Oleg Rezanov was a second lieutenant in the Soviet Air Force. The fighter plane he was piloting was unfortunately shot down by a German fighter plane during the Kuban air battle. When he parachuted to land, he was besieged by a group of German troops. After a fierce battle,
Wounded and captured.
Because he was a pilot, the Germans did not shoot him in order to obtain useful intelligence, but sent him to the hospital for treatment. After he recovered from his injuries, he was imprisoned in a concentration camp near a field airport, where he lived with a large group of prisoners of war every day.
Repair the airport's runway.
When he discovered that a German heavy bomber was parked in a temporary hangar at the airport, he had the idea of escape. Since he was unable to support himself on a tree, it was difficult for him to fly the plane to take off without being discovered by the Germans. Therefore, he relied on his own strength.
He contacted several other prisoners of war in the prisoner of war camp to look for opportunities to escape from the prisoner of war camp.
They finally got the chance today. After killing the two German sentries guarding the hangar, they seized their guns, climbed aboard the heavy bomber, refueled and took off in a hurry.
Because Oleg Rezanov was not proficient in operating German bombers, two consecutive takeoffs ended in failure, which attracted the attention of the Germans. When the German troops rushed from all directions, trying to prevent them from taking off, the third
After trying to take off for the first time, he finally succeeded.
Although the Germans dispatched fighter jets to pursue them and tried to shoot them down, the bomber piloted by Oleg Rezanov quickly entered the Soviet anti-aircraft fire area. The pursuing German fighter jets were afraid of being shot down, so they could only turn around and fly.
Returned to his field airport.
After Oleg Rezanov's bomber was intercepted by Soviet artillery fire, it changed its direction in time and successfully landed in the defense area of the 116th Division of the 53rd Group Army. Shortly after landing, everyone struggled to get out of the cockpit.
He climbed out, but was captured by a group of Soviet troops who came after hearing the news.
When they were escorted to the headquarters for review, Oleg Rezanov felt extremely conflicted. He didn't know whether he was right or wrong in flying a plane to escape from the German prisoner-of-war camp. So what he saw
The friendly forces did not show any friendly attitude toward themselves. On the contrary, they treated themselves as enemies.
When he was interrogated by Managarov and heard that he and others would be shot as German spies, he fell into despair. Seeing Sokov appear, a glimmer of hope ignited in his heart, but he could wait
When he saw Sokov's military rank clearly, his heart suddenly went cold. There were two lieutenant generals present. Can what you said as a major general count?
But what happened next was far beyond his expectation. Not only did the other two lieutenant generals have no objection to Sokov's words, one of them even offered to screen Rezanov. In this way,
Rezanov and others saw hope of survival.
However, among the other five prisoners of war, some still questioned what was happening in front of them. When could the major general actually command the lieutenant general? Moreover, in the face of the order issued by the major general, the two lieutenant generals not only did not object, but were even willing to actively cooperate.
This really subverts their cognition.
Sokov guessed the worries in their hearts from the expressions of everyone, so he stepped forward and said: "Comrades, screening you is a necessary procedure. If it is confirmed that you have no problems, you can be screened first
Send them to the hospital for treatment, and when you are discharged, we will arrange work for you based on your abilities."
A middle-aged prisoner of war looked at Sokov and asked: "Comrade General, can you keep what you say?"
"I am Major General Sokov, commander of the 27th Group Army. Currently, the troops on both sides of the Dnieper River are under my command." Sokov said seriously: "As long as I say it, it will definitely count."
As soon as Sokov revealed his identity, the six prisoners of war, including Rezanov, were stunned. They never dreamed that the young general in front of them would frighten the German army.
Sokov.
After a while, Rezanov said tremblingly: "Is this the General Sokov who annihilated the Skeleton Division, the Imperial Division, and severely damaged the Flag Guard Division?"
"Yes, Comrade Pilot." Lunev rushed to reply: "The young general you see is none other than Major General Sokov, who made the Germans talk about it."
After confirming Sokov's identity, the six people who had originally raised their hearts in their throats and thought that they were going to die soon suddenly became energetic and eagerly hoped that Runev could quickly screen them.
, so that he can clear his name.
After Lunev arranged for the six Rezanovs to be sent away, Derevyanko cautiously asked Sokov: "General Sokov, you really trust them so much and don't worry about them being instigated by the Germans to rebel."
, a spy trying to break into our army?"
"General Derevyanko," faced Derevyanko's questioning, Sokov reminded him: "Have you seen the images of the six of them? They all look malnourished and skinny. What do you think?
Will the Germans spend their energy in instigating such people to rebel? Maybe after instigating rebellion, these people will all die of malnutrition.”
After hearing Sokov's words, Derevyanko didn't know how to reply for a while and could only remain silent.
Seeing that Derevyanko was silent, Sokov turned around and ordered Lunev: "Comrade Military Commissar, after the screening and review of the six of them, remember to send the pilot to General Goryunov."
"Send it to General Goryunov?" Lunev asked in surprise: "Why?"
"Because he knows where the German field airports are," Sokov said with a smile: "He can guide our air force to bomb the enemy's field airports, thereby weakening the German air power."
"Comrade Commander," although Lunev had just cooperated with Sokov's work, he was still a little worried: "Will he willingly take our planes to bomb the enemy's airport?"
"I think there should be no problem." Sokov said confidently: "I saw the overwhelming hatred for the Germans in his eyes. As long as there is an opportunity to take revenge, I don't think he will let go of this opportunity.
of."
"General Sokov," Managarov, who had been silent for a long time, finally couldn't help but speak: "Do you really think that these six people escaped from a German prisoner-of-war camp that was closely guarded?"
Facing Managarov's question, Sokov nodded vigorously. He remembered that in real history, a pilot named Mikhail Dvitayev flew a pilot with about ten prisoners of war.
