Chapter 1968:

  Chapter 1968

  When Zakharov received a call from Sokov, he thought that the other party was reporting the progress of the troops, so he asked bluntly: "Comrade Sokov, how many troops from your combat group have entered Romania?"

  As soon as Sokov heard it, he immediately understood that Zakharov had misunderstood, and quickly explained to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff of the Front Army, I am calling you for another matter."

   "Another thing?" Zakharov asked in surprise, "What?"

   "The Romanian 18th Infantry Division stationed in the city of Otac sent someone to contact me not long ago. They want to fight side by side with us."

   "Fight shoulder to shoulder with you?" Zakharov didn't understand what Sokov said, so he asked, "What do you mean?"

   "General Antoneta means that he hopes to send troops to fight the German invaders with our army." Sokov said into the microphone: "I think this matter is of great importance, and it is necessary to report to the front army headquarters in advance."

After hearing this, Zakharov was silent for a while, and then said: "Comrade Sokov, you are right, this matter is of great importance, and I cannot make a decision. Wait a moment, I will immediately report this matter to the Marshal Nev reports."

   Not long after, Konev’s voice came from the receiver: “Comrade Sokov, what’s going on, why would the Romanians think of fighting alongside you?”

Regarding this question from Konev, Sokov thought for a moment and replied: "Comrade Marshal, I think it may be that they saw that the defeat of the Germans was inevitable. In order not to be implicated by the Germans, they decided to It’s time to choose a team.”

   "Do you think they really want to fight with us?" Konev continued to ask.

"It's hard to say," Sokov replied cautiously: "The reason why the Romanians made this request may be that they saw that the Germans could no longer suppress them, so they tried to resist and see what the result is. If the Germans' strength If they are not as good as our army, they will definitely fall to us."

"But if they find that the strength of our army is no more than this, they will continue to choose to cooperate with the Germans." Before Sokov finished speaking, Konev rushed to say: "Comrade Sokov, I am right Bar?"

   "That's right, Comrade Marshal, the possibility you mentioned is entirely possible."

   "Then what do you think?"

"Comrade Marshal, I plan to deploy two divisions to assist the 52nd Army to break through the defense lines of the German and Romanian allied forces." Sokov said cautiously: "The troops of the Romanian 18th Infantry Division will cooperate with these two divisions. "

"Comrade Sokov, I don't think it's safe to let the entire division of the Romanian Army participate in the battle." Konev directly raised his concerns to Sokov: "If they quit the battle, I'm afraid our army will have to pay for it." A heavy price."

"Comrade Marshal, this is how I think about it." Sokov explained: "Actually, I only intend to incorporate the 52nd Regiment of the division into our army's combat order and participate in the next combat operations. The regiment's commander U Colonel Drea has always been friendly to our army, I believe that with him, he will be able to control the troops and avoid the situation we are worried about."

   Knowing that Sokov only planned to accommodate one regiment of the Romanian army to join the battle, Konev felt more at ease. I thought to myself that a regiment is only about 2,000 people, even if they are bewitched by the Germans on the battlefield and defected, the impact on our army is limited. Thinking of this, he said into the microphone: "Comrade Sokov, I agree with your deployment, let the 52nd Regiment of the Romanian Army participate in this battle."

  Now that Konev has agreed to allow the Romanian army to participate in the battle, Sokov feels much more at ease. Even if someone makes irresponsible remarks in the future and wants to make trouble for him, Konev will come forward to help him solve it.

  Sokov called Stirlitz, the commander of the 116th Division, and planned to explain a few words to the other party in person.

When Stirlitz heard that his chief of staff said that Sokov called him, he thought the chief of staff was joking, and said with some displeasure: "Comrade chief of staff, now is not the time for joking, so stop teasing me. How could Comrade Commander bypass the Army Commander and call me directly?"

   Seeing that Stirlitz didn't believe it, the chief of staff immediately became anxious: "Comrade commander, how can I joke with you about such an important matter. It is really a call from the commander."

   Stirlitz took the phone from the chief of staff, and whispered in his ear, "I'm Stirlitz."

   "Hello, Colonel Stirlitz!" Sokov said into the microphone: "I am Sokov."

