Red Moscow

Although Cuikov is the commander of the group army, he usually has the opportunity to enjoy the small stove given to him by the cooking squad, but most of the time, he still eats rusks and potatoes like ordinary commanders and fighters. Finally looking forward to the holidays, he can finally eat Siberian dumplings justifiably and improve his food.

He, Krylov, and Gurov were eating dumplings around the table when a phone on the table rang. Krylov reached out and grabbed the microphone, and said next to his ear, "I'm Krylov, where are you?"

After listening for a while, Krylov put down the phone and said to Chuikov with a strange face: "Comrade Commander, it's Colonel Sokov calling, and he said he has a special gift for you. It's the celebration of the Great October Revolution."

"A special gift?" Chuikov, who was eating dumplings, put down his fork and asked curiously, "Comrade Chief of Staff, did he say what it was?"

Krylov smiled bitterly and shook his head: "He hung up the phone before I had time to ask. But this gift was sent by Colonel Ivanov, the deputy division commander he sent."

Hearing what Krylov said, even Gurov put down his fork, and said in surprise: "It seems that this gift is really special, otherwise Colonel Ivanov would not have come out in person. What kind of gift would it be?" Woolen cloth?"

Krylov said thoughtfully: "Colonel Sokov's subordinates occupied two German stations yesterday. Could it be some valuables seized from the stations? For example, the Germans looted them from our museum. Precious cultural relics."

Regarding Krylov's speculation, Gurov immediately agreed: "I agree with the chief of staff's speculation. As far as I know, Colonel Sokov once captured famous paintings looted by the enemy in previous battles. , Later these famous paintings were sent to the Museum of Natural History in Moscow."

After Gurov’s analysis, both Chuikov and Krylov felt that the gifts Sokov gave them were probably cultural relics or famous paintings looted by the Germans. Guchakov’s troops were occupying the station. Later, I happened to find these things, and brought them back when I transferred.

Chuikov felt a little headache when he thought that what Sokov might send might be cultural relics and famous paintings. He looked at Gurov and said, "Comrade Military Commissar, Mishake has presented us with a problem. These cultural relics and famous paintings are too delicate. , if something goes wrong in transportation, it will be easily damaged. It would be better if it can be repaired. If it cannot be repaired, our descendants will definitely point to these damaged cultural relics and say: 'Look, these cultural relics are Cuikov They're damaged.'”

Gurov felt that what Cuikov said was very reasonable. If he took over this batch of cultural relics and there was damage, he would definitely be poked in the back by future generations. In order to avoid this situation, he tentatively said to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, please see if you can let Misha temporarily put these cultural relics in the tunnel of Mamayev Hill. When the time is right, you can transfer them." to the east coast."

Chuikov sighed, and said helplessly, "Comrade Military Commissioner, I think the reason why Misha gave us such a gift was because he considered that these cultural relics could not be stored in the tunnel. He sent it here in the hope that those transporting materials The convoy, when returning to the east bank, can take this batch of cultural relics away by the way."

Therefore, the three discussed how to protect and transport these cultural relics. After Chuikov and Gurov spoke, Krylov raised his concerns: "Comrade Commander, if we want to ensure that these cultural relics reach the east bank safely, we must send people to protect them. But our current strength is seriously Insufficient, there is only one platoon of guards defending the headquarters, if people are transferred from them, the headquarters will become empty, if it is attacked by the Germans, there may be a very serious situation, so..."

Before Krylov finished what he said, Chuikov guessed what he meant, and continued, "Comrade Chief of Staff, I understand what you mean. You are the troops that Sokov sent to give gifts. Escort These cultural relics are going to the east bank, right?"

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Krylov nodded vigorously, and said affirmatively, "That's what I meant."

"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, do as you think." Cuikov also knows that his headquarters is currently empty of troops. If he really sends someone to escort the cultural relics to the other side, even if it is only for a day and night, the entire headquarters will be in danger. Therefore, he readily agreed to Krylov's proposal: "When Colonel Ivanov arrives, I will tell him personally."

After waiting for almost half an hour, Ivanov appeared in the headquarters. As soon as he saluted Chuikov, before he had time to speak, Chuikov said first: "Comrade Colonel, I will not look at the gifts you sent. You take your people and are responsible for sending these gifts to the east bank. Commander Yeremenko.” He looked at his watch and added, “After dark, there will be a convoy transporting supplies across the river, and when they return, you can hitch a ride.”

Ivanov was confused by Chuikov's words. He thought that Chuikov would be eager to let him bring the prisoners in, but before he even spoke, he arranged for him to send the prisoners to the opposite bank.

After Chuikov finished speaking, he waited for a while, but he didn't hear Ivanov's response, so he couldn't help but feel a little pissed. He stared at the silent Ivanov, and said displeasedly: "Why, Comrade Colonel, you Do you disagree with my order?"

"Comrade Commander," Ivanov said, facing Chuikov, straightened his back, "the captives are right outside the door. Even if they are going to be sent to the east bank, you have to take a look. You know, this is sent by Comrade Commander." A special gift for you to celebrate the Great October Revolution Day."

"I don't want to watch the captive, what, captive?!" As soon as Chuikov opened his mouth, he realized that the gift Sokov gave him was different from what he had just guessed, and quickly looked at Ivanov and asked: "Comrade Colonel, what did you just say, the gift Sokov gave us was a group of captives, not some cultural relic?"

"Cultural relics, what cultural relics?" Ivanov replied in a daze: "Comrade commander, who told you that it was a pile of cultural relics? The small team we sent to the enemy's rear captured a group of German prisoners when they returned. , the teacher thought that you should be very happy to see these captives, so he sent me to bring them to you."

