Red Moscow

"This is also a way." Smirnov said with a wry smile, "However, after these troops recruit a large number of recruits, their combat effectiveness will inevitably be diluted. In other words, they will not be able to carry out more important operations for a long time. Task."

"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff, what you said is very reasonable." Sokov agreed with Smirnov's statement: "The areas we just occupied can be defended by these troops."

"Comrade Sokov, the replenishment of soldiers is always a headache." Shtemenko interjected, "No matter how powerful the troops are, once there is a large number of reductions in combat and a large number of new recruits are added, This force will degenerate into a second-rate force, unable to perform important combat missions in a short period of time."

"Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, I want to ask you a question." Sokov looked at Stemenko and asked cautiously, "Is that okay?"

"Yes, of course." Shtemenko nodded and said generously: "Comrade Sokov, if you have any questions, just ask them, and I will try my best to give you a satisfactory answer."

"It was repeatedly mentioned in the Intelligence Bureau's battle reports that the Battle of Stalingrad was a turning point in our Great Patriotic War." Sokov said carefully: "When Paulus's troops were named after the Supreme Commander himself After the destruction of the city, our army gradually changed from the original strategic defense to strategic offensive."

"That's right." Shtemenko nodded in agreement with Sokov's statement: "This is indeed the case."

"Since it is a strategic offensive, we must have liberated many prisoner-of-war camps established by the Germans when we liberated the cities and towns occupied by the Germans, and rescued all the prisoners of war held in them." Sokov said here, his tone He asked solemnly: "I would like to ask, where are these rescued prisoners of war now?"

"This, this..." Hearing Sokov's question, Shtemenko, who was originally eloquent, became stammering: "Comrade Sokov, you also know that there must be prisoners lurking among these prisoners of war." The Germans bought people, so we have to put them under strict scrutiny..."

"What happened after the review?" Sokov asked, "Where did they go?"

"You should remember that during the defense of Moscow, due to the lack of sufficient troops for defense, a large number of troops were transferred from the Far East." Shtemenko replied cautiously: "Given the weak defense forces in the Far East, these The rescued prisoners of war were all sent to Siberia to strengthen the defense there."

Although Shtemenko kept saying that those rescued commanders and fighters were sent to the Far East to strengthen the defense there, Sokov did not believe that statement at all. According to his memory, there are quite a few posts on the Internet saying that tens of thousands of rescued commanders and fighters were sent to Siberia to grow potatoes.

But Sokov is skeptical about this statement. Planting potatoes is the easiest job in Russia. You just need to dig the hole, put the cut potato pieces in, cover the soil and water it, and then start You can just ignore it and wait until September to harvest. According to his estimation, these commanders and fighters sent to Siberia should be building roads or digging coal somewhere.

However, there are some things that you can understand in your heart. If you say it, it will cause unreasonable disasters. Naturally, Sokov will not do such a stupid thing. Regarding what Stemenko said, he could only spread his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and said in a helpless tone: "That's really a pity."

Shtemenko felt that Sokov would not ask about this for no reason, so he asked with concern: "Comrade Sokov, why do you think of asking this?"

"Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff," Sokov felt that sending hundreds of thousands of rescued prisoners of war to Siberia for labor was a waste, so he boldly said: "Among the rescued commanders and fighters, most of them have passed through the Strict military training and certain combat experience. If they are recruited into the army, they will soon be able to form combat effectiveness, which is far better than the recruits we recruit locally."

"You are right, Comrade Sokov. These rescued commanders and fighters are our precious wealth." Although Shtemenko is the deputy chief of the general staff, he is powerless in many things: "But the It was the decision of the Supreme Command that they sent them to Siberia, nothing can be changed by my own ability alone."

"Maybe you should try to mention this to the Supreme Commander himself." Sokov said cautiously: "Maybe he will change his mind because of this. If so, I think there will be countless commanders and fighters and their relatives. Thanks Dade."

