Cuikov's injury was a shame and shame to all the commanders and fighters of the 8th Guards Army. Especially the commanders and fighters of the 102nd Regiment of the 35th Guards Division, the commander was sniped by the Germans in his defense zone, but he failed to prevent this tragedy from happening in time. Therefore, after the shelling began, they also used the mortars in the regiment to fire at the German positions. They intend to use an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, so that the Germans will use blood and money to repay the blood debt they owe.

   Cannons, howitzers and mortars, after bombarding the German positions over and over again, finally stopped. Just when the German officers and soldiers in the ruins were about to breathe a sigh of relief, the rocket launchers deployed in the rear opened fire again. Countless rockets with long flame tails drew beautiful arcs in the air, and then plunged into the German defensive positions, making earth-shattering explosions.

  After the intensive shelling in the past is over, the infantry will charge. But today, for some unknown reason, the higher-ups did not issue an attack order for a long time. They only ordered artillery or rocket launchers to fire at the enemy's positions in turn, preparing to wipe out all the enemies with steel and flames.

At 0:40 the next morning, the radio station of the 79th Infantry Division intercepted a call from a German radio operator: "Attention Russians! Attention Russians! I am the German 56th Panzer Corps. We request a ceasefire! Berlin time At 0:50, we will send a messenger to the Potsdam Bridge, identified by a white flag. Please answer!"

The German operator was tirelessly calling over and over again, and the 39th Guards Division, who received the radio call, did not dare to make a claim, so he reported the matter to the commander of the 28th Guards Army, hoping that he would come to the rescue. Answer the call of the German army.

  However, after receiving the call from below, the guard commander felt that the matter was of great importance. Even if he was the commander, he might not be able to make the decision, so he called Cuikov to continue reporting.

   After receiving the call, Chuikov immediately issued an order: "The ceasefire is limited to the area where you meet the messenger. At the same time, tell the 56th Armored Army that we will do our best to ensure the personal safety of the messenger when he passes and talks."

  Because Chuikov was injured, he was definitely unable to participate in this negotiation, so he ordered Lieutenant Colonel Matusov, the staff officer of the headquarters, and Captain Kaliberg, the translator, to go to the meeting as his representatives. Before the two left, Cuikov repeatedly told the other party: "Except for asking them to attack unconditionally, there will be no negotiations, and they should immediately put down their weapons and surrender."

   Half an hour later, Cuikov received a report from the 47th Guards Division. Lieutenant Colonel Matusov, who was heading to the Potsdam Bridge, had already met the German messengers, a colonel and two majors. The team was led by Colonel Duferwenger, Chief of Staff of the 56th Panzer Army of the German Army. He said to Lieutenant Colonel Matusov: "Mr. General Weidling's decision regarding the cessation of resistance and surrender of the 56th Panzer Corps."

After saying this, Duferwenger also took out a document signed by Weidling himself, which read, "Colonel Duferwenger is the chief of staff of the 56th Armored Army. He is entrusted by me and the troops under my command. Negotiate with you in any form." The final signature was Wei Deling.

Colonel Semchenko, commander of the 47th Guards Division, asked Duferwenger: "Mr. Colonel, how long will it take for your Panzer Army command to get the troops to lay down their weapons and transfer all the personnel and equipment of the various units to the army in an organized way?" To the Soviet Army Command?"

Dufervinger said: "We may need three to four hours, and the surrender should be carried out at night. Because Goebbels once issued an order for everyone to shoot at the soldiers and civilians who tried to fall the Russians. Although he is dead now, the orders he gave are still valid."

After listening to the other party's report, Chuikov immediately issued an order: "Let Colonel Duferwenger return to General Weidling and ask him to bring back a statement signed by me. I will tell him in the statement that his surrender has been terminated by us. But the two majors who came with Colonel Duferwenger will stay with us temporarily and let them go back after the war is over."

  After giving the order, Chuikov, who was a little weak, fell asleep in a daze. When he was woken up, he found that it was almost six o'clock: "What's the matter?" He asked his adjutant.

   "Yes, Comrade Commander." The adjutant replied: "Just received a call from the front. A delegation from Goebbels has come and wants to negotiate with you personally."

   With the support of the adjutant, Chuikov stood up from the sofa, went into the bathroom and washed his face with cold water to ensure that he could wake up quickly.

  In the headquarters, Cuikov saw a delegation sent by the Germans. There were three of them, all dressed in civilian clothes. Behind them stood a soldier wearing a steel helmet and holding a white flag. Chuikov felt that it was obviously inappropriate for an ordinary German soldier to stand here in the ensuing negotiations, so he ordered someone to take him out.

   Then he looked at the three of them and asked, "I don't know what I can do for you?"

