In the next two days, Tonya came in person to change Sokov's dressing. She originally wanted to have an intimate chat with him, but every time she came, either Ponedelin or Sidorin would be with Sokov, leaving her with no opportunity to have an intimate conversation. chatting.
When she came to change Sokov's dressing that day, she checked the wound and said to Sokov: "Misha, after changing today's dressing, your injury will no longer need to be changed. Be more worried when walking in the future, be careful. Don’t get hurt again.”
Knowing that Tonya might not come again in the future, Sokov couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Looking at Ponejelin who was sitting next to him, he swallowed the intimate words on his lips again, and started chatting awkwardly with Tonya: "By the way, Tonya, what are you going to do next?" place?"
"I don't know." Dongnia shook her head and said with a wry smile: "We will go wherever our superiors tell us to go."
"Tonya," since he knew that Tonya would leave soon, Ponejelin began to chat with her actively: "Your name is the same as the heroine in "How Steel Was Tempered", is it you? parents like this book?"
"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander." Tonya responded politely: "My father liked this book very much, so when he named me, he chose the name Tonya."
"I really can't tell that your father is quite knowledgeable." Ponejelin asked, "Is he an intellectual?"
"No, Comrade Deputy Commander." Tonya shook her head and said: "He is just an ordinary worker. He once served as a cavalryman in the First Cavalry Corps commanded by Marshal Budyonny, and wrote "How Steel Was Tempered" Ostrovsky, the author of "", is a comrade in arms. I learned that my comrade in arms wrote an amazing book, even if my cultural level is not high, I have read it several times."
"So this is ah."
While Tonya and Ponedelin were chatting, Sokov was thinking: Ostrovsky is a Ukrainian, and his book "How Steel Was Tempered" is famous all over the world. Very famous. However, among the Ukrainians I met in later generations, except for the older people who knew more or less about this book and its author, the young people basically knew nothing about it.
While Sokov was meditating, he suddenly heard Tonya mention Leo Tolstoy and couldn't help but ask: "What did you say about Leo Tolstoy?"
"Comrade Commander," Ponedelin asked with some surprise after hearing Sokov's question: "Didn't you hear the conversation we just had?"
"I was thinking about something and didn't pay attention to what you were talking about." Sokov asked: "What were you talking about Leo Tolstoy just now?"
Tonya said in surprise: "Misha, do you really not know what Guderian did in Tolstoy's manor?"
"I don't know." Sokov said carefully that when Guderian occupied Tolstoy's manor, I had not yet traveled to this era. What can I know? Then he asked: "Donia, what happened, you want to tell me?"
"Misha, this incident was originally just a report from a guerrilla." Tonya said: "He said that he found that the Germans who occupied Tolstoy's manor dug out Tolstoy's coffin. The Germans dug out Tolstoy's coffin. The bones inside were thrown everywhere, and then two dead officers were buried in that pit..."
Even if a thunder exploded around Sokov at this moment, the shock it brought to him would definitely not be comparable to these words of Tonya: "Donia, what did you say? Guderian's people Tolstoy’s coffin was dug up and his bones were scattered everywhere. Is this news reliable?”
"At the beginning, I didn't believe that such a thing would happen." Tonya said: "I think Guderian is considered a gentleman among German generals and would never do such a thing. But not long ago, Relevant parties sent people to dig up Tolstoy's tomb and found two coffins inside. When they opened it, they found that although only the skeletons of the corpses inside were left, the German military uniforms they wore were authentic."
When Ponejelin heard this, he gritted his teeth and said: "So, it is true that the Germans dug up Tolstoy's remains."
"Comrade Deputy Commander, this matter should be true." Dongnia nodded and said: "But for some reasons, this matter is still confidential. So I hope that after you know this matter, you will never Just tell anyone else.”
"Don't worry, Tonya." Sokov was the first to express his position: "I will never tell others about such a thing casually."
