USSR 1941

Golikov and Krylov discussed for a long time but failed to come to a conclusion. In the end, Akimovich suggested: "Why don't we ask Shulka how he wants to deal with this matter!"

Golikov has no objection to this, because in his opinion, Shulka is the person involved and has a pivotal position in the defense of Stalingrad. Of course, his thoughts and opinions should be heard.

So the ball was kicked to Shulka again.

"Comrade Shulka!" Golikov said very nicely: "Your results surprised us. We believe that these soldiers will flee to the 82nd Infantry Regiment because of the successful transformation of the Fifth Infantry Company. But at the same time , this creates another problem for us, we need to consider for the benefit of the entire army..."

"Yes, Comrade Golikov!" Shulka replied: "If the command decides to repatriate these soldiers to the original unit, we have no objection!"

Although Shulka was unwilling to do this, it was impossible.

The reason why Shulka is unwilling is because the reason why these soldiers fled to the 82nd Infantry Regiment desperately is actually out of trust in Shulka and the trust in the 82nd Infantry Regiment. Give it to Shulka.

But now, Shulka is driving them back... This is a betrayal of the trust of these soldiers no matter what, and it will also set an example for the 82nd Infantry Regiment, the 5th Infantry Company, and even Shulka throughout the army. The personal image of the card has a very bad negative impact.

In fact, this is also not good for the defense of Stalingrad, because he will in turn affect the morale of all "punishment battalions".

But of course, it's a double-edged sword, and putting these deserters into the 82nd Infantry also has its own set of negative consequences.

"No, Comrade Shulka!" Golikov said, "That's not what we mean! I want to know your thoughts, how do you think this matter can be resolved without affecting the 'punishment' while maintaining the stability of the existing system. The morale of the battalion... The total strength of the "punishment battalion" of each unit has reached tens of thousands, and they are all distributed in the most dangerous areas. Their morale may directly have an irreversible impact on Stalingrad, so we must carefully consider !"

Shulka understood what Golikov meant.

"Punishment Battalions" are always sent to the most dangerous areas and the forefront of the battlefield because of their particularity.

These areas often also mean important areas. It may not be a problem if one or two "punishment camps" have problems, but if a large number of "punishment camps" collectively mutiny... This will definitely not be a good thing for Stalingrad.

Especially when the battle situation is so tense, when the enemy and the enemy enter a tug-of-war with little difference in strength, it may even cause the entire defense system of Stalingrad to collapse.

After thinking about it, Shulka made a suggestion: "Maybe we can keep these soldiers who fled to the 82nd Infantry Regiment ... because if they are sent back, it is likely to cause panic and then take extreme measures, and further make the situation worse!"

"True!" Golikov agreed.

This is not alarmist talk. It is easy for people to have the extreme idea of ​​sacrificing everything and doing nothing at the moment of life and death.

There is no way these soldiers who fled to the 82nd Infantry Regiment can go back, it has been decided since they decided to escape from the original unit... If they return, they will almost certainly be punished or even "kill chickens and monkeys" to stop the escape incident expand further.

"It's not a big problem to keep these people!" Golikov thought for a while, and then said: "I can use the army headquarters to issue orders to the corresponding troops. The problem is... If other people know about this, I mean' Penalty Battalion' soldiers, they're likely to follow suit!"

This is also a kind of group effect, which is the instinct of people to seek good luck and avoid bad luck.

When the 82nd Infantry can become a normal unit, who wants to stay in the "punishment battalion" as cannon fodder? !

"I know, Comrade Golikov!" Shulka said: "So we should issue an order, that is, make no exceptions, and this should not happen again!"

There was silence on the phone for a while, and Golikov replied: "This may be a safe solution, but it will also damage the morale of the 'punishment battalion'...you know? This gives me a headache, Shulka! Why is there no one like your perfect 'punishment battalion' converted into a combat unit! Why the 5th infantry company cannot be replicated in other units, sometimes I think... we should even turn over all the 'punishment battalions' in your hands!"

"No, Comrade Golikov, I don't think this is a good choice." Hearing this, Shulka couldn't help being taken aback. If he gave all the "punishment battalions" to his command, it would be the same as being thrown into the "punishment battalion". Camp" What's the difference?

What's more, if the "punishment camps" are all gathered together and the scale is so large, it will not be a problem that can be controlled in a few days... A large part of the reason why the "punishment camp" system can be implemented smoothly is that It is scattered in various units, and behind each "punishment battalion" there is an interception force behind it with machine guns on its head.

Bringing them together is actually helping them sit big.

Golikov laughed loudly on the other end of the phone: "That's a joke, Comrade Shulka! I won't do it for real!"

Shulka breathed a sigh of relief, he was really worried that Golikov would do this, because he could hear that when Golikov said this before, he was a bit joking but also a bit sincere... Golikov In fact, he was testing Shulka. As long as Shulka dared to accept it, Golikov would dare to hand over this task to Shulka.

Shulka shook his head secretly. Golikov thought highly of himself too. Tens of thousands of "punishment battalion" soldiers were all on the verge of life and death, and they might explode at any time. Gathering them... It made Shulka think about it. Scared.

After hesitating for a while, Shulka replied: "If we want to give the 'Punishment Battalion' some hope or boost morale, I think there is a way that might work!"

"In what way?" asked Golikov.

"Why don't we establish a reward and punishment mechanism?" Shulka said: "Simply put... in the future, we will never allow the situation of fleeing from our own troops to the 82nd Infantry Regiment, but we can become 'trusted' through meritorious service. members, that is, through their efforts to join the 82nd Infantry Regiment..."

"Good idea, Shulka!" Before Shulka finished speaking, Golikov on the other end of the phone called out: "This will not only improve the morale of the 'punishment battalion', but also not affect the original troops and the original system." , it can even be said to be beneficial to them, it can be said to have the best of both worlds!"