Golikov and Krylov discussed for a long time without coming up with a reason, and finally Akimovich suggested: "Why don't we ask Shulka what he wants to do with this!" ”

Golikov had no objection to this, because in his opinion, Shulka was a party and had a decisive position in the defense of Stalingrad, and of course his thoughts and opinions should be heard.

So the ball was kicked to Shulka again.

"Comrade Shulka!" Golikov put it nicely: "We are surprised by your achievements, and we believe that these soldiers will flee to the 82nd Infantry Regiment because of the successful transformation of the 5th Infantry Company." But at the same time, it creates a dilemma for us, and we need to think about the interests of the whole force......"

"Yes, Comrade Golikov!" Shulka replied: "If the command decides to repatriate these soldiers to their original units, we have no opinion!" ”

Shulka was reluctant to do that, but it was no choice.

The reason why Shulka was reluctant was because the reason why these soldiers fled to the 82nd Infantry Regiment desperately was actually out of trust in Shulka and trust in the 82nd Infantry Regiment, and they even gave Shulka their lives and hopes.

But now, Shulka has driven them back...... In any case, this would be a betrayal of the trust of these soldiers, and it would have a very negative impact on the image of the 82nd Infantry Regiment, the 5th Infantry Company, and even Shulka as a personal image throughout the army.

In fact, this was also detrimental to the defense of Stalingrad, because he, in turn, would affect the morale of all the "punishment battalions".

But of course, it is actually a double-sided sword, and the integration of these deserters into the 82nd Infantry Regiment will also have a series of negative consequences.

"No, Comrade Shulka!" Golikov said: "That's not what we meant! I would like to know your thoughts on how you think this matter can be resolved in such a way as to maintain the stability of the existing system without affecting the morale of the 'correctional camps'...... The total strength of the 'punishment battalions' of the various units has reached tens of thousands, and they are all distributed in the most dangerous areas, and their morale may have a direct and irreversible impact on Stalingrad, so we must think carefully! ”

Shulka understood what Golikov meant.

Because of their peculiarities, the "Punishment Battalion" will always be sent to the most dangerous area, and it is also at the forefront of the battlefield.

These areas often also mean important areas, and it may be nothing if one or two "punishment camps" have problems or problems, but if a large area of "punishment camps" mutinies en masse...... This is certainly not a good thing for Stalingrad, especially when the battle situation is so tense and the enemy enters a tug-of-war with little difference in strength, and it may even cause the collapse of Stalingrad's entire defense system.

After thinking about it, Shulka made a suggestion: "We may be able to leave behind this group of soldiers who have fled to the 82nd Infantry Regiment...... Because if they were to be repatriated, it would probably cause panic and then take extreme measures, which would worsen the situation! ”

"That's right!" Golikov agreed.

This is not alarmist, and it is easy for people to have the extreme idea of not caring about anything at the moment of life and death.

There was no turning back for these soldiers who had fled to the 82nd Infantry Regiment, which had been determined from the moment they decided to flee from their original units...... If they return, they will almost certainly be punished or even "killed" to prevent the escape from further escalating.

"It's not a big problem to keep these people!" Golikov thought for a moment and said: "I can use the command of the army group to give orders to the corresponding troops." Here's the problem...... If anyone else knew about it, I mean the soldiers of the 'Punishment Battalion', they would probably follow suit! ”

This is also a kind of group effect, which is the instinct of people to seek good fortune and avoid evil.

In the 82nd Infantry Regiment can become a normal unit, who wants to continue to stay in the "punishment battalion" as cannon fodder?!

"I know, Comrade Golikov!" Shulka said: "So we should issue an order, that is, not to make an example, there should be no more such a situation!" ”

After a moment of silence on the other side of the phone, Golikov replied, "This may be a safe solution, but it will also demoralize the 'punishment camp'...... Do you know? It's a headache for me, Shulka! Why hasn't anyone turned into a combat unit like you's perfect 'Punishment Battalion'! Why the 5th Infantry Company cannot be replicated in other units, sometimes I think...... We should even put all the 'punishment camps' in your hands! ”

"No, Comrade Golikov, I don't think it's a good choice." Hearing this, Shulka couldn't help but be startled, if he handed over all the "punishment camps" to his command, what was the difference between being thrown into the "punishment camps" himself?

Moreover, if the "punishment battalions" are all concentrated together and the scale is still so large, it will not be a matter of being able to control them in a few days...... a large part of the reason why the "punishment battalion" system can be implemented smoothly is that it is scattered among the troops, and behind each "punishment battalion" there is an interception unit behind the back with a machine gun on the head.

Bringing them together is actually helping them sit big.

Golikov on the other end of the phone laughed: "That's a joke, Comrade Shulka!" I wouldn't really do that! ”

Shulka breathed a sigh of relief, he was a little worried that Golikov would do it, because he could tell that Golikov had been joking but also sincere when he had said this...... Golikov was actually testing Shulka, and as long as Shulka dared to accept it, Golikov dared to give Shulka this task.

Shulka shook his head secretly, Golikov also thinks too highly of himself, tens of thousands of "punishment battalion" soldiers, all of them are on the verge of life and death, and they may break out at any time and gather them...... Thinking about it scares Shulka.

After a moment's hesitation, Shulka replied, "If we want to give the 'Punishment Camp' a little hope or boost morale, I think there is a way to do it!" ”

"How?" Golikov asked.

"Why don't we set up a system of rewards and punishments?" Shulka said: "To put it simply...... In the future, they will never be allowed to leave their unit and flee to the 82nd Infantry Regiment, but they can become 'trusted' members through meritorious service, that is, through their efforts to join the 82nd Infantry Regiment......"

"Good idea, Shulka!" Before Shulka could finish speaking, Golikov on the other end of the phone shouted: "This can not only improve the morale of the 'punishment battalion', but also not affect the original troops and the original system, and it can even be said to be beneficial to them, it can be said that it is the best of both worlds!" ”