USSR 1941

  Chapter 876 Vatutin

   Zhukov didn't let Shulka continue talking, but took Shulka out of the headquarters directly.

   "I'll take you to meet someone!" Zhukov said as Shulka got into the jeep.

Of course, there was another reason for Zhukov to take Shulka away: Although it was inevitable that Kursk would become a battlefield, the specific combat plan should not be known to Saraev... After all, he was only a division commander, the division commander of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and he did not have authority. There is no need to touch these top secrets.

   As for Shulka, he is not an ordinary leader.

The jeep drove on the street for more than ten minutes...Because Voronezh was once occupied by the German army (During the Battle of Stalingrad, the battle that took place here was called the Battle of Voronezh), so the city is full of collapsed houses and bomb craters, many people They can only live in simple houses made of wood and cardboard, and some people even have to gather in the ruins and curl up shivering in the cold wind.

As if seeing Shulka's gaze, Zhukov explained from the side: "Don't worry, the reason why they haven't got enough food and clothing is because we used all the supplies for the war during this period, and now the front line has stabilized." Down, they'll get help soon...should get it before it snows!"

  The "should" in Zhukov's words is because he is not very sure.

   Shulka knew why.

  Although Zhukov said that there is no problem, as the Soviet Union enters the winter truce between the enemy and the enemy, the Soviet Union's logistics can also breathe a sigh of relief.

  However, even so, the army must first be satisfied... especially the construction of fortifications in the Kursk region.

  As a result, the people may not be able to get help in time.

  Shuerka believes that the Soviet Union would be more willing to let these people earn supplies... that is, go to Kursk to build fortifications, and then they can get what they want.

  This approach may be a bit cruel, but this is the reality of the war years, especially a system that has to be implemented when the supplies are not abundant.

   While Shulka was feeling compassionate, the jeep stopped in front of a building made of red bricks. Several guards at the door straightened their bodies immediately when they saw Zhukov get off the car.

   "This is the Voronezh Front Command!" Zhukov introduced to Shulka as he walked, "You should know who he is, right?"

   "No, I don't know!" Shulka replied.

  He really didn't know that Shulka had always been not very interested in changes in upper-level commanders, unless they were within the combat range of his troops or needed to be contacted.

   "Lieutenant General Nikolai Vatutin!" Zhukov replied: "During the Battle of Stalingrad, he was temporarily transferred to the commander of the Southwest Front Army, and he was transferred back not long ago!"

   Shulka let out an "oh".

Although the Southwest Front Army was extremely important in the Battle of Stalingrad...the Southwest Front Army was located on the side of the German army and directly threatened the German logistics supply line, but its performance was not symmetrical with its strength and position. It was blocked by the German army from the beginning to the end. , Except for pinning down some German troops and sending fighter planes to harass the German logistics supply line, there was almost nothing accomplished.

   It was even the Southwest Front that pursued the German army, but Manstein suffered heavy losses in a counterattack in Kharkov because they underestimated the enemy and thought they could drive the German army out of the Soviet Union.

   "You brought me here to meet him?" Shulka asked with some doubts.

  Shuerka believes that he has no intersection with Vatutin, but if the 11th Infantry Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is to be incorporated into the Voronezh Front Army, it will be another matter.

  But Shulka was wrong.

   "Yes!" Zhukov replied: "I hope you can convince him!"

"Convince him?"

   "He is a staunch counterattacker!" Zhukov turned back and explained.

   Then Shulka understood that the so-called "counterattacker" refers to launching a counterattack before the Germans attack.

  If it's just Vatutin, then it's easy to solve.

   Then, Zhukov added another sentence: "There is also Comrade Stalin!"

   As he spoke, Zhukov pushed open the door and walked in.

  An incandescent lamp was lit in the headquarters, and several generals were discussing something around the map on the table.

   Zhukov took off his hat and said happily: "Comrades, look who I brought here?"

   Several generals raised their heads and looked at Shuerka suspiciously. Perhaps it was because Shuerka was in a dark place outside the light, so no one recognized him.

  Zhukov pulled Shulka into the light, waved his hat and introduced triumphantly: "My good brother, Comrade Shulka, the 'breakout hero'!"

  The serious faces of several generals suddenly softened like an iceberg, and then they stepped forward to shake hands with Shulka one by one:

   "Hello, Comrade Shulka!"

"Nice to meet you!"

  …

   "This is Comrade Vatutin!" Zhukov said to a general with a slightly fat face and a fair and clean face: "Commander of the Voronezh Front Army!"

  Shuerka hurriedly stood up and saluted, and said, "Shuerka, commander of the 82nd Infantry Regiment!"

Vatutin nodded and said: "Comrade Shulka, I am very happy to transfer you to the Voronezh Front Army. This is the main reason why I agree to transfer the 11th Infantry Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to Voronezh! If Comrade Tolbukhin is If you know this, you will definitely fight with me!"

   (Note: At this time, the commander of the Southern Front is Lieutenant General Tolbukhin)

  The generals around couldn't help laughing.

  At this time, Shulka knew that it was not a coincidence that he would be transferred here. Of course, it was not because of the 11th Infantry Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but because of the 11th Division.

   Then Vatutin reached out and shook Shulka, saying: "Voronezh needs you and your troops, Comrade Shulka! You are excellent soldiers! You are welcome!"

   "Thank you, Comrade Vatutin!"

   "Wait!" Zhukov interrupted at this moment: "Comrade Vatutin, I think, what you call 'need' refers to the need for Shulka to participate in your offensive plan?"

   "Is there something wrong?" Vatutin asked back.

   "Are you so sure that Comrade Shulka will be on your side?" Zhukov asked.

   "Of course!" Vatutin replied confidently, "Because he is a 'breakout hero'!"

   Another meaning of this sentence is that the hero will of course choose to attack like a man, instead of retreating or passively defending like a coward.

   But this time Vatutin obviously guessed wrong.

  Zhukov smiled, then patted Shulka on the shoulder, and said, "Tell us your answer, Comrade Shulka!"

   "Sorry, Comrade Vatutin!" Shulka replied: "I think we should defend and not attack!"

  (end of this chapter)