After Tonya left, Ponedelin said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I originally had a good impression of Guderian, but I didn't expect him to do such a thing. I really misjudged him. When we capture Berlin and capture him in the future, I will definitely make him pay for this."
"Comrade Deputy Commander," Sokov said slowly: "If we stay in the battle order of the 1st Belarusian Front before the end of the war, then we may be the first unit to rush into Berlin. .”
"By the way, Comrade Commander." As soon as he heard Sokov mention the rush to Berlin, Ponedelin no longer bothered about Guderian and Tolstoy, but turned his attention to the current war situation. Above: "The two divisions sent to the direction of Lublin have assisted General Chuikov's 8th Guards Army in capturing Lublin. I wonder where our next battle direction will be?"
"Comrade Deputy Commander," Sokov asked: "Where have the prisoners in Mayundanek concentration camp been moved to now?"
"There are approximately more than 10,000 prisoners from Belarus. They have now been transferred to Brest and have arranged accommodation for them." Ponedelin reported to Sokov: "As for the remaining prisoners, there are still Staying in the concentration camps, they wanted to wait until we liberated all of Poland before returning to their homes.”
"They will go home after we liberate Poland." Sokov sneered, "That'll be a long time to wait."
Sidorin came over at this time and said to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, I just received a call from the logistics director of the group army. He said that recently, food and water have been transported to the Mayindanek concentration camp every day, which is very important to our troops." The transportation of weapons and various military supplies has had some adverse effects. He asked, now that friendly forces have occupied Lublin, can we ask friendly forces to supply supplies nearby?"
"Comrade Commander, I think you can." Ponedelin reminded Sokov: "Transporting the food and water needed by the prisoners from the Brest Fortress every day will require a considerable proportion of our transportation capacity. This will affect the normal troop mobilization and supply of our army. In my opinion, handing over the supply task to friendly forces is undoubtedly the most correct choice."
In fact, even if Ponedelin and Sidorin did not mention this matter, Sokov planned to discuss the matter with them. When his troops captured the Majindanek concentration camp, Chuikov's troops were still far away in Chelm. Even if they wanted to provide supplies to the concentration camp, they were out of reach.
But now they have successfully occupied Lublin, and are only a few kilometers away from the concentration camp. It is indeed more convenient to supply supplies. After making up his mind, he nodded and said, "Okay, I will immediately contact Comrade General and ask him to let the 8th Guards Army take over our supply mission."
However, before calling Rokossovsky, Sokov told Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, call the two division commanders Liukikov and Yinsmeilov and ask them to send someone to take mine detectors with them. Tools, explore the hillsides in the concentration camp to see if you can find anything useful.”
When Sidorin heard this, he was stunned: "Comrade Commander, is there anything on the hillside in the concentration camp that our soldiers need to use mine detectors to find?"
Sokov clearly remembers that the information about Mayindanek Concentration Camp once mentioned that many Jews knew that they would not escape death, so they buried a large number of valuables with them on the hillside of the camp. It was not until 2005 that It was discovered by a group of Israeli archaeologists and spent three days and three nights digging.
Hearing Sidorin's question at this moment, Sokov organized the vocabulary in his mind, and then said: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the situation is like this. Those Jews who were transported from other places first arrived in the concentration camp. If we don’t find it, they will bury some valuable things on the hillside, so I don’t think there is any harm in sending someone to search for it.”
Although Sidorin thought Sokov's statement was absurd, as his superior, since he had given such an order, he had to carry it out unconditionally, so he could only say helplessly: "Okay. Come on, Comrade Commander, I will convey your message to the two division commanders and order them to send people to search the hillside."
While Sokov was waiting for Sidorin to make a call, he asked the director of the communications corps to help him get through to the front headquarters. He was going to report to Rokossovsky in person.
After the call was connected, Sokov said to the staff officer who answered the phone: "Comrade staff officer, this is Sokov. Please let Comrade General answer the phone."
"General Sokov," the staff officer who answered the phone said with a smile, "are you looking for Comrade Marshal?"
