After entering October, due to the need to expand the Southwestern Front, the base camp transferred the 21st Army to the command of the Southwestern Front Army in Vatutin. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 At the same time, in order to strengthen the leadership, Zheltov, who had been partnered with Rokossovsky for only a month, was also transferred to the post of military commissar of the Southwestern Front, and the brigade-level political commissar Kirichchenko was transferred to the Don Front to take over the vacated position of Zheltov.

When Kirichchenko came, he also specially called a combat order for the base camp. The troops of the Don Front were ordered to carry out active operations from the Don landing ground to pin down the enemy forces and make it impossible for them to send reinforcements to Stalingrad. At the same time, the 24th Army, with its left flank, coordinated with the 66th Army, routed the enemy north of Stalingrad and joined forces with the 62nd Army, which was holding on to Stalingrad.

After Rokossovsky read the order, he frowned and asked Malinin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, do you think we are capable of fulfilling this order issued by the base camp?" ”

Malinin shook his head and said carefully: "Because of our strength and technical equipment, we are at an absolute disadvantage compared with the German army. If we simply defend, we don't have any problems, but if we attack, it's hard to say what kind of results we can achieve. ”

Orel went on to say: "After a long battle, our tanks are almost completely lost. Not so long ago, the 4th Tank Army was reorganized into the 65th Army, with General Batov as its commander. The unit is being regrouped and, in a short period of time, is unable to participate in such a large-scale offensive campaign. ”

After listening to the opinions of the two capable subordinates, Rokossovsky was about to say something, but the high-frequency telephone in front of him rang. Since the phone had been used to communicate with Moscow, Rokossovsky guessed that the call was coming from Moscow as soon as the bell rang.

He hurriedly grabbed the microphone and put it to his ear, and said politely: "I'm Rokossovsky, where are you?" ”

Stalin's voice came from the earpiece: "Hello, Konstantin Konstantinovich, has your new military commissar taken office?" ”

Rokossovsky glanced at Kirichenko, who was sitting next to him, and quickly replied: "Yes, Comrade Stalin, the new military commissar Comrade Kirichchenko has already taken office and is participating in our military conference. ”

"Military meeting!" After repeating the word, Stalin curiously asked: "May I ask, what are you discussing?" ”

"Comrade Military Commissar has brought us the latest operational order from the base camp for an offensive against the enemy north of Stalingrad in the near future and to create conditions for the convergence of General Chuikov's 62nd Army." Rokossovsky said clearly: "We are studying the feasibility of this order. ”

"The feasibility of the order?" When Stalin heard this, he asked with some dissatisfaction: "Do you think that the orders given to you by the base camp are all decisions made by the head of the people?" ”

"Comrade Stalin, you misunderstood." Rokossovsky heard the anger in Stalin's tone, and hurriedly explained: "After a long period of fighting, our troops have been severely reduced, and in addition, the technical equipment such as tanks and artillery has also been completely lost, so it is very difficult to fulfill this order of the base camp and conquer the area where the German army has built strong fortifications. ”

After listening to Rokossovsky's explanation, Stalin took two puffs of cigarette in a row, and then said: "Comrade Rokossovsky, in order to strengthen your strength, the base camp will send you seven divisions in the near future, and at the same time will send you air force to support you. ”

Rokossovsky and Stalin had dealt with each other many times, and knew that the other party was a smooth donkey, and as long as he was happy, then many problems could be solved. Thinking of this, he hurriedly chimed in: "Great, this is really good, Comrade Stalin." As long as we can get the strength of these seven divisions, we will be much more sure of accomplishing the tasks assigned to us by our superiors. ”

"The base camp will draw seven divisions from the base camp reserve in a week's time to strengthen your main attack force." Stalin said briefly: "Once the troops are in place, you can launch an offensive against the enemy north of Stalingrad." ”

After Rokossovsky ended the call, he called the commander of the 66th Army, Malinovsky. After conveying to him the order to attack the base camp, Rokossovsky asked: "How is it, Comrade Malinovsky, after reinforcing your forces, can you guarantee the completion of the task?" ”

Although Rokossovsky had long understood in his heart that all the counteroffences he had carried out before the start of the major counteroffensive in late November had ended in failure, he still asked Malinovsky this way to find out what the real strength of the other side was.

After listening to this, Malinovsky frowned and thought for a long time, and finally shook his head and said: "Comrade commander, with all due respect, even if seven divisions are replenished to our army group, it is almost impossible to break through the area where the Germans have built strong fortifications in the absence of air cover and a sufficient number of tanks and artillery. ”

"The base camp will draw seven divisions from the base camp reserve in a week's time to strengthen your main attack force." Stalin said briefly: "Once the troops are in place, you can launch an offensive against the enemy north of Stalingrad." ”

After Rokossovsky ended the call, he called the commander of the 66th Army, Malinovsky. After conveying to him the order to attack the base camp, Rokossovsky asked: "How is it, Comrade Malinovsky, after reinforcing your forces, can you guarantee the completion of the task?" ”

Although Rokossovsky had long understood in his heart that all the counteroffens he had carried out before the start of the major counteroffensive in late November had ended in failure, he still asked Malinovsky this question just to find out what the real strength of the other side was, so he asked this question.

After listening to this, Malinovsky frowned and thought for a long time, and finally shook his head and said: "Comrade commander, with all due respect, even if seven divisions are replenished to our army group, it is almost impossible to break through the area where the Germans have built strong fortifications in the absence of air cover and a sufficient number of tanks and artillery. ”