Chief of Staff Dudabovsky did not answer immediately. He just stood there and listened quietly to Comrade Ma's complaints.
It is indeed not easy for Comrade Division Commander these days. Not only is he responsible for leading troops to fight, but he also has to keep in mind Comrade Political Commissar whose health is getting worse day by day. After finally finishing the battle, he can stop to take a breath and rest for a while. This letter is sent to the Commander of the Front Army.
The telegram from the ministry came over and immediately knocked Malashenko into confusion. If this was not allowed, a few complaints would be stifled to death.
"Comrade Commander, actually you have overlooked an issue, a detail issue that is not easy to detect..."
Dudabovsky hoped that his words would attract Malashenko's attention. In fact, his goal was indeed achieved. Malashenko, who knew that his chief of staff had extraordinary abilities, immediately raised his head and looked around.
Light.
"You are always like this. You say it directly without beating around the bush."
I hope Malashenko can cheer up and Dudabovsky, who is no longer in such a depressed state, has achieved his goal, and the rest is just a matter of smooth sailing.
"It's very simple, Comrade Division Commander. The telegram did not say that this task must be completed. It just reminded us to stay vigilant and strictly guard against any possible breakthrough actions by the enemy at night."
"..."
After hearing what Chief of Staff Dudabovsky said, Malashenko blinked and was a little dazed. Could it be that he had really missed such an important situation just now?
"Bring the telegram over and let me read it again."
Comrade Chief of Staff naturally complied with Malashenko's request, took the telegram back into Malashenko's hand, and immediately began to read it quickly again without saying a word.
One line, two lines, three lines, four lines...
The content of the telegram, which was not much in the first place, was read through by Malashenko at a speed of ten lines at a glance. Malashenko, who still felt unsatisfied after reading it for the second time, immediately started reading it for the third time without thinking.
.
"What the hell? It seems like this is really going on?"
Confirmed, it’s really confirmed this time!
It is true that Malashenko did not find any words with mandatory orders in the telegram. From the whole text, it seems that he is just reminding Malashenko to stay vigilant and be on alert. The Germans' breakout is very likely to happen.
It will unfold tonight.
"...According to this, do you think Comrade Commander is just telling us to be more vigilant and take strict precautions against possible enemy breakthroughs, and that's the end of it?"
Looking at Malashenko's still unbelievable expression, Dudabovsky, who felt that he should give reassurance to his comrade, nodded.
"At least judging from what is stated in this telegram, this is indeed the case, Comrade Commander, this is for sure."
"During the time when I served at the General Staff Headquarters, even ordinary-level telegrams had to be repeatedly confirmed to be accurate before being sent. A wrong word in the expression may mean two completely different things in actual execution.
As a result, this point has always been emphasized and must be implemented to the end.”
"If you ask me, with the rigor of telegrams at the level of the front army headquarters, such low-level errors and problems should not occur. We currently do not have a telephone line that can be connected to the headquarters, so we can directly communicate with the commander orally
Inquiries are impossible, so we can only carry out the requirements in the telegram. In this case, it is not necessary to stop all the enemies."
"..."
Malashenko, who was once again in a state of confusion, still could not recover. He put his arms on the table and thought for a long time with his eyes wide open. Then he raised his hand to touch the stubble on his chin and thought carefully.
For quite a while.
Don't tell me, the truth seems to be just like this. The chief of staff's analysis at least made it impossible for him to find fault with it.
"You mean, we just need to do our best. In fact, there are no mandatory mission goals given to us, is that right?"
Dudabovsky smiled, but this was not to laugh at Malashenko's ignorance, but to hope that the comrade could relax more and stop being so neurotic.
"I believe that Comrade Commander will be aware of the difficulties we are facing, Comrade Division Commander. It is impossible to stop all the enemy troops who are escaping and breaking out with such a disparity in strength. I think that as long as we determine the enemy's main direction of breaking out,
Just try your best to stop one of the largest ones."
"Rather than splitting our forces and trying to take care of everything, we should try our best to do one thing well. If we can deal with the main German breakout force that is the most troublesome, then the small group of enemies who ran out will not be a problem.
It can be easily solved casually, and in the end it will even surrender without a fight."
Indeed, if instead of setting the goal of stopping all the Germans, he just wants to stop some of them to prevent them from escaping... Malashenko thinks about it carefully, and it seems... eh.
..It seems that this is really not too difficult, and the pressure is within the tolerable range.
It is true that there is a certain risk of being held accountable afterwards, but the few soldiers Malashenko has are only enough to do so much.
Everyone knows the principle of biting off more than one can chew, and now it is no longer just a question of biting off more than one can chew, but it is also possible that one may overstuff himself to death with his eyes full but his belly too small. In the end, he will not be able to do anything well, and his efforts will be in vain.
As a division commander and military chief, Malashenko can hesitate and have a little doubt. This is human nature and normal when facing difficult choices and problems, and it is no big deal.
The key is that when Malashenko actually gives orders and makes decisions, if Malashenko is still hesitant and undecided, it means that the division commander is incompetent and the problem is huge.
Malashenko, who learned this from political commissar Petrov, will naturally not make such a low-level mistake and knows what he should do now. If he is afraid of taking responsibility, he will not be able to get into the position he is in today.
The higher you stand, the greater your worries will become. Do not allow yourself to have the disadvantage of appearing in yourself.
"I understand. Notify the regimental commanders and political commissars of each combat unit to come to the division headquarters for a meeting. Everyone must arrive within twenty minutes. I will personally preside over the meeting, and you will be my deputy, Dudabovsky. As for
Comrade Political Commissar...forget it, I'm going to see how he is doing. If he's allowed, I'll participate. If not, I'll take a break for the time being. Let's start making arrangements like this."
Malashenko doesn't like meetings, but the complexity of this matter can no longer be explained clearly on the phone. He must fully convey the details and situation of the operation to the various commanders under his command, and this matter must be done properly.