At first, the other German soldiers were puzzled by the sight of the "Einsatzgruppen Squad" running around the wheat fields, and many of them were curious to ask the same question: "What are they doing?" ”

However, when they smelled the aroma of roasted voles in the air, they suddenly understood, especially after tasting them, they couldn't hold back anymore, and formed a "task force" in groups of three and five.

Despite the excellent training of the German army, this set a record for the 21st Panzer Division's ever most conscious formation of a combat group and the most heroic participation in battle.

With entertainment, greens, and crispy vole meat, there's really nothing to demand on a battlefield like this.

But such days soon became the memories of the German soldiers.

That night, Eberhard looked north while chewing vole meat, and said, "Brothers, I don't know if you feel it, the northern line is much quieter!" ”

The baker turned sideways to listen, then nodded and replied: "Yes, the Soviets can't continue such a fight!" ”

"Or let's say they're ready at Stalingrad!" Dominica expressed a different opinion.

But Qin Chuan thought that the baker was right.

On the one hand, this was due to the fact that such an offensive of the Stalingrad Front, regardless of casualties, was very depleting of troops.

According to statistics, the total strength of the four armies mobilized by Zhukov amounted to 250,000, and the seven-day offensive lost one-third of the troops, that is, an average of more than 10,000 casualties per day.

The four armies had a total of 400 tanks, of which 300 were destroyed, and dozens of tanks were almost depleted due to breakdowns or the fact that they could not be used again in battle.

Under such casualties and attrition, even the Soviet Union, which had a large number of troops, could not afford it and could only end such a battle.

On the other hand, if Stalingrad is ready...... There will never be a "good" day for any preparation.

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Eberhard said: "We can finally get out of the northern line! ”

"Why is this a good thing?" Qin Chuan asked rhetorically.

The soldiers understood what Qin Chuan meant, and the Germans could get out of the northern defense line, which meant that the battle for Stalingrad was about to begin.

Sure enough, in the early morning of the next day, the German 14th Panzer Army was again transferred in the direction of Stalingrad...... Paulus's 6th Army had only one armored army, so it was needed both for the northern defense line and for the assault on Stalingrad, and this force could only be moved back and forth in battle.

It can be seen that the German troops of the 14th Panzer Army were generally optimistic about the attack on Stalingrad.

As the 14th Panzer Army passed by the state farms, many soldiers stood on tanks and cheered at the soldiers of the 21st Panzer Division:

"Well done, 21st Panzer Division."

"Well done, 1st Infantry Regiment!"

……

Of course, Qin Chuan and the others knew that they were referring to the 1st Infantry Division's breakthrough into Stalingrad and the burning of factories...... There was no fear that such a record would not spread, because the German commanders needed to use these examples to set an example for other units to inspire them to fight bravely.

But what people didn't expect was that Major General Wietsheim, commander of the 14th Panzer Army, stayed to visit all the officers and men of the 1st Infantry Regiment when he passed by.

"You've bought us time!" Major General Witessheim shook the hands of Colonel Slein and Qin Chuan and said, "It is conceivable that everything you have done to defend Stalingrad is a disaster. Now that we have freed up from the northern line, then, next one is Stalingrad! ”

Major General Witessheim's expression and tone were as if Stalingrad was already within reach.

But Qin Chuan didn't think so.

This was not only because he knew how difficult the Battle of Stalingrad was in history, but also because he knew that Stalingrad should be taken over by Chuikov at this time.

And Chuikov ...... But it's not that easy to deal with.

In fact, the reason why the Soviet army was able to win the Battle of Stalingrad was not only Zhukov's command in the general strategic direction, but also Chuikov's command in Stalingrad.

Qin Chuan guessed correctly, with the weakening of the offensive on the northern front, Chuikov also realized that there was not much time left for him to prepare, so he reorganized the 62nd Army almost day and night.

Chuikov was one of the "troikas" of the Soviet Union. The so-called "troika" is almost the meaning of the three famous generals.

As a famous general, Chuikov immediately realized that the most serious problem in Stalingrad was actually morale.

This may have been caused by Lieutenant General Lopatin, or by the repeated defeats of the 62nd Army...... But in any case, Lopatin, as the commander of an army group, had no confidence in holding Stalingrad, and this must have been indispensable in this regard.

But Chuikov knew that there was no benefit in holding him accountable at this time, and what was in front of him was such a mess: insufficient equipment, insufficient troops, insufficient supplies, and people were panicking, from top to bottom, from the army to the people, it seemed that they were waiting for the German army to attack, and then retreat to the east bank of the Volga River with a symbolic defense.

On the way to Chuikov's appointment, he even heard soldiers say something like this: "Is there any point in defending Stalingrad?" Both the tractor plant and the artillery plant were burned down by the Germans, we should retreat to the east bank of the Volga to defend, then it would be much easier! The Germans could not break through the Volga line! ”

Therefore, the first thing Chuikov did after taking office was not to inspect the fortifications of the front line, nor to deploy and adjust the strength of the front line, but to do the ideological work of the 62nd Army.

"If they've already thrown in the towel in their hearts!" Chuikov said to his deputy, Krylov: "Well, even if they have guns in their hands, it will not help, all they can do is raise their hands at the Germans and give the guns to the enemy!" ”

So, Chuikov made a speech on the radio for the first time...... It was obviously dangerous to not be able to gather the soldiers together to give a speech at this time.

"I'm Chuikov, commander of the 62nd Army!" Chuikov said straight to the point: "I am in Stalingrad right now, among you. I just want to tell you that Stalingrad is our last line of defense, and we will not take a step back to defend her, including me. I repeat, no one can withdraw from Stalingrad, I flew here from Moscow to join you, with the aim of dying with you! ”

The speech was short and crude, without flowery language or rhetoric, but it was sonorous and forceful.

At that moment, all the Soviet soldiers and even the people were shocked by these words.