"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 will be a mistake for the captured German division commander to exchange for Asiya, and you and I will both be sent to a military court."
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, and he couldn't help but be stunned, so much so that he couldn't help but
He didn't pay attention to the exchange conditions he proposed. At this moment, he heard Runev's voice and 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 tried to persuade him: "Comrade Commander, please calm down. How can we negotiate terms with the enemy? If we do this,
Mistakes are bound to be made.”
Sokov, who was held down by Luniev and Samyko, gradually calmed down after a short period of anger and anxiety. He realized that he was confused because he was concerned. Since the person involved was his relative, he
They were completely confused and didn't know how to deal with it. If Runev and Samyko hadn't stopped their stupid behavior in time, they might have caused a huge disaster. Even if Zhukov came forward, he might not be able to save himself.
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, he looked up at Lunev and Samek: "Asia has fallen into the hands of the enemy. I can't stand by and watch. Do you have any good ideas to rescue her?"
After a brief silence, Runev said: "Comrade Commander, fortunately, it was the Wehrmacht that 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
Explained 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 commissioner made sense. If the SS 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 fell into the hands of the Wehrmacht,
At least there is still time for rescue. He quickly asked: "Comrade Military Commissar, 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, could it be that
Have you forgotten that not long ago, we used the corpse of the commander of the 6th Armored Division to recover many wounded soldiers from the enemy?"
"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?"
The plan of using the corpses of German soldiers to exchange for Asiya and others sounds like a good deal, but who should be sent to carry out this task? Sokov asked hesitantly: "Who do you think should be sent to fight with
Where are the Germans negotiating?”
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 to take responsibility.”
"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, grabbing the phone on the table and cranking 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 team. 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 if he did this, his future would be in doubt, and he might even be sent to a military court. At this moment
Hearing that the dead German corpses were exchanged for a few captured medical staff, he immediately felt more at ease and quickly replied: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will immediately contact the reconnaissance team and ask them to
They negotiated with the Germans."
"Very good." Sokov said into the phone: "As soon as the other party has a reply, let me know immediately."
Runev 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 to the west." Sokov said expressionlessly: "Once the German army does not accept our conditions, use rockets against the 19th Armored Division.
We will conduct a round of fire coverage in the division's defense area so that the Germans can 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." Samyko did not refute Sokov, but cautiously reminded him: "If too much is consumed at one time, it will not be possible in the future."
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 corps will launch an assault on the enemy's position." Soko
When the husband said this, he saw the surprised look on Samyko's face, so 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 destroyed."
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 before handing 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 had long known that there were people in his army who were arranged by his superiors to communicate through special communication channels.
Report what happens here to your superiors in a timely manner.
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 use the corpses of the German soldiers who died in the field hospital in exchange 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 Zhukov listened, he said to Vatutin
: "Comrade Vatutin, ask Misha, what is he going to 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 gritted his teeth on the phone and said: "Once the German army refuses to exchange hostages, I will order the infantry division to launch new rockets
bombs to cover the enemy's position with fire. Then, I will 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 an enemy armored division say that it could be defeated if it was defeated? He did not speak, but looked up.
I asked Zhukov and wanted 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 the decision made by Sokov was correct. After walking for an unknown period of time, he finally stopped, turned to Vasilevsky and said: "
Comrade Vasilevsky, I remember that the base camp sent two artillery divisions last night, heading towards the Prokhorovka area overnight. 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 itineraries, 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 the command of Sokov will have no combat missions in a short period of time. Isn't this a waste?"
"Waste?" Zhukov turned his head and glanced 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. "If there is assistance from the two artillery divisions, we can simply
Kokov's intention to seize the position of the German 19th Armored Division can be realized. In this way, the 81st Guards Division on his left wing and the tank troops commanded by Trufanov can be liberated from the current defensive state
, participated in the attack on the German army.
Look at the map. As long as the 19th Armored Division is eliminated or driven away, the enemies outside Prokhorovka will fall into the encirclement of our army. The enemies who have been completely cut off from supplies will persist in our encirclement.
Soon, in order to prevent another annihilation like Stalingrad, the enemy will have to stop attacking the city and consider how to break out of the encirclement of our army."
"Comrade Vatutin," after Zhukov explained his intention, he turned around and asked Vatutin who was holding the microphone: "Are you still talking to Misha?"
"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Vatutin replied hurriedly: "My call with General Sokov is not over yet."
"Comrade Vatutin, please tell Misha that we will send him two artillery divisions soon to strengthen his fire coverage on the enemy's positions before attacking."
"Understood, Comrade Marshal, I will tell him immediately." After Vatutin finished speaking, he said into the microphone: "General Sokov, have you heard it?" Marshal Zhukov is going to add two more artillery divisions to you.
, in order to increase your firepower against enemy positions, I wish your attack success in advance.