Steel Soviet Union

Colonel Adam followed Paulus's order and assembled the security forces of the headquarters. He informed the young major who had just led people into the bedroom to make final preparations and stand by at the end of the tunnel corridor from the underground command post to the ground.

At the ground entrance of the tunnel, Colonel Adam lit a cigarette for himself and waited for Paulus to arrive. The major of the guard next to him looked around, looking like he was waiting for Paulus to arrive. He walked slowly to Colonel Adam's side.

"Adjutant Adam, what are we doing at this late hour? It's really cold tonight."

Of course, Colonel Adam could tell that the man next to him was just gossiping, but he could not rule out the possibility that he wanted to ask something insinuating.

It would take a few minutes for Commander Paulus to come out. Adam, with smoke coming out of his mouth, put away the lighter and put it back into his pocket. He turned sideways and glanced at the major before replying.

"Commander Paulus is going to inspect the front line to see how the soldiers are doing. You and your people will keep your eyes peeled later. Recently, there have been frequent reports of Russians lurking in and secretly sabotaging things in the middle of the night. Don’t make any mistakes at this time, otherwise you know what the consequences will be, do you understand what I mean?”

Commander Paulus is going to inspect the front line!

Although this answer surprised the young major, it seemed reasonable after thinking about it carefully, and then he changed his expression to a normal expression and continued to speak.

"Adjutant Adam, I heard from some people in the headquarters that Marshal Manstein is coming to rescue us with a powerful armored group. His troops have already defeated many Russian positions and will be here soon. We, we Will it be possible to play the game internally and externally soon?"

The young major's tone was somewhat unconfident, even timid.

With his identity and position, he should not spread rumors and believe rumors, let alone take the initiative to inquire about such a vital matter.

But the major couldn't hold back the strong desire in his heart. As for whether this strong desire was the desire to survive or the desire for knowledge, or a combination of both, even the major tried to speak as quietly as possible so as not to be heard by others. The major himself didn't know.

Colonel Adam, who did not show many special expressions, glanced at the other party. To be honest, he was not surprised that he could be asked such a question.

At this point in the Battle of Stalingrad, none of the soldiers who were hungry and growling all day long still had unrealistic confidence in victory. It would be a blessing to be able to leave this damn city alive, but as the situation continues to worsen, even leaving this place alive seems to be a mirage-like luxury.

Colonel Adam, who has asked similar questions to himself, is not qualified to reprimand others. It is best to tell others the appropriate answers he has summarized, and it is best to stabilize the morale of the military a little. This is the only right thing that Colonel Adam can do at the moment.

"Yes, Marshal Manstein is indeed coming to rescue us with a large army. The Russian defense line outside the city has been conquered many times in succession. The rumors you heard are basically true.

"Really! This is true, great! We now have hope!"

An expression of excitement comparable to winning a jackpot immediately appeared on his face.

Before he finished speaking, Colonel Adam noticed that the young major leading the team was not the only one with an excited look on his face, but also a large number of soldiers and junior officers from the guard behind him.

Everyone who was whispering had extremely excited expressions on their faces, and every word you said to me was full of excitement that instantly boosted morale.

"Marshal Manstein is the master of attack and the conqueror of Sevántberg personally praised by the head of state. With him here, we will have no problem. Those Russians are definitely no match for Marshal Manstein. We will be able to leave this place soon." Damn the city!"

"Thank you to the Führer, thank you to God, thank you to Marshal Manstein! I almost cried!"

"We are saved and can go home! This is the best news I have heard this year, I swear!"

Although the morale had increased a lot, Colonel Adam, who could vaguely hear similar words coming from the crowd, suddenly felt an unspeakable desolation in his heart.

Once upon a time, the Sixth Army led by Paulus was the strongest field group of the Wehrmacht that "attacked the sky" as the head of state said.

This fierce group, which represents the supreme combat power of the Wehrmacht field troops, vowed to crush Stalingrad and let this city, named after the evil Bolshevik bandit leader, be buried together with the group of Russian idiots who stubbornly resisted. The powerful and irresistible offensive almost achieved its goal countless times, but every time it was just a little short of success.

The soldiers who were once full of confidence in victory have now become as happy as children who got their ideal birthday gifts just after hearing the news that they could survive, dancing and singing on the spot. Song of praise.

In contrast, Marshal Manstein's reply to the call "Hold on! We will rescue you right away!" which could have had a positive effect was simply a great irony in Colonel Adam's eyes at the moment.

Colonel Adam, who was getting worse and worse as he thought about it, slowly shook his head, stamped out the cigarette butts thrown at his feet, and exhaled the last puff of smoke. At this moment, Paulus, wearing a trench coat, quietly walked out of the long, dark tunnel, guarding The entourage and guards surrounding the Sixth Army Commander quickly set off.

As of now, there are very few defense zones left in the hands of the German troops in the city. The Soviet army launched a powerful offensive from outside the city, just as the Germans did last year, just reversed and switched the offensive and defensive sides.

After being completely surrounded, Paulus closed the door and beat the dog, walking among the ruined streets, feeling an indescribable desolation in his heart. Even when inspecting the soldiers who had just been summoned urgently, they still had expressions that had nothing to do with victory.

"You're doing a great job, Lieutenant! Keep up the courage of everyone and we can finally move to victory."

He was saying unintentional words and forcing out a smile. Even without looking in the mirror, he knew that it would be uglier than crying. Paulus felt that the smile of the second lieutenant who was being encouraged and praised by his right hand was at least better than his own. Just a little bit.

"Commander Paulus, please speak!"

Paulus, who had just released the right hand of the first lieutenant in the first row, had not had time to lift his leg. The right hand of a soldier from at least the third row was raised high, and then he jumped into Paulus' sight. .

"Get out of the queue and be allowed to speak!"

Paulus spoke back without thinking, and the soldier who raised his hand also squeezed out of the queue and came to the front without thinking, and the words that followed were blurted out without thinking or hesitation.

"Commander Paulus, can you give me a piece of bread? I have only received a piece of bread every day for a week. Let alone taking up arms to fight for the Führer, I am now so hungry that I can hardly even stand in a military posture. Stable."

Unexpectedly, the scene that should have been loudly reprimanded or even driven away was extremely strange and silent.

Among the more than a hundred soldiers and officers from a company in front of them, no one stood up to say anything sarcastic, or even said anything. Even though the scene was outdoors, it was so quiet that it was almost disturbing.

A strong night wind blew suddenly. Paulus, who didn't know if he was hallucinating, watched helplessly as the assembly line in front of him seemed to all sway in the direction of the wind and stand askew.

As a commander, Paulus didn't know what to say now for the first time, because he really didn't even have a piece of bread in his pocket.