Red Moscow

Belkin, who received the order, was overjoyed when he learned that Paulus's headquarters might be located in the basement of the department store. Therefore, judging from the overall distribution of Soviet troops, his regiment is the closest. That is to say, as long as it is confirmed that the enemy's headquarters is there, Paulus' feat, which is enough to be recorded in the annals of history, will fall on his own. on the head.

So when he received the order, he didn't dare to neglect, and immediately sent a reconnaissance team to the residential area near the department store to observe the movement of the department store from a long distance.

However, in order to prevent the members of the reconnaissance team from being captured by the German army, they would confess to the reconnaissance mission. Therefore, when he assigned the mission, he did not tell the team leader that he was going to verify whether Paulus's headquarters was in the department store. . Instead, tell the other party that there may be a military-level command unit of the German army in the department store. The task of the reconnaissance team is to confirm whether the information is accurate.

The reconnaissance team was dispatched at night, and shortly after dawn, the team leader used the intercom to talk directly to Belkin: "Comrade leader, we have carefully observed the department store."

Seeing that the other party came back with a report so soon, Belkin was overjoyed and asked quickly, "Comrade Sergeant, is there anything unusual about the department store?"

"Yes." The sergeant leading the team replied: "The department store is surrounded by double-layer barbed wire, and landmines should be planted in the middle. The windows of the building are piled with sandbags, which look like firepower points... ..."

Hearing this, Belkin couldn't help interrupting the other party's words: "Sergeant, I know that the enemy will transform the stone building into a strong firepower point. Please tell me directly, whether the enemy has established in the department store Headquarters?"

"In the parking lot in front of the department store, there are more than 30 vehicles of various types parked." The sergeant reported: "I observed carefully, there are eight covered trucks, two armored vehicles, and the rest They are all barrel cars, and there are about twenty of them."

"Sergeant, what are you talking about? There are almost twenty barrel cars?" Belkin couldn't help feeling ecstatic. He knew what it meant to have so many barrel cars in a parking lot, and quickly asked: " Are there any vehicles coming in or out other than those parked in the parking lot?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." The sergeant replied, "Vehicles stop in front of the department store all the time, and then drive away quickly."

"What kind of vehicles are here?"

"Basically barrel cars, and some motorcycles. By the way, five or six tanks were also driven, and they were parked on the inside of the barbed wire, near the building."

Based on what the sergeant said, Belkin was still unable to determine whether Paulus's headquarters was located in the department store, and he continued to ask: "Then who are the people coming in and out, can you see clearly? "

"I can see clearly." The sergeant replied without hesitation: "I saw through the binoculars that, except for a few lieutenant officers, all the people entering and leaving were school officers wearing silver epaulettes, and even a few generals. But since they got into the barrel cart as soon as they went out, I couldn't see their ranks clearly..."

"That's enough, Comrade Sergeant, you don't need to say any more, I understand." Belkin had concluded at this moment that even if there was no Paulus headquarters in the department store, there was at least one military-level headquarters. He ordered the sergeant: "You continue to observe, and if you find any new situation, report it to me immediately."

After finishing his conversation with the sergeant, Belgin dialed the division headquarters on Mamayev Kurgan. After hearing Sokov's voice, he immediately repeated the situation reported by the scouts to Sokov. He finally asked: "Misha, do you think Paulus will really set up his headquarters in a department store?"

"Comrade my political commissar," Sokov can basically confirm in his heart at this moment that Paulus's headquarters is still located in the basement of the department store, just like in history. He said into the microphone: "If it's just a division-level or even military-level headquarters, there won't be so many barrel cars in the parking lot; secondly, there won't be a few tanks specially placed. Therefore, I conclude that there must be It is the location of Paulus's headquarters. You must send someone to closely monitor it, and report to me immediately if there is any situation."

"I've already done this. I've set up a reconnaissance team in the ruins near the department store. They will report the information there to me in time." Belkin said to Sokov again. Not bad news: "Misha, according to the report of the scouts, the troops of the 64th Army have rushed to the south of the city and are fighting the enemy. I believe it will not be long before they will arrive at our location."

"I see." Sokov heard his worry from Belkin's words. Once the troops of the 64th Army reach the central area, the superiors may logically order them to destroy the enemies in the southern residential area and the central area, and the opportunity to capture Paulus will fall into their hands. Sokov said to Belkin: "I will let you attack the department store when the time is right."

Knowing that Sokov would send his downsizing team to attack the department store at the right time, Belgin took a reassurance, and he assured Sokov, "Misha, don't worry, I will be close. We will carefully monitor the movement of the enemy in the department store and prepare to attack the troops, as long as you give an order, we will attack the department store with all our strength."

After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Sidolin and Ivanov who were surrounding him: "According to the report of Commander Belkin, I am 80% sure that Paulus set up his headquarters in the Department store."

Although Sokov had told everyone that Paulus's headquarters was in the department store, everyone was still skeptical. Hearing him say that now, I feel that this kind of statement should be more reliable. Ivanov said: "Comrade commander, if we really want to attack the department store, the strength of the downsized regiment may be far from enough. I think more troops should be dispatched and rushed to reinforce."

Sokov didn't know that the more troops attacking the department store, the smoother the battle would be. But at this moment, his several regiments are distributed in the wide defensive front, even if he wants to mobilize troops, he still has more than enough energy but not enough energy. Seeing Sokov's embarrassed face, Sidolin suggested to him: "Comrade commander, I have an idea, why not report this matter to Comrade Commander, and ask him to send troops to replace Mamayev Post." Defense, so that we can mobilize more troops to attack the department store."

