Chuikov's injury was a great shame and humiliation for all the commanders and fighters of the 8th Guards Army. Especially the commanders and fighters of the 102nd Regiment of the 35th Guards Division. The commander was shot coldly by the Germans in his own defense area, but he failed to prevent this tragedy from happening in time. Therefore, after the bombardment began, they also used the regiment's mortars to fire at the German positions. They planned to give an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, and let the Germans use blood and blood to repay the heavy blood debt they owed.
Cannons, howitzers and mortars bombarded the German positions over and over again before finally coming to a halt. Just when the German officers and soldiers in the ruins were about to breathe a sigh of relief, the rocket launchers deployed in the rear fired again. Countless rockets with long flame tails drew beautiful arcs in the air and plunged into the German defensive positions, making earth-shattering explosions.
In the past, after such an intensive bombardment, the infantry would charge. But for some reason today, the superiors have not issued an order to attack. They only ordered artillery or rocket launchers to fire at the enemy's positions in turn, preparing to destroy all enemies with steel and flames.
At 0:40 a.m. the next day, the radio station of the 79th Infantry Division intercepted a call from a German radio operator: "Russians, please pay attention! Russians, please pay attention! This is the German 56th Panzer Corps, we are requesting a ceasefire! Berlin time At 0:50, we will send a courier to the Potsdam Bridge. The identification mark is a white flag. Please answer if you hear it!"
The German radio operator took the trouble to call over and over again. The 39th Guards Division who received the radio call did not dare to make any arbitrary decisions, so he reported the matter to the commander of the 28th Guards Corps, hoping that he would be the one to do it. Answer the German call.
However, after receiving the call from the following, the commander of the Guards felt that the matter was of great importance. Even as the commander of the army, he might not be able to make the decision, so he called Chuikov to continue reporting.
After receiving the call, Chuikov immediately issued an order: "The ceasefire is limited to the area where the messenger meets. At the same time, we inform the 56th Armored Corps that we will do our best to ensure the messenger's passage and personal safety during the meeting."
Since Chuikov was injured, he would definitely not be able to participate in this negotiation, so he ordered the headquarters staff officer Lieutenant Colonel Matusov and the translator Captain Kaliberg to go to the meeting as his representatives. Before the two left, Chuikov repeatedly warned the other party: "In addition to asking them to make an unconditional sneak attack, there will be no negotiations, and they must immediately put down their weapons and surrender."
Half an hour later, Chuikov received a report from the 47th Guards Division that Lieutenant Colonel Matusov and the others who were heading to Potsdam Bridge had met the German messengers, who were a colonel and two majors. The team was led by Colonel Dufvinger, Chief of Staff of the German 56th Panzer Corps. He said to Lieutenant Colonel Matusov: "Mr. Lieutenant Colonel, we are authorized by the commander of the Army, General Weidling, to announce to the Soviet High Command. General Weidling's decision to cease resistance and surrender of the 56th Panzer Corps."
After saying this, Dufvinger also took out a document signed by Weidling himself, which read, "Colonel Dufvinger is the Chief of Staff of the 56th Armored Corps. He is entrusted by me and the troops under my command. Enter into any form of negotiation with you." The last signature was Weidling.
Colonel Semchenko, commander of the 47th Guards Division, asked Dufvinger: "Mr. Colonel, how long will it take for your armored corps headquarters to get the troops to lay down their weapons and to transfer all the personnel and equipment of each unit in an organized manner?" To the Soviet Army Headquarters?"
"We might need three to four hours, and the surrender should take place at night, because Goebbels had given an order for everyone to shoot at the soldiers and civilians who were trying to bring down the Russians," Dufvinger said. Although he is dead now, the orders he gave are still valid."
After hearing the other party's report, Chuikov immediately issued an order: "Let Colonel Dufvinger return to General Weidling and ask him to bring back a statement signed by me. I will tell him in the statement that his surrender has been completed by us. . But the two majors who came with Colonel Dufvinger will stay with us temporarily and we will release them after the war is over."
