Early the next morning, a truck with a tarpaulin parked in front of Henrik's sister's house.
After the driver parked the car, he pressed the horn twice, and then stared at the door to see when the people inside would come out.
"The car is coming!" Henrik's sister Erica heard the car horn honking outside the door and urged everyone: "Let's pack our things and set off immediately."
When the family walked out of the house carrying boxes and luggage, the driver sideways opened the passenger door and shouted to Erica: "Hey, Erica, sit here."
Hearing the driver's words, Erica seemed a little hesitant, and then she said to the driver: "I want my mother to sit with me, is that okay?"
The driver's seat of a truck can usually seat three people. As long as there are no fat people among them, it is quite spacious. But the driver didn't seem to want Erica's mother to sit on the driver's seat, so he said with an embarrassed look:
"There are too many people on the bridge, which can easily attract the attention of the Germans. If the Germans take the opportunity to make things difficult for us, it will be troublesome."
When Erica's mother heard that if she sat on the bridge, she might encounter difficulties from the Germans along the way, she immediately backed down. She turned to her daughter and said: "Erica, I think you are the one."
Please sit on the driver's seat. Your father, brother, and I will sit in the car." Seeing that her mother was unwilling to sit in the passenger seat, Erica had no choice but to sit in the driver's seat alone and turned to face the outside of the car.
Germon and Henrik said: "Hurry up, we can set off after loading our luggage."
When Henrik was moving his luggage, he glanced at the cab inadvertently and saw that the driver was a tall, thick-set middle-aged man with a somewhat fierce appearance. At this moment, his eyes were staring directly at his sister. And Ellie
Ka seemed a little afraid of this person, his eyes flickered, and he didn't dare to look at him.
Seeing this situation, Henrik's heart was full of questions. Since his sister was afraid of this person, why did she ask him to send his family to Getansk? With such questions, Henrik and his
My parents got into the back car.
After the car started, Henrik's mother began to pray with her eyes closed, hoping that her family could reach Getansk smoothly.
The driver who was driving at the moment said to Erica: "Erica, we can arrive in Gdansk in the evening. I will stay there for a few days, can you come and accompany me?"
Hearing what the driver said, Erica looked very flustered: "No, no, I have to find a way to settle my parents. There will be a lot of things these days, and I may not have time to find you then."
The driver heard her evasive words, snorted coldly, and then said: "Erica, Dobzharsky is dead, and you are a widow now. Without a husband, how will you live in the future? If you follow me, not only will you
You can have enough food and clothing, and I can even let you live like a noble lady. I told you this when you came to me yesterday, it is up to you how to choose!"
Faced with the driver's threat, Erica had to seriously think about whether she should continue to adhere to her principles or obey the driver. After all, people like them who do black market business do have a lot of income every year, allowing themselves to live a good life.
, it’s not nonsense.
While Erica and her family were fleeing to Getansk by car, Sokov received a report from the scouts that the German army was making large-scale troop mobilization.
After reading the scout's report, Victor compared the defense situation of his defense area, then slapped his hand on the table, and said excitedly to Ponejelin and Sidorin: "Comrade Deputy Commander
Comrade Chief of Staff, it seems that the Germans have fallen into our trap and are re-adjusting their troop deployment according to the fake defense plan we gave them."
Ponejelin took the report and browsed it over, with a knowing smile on his face: "Comrade Commander, I really can't believe that the Germans really fell into your trap. As a result, our attack in a few days will be
In this way, we can break through the German defense with minimal casualties."
"Yes, yes." Sidorin also echoed: "Originally, according to the offensive route deployed by our superiors, we had to break through the defenses of at least two to three divisions of the German army in order to successfully wedge into their defense depth. Now their
Once the troops are mobilized, the defenders in the direction of our attack will be greatly weakened. As soon as the attack begins, I believe that our troops will be able to break through the German defenses in a very short period of time."
"Although the German army adjusted their deployment according to the fake defense map we provided." Ponejelin was worried that Sokov was too complacent and reminded him specifically: "But now the German army's heavy troops are concentrated in our weakly defended areas. If
If they suddenly launch an assault on our army before our offensive begins, there is a possibility that our defense line will be breached."
