Chapter 1719

After klebsieu had introduced the cause of Hitler's death, I continued, "general klebsieu, I want to know where you are today."

"I hope the two sides can have a truce for one day." Klebs specially stressed: "just like the way I came here, the two sides stopped all hostile actions."

"I want to ask, what is your destination for a day of armistice?" Trekov interrupted.

Klebs respectfully replied: "the cessation of hostile military action between the two sides is to facilitate the formation of a new government headed by Donitz. After the establishment of this new government, we will talk with you about the future development of the war. "

As soon as he finished, I asked, "will the new government surrender unconditionally to us?"

My words made klebsieu's face look embarrassed. He hesitated for a long time before he said: "in fact, to stop the hostility between the two sides, we don't have to surrender. For example, we can take some form of cooperation to improve the relationship between them."

"General Klebs," I heard here, and immediately interrupted him without hesitation, saying in a strong voice, "we will not accept any negotiation that does not aim at unconditional surrender. As for the cease-fire you said, it's even more impossible, not to mention one day or one hour. Our troops from several directions will continue to attack the Capitol until they seize it. "

When Klebs heard me say this, his face turned black. He pleaded with me: "Sir, I wonder if you can convey my opinion to Marshal Zhukov or your supreme commander?"

"General Klebs," said trekov firmly, "even if we report it, we will get the same answer. We can only negotiate on the issue of Germany's complete surrender to the countries of the anti Hitler alliance, which includes the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom. On this issue, we are in complete agreement. "

Trakov's words made the muscles on Klebs' face twitch violently, and the scar on his cheek turned pink. It can be seen that he used his greatest perseverance to recover from his panic. After taking a deep breath, he carefully said: "we think that the Soviet Union will consider this legal new German government, which is suitable and beneficial for both sides. If you take Berlin and destroy us all, then it will be impossible for the Germans to cooperate with you and... "

Before he had finished, I interrupted him without hesitation: "general Klebs, I want to tell you one thing. We are not here to destroy all the Germans, but to liberate them from the hands of the Communist Party. And the Germans, the honest Germans, are already working with us. By doing so, they can avoid unnecessary bleeding. "

After I had finished, Klebsiella was silent for a moment, and then said cautiously: "Sir, before the full surrender, we ask you to recognize the new German government, to get in touch with it, and to provide opportunities to interact with your government, which is only good for you."

No matter what Klebs said, I always adhere to the only principle: that the Germans must immediately lay down their arms and unconditionally surrender to our army.

Seeing that my attitude was firm, Klebs changed his strategy. After some deliberation, he defended his proposal. He insisted on a temporary truce“ We can't agree to your terms. You know, I'm just a negotiator, because I'm not authorized to negotiate surrender. I think it is in your interest to have peace talks with the new German government. We know that the German government is finished! " Speaking of this, he gave a wry smile. "It's undeniable that your power is very powerful. Not only do you think so, but we also think so."

Seeing that klebsieu had been pestering us with admitting their new government, I said impatiently, "you should understand, sir. I know what you are going to get from us. You intend to warn us that if we do not recognize the new German government, you will continue to fight. To be exact, it's unwittingly stubborn resistance, but it can only increase unnecessary sacrifice. I want to ask you directly, "what's the point of your resistance?"

Klebs looked at me silently for a few seconds, not knowing what to say, and then said, "Sir, in order to defend our motherland, our officers and men will fight to the last."

Seeing this moment, Klebsiella still felt that he had a chance to negotiate with us. I couldn't help laughing. I said, "general, what else do you have? Wink's troops have been defeated by us. What else can you fight with? " After a short pause, I added, "only unconditional surrender is your final exit. We are waiting for your complete surrender."

"No!" When I said that, Klebsiella cried at once. Then he sighed and said to me, "Sir, when we surrender completely, we will no longer exist as a government legally."

The following negotiations are becoming more and more boring. I know very well in my heart that Klebs' task is to persuade us to recognize his so-called new government. However, without the consent of Goebbels and Baumann, he could not negotiate with us on surrender, which he always insisted on.

In his talks and in all his actions, I found that he was full of disappointment in this failed negotiation. He still didn't take the initiative to leave, as if waiting for me to continue to say something. Even in his heart, he hoped that we could detain him and his subordinates so that they would no longer be on the battlefield. Seeing that Klebsiella was staying with us, I felt very uncomfortable, so I tried to drive the other party away: "Klebsiella, your army is surrendering, but you are still here arguing with us whether to recognize the new German government." My words gave Klebs a shock, and then he asked in surprise, "where is it? Where do our troops surrender to you? "“ It's everywhere I stressed to Klebs, "except for the Capitol building and several nearby buildings which are still controlled by the German army, the German officers and soldiers in other places laid down their arms and surrendered to us after the exchange of fire with us."“ General Klebs, there's one more thing I want to tell you "Himmler has ordered the German troops on the western front to surrender to the British and American allies, opening the way to Berlin for them," trikov interrupted. But you are still fighting foolishly. " Klebs was obviously distressed. He lowered his head and murmured: "no one authorized Himmler to make peace with the British and American armies alone. I am afraid that he opened the way to the allies because he did not know that the head of state had committed suicide“ But don't you know that Himmler has designated a place for individual negotiations with our allies through radio? " Klebs shook his head hard and said, "our contact with the outside world was cut off a few days ago. Himmler's behavior should be a partial measure taken by him out of other considerations. " He was silent for a moment, then added: "if we surrender completely, we will never be able to elect our own new government again." Originally, I wanted to send Klebsiella away, but trikov told me quietly that Marshal Zhukov was in contact with the supreme command, and we had to wait for an answer before we could let Klebsiella go. On a whim, trakov said, "if you can put a phone line in your bunker, we can talk to Goebbels directly."“ That's great. That's great. " When he heard what trakov said, klebsieu was elated: "if you allow me, I can send my adjutant and your signalman to the bunker, and get a telephone line, then you can talk directly with Dr. Goebbels." I personally called Zhukov and asked Krebs to agree that we should install a telephone line in Hitler's bunker so that Krebs could speak directly to Goebbels. With Zhukov's permission, the group chief of staff selected two signalmen to follow the German colonel and interpreter to Hitler's bunker. When it was getting dark, major general Pronin, the military commissar, lieutenant general duhanov, the first deputy commander, Col. tolkonuk, the combat director, Col. gradky, the intelligence director, Lt. madusov, the deputy director, and Capt. kribel, the interpreter, came to our negotiation room. Trekov raised his hand, looked at his watch, and said to Klebsiella with a smile, "general Klebsiella, I don't know if you'd like to have dinner with us?" When he heard what trakov said, Krebs quickly got up from his seat, bowed slightly, and politely replied, "general trakov, it's my pleasure to have dinner with you." We came to the next room, where the army leaders had dinner. As soon as we sat down, soldiers brought us hot tea, bread, sausage and soup. In the face of the food in front of us, Klebs did not refuse, but ate it like we did. But I accidentally found that his hands were shaking slightly when he picked up the cup to drink tea. Although our negotiations reached a deadlock, trakov left the room from time to time to take care of the work of the headquarters, and informed the troops: first, the artillery troops were ready to continue the attack; The scouts monitored the enemy and its reserves and supplies; The units were replenished with ammunition and fuel; Engineers built and reinforced the ferries on the canal. Commanders at all levels of the group army have been clearly informed that although the negotiations are progressing normally, all units should still be ready to attack and begin to attack as soon as they receive orders.