Early the next morning, Sokov was awakened by a knock on the door. When he opened the door, he saw a Soviet major standing outside.
Seeing Sokov appear at the door, the major saluted him and then said: "Comrade General, the Marshal invites you to have breakfast in the restaurant on the first floor."
"Okay, Comrade Major." Sokov nodded to the other party and said politely: "I'll wash up and go over."
The major nodded, saluted, turned and left, returning to Rokossovsky.
A quarter of an hour later, Sokov appeared at the door of the restaurant.
There were many people in the restaurant. Just as he was looking around to find Rokossovsky, the major appeared in front of him again: "General Sokov, please come with me. Comrade Marshal is waiting for you."
It’s been a while.”
Under the guidance of the major, Sokov found Rokossovsky sitting in the corner. At the same table with him were the Chief of Staff of the Front Army Bogolyubov and the Military Commissar Subotin. Soko
The husband quickly raised his hand to salute the three of them, and then reported according to the order: "Comrade Marshal..."
Unexpectedly, as soon as he opened his mouth, Rokossovsky raised his hand and interrupted: "Okay, Misha, we are all our own people here, there is no need to be so polite, please sit down quickly."
Shortly after Sokov sat down, a restaurant waiter brought him a breakfast. After the other party placed the food and tableware in front of him, Sokov expressed his gratitude to the other party in English. Unexpectedly, the other party used
Sokov replied in a language he didn't understand.
Seeing Sokov's confused look, Rokossovsky smiled and explained to him: "Misha, you may not know that the waiters in this restaurant are all German. When they communicated with us
The language used is of course German.”
"Oh, so that's it." Sokov nodded, and then said with some embarrassment: "It seems that I am at a disadvantage because I don't understand German."
"Misha, after breakfast later, you can go back with Lunev and Sidorin first." Rokossovsky said: "I and several other group army commanders will probably have to stay for a day or two.
Let’s discuss some important matters with Montgomery in a few days.”
Sokov, who had long wanted to return to the defense area, heard what Rokossovsky said and quickly replied: "Okay, Comrade Marshal, we will return to the defense area as soon as possible after breakfast."
After breakfast, Sokov went directly to the room where Sidorin and Lunev lived to find the two of them. Unexpectedly, after going there, he found Lunev lying on the bed, and besides Sidorin, there was also a man standing next to him.
A British Army doctor and an interpreter.
"What's going on?" Seeing this, Sokov quickly asked: "What's wrong with Comrade Military Commissar?"
"I don't know why, but I suddenly developed abdominal pain and diarrhea. I specially called a British military doctor and asked him to diagnose and treat Comrade Military Commissar."
Sokov walked to the bed and asked Lunev who was lying on the bed: "Comrade Military Commissar, what's wrong with you? Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
"The pain in my abdomen is severe." Lunev replied with a wry smile: "I guess it's because I drank too much last night."
"Military doctor," Sokov turned to ask the British military doctor: "What happened to my friend?"
"Mr. General," although Sokov was young, the three gold stars on his shoulder straps allowed the British military doctors to maintain due respect for him: "Your friend had an appendix operation some time ago, and he overdosed last night.
Drinking too much alcohol can cause congestion and swelling in the intestines, which can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea."
"Then how should we treat it?" Sokov asked rhetorically.
"You need to inject several bottles of anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate the inflammation in his body." The military doctor replied: "If everything goes well, he will be back to normal by this time tomorrow."
After expressing his gratitude to the military doctor, Sokov said to Lunev and Sidorin: "I came here to ask you to return to the defense area, but I didn't expect that Comrade Military Commissar became seriously ill. I think so, the Chief of Staff stayed to take care of him.
He and I will return to the defense area alone to avoid having no one to command the troops."
Both Sidorin and Lunev agreed with Sokov's proposal. Lunev said: "Okay, Misha, you go back first. Although the war is over now, security cannot be relaxed.
, I think Koshkin will escort you back."
Sokov did not shirk. After all, it was dozens of kilometers from here to his headquarters. If there was no reliable person to escort him, something could easily happen. After he left Lunev's room, he went directly to Rokossovs.