Although in Sokov's memory, the German army in East Prussia did not take any offensive actions in January 1945, things are unpredictable, and he does not know whether the appearance of his butterfly will make the real situation worse.
The history of the war took a serious turn here. If the German army really launched an attack unexpectedly from an area with weak defenses, it might affect the overall war situation.
"I reported this matter to Comrade Marshal." Sokov said: "In any case, the reconnaissance capabilities of the intelligence department of the Front Army Headquarters far exceed ours. They are responsible for figuring out the intentions of the German troops in front of us. It should be
More appropriate."
After the call was put through, Sokov said to Bogolyubov who answered the phone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, is Comrade Marshal here? I have important things to report to him."
"Misha, this is Rokossovsky." Rokossovsky's voice soon came from the receiver: "What do you want from me?"
"Comrade Marshal, this is what happened." Sokov reported the situation he was currently facing to Rokossovsky in detail, and finally made a request to him: "I hope that the intelligence unit of the Front Army Headquarters will
, can strengthen the reconnaissance of the German headquarters and figure out their next combat deployment."
"Misha, there is no need to wait for the report from the intelligence department, I can tell you the answer now." Rokossovsky said: "According to the latest intelligence we have, the Germans will not attack me before mid-February.
take any military action."
Rokossovsky's words surprised Sokov, and he asked in confusion: "Why?"
"The Germans' counterattack in the Ardennes gave them a glimpse of the dawn of victory." Rokossovsky said in a disdainful tone: "So the Germans plan to transfer troops from the eastern front in the near future to strengthen the offensive in the Ardennes.
force, trying to drive the Allies back to France, and even back to the other side of the English Channel."
"Comrade Marshal, they are daydreaming." Sokov, who knew the outcome of the Ardennes counterattack, sneered: "The Germans' defeat has been determined. Even if they can achieve some victory in the Ardennes region, they still cannot save them from destruction.
The ending.”
"Yes, Misha. Your thoughts are exactly the same as mine." Seeing that Sokov's views coincided with his own, Rokossovsky said with emotion: "The Germans are just taking advantage of the Allies' underestimation of their enemies."
, launched a risky counterattack by surprise. No matter how great the results they have achieved now, it is impossible to completely defeat the Allies and drive them back to the other side of the English Channel."
After ending the call with Rokossovsky, Sokov felt confident. Since the German army would not take active military actions in East Prussia until mid-February, then he had nothing to worry about.
. However, in order to confuse the enemy, no single action should be taken less.
Prior to this, Sokov felt that rewards should be given based on merit. Second Lieutenant Daniel was indispensable for the success of this operation to confuse the Germans. Staff Sergeant Fermi and Corporal Reimer who assisted him also had certain contributions.
.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Sokov ordered Sidorin as soon as he put down the phone: "Call and inform Second Lieutenant Daniel that Sergeant Fermi and Corporal Remer are here. In this operation to confuse the enemy, they established
It’s no small feat, and we want to commend them for their achievements.”
As a unit at the group army level, medals can be awarded to commanders and combatants with meritorious service without going through the higher-level agencies. Ponedelin asked Sokov for instructions: "Comrade Commander, what medal do you plan to award them?"
"Is the Order of the Red Flag okay?" You must know that in the early days of the war, the Order of the Red Flag still represented a very high honor. However, as the war progressed, more and more Orders of the Red Flag were issued, and the gold content of this medal was not so high.
High. So when Ponedelin asked what medal should be awarded, Sokov said the Order of the Red Banner without hesitation.
"I agree to award Second Lieutenant Daniel the Order of the Red Banner." Ponejelin nodded and said, "However, the contributions of Sergeant Fermi and Corporal Reimer are not enough to award the Order of the Red Banner..."
Sokov was worried that Ponedelin would not finish talking, so he interrupted him in time: "You have the final say as to what medals they will be awarded."
