At noon on January 20, the German defensive position on the front line of Bischanka was broken through by the Soviet army, and the German 297th Infantry Division and the Romanian 20th Division held here were completely annihilated. The commander of the 297th Infantry Division, Major General Drebel, escaped capture because the division headquarters was located close to the Paulus headquarters.

After learning that his troops had successfully captured the Bischanka line, Rokossovsky immediately called Chistyakov, who had joined forces with Chuikov: "You immediately send an elite unit to attack the Gumkole airfield on the western outskirts of Stalingrad and cut off the last communication between the German army and the outside world." ”

When the defenders of the Gumkole airfield, having spotted the Soviet tanks approaching the airfield, immediately reported to their superiors. When Paulus heard that there were Soviet troops near the airport, he was so anxious that he knew that this airport was the only link between him and the outside world, and if it was lost, his troops would have to sit and wait for death.

Therefore, after a moment of panic, he angrily gave an order to the defenders who were holding the airfield: "Hold on, give us a resolute hold!" I'll send you reinforcements at once. ”

After he put down the phone, Schmidt stood aside and said worriedly: "Your Excellency, commander, where do we have reserves now?" Now it is very tight in all directions, and as soon as the troops are transferred in the direction of the airfield, the Russians will take the opportunity to break through our defenses. Besides, we are now out of fuel, tanks and cars simply cannot be started. Without the traction of the car, our artillery simply could not move its position, so that the soldiers, who were already starving half to death, launched a counter-assault on the Russians with small arms, that is, let them go to their deaths. ”

Schmidt's words made Paulus despair. At this moment, I don't know which officer suddenly said: "If only the Air Force could help us." ”

His words gave Paulus a wake-up call: "Yes, how did I forget that outside the Russian encirclement, there was also an Army Group on the Don River? "Hurriedly instructed Schmidt, "Chief of Staff, immediately send a telegram to Field Marshal Manstein, asking him to send an air force to bomb the Russians and relieve the pressure on our defenses." ”

Hearing Paulus's order, Schmidt hesitated for a moment, nodded anyway, turned to the telegraph room and sent a telegram to Manstein. As soon as his telegram was sent, Paulus's lieutenant came in and handed him another telegram.

When Schmidt read the contents of the telegram, he could not help but smile bitterly, because Paulus, in addition to asking Manstein to send air support, also asked the Reichsal to send a few more battalions to parachute into the encirclement, so that they would have enough strength to continue resisting. Schmidt handed the telegram to the operator and said with a blank face: "Send it as it is!" ”

After receiving Paulus's distress telegram, Manstein could not help but look at his staff, because Army Group Don itself did not have any spare reserves, and the air force was unable to go to Stalingrad to provide air support to the besieged troops because of the huge losses in the previous battle.

"Gentlemen," said Manstein, placing the two telegrams he had received on his desk, looking at his men, "tell me, what should we do?" The Air Force can't count on it, so is it necessary to send a few battalions of troops to Stalingrad, as Paulus proposed? ”

"Your Excellency Marshal," said General Hort, who was the most familiar with the situation in Stalingrad and had the most right to speak: "Since the cessation of our rescue operation against the 6th Army, it is tantamount to pronouncing the death sentence of the unit, and it is only a matter of time before they are eliminated by the Russians. Therefore, there is no need for us to send our precious troops to Stalingrad to die. ”

"That's right, Your Excellency Marshal!" As soon as Hoult's words were finished, a voice echoed: "Paulus's troops have no hope of escape, and there is no need for us to send any more troops to their deaths." ”

When the room was quiet, Manstein asked, "Then how shall we reply Paulus?" ”

As soon as Manstein finished speaking, the room fell silent. Although everyone knew that the 6th Army besieged in Stalingrad was finished, it was really difficult for everyone to directly refuse their request for help.

Finally, it was Manstein's chief of staff who spoke: "Your Excellency, you might as well call General Paulus back and say that we cannot provide assistance to the troops in the Stalingrad direction without the Führer's instructions." However, in order to help them get out of their current predicament, we will immediately ask the Führer for instructions, and with the permission of the Führer and the High Command, we will provide them with assistance to the best of our ability. ”

After listening to the chief of staff's proposal, the officers sitting around the conference table couldn't help but nod their heads again and again, agreeing with the plan he proposed. This would not require troops to risk the aid of the 6th Army, and it would not make Paulus too ugly.

"Well, since everyone's opinion has been unified, let's do what the chief of staff said." Immediately after saying this, Manstein instructed his chief of staff: "Immediately send a telegram to the Fernator and ask him whether he should immediately attack in the direction of Stalingrad." Then send a telegram to General Paulus saying that we are asking the High Command for instructions, and once this is approved, we will start another rescue operation against them. ”

Paulus was furious when he received Manstein's callback, and after tearing the telegram to shreds, he cursed Manstein loudly: "Idiot, bastard, old bastard who can't be saved, am I willing to lose my position?" Now that my troops have reached the point of running out of ammunition and food, how can this battle be fought? Since you are not willing to pull me along, then I will immediately order the troops to surrender to the Russians. ”

Paulus vented and sulked in his seat. I don't know how long it took, he raised his head and looked at the silent Schmidt, and said: "Chief of Staff, immediately draft an order for the troops!" ”

When Schmidt heard Paulus say this, he couldn't help but secretly rejoice in his heart, so he asked tentatively: "Is it to order the troops to surrender to the Russians?" ”

Unexpectedly, Paulus glared at him, and said in a stern tone: "Chief of Staff, order all troops to hold their positions at all costs, and immediately organize forces to come back if they lose their positions!" ”

Schmidt couldn't help but smile bitterly after recording Paulus's order, he knew in his heart that Paulus's order was a dead letter, and it was very difficult for the troops to hold their positions because of the lack of ammunition and supplies, and where would they have the strength to regain the lost positions.

He bowed slightly to Paulus, took the new order in his hand, turned and walked into the next telegraph room, ready to radio it to the troops.