USSR 1941

The quasi-deserters were shot one by one, kneeling with their hands behind their backs, their heads smashed by the bullets from behind at close range, and their brains burst into death in a miserable state.

The straight line formed by the corpses was nearly three kilometers long... More than two hundred people lined up could not be three kilometers apart, but in order to better serve as a deterrent, Khrushchev ordered them to be separated from each other by ten miles. m execution, so it looks like a long row that makes people look a little creepy.

In fact, not only watching, but thinking about it, Khrushchev is making full use of these "quasi-deserters", even if they are dead. Look at these "quasi-deserters" from a different perspective.

This approach really worked, and the "cutting corners" on the battlefield disappeared immediately, and the combat effectiveness and morale were immediately improved significantly, which can be seen from the overall slowdown of the German army's advance speed.

But Khrushchev was not satisfied with this.

"The reason why I support your tactics is because I know that Stalingrad has insufficient troops!" Khrushchev said to others in the headquarters in a cold tone: "The Germans have been blocking our supply lines. From Stalingrad to the Volga River and then to the east bank, just yesterday, we also had a warehouse storing tens of thousands of tons of supplies that was blown up by the enemy, and the communication lines and ports were also damaged to a certain extent... So, You are right, if we continue to charge regardless of sacrifices as before, then it is not difficult to imagine the result, our limited forces will soon be exhausted, and Stalingrad will fall into the hands of the enemy!"

No one dared to answer, because they all knew that Khrushchev's words would not be so simple.

Sure enough, after glancing at everyone, Khrushchev continued: "However, this does not mean that we can stop the Germans, or that we have an advantage..."

Khrushchev slapped his hands on the table heavily, while emphasizing his tone: "The enemy is attacking us every second, the battle line is constantly advancing towards us, and we are retreating, understand? Comrades... Although I believe that in the end Victory would be ours, but now we are losing Stalingrad!"

Although these words are somewhat contradictory, "I believe that victory belongs to us", "I am losing Stalingrad".

But Shulka and everyone else understood what Khrushchev was talking about.

"Victory is ours" is a matter of belief and position.

"Stalingrad is being lost" is the reality that is happening now.

In order to achieve the belief that "victory belongs to us\

,"The reality of "losing Stalingrad" must be changed.

"Comrade Golikov!" Khrushchev looked at Golikov and said, "You are the commander of Stalingrad and have performed well since the defense of Stalingrad. At least you led the troops to stand firm here Heel, I want to hear your thoughts!"

"Comrade political commissar..." Golikov thought for a while in embarrassment, and then replied hesitantly: "I think we can start with supplies..."

"Yes, supplies!" Khrushchev continued: "The Germans blocked our traffic and restricted our supplies! They blow up a railway and we repair a railway, blow up a port and we build another port, That way we can put more troops and equipment into Stalingrad and win in the end, right?"

"Yes, Comrade Political Commissar!" Golikov replied a little excitedly: "That's what I want to say..."

"We have already done this, Comrade Golikov!" Khrushchev interrupted Golikov.

Clearly, Golikov was overjoyed.

"Everyone will think of this, as long as he is not a fool!" Khrushchev was rude and completely ignored Golikov's face in front of his subordinates. In fact, except for a limited number of people, Khrushchev did not need to take care of others face.

"Everyone knows!" Khrushchev continued to reprimand the ashen-faced Golikov. ! And you, as the commander of the Army Group, the commander of Stalingrad, only thought of the method that everyone would think of, what we are already doing, and you call it a suggestion!"

As he said that, Khrushchev glanced at the others coldly, and asked, "Any other ideas? What I need are tactics and methods, understand? Otherwise, I don't understand what happened between you and those who were shot. What's the difference between a traitor?"

These words immediately made the atmosphere in the headquarters tense... If there is no difference, does it mean that these "trash" in the headquarters can also be shot?

Akimovich plucked up the courage to stand up and replied: "Comrade political commissar, I think... we should give full play to Comrade Shulka's tactics, and transport troops to the enemy's rear through underground pipelines on a large scale to harass the enemy. Gu!"

The reason why Akimovich wanted to mention Shulka was that on the one hand, he was unwilling to take credit, and on the other hand, he used a trick... He wanted to use this to draw Khrushchev's attention to Shulka again .

Because Akimovich knew that if anyone could come up with a plan that satisfied Khrushchev, then it would be Shulka.

"Didn't we do this before?" Khrushchev countered. "I know this, Comrade Major, and that's one of the reasons why you were able to hold Stalingrad and keep the enemy at bay. It's just... I didn't know it was the same Proposed by Comrade Shulka!"

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Shulka and asked, "Do you agree with what the major said?"

From this point of view, Akimovich succeeded. He successfully shifted Khrushchev's attention to Shulka.

"No, Comrade Political Commissar!" Shulka replied: "It worked well in the early days, but as the battle deepened, the Germans went every step of the way, thoroughly searching every inch of land they occupied and blasting or sealing off every possible Exit. In addition, the enemy has basically figured out the direction of the underground pipeline, so it is difficult for us to use the underground pipeline to sneak attack like before!"

Khrushchev nodded and said: "Well, tell me what you think, Comrade Shulka! I hope you think differently, otherwise... I don't think you should stay here and direct the battle, but rather Stay with front-line soldiers and experience the feeling of their lives hanging by a thread!"

All eyes were on Shulka, including Golikov.