Chuikov, who was on the ground, naturally saw the airdropped supplies falling from the sky. He quickly called an officer and told him: "You will lead a battalion and be responsible for collecting the German airdropped supplies and delivering them to the place where prisoners of war are housed.
"
The officer asked puzzledly: "Comrade Commander, why do you want to send the supplies to the place where prisoners of war are housed?" According to his idea, it is also difficult to supply supplies on our own side, and we just use the airdropped supplies from the German army to replenish them. Why should we send these supplies?
Give it to the enemy?
Seeing that the other party did not understand his intention, Chuikov regretted that he had chosen the wrong person. He pointed at the other party and said with hatred: "You have never thought about how much food we need to mobilize for so many prisoners? After my order,
There must be a lot of food in the airdrop materials you collected. If we use them on the Germans, wouldn't the food we need to mobilize be much less?"
After Chuikov explained this, the officer immediately understood what was going on. He quickly blushed and said: "Understood, Comrade Commander, I will take people to collect the German airdrop supplies."
After completing the simple surrender ceremony, Chuikov returned to his headquarters. He planned to call Rokossovsky to inform him that the remaining German troops had surrendered.
But after the call was made, Malinin, who stayed in the headquarters, told him: "General Chuikov, Comrade Commander has left the headquarters and is driving to your place. I believe he will arrive soon."
Although the German troops in the city have laid down their weapons and surrendered, no one can guarantee whether there are still stubborn stragglers hiding in those ruins, and whether Rokossovsky will be attacked if he happens to pass by their location.
, is an unknown quantity.
In order to ensure Rokossovsky's safety, Chuikov quickly asked Malinin for the driving route. Malinin was reluctant to tell him at first, but he heard that there might be German stragglers along the way, out of concern for Rokossovsky's safety.
, he immediately informed Chuikov of the detailed route.
At noon, Rokossovsky's convoy arrived near Chuikov's headquarters. Chuikov heard that Rokossovsky had arrived and immediately came out to greet him. When the two shook hands, Chuikov said with emotion: "Commander
Comrade, I really didn’t expect that just two or three weeks later, we would meet again.”
"Yes, not long after we last met, you actually eliminated all the enemies in the city. It's really amazing." Rokossovsky smiled and said to Chuikov: "The headquarters commends your army.
I think it won't take long for you to come down. As far as I know, we plan to reorganize you into a Guards Army."
"Is this true, Comrade Commander?" Chuikov suddenly became excited after hearing Rokossovsky's words. He asked nervously: "Will we really be reorganized into the Guards Army?" Chuikov originally
I thought that after the end of the Shandong Polytechnic Defense War, it would be good to reorganize a few infantry divisions under my command into the Guards Division. Who knows that the base camp actually wanted more than one million to reorganize the entire group army into the Guards Group Army. The whole news
What a surprise: "There's really a chance we'll be adapted into the Guards Army?"
"This is the reliable information I got." After Rokossovsky finished his answer, he asked Chuikov: "I plan to give a speech to the commanders and fighters who have established military exploits. Where do you think it is more appropriate?"
Chuikov originally wanted Rokossovsky to speak here, but then he thought that this place was not conducive to the assembly of large troops, and the best location was the Central Railway Station, so he volunteered: "Comrade Commander, I think it is better
Choose the central railway station as the place for your speech, where as many troops as possible can be assembled."
"Okay, General Chuikov." Regarding Chuikov's proposal, Rokossovsky only thought about it for a moment before readily agreeing: "I will choose the place where I will speak to the commanders and soldiers at the Central Railway Station. Yours
The troops are too far away, so you might as well send some representatives to participate."
"Yes, Comrade Commander." Chuikov quickly replied: "I immediately called the commanders of each division and asked them to allocate manpower to the Central Railway Station."
After receiving the notice, Sokov immediately arranged for manpower to clean up the rubble outside the central train station, and installed loudspeakers at different locations so that the commanders and fighters assembled in the square could hear Rokossovsky's speech.