Thinking of the countless commanders and their families who would be grateful to him, Shtemenko couldn't help but feel a little moved. After thinking for a long time, he nodded slowly, and said to Sokov as if he had made up his mind: "Comrade Sokov, I will give it a try. But I want to say hello to you first. Whether it will work or not, I just don't know."

As long as Stemenkoken tried, things had a chance of turning around; but if he didn't try, there was no hope at all. Sokov nodded at the other party, and said politely: "Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, let me express my thanks in advance on behalf of the rescued commanders and fighters."

When Shtemenko heard Sokov thanking him, he suddenly thought of the open pit near Uman, where tens of thousands of prisoners of war were said to be held. If they are all rescued, according to regulations, after review, except for a few people who will be sent to the punishment camp and return to the front line, the rest will be sent to Siberia.

"Comrade Sokov," said Stemenko tentatively, knowing that Sokov sent Ponedelin to rescue the prisoners, "if the prisoners in the open pit are rescued, are you going to take them all?" Incorporated into your army?"

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff." Sokov replied in an affirmative tone: "As long as these commanders and fighters are in good physical condition, I will incorporate them into the army. Anyway, they have undergone strict military training. The veterans who have been trained have rich combat experience, and if they are incorporated into the army, they will be able to form combat effectiveness in less than two days."

"If there are really tens of thousands of people, then the review will take a lot of time."

"I don't think there is a need for censorship." Sokov shook his head and said, "These commanders and fighters have been imprisoned by the Germans for two years and still have not surrendered to the enemy, which shows that they are sincere to the motherland. If they are censored according to routine , will dampen their self-esteem."

"No, Comrade Sokov." Smirnov waved his hands and said, "Regardless of how these people behaved in the prisoner-of-war camp, the review is a procedure that cannot be omitted. This can effectively avoid the scum bought by the Germans, Infiltrate our troops."

"Comrade Commander, I think General Shtemenko is right." Smirnov quickly echoed: "After all, there are tens of thousands of people, and no one can guarantee that there are no scum who were bought by the Germans among them."

Sokov felt that there was no need to have a dispute with Shtemenko and Smirnov on this matter, so he nodded and said smoothly: "Okay, after the prisoners of war in the open pit are rescued, we will review and screen them. Let the military commissars take charge of the work."

It doesn't matter to Shtemenko who is responsible for the review and screening, all he wants is Sokov's attitude. Seeing that Sokov is also undergoing the same review and screening, a smile appeared on his face again: "Comrade Sokov, that's right. After the review and screening, there is no problem, and then they will be included in the army. Even if others want to pick you Stabbing, there is no way to start."

"Telegram, telegram!" A staff officer ran over from the communication area, waving a telegram in his hand. He stuttered and said, "Yes, it's a telegram from Lieutenant Colonel Pornjelin."

Hearing that it was a telegram from Ponegerin, Sokov knew that the other party must have found the location of the mine. Just as he was about to raise his hand to receive the telegram, Smirnov, who was standing beside him, had already received the telegram first, and quickly browsed it.

"Comrade Commander," Smirnov looked up at Sokov after reading the contents of the telegram, and reported excitedly: "Lieutenant Colonel Ponejielin said that they have discovered the location of the mine. Rescue preparations are underway."

Learned that Ponejeline had found the location of the mine. Sokov couldn't help but burst into ecstasy. He quickly asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, did Lieutenant Colonel Ponejielin say how many enemies are guarding the mine?"

"According to his observations, there is about a company's strength. He said that they are absolutely sure to eat this enemy." Smirnov finally added: "In order to prevent the enemy from jumping over the wall and killing the commanders and fighters detained in the open pit, So they can't attack right now."

Sokov knew very well in his heart that Ponegerin was not scaremongering. There were so many commanders and fighters crowded in the open pit. Can cause devastating damage to commanders and fighters.

