Red Moscow

After receiving the letter of persuasion sent by Shechtman, Colonel Billing read aloud in front of his political workers: "It was I who captured Marshal Paulus in the basement of the Stalingrad department store;

It was me who killed Ike, the commander of the Skeleton Division, in Balvencorvo, and captured Colonel Simon, the acting division commander;

It was I who annihilated the Imperial Division first at Balvencorvo and a second time at Oboyan;

It was me who killed General von Hornadorf, commander of the Sixth Armored Division, in the Prokhorovka area...

I am Major General Sokov of the 27th Army of the Soviet Red Army.

Now you have no possibility of breaking through the encirclement of our army. You are in a desperate situation, and it is meaningless to continue to resist. In this hopeless situation for you, in order to avoid bloodshed in vain, we recommend that you lay down your arms and surrender to our army.

I assure you on my own honor: As long as you lay down your arms and surrender, I can guarantee the safety of the lives of all officers and soldiers who stop resisting, whether he is the Wehrmacht or the SS;

I will provide normal diet to all surrendered officers and soldiers and treat all wounded officers and soldiers.

Once the war is over, you will return to Germany or the country you want to go to and reunite with your family in the shortest possible time. "

The political workers in the room heard that Billing finished reading Sokov's letter of persuasion, and asked suspiciously: "Political commissar, do you think this letter of persuasion written by Comrade Commander will work? You know, the people surrounded by us The German troops are all SS, and they will not easily lay down their weapons and surrender."

"Comrade Commander said that if the enemy does not surrender, we will destroy them." After Billing said this firmly, he ordered a political worker: "Comrade Captain, help me prepare a propaganda vehicle later, I will use the loudspeaker on the car to shout to the besieged German troops, hoping that they will put down their weapons and surrender."

"Comrade Political Commissar," knowing that Billing was going to go out in person, the political workers present couldn't help but feel a little worried, and hurriedly dissuaded him: "Our propaganda vehicles are all transformed from trucks, and the safety factor is not high. Don't talk about shells, they are bullets. If you can’t stop it, don’t go.”

Billing knew that his subordinates said this because they were thinking about their own safety. After sweeping his eyes over everyone, he asked with a smile: "If anyone among you speaks German better than me, I can let you He goes on this mission."

When many political workers heard Billing's question, they fell silent immediately. As for who has a high level of German in the whole teacher, if Colonel Billing is second, no one dares to rank first, even a professional translator.

"Since no one has a higher level of German than me," Billing guessed the result long ago, and said with a smile, "then I will take the propaganda car to shout to the Germans."

…………

When Colonel Billing took a propaganda vehicle to shout to the besieged German army, Vatutin learned through his own unique news channel that the enemy near the October Farm had been caught in a double-sided attack. surrounded.

After getting this news, he immediately woke up Zhukov and Vasilevsky who were sleeping in the next room, and reported to them: "Comrade Marshals, I am sorry to wake you up from your sleep, but I have important information to report to you."

Although Vatutin woke up his dream, Zhukov was not angry at all. He asked lightly, "Comrade Vatutin, please tell us what happened?"

"Well, my subordinates reported to me that Sokov's troops unexpectedly attacked the German army near the October Farm. With the cooperation of General Baharov's 18th Tank Corps, the enemy suffered a huge blow. Losses." When Vatutin reported the situation of the battle, he pushed the map on the table towards Zhukov: "Now the remaining enemies are enclosed in this narrow area."

"This is simply unbelievable." After listening to Vatutin's report, Vasilevsky said a little excitedly: "The 18th Tank Army fought with this German army for two days, but they were unable to expand the occupied area. Cove's troops, when they struck, inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, and had to shrink into such a narrow area."

Compared with Vasilevsky's agitation, Zhukov was very calm. He stared at the situation of the enemy and the enemy on the map expressionlessly, and the expression on his face did not change at all. He has an inexplicable trust in Sokov. In his consciousness, there is no battle that Sokov cannot win.

After staring at the map for a while, he picked up a pencil and tapped on the headquarters of Simon's division, and asked, "Comrade Vatutin, where is the division headquarters of the Skeleton Division? Has Sokov sent troops to attack? "

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Vatutin hurriedly continued to report: "According to the information I have obtained, Sokov's troops first attacked the headquarters of the Skeleton Division. After they succeeded, they split into two groups. At the same time, launch an attack on the Skeleton Division troops on both wings."

"Since they won the assault on the Skeleton Division headquarters, did they catch Simon?" Vasilevsky said: "If Simon is caught again, he will become Sokov's prisoner for the second time." .Even if he can be rescued by his subordinates this time, I think he will have no face to serve as the commander of the Skeleton Master."

"I know Misha." Zhukov continued: "If he captured Simon, he would definitely report to us as soon as possible. Since there has been no movement until now, it proves that they did not capture Simon when they captured the headquarters of the Skeleton Division. Live Simon." Having said this, he looked at Vatutin again and asked, "How is his army doing?"

"The troops on the right wing, under the cover of artillery fire, successfully broke through the defense line of the Skeleton Division Grenadier Regiment and drove the enemy to the defense zone of the Banner Guard Division." Vatutin pointed to the map and explained to Zhukov: " But the troops on their left flank stopped attacking after completing the encirclement of the remaining German troops."

"Stop the attack?" Zhukov couldn't help frowning when he heard this: "Why?"

"It is said, it is said," Vatutin glanced at the frosty Zhukov, and said cautiously: "In order to reduce the casualties of the troops, General Sokov intends to send someone to persuade the besieged German troops to surrender."

"Nonsense, this is simply nonsense." Vasilevsky shook his head and said: "The troops surrounded by them are not ordinary Wehrmacht troops, but the SS who are loyal to the mustache. How could they surrender? Woolen cloth."

"Comrade Vasilevsky, you shouldn't jump to conclusions too early." But Zhukov retorted: "Maybe Misha has a way to make the remaining troops lay down their weapons and surrender, maybe."