"Shulka, commander of the 8th Infantry Regiment!" Shulka replied.
"Oh, that's the 'breakout hero'!" Motolov replied.
It seems that the name "Breakout Hero" has also spread to the Supreme Command. But this seems not surprising. The Supreme Command should be the most well-informed unit, and nothing can be hidden from their eyes and ears.
However, the movements of the 51st Army were still hidden from them for a while, although not for a long time.
Motolov seemed to be very angry because of this. He said unceremoniously on the phone: "You don't know what you are doing, and you don't know how serious this is. Do you know that you are responsible for this behavior?"
"Yes, we know, Comrade Motolov!" Shulka replied: "We originally wanted to report to the Supreme Command, but... we were worried that the enemy would obtain intelligence and prematurely expose the strategic target..."
"Don't think of me as a fool!" Motolov said angrily: "Save these words until you explain it to Comrade Stalin!"
He hung up the phone with a "bang" sound.
Zolotarev and Trufanov could not help but look pale, as if the sky was about to fall.
However, their worries are somewhat different.
Zolotarev was more worried about how the High Command would punish them, while Trufanov was worried about...
"Can this battle still be fought?" Trufanov asked: "We need the support of the Supreme Commander, the air force, supplies and the coordination of the 57th Army! If the Supreme Commander does not agree with our tactics... then...
It’s all over!”
"Everything is over" refers not only to this battle, but also to the future of Trufanov and others... Without the support of the Supreme Command, the 51st Army cannot win the war. The 51st Army cannot win the war, so special
Rufanov and others are finished.
At this moment, Shulka saw regret in the eyes of both Trufanov and Zolotarev.
Only Shulka remained calm.
"Don't worry!" Shulka said: "They will continue to support us!"
"Why?" Trufanov asked, "Why are you so sure?"
"Because of this battle!" Shulka replied: "They will know the consequences of not supporting us, and no one will want to see that consequence!"
Shulka was right, no one wanted to see or bear the consequences of a failed battle.
Motolov lacks a strategic overall view, or it can be said that he is used to being arrogant in his position as deputy chairman of the Supreme Command. He is always used to speaking to his subordinates in such a top-down, absolutely authoritative and unquestionable tone.
But Stalin was not as short-sighted as Motolov.
Stalin's first feeling after hearing this was surprise. He did not expect that the 51st Army would suddenly lead its troops towards Karachi at this time.
"Comrade Stalin!" Motolov said: "This behavior of the 51st Army Headquarters that completely ignores the orders of superiors and even intentionally deceives superiors to act without authorization must not be tolerated, otherwise other units will follow suit! I think we should deal with it seriously
…”
"What do you think we should do?" Stalin interrupted Motorov.
"Immediately remove Comrade Zolotarev from his position as political commissar of the 51st Army Group and Comrade Trufanov from his position as Army Commander!" Motolov said: "As well as Commander Shulka of the 8th Infantry Regiment and related personnel,
They will be brought to Moscow for interrogation, we will thoroughly investigate this treasonous act, and then immediately let the 51st Army continue the attack on Milove..."
Stalin did not speak. He allowed Motolov to talk endlessly about his thoughts, while his eyes were fixed on the map on the table, holding his pipe in deep thought as he looked at it.
After a while, Stalin said: "Then what? Do you think we can win this battle by doing this?"
"Of course, Comrade Stalin!" Motorov replied: "Just as we planned before, we will join forces with the Southwest Front, and then..."
"It is no longer possible to join forces with the Southwest Front!" Stalin interrupted Motolov again: "If there was hope before, it is no longer possible now! The main force of the 51st Group Army is already in Karachi, and the enemy reinforcements have also arrived
Approaching Miloway, it's too late to attack now!"
"These bastards!" Motolov cursed through gritted teeth: "What have they done?"
"No, Comrade Motolov!" Stalin said: "Maybe they are right!"
"What?" Motolov looked at Stalin in surprise.
"The Germans will transfer an armored division to Miloway in time, so the possibility of us joining forces with the Southwest Front will be reduced exponentially!" Stalin said: "At the same time... the 51st Army has actually turned to Karachi! This time
Karachi is the enemy's weak point, do you understand?"
"Oh, yes! Comrade Stalin!" Motolov said: "You mean that they hit the target..."
"No, Comrade Motolov!" Stalin replied: "I believe they have known this would happen for a long time! This is their trap. The Germans fell into their trap, which greatly increased our hopes of victory!"
"Yes, yes!" Motolov answered with some difficulty.
"So, you know what to do!" Stalin said.
"Yes, Comrade Stalin!" Motolov replied: "I will fully support their attack on Karachi!"
"At any cost!" Stalin added: "Because this is our only hope!"
"Yes, at all costs!"
Of course, Motolov would not say this to Trufanov and others. He said this in a different attitude to help himself get off the ground.
"We held a meeting to discuss your behavior!" Motolov said angrily on the phone: "Although you disobeyed orders and acted without permission, in view of your outstanding performance on the battlefield, coupled with military emergencies and other reasons, we have made a decision
Give you the opportunity to atone for your sins!"
"Thank you very much, Comrade Motolov!" When Zolotarev heard this, he knew that there was no problem, and he couldn't help but feel relieved.
But he then asked again: "So, should we attack Karachi now or return to Miloway!"
"Karachi!" Motolov replied: "Mirov's fighter plane has been missed by you!"
"Yes, Comrade Motolov!" Although Zolotarev knew that this was not the case, he did not dare to argue with him at this time.
"It won't be an example next time, do you understand?" Finally, Motolov said: "Similar situations will not be allowed to happen again!"
"Of course, Comrade Motolov!" Zolotarev stood up and replied: "I assure you that this will never happen again!" (To be continued)