Chapter 826: surrender
However, Manstein never thought that the Russians could launch a counterattack at this time and even fire train artillery, otherwise he would increase his troops to strengthen the defense of the flank anyway.
As time goes by, the main force of the Don Army is also approaching Karachi.
At this time, Paulus was indeed a little distracted. He looked at the map in surprise, and said to Bergman: "They can break through to Karachi in such a short period of time? Did I underestimate the Don Army, or Do I think highly of the Russians?"
"No, none, Your Excellency the Marshal!" Colonel Bergman replied.
"What do you mean?" Paulus asked.
"Because..." Colonel Bergman handed over a telegram and said, "We received this a few minutes ago!"
Paulus took it and saw that it was a message from the Russians, saying that they were planning to lure the enemy deep.
It was only then that Paulus came to his senses and understood why the Russians had proposed three days before surrendering. At first he thought it was a preparation for the 6th Army. They were all transferred to the west of the Don River.
Paulus thought for a while, then picked up the phone...
"What are you going to do, Marshal?" Colonel Bergman asked.
"Of course it is to notify the Don Army!"
"No, you can't do that!"
"Why not?" Paulus asked: "We haven't surrendered yet, we can't watch the Don Army walk into the trap step by step..."
"You just can't, Your Excellency Marshal!" Colonel Bergman held down the phone with one hand and held the **** of the gun with the other.
At that moment, Paulus suddenly understood that the subordinate he valued in front of him was not in contact with the Russians as he said, he was simply a Russian spy.
However, it was too late for Paulus to know this at this time. All around him, including the guards, had been replaced by Bergmans. He could be said to have become a puppet.
"When did it happen?" Paulus asked.
"You don't need to care about this, Marshal!" Colonel Bergman looked at his watch and said, "Now there are only three hours until the 'amnesty order', and I think it's time for you to fulfill the agreement and declare your surrender!"
Paulus could only nod helplessly. It was only then that he realized that he had lost completely. The ridiculous thing is that he thought he was fighting for the initiative and interests of the 6th Army. Who knew that it was all a Russian trap... He had to admit that the Russians' series of actions were very clever, and the interlocking ones made him hard to guard against.
The German army at this time is precisely the German soldiers of the 6th Army. It would be a lie to say that their hearts are firm.
Because of the truce, the so-called "people are idle and talk a lot", the soldiers squatted in the trenches and discussed the current situation in a low voice... The reason for the low voice is that the Gestapo's eyes and ears are everywhere. become the basis for their charges of treason.
German soldiers are divided into two camps.
Needless to say which two camps they are.
One is to believe that the Don Army can hit Karachi and rescue them.
The other is more inclined to surrender before the amnesty deadline expires.
However, because Paulus hadn't announced his decision to surrender at this time, they didn't even know that Paulus had already discussed with the Soviet Union. In addition, the Don Army was indeed advancing towards Karachi, and they even located in Stalingrad. You can hear the artillery of the Don Army bombing Karachi and the planes in the sky swooping down and dropping bombs.
Therefore, of the two voices, the former definitely has the upper hand.
But the latter is not to be outdone, mainly because the amnesty will pass in a few hours, and there will be no such opportunity by then, and what if it is discovered that there is no way to break through? !
Just as the German soldiers were whispering to each other, there was a sudden harsh noise from the horn of the Propaganda Department, and then Paulus' voice broke into their ears.
"All the soldiers of the 6th Army, and all the brave men who fought in Stalingrad!" Paulus said: "I regret to tell you that we are engaged in a war with no hope of victory. It is all over, I decided to surrender..."
This sentence was like dropping a bomb, and it immediately caused a commotion among the soldiers.
Some German officers and soldiers who were more inclined to break out were a little confused, and some of them even shouted unwillingly: "What happened? Isn't the Don Army attacking Karachi?"
"Aren't we winning?"
"We still have hope of breaking through, don't we?"
…
Then Paulus gave the answer.
"Don't think there's any hope for us!" said Paulus. "Army Don was able to reach Karachi because the Russians let them reach Karachi. Do you understand? They will soon be in trouble because the Russians The main force of the people has circled to their rear..."
Paulus’s intentions are actually very obvious. He used this method at the last moment to try to convey the news... The German army’s communication equipment is relatively complete. Not only the army command has links with the Don Army, but also the army command.
So, if they're smart, they should radio and warn Army Group Don.
This can be said to be the last thing Paulus did for Germany, because he always believed that he was still an imperial soldier before he surrendered, so he should consider the interests of Germany.
Colonel Bergman realized this too late, so he acquiesced to Paulus's approach.
"Trust me!" Paulus finally said: "If there is still a glimmer of hope, I would not do it. But now, I think this is the best choice! Put down your arms and surrender!"
Almost at that moment the gunshots rang out.
This is not surprising at all, because the Gestapo and the Special Operations Forces and the SS would not allow this.
But they didn't expect that Paulus and Colonel Bergman had already arranged it. When they were about to move, several troops suddenly surrounded them and launched an attack.
Among them, the headquarters of the SS was controlled immediately... As the commander of the 6th Army, Paulus had no difficulty in arranging a few people in the SS.
So, everyone understood that surrender was indeed the only way out.
This is very frustrating, because this is a surrender after all, so the German soldiers all have sullen faces.
Only the Italian soldiers let out a discordant cheer, as if they had just won a victory.
(end of this chapter)