The Soviet offensive lasted a week and made great progress, compressing the German army into a narrow section 25 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide. Although the Germans' defensive area was reduced, their forces became concentrated, so that their resistance did not weaken, but became more violent. At this moment in Rokossovsky's command, there was a heated discussion about whether the troops should continue the offensive or suspend it.

The reason for the advocacy of the deputy commander of the Front, Trubnikov, for the suspension of the offensive was: "Comrade commander, the commanders and fighters of our army are exhausted after several days of non-stop fighting. Moreover, the weather is now extremely cold, and we have to endure not only the casualties of the battle, but also the non-combat attrition brought by the bitter cold. Therefore, I strongly advise the troops to immediately halt the offensive and wait for the weather to warm up before attacking the enemy. ”

Military Commissar Terekin, who has always remained neutral, actually helped Trubnikov speak: "I agree with Comrade Deputy Commander that the fighting between our troops and the Germans has been going on for a week. Although our political workers have been in the troops, encouraging the commanders and fighters to make meritorious deeds, and the soldiers have shown great courage and tenacity in battle, I have to say, Comrade Commander, that our troops need to rest. ”

Ma Lining, who held the opposite opinion, immediately expressed his opinion as soon as the two finished speaking: "I think we should continue to strengthen the attack." According to the information we have, the captives say that they eat less and less, only a loaf of bread per person a day, fifteen soldiers eat a kilogram of potatoes, and they have no difficulty except drinking water, because there is snow. Moreover, they also received an order from their superiors that if our troops did not take the initiative to attack, they could not shoot casually, because they were running out of ammunition. ”

The next person who spoke was Orel, the director of the armored corps: "Our tanks use special antifreeze, and even if the weather is cold, they can still be used normally." The Germans were different, as long as their tanks were below minus 25 degrees, they could not start, and the temperature was as low as minus 40 degrees on these two days, and the Germans' tanks could not be started at all, and could only be used as fixed fire points in the fortifications. We should take advantage of this opportunity to continue our attacks on the Germans and try to destroy them all as soon as possible. ”

Rokossovsky, seeing that those who advocated the continuation of the offensive and those who advocated the suspension of the offensive had their own reasons, did not immediately express his opinion, but turned his eyes to Voronov, who was sitting next to him. Voronov looked Rokossovsky at him, hurriedly waved his hands and said: "Comrade Rokossovsky, although I am the representative of the base camp, the initiative to decide whether the troops will go on the offensive or go on the defensive is still in your hands. ”

Seeing that Voronov had given the final decision to himself, Rokossovsky turned his head and asked Novikov, who was sitting next to him: "Comrade Commander-in-Chief, can our Air Force be dispatched in such bad weather?" ”

After listening to Rokossovsky's question, Novikov slowly shook his head, and then replied decisively: "No, taking off in such cold weather, the pilot will die because of the severe cold." ”

Rokossovsky saw that the Air Force could not count on it, and turned his gaze to the commander of the artillery of the Front, Kazakov: "What about our artillery, Comrade Kazakov, can they participate in offensive operations in such bad weather?" ”

Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Kazakov immediately got up from his seat and confidently replied: "Report Comrade Commander, there are no problems at all." Since our tanks can participate in the battle, then the artillery can also participate in the battle. We can use powerful firepower to destroy the German defensive positions. ”

The conversation between Rokossovsky and Kazakov gave Malinin a wake-up call, and he quickly stood up and said: "Comrade commander, I have an idea, I don't know if I should say it?" ”

"Say it, Comrade Chief of Staff." Rokossovsky nodded at him and said politely: "I think your idea must be very effective, you might as well say it so that everyone can hear it." ”

"Everyone knows that in this week's fighting, our infantry suffered relatively large casualties." After Ma Lining said these two sentences, he deliberately paused to observe everyone's reaction. Seeing that everyone nodded in affirmation, he continued: "Therefore I propose that the whole burden of gnawing at the enemy's defense be given to the artillery and tank units, and that we use only the infantry to consolidate the captured territory. ”

