Sokov felt very embarrassed about the task assigned to him by Rokossovsky. Persuading him to surrender is easy to say, but it is another matter to do it. The Germans are not at the end of their rope yet, let alone Sokov.
, even if Rokossovsky personally takes action, it will not work.
But an order is an order. Since Rokossovsky has handed over the task, Sokov could only bite the bullet and agree. As soon as he returned to Mamayev Heights, he called several of his deputies in front of him.
After repeating Rokossovsky's order, he asked: "Tell me, how can we persuade the Germans to surrender?"
"Comrade division commander, before I answer your question, I would like to ask." Sidorin asked cautiously: "How many troops and equipment have the superiors added to the city?"
"In terms of military strength, a fortification area force has been supplemented. This force is composed of a command organization and some small units with powerful firearms." Sokov replied: "But the equipment, unfortunately, is still exactly the same as before."
"Only one troop was added to the fortification area?" Seeing Sokov nodding to confirm his question, Sidorin showed a puzzled expression on his face: "In other words, the superiors only added a few thousand troops to the city. At best,
We can only fill the vacancies of those troops who have been transferred, but in terms of the comparison of the enemy's troops and equipment inside and outside the city, our army is still at an absolute disadvantage. Comrade division commander, under such circumstances, it is tantamount to a fantasy to persuade the enemy to surrender."
"The chief of staff is right." In order to make everyone aware of the seriousness of the problem, Sokov did not go around in circles, but said bluntly: "Even if we send people to persuade us to surrender, the Germans will not pay attention to us. On the contrary,
Comrades who go to perform this task will encounter danger."
"Comrade Commander," Anisimov said anxiously when he learned that those who went to persuade people to surrender would be in danger: "Since I know that persuading surrender is ineffective and the comrades who go there are also in danger, I think it is better to give up this futile attempt.
Take action."
"No." Sokov shook his head and said, "Even if we know that persuading surrender will not have any effect, the comrades who go to persuade them to surrender will be in danger, and we must still try."
"Why is this, comrade division commander?" Anisimov asked puzzledly: "Knowing that it will have no effect and the comrades trying to persuade them to surrender will be in danger, why take the risk?"
"It's only a matter of time to eliminate the besieged German troops." Sokov explained to the three of them: "The reason why we sent people to persuade them to surrender this time is to let the besieged German troops understand that they have been surrounded by us.
, resistance is meaningless and completely shatters their illusion of being rescued. This will be very helpful for our next battle."
After Sokov finished, everyone understood the importance of persuading surrender this time. Ivanov was the first to ask: "Comrade division commander, I don't know who you plan to send to carry out the task of persuading surrender? The person who goes there is too low-ranking.
No, the enemy will think we are teasing them, and may kill the comrades we send; it is not good to have a position that is too high, because if the enemy turns against us, we will sacrifice an excellent commander."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin looked at Sokov and asked, "Do you have a suitable candidate?"
"I think, let Lieutenant Samoilov go." Ivanov pondered for a moment, and answered before Sokov: "In any case, he is from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and he is responsible for persuading surrender.
, it couldn’t be more appropriate.”
"No, his military rank is too low." Sokov intervened in time: "I think it is better for Captain Guchakov to perform this task. He had been a prisoner of the Germans before and was eaten in a prisoner of war camp.
I have gone through a lot of troubles, and I feel that if I leave it to him, he will be happy to complete such a proud thing."
Regarding the candidates proposed by Sokov, Sidorin and Ivanov discussed in a low voice for a few words, and then they all nodded in agreement with Sokov: "Okay, comrade division commander, let Captain Guchakov do it."
This mission. In addition, which translator do you plan to send? Also, where should we go to persuade the Germans to surrender?"
"The new front commander will send someone to deliver a surrender letter later. Captain Guchakov's task is to find a way to get the Germans who come into contact to transfer the surrender letter to Paulus." Sokov said.
After thinking about the candidate for the translator, he said: "As for the translator, I think I will let Corporal Ernst do it. Now, Comrade Chief of Staff, please call Captain Guchakov first and ask him to come to the division.
Come and accept the mission."
After receiving the notice, Guchakov rushed over in only half an hour. On a cold day, when he walked into the division headquarters and took off his hat, Sokov saw sweat on his forehead.
After Guchakov raised his hand to salute several division leaders, he respectfully asked: "Captain Guchakov, commander of the ninth company of the third battalion, has been ordered to come. Please give me instructions!"
"Comrade Captain, please come here." Sokov waved to him, called him to the wall, pointed to the map hanging on the wall and said to him: "We are about to launch a new offensive against the German army. Before the offensive begins,
, there is an arduous and glorious task for you to complete."
Since his last sneak attack on the enemy's rear, Guchakov achieved great results and was promoted to captain. Guchakov has become keen on performing various arduous tasks. Although the tasks are very dangerous, they are easy to establish meritorious deeds, so he
He said to Sokov respectfully: "Comrade Commander, please give me the order. I promise you that I will resolutely complete the tasks you assigned me."
"It's like this. Due to the powerful offensive of our army, Manstein's army group was defeated. The invaders were driven by our army to Kharkov, Lugansk and Rostov-on-Don. They were surrounded by the enemy.
The morale of the army began to decline. Not only the soldiers and officers, but also the generals no longer believed that they could break out." Sokov said to Guchakov: "At this time, we have to take some special measures.
This made the German officers and soldiers even more disorganized and demoralized."
This was the first time Guchakov heard the definite victory news from Sokov. His face turned red with excitement, and he asked anxiously: "Comrade Division Commander, I wonder what special measures you plan to take?"
"You take Corporal Ernst and drive to the German position." Sokov said with a smile: "You find a way to deliver the surrender letter handwritten by Comrade Commander of the Front Army into the hands of Paulus.
"
"Hand the surrender letter into the hands of Paulus?" Hearing the task assigned by Sokov, Guchakov showed a troubled expression on his face: "Comrade division commander, I'm worried that we haven't even approached the enemy's position yet.
You'll be shot at by the Germans."
"Don't worry, Captain Guchakov." Sokov comforted him and said: "Before you go to the German positions, we will release a few prisoners in advance and let them go back to report to the enemy that someone from us has gone to negotiate. Wait for the enemy
Once notified, you and Ernst can take the jeep and head to the enemy's position."