Regarding the order issued by Sokov, Merkulov, the commander of the 67th Guards Division stationed at the Central Railway Station, said in embarrassment: "Comrade Commander, you also know that the square in front of the station has long been destroyed after a long battle.
It has become pitted and filled with bricks and rubble, and I am afraid it will not be cleared in a short time."
"General Merkulov," Sokov waited for the other party to finish speaking, then immediately continued: "I know the situation there very well. It is necessary to clear out the entire square. Without the help of large machinery, I am afraid it will take several months.
The clearing is endless. But we will hold a conference there soon, so we must level a site that can accommodate thousands or even tens of thousands of people. You can order the soldiers to fill the crater with bricks and rubble. If you can stand
Just people will do.”
"Okay, Comrade Commander." After listening to Sokov's instructions, Merkulov said with a wry smile: "I will clean up the square in front of the station according to your order."
At four o'clock in the afternoon, more than 20,000 commanders and fighters of the Sokov Combat Group gathered in the square in front of the Central Railway Station. Representatives from several other divisions of the 62nd Army also arrived at the same time. Fortunately, Merkulov obeyed the request.
Cove's order asked the soldiers to fill the craters with bricks and rubble piled nearby, so that everyone could have a foothold.
As soon as the troops were assembled, Rokossovsky's convoy arrived.
The motorcade stopped in front of the steps of the station. As soon as Rokossovsky got off the bus, Sokov led a group of division commanders to greet him. After raising his hand in salute, he reported loudly to Rokossovsky: "
Comrade Commander of the Front Army, Colonel Sokov, Commander of the Combat Group, reports to you that the troops have been assembled, please give your instructions!"
"Relax!" Rokossovsky raised his hand in return, then stepped forward to hold Sokov's hand and said with a smile on his face: "Colonel Sokov, you are really not simple. You can actually kill Paulus."
Captured alive. The Supreme Commander himself heard that Paulus was captured and had a very close relationship with you, and he praised you a lot."
Hearing that Stalin praised him, Sokov couldn't help feeling ecstatic. Although he tried his best to pretend that nothing had happened, the slightly raised corners of his mouth still revealed the secret in his heart.
After meeting and shaking hands with the division commanders one by one, Rokossovsky came to the microphone on the steps. After glancing at the more than 20,000 radio broadcasters standing in the square, he said loudly into the microphone: "Comrade
Hello, everyone, I am Rokossovsky, commander of the front army.
Today, I want to proudly and sincerely say the long-awaited words to you: 'Well done, Guardsmen, you are the heroes of the motherland.'
The Battle of Stalingrad is finally over. In addition to the more than 200,000 people we wiped out, nearly 100,000 enemies of the German Sixth Army who attacked the city laid down their weapons and surrendered to us. This is our great victory.
…”
As soon as he said this, cheers like a tsunami suddenly rang out in the square: "Ula! Ula! Ula!!!" The sound soared into the sky, covering up what Rokossovsky wanted to say.
When calm returned to the square, Rokossovsky continued: "We eliminated the Paulus Group and dealt a heavy blow to the German army. But this is just the beginning. In the following days, we will also fight against
The enemy continues to fight until he is driven out of our borders."
When Sokov heard this, he muttered to himself: "It is not enough to drive the Germans out of the Soviet Union. We must at least go straight to Huanglong, seize Berlin, and bring those who started the war to trial."
When he thought of capturing Berlin, Sokov couldn't help but be distracted. He thought to himself: "Although the defense of Stalingrad was a victory, it was a tragic victory. Next, we will have to compete with Manstein's troops.
However, it is regrettable that even though the Soviet army had the advantage in numbers and technical equipment, it was still beaten to pieces by Manstein.
Even the Battle of Kursk that took place in July, if the Allied forces had not landed in Sicily, tied up many German troops, and forced Sidorin to order Manstein to send troops for reinforcements, who would have won the Battle of Kursk?
Negative, it’s still an unknown number.”
After Rokossovsky's speech, the commanders and fighters on the square dispersed one after another. Rokossovsky came to Sokov, handed him a cigarette, and took one himself to hold in his mouth.
