After getting in touch with the defenders on the front position, the troops set off again and successfully entered the 405th Regiment's defense area through the passage opened by the defenders.
After learning that Karelin had carried out the mission, he successfully completed the task of rescuing General Vlasov. When they entered the defense zone, not only the commander of the 405th Regiment, but also the commander of the 135th Division came to greet them.
However, when the division commander saw two generals wearing the rank of major general appearing in front of him, he couldn't help but be a little confused. Although he had heard of Vlasov's name, he had never seen each other. After all, they were not in the same army group.
. He took off the big-brimmed hat on his head, revealing his big, bare head. After scratching the back of his head, he asked with some embarrassment: "Comrade generals, I am Colonel Semyon, commander of the 135th Infantry Division. I don't know which of you
Which one is General Vlasov?”
From the expression on Colonel Semyon's face, Vlasov guessed that the other party must not recognize him, so he quickly took a few steps forward and said: "Comrade Colonel, I am Vlasov. Thank you for sending someone to meet me.
Only then can we successfully reach our army's defense area."
"Hello, Comrade General." Semyon quickly raised his hand and saluted Vlasov: "It is a task assigned to our division by our superiors to accept you. It is my honor to serve you."
After shaking hands with the other party, Vlasov began to introduce the people around him: "This is Colonel Del, my group army chief of staff; this is the group army's military commissar and regimental political commissar Comrade Nikolsky."
Seeing that Vlasov did not introduce another major general, Semyon felt quite strange. Isn't this general the deputy commander of the 37th Army?
The next moment, Vlasov introduced Potapov's identity to Semyon: "This is Major General Potapov, he is the commander of the 5th Army."
"What, you are Major General Potapov, the commander of the 5th Army?" Semyon had a shocked expression on his face after listening to Vlasov's report. Although the leaflets scattered on the position by the Germans were all used by political workers
The officers confiscated it in time, but generally
Just because the commanders and fighters couldn't see the content on the leaflets didn't mean that he, the division commander, couldn't see it. The news that all the original commanders of the Southwest Front were killed and the commander of the 5th Army, Major General Potapov, was captured, was all on those leaflets.
Write clearly.
At this moment, he saw the captured general on the German leaflet actually standing in front of him alive. It would be strange for him not to be shocked. After a long time, he lowered his voice and asked: "General Potapov, the German
The flyer says that you were captured by them, is this all a rumor?"
After Sokov rescued Potapov at the soap factory, he had a private chat with him. He knew very well that if Potapov admitted that he had been captured by the Germans, he would be punished by the relevant departments after returning to Moscow.
Severe scrutiny, up to and including jail time
Therefore, Sokov suggested to the other party that since the commanders and fighters who knew the news of his capture were either still in the German prisoner-of-war camp or died during the retreat, he might as well conceal the news.
Get up, this will be of great benefit to him.
At first, Potapov didn't take Sokov's proposal seriously. He felt that if he really concealed his capture, he would probably be punished more severely if he was found out in the future. But on the way to the defense zone, he passed by and Vlad
After Sov's private communication, the other party also persuaded him that since everyone who knew the truth about his capture was gone, he could completely conceal the matter to avoid being severely punished after returning.
At this moment, Potapov heard Colonel Semyon ask this, and he couldn't help but panic for a moment, but soon returned to normal: "Comrade Colonel, you should know that the German army will always fabricate stories in order to undermine the morale and morale of our army.
All kinds of rumors are used to confuse the public. If I am really captured, can I appear in front of you at this moment?"
When Colonel Semyon heard this, it seemed that this was really the case, so he did not dwell on the matter anymore. Instead, he asked Vlasov for instructions: "Comrade General, since you have come to our division's defense area, I don't know what you are going to do next."
What to do? Should we go to the group army headquarters or the front army headquarters?"
"Colonel, please take us to your division headquarters first." Vlasov said: "I want to speak to Marshal Timoshenko in person and follow his orders in everything."
