After listening to Sokov's powerful explanation, Chuikov began to think deeply. Krylov next to him also heard Sokov's report, and whispered to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, I think Colonel Sokov
The analysis still makes sense. In any case, the terrain of the factory area is flat. If the attacking side has a large number of mechanized troops, it will be easy to break through the opponent's defense. Therefore, Paulus built the new headquarters in the factory area.
The possibility, I think, is very slim.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you and I know very well." Chuikov looked up at Krylov and said: "German soldiers are very brave, but their officers are very timid. Our divisional command post is closest to the front
The distance between them is only 300 meters, and the German division headquarters is usually no less than 30 kilometers away from the front line. Not only is their headquarters far away from the front line, but it is also heavily guarded. I am worried that just a light regiment can break through the German commander.
The defense of the Ministry is probably not an easy task."
Having said this, Chuikov released his hand covering the microphone and asked Sokov: "Colonel Sokov, are you really sure that you can break through the defense of the German headquarters with a regiment of troops?"
"Comrade Commander," hearing Chuikov's question, Sokov laughed twice and said, "If one regiment is not enough, I can send another regiment for reinforcements. As long as Paulus's headquarters is captured,
Even if the entire division is filled in, I think it’s still very cost-effective.”
When Krylov heard this, he once again approached Chuikov's ear and said to him: "Comrade Commander, I think what Colonel Sokov said is very reasonable. As long as Paulus's headquarters can be eliminated, it will count as the loss of a division.
, is also acceptable. Besides, this is only the worst possibility. Maybe by the time we find the Paulus headquarters, friendly forces from other directions will have already joined us, and more troops can be mobilized to besiege the German army.
’s headquarters.”
"That makes sense, Comrade Chief of Staff, what you said makes perfect sense." After praising Krylov, Chuikov said into the microphone: "Colonel Sokov, I agree with your plan. I will arrange the troops as soon as possible, but
Take over the position of Belkin's regiment. However, I think it is necessary to remind you that during the transfer of troops, be sure not to be noticed by the enemy. Otherwise, with Paulus's character, he will never set up his headquarters where you are.
The places I mentioned."
"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Seeing that Chuikov agreed to his proposal, Sokov felt very happy. He quickly said: "We are confident that the enemy will not notice the mobilization of our troops."
…………
The day after the Belkin Regiment quietly entered the third battalion's position, the 321st Infantry Division of the 65th Group Army, under the command of the division commander Major General Makarenko, launched an attack on Pitomnik Airport.
The last time Sergeant Tavlin led a detachment to attack the airport, the Germans discovered that the attackers were only small groups of Soviet troops, and they returned to the airport one after another when it got dark. After learning the news, Paulus became furious.
, ordered the officer in charge of airport defense to be shot, and sent a company of SS soldiers to take charge of the defense.
The officers and soldiers of the SS knew very well that because of the heinous crimes they committed against Soviet soldiers and civilians, they would usually be shot on the spot after being captured. Therefore, when they saw the Soviet troops attacking from all directions, they did not act like the previous unit.
They generally retreat without fighting, but rely on the terrain to resist.
Before the Soviet attack, five transport planes were parked at the airport. Not long ago, these transport planes had just brought supplies to the trapped German troops. Now they are loading the wounded who were placed beside the runway one after another, intending to take them
They were all transported outside the encirclement.
Seeing the Soviet troops attacking from different directions, the pilots were frightened. They didn't wait for all the wounded to board the plane before they started the plane and took off in a hurry, hoping to escape from this most dangerous place in the shortest possible time.
In less than two minutes, four transport planes took off one after another. The other transport planes that had not had time to take off were unable to taxi along the runway because the runway in front of them was blocked by dense crowds. Soldiers and wounded who were eager to escape scrambled to squeeze in.
They headed towards the plane, tried to get into the cabin, and followed the plane away from this ghost place that filled them with painful memories.
