Red Moscow

"Comrade commander, isn't this too much?" Ivanov, who was standing aside, confirmed the authenticity of the telegram, and said to Sokov angrily: "It is entirely our responsibility to take down the German headquarters." How can Paulus be handed over to the 64th Army for the credit of the combat group?"

"Samoilov," Sokov stood up, and shouted to Samoilov who was standing at the door: "Come to me."

Samoilov quickly came to Sokov, quietly waiting for his instructions.

Sokov pointed at him with his hand and ordered: "Immediately order the communications soldiers to set up a special telephone line for me here to communicate with the Front Army Command. I want to ask what's going on."

After Samoilov turned to leave, Sokov saw Paulus sitting aside and felt that it was inappropriate for him to stay here, so he said to Ulbricht: "Comrade Ulbricht, I have important things to deal with later, you can accompany Paulus to another room to rest first."

Ulbricht heard the contents of the telegram, guessing that Sokov must have something important to do next, and it would be inappropriate for him to stay here, so he nodded and took Paulus to another room.

When Sokov saw that only he, Ivanov, and the radio operator were left in the room, he ordered the radio operator again: "Send a telegram to the division commanders and brigade commanders and ask them to come to me immediately."

"Comrade Commander," Ivanov asked Sokov curiously, taking advantage of the time when the radio operator sent the report, "You called all the division commanders here, what's the matter?"

Sokov knew very well in his heart that since his superior had issued an order, no matter how angry he was, he could not change the status quo. After hearing Ivanov's question, he replied with a wry smile: "Our commanders and fighters have been fighting with Paulus's army for so long, even if I want to hand over Paulus to friendly troops, I have to let our division and brigade commanders Let's see what Paulus looks like."

"Oh, so that's how it is." After hearing Sokov's explanation, Ivanov secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He was really worried that Sokov would lose control of his emotions because of this inexplicable telegram and would do something irreparable. wrong thing. He felt that Sokov's approach was correct. He called together all the division commanders and brigade commanders of the combat group. In addition to letting them visit Paulus, he could also explain to them why Paulus was handed over to friendly forces. reason.

In fact, the division commanders and brigade commanders of the combat group all stayed not far from the department store. Before receiving Sokov's order, they did not dare to go to the department store. Colonel Bely, also staying in his tank on standby.

As soon as everyone received Sokov's summoning order, they hurried to the basement of the department store.

"Commanders, you are all here." Seeing that all the division commanders and brigade commanders had arrived, Sokov got up and shook hands with everyone, pointing to the conference table beside him and said to them: "Everyone sit down and sit down." Right. Not so long ago, there were a group of German generals sitting here, and now they are all replaced by our Soviet commanders."

Sokov's words aroused everyone's laughter, and the atmosphere in the room became more relaxed.

After everyone was seated, Major General Makarenko asked first: "Comrade Commander, we have been waiting outside just now and saw thousands of German prisoners being taken away, but did not see Paulus. Is he still in the basement?"

"That's right, he's still here." Sokov pointed to the room where Paulus was. "It's in that room."

"It's in the room over there." When the commanders present heard this, their eyes immediately reflected. Don't see everyone fighting the German army in Stalingrad for several months, but what does Paulus look like? But have not seen. Sivakov excitedly proposed: "Comrade Commander, everyone has been fighting in the Stalingrad area for several months, dreaming of defeating Paulus, but they don't even know what he looks like. Someone bring him out Let's meet."

"Yes, Sivakov is right." As soon as Sivakov's words fell, someone immediately echoed: "Bring Paulus out and let us see."

Sokov didn't stop them immediately, but waited until everyone's voices gradually quieted down, and then said: "comrades, commanders, don't worry, when we hand over Paulus to friendly forces, you will all see .”

Merkulov, who had been silent all this time, immediately realized that something was wrong when he heard Sokov say this. He quickly interjected and asked, "Comrade Commander, what did you just say? Is it necessary to hand over Paulus to the friendly army?" what is going on?"

The room, which was still full of laughter, suddenly became quiet after Merkulov asked this question. Everyone focused on Sokov, trying to figure out what was going on.

"Look, comrades commander." Sokov put the telegram from Rokossovsky on the table, pushed it forward, and said, "This is from the Front Army Command. telegraph."

Major General Makarenko, who was closest to Sokov, snatched the telegram first and carefully checked its contents. After reading it, he slammed the table and said angrily: "It's too much. Our soldiers shed blood and died. We finally took down the German headquarters and captured Paulus alive. 64th Army."

The telegram was circulated in the hands of the commanders. After reading it, everyone was silent. No one expected that after taking down the German headquarters and capturing Paulus alive, he would hand over such a victory to the friendly army within a few minutes of being happy. No matter who it is, I won't feel comfortable in my heart.

"Comrade Commander," Sheyko, political commissar of the 67th Guards Division, asked, "Have you verified the authenticity of this telegram?"

One stone stirred up waves, and Sheyko's words immediately resonated with everyone, and everyone said, "Yes, yes, yes, Comrade Commander, you should verify the authenticity of this telegram."

"Yes, immediately ask the radio operator to send a telegram to the front army headquarters for verification, so as not to be deceived."

Sokov waited for everyone to calm down again before continuing: "Commanders, I have ordered someone to set up a telephone line with the Front Army Command. After the setup is completed, I will personally contact Rokosovs. General Ki asked."

"Comrade Commander," Samoilov walked in from the outside and reported to Sokov, "The phone call with the Front Army Command has been settled. Can you connect the phone?"

"It doesn't matter, Comrade Lieutenant." Sokov said with a serious expression: "Pick up the phone immediately."

