Steel Soviet Union

It often takes a long process to make a person collapse, but sometimes the element that catalyzes the final point of collapse only requires a small one, such as a small telegram.

The moment after receiving the telegram, Paulus almost felt that his world collapsed.

This was the second time that he personally sent a telegram to the head of state in the name of the commander of the Sixth Army. All he asked for was a simple surrender. However, such a simple but not excessive request was once again ruthlessly rejected by the head of state. .

What was different from the last time he was rejected was that after being rejected for the second time, Paulus did not remain empty-headed and confused.

After the initial extreme shock, Paulus quickly began to think about the next things, such as what caused all this to happen? Why did the Führer repeatedly refuse to surrender? What is the purpose of doing this? Where should the final result go?

Paulus had never thought about these issues before, and of course he did not dare to think about them. He subjectively believed that there was no need to think about them.

But when the telegram was actually in hand, Paulus changed his mind. He felt that now was the time to think about what he should do in the future.

"What do you think we should do next? Adam."

Colonel Adam didn't know the contents of the telegram, but he could guess pretty well based on the expression on Paulus' face at this moment. There was no need to doubt the contents of the telegram.

"This is something for you to decide. Paulus, I'm just giving advice."

Colonel Adam paused for a moment while he was mid-sentence. Although some words were difficult to say, now it was time to say them.

"We should prepare a few words of Russian that can be used, so that we will not be too embarrassed when facing the Russians, and we can avoid unnecessary trouble. At least the Russians will not misunderstand us."

Colonel Adam's words were relatively vague, but what exactly did such words imply? Basically, he was speaking to cater to Paulus's true inner thoughts. Colonel Adam just expressed Paulus's inner words that lacked the courage in a more obscure way, that's all.

"Do you think the Russians are going to let us go? I mean, are they going to kill us all, like they did with the captured soldiers?"

With the help of Colonel Adam's words, Paulus finally dared to face his inner fear boldly and openly admitted that he did not want to die.

Of course, there is nothing shameful in Colonel Adam's view. No one stipulates that soldiers must die as their final sacrifice on the battlefield. Even the head of state in Berlin does not have this power.

"Probably not, or there is a high probability, almost certainly not."

"The Russians have never fought such a big victory since the war began, and have never captured a Wehrmacht general. This should be a much-desired surprise for the Russians. I guess they will offer you some conditions, as long as If you can comply with some of the conditions, I think you will at least have no problem surviving."

"Of course, if the cooperation can satisfy the Russians, there may be other rewards, such as a better private life and daily treatment. I don't think these are problems."

Colonel Adam's analysis made sense, at least in Paulus's subjective opinion. He even had to admit that these possible scenarios were very tempting compared to losing his life.

But the only remaining problem is that Paulus still can't let go of his last loyalty and faith to the Führer.

Although most of it has collapsed, the remaining parts still stand stubbornly on the ruins, just like the German soldiers who are still fighting in Stalingrad and refuse to lay down their weapons.

"Wait, wait, let me think about it carefully. This is a very important decision that affects the future destiny of all of us."

Colonel Adam could understand Paulus's state of mind at this moment. To be precise, the noblest essence of a soldier is to fulfill his duties, fulfill his oath and be loyal. It's just that the good qualities that Paulus also carried have now changed a bit, turning into a noose-like thing that tightly grasps the throat of the entire Sixth Army.

Paulus had a gun in his hand, and he could get out of this predicament by shooting the man behind him and killing him.

The key question is whether Paulus had the courage to pull the trigger. If he didn't, the person who died in the end might be himself, and the entire Sixth Army who was buried with him.

Colonel Adam asked himself that he was already prepared to die generously, but it would be best if he could live. No matter what the outcome was, he could accept it calmly. There would not be much baggage and pressure on a person who has taken everything lightly. .

On the contrary, Paulus, who was holding something in his hand and wanted to put it down but couldn't, now looked more like a trapped animal struggling in a cage, which made people a little impatient but helpless to watch.

"Whatever choice you make, I will support you, Paulus. This is our common destiny."

Colonel Adam, who left behind closed doors, no longer interfered with Paulus's thinking, leaving a quiet and free space for him to make a decision, even though the Russians did not have much time left for them.

"What kind of person am I? I can't see myself more and more clearly."

The soft sound of footsteps outside the door slowly faded away, leaving a deep lament echoing in the silent room.

call out--

boom--

"There's Kraut infantry right ahead! Take cover!"

A mortar shell fired from nowhere exploded directly in front of the search formation.

This small-caliber mortar shell with poor accuracy failed to kill or injure any Red Army soldiers, but the scattered projectile fragments rattled Malashenko's car at the front, and his whole body felt like Like a burst of iron rain, Captain Varosha reacted quickly and gave a loud order that instantly echoed among the crowd.

"First floor on the right front, one o'clock direction! The German anti-tank gun is taking aim, kill it!"

I don’t know whether it was improper cooperation by the German army or simply a misfire due to trembling hands.

The anti-tank gun that was supposed to be the first to speak was still adjusting its muzzle pointing and turning direction, but the mortar that had preempted the attack and failed to catch anything had already exposed the German target.

Malashenko, who followed the direction of the sound of the gunfire and looked around, did not find the German mortar. Instead, he saw a German anti-tank gun with a black hole in the muzzle in a half-collapsed building on the street. There were a few panicked German artillerymen who were busy taking aim.