After giving the order, Chuikov, who was a little weak, fell asleep in the lake. When he was woken up, he found that it was almost six o'clock: "What's the matter?" he asked his adjutant.
"Yes, Comrade Commander
. "The adjutant replied: "I just received a call from the front. A delegation from Goebbels is here and wants to negotiate with you in person."
With the help of his adjutant, Chuikov stood up from the sofa and went into the bathroom to wash his face with cold water to ensure that he would wake up quickly.
In the headquarters, Chuikov saw a delegation sent by the Germans. There were three people in total, all wearing civilian clothes. Behind them stood a soldier wearing a steel helmet and holding a white flag. Chuikov felt that it was obviously inappropriate for an ordinary German soldier to stand here during the subsequent negotiations, so he ordered someone to take him out.
Then he looked at the three of them and asked, "I wonder what I can do for you?"
A negotiator named Heinersdorf stepped forward and handed the letter he had prepared into Chuikov's hands. When Chuikov unfolded the letter, Pozharsky, Weinrub and others in the headquarters came behind him and tilted their heads to read the contents of the letter.
Fortunately, the Germans were very considerate and translated all the content into Russian. Even without translation, everyone can understand it. I saw it read: "As General Krebs informed you, the head of the Reich, Hitler, has gone to heaven, and Dr. Goebbels is no longer on earth. I, the new Propaganda Minister Fritsch, as one of the survivors , I beg you to place Berlin under your protection."
After Chuikov read the contents of the letter, he couldn't help but be secretly surprised. He really didn't expect that Goebbels died not long after Hitler's death. I wonder who will die after Goebbels?
He looked up at Heinersdorf and asked, "When did Dr. Goebbels commit suicide?"
"last night."
"Where is his body?"
"His and his wife's bodies were burned, by his personal adjutant and driver."
Chuikov couldn't help but feel as if Mustache was burned after his death, and Goebbels was burned after his death. Did the leaders of the Third Reich choose to use fire as a means to cleanse themselves of the evil they had committed in the world?
"Where is General Krebs, who came here to negotiate with us yesterday under Goebbels's full authority? Why didn't he come today?"
"I'm sorry, Your Excellency General." Heinersdorf replied: "I don't know. I only know that there was a new chief of staff today - General Einsdorf! As for Chief of General Staff Krebs Where he went, I don’t know.”
Since the other party did not know the whereabouts of Krebs, Chuikov did not ask any more questions, but promptly changed the subject: "As the negotiators of Germany, do you know our conditions: we can only negotiate with you unconditionally?" A question of surrender?”
"Yes! We know." Heinersdorf replied: "That's why we are here and we are willing to provide you with the necessary help."
After hearing this, Chuikov sneered and asked, "I wonder what help you can provide to your people?"
"Dr. Fritsch requested that he be allowed to address the German people and troops via radio to immediately cease their senseless resistance and accept unconditional surrender."
Chuikov expressed doubts about Heinersdorf's statement: "Will the army obey Fritsch's orders?"
"As Minister of Propaganda, he was still very well-known, especially in the Berlin area." Heinersdorff said again: "He asked for permission to give a speech on the radio in Berlin."
Before Chuikov could reply, Glazunov, commander of the 28th Guards Corps, called and reported to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, my subordinates reported to me that they saw German troops gathering. It seems that What action are you going to take?"
"Are you preparing to attack our army?"
"No way." Glazunov replied: "My people did not see them carrying any weapons. Are they preparing to surrender to our army?"
"Comrade General, order your subordinates to stand still. No one is allowed to fire without my order." Chuikov said, "I will immediately send someone to the 56th Armored Corps for verification."
After putting down the phone, Chuikov called the brigade chief of staff Glushko and said to him: "Comrade staff, your task now is to cross the enemy's and ours' fronts again.