"Also, Comrade Commander." When Sidorin picked up the phone, he specifically reminded Sokov: "Our defenses in some areas are too weak. What should we do if the Germans launch an attack?"
"You call first." Sokov said to Sidorin: "I will tell you in detail after you finish the call."
Sidorin, who was eager to know Sokov's deployment, immediately contacted Daniel and others by phone and asked them to rush to the headquarters as soon as possible. As soon as he put down the phone, he couldn't wait to ask Sokov: "Comrade Commander, tell me about your
That’s the plan.”
Sokov pointed to the weak area on the map and said to Ponejelin and Sidorin: "Everyone knows that our defense here is the weakest, with only one infantry regiment that is not fully equipped. As for the Germans, through
Today's force adjustment, the total force in this direction has reached one armored division and two infantry divisions. Although it is unlikely that they will launch an attack, once their attack starts, our defense line will be in a very short time.
It was broken inside.”
"Then is there any way to prevent this possibility from happening?" Sidorin asked.
"If we want to prevent the Germans from launching an attack easily, we must increase the strength of this area."
"Comrade Commander, I think it is necessary to remind you." Sidorin said: "We don't have many reserves that we can use. If we use them to strengthen this area, then other important areas will not get enough after the war.
Supplement.”
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you don't have to worry about this." Sokov said carelessly: "You only need two regiments to confuse the enemy."
Hearing what Sokov said, Sidorin's face was full of confusion. He didn't understand what Sokov meant, so he asked tentatively: "Comrade Commander, I don't quite understand what you mean. Can you explain it?"
Is it clear?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, starting tomorrow, mobilize a hundred trucks to transport the troops of the two regiments to the front in batches." Sokov said: "To make it a big fanfare, it is best to let the Germans on the opposite side see clearly.
Let them understand that we are sending more troops to the front."
"Comrade Commander," Sidorin said, shaking his head: "The strength of the two regiments is too small. The Germans will not take them seriously at all. It is of no use at all."
"Chief of Staff, I haven't spoken yet. It's not too late for you to comment after I finish speaking." Sokov continued: "During the day, we transported the troops to the front with great fanfare, and after dark, we quietly transported the troops to the front.
Withdraw them. The next day, transport these troops to the front again, and then withdraw them at night. This cycle repeats itself, giving the Germans the illusion that we have deployed at least two or three divisions in the area to fight against their possible
launched an attack.”
After listening to Sokov's explanation, Ponedelin clapped his hands and applauded: "Great, simply great. Comrade Commander, I didn't expect that you could come up with such an ingenious strategy. I believe that if
If we start to implement it, the Germans will definitely be fooled, and then we will be able to contain the German army's heavy group with a small number of troops."
"As long as the enemy's main force is contained in this area," Sokov said, "then when we launch attacks in other areas, the resistance we encounter will be greatly weakened."
Sokov raised his hand and looked at the time, feeling that Daniel and others should be arriving soon. In front of these subordinates, he could no longer talk about combat deployment, as that would risk leaking secrets, so he changed the topic to the award again.
: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I think in addition to conferring honors, we can also consider promoting the three of them to military ranks. What do you think?"
"I think it's okay, let's give them a promotion each." Ponejelin nodded and said, "Second Lieutenant Daniel was promoted to lieutenant, Sergeant Fermi was promoted to chief sergeant, and Corporal Reimer was promoted to sergeant."
"Wait a minute, Comrade Deputy Commander, I have a little different opinion." As soon as Ponedelin finished speaking, Sidorin interjected: "I have no objection to the promotion of Daniel and Fermi. But Reimer
I don't think it's appropriate for a corporal to be born only at the first level. He should be promoted to a staff sergeant anyway."
Perhaps fearing that Sokov and Ponedelin would object, Sidorin specifically added: "As far as I know, Corporal Reimer has done his job faithfully and achieved many achievements. But because of his poor interpersonal relationships, every day
Each promotion has nothing to do with him. This time I finally got a promotion opportunity, and I think we can’t treat him badly."
"Then tell me," Ponejelin asked, "to what rank do you think he should be promoted?"