Seeing that the Soviet army in the distance was approaching the airport and about to break through the defense line of the garrison, the pilot became anxious. He kept seeing that there were countless people boarding the plane, so he suddenly started the plane, knocking down countless people who were blocking the way.
, taxiing forward quickly along the runway.
The German soldiers who were blocking the front of the plane did not expect that the plane would suddenly start. They were caught off guard and were knocked down countless times. A few unlucky ones were even run over by the wheels on the landing gear and died on the spot. Some just squeezed in
The soldiers who went up the spiral staircase rolled down one after another as the plane started to move. Before they could get up, countless feet stepped over them to catch up with the plane that was retreating.
In order to prevent more people from getting into the cabin, a pilot squeezed to the door of the cabin and closed the door forcibly, locking out the German soldiers who were running forward with the plane. Seeing that there was no hope of escape, he felt a little desperate
The soldiers raised their weapons and fired at the taxiing aircraft.
Although there were thousands of people at the airport, only the SS company fought against the Soviet army. Facing the powerful Soviet offensive, they could only support it for less than half an hour before the entire army was destroyed.
Seeing the Soviet troops pouring into the airport like a tide, the remaining German soldiers knew that there was no point in continuing to resist, so they put down their weapons and surrendered to the Soviet troops.
Major General Makarenko came to the airport and saw hundreds of disarmed German soldiers and hundreds of wounded lying beside the runway. He felt a little headache, so he turned around and asked his political commissar Duchenko: "Comrade political commissar, what are you doing?"
Tell me, how should we deal with so many wounded people?"
"The enemy has surrendered. It is obviously unrealistic to kill them." Duchenko looked at the wounded lying beside the runway and saw that many of them were turning blue from the cold. They might not be able to hold on for long, even if the health workers came.
I'm afraid the chance of resuscitation is not high. After thinking for a while, I suggested to Makarenko: "I think it's better to report this matter to Commander Batov and let them make a decision?"
The call was quickly connected, and Major General Makarenko reported to Batov in person: "Comrade Commander, our division has successfully captured Pitomnik Airport and captured thousands of German soldiers."
"Well done." Bartov heard this and said approvingly: "I didn't expect your division to capture the airport so easily. Your next task is to build defenses near the airport to prevent possible German counterattacks.
.”
"Understood, Comrade Commander, I will immediately arrange for manpower to build fortifications." After Makarenko agreed, he said to Batov hesitantly: "There is one more thing I want to ask you for."
"What's up?"
"Among the thousands of German soldiers we captured, there are probably more than 300 wounded." Makarenko said with a grimace: "I don't know how to deal with them?"
According to Bartov's idea, these wounded people are a burden, and keeping them will only waste food and medicine. You must know that medicine is also in very short supply for the Soviet army. But when he was asked to issue an order to execute these wounded people, he said
If you don't say it, if you really do it, you will not only be criticized by others, but it may also affect your future prospects.
It was based on this consideration that Batov was silent for a long time, and then said: "Makarenko, for those German wounded, no soldier is allowed to hurt them. Place them all together next to the runway, and I will
In an hour's time, a medical team will be sent to your place to treat these wounded people."
After Makarenko put down the phone, he said to Duchenko: "Comrade Political Commissar, the commander just issued an order for us to gather the wounded Germans. He sent people to treat these wounded in two hours."
"Comrade Commander, what did you say?" Duchenko couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise when he heard what Makarenko said: "Comrade Commander said that in two hours, people will be sent here to treat these wounded people?"
"Yes." Makarenko nodded and asked, "Is there any problem?"
Duchenko turned to look at the wounded lying beside the track, sighed softly, and said: "It's such a cold day, and the sheets covering the wounded are so thin, do you think they can survive for two hours?"
Makarenko was stunned for a moment after hearing what Duchenko said. Then he understood Bartov's intention. He nodded and said: "Comrade Commander did the right thing. These Germans have committed crimes against our country."