  Stirlitz had dealt with Sokov more than once, so he could naturally recognize his voice, and said quickly and respectfully, "Hello, Comrade Commander, do you have any instructions?"

   "The combat mission of your division, the army commander, General Melekhov, has explained to you, right?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Stirlitz replied respectfully: "According to the strength of the headquarters, our division and the 130th Rifle Division will attack from the rear of the German army blocking the advance of the 52nd Army. Can not look at each other, so as to assist friendly forces to break through the German defense line."

"That's right, you recorded the combat order very clearly." After complimenting the other party, Sokov returned to the subject: "I called you because of an important matter, and I plan to temporarily assign a unit to your command , to participate in the offensive against the German army.”

  Hearing that Sokov planned to put a unit under his command, Stirlitz was overjoyed, and asked quickly, "Which new guard is it?"

  According to his thinking, Sokov is sending troops to him at this time to participate in the next attack, which shows that the strength of this army is not weak. As for the troops that are not weak, now there are only various guard divisions.

Unexpectedly, Sokov's answer was far beyond his expectations: "I'm sorry, Colonel Stirlitz, my answer may disappoint you. The troops assigned to your command this time are not the Guards. , not even our troops, but the 52nd Infantry Regiment of the Romanian Army."

   "What, the Romanian army?" Stirlitz heard Sokov say this, and instinctively replied: "Comrade Commander, I am not interested in fighting side by side with the Romanian army."

   "Colonel Stirlitz, can you explain to me why?"

   "The reason is very simple." Stirlitz said without hesitation: "The combat effectiveness of the Romanian army is too weak. Let them fight side by side with me. I am worried that they will hold me back."

"Colonel Stirlitz, you are worrying too much." Sokov said patiently into the microphone: "It doesn't matter that these Romanian troops surrendered the city to us without fighting, but it doesn't mean that their combat effectiveness is not strong. Ah. I think it’s better to incorporate the 52nd Regiment into the organizational system of your division first. Whether it’s good or bad, you’ll know after seeing it.”

Now that Sokov had already talked about this, Stirlitz had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree. He thought to himself: At worst, leave this Romanian regiment behind as a reserve team after the battle starts, and prevent them from participating in the battle. , so that you are not afraid that they will hold you back.

   At noon the next day, Stirlitz led his troops into the designated attack position, but now a division of the Romanian Army stood in front of them. Although Stirlitz did not pay attention to this division of the Romanian Army at all, out of caution, he still called several regiment leaders for an emergency military meeting.

   Just halfway through the meeting, a staff officer came in and reported to Stirlitz: "Comrade Commander, the 52nd Regiment of the Romanian Army has arrived, and their regiment commander, Colonel Udrea, is asking to see you outside."

   "See you there." Stirlitz waved his hands vigorously and said, "Let him go back first. I'll go find him when I have time."

Just when the staff officer turned to leave, the chief of staff stopped him and said to Stirlitz: "Comrade commander, since this Romanian army was sent by the commander, we should warmly welcome it, lest the commander in the future After knowing, I will blame you."

   "Okay, let's invite that regiment leader in!"

   Soon, the staff officer brought Udrea in. "Comrade Commander, Colonel Udrea has arrived."

When Udrea saw Stirlitz, he raised his hand as a military salute, and then said respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Colonel, I am Udrea. From now on, my troops and I will accept your command." .”

Seeing Udrea's respectful attitude towards him, Stirlitz couldn't say anything more sarcasm, but pouted at the empty seat next to him, and said, "Colonel, we are in a meeting, you should also sit down and listen. "

After Udrea sat down, Stirlitz continued: "Although the combat effectiveness of the Romanian division in front of us cannot be compared with ours, we must use at least one or two regiments to defeat him. Come, it will affect our next attack on the German positions."

   Upon hearing this, Udrea raised his right hand high, indicating that he wanted to speak.

Seeing Udrea's performance of wanting to show off, Stirlitz showed a disgusted expression on his face, but in front of many subordinates, he still tried his best to restrain his emotions and said in a calm tone: " Colonel, do you have anything to say?"