Ji, told him about Lunev's situation, and finally said: "Comrade Marshal, it seems that my military commissar and chief of staff will stay here for two days, so I would like you to help take care of them."
"That's no problem." Rokossovsky said: "In any case, this is the British defense area. Even if we all leave, the safety of Luniev and Sidorin can be guaranteed, so you can rest assured.
Bar."
After explaining the matter of Luniev and Sidorin to Rokossovsky, Sokov went to the parking lot outside and found his car. Koshkin and the driver were already waiting in the car.
Seeing Sokov walking out of the hotel alone, Koshkin quickly came up to him and asked curiously: "Comrade Commander, why are you alone? Where did the Military Commissar and Chief of Staff go?"
"Comrade Military Commissar drank too much last night and became seriously ill. The chief of staff stayed to take care of them." Sokov said to Koshkin: "Now there is no one in the army to take charge. I have to rush back to the headquarters as soon as possible. You can do whatever you want."
I'll go back together."
After Koshkin heard what Sokov said, he did not ask any more questions about Runev and Sidorin, but took the initiative to open the rear door and respectfully asked Sokov to get in the car.
After Sokov and Koshkin got in the car, the vehicle started. In the jeep following them, in addition to the driver, there were four guards, all responsible for protecting Sokov's safety.
When two jeeps arrived near a small town, the military police suddenly appeared and blocked the vehicle's path.
"What are you doing?!" Seeing that his car was blocked by the military police, Koshkin shouted angrily: "Don't you know that we are guests invited by Marshal Montgomery?"
"Koshkin, don't argue with them!" Sokov recognized at a glance that the white helmets and black armbands worn by these gendarmes had two white letters "MP" on them, indicating that they were not British, but
American soldiers. If you tell them about Patton, they may give you a smile; in front of them, if you say that Field Marshal Montgomery is looked down upon by them, I'm afraid they will ignore you. In addition, there are many people standing on the roadside in front of them.
There were many American soldiers with live ammunition. Sokovt felt that they might be carrying out some order, so he specifically reminded Koshkin: "They are American military police. What mission they may have to perform here, let's take a look first."
Seeing that Sokov was unwilling to meet these arrogant military policemen, Koshkin didn't know what to say. He could only sit in the car and stare at the two American military policemen, trying to figure out what they were selling in their gourds.
medicine.
After a while, a huge team appeared on the other side of the road, walking towards the location of the jeep.
With his sharp eyes, Sokov immediately recognized the group of disarmed German soldiers. They were carrying bundles and luggage and walking in a not-so-disorganized line on the right side of the road. They seemed to be preparing to go to the prisoners of war prepared for them by the Americans.
camp.
Soon, another barrel truck came from behind. There was a German general sitting in the back seat of the truck. The major officer sitting in the passenger seat should be his adjutant.
When the barrel truck came to the front of the prisoner team, it stopped. The German major sitting in the passenger seat greeted an American captain standing on the roadside. Because they were too far apart, Sokov couldn't hear them clearly.
Whether to converse in German or English.
At the beginning, the tone of the two people's conversation was a bit businesslike. Soon, Sokov saw the U.S. captain leaning against the barrel truck, reached out to take the cigarette handed by the German major, and took the initiative to take out the cigarette.
He took out a lighter and lit cigarettes for the other party and himself.
"Comrade Commander, you saw it." Koshkin turned to Sokov and said angrily: "The Americans and the Germans are talking like two old friends."
"I saw it." Sokov felt very uncomfortable when he saw this situation. It was obvious that this was another German army that refused to surrender to the Soviet army. They appeared here and should be preparing to surrender to the US military.
Otherwise, how could there be American troops in the British defense zone?
When the German soldiers marching on foot passed by the barrel truck, most of them just glanced at the general in the car, but some people stopped and saluted the general. But the German general sitting in the barrel truck was
He stared ahead expressionlessly, completely ignoring the subordinates who saluted him.
At this time, two jeeps passed by Sokov, and a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel was sitting in one of them. When the vehicle passed by Sokov, he instinctively glanced at it, waiting to see clearly who was sitting in the car.
After seeing the Soviet general, he couldn't help showing an expression of disgust on his face.