The phone number of the 135th Division certainly could not be called directly to the front army headquarters. So Semyon first ordered the communications staff to connect the phone number of the group army headquarters and reported to the commander, Major General Podras: "Hello, comrade commander! I
It’s Colonel Semyon, commander of the 13th Infantry Division, and now my people have picked up General Vlasov.”
"Well done, Colonel Semyon." After learning that Vlasov had been rescued, Major General Podras was naturally overjoyed. The first task assigned to him by the front army headquarters was completed so smoothly. This is a good thing.
Omen: "We will reward the commanders and fighters who participated in this operation."
"Comrade Commander, I have one more important thing to report to you."
When Major General Podras heard what Colonel Semyon said, he immediately became alert. He asked solemnly: "Comrade Colonel, is there anything else important?"
"The rescuers I sent not only rescued the commander of the 37th Army, General Vlasov." Colonel Semyon reported: "In addition, the commander of the 5th Army, General Potapov, was also rescued.
"
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Major General Podras said loudly: "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible."
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Seeing that Podras didn't believe him, Colonel Semyon quickly explained: "I really didn't lie to you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Potapov stepped forward and took the microphone from his hand: "Comrade Colonel, it's better that I come and have a few words with General Podras."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Kuzma, it's me." Potapov said into the microphone: "I am Misha."
Hearing what Potapov said, Sokov thought to himself, did Potapov and General Podras know each other?
Podras on the other end of the phone heard Potapov's voice and asked in surprise: "Are you Mikhail Ivanovich?"
"Yes, Kuzma Petrovich, it's me." Hearing the other party calling him his birth name and father's name, Potapov responded politely: "I jumped out of the German encirclement and came here.
In your defense zone."
"Didn't the German leaflet say that you were captured by them?"
"These are all rumors deliberately fabricated by the Germans in order to undermine the morale of our army."
"Yeah, I think so." Podras felt that Potapov was his old friend and would definitely not be able to deceive him about this kind of thing, so he also regarded the contents of the German leaflets as rumors fabricated by the enemy.
, he asked with concern: "Misha, what are your plans next?"
"I don't know either." Potapov asked, "Have you received any tasks related to me?"
Podras naturally understood what his old comrade-in-arms meant, and quickly replied: "I'm sorry, Misha, no."
"What about General Vlasov?" Potapov turned and glanced at Vlasov sitting next to him: "After completing the response, how do you plan to arrange for him?"
"According to Marshal Timoshenko's order, after receiving General Vlasov, we need to report to him immediately. How to place General Vlasov, everything must follow Marshal Timoshenko's order."
"I understand." Potapov said: "I plan to advance and retreat together with General Vlasov. Wherever he goes, I will go."
"I am four or five kilometers away from the headquarters of the 135th Infantry Division, and the front headquarters is thirty kilometers away from me." Podras said: "I will decide how to arrange it after I ask Marshal Timoshenko for instructions.
you."
After hanging up the phone, Potapov said to Vlasov: "General Vlasov, I just called Podras. He said to get in touch with the front army headquarters immediately to see Marshal Timoshenko.
How do you plan to place us?"
"General Potapov, do you plan to stay in the Southwestern Front, or return to Moscow and let your superiors assign you a new position?"
"I think it may be more appropriate to return to Moscow and ask my superiors to reassign me my duties." Potapov said with a complicated expression: "In the recent battle of Kiev, the entire army under my command was basically wiped out. Even if
If I stay in the Southwest Front, I'm afraid I won't have any troops to command."
"Your idea is not wrong." Vlasov agreed with Potapov's statement: "Not only do you want to return to Moscow, I also want to return to Moscow. You know, my 37th Army will soon return to Moscow.
Before that, it was basically exhausted. If it weren’t for Captain Sokov, I would have either died in Kiev or become a prisoner of the Germans.”
Hearing Vlasov mention Sokov, Potapov suddenly had an idea in his mind: "General Vlasov, if my superiors appoint me as the new commander of the group army, I wonder if you can give up my love and give Sokov
Captain Cove gave it to me. I want him to join the army below and become a battalion commander."
Unexpectedly, as soon as Potapov's proposal came out, he was opposed by Vlasov: "No, no, General Potapov. Captain Sokov is my most capable subordinate, and I can use it very easily.