Therefore, he solemnly said to Smirnov: "Chief of Staff, send a telegram to Lieutenant Colonel Ponejielin, asking them to ensure the safety of the prisoners of war in the open pit."

"Okay, Comrade Commander." Smirnov also knew that if the Germans threw shells or explosives into the pit before leaving, it would be enough to cause heavy casualties to the commanders and fighters living at the bottom of the pit: "I will immediately send you The meaning of the letter, and truthfully convey it to Lieutenant Colonel Pornegelin."

While Smirnov was going to the communication area, Shtemenko asked Sokov curiously: "Comrade Sokov, these prisoners of war have been rescued, are you going to incorporate them into the army?"

"Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, although I really want to do this, there must be a considerable number of prisoners of war who cannot re-enter the army." Sokov sighed and said: "I think many commanders were captured after being captured. The battalion suffered all the abuse from the Germans, and I'm afraid he has already become disabled, so he can't stay in the army at all, so he can only choose to leave the army."

Since Shtemenko was the first to mention the prisoners of war, Sokov took the opportunity to say: "Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, after you return to Moscow, don't forget to report the situation of the prisoners of war to the Supreme Commander himself, and make sure they get due treatment."

When he said this, Sokov murmured in his heart: If he asked Zhukov to do this, the other party would definitely say this without any scruples when reporting on work. From the outside, Stemenko was a nice guy, trying not to offend anyone. The suggestion I asked him to make may have a certain adverse effect on his future, and maybe he will retreat at a critical moment.

So he finally added: "Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff, if what I said embarrasses you, you can just say it, and I will find someone else to handle the matter."

Shtemenko, who was hesitant at first, heard what Sokov said, and suddenly had the idea of ​​being competitive, and he said to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, don't worry, since I promised you, Then I will definitely bring this matter up to the Supreme Commander himself at the right time and place. If he can change his mind, that is of course good. Every time we liberate a prisoner-of-war camp, we can get thousands or even tens of thousands of prisoners of war. and add them to the army."

"If that's the case, that's great."

Before he finished speaking, the phone on the desk rang. Sokov picked up the receiver and heard that it was Chumakov calling: "Comrade Commander, this is Chumakov."

When Sokov heard Chumakov's voice, he couldn't help being taken aback, wondering if there was something wrong with the 57th Army? Hastily and cautiously asked: "General Chumakov, is something wrong?"

"Comrade Commander, I have something important to report to you." Chumakov said on the phone: "The commander of the 38th Army, General Moskarenko, is at my headquarters at the moment. He wants to The headquarters is going to visit you, do you know if he will be allowed to pass?"

"It doesn't matter, General Chumakov." Knowing that Moskalenko was about to visit, Sokov had no reason to refuse, and quickly said into the microphone: "You personally accompany General Moskalenko to the I'm here."

Putting down the phone, Sokov said to Smirnov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have some news for you. General Chumakov called me not long ago and said that Moskarenko, commander of the 38th Army, was about to Visiting. Look, do we need to go out and greet?"

"I don't think it's necessary." Before Smirnov could express his opinion, Shtemenko rushed to say: "Comrade Sokov, I think you should stay in the headquarters and wait for him, after all, your rank If you are taller than him, there is no reason for an admiral to greet a lieutenant general. If you go outside to wait for him, it will make the other party despise and look down on you."

"Okay, Comrade Deputy Chief of Staff." Sokov thought about what Shtemenko said, and felt that there was some truth in it, so he nodded and said: "Then do as you said, I will Stay here and wait for the arrival of General Moskarenko."

Seeing that Sokov followed his good advice and adopted his own suggestion, Shtemenko was quite happy in his heart. Considering that the battle to liberate Uman is basically over, the next phase of the battle is to be discussed: "Comrade Sokov, since the enemies on the outskirts of Uman have been wiped out, should you consider regrouping them and moving westward?" Converge with the 18th Guards Corps and complete the task of forcibly crossing the Nanbug River."