He lit it up and then asked: "Misha, what are your plans next?"
"Comrade Commander of the Front Army," Sokov felt that if he wanted to obtain a higher military rank and position, he needed to improve his combat theory, and studying at the Frunze Military Academy was undoubtedly the right choice for him.
: "I feel that my ability is not enough. It is difficult to command a division. If I command more troops, my level will appear to be a bit incompetent. Therefore, I would like to ask my superiors to send me to the military academy to study for a period of time to improve myself.
ability."
"Misha." Hearing Sokov's request, Rokossovsky was silent for a long time, and finally said: "To tell you the truth, we destroyed the enemies in Stalingrad, but the battle is not over.
After a short rest, we will advance westward to eliminate the Manstein Group entrenched there. Only by completely eliminating the Manstein Group can Moscow become safe again and no longer be threatened by the enemy."
When Sokov heard what Rokossovsky said, he couldn't help but smile bitterly. He thought that the next Battle of Kharkov launched by the Soviet army was not just to resolve the threat to Moscow, but to hastily launch an attack on the Manstein Group.
Unfortunately, due to insufficient logistical supplies and command errors, the Soviet army, which had superior numbers and equipment, ended in a disastrous defeat.
Rokossovsky continued: "I think at this time, you are not going to study in some military academy, but staying in the army to command operations. I think it is more meaningful for you to study on the front line than in the rear. However,
The choice is yours, whether you want to stay at the front or go to the military academy to study is up to you."
Seeing that Rokossovsky had said this, if he continued to ask to study at the military academy, he would probably be ignorant of current affairs. Sokov took two strong puffs on his cigarette, then threw it on the ground and crushed it with his toes.
After the destruction, he straightened his body and said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I resolutely obey your order. If you ask me to stay, I will stay; if you ask me to study, I will study.
Absolutely nothing."
Rokossovsky couldn't help but smile when he heard what Sokov said. He pointed at Sokov and said: "Misha, you are so clever, you went around in such a big circle, and finally handed over the conflict to me.
In the hands of you. Well, since you let me make the choice, I will choose for you, then continue to stay in the army."
Since he wants to stay on the front line, Sokov is eager to know how many troops he will command in the coming days. You must know that the next battles will be large-scale battles with hundreds of thousands or millions of people.
Even though you have a division in your hands, in a battle of that scale, I'm afraid it won't even take a day before it will be wiped out.
Therefore, he asked cautiously: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I would like to ask how many troops I can command in the coming days?" After he laughed twice, he added, "I know very well that as the
When the Battle of Stalingrad ends, the combat group I command will definitely be disbanded. I hope you can tell me in advance how many troops I can command by then."
"You are right, the combat group will be disbanded soon." After Rokossovsky gave Sokov a positive answer, he continued: "The troops you can command by then will naturally only be close to you."
One division of the 41st Guards Division."
Hearing that he was only given one division, Sokov felt so cold in his heart that he gave himself a few thousand men. In the next battle, I am afraid that with such a small number of men, it would not even be enough to squeeze the teeth of the Germans.
Seeing the disappointed expression on Sokov's face, Rokossovsky guessed his thoughts and said with a smile: "Don't worry, Misha. I know that the 41st Guards Division was attrition in the battle to defend the city.
It's very serious. Therefore, I will give you priority to replenish your troops as soon as possible, so that your troops will at least reach tens of thousands of soldiers."
Sokov muttered in his heart that if he really gave himself 10,000 troops, even if he couldn't turn the tide when the Soviet army was defeated, there should still be no problem in self-reporting. However, he began to worry about other things in his heart. His superiors were replenishing his troops.
At that time, will some special personnel be deployed? Then the troops will be difficult to manage.
"If my troops can really reach tens of thousands," Sokov saw that Rokossovsky had shown enough sincerity. If he did not express his position anymore, it would be a bit disrespectful, so he quickly replied: "Then
We can still defend key areas just like we defended Stalingrad."
