On January 22, our troops outside the city, after adjusting their deployment and under the cover of aviation, renewed their attack on the second line of German positions. On January 23, the day after the route to the east of Gumenlak was cut off by our troops, the airport of Gumenlak was also successfully occupied by our troops. At this point, all the retreat roads of the German army were completely blocked.

That evening, Chuikov called me. He said excitedly on the phone: "Comrade Oshanina, I have good news for you. Due to the continuous defeat of the German army, the main force of the Don Front has approached the outskirts of Stalingrad, and the task of our army group to contain the German army has been basically completed. Commander Rokossovsky ordered our troops to seize the time to rest and prepare to relaunch the offensive against the Germans on the 25th. ”

"Great, Comrade Commander, this is a real flattery." I was overjoyed to hear the news that I could attack again, and I thought that the current strength of the troops was not enough to attack fortifications, so I asked Chuikov about the things he cared about: "I don't know when the two assault engineer battalions assigned to our army will arrive?" ”

Hearing my question, Chuikov was silent for a moment, and then said: "I asked Commander Rokossovsky about this matter, and he said that the engineering units assigned to our army group will arrive on the 26th. ”

"What, the 26th will arrive?" When I heard Chuikov say that the sappers would not feel it until three days later, I could not help but say in disappointment: "It's too late, and when they arrive, the battle will be almost over." ”

As soon as my words came out, I knew that I had slipped out, the main forces of the Don Front had not yet entered Stalingrad, and who could say when the battle would be over? Maybe in Rokossovsky's mind. They all thought that this battle would not end until March or even April. But Chuikov didn't notice my gaffe. Instead, he said to himself: "I think even if the engineer battalion comes." You can't rely on them too much, after all, they are new to the city and are not familiar with the terrain of the city. In the area occupied by the Germans, the fire points were both bright and dark, both high-rise fortifications and bunkers, and the barricade fortifications were like fire support points, and once fired, crossfire could be formed. Sappers, unfamiliar with the terrain, rushed forward. That is, the end of the death in vain, so I still considered using the anti-fascist alliance in Ulbricht to launch a political offensive against the German army in the city. If we can defeat most of the enemy without bloodshed, then we can greatly reduce the casualties of our army. ”

A few days ago, relying on the anti-war propaganda of the anti-fascist alliance, our unit succeeded in persuading a large number of defenders to surrender, and occupied two streets without firing a single shot. I was going to continue doing this, but when I heard that Chuikov's thoughts coincided with mine, I hurriedly followed his words: "Comrade Commander, as far as I know, Comrade Ulbricht is still in our army, I wonder if you can send him to our army's defense area to help for a few days?" ”

Chuikov for my request. After hesitating for a moment, he decisively agreed: "Okay." I will then send someone to contact Comrade Ulbricht and ask them to rush to your headquarters as soon as possible. ”

Less than half an hour after the end of the call with Chuikov, Sergeant Songjik, who was on duty outside, came in to report that Ulbricht and several comrades from the anti-fascist alliance had arrived.

Hearing Songjik's report, I felt that since the others had already arrived at the door, it would be a little rude to sit in the room and wait for others to come in, so I beckoned the chief of staff, Vitkov, to go out to greet him.

Ulbricht was followed by two other members of the anti-fascist alliance, all dressed in brand new Soviet uniforms and wearing steel helmets. They walked lightly behind Ulbricht towards our headquarters.

I hurriedly took a few steps forward, met Ulbrich, took the initiative to shake hands with him, and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Ulbrich, it is a pleasure to meet you again." ”

Ulbricht clasped my hand and smiled and said, "Hello, General Oshanina, I didn't expect us to meet again so soon. I am here to assist you on the orders of General Chuikov. ”

While Ulbricht was shaking hands with Vitkov, I went over to shake hands with the second person. It was a young man of medium stature, who looked to be in his early twenties. When shaking hands with me, Ulbricht introduced me: "Comrade General, this is Private Haynell, who was captured in the Battle of Kharkov and, having undergone our education, joined our anti-fascist alliance. After we came to Stalingrad this time, he succeeded in persuading more than 20 officers and men to lay down their arms and surrender to us. ”

After listening to Ulbricht's introduction to Heinel, I smiled and said to the young man in front of me: "Hello, Comrade Heinel, welcome to us. ”

When Ulbricht introduced me to the last of his companions, he showed a look of hesitation on his face, and finally said to me very dryly: "General Oshanina, this is Enrique, who has just surrendered to us two days ago. ”

When I listened to Ulbricht's introduction, I immediately understood why there was a hesitant expression on his face, and it turned out that this member of the anti-fascist alliance was a defector who had just joined. Seeing the embarrassed expression on Enrique's face, I hurriedly stepped forward to hold his hand, shook hands with him warmly, and said, "Hello, Ensign, welcome to us." ”

After they entered the headquarters, I hurriedly instructed Song Jike to pour them tea. In order to dispel Heinel and Enrique's suspicions, I deliberately chatted with Ulbricht for a while, and then brought the topic to them after they were less wary.