Sukov thought about Sidolin's proposal for a long time, and felt that it was very reasonable. Once Chuikov knows that Paulus's headquarters is in the department store, he will definitely support him with all his strength. Therefore, as long as Paulus is captured, the feats established by the 62nd Army will be recorded in history. I am afraid that no one can refuse this temptation. of.

Thinking of this, Sokov nodded and agreed with Sidolin's proposal: "Chief of Staff, you are right. To completely defeat the enemy, we need the cooperation of friendly forces. I will call Comrade Commander right now. Report this to him."

Not long after, Chuikov received a call from Sokov. After patiently listening to Sokov's report, he asked cautiously: "Colonel Sokov, can you really confirm that the new headquarters of the German army is located in the department store?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander, I can assure you that the enemy's headquarters is located in the basement of the department store." Sokov said this in an affirmative tone, and added: "But the enemy's headquarters The defense force is strong, and it may be very difficult to take down the department store with just one division of ours, so I hope to get your help."

"Help?" Chuikov asked angrily and amusedly when he heard Sokov say this: "How do you want me to help you? You know, I don't have any extra troops in my hands."

"Comrade Commander, you can ask the head of the front army to send you reinforcements." Seeing that Cuikov was in such a difficult situation, Sokov made suggestions for him: "Say you have enough troops in your hands, and you can send them as soon as possible." Destroy the enemies entrenched in the city."

"Colonel Sokov, I definitely can't help you here." Cuikov poured cold water on Sokov, "As far as I know, the troops of the 64th Army attack very fast, and they will take another four or five days at most , can arrive at Mamayev Post. And even if I ask Commander Rokossovsky for reinforcements, it will be at least half a month before the new troops arrive, and by then Paulus will have become A prisoner of the 64th Army."

"Comrade Commander, are we just watching such a good opportunity slip away from us?"

"Of course not." Cuikov thought that he had fought desperately in the city for several months, and seeing that victory was in sight, if the 64th Army could easily pick up the fruits of his victory, even if he didn't say anything, he would be sorry for those bloody battles under his command. , Commanders and fighters who bleed and die. He slapped the table with his hand and said: "How can we easily give up the merits that belong to us to others? Don't worry, Colonel Sukov, although we can't help you much, but someone can." you."

"Can someone help me?" Chuikov's words made Sukov feel a little puzzled, "Who is it?"

"It's Batov's 65th Army." Chuikov said to Sokov, "Before you called, I had just received a call from Commander Rokossovsky, who told me that Batov's infantry The 23rd Division is considering going to Mamayev Post. If the situation is ideal, it will be able to join you within two days. As long as you join forces, then you can hand over the defense of Mamayev Post to them, and then Then draw part of the troops from the division to participate in the attack on the department store."

"This is really great." Sokov couldn't help being overjoyed when he learned that a friendly army was rushing over to join him. As long as the two divisions join forces in one place, only a small amount of troops need to be left for defense, and then the main forces of the two divisions can be concentrated to attack the department store.

"I tell you some good news." After putting down the phone, Sokov said to Sidolin and Ivanov who were standing next to him: "The 65th Army has an infantry division that is approaching our army. In two or three days It is estimated that the division can be completed. As long as the two divisions join forces, we will have enough troops to attack the department store and capture Paulus alive."

"In two or three days, friendly troops will come to join us." This unexpected good news made Sidolin overjoyed, "That is to say, in three to four days at most, we will be able to launch the final attack on the German army." attack."

"Chief of Staff, you are wrong." As soon as Sidolin finished speaking, Ivanov corrected him and said, "We are attacking Paulus' headquarters, and the enemy's strength is still so strong that it is still very difficult to destroy them. "

"Comrade Commander," Sidolin was not angry, but continued to ask Sokov: "What preparations should we make these few days?"

"Order all the troops to temporarily stop attacking the enemy." Sokov replied: "Let the commanders and fighters recharge their batteries, and only after the reunion will they have enough physical strength and high morale to launch an attack on the Paulus headquarters. attack."

"What, order all the troops to suspend the attack?" Sidolin immediately questioned Sokov's plan: "Comrade commander, under the current situation, even if we stop the attack, will the enemy give up?"

"Don't worry, the Germans are already facing the dilemma of running out of ammunition and food." Sokov said with a faint smile: "The soldiers can't eat enough, how can they have the strength to fight? If we don't attack, they must be eager. Besides, we do this , It can also paralyze the enemy, making them think that we have no ability to launch a new attack. When they completely relax their vigilance, we can launch an attack again, and we will definitely defeat them."

Seeing Sidolin pick up the phone and prepare to give orders to the heads of the regiments, Sokov remembered another important matter, and quickly told the other party: "By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff, there is one more important matter. , I almost forgot. You told the heads of the regiments that although the military offensive was stopped, the political offensive against the enemy cannot be stopped.”

"Still shouting at the enemy's position?" Anisimov couldn't help but interjected.

"Yes, in addition to yelling at the enemy's position, we must prepare enough food in the forward position, and then let Comrade Ulbricht tell the enemy on the opposite side that as long as we put down our weapons and run over, we can give them food. As for eating After it's over, whether they stay or go back is up to us."

Sokov's words stunned Anisimov, who opened his mouth wide in surprise and stared at Sokov in a daze. After a while, he murmured: "Comrade commander, did I hear correctly? Is it appropriate to let the enemy come over and eat their fill before letting them go back?"

"There is nothing inappropriate." Sokov said with a smile: "Since we have occupied all the airports, the supplies of the besieged German army can only be carried out by airdrops, but how can such a limited amount of food be enough for hundreds of thousands of people? What to eat? So most Germans are starving today."