How can I give it to you casually?"
Hearing what Vlasov said, Colonel Del next to him also echoed: "Yes, General Potapov. Captain Sokov is responsible for protecting the safety of our headquarters. If he is given to you, I am afraid that in a short time
We are unable to find a suitable candidate to take over his position."
Seeing that Vlasov did not agree with his proposal, Potapov was not discouraged. He planned to find a suitable time to have a private chat with Sokov. As long as the other party did not object, then he would have a way to poach him.
Ten minutes later, the phone in the division headquarters rang.
Colonel Semyon picked up the phone: "I am the division commander, Colonel Semyon. Who are you?"
"I am Podras." Podras's voice came from the receiver: "Are the two generals Vlasov and Potapov still at your division headquarters?"
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Semyon glanced at Vlasov and Potapov who were sitting not far away, and asked respectfully: "Do I need them to answer the phone?"
"There is no need." Podras said: "I have sent a car to your division headquarters. Once the car arrives, I will let them take the car to the front army headquarters. By the way, in addition to the two of them, there are also others accompanying
Who are they?"
"In addition to the two generals Vlasov and Potapov, there are also Colonel Del, Chief of Staff of the 37th Group Army, Military Commissar, and Comrade Nikolsky, the regimental political commissar." Semyon replied respectfully: "In addition,
In addition, there is a small force of nearly a hundred people, commanded by a captain named Sokov."
"I understand." Podras said: "Two jeeps will pass by in a moment, and each of the two generals will take one. As for the accompanying soldiers, you will arrange a few trucks for them. Remember?
?”
"Remember, Comrade Commander."
Not long after waiting, two jeeps sent by Podras arrived.
Colonel Semyon arranged for Vlasov, Colonel Der and Nikolsky to board one of the jeeps, and arranged for Potapov to board another jeep. Four trucks were also arranged to transport the accompanying commanders and soldiers.
Just as the convoy was about to set off, Potapov came out of his car and said to Sokov, who was directing the soldiers to board the car: "Captain Sokov, come with me in my car later. I will
I want to have a good talk with you."
Sokov guessed that Potapov must have something important to tell him, so after all the soldiers boarded the car, he got into Potapov's car.
"Comrade General, what do you want from me?"
"Captain Sokov, I want to ask you." Potapov smiled and asked Sokov: "How long have you been following General Vlasov?"
"It's been more than a month."
"More than a month." Potapov then asked: "Before this, whose subordinate were you?"
Sokov scratched the back of his head and continued: "Before this, I joined a small unit that was broken up. That unit retreated from the Uman area. As for the unit's number, I forgot to ask.
"
"Where is that force now?"
"In August, we followed General Vlasov who went to Moscow to report on his duties. After arriving in Nizhin, we cut off contact with them." Sokov shook his head and said: "I don't know where they are now.
clear."
Hearing Sokov mention the Battle of Uman, Potapov pinched his chin and said: "In the Battle of Uman, the troops of our army participating in the battle were the 6th, 12th and 18th Group Armies; and the troops of the German army that participated in the battle were
The 1st Tank Group and the 6th Army were besieged troops, but very few escaped from the encirclement in the end. You are lucky."
"Yes, only lucky people can escape from the German encirclement."
"Captain Sokov, I asked you to come to my car because I actually have something to discuss with you."
"Please tell me, Comrade General."
"If I really return to Moscow, maybe my superiors will appoint me as the commander of one of my troops." Potapov looked at Sokov and asked: "Now I lack talented commanders. I wonder if you can
Are you willing to follow me?"
Hearing Potapov's suggestion, Sokov couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. The last time he traveled through time, he rescued Potapov from the prisoner of war camp and helped him restore his military status, making him a
He killed his subordinates. But now, his former subordinates want to become his superiors. This is obviously something he cannot agree to.
So he said euphemistically: "General Potapov, thank you for your trust in me. But I am now a subordinate of General Vlasov and have no plans to go to other troops for the time being. I can only refuse your kindness."