They have committed a heinous crime. Even if they are all shot, it is not excessive at all. Since Comrade Commander has given the order, let these wounded wait here for two hours. If they are lucky, they can get reasonable treatment.
.”
After Bartov ended his call with Makarenko, he did not immediately arrange for medical staff to rush to Pitomnik Airport to treat the wounded German soldiers who were shivering in the ice and snow. Instead, he sent medical personnel to Rokossovsky.
I made a phone call and reported the good news to the other party: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I want to tell you good news. Major General Makarenko's 321st Infantry Division has successfully captured Pitomnik Airport and cut off the Germans.
The only link to the outside world."
"Well done, Comrade Bartov." Rokossovsky couldn't help but be overjoyed when he heard the news. He knew very well that as long as the Soviet army occupied the airport, Paulus's contact with the outside world would be completely cut off.
If they want to get supplies, they can only rely on airdrops. Now that the Soviet Air Force has gained air supremacy over Stalingrad, it is simply a fantasy for the Germans to want to airdrop unscrupulously. As long as Paulus's troops are cut off from supplies, half of them
By the end of the month, they will be out of ammunition and food, and then the difficulty of destroying them will be greatly reduced.
Not only did Rokossovsky see it this way, but even Chief of Staff Malinin had the same view. He even suggested to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, I have an idea, I don't know whether to say it or not."
"Whatever comes to mind, just say it." Rokossovsky knew that his chief of staff would not say this out of nowhere. He must have some new ideas, so he said carelessly: "Even if I am wrong, I will not say that."
I will blame you."
"Last time we failed to persuade the Germans to surrender. The comrades we sent could not even enter the German positions." Malinen said: "But now we have occupied Pitomnik Airport and cut off the last connection between the Germans and the outside world. If
Sending people to persuade us to surrender at this time may have unexpected effects."
"Send someone again to persuade us to surrender?" Rokossovsky frowned and asked thoughtfully: "Chief of Staff, who do you think should be entrusted with this task?"
"Last time you gave this task to Colonel Sokov," Malinen said with a smile, "I think we can let him try this time. Maybe there is hope of success."
"Ask Misha to persuade the enemy to surrender again?" Rokossovsky thought about Malinin's proposal for at least five minutes, and finally nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, I agree with your proposal. I personally
Send a telegram to Misha and entrust him with this important task."
A few minutes later, Sokov received a call from Rokossovsky. After listening to the order given by the other party, he replied with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I am worried that it will be difficult to complete your order. Although
The German army was at the end of its rope, but Paulus still held on to the illusion that Manstein would lead troops to rescue him again. Therefore, even if I tried to persuade him to surrender again, it would probably have no effect."
Thinking of the last time Guchakov was fired upon by machine guns before even entering the enemy's position, Sokov said with a wry smile: "I'm worried that like last time, I won't even be able to get close to the enemy's position."
"Don't worry, Misha." Seeing Sokov trying to shirk the task he assigned, Rokossovsky comforted him and said: "The situation today is different from last time. We had not launched Operation Ring at that time, and Germany
People still don’t know how powerful we are. Now, after several days of attacks, the Germans have re-realized how powerful our army is. In addition, our army has just captured Pitomnik Airport, cutting off their contact with the outside world.
.If he were to send someone to persuade him to surrender at this time, I think Paulus would consider it carefully."
Sokov originally wanted to shirk it, but when he heard Rokossovsky say that he had captured Pitomnik Airport, he immediately realized that now was the best opportunity to persuade Paulus to surrender. Even if he could not persuade Paulus to surrender, he could
It can shake the morale of the German army and undermine their morale.
Thinking of this, Sokov changed his mind: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I accept your mission. I will go to the enemy's defense area as soon as possible to conduct the second surrender operation."
"Very good, Misha." Hearing Sokov agreed, Rokossovsky couldn't help but feel relieved. He said into the phone: "Then I will wait for your good news. Once you come from
When the enemy returns from their position, report the results to me immediately."