waited until Sokov put down the phone and carefully asked a question: "Comrade Commander, if the Germans do not agree to use Asya and the others in exchange, what are you going to do?"
Anger appeared on Sokov's face, and he gritted his molars and said: "If the Germans don't agree, they can only resort to force. Chief of Staff!"
"Comrade Commander," Samyko, who was standing nearby, heard Sokov calling him and quickly responded: "What are your instructions?"
"Immediately give orders to the 188th Division, 384th Division and the Tank Corps to move westward." Sokov said expressionlessly: "Once the German army does not accept our conditions, use rockets to attack the 19th Armored Division." We will conduct a round of fire coverage in the division's defense area, allowing the Germans to have a good look at our strength."
"The number of our new rockets is limited, and we may not be able to replenish them on a large scale in a short period of time." Sameko did not refute Sokov, but cautiously reminded him: "If too much is consumed at one time, it will not be replenished on a large scale in a short period of time." In the battle, our combat effectiveness will be weakened to a certain extent."
"The two divisions I just mentioned must shoot out all the rockets in the shortest possible time after receiving the order from the headquarters. At the same time, the tank army will launch an assault on the enemy's position." Soko When the husband said this, seeing the surprised look on Samyko's face, he patiently explained to him: "Don't worry, Comrade Chief of Staff, the Skeleton Division has been annihilated by us. The enemies outside Prokhorovka have been When defeated, it is no longer possible to escape from the defense zone of our army, so we can safely and boldly use all the rockets to destroy the 19th Armored Division in front of our army."
"Crazy, the commander is simply crazy. In order to rescue Asiya, he actually ordered all the rockets owned by the troops to be fired on the enemy's positions." Samyko cursed Sokov in his heart, but said Li said insincerely: "I understand, Comrade Commander, I will accurately convey your order to the commander below."
Samyko had just finished calling the two division commanders and the tank commander below according to Sokov's instructions. The high-frequency phone on the table rang. He picked it up and listened for a moment, then handed it to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, this is General Vatutin's phone number."
"Hello, General Vatutin." Although Sokov's troops have been temporarily placed under the command of Vatutin, his title has not changed: "What instructions do you have?"
"Comrade Sokov, I heard that your wife, Comrade Asya, the assistant military doctor, was captured by the German army." Vatutin asked cautiously on the phone: "Is this true?"
Sokov was not surprised at all that Vatutin knew what was happening here in such a short period of time. He has long known that in his army, there are people arranged by his superiors who will report what happened here to his superiors in a timely manner through special communication channels.
Since Vatutin already knew about this, he did not hide it, but answered truthfully: "Yes, Comrade General. The enemy attacked the field hospital of the 182nd Division before dawn and killed a large number of wounded soldiers of our army. , and kidnapped six medical staff, including Asiya."
"Then what measures did you take to rescue the medical staff who were kidnapped?"
"I have authorized a reconnaissance team of the 182nd Division to negotiate with General Schmidt, the commander of the German 19th Armored Division." Sokov replied: "Negotiate to exchange the corpses of the German soldiers who died in the field hospital for the captives Let’s go, Asiya and others.”
After listening to Sokov's answer, Vatutin covered the microphone with his hand and reported the situation in a low voice to Zhukov and Vasilevsky who were standing aside. After listening to this, Zhukov said to Vatutin: "Comrade Vatutin, ask Misha, what will he do if the Germans don't agree with his plan?"
Vatutin nodded, released his hand covering the microphone, and asked bluntly: "Marshal Zhukov asked me to ask you, what are you going to do if the German army refuses to exchange Asya?"
"I have ordered the 182nd and 384th Infantry Divisions and the 4th Guards Tank Corps to move westward." Sokov said through gritted teeth on the phone: "Once the German army refuses to exchange hostages, I will order the infantry division to launch new rockets bombs to cover the enemy's positions with firepower. Then, order the tank corps to launch an assault. If possible, I will seize the 19th Armored Division's position and personally rescue Asiya."
After listening to Sokov's words, Vatutin couldn't help but shake his head slightly. He felt that the other party was still too young and a little too impulsive. Did he say that he could defeat one of the enemy's armored divisions? He did not speak, but looked up at Zhukov, wanting to hear what he had to say.
Zhukov did not speak, but walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, as if thinking about whether Sokov's decision was correct. After walking for an unknown amount of time, he finally stopped and turned to Vasilevsky and said: "Comrade Vasilevsky, I remember that the base camp sent two artillery divisions last night towards the Prokhorovka area. , where have they reached now?”
Vasilevsky glanced at Zhukov, and then replied: "I need to ask to find out." After that, he walked to a telephone, picked up the phone and dialed a number, and began to ask the other party to understand himself What you want to know.
After putting down the phone, Vasilevsky walked to the wall, pointed at the map on the wall, and reported to Zhukov: "Comrade Commander, the two artillery divisions are now five kilometers north of the Pushor River. According to the current situation, For some trips, they will arrive outside Prokhorovka at noon today.”
"Comrade Vasilevsky, these two artillery divisions are no longer needed outside Prokhorovka." Zhukov walked to Vasilevsky's side, looked up at the map on the wall, and said decisively : "Put them under Misha's command temporarily."
"Comrade Marshal, why are you doing this?" Vasilevsky asked puzzledly: "Placing two artillery divisions under Sokov's command will have no combat missions in a short period of time. Isn't this a waste?"
"Waste?" Zhukov turned to look at Vasilevsky, shook his head and said: "It's not a waste at all. Didn't Sokov say that he was going to use new rockets to cover the defense area of the 19th Armored Division with firepower? There happened to be two artillery divisions arriving near his defense area, and we could just help him."
"Comrade Marshal, I don't understand." Regarding Zhukov's decision, Vasilevsky looked confused: "Can you explain it to me?"
"Judging from Misha's intention, if the negotiation fails, he will launch an attack on the defense area of the 19th Armored Division." Zhukov pointed to the location of the German 19th Armored Division. "Once the attack he launches is successful, Then the 81st Guards Division can be liberated from the defensive state."
"Comrade Vasilevsky, these two artillery divisions are no longer needed outside Prokhorovka." Zhukov walked to Vasilevsky's side, looked up at the map on the wall, and said decisively : "Put them under Misha's command temporarily."
"Comrade Marshal, why are you doing this?" Vasilevsky asked puzzledly: "Placing two artillery divisions under Sokov's command will have no combat missions in a short period of time. Isn't this a waste?"
"Waste?" Zhukov turned to look at Vasilevsky, shook his head and said: "It's not a waste at all. Didn't Sokov say that he was going to use new rockets to cover the defense area of the 19th Armored Division with firepower? There happened to be two artillery divisions arriving near his defense area, and we could just help him."
"Comrade Marshal, I don't understand." Regarding Zhukov's decision, Vasilevsky looked confused: "Can you explain it to me?"
"Judging from Misha's intention, if the negotiation fails, he will launch an attack on the defense area of the 19th Armored Division." Zhukov pointed to the location of the German 19th Armored Division. "Once the attack he launches is successful, Then the 81st Guards Division can be liberated from the defensive state."