After the call came in, the communications soldier connected the front army headquarters in full view. When he heard a voice coming from the receiver, he immediately handed the receiver to Sokov. Sokov said into the microphone: "Hello, I am Colonel Sokov, the commander of the Sokov combat group, please help me pick up the commander, General Rokossovsky."

After waiting for two minutes, Rokossovsky's voice came from the receiver, and he said in a businesslike tone: "Is this Colonel Sokov? This is Rokossovsky. I know you will Calling and asking why Paulus is being handed over to friendly forces, right?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." After scanning the commanders in the room, Sokov solemnly replied: "It's not just me who wants to know, these division commanders and brigade commanders under me, I also want to know the answer. So that they can know how to answer when the combatants ask."

"According to the order of the headquarters, Paulus will be held in the Beketovka district in the south of Stalingrad, which is not damaged by the war." Rokossovsky said briefly on the phone: "And It happens to be the defense zone of the 64th Army now, so handing over Paulus to them is a matter of course."

"It turns out that's the case." After finding out the reason, Sokov said with a wry smile: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, in fact, you should make it clear in the telegram, otherwise there will be no misunderstanding."

Rokossovsky naturally understood what was going on with the misunderstanding that Sokov mentioned. He did not dwell on it at this moment, but changed the subject in time: "By the way, I have something to ask you. After Luce, did you ask him to call or send a telegram to the place entrenched in the factory area?"

"No." Sokov thought to himself that even if Paulus called, the enemies in the factory area in the north of the city would not surrender, so why bother himself. However, there was another kind of rhetoric in his mouth: "This matter is of great importance. I did not dare to act without authorization before I got an order from my superior."

Rokossovsky really can't fault Sokov's water-tight statement. He thought for a while, and told Sokov: "Let Paulus immediately call or send a telegram to the factory area in the north of the city, urging them to surrender."

"Understood, I will carry out your order immediately."

After putting down the phone, Sokov told Samoilov, "Go to the room over there and bring Paulus over."

While waiting for Paulus to come over, Sokov said to the commanders present: "Commanders, I have figured it out. The headquarters intends to detain Paulus in an area that has not been cracked by the war. The specific location In the Beketovka district south of Stalingrad. It is the defense zone of the 64th Army, and there is nothing wrong with handing over to them."

When Paulus and Ulbricht re-entered the room, they were startled to see the room full of people. Paulus came to Sokov and asked expressionlessly: "Colonel Sokov, what are you going to do by bringing me in front of so many people?"

"Marshal Paulus, you misunderstood." Sokov said politely, "These are my subordinates. I called them here to discuss the next move."

After Paulus glanced over the Soviet commander present, he sneered and said, "Colonel Sokov, don't lie to me. There are two generals here. May I ask, which army will be led by a colonel?" , to command the two generals?"

After listening to Ulbricht's translation, Sokov couldn't help laughing: "Marshal Paulus, you made a mistake. In our army, commanders with lower ranks serve as commanders, and commanders with higher ranks serve as deputies." The situation is too much. What does it matter if I have a colonel commanding two generals?"

Then Sokov changed the subject and talked about business: "Marshal Paulus, I invited you here because I have an important matter to ask you."

Paulus asked back, "What is it?"

"Although you and your subordinates have surrendered, there are still many troops in the factory area in the north of the city, still fighting with our army." Sokov didn't circle around, and said bluntly: "I hope you can give The commander over there makes a phone call, or sends a telegram, ordering them to stop resisting."

"I'm sorry, Colonel Sokov." Unexpectedly, after listening to Sokov's request, Paulus shook his head and refused, "Now that I have become your prisoner, the 11th Infantry Army commanding troops in the factory area General Karl Strekel will never obey my orders. I advise you that if you want to deal with the troops in the factory area, you can only use war."

A twisted melon is not sweet. Sokov understood this truth very well. Since Paulus was unwilling to cooperate, he did not force it. Instead, he ordered Samoilov to bring Paulus back to the original room.

"This guy is really stubborn," Merkulov said through gritted teeth. "He's still stubborn even though he's our prisoner. Doesn't he know how many innocent lives can be saved by issuing an order to surrender?"

"Forget it, let's not talk about this." Sokov waved his hand, interrupted Merkulov's words behind him, stood up straight and said to everyone: "comrades commanders, although the enemy in the south of the city has been resolved, we There is still a lot to do.”

Hearing Sokov say that there are still many things to do next, the division commanders all sat up straight and waited quietly for Sokov to give them orders.

"The work everyone has to do next is very cumbersome," Sokov said to everyone: "Strengthen the fortifications, improve the defense line; eliminate the remaining enemies; clean up the corpses on the battlefield, whether they belong to our army or the enemy, they must be buried properly Otherwise, the plague may be prevalent when the weather is warmer in May...”

After assigning the task, Sokov glanced at the people present again, and asked, "Does anyone have any questions?"

"No more." The commanders present replied in unison.

"Since there is no problem, let's adjourn the meeting."

Just when everyone got up and filed towards the door, Sergey Sha, the company commander of the guard, squeezed in from outside and shouted at Sokov: "Comrade commander, a general is looking for you outside."

"A general?!" Sokov glanced at Makarenko and Merkulov who hadn't walked out of the meeting, thinking that the two generals under him were here, and they appeared again A general asked curiously: "Captain Sergei, did he say who he is?"

"Yes." Seryozha nodded and replied, "He said he was Major General Rastin, chief of staff of the 64th Army, and he was ordered to receive Paulus."

The commanders who were walking towards the door stopped when they heard that the friendly commander who had received Paulus had arrived, and turned their heads to look at Sokov, wanting to see his reaction.