A heavy bomber escaped from the German missile launch base and guided the Soviet Air Force to bomb the German base. But regrettably, these dozen prisoners of war who had gone through hardships to escape from the enemy prisoner-of-war camp, although they were
The Soviet army provided important intelligence, but was still executed as a German spy. This cannot but be said to be a regrettable thing.
The reason why Sokov chose to believe Rezanov, apart from the fact that they were all skinny and malnourished and did not meet the criteria for being instigated by the German army, was because he thought of the tragedy of Mikhail Dvitayev
.
"Yes, Comrade General." Sokov said to Managarov in a positive tone: "According to my intuition, all six of them are trustworthy people."
"By the way, what's the situation of that plane?" Sokov thought of another important question and asked quickly: "Did it crash during the emergency landing?"
Managarov never thought of asking about the plane when he came here, so he seemed a little confused when he heard Sokov's question. He could only turn his head and look at the 116th Division Commander Stilitz: "Comrade Colonel, please
Report the situation of the plane to General Sokov."
After hearing Managarov's instructions, Stilitz quickly stepped forward, straightened his body and reported to Sokov: "Report to Comrade General, after our people arrived at the emergency landing site, they found the plane's
The landing gear was broken and there were more than 40 bullet holes in the fuselage, which must have been strafed by pursuing enemy planes."
When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help frowning and asked Stilitz in a reproachful tone: "Comrade Colonel, why didn't you report such important information to General Managarov just now?"
Stilitz's face suddenly turned red. In fact, he wanted to report the matter to Managarov just now, but the other party was in a hurry to interrogate the six prisoners of war and had no time to listen to his report. At this moment, Sokov asked about this
At this time, Stilitz definitely could not pass the responsibility to Managarov, but could only shoulder it himself: "I'm sorry, General Sokov, it was my negligence. I am willing to accept any punishment from you."
If Stilitz was a subordinate of the 27th Army, maybe Sokov would criticize him in public. But he is a subordinate of Managarov. It depends on the owner to beat a dog. He did it in front of everyone.
Where did Managarov put his face when criticizing Stilitz? So he could only say lightly: "Comrade Colonel, forget it this time, don't make similar mistakes next time."
Seeing that Sokov did not blame himself, Stilitz couldn't help feeling ecstatic and said repeatedly: "I understand, General Sokov. I promise you that I will not make similar mistakes again in the future."
"What to do with the plane?" Derevyanko asked.
"Let's find a way to transport it back to Moscow." After Sokov said this, he thought that the bomber crashed in the defense area of the 53rd Army. If his own people came forward, it would be suspected of overstepping his authority, so he took the initiative to attack Managa.
Rove said: "Comrade General, let your troops complete this matter."
Capturing a basically complete German heavy bomber was no small feat. When Managarov heard Sokov say that he was going to send the plane to Moscow, his heart could not help but rise in his throat. He knew very well.
, his troops are now under the command of Sokov. If the other party wants to take the credit for this, he has nothing to do with him. But he never dreamed that Sokov would be so generous and actually let him arrange the manpower to send the bombers.
Return to Moscow.
Managarov quickly replied: "Okay, General Sokov, I will arrange manpower as soon as possible to transport this German heavy bomber back to Moscow."
After arranging everything, Sokov said to Managarov: "Comrade General, I still have something to do and need to rush back to the headquarters as soon as possible. I will leave the aftermath here to you."
"No problem," Managarov said magnanimously: "General Sokov, go ahead and do your work. Leave the things here to me. I will never let you down."
On the way Sokov and Lunev returned to the headquarters by car, Lunev asked: "Comrade Commander, since the 53rd Army is under your command, isn't it the same who sends the bombers to Moscow?
"
From Lunev's words, Sokov heard that the other party wanted to take credit, so he smiled and said to him: "Comrade Military Commissar, although sending the captured bomber to Moscow is a great achievement. But this one
After all, the bomber made an emergency landing in the defense zone of the 116th Division. Even though the 53rd Army was temporarily placed under our command, it was actually an independent fighting force. Even if I gave them a combat order, the other party's commander would execute it.
It will all be greatly discounted.”
Lunev did not refute Sokov's statement. He knew very well that Managarov surpassed Sokov in terms of seniority and military rank. Although Konev ordered the 53rd Army to return
Sokov commanded, but Managarov and others were definitely unconvinced and had some resistance. This can be seen from the fact that Derevyanko often contradicted Sokov.
"What a pity." Lunev said with regret: "If we sent the bombers to Moscow, it would be a great achievement, but now we have to take advantage of the 53rd Army."
Sokov was very open-minded about this kind of thing. After listening to Lunev's complaints, he smiled and said: "Comrade Military Commissar, although we gave this credit to the 53rd Army, in this way, we have lost
The relationship between our two armies has become easier. If there is another opportunity for joint operations in the future, the other party will definitely return the favor to us."
"By the way, Comrade Commander, this matter is of great importance. I think we should report it to our superiors." Lunev thought of a key question and quickly reminded Sokov: "Look, should you report it or should I report it?"
After hearing the question raised by Lunev, Sokov thought about it in his mind. If Lunev reported to his superiors, it would definitely be through Beria's line, which he didn't like. After weighing it again, he said: "
Comrade Military Commissar, I think it’s better for me to report to Commander Konev personally.”
"Report to Commander Konev?" Lunev couldn't help but be stunned when he heard what Sokov said, and then asked: "Why don't you report such a major matter to Marshal Zhukov?"
"Comrade Military Commissar," Sokov said with a smile: "In any case, our army group is affiliated with the Steppe Front Army. When it comes to matters in the army, we should first report to Commander Konev. After getting his approval
With permission, it will not be too late to report to Marshal Zhukov."