Unexpectedly, after listening to Sokov's words, Belkin said resolutely: "Comrade Brigadier, this matter is not a trivial matter. If it is not handled well, the consequences may be disastrous, so I must go back with you."
At this point, he glanced at Bely and Yakov, and added, "As for the work here, it can be left to Colonel Bely and Major Yakov."
Sokov was eager to return to Mamayev Heights, so he did not object to Belgin's suggestion. Instead, he nodded and said: "Okay, comrade political commissar, let's go back to Mamayev together according to what you said."
Post.”
On the way, Sokov thought angrily: "What the hell is this Guchakov doing? We only rescued him from the prisoner of war camp when we captured Kursk. Just a few months later, he actually
Being a prisoner again is simply outrageous."
Back at the brigade headquarters, after Sokov and Vitkov said hello, they couldn't wait to ask Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, where is Guchakov? Bring him here immediately.
"
Sidorin quickly picked up the phone on the table and ordered into the receiver: "Bring Guchakov here, the brigade commander wants to see him."
While waiting for Guchakov's arrival, Sokov decided to find out the general situation and asked Vitkov: "Comrade Deputy Brigadier, Lieutenant Guchakov was captured. What happened?"
"I don't know the specific situation." Witkov replied: "The commander of the third battalion sent him here. He said that soldiers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs saw him being captured by the German soldiers, but he was quickly captured by the German soldiers.
He was released, suspecting that he might have rebelled..." At this point, Vitkov paused for a moment and continued, "Comrade Brigade Commander, these are extraordinary times. It stands to reason that Lieutenant Guchakov's situation
, should be shot immediately or sent to a punishment camp. But considering that he is a commander you value highly, I called the political commissar and hoped that you would deal with him personally."
"You did the right thing, Comrade Deputy Brigadier." Sokov waited for Vitkov to finish and said angrily: "We must be cautious in matters where human life is at stake. If he really rebels, he deserves to be shot.
; But if there is another hidden reason and a good person is killed by mistake, it will be too late even if you regret it."
When Guchakov was escorted into the headquarters by two soldiers, he unexpectedly found that Sokov was also here. An expression of surprise suddenly appeared on his face. He knew that with Sokov's character, he would not
Instead of dealing with yourself hastily, you will carefully interrogate the causes and consequences. In this way, your chances of survival will be greatly increased.
"Lieutenant Guchakov." Sokov asked someone to bring a stool to Guchakov. After the other party sat down, he asked: "Tell me, how did you get captured by the Germans and why did they do it again?"
Will you be released on your own initiative?" In order to avoid arousing Guchakov's resistance, he intentionally did not mention the word "rebellion."
"Report to Comrade Brigade Commander," Guchakov stood up and replied respectfully: "Our company was ordered to hold on to Sun Street. Our mission is to resolutely prevent the enemy from occupying this street..."
"Okay, Lieutenant Guchakov, we all know what your mission is." Sokov was eager to know the truth of the matter and was not interested in these trivial things. He interrupted Guchakov.
If so, ask directly: "I want to know how you were captured?"
"That's it, Comrade Brigadier." Guchakov saw that Sokov wanted to know the truth of the matter, so he explained to him: "I led a platoon to stand in a building on the south side of Sun Street and block the attack along the street.
The German troops rushed into the street. After the enemy launched two consecutive attacks, which were repelled by us, the enemy used two 75mm anti-tank guns. They used direct shooting and bombarded our exposed fire points with high-explosive grenades.
, and while we were suppressed by artillery fire and unable to observe, they rushed to the building and threw grenades in through the window, causing us great casualties..."
When Sokov heard this, he couldn't help but thought to himself: "It seems that the Germans have also learned the tactic of attaching bayonets to cannons. We must come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible, otherwise it will cause serious damage to the defenders in the urban area.
A great loss.”
"...As soon as the explosion of grenades stopped, the German infantry broke into the building through the door or window and started a floor-by-floor battle with us." Guchakov continued: "Although we put up tenacious resistance, due to the
There was a huge disparity in military strength between the two sides. The more we fought, the fewer our men were. When I retreated to the basement door, I found that there was no soldier around me. They must have all died. There was a ton of explosives stored in the basement. I wanted to go in and detonate them, and rush them into the building.
All the Germans were buried in the ruins. Who knew..."
"Comrade Lieutenant, what happened in the basement?" When Sokov saw Guchakov saying this, he suddenly stopped and quickly urged: "Why didn't you detonate these explosives?"
"Because I discovered..." When Guchakov said this, his breathing suddenly became heavy: "At some point, a group of residents entered the basement, including old people, women and children, and even a man holding a
A young woman with a baby. In the dim candlelight, I found them all staring at me with frightened eyes. At that moment, I realized that I had no right to decide the life and death of these people, so I gave up the plan of detonating the explosives and walked out again.
basement.
