Red Moscow

Just when Chernyshov was full of disappointment, Romanov, the director of the Political Department who stood aside and remained silent, suddenly said: "Comrade Commander, it is actually not impossible to replenish the troops. Popov Didn’t the general’s 61st Army just liberate several prisoner-of-war camps in the Kozelsk area, and we can get the necessary soldiers from there.”

Romanov's words opened up a new idea for Chernyshov: Yes, since the superiors are temporarily unable to recruit new soldiers to the army, it is entirely possible to select some prisoners of war from the newly liberated prisoner-of-war camps to supplement them.

Thinking of this, Chernyshev said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander, the Director of the Political Department is right. We can select some healthy prisoners from among the liberated prisoners of war and supplement them to Istria. battalion." Afraid that his proposal would be rejected, he hastily added, "As far as I know, the battalion has previously recruited rescued prisoners of war on a large scale."

Rokossovsky waited for Chernyshev to finish, then turned to look at Lobachev, and asked with a smile, "Comrade Military Commissar, what do you think?"

"I think it will work." Lobachev said straightforwardly: "Those rescued prisoners of war, in addition to supplementing the Istria Battalion, can also be enriched in various divisions of the group army."

Seeing that both the military commissar and the director of the political department suggested using prisoners of war to supplement the troops, Rokossovsky nodded, and asked Chernyshov with a sideways face: "General Chernyshov, do you think Istria should be given How many people will be added to the battalion?"

Chernyshov thought for a while, and said with some hesitation: "Before they entered the unnamed highland, there were 630 people in the whole battalion. After this period of fighting, there were only 375 people left. In my opinion, they should at least be supplemented." A hundred people."

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Rokossovsky called Malinin over and told him, "You immediately contact General Popov of the 61st Army and say that I am going to send someone to the Kozelsk area to select some A prisoner of war, I hope he can provide us with convenience."

"Comrade Commander," Malinin asked carefully after recording Rokossovsky's order: "Do you think this matter needs to be reported to General Zhukov?"

Regarding Malinin's proposal, Rokossovsky thought for a while, then nodded and agreed: "I will call General Zhukov and report this matter to him."

When the call was made to the headquarters of the Front Army, Zhukov was not there. The new chief of staff, Major General Golushkevich, answered the call. He said that Comrade General Golushkevich had gone to inspect the troops below, and he did not know when he would be back. As for the replenishment of prisoners of war from the prisoner-of-war camp, it only needs to negotiate with the 61st Army.

So Rokossovsky called the headquarters of the 61st Army again. This time it was General Popov, the commander of the Army Group, who answered the phone. After Rokossovsky finished talking about his desire to replenish soldiers from prisoners of war, he replied: "Comrade Rokossovsky, if you want to add Soldiers, please come here today. Because I may be dismissed at any time."

"What, you were dismissed?" Popov's words surprised Rokossovsky. "What happened? Why are you dismissed?"

Regarding Rokossovsky's question, Popov said with a wry smile: "There is a special commissioner from the headquarters of the front army. He is very dissatisfied with the current situation of the troops and has criticized my command method. I I heard the news that after reading his report, General Zhukov plans to let him take over my position."

It is a taboo in the military to change generals, especially when the two armies are about to launch joint operations. Rokossovsky was afraid that the battle plan that had already been discussed would be ruined, so he hurriedly asked: "General Popov, if you are really dismissed, can the battle plan we discussed in advance be carried out as planned?"

Popov said in an uncertain tone: "I think it should be possible." After a pause, he reminded Rokossovsky again, "Comrade Rokossovsky, if you really need To replenish the troops, we must send someone over today, otherwise it will be too late."

"I understand, General Popov." Rokossovsky said, "I will send someone there as soon as possible."

Putting down the phone, Rokossovsky said to Romanov: "Comrade Director, I will entrust this matter to you. Immediately dispatch staff officers, political workers and doctors from the headquarters to form a special team and go to Kozel The Sk area selects healthy prisoners of war to supplement our troops."

Later, Rokossovsky ordered Chernyshov: "You immediately contact Captain Sokov and ask him to come to Sukhinich immediately, and go to Kozeli with Comrade Romanov's special team. Sk area."

…………

After receiving the notification from Chernyshov, Sokov immediately handed over the work in the battalion to Belkin, and hurried to Sukhinich with a guard squad.

When he came to the division headquarters, Sokov raised his hand to Chernyshov and reported: "Comrade commander, Captain Sokov of the Istria Battalion came to report to you. I am waiting for your orders. Please instruct!"

"Lieutenant Sokov, you are here!" Chernyshov got up and shook hands with Sokov, pointing sideways to a political worker wearing round glasses sitting opposite him, and said to him: "I give Please introduce, this is Comrade Romanov, director of the Political Department of the Army Group and political commissar at the battalion level."

Sokov hurriedly turned to Romanov, saluted him, and said respectfully, "Hello, Comrade Political Commissar at the battalion level."

"Hello, Captain Sokov." Romanov came over, shook hands with Sokov, and said enthusiastically, "I've heard about your deeds a long time ago, and this is the first time I've seen you today. Don't stand Come on, please sit down."

After the three sat down, Chernyshov said to Sokov: "Lieutenant Sokov, I called you to the city today because I want you to join Comrade Romanov's special team and go to Kozelsk The prisoner-of-war camps in the region are going to receive a group of healthy prisoners of war to enrich the troops."

Replenishment of soldiers from prisoners of war? Hearing what Chernyshov said, Sokov suddenly felt like a pie in the sky. You must know that among the prisoners of war currently held, there are more veterans with combat experience. To add them to the army, as long as After a few days of running-in, combat effectiveness can be quickly formed.

Thinking of this, Sokov immediately asked Romanov impatiently: "Comrade battalion political commissar, when are we going to leave?"

Seeing that Sokov was in such a hurry, Romanov turned his head and looked at Chernyshov, and said with a smile: "Comrade commander, it seems that our captain Sokov is quite anxious." Ornyshov laughed. Romanov raised his hand and looked at his watch, then said, "I think the special team should be ready, let's go now."