Rush to the headquarters of the German 56th Armored Corps, find Colonel Dufvinger, and ask him to take you to see General Weidling. Understand? "
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Glushko replied resoundingly: "I will definitely complete the mission."
Glushko passed through the defense line and entered the headquarters of the German 56th Panzer Corps, where he met General Weidling. After some conversation, Victor decided to surrender in person at Chuikov's headquarters, accompanied by several of his subordinates.
When he crossed the defense line and entered the defense area of the 47th Division of the 28th Guards Army, the division commander Colonel Semchenko asked him curiously: "General Weidling, you commanded the troops to surrender to our army. Does your Dr. Goebbels know?" "
"He doesn't know." Weidelin answered very simply: "I don't have to ask a dead man for instructions."
After Chuikov learned that Weidling had entered his own defense zone, he immediately called Glazunov, commander of the 28th Guards Corps, and told him: "Comrade General, I now order you to personally deliver General Weidling to my commander. Come here. Remember, you must ensure his personal safety."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Glazunov said, "I will protect General Weidling's personal safety just like I protect my own eyes."
After making a series of phone calls, Chuikov asked the negotiators: "Do you and Fritsch know that the defenders of Berlin are preparing to surrender?"
Hearing what Chuikov said, the negotiator had a surprised expression on his face. Heinersdorf replied: "General Chuikov, we did not receive any news before departure."
"Your troops will soon surrender to our troops in various areas." After Chuikov finished speaking, he thought of another important figure: "By the way, where is Borman?"
After several people looked at each other, Heinersdorf replied: "He seems to be staying in the head of state's office building, but a few hours ago, an unexplained explosion occurred there. When our people went in to check, they found that Bob Mann and his family were all dead."
Chuikov called Zhukov and reported to him the intentions of the negotiators and Weidelin's preparation to command the troops to surrender.
Zhukov was also very happy when he learned that the German army was about to surrender. However, he still had some concerns about Fritsch's speech to the German people via the radio: "Chuikov, do you believe that Dr. Fritsch's speech to the German people via the radio will meet our requirements?"
"I think there should be no problem." Chuikov replied confidently: "As long as it is under our supervision, there should be no problem."
"Very good, very good." Zhukov said: "I will call Comrade Stalin now. Don't make any decisions until you receive my call."
"Okay, Comrade Marshal, I'm waiting for your news."
Ten minutes later, Zhukov called Chuikov: "Chuikov, please record what I said."
Chuikov quickly took out a pen and paper and got ready to record: "Comrade Commander, I'm ready, please tell me."
"Please announce to the members of the delegation: First, the Soviet high command accepts Berlin's surrender and orders all troops to cease military operations.
Secondly, all existing German institutions should declare to all soldiers, officers and residents that all military supplies, buildings, public facilities and things of great value must be properly maintained in their current condition and must not be blown up or destroyed.
Third, please take our commander and follow Heinersdorf to find Dr. Fritsch and ask him to give a speech on the radio.
Fourth, we will ensure the personal safety of all soldiers, officers, generals and residents and provide medical care to the wounded wherever possible.
Fifth, the Germans should not carry out any provocative actions, such as shooting or other sabotage activities, otherwise our army will be forced to take counterattack measures. "
After several representatives listened to what Chuikov relayed, Heinersdorf carefully asked: "General Chuikov, I have a personal request. I hope you can send troops to protect the lives of our Propaganda Department personnel."
Chuikov readily agreed to Heinersdorf's proposal: "Hainersdorf
Mr. Nasdorf, I promise you with my honor that as long as all those who voluntarily lay down their arms and do not take any hostile measures, they can rest assured that our commanders and fighters will never harm a hair of theirs. "
After receiving Chuikov's promise, Heinersdorf breathed a sigh of relief and said with emotion: "If this is the case, that would be great."
"Mr. Heinersdorf, I think you must be very tired at the moment." Chuikov said: "I will send someone to take you to rest first, and I will invite you over later to continue the unfinished negotiations."