As soon as I entered the door, a German corporal held a gun to my chest. I was worried that my actions would cause a bloody massacre, so I took the initiative to put down the gun in my hand. The German soldier saw that I gave up so easily.
He refused to resist and was curious to know what was in the basement, so he pointed his gun at me, walked to the door of the basement, and looked inside. After seeing clearly what was going on inside, he put down the gun and said nothing.
Then he turned around and left..."
After hearing Guchakov's story, Sokov waved his hands to the two soldiers and ordered: "You take Lieutenant Guchakov down first, and we have to discuss how to deal with him. Remember, don't make things difficult.
Does he understand?"
"Understood, Comrade Brigade Commander!" the two soldiers agreed and escorted Guchakov out.
"Comrade commanders," after Guchakov left, Sokov glanced at his three deputies one by one and asked: "After listening to Lieutenant Guchakov's story, what do you think?
What should be done with him?"
Sokov's words caused a silence, and no one was the first to express their opinion.
"Comrade Brigadier, I'm very curious." After a long time, Sidorin asked: "Why didn't the German soldier shoot him, and even let him go?"
"I think the German soldier was probably a member of the German Communist Party, or at worst an anti-fascist. That's why he didn't shoot Guchakov after seeing clearly the women and children in the basement."
After Erkin stated his point of view, in order to enhance his persuasion, he also gave specific examples: "From the time the enemy attacked Stalingrad, some of the bombs dropped by their air force would always fail to explode. The fuses of these bombs were all set by the Germans.
The anti-fascist fighters in the arsenal destroyed it."
"No matter what the reason was for the soldier not shooting, tell me, how should we deal with Lieutenant Guchakov?" After raising the question again, Sokov first expressed his attitude, "I think he is a traitor.
Surrendering to the enemy is a bit too much. After all, he was captured by the Germans to protect the residents in the basement. There is absolutely no need to take any harsh disciplinary measures against him."
Now that Sokov has set the tone, Belkin quickly echoed: "I agree with Comrade Brigade Commander. Guchakov was captured by the Germans to protect the residents. But we must pay attention to one thing. His capture
His capture did not bring any losses to our army, therefore, I recommend that he be given a lenient sentence."
"Actually, if Lieutenant Guchakov had not been captured by chance, no one would have mentioned it unless someone from the Ministry of Internal Affairs happened to see it." After pondering for a long time, Vitkov proposed his own solution: "Although Guchakov
Lieutenant Cove's starting point is good, but no matter what, his behavior of laying down his weapons to the enemy must be punished. If he is let go so easily and other commanders and combatants follow his example, wouldn't it be a mess?
"
"Yes, Comrade Deputy Brigade Commander is right." Regarding Vitkov's proposal, Sidorin expressed his support: "This time Guchakov was lucky and met a German soldier who was not hostile to us.
, he and the residents were able to escape unscathed. But not everyone has such good luck. If our soldiers all take the initiative to lay down their weapons, wouldn't they become lambs to be slaughtered in front of the enemy?"
Seeing that all three people expressed their opinions, Sokov stood up and made a final concluding speech: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I don't think he is suitable to continue to serve as the commander of the ninth company. I will call the commander of the third battalion later and choose him."
A suitable comrade should take over the position of company commander. As for Guchakov himself, I think he should be allowed to serve as a soldier in the guard company and his rank be reduced to corporal. What do you think? Everyone has no different opinions, right?"
Seeing that Sokov almost beat Guchakov to the end, no one had any different opinions, so they quickly replied: "No opinions!"
Sokov raised his hand and looked at his watch. There were still four or five hours until dawn, and he said to Belkin: "Comrade Political Commissar, I plan to return to the factory area. You should not go. Stay here to assist the deputy brigade commander."
Let’s go about our daily work with the Chief of Staff.”
When Belkin heard Sokov's proposal, he knew that no matter what he said, the other party would not let him go to the factory again, so he did not insist anymore, but said with concern: "Comrade Brigadier, when you return to the factory this time
, take a platoon away from the security company. With the soldiers of the security company by your side, at least your safety is guaranteed."
When Sokov came back this time, he really wanted to transfer some commanders and fighters from the guard company to go with him to the factory, so that they could be used as a reserve force when the war was in crisis. So when he heard what Belkin said, he quickly ordered
Sidorin: "Chief of Staff, call Seryosha and ask him to send Second Lieutenant Samoilov's third platoon to follow me to the factory. Remember, take Corporal Guchakov with you."
"Understood." Sidorin nodded vigorously and replied: "I will call Seryosha immediately and ask the soldiers in the third platoon to prepare for departure."