The American captain who was chatting with the German major next to the barrel truck saw his superior officer coming in the car. He quickly threw away the unfinished cigarette butt in his hand and then raised his hand to his forehead in salute.
The jeep in which the U.S. Lieutenant Colonel was riding came to a stop next to the barrel truck. The German Major, who was still sitting in the car, quickly opened the door and got out of the car. He came to the jeep and raised his hand to salute the U.S. Lieutenant Colonel, while sitting in the back row
The German general, who had not moved, slowly stood up and got out of the car, nodding to the American lieutenant colonel.
When Sokov saw this, he realized that this new American lieutenant colonel should be here to receive the surrendered German troops. He was wondering whether he should wait for the German prisoners to pass before rushing on, or take a detour.
Before he could make a final decision, he saw the American captain walking towards his position. He said to Koshkin: "Koshkin, let's go meet the ally's officers and take a look.
When will he be ready to let us pass?"
When Sokov got out of the car, the U.S. Army captain happened to walk up to him. After he saw clearly the gold star on Sokov's shoulder patch, he asked in a panic: "Which of you knows English?"
"Captain, I understand English." Sokov said, "I want to ask when you plan to let us pass."
"I'm really sorry, Mr. General." The American captain said apologetically: "Our regiment was ordered to accept the surrender of a German infantry division here. I'm afraid it will take some time. If it has caused you any inconvenience, please forgive me.
"
"Who is in charge here?" Sokov nuzzled at the U.S. Army lieutenant colonel standing next to the barrel truck and asked, "Is it the lieutenant colonel?"
"Yes, Mr. General." The American captain said in a panic: "That's our regimental commander."
"I'm going to see your regiment leader and ask him when we can be allowed to pass!" After Sokov said, he strode towards the direction of the barrel truck, while Koshkin and several guards
Members followed closely behind.
"Lieutenant Colonel," Sokov came to the front of the US Army Lieutenant Colonel and asked politely: "I was about to return to my defense area, but your people blocked the way. I want to ask, when can we leave here?
"
Hearing Sokov talking to him in proficient English, the US Army Lieutenant Colonel was stunned for a moment, and then said arrogantly: "I'm sorry, Mr. General, our troops are receiving the surrendered troops of the German army. When can we pass through?"
I can’t give you an accurate answer.”
The German general standing next to the barrel truck had a look of astonishment on his face after seeing Sokov's face clearly, and then he whispered a few words into his adjutant's ear.
After listening to the general's words, the German major looked at Sokov again with a look of horror in his eyes. Then he came to Sokov and asked respectfully in English: "Mr. General, what should I do?
Call you?"
"I am General Sokov, commander of the 48th Army of the Soviet Second Belorussian Front."
The German major quickly translated what Sokov said to the general. After listening to his adjutant's translation, the German general walked in front of Sokov, stood at attention, raised his hand and saluted with a solemn military salute, and said with friendly words
He said a lot of words in a tone of voice. After the German major translated, Sokov understood what the other party was saying: "General Sokov, as your defeated general, it is my honor to meet you here this year. Please
You accept my respect for you!"
After hearing this, Sokov asked in confusion: "Your Excellency, General, have you been to the Soviet Union?"
"Yes, General Sokov." The German general said respectfully: "My unit once fought with you in Kursk. Before that, we always maintained an undefeated record, but who knew this record?
But it was broken by you."
Sokov was not interested in knowing the number of the opponent's troops. After all, the opponent was surrendering to the US military, not to himself. He said jokingly: "General, if your troops surrender to me, maybe I can let you enjoy the prisoners of war."
The treatment you deserve. Since you have chosen to surrender to the US military, I wish you good luck!"
The reason Sokov said this was because there were millions of German troops who surrendered to the British and American troops, and millions of people later died in the Rhineland camp established by the British and American troops. He did not know that this German general led his troops
After surrendering to the US military, how many of them could leave the prison camp alive?
When the German general heard what Sokov said, he smiled bitterly and said: "General Sokov, this is really a pity. If I had known that your troops were nearby, maybe I would have ordered them to surrender to you. But now we have
If you decide to surrender to the Allies, you can only hand over your weapons to them."