After being reminded by the staff, Sokov immediately thought that Rokossovsky was already the marshal at this moment, and quickly changed his mind and said: "You are right, comrade staff, I just want to find the marshal to answer the phone. I have important things." You have to report to him.”
"Misha, this is Rokossovsky." Rokossovsky's voice soon came from the receiver: "What do you want from me?"
"Hello, Comrade Marshal." Hearing the voice of Rokossovsky, Sokov said respectfully: "Please accept my congratulations to you on winning the rank of Marshal."
"Thank you!" Maybe it was because he had received too many similar calls in the past two days. There was no excitement in Rokossovsky's tone from the receiver. He asked calmly: "Misha, are you looking for me?" What's matter?"
"Comrade Marshal, the situation is like this." Sokov said cautiously: "Didn't General Chuikov's 8th Guards Army capture Lublin? I would like to ask if his troops can take over the attack on Mayinda. Supply work at Necker Concentration Camp.”
Worried that Rokossovsky would not take this matter to heart, Sokov also specifically added: "When my troops occupied the Mayindanek concentration camp, they rescued more than 40,000 prisoners, and now tens of thousands have arrived. Brest, but there are still more than 30,000 people left in the concentration camp, and my logistics department delivers food and water to these people every day..."
Before Sokov could finish speaking, Rokossovsky interrupted him and said, "Misha, you don't have to say anything. I understand what you mean. Do you think it is harmful to you to deliver food and water to these prisoners?" The movement and supply of troops have had some adverse effects. Right?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal, your analysis is correct." Seeing that Rokossovsky had guessed his intention, he quickly replied affirmatively: "This is indeed the case."
"Mayindanek concentration camp is only four kilometers away from Lublin," Rokossovsky glanced at the map in front of him and continued: "It would be much more convenient for Chuikov's troops to transport supplies than it is for you. . Let’s do this, starting from tomorrow, I will order Chuikov to take over the task of transporting supplies to the concentration camp.”
"Great, this is really great." Seeing that his goal was achieved, Sokov couldn't help but be overjoyed and said repeatedly: "Comrade Marshal, thank you very much."
"Misha, what are your plans next?"
Rokossovsky's question made Sokov fall into silence. He clearly remembered that Poland's new parliament was formed and born in Lublin. Before the establishment of the parliament, Chuikov's troops might not continue to attack the west. If he still followed the original plan to launch an attack on the west of Poland, If he rushes directly to Warsaw, he may be frantically surrounded by the German army, and his troops may suffer heavy casualties by then.
Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Marshal, although I want to march to Warsaw immediately. But I can't do it now. After a long battle, my troops have not only lost a lot of strength, but also the ammunition has been almost consumed. ”
Rokossovsky could not hear the prevarication in Sokov's words, but fortunately he did not intend to let Sokov advance at this moment. It can be seen from the situation on the map that Sokov's troops have pushed away the troops on the left and right wings by hundreds of kilometers. If they advance deep into the German defenses, they will be in danger of being cut off and surrounded by the Germans. If something unexpected happens to a commander like Sokov who has repeatedly achieved military exploits, it will have a negative impact on the morale and morale of the troops.
"Misha, don't worry, I won't let you attack the enemy rashly." Rokossovsky felt that he should give Sokov a reassurance at this moment, lest he think about it all day long: "The position of your army now If you are too far forward, if you are ordered to continue to advance deeper into the German defenses, you will be alone. Once the German troops are surrounding you from all directions, your connection with your friendly forces will be cut off, and you will be surrounded by the German troops. So Your current task is to consolidate the occupied area and wait until the friendly forces' front lines are leveled with yours before launching a new attack deep into the German defenses."
Seeing that Rokossovsky did not give him a mandatory order, the boulder hanging in Sokov's heart finally fell safely. He planned to let the troops who had been fighting for a whole month seize the time to rest and recuperate in order to prepare for the next battle. In battle, you can always ensure sufficient physical strength and combat effectiveness.