After listening to Ma Lining's suggestion, the commanders present all frowned and began to think. After a long time, Terekin was the first to ask: "Just looking at the artillery and tank units, can you seize the positions of the Germans?" ”

In response to Terekin's question, Malinin immediately explained: "Comrade Military Commissar, we will first destroy the German fortifications with powerful artillery fire; Then, tank units followed by small detachments of troops were sent to launch a surprise attack on the German lines; After the tank units have captured the enemy's positions, they order the infantry to move into these positions. In order to enhance his persuasiveness, Malinin also deliberately emphasized that "at the beginning of the offensive, the infantry can hide in warm concealment, wait for the enemy's positions to be occupied by our tank units, and then set out to consolidate the captured territory." ”

After Terekin waited for Malinin to finish speaking, he nodded, turned his head to Trubnikov and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, I think this suggestion of the Chief of Staff is good. If our army really adopted this tactic, it would have ensured that the infantry would have been well rested, even if it did not stop its offensive operations against the Germans. ”

Just as Rokossovsky was about to make a final statement, he suddenly heard Terekin say to himself: "Comrade commander, there is one more thing that I would like to report to you. Our German comrade Walter Ulbricht and his anti-fascist League, the National Committee for the 'Free Germany', in Stalingrad, constantly told the encircled German officers and soldiers the truth about what was happening at the front and in Germany, and this had a certain effect on shaking the enemy's morale. If the Germans had not been a disciplined army, and the officers and men were bound by their own oaths, I think thousands of soldiers would have surrendered to us on their own volition. ”

"That's right, while we maintain a military offensive, we can't give up political propaganda against the German army. If our persuasion had helped, the next battle would have been much easier. After Rokossovsky expressed his attitude, he turned to Novikov and said: "Comrade Commander-in-Chief, when the temperature rises and the plane can take off again, I hope you can help me do two things." ”

"Please, Comrade Rokossovsky." Novikov responded politely.

"One is to send planes to drop leaflets on the German troops in Stalingrad; The second is to send planes to fly at low altitudes over the city and read our letter of surrender to the besieged German soldiers on the radio. When Rokossovsky talked about the second thing, he also specially told Novikov: "Because the plane is flying at too low altitude, it may be hit by anti-aircraft fire from the ground, so you must remind the pilot to pay attention to safety." ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Rokossovsky." After waiting for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, Novikov said with a big grin: "These pilots of ours have a lot of flying experience, and there will definitely be no danger." ”

Rokossovsky continued: "In view of the cold weather, in order to prevent our troops from unnecessary attrition in battle due to the bitter cold, I declare that from tomorrow the infantry will no longer be the main force of the offensive, but that the artillery and tank units will be responsible for the task of seizing the defensive positions of the German troops. By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff. He instructed Malinin, "This new offensive tactic will not be promoted in the two regions for the time being." ”

"Which two places?" Malinen asked with some confusion.

"The Mischanka Line, which was attacked by the 57th Army, and the offensive front of the 21st Army, were not used for the time being, and this new tactic was not used." Rokossovsky explained to Malinin and to all the commanders present: "The German Bischanka Line, under the powerful offensive of the 57th Army under the command of Comrade Tolbukhin, is already in a precarious position, and with a little more effort, it will be possible to successfully complete the breakthrough." As for the front of the 21st Army, a few kilometers further forward is the Mamayev Gang, where they need to join up with Chuikov's 62nd Army as soon as possible to tear the last defensive positions of the German army into disconnected north and south pieces. ”

With the issuance of Rokossovsky's order, in addition to the areas for which the 57th and 21st armies were responsible for the offensive, new offensive tactics were used in the areas of attack for which several other armies were responsible. Behind the small attacking forces was a long line of muzzles pointed at the enemy's positions.

