Red Moscow

When Koyda received the report from his subordinates and knew that the surrender of the German army was related to the 27th Army, he was also at a loss. He asked the subordinates who came to report in puzzlement: "What does this mean? Don't you understand?"

Unexpectedly, the subordinate who reported the news also shook his head and said: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander, I don't understand what's going on. The regiment leader asked me to tell you this."

Right here, Sokov called to ask about the surrender: "Comrade Colonel, have the Germans left the bastion and surrendered to you?"

"The enemy is coming out of the bastion one after another. It seems that their surrender is real." After Koyda reported the situation, he continued: "Lieutenant Colonel Keleba, who was in charge of accepting the surrender of the German army just now, sent someone back and said The surrender of the Germans has something to do with the designation of our army?"

"The enemy's surrender is actually related to the number of our troops?" This time it was Sokov's turn to be confused: "What's going on, Comrade Colonel?"

Konev was talking to Sameko, but when he saw Sokov put down the microphone with a confused expression on his face, he asked curiously: "Comrade Sokov, what did Colonel Koida tell you to make you behave like this?" Are you worried?"

Sokov looked at Konev with a wry smile and said, "Comrade Front Army Commander, just now Colonel Koyda reported to me that the surrender of the German army was related to the number of our army group. I am thinking about why he said this. "

After hearing what Sokov said, Konev frowned and thought for a while, but couldn't think of anything. He shook his head and said to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, I don't understand what's going on. However, it is not difficult to know the answer, you can ask the commanders who went to accept the surrender, and you will know the answer.”

"That's right, why didn't I think of this method." Sokov slapped his thigh, and then said to Sameko: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you call the commanders of the other two divisions and ask them about the surrender situation. Also, it is necessary to find out whether the surrender of the German troops in those two bastions has something to do with our number."

But when Sameko called the other two divisions, the answer he got was depressing: "Comrade Commander, I have asked the two division commanders, and they have no idea about this."

"What, they don't know?" Sokov was dumbfounded. "What the hell is going on in Keda? They only talked in half, so we are all guessing wildly now."

After walking back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, he stopped and pointed at Sameko and said, "Chief of Staff, call Colonel Koida immediately and ask the commander in charge of accepting the surrender to come to me. To find out what's going on."

"Understood." Sameko didn't want to know the answer. Hearing what Sokov said, he quickly and loudly replied, "I'll call Colonel Koida immediately."

Koyda seemed to have guessed that Sokov and the others would call for verification. Upon hearing Sameko’s voice, he quickly replied, “Comrade Chief of Staff, I can’t explain the matter on the phone. Let Lieutenant Colonel Ba go to the headquarters together, and explain to the commander in person."

Sameko quickly asked Sokov for instructions: "Comrade Commander, Colonel Koyda said that he will come over with Lieutenant Colonel Kreba, who was in charge of accepting the surrender, and explain to us what is going on."

"Let them come here." Sokov thought that Konev would leave soon. If Koida and Kereba came, he had already left, and he would have to spend more time explaining, so he emphasized: "Be quick, and it's best to arrive at the headquarters within half an hour."

While Sameko was on the phone, Sokov said to Konev, who was about to leave: "Now the fortress of Meliefa has basically been captured. What does the German army's voluntary surrender have to do with our number? The answer will be soon." Revealed, you see if you wait a little longer and let the person explain to us what is going on."

"Okay," Konev was also eager to know the answer. After hearing what Sokov said, he temporarily changed his mind: "Anyway, there is Chief of Staff Zakharov in the headquarters. He will deal with anything. Just stay here for a while."

He took the tea mug that Sokov handed over, and asked with a smile, "Comrade Sokov, are you married?"

"Yes, I'm married," Sokov explained to Konev: "Before Paulus's Sixth Army approached Stalingrad, my wife and I served in the civil administration of that city. certificate."

"That's almost a year."

"Yes, exactly one year and one month so far."

"Married for so long, have children? Where is she now?"

Konev's question immediately put Sokov in an awkward situation. After a long time, he blushed and replied: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, my wife and I have only been a legal couple in name so far. , there will be no children for the time being. As for her, she is working as a military doctor in the weapons and equipment department."

"Oh, oh, so that's what happened." Konev couldn't help laughing after hearing this, and he said to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, I'm really sorry, I don't know your actual situation, and I asked something that shouldn't be asked. problem, please forgive me."

"It's okay, it's just a small thing."

Konev was silent for a moment, and then said to Sokov: "How about, after our troops have crossed the Dnieper River, I will give you a period of vacation and let you go back to reunite with your husband and wife. If possible, it is best to wait Return to the team after your wife is pregnant."

Hearing what Konev said, Sokov hurriedly waved his hands desperately and said, "Comrade Front Army Commander, thank you for your kindness, I don't think it's necessary?"

"Why?" Konev said puzzledly: "You know, our country has paid a huge sacrifice in this war, and the population has been greatly reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage childbearing, and the more children the better, so as to wait for the war." After the end, there will be enough people to take over our work."

Konev’s words reminded Sokov of Russia in later generations. As long as a family has five children, the state will reward a three-bedroom house to encourage people to have more children. This is not a blank promise, but a real reward. But even so, Russia's population is still in a state of negative growth for a long time.

"Thank you for your kindness, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov knew that there would be many wars ahead, and he didn't want to return to Moscow to live his happy life at this time when he could make contributions. If he really left the army, when he came back, his position would have been taken by the commander arranged by the superior. Therefore, he politely rejected Konev's kindness: "I think it is not too late to return to Moscow to visit his wife after the war is over."

Seeing Sokov's stubbornness, Konev did not insist. After all, Sokov is the most capable subordinate under his command. If he really leaves the front line, it may affect the combat effectiveness of the entire 27th Army. Leaving aside, let's just say that the 6th Guards Army, which was reorganized from the 21st Army, has achieved results today that are definitely not as good as when Sokov was the commander of the army.