Because of Ulbricht as a translator, the two gradually let go, and they talked about their feelings and experiences, which seemed very relaxed and happy. Especially the young Heinel, once he let go of his scruples, he was simply a chatterbox.

"Comrade General, there is one thing that I think I should sue you." "I entered the enemy's line last week in make-up," said Heinel to me, "just in time for a colonel to come to the front in his car. When he saw that all the officers and men at the front were listless and unmotivated, he said to them in a loud voice: 'Brothers, what is the present situation is well understood in everyone's hearts, so I will not say more. But I would like to make it clear that although we are besieged by the Russians at Stalingrad, as long as we resist for one more day, the Russians will not be able to draw up their forces to besiege our friendly forces in the North Caucasus, and our comrades-in-arms will be safer. I hope that our efforts and sacrifices will be exchanged for complete victory in the end! Remember, we are all part of the Wehrmacht, and after our death, our bodies will become the cornerstone of our homeland! ’

After listening to the colonel's encouragement, the officers and men, who had been dejected, shouted in unison, 'Long live Germany!' ’”

I waited for Henel to finish speaking, and I couldn't help frowning and thinking. I thought that after the besieged German army ran out of food, its morale would drop to the bottom, and it would be vulnerable in the face of our attack. Unexpectedly, they just heard a few words from their superiors, and their desire for victory overcame hunger. It seems that in the next battle, we must not take it lightly, otherwise we will suffer a big loss.

"Comrade General, I just surrendered two days ago." Enrique, who was next to him, interjected: "As our army's defense line is compressed by the Soviet army, we can even get fewer and fewer supplies. Later, the superiors slaughtered all the horses of the Romanian cavalry division and distributed them to us as food. We had been hungry for days, and while tasting this delicious delicacy, the atmosphere in the company was a little more lively.

Just as we were enjoying our meal, someone muttered, 'How many days can you eat this little horse meat?' ’

When I reprimanded my subordinate, I found that I could not find a valid reason to reprimand him, because what he said was the truth.

The meat of the horses was soon eaten, and even the occasional rats, cats and dogs in the rubble were gone, and the soldiers who lacked nutrition were weakened and lost even the strength to build fortifications. Injuries mean death, and suicides of the sick and wounded are repeated due to the severe cold, lack of medicines, and so on.

At this time, the superiors issued a ridiculous order, saying that suicide was a shame for soldiers and should be resolutely stopped.

On the very day the order was given, one of my soldiers was dying due to worsening injuries. Although it was bitterly cold, his forehead was frighteningly hot. He was lying in the snow and his lips kept opening and closing, and I leaned over to listen, only to hear him keep saying, 'I'm hungry...... Hungry...... To give...... Give me something to eat...... ' My nose was sour, and I pulled what little crumb of bread I had from my pocket and put it in his mouth.

After eating the bread crumbs, he felt a little better. Just as I was able to get through it, but at night he began to moan out loud and painful in pain: 'Kill me...... Please...... I can't stand it anymore......' the soldiers around me are looking at me, waiting for me to make a decision. After hesitating for a long time, I took out my pistol, looked around, and saw that everyone was nodding, and a few people couldn't bear to look at it, so they twisted their heads to the side after nodding. The wounded soldier looked at me with appreciation, and I stood up and saluted him, holding the pistol with a trembling hand and aiming it at the wounded soldier's heart. Said 'I'm sorry!' Then I pulled the trigger, and a puff of smoke came out of the muzzle, and the wounded soldier's head tilted to the side, and I sat down weakly on the ground. ”

Seeing that Enrique's eyes were red when he said this, and the tears in his eyes could fall again at any time, I hurriedly pushed the teapot in front of him gently, and asked with a pleasant face: "Second Lieutenant, what happened after killing the wounded soldiers, and how did you come to our side?" (To be continued......) R1292