On the artillery positions, in addition to artillery, there were a large number of artillery maintenance personnel. They were deployed here by their superiors mainly for the purpose of repairing guns that had broken down or been damaged by German artillery fire in a timely manner. However, at this moment, the German artillery was already in a situation of serious shortage of ammunition, and it was okay to bombard the attacking troops of the Soviet army, and it was impossible to engage in an artillery battle with the Soviet army, so the work accepted by these maintenance personnel was very easy.

After the intensive shelling, the tanks of the tank brigade led small infantry and launched a charge towards the enemy's defensive positions. The infantry following the tank, all dressed in white camouflage suits, sometimes crouched, sometimes jumped, kept pace with the tank, and slowly marched towards the enemy's position.

And in the direction of the Mamayev Gang, the 21st Tank Brigade, the 121st Guards Infantry Division, which belonged to the 52nd Guards Army, also launched a final assault in the direction of the Mamayev Gang. At this moment, they were only three kilometers from Mamayev Hill, and if they destroyed the last line of German defense, they would be able to join the oncoming 13th Guards Division.

Chuikov also attached great importance to this meeting, and he made a special call to ask Rodimtsev: "Comrade General, the troops of the 21st Army are advancing towards the Mamayev Height, and in an hour at most, they will be able to join you." I would like to ask, which regiment commander do you plan to send to lead the troops to join the friendly forces? ”

As soon as Rodimtsev finished speaking, he immediately replied loudly: "Comrade commander, look at what you said, how can I rest assured that such an important meeting will be completed by my regimental commander?" I intend to personally lead my troops and rush down the Mamayev Hill to join the friendly forces who have come from the west, I wonder if you agree? ”

To tell the truth, if Chuikov had not been the commander of the army group, he would have done such an important event as a rendezvous with friendly forces, but at the moment he could only say to Rodimtsev in an envious tone: "Comrade General, I agree to your request. I now formally order you to lead the commanders and fighters of the 13th Guards Division to attack the west of Mamayev Heights, to cooperate with friendly forces in destroying the enemy who is still stubbornly resisting in this area, and to complete the rendezvous with friendly forces. ”

And in the direction of the Mamayev Gang, the 21st Tank Brigade, the 121st Guards Infantry Division, which belonged to the 52nd Guards Army, also launched a final assault in the direction of the Mamayev Gang. At this moment, they were only three kilometers from Mamayev Hill, and if they destroyed the last line of German defense, they would be able to join the oncoming 13th Guards Division.

Chuikov also attached great importance to this meeting, and he made a special call to ask Rodimtsev: "Comrade General, the troops of the 21st Army are advancing towards the Mamayev Height, and in an hour at most, they will be able to join you." I would like to ask, which regiment commander do you plan to send to lead the troops to join the friendly forces? ”

As soon as Rodimtsev finished speaking, he immediately replied loudly: "Comrade commander, look at what you said, how can I rest assured that such an important meeting will be completed by my regimental commander?" I intend to personally lead my troops and rush down the Mamayev Hill to join the friendly forces who have come from the west, I wonder if you agree? ”

To tell the truth, if Chuikov had not been the commander of the army group, he would have done such an important event as a rendezvous with friendly forces, but at the moment he could only say to Rodimtsev in an envious tone: "Comrade General, I agree to your request. I now formally order you to lead the commanders and fighters of the 13th Guards Division to attack the west of Mamayev Heights, to cooperate with friendly forces in destroying the enemy who is still stubbornly resisting in this area, and to complete the rendezvous with friendly forces. ”

As soon as Rodimtsev put down the phone, he walked out of his headquarters and shouted at the commanders and fighters standing in the trenches: "Comrades, immediately prepare the banner of the division, we will rush down the Mamayev post, destroy the enemy who is still stubbornly resisting in the west, and join the oncoming friendly army!" ”

Amid the tsunami-like cheers of the commanders and fighters, the military flag of the 13th Guards Division was raised high, and hundreds of commanders and fighters came out of their hidden trenches or shelters, lined up in a neat offensive formation, shouted "Ula," and walked down the hill with neat steps, following the back of the military flag.