Thinking of this, Konev nodded, and said somewhat unwillingly: "I respect your choice, since you are willing to stay, then you can stay. If it is not possible, I can discuss with Comrade Ustinov and send you His wife was transferred from the Armament Department to the 27th Army."

"Don't do it, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Hearing that Konev said that Asiya would be transferred from the rear to the front line, Sokov quickly waved his hands and said, "I think the front line is too dangerous, so let her continue to stay." In the back."

What Sokov said was just overheard by Sameko who finished the phone call. He quickly explained to Konev: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, Asiya used to work in the field hospital of the 182nd Division Division. During the Battle of Kursk, a special team of the German army attacked the hospital and captured Asiya. And several other female hygienists. Comrade Commander immediately organized an offensive campaign after hearing the news, defeated the German army attacking the hospital, and rescued Asia and other female hygienists.

In order to avoid similar incidents from happening again, after some discussions between the commander and Colonel Yakov, Colonel Yakov stepped forward and transferred Asiya to the Weapons and Equipment Department as a doctor there. "

At the time of Asya's accident, Sokov's troops were placed under the command of Vatutin's Voronezh Front. Since it is not under Konev's jurisdiction, this kind of thing is naturally not reported to him, and it is understandable that he did not know the inside story. Knowing that Konev did not understand the situation, Sameko deliberately explained to him.

"It turned out to be like this." After listening to Sameko's explanation, Konev finally figured out what was going on, and he said to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, your arrangement is very good. Let her stay in the weaponry. At least you don't have to worry about her safety. Last time you were able to rescue her from the Germans, there was a lot of luck involved. If similar things happen again, once the enemy knows that she is your wife , will probably shoot her."

Sokov felt that Konev's statement was alarmist at all. In any case, he is now a thorn in the side of the Germans, and the enemy is eager to get rid of him. Once they knew they had caught their wives, wouldn't they make a big fuss about it? At that time, if he wanted to rescue Asiya, he would have to organize a Battle of Angler like Lao Li.

Konev and Sokov chatted about the daily life, and the time passed unconsciously. Just when the two were talking speculatively, two people broke in from the door and shouted at the same time: "Report!"

Sokov turned his head and saw that it was Captain Koyda and Lieutenant Colonel Kreba who was in charge of accepting the surrender. He quickly asked the two to sit down, and then asked Kreba straight to the point: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, please tell me, the German Is there any connection between the voluntary surrender and the number of our troops?"

"Comrade Commander," hearing Sokov's question, Kreba quickly stood up from his seat and reported to Sokov, "When I was accepting the surrender of the German army, the German commander told me that he had received the surrender." The superior—General William, the commander of the 11th Army, ordered that they were fighting with your 27th Army. If you continue to fight, there is only one way for the whole army to be wiped out. Therefore, they are ordered to stop resisting, put down their weapons and surrender to our army. .”

After listening to Sokov, he was stunned for a while, and then asked back: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, is this what you said that the surrender of the German army is related to the number of our unit?"

"Yes." Keleba nodded, and asked a little puzzled: "Comrade Commander, is there anything wrong?"

"No." Sokov didn't want to talk to him any more. After waving his hand at him, he looked at Sameko and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, what do you think about this?"

Sameko shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Comrade Commander, I don't know what to say. General William, the commander of the 11th Army mentioned by General Kreba, just took over the post of Commander of Rolls not long ago. .We have so little information about him that it is impossible to figure out what his real purpose in issuing this order is?"

"I think I understand a little bit." Konev, who was listening quietly next to him, interjected, "Since the order was issued by Commander William of the 11th Army, it means that the defenders in the Meriefa Fortress belong to the 11th Army. You know, in the battle to liberate Kharkov, you caused huge casualties to the army.

I think General William was frightened by Sokov, so he would give the defenders an order to surrender after finding out the number of the troops attacking the fort. "

Judging from the various information gathered so far, Konev's analysis is quite reliable. Sokov nodded, and then said, "I think General William may have deeper thoughts."

"What deeper thoughts?" Sameko asked curiously.

"This General William is a smart man. He analyzed the situation and knew that if we continue to fight, the defenders in the fortress will be wiped out by us in a short time." Sokov said: "But now put down The surrender of weapons saved the lives of as many German officers and soldiers as possible. When the war is over, the reconstruction of Germany will be completed with these prisoners of war.”

After hearing what Sokov said, Sameko was dubious in his heart. He couldn't help but glanced at Konev, trying to figure out what was going on in his mind. Konev and Sameko looked at each other, couldn't help but smiled, and then said: "Comrade Sokov is right, the German army is now beginning to decline. In the battle with us, they failed more and more. If the fighting continues like this, all the young and middle-aged people in Germany will die. If they are all dead, who will rebuild the new German country after the war ends in the future?"

"Comrade Commander," a voice suddenly interrupted: "I want to ask, how to deal with the prisoners in the bastion?"

"Since they have laid down their weapons and surrendered to our army, they should be treated as prisoners." Sokov specifically told Koida, "Remember, treat the wounded and sick among them, and don't Let them fend for themselves."

"Comrade Commander, I'm talking about the enemies who drove civilians to our army's positions." Koida said angrily, "Although they put down their weapons, the crimes they committed before cannot be erased. .”

Koyda's words were supported by Sameko: "Yes, Comrade Commander, we feel that the Germans cannot be spared. They must pay for what they have done."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, it's very simple to deal with these prisoners. All I need is a word from me, and they can all be shot." Sokov explained to Sameko: "It's a pleasure to shoot the enemy, and it's revenge. But have you ever thought about the consequences of doing so?"