After Manstein learned that Barvinkovo was attacked, his first reaction was to contact Paul Hausser: "General Hauser, the Russians are attacking Barvinkovo, why don't Ike's troops fight back? He also
What are you dawdling about?"
"Your Excellency, Marshal," after hearing Manstein's rebuke, Hausser quickly explained: "I just had a call with the headquarters of the Skeleton Division, but the chief of staff, Colonel Shimon, said that General Ike drove to the front for inspection.
Yes, but I haven’t come back yet.”
"Even if he goes to the front line, he can still command his troops in the forward command post to counterattack the Russians. But until now, the performance of the Skeleton Division is not comparable to their usual performance. Tell me, what is this?
what happened?"
"Marshal, I think of the worst possibility." Hausser said cautiously on the phone: "Maybe General Ike has been killed in the battle. Only in this way will he lose contact with his division headquarters.
"
"What, you said that Ike has been killed?" Manstein, who was about to challenge Hauser to accuse him, was shocked when he learned the news. He asked cautiously: "General Hauser, do you really think there is a murder?"
Is this possible?"
"Yes, Marshal, I am very sure." Hausser replied: "If it hadn't been for some accident, I'm afraid he wouldn't have been in contact with the division headquarters for such a long time. As a result, the entire division was lost.
Unified command cannot carry out an effective counterattack against the Russians."
"Immediately appoint Chief of Staff Colonel Shimon and connect Ike." Manstein ordered Hauser on the phone: "Let him organize an uninterrupted counterattack to drive the Russians out of Barvinkovo. Drive the Russians out of Barvinkovo."
After people drive out of the city, we must find a way to hold them back and never let them escape. Order the other two divisions to rush over quickly and encircle them."
"The Imperial Division was attacked by the Russians not long ago and was disrupted. I am afraid that it will not be able to reach Barvinkovo in a short time." Hausser reported to Manstein: "But I have already given the time to the standard guard.
An order was issued for them to move quickly towards Barvinkovo. Now the third battalion of the 2nd Grenadier Regiment of the division is only a few kilometers away from the city."
"Very good." After learning that the leading troops of the Flag Guard Division were only a few kilometers away from Barvinkovo, Manstein felt much more at ease. "Since the formation of the Flag Guard Division, it has never lost a battle.
I believe they will teach the Russians an unforgettable lesson this time."
When Hausser appointed Colonel Shimon as the acting commander of the Skeleton Division, the Soviet telecommunications interception unit quickly intercepted the message. In less than half an hour, the deciphered message was placed in front of Zhukov.
Zhukov, who had just taken over as commander of the Southwest Front, saw the message and asked the director of the communications corps standing in front of him: "Comrade director, is this news reliable?"
"Comrade Marshal," the director of the communications corps quickly replied: "This is the message sent by Paul Hausser to the Skeleton Division. I believe it is true."
"As far as I know, the troops of the 41st Guards Division are attacking Barvinkovo at the moment. Logically speaking, in this case, it is taboo to change the division commander, but the Germans still did it. Tell me.
,What is the reason?"
Lieutenant General Ivanov, chief of staff, replied: "Comrade Marshal, according to my judgment, this situation will generally occur unless the division commander can no longer command the troops, and then others will be asked to take his place."
"Then tell me, what happened to Ike that made him unable to command the troops?"
"Unless he is injured or killed in action." Ivanov said thoughtfully: "Even if he is injured, he can still command the troops while lying on the hospital bed. Is he killed in action? But how is this possible? You know, attacking
There is only one division in Barvinkovo, the 41st Guards Division, and there are no heavy weapons. How could they kill Ike in the battle?"
"If the commander of this force is Sokov, then nothing is impossible." Zhukov looked at Ivanov and asked: "A few days ago, if I told you, there would be a force of our army going deep into
Behind enemy lines, the three elite SS divisions of the German army were stunned. Would you believe it?"
"I don't believe it, Comrade Marshal." Ivanov replied simply: "Just a few days ago, two tank corps and three infantry divisions commanded by General Rybalko were encircled by these three German divisions.
If General Rybalko had not made a timely breakthrough, I am afraid that his troops would have been completely wiped out by the Germans."
"The reason why Rybalko was able to break out of the encirclement in time was because Major General Sokov warned me. I then warned Rybalko through special channels. Only then did he give up the idea of waiting for help and acted decisively.
He took a breakout action and jumped out from the enemy's encirclement with a part of his troops."
Zhukov's words brightened the eyes of the commanders present. The three SS divisions that once caused them headaches are now being fooled by a Soviet Guards division. This thing sounds incredible. Ivan
Nov asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, should we do something to provide them with some help?"
"Now the most complete unit of the entire front army is the 61st Group Army. They are ordered to assume an offensive posture in the direction of Ijum to attract the enemy's attention, so that the enemy who is approaching Ijum will not dare to randomly allocate troops to strengthen it.
Defense of Barvinkovo.”
Ivanov waited for Zhukov to finish speaking and quickly agreed: "Yes, Comrade Marshal, I will immediately call the commander of the 61st Group Army and order his troops to move in the direction of Izyum."
"In addition," Zhukov continued: "Send a telegram to General Rokossovsky and inform him of the news that Ike may have been killed by the 41st Guards Division, so that he can also be happy."
When Ivanov heard what Zhukov said, he immediately guessed his intention and asked with a smile: "Comrade Marshal, do you want General Rokossovsky to verify the authenticity of this matter?"
Zhukov smiled and nodded, urging Ivanov: "Hurry up and send a telegram to Rokossovsky."
Rokossovsky did not receive any report from Sokov, so when he received the telegram from Zhukov, he was ecstatic and also had doubts. He quickly ordered Malinin: "Chief of Staff, please send Sokov a message."
Make a phone call and ask him if he killed Theodore Eicke, the commander of the German Totenkopf Division, during the attack on Barvinkovo?"
