After learning that Balvinkovo ​​was attacked, Manstein's first reaction was to contact Paul Hauser: "General Hauser, the Russians are attacking Balvinkovo. Why didn't Ike's troops launch a counterattack? What is he still dabbling?"
"Hisser Marshal," Haussel quickly explained when he heard Manstein's reprimand: "I just had a call with the division headquarters of the Skeleton Division, but Chief of Staff Ximeng said that General Ike had taken a car to the frontier to inspect and had not returned yet."
"Even if he goes to the frontier, he can command his troops in the frontier command post and counterattack the Russians. But until now, the performance of the Skeleton Division is not as good as their usual performance. Tell me, what's going on?"
"Marson, I think of the worst possibility." Haussel said cautiously on the phone: "Maybe General Ike has been killed in the battle. Only in this way can he lose contact with his division."
"What, do you say Ike is dead?" Manstein, who was about to indict Haussel, was shocked when he learned the news. He asked cautiously: "General Haussel, do you really think this is possible?"
"Yes, marshal, I'm very sure." Haussel replied: "If it weren't for some accident, he wouldn't have been in contact with the division headquarters for so long. As a result, the entire division lost its unified command and could not carry out an effective counterattack against the Russians."
"Appoint the Chief of Staff Colonel Ximon immediately and transfer Eke's position." Manstein ordered Haussel on the phone: "To let him organize an uninterrupted counterattack and drive the Russians out of Barvinkovo. After driving the Russians out of the city, you must find a way to hold them back and never let them escape. Order the other two divisions to come quickly and encircle them."
"The Imperial Division was attacked by the Russians not long ago and its establishment was disrupted. I am afraid it would not be able to reach Balvinkovo ​​in a short time." Haussel reported to Manstein: "But I have issued an order to the flag guards now to let them quickly move closer to Balvinkovo. Now the third battalion of the 2nd Grenadier Regiment of the division belongs to is only a few kilometers away from the city."
"Very good." When we learned that the vanguard of the Flag Guard Division was only a few kilometers away from Balvinkovo, Manstein felt much more at ease. "The Flag Guard Division has never been defeated since its establishment. I believe that they will definitely give this Russians a lesson that will never be forgotten this time."
With the news that Hauser appointed Colonel Xi as the acting commander of the Skeleton Division, the Soviet telecommunication listening force quickly intercepted the telegram. In less than half an hour, the deciphered telegram was placed in front of Zhukov. Zhukov, who had just taken over as commander of the Southwest Front, saw the telegram and looked up and asked the director of the communications troop standing in front of him: "Comrade Director, is this news reliable?"
"Comrade Marshal," the director of the communications corps quickly replied: "This is a telegram sent by Paul Haussel to the Skeleton Division, and I believe it should be true."
"As far as I know, the troops of the 41st Division of the Guards are attacking Balvinkovo ​​at this moment. Logically speaking, in this case, it is a taboo to change the division commander, but the Germans still did this. Tell me, what is the reason?"
Lieutenant General Ivanov, Chief of Staff, replied: "Comrade Marshal, in my judgment, this is usually the case, unless the division commander cannot command the troops anymore, he will be allowed to take his post."
"Then let me talk about it, what happened to Ike that I can't command the troops?"
"Unless it is injured or killed," Ivanov said thoughtfully: "Even if he is injured, he can still lie on the hospital bed to command the troops. Could it be that he was killed? But how is this possible? You must know that only the 41st Guards Division attacked Balvinkovo, and there were no heavy weapons. How could they kill Ike in the battle?"
"If the commander of this unit was Sokov, there would be nothing impossible." Zhukov looked at Ivanov and asked, "A few days ago, if I told you that a unit of our army would penetrate deep into the enemy's backbone and make the three elite German SS soldiers dizzy, would you believe it?"
"I don't believe it, Comrade Marshal." Ivanov replied very simply: "Just a few days ago, the two tank troops and three infantry divisions under General Rebarko were surrounded by these three German divisions. If General Rebarko had not implemented a breakthrough in time, his troops would have been completely wiped out by the Germans."
"The reason why Rebarko was able to break through in time was because Major General Sokov warned me, and I used a special way to warn Rebarko. Only then did he give up the idea of ​​sticking to the aid and decisively took the breakout action, thus leading some troops to jump out of the enemy's encirclement."
Zhukov's words made the commanders present lit up. The three SS divisions who once gave them a headache are now tricked by a Soviet guard division. This matter sounds incredible. Ivanov asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, should we do something to provide them with some help?"
"The most complete unit in the entire front is the 61st Army. They ordered them to attack in the direction of Ijium to attract the attention of the enemy and prevent the enemy approaching Ijium from randomly drawing troops to strengthen the defense of Balvinkovo."
Ivanov waited for Zhukov to finish his words and quickly agreed: "Yes, comrade Marshal, I will immediately call the commander of the 61st Group Army and order his troops to move towards Ijium."
"Also," Zhukov continued: "Send a telegram to General Rokosovsky to inform him of the news that Ike might have been shot dead by the 41st Guards Division, so that he would be happy."
When Ivanov heard Zhukov say this, he immediately guessed his intention and asked with a smile: "Comrade Marshal, do you want General Rokosovsky to verify the authenticity of this matter, right?"
Zhukov smiled and nodded, urging Ivanov: "Go and send a telegram to Rokosovsky quickly."
Chapter completed!