After confirming that the gift Sokov sent was a group of captives, Chuikov became interested: "Comrade Colonel, let your people bring the captives in."

After receiving the order, Ivanov winked at Guchakov who was standing at the door, and motioned him to bring in the prisoners outside. Guchakov, who had changed back to the Soviet military uniform a long time ago, turned around and walked out of the headquarters immediately after seeing the wink given to him by Ivanov.

Chuikov had met Gutchakov before, but his recollection of his appearance had faded over time. After watching Guchakov go out, he turned his head and asked Ivanov: "Comrade Colonel, the officer who just went out, if I'm not mistaken, should be Captain Guchakov who led the squad into the enemy's rear this time." Bar?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander, it's really him." Ivanov replied with a smile: "Since he captured these German prisoners, the division commander handed over the task of escorting the prisoners to his squad."

"The prisoner that Sokov can send to me must have a high status." Chuikov asked tentatively: "Comrade Colonel, I think this prisoner should be a regimental commander."

"Comrade Commander, your guess is a bit too low." Hearing Chuikov's question, Ivanov said with a smile, "You can guess higher."

Chuikov suppressed the smile on his face, and said with some surprise: "What, did you capture a division commander of the Germans?"

Ivanov nodded vigorously, and replied triumphantly: "Comrade Commander, you guessed right. Captain Guchakov encountered the German 29th Motorized Army on his way back to Mamayev Post. The division commander, Major General Laize, took the opportunity to capture him."

"What, you captured Laize?" Krylov stared at the map for a while when he heard this, then shook his head and said, "This is impossible, the defense zone of Laize's motorized division is in the southwest of the city. How could Captain Guchakov catch him on the way back?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff," Chuikov saw that Krylov expressed doubts about the matter, so he came out to smooth things over: "After Captain Guchakov brings the prisoners in, you will know the truth."

Krylov nodded after hearing this, then picked up the phone and called the Intelligence Department, asking him to send a German-speaking staff officer to the headquarters as an interpreter so that Chuikov could interrogate the prisoners.

Before the translator arrived, Lezer had already been brought in by Guchakov, Samoilov, Tavlin and others. As soon as he entered the door, Guchakov raised his hand to salute Chuikov and reported respectfully: "Comrade commander, the prisoners have been brought!"

"Thank you, Captain Guchakov." Cuikov nodded at Guchakov, smiled friendlyly, then walked up to Laize, looked him up and down, and said, "I Let me introduce, I am Chuikov, commander of the 62nd Army of the Soviet Union."

Krylov, who was not far away, was worried that Lezer would not understand Chuikov's words, but Tavlin, who was standing behind Lezer, had already translated in proficient German. When he learned that the Soviet officer in front of him was Chuikov, the commander of the 62nd Army, Leizer hurriedly stood at attention, bowed slightly to Chuikov, and greeted him politely.

Chuikov was very curious about how Lazer was captured by the returning Guchakov and others far away from his defense zone. As soon as his new question was asked, before Taflin could speak, the interpreter sent by the intelligence department arrived. The staff officer, who was proficient in German, immediately translated Chuikov's words to Leizer. After listening to the translation by the staff officer, Laize smiled wryly, and repeated what Sokov said.

Chuikov asked some questions he was interested in, and Lezer answered some of his questions, but for more questions, he put on an arrogant look and said: "Sorry, Your Excellency Commander, your question, I have nothing to say."

When the interrogation was almost over, Cuikov asked the staff to take Laize out. After Leiser left, he said to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, if Leiser has not lied, the enemy may adjust the deployment of troops in the short term. It seems that we have to adjust our forces in a targeted manner."

"Laize has been captured by us, and it may take some time for the person who replaces him to adapt to the army." Krylov said thoughtfully: "That is to say, after the enemy switches defenses, we still have a few days left." We need more time to redeploy our troops. But our current strength is limited, you can see if you report to the front army headquarters and ask them to send another force into the city to strengthen our defense force."

"I think it's possible." Although Krylov also made similar proposals two days ago, they were all rejected by Chuikov without hesitation. But at this moment, Chuikov had a captured German division commander in his hands, and he suddenly became more confident in his speech. He emphasized to Krylov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, when you make a request to Commander Yeremenko Remember to tell him that today we captured Major General Laiser, commander of the 29th Motorized Division of the German Army."

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Krylov replied with a smile, "I will tell Commander Yeremenko the good news."

The call to the Front Command was quickly connected, and the person who answered the phone was Yeremenko himself. After expressing his festive greetings to Krylov, he asked straight to the point: "General Krylov, what do you want? I'm calling, do you have any good news to tell me?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Krylov said respectfully: "I formally report to you that the detachment sent by the 41st Guards Rifle Division to the enemy's rear successfully returned to the Mamayev Post. Captured Major General Leizer, commander of the 29th Motorized Division of the German Army."

"What, you captured Laize, commander of the 29th Motorized Division?" Hearing this, Yeremenko asked dubiously: "Is it true? You know, Laize's defense zone is far away from Mamayev Post." A long distance."

"What I said is true." Krylov said in an affirmative tone: "Lezer is in our headquarters now. After dark, I will send people to send the prisoners to the front army headquarters."

"This is indeed good news." Yeremenko was happy for a few seconds after confirming that Krylov's report was true, and then said: "General Krylov, I have some bad news for you. This matter is crucial to whether we can hold the city."

Yeremenko's words scared Krylov into a cold sweat, and he quickly forced himself to say: "Comrade Commander, what is the bad news?"

"With the drop in temperature and heavy snowfall, ice floes have appeared on the surface of the Volga River." Yeremenko said solemnly: "This means that shipping on the Volga River will be interrupted until the river surface If everything is frozen, our transportation to you can resume."