From the initial disbelief to the gradual adaptation, until now I am extremely emotional.
Chuikov, who experienced a roller coaster-like psychological change in just a few minutes, didn't know how to accurately describe his state of mind at this moment, but he only became extremely interested in one thing.
"Which unit was it that captured the headquarters of the Sixth Army? Do you know?"
When Chuikov asked this question, he even thought about whether it was the troops of the 62nd Army under his command who accomplished this magnificent feat? If that were the case, that would be great!
What a great achievement it would be to capture Paulus who was promoted to marshal alive? What a great honor it would be for you and the 62nd Army? Just imagine the commander and soldier who led the troops to personally kidnap Paulus.
I'm afraid even two levels up is not enough.
Unfortunately, the chief of staff's immediate reply was not as Chuikov expected.
"It was Comrade Vatutin's Southwestern Front troops who captured Paulus alive and overthrew the headquarters of the enemy's Sixth Army, accomplishing this feat."
After hearing this, Chuikov was still standing in front of the window looking at the scene outside the glass, but the expression on his face with his eyebrows twitching clearly showed a little bit of loss that was difficult to detect, but the chief of staff's words did not
It stopped and continues.
"However, Comrade Commander, the person who led the commando to capture Paulus should be very familiar to you. You often praised him before, and he was once your most capable general."
The hints were enough, but still failed to completely wake up Chuikov, who looked stunned. Comrade Commander, whose reaction time was too short, couldn't even remember which of his subordinates was such an awesome person who went to Vatutin's.
The Southwest Front Army became the "Two Five Boys".
"Have I often praised him before? Or is he a capable general under my command? Are you sure you are not mistaken? When did our 62nd Army have personnel transfers with Vatutin's Southwest Front? Why don't I remember?"
Chuikov, who was full of questions, felt that this was too unbelievable. His chief of staff must have made a mistake! Otherwise, how could he not have even the slightest impression left in his mind like a blank piece of paper?
However, the truth of the matter is that sometimes people like to make all kinds of unpredictable jokes with others.
"It's Malashenko, Colonel Malashenko, commander of the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade."
"Oh, I almost forgot! When he was in our 62nd Army, it was not a brigade-level organization. At that time, the unit he led was the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment. I didn't expect how long it had just passed.
, this little guy actually returned to Stalingrad with an elite tank brigade and brought us the final victory! This is simply unbelievable, Comrade Commander, what do you think?"
"Malashenko? It could actually be him..."
The chief of staff made his words clear, and Chuikov, suddenly enlightened, recalled many things at once.
The thrilling rescue battle at the No. 1 Railway Station, Mamayev Hill, the tractor factory, and the headquarters of our own army group.
As the chief of staff said, when Malashenko was assigned to the 62nd Army, he was indeed the most capable general under his command.
Wherever the fighting is the fiercest, the situation is almost out of control. The first thing I think of is to send Malashenko and his First Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment there. It seems that as soon as this firefighting team arrives, the situation will change.
It would then reverse and knock the German guy to the ground like a blast with a hammer.
Chuikov knew very well that Malashenko transferred from the 62nd Army and left the city to go to a new position.
Just like Chuikov personally said to Malashenko when Malashenko was about to leave.
Chuikov still believes that Malashenko and his 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment fulfilled their mission perfectly. This heroic unit fought the most brutally in Stalingrad and suffered huge casualties.
The total number of personnel replenishments of various sizes must have been at least fourteen or five times, and the number of tank crews who died in battle alone must have been at least a thousand.
Not to mention the supplement of technical equipment, all kinds of miscellaneous tanks, as long as they can be used, are almost all given to Malashenko for supplement.
According to Chuikov's statement when presiding over the group army's operational meeting, he rebutted on the spot when someone raised the issue of uneven distribution. There is a reason why Chuikov favorably favored Malashenko.
"If I distribute these uneven tanks to ordinary troops, then they can only exert 60% of their combat strength. But if I hand these tanks into the hands of Malashenko, he can exert these tanks to an average level.
The combat effectiveness of the troops is doubled."
"If there is any tank unit commander who feels that he is more capable than Malashenko, he should stand up now. The stage in Stalingrad is ready, and he can prove it to me with actual actions immediately."
.......
"No? Well, let's continue the meeting. Where did we just talk?"
So when Malashenko's 1st Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment was almost wiped out, Chuikov, who happened to receive a telegram from Zhukov, actually supported Malashenko's transfer from the Stalingrad front line and went to the rear to reorganize the troops.
, and then gather a powerful tank force.
Such a frontline tank commander who can lead troops in war will shine wherever he goes. Even if he is considering preserving talents for the motherland and the Red Army, Chuikov believes that he must support this decision.
If Malashenko really allowed Malashenko to take the last few broken tanks and fight the Germans to the death, it would be a huge and regrettable loss. Chuikov never planned to do this.
But Chuikov never expected that Malashenko, who had lost news after leaving Stalingrad, would actually take the reorganized 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade and go to fight with the Southwest Front Army under Vatutin.
.
Even though Chuikov could think that Malashenko's arrangement must be due to the decision of his superiors, a deep feeling of regret still rose in his heart and lingered.
"You think, how great would it be if Malashenko could still stay in our 62nd Army? Thinking about the name of our 62nd Army appearing on the radio and in newspapers, I feel very sad.
I'm so excited! It's a pity that now, alas...it's too late, everything is too late!"
Chuikov, who has a grumpy personality and a dynamite temper, rarely sighs. Even the chief of staff who lives with him day and night has never seen such a scene.
"There is no need to get too entangled, Comrade Commander. After all, this honor belongs to the collective, to all the heroic Red Army troops fighting in the direction of Stalingrad! We are all defenders of the motherland, although Comrade Malashenko
His contribution is indeed very great, and this must be acknowledged.”