   "Comrade Colonel, if I'm not mistaken, the number of the Romanian army standing in front of you is the 20th Infantry Division?"

   "That's right, Colonel Udrea." Before Stirlitz could speak, his chief of staff said first: "The number of the Romanian army that is about to exchange fire with us is indeed the 20th Infantry Division."

   "Since it is the 20th Infantry Division, your regiment is no match for them at all."

   Hearing what Udrea said, Stirlitz couldn't help being a little annoyed: "Colonel, how do you know that one of our regiments can't beat the 20th Infantry Division?"

"Comrade Colonel," Udrea saw Stirlitz's displeasure, but he said to himself: "The Romanian 20th Infantry Division, under the command of the 82nd, 83rd and 91st Infantry Regiments, plus A 20th Artillery Brigade.

   The 39th Artillery Regiment under the Artillery Brigade has two 75mm cannon battalions and one 100mm howitzer battalion; the 40th Artillery Regiment has two 100mm howitzer battalions.

  In addition, the division's direct units include the 20th Engineer Battalion, the 20th Reconnaissance Battalion, the 20th Anti-Tank Company, the 20th Communication Company, and the 20th Air Defense Company. "

  The chief of staff heard that Udrea told some information that the scouts had not yet grasped, and quickly began to record with a pen. He secretly rejoiced that there was an ally here who knew the enemy's strength and provided him with a lot of important information.

   And Stirlitz heard so much useful information from Udrea, and his opinion of him has changed a little. He asked politely: "Colonel, how many troops do you think we need to use to defeat this army?"

   "Comrade Colonel," Udrea did not expect to hear this, but smiled and said: "Maybe we should talk to each other, maybe in the end we can solve the problem without using force at all."

   "Can the problem be solved without using force?" Stirlitz couldn't help being stunned after hearing this, "Colonel Udrea, can the problem really be solved without using force?"

   Udrea nodded after hearing this, and said: "Comrade Colonel, Major General Octave and I, the commander of the 20th Division, are old acquaintances. Let me meet him. Maybe I can persuade them not to fight with you."

   Stirlitz is skeptical of Udrea's statement, but if he can really resolve the Romanian army blocking the way through negotiations, he can reduce the casualties of his own troops. It was precisely because of this consideration that Stirlitz stood up and said to everyone: "I have to leave beforehand, you continue to discuss."

  After Stirlitz left, the commanders present began to whisper, discussing in private what was the reason for Stirlitz's sudden departure.

   Someone whispered: "Maybe he will call the commander and ask if he should send someone to negotiate with the Romanian army."

   "I think there is such a possibility." Another person added: "This is the first time I have seen a teacher get up and leave in the middle of a meeting."

   And Stirlitz came to the next room and ordered the communications company commander: "Get me through the headquarters immediately, I want to find the commander."

  The call was quickly connected. Stirlitz took the receiver and whispered nervously in his ear, "I am Colonel Stirlitz, the commander of the 116th Infantry Division. I have something important to talk to, Comrade Commander."

   Not long after, Sokov's voice came from the receiver: "Hello, Colonel Stirlitz, what do you want from me?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Stirlitz quickly replied: "I am holding a military meeting to discuss how to eliminate the Romanian troops in front of us, and the Colonel Udrea you sent happened to be at this time. Come to the meeting."

   Hearing that Stirlitz mentioned Udrea, Sokov realized that the problem was not simple, and quickly asked, "Did he make any speeches at the meeting?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Stirlitz replied truthfully: "He said he knew Major General Octave, the commander of the Romanian 20th Infantry Division, and even boasted to me that he would only have to go and talk to Octave. Once we talk, maybe we can peacefully resolve the Romanian army standing in front of us without even fighting.”

When Sokov heard that Stirlitz called himself, it was because of such a trivial matter, so he replied: "Colonel Stirlitz, since Colonel Udrea has said so, then you might as well let him Try it, even if it doesn't work, we have nothing to lose, right?"

   "Oh, Comrade Commander, since you have no objection to this matter, I will arrange for Colonel Udrea to go to the Romanian army camp as soon as possible to conduct preliminary negotiations with Major General Octave."

  (end of this chapter)