  A negotiator named Hainersdorf stepped forward and handed the letter he had prepared to Chuikov. When Chuikov unfolded the letter, Pozharsky, Weinrub and others in the headquarters came up behind him, tilting their heads to read the contents of the letter.

   Fortunately, the Germans were very thoughtful and translated all the content into Russian. Even without translation, everyone can understand it. I saw that it read: "As General Krebs told you, Hitler, the head of the Reich, has gone to heaven, and Dr. Goebbels is no longer on earth. I, the new Propaganda Minister Fritsch, as one of the survivors , beg you to bring Berlin under your protection."

   After reading the contents of the letter, Chuikov couldn't help being secretly surprised. He really didn't expect that Goebbels died not long after Hitler's death. I don't know who will die after Goebbels?

   He looked up at Heinersdorf and asked, "When did Dr. Goebbels commit suicide?"

"last night."

   "Where's his body?"

   "Both his and his wife's bodies were burned, by his personal adjutant and chauffeur."

  Chuikov couldn’t help but feel as if Mustache was burned after his death, and Goebbels was also burned after his death. Did the heads of the Third Reich choose fire as a means of cleansing the world of their crimes?

   "Where is General Krebs, who came here to negotiate with us yesterday under the carte blanche of Goebbels? Why didn't he come today?"

"I'm sorry, General Einsdorf." Heinersdorf replied, "I don't know. I only know that a new chief of staff has been replaced today—General Einsdorf! As for Chief of Staff Krebs, go Where, I don't know."

Since the other party did not know the whereabouts of Krebs, Chuikov did not ask any more questions, but changed the subject in time: "As negotiators on the German side, do you know our conditions: that we can only negotiate with you unconditionally?" Surrender question?"

   "Yes! We know." Hainersdorf replied: "We are here for this and are willing to provide you with the necessary help."

  Chuikov asked with a sneer after hearing this: "I don't know what help you can provide for your own people?"

   "Dr. Fritsch requests that he be allowed to speak over the radio to the German people and army to cease the futile resistance immediately and to accept unconditional surrender."

   Chuikov expressed doubts about Heinersdorf's statement: "Will the army obey Fritsch's order?"

   "As Minister of Propaganda, he still has a great reputation, especially in the Berlin area." Hainersdorf said again: "He asked permission to give a speech on the radio in Berlin."

Before Chuikov could reply, Glazunov, commander of the 28th Guards Corps, called and reported to Chuikov: "Comrade Commander, my subordinates reported to me that they saw German troops gathering. ready to take action."

   "Are you preparing to attack our army?"

   "It's not like." Glazunov replied: "My people didn't see them carrying any weapons. Are they going to surrender to our army?"

   "Comrade General, order your subordinates to stand still. Without my order, no one is allowed to shoot." Cuikov said: "I will immediately send someone to the 56th Armored Army for verification."

After putting down the phone, Chuikov called the chief of staff of the brigade, Grushiko, and said to him: "Comrade staff, your task now is to cross the fronts of the enemy and us again, rush to the headquarters of the 56th Panzer Army of the German Army, and find Duffer. Colonel Wenger, let him take you to General Weidling. Understand?"

   "Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Grusko replied loudly: "I will definitely complete the task. '

  Gruschko crossed the line of defense and entered the headquarters of the German 56th Panzer Corps, where he met General Weidling. After some conversation, Victor decided to surrender himself to Chuikov's headquarters, accompanied by several subordinates.

When he crossed the line of defense and entered the defense area of ​​the 47th Division of the 28th Guards Corps, the division commander, Colonel Semchenko, asked him curiously: "General Weidling, you commanded the troops to surrender to our army, does your Dr. Goebbels know? "

   "He doesn't know." Wei Delin replied very simply: "I don't need to ask a dead person for instructions."

After Chuikov learned that Weidling had entered his own defense zone, he immediately called Glazunov, commander of the 28th Guards Corps, and told him: "Comrade General, I now order you to personally send General Weidling to my commander." Ministry. Remember, you must ensure his safety."

   "Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Glazunov said, "I will protect the personal safety of General Weidling just like protecting my own eyes."

  After a series of phone calls, Chuikov asked the negotiators: "Do you and Fritsch know that the defenders of Berlin are preparing to start surrendering?"

   Hearing what Chuikov said, the negotiators had a surprised expression on their faces, and Hainersdorf replied: "General Chuikov, we didn't get any news before we set off."

   "Your army will soon surrender to our army in various areas." After Chuikov finished speaking, he remembered another important person: "By the way, where is Bowerman?"

After several people looked at each other, Hainersdorf replied: "He seems to be staying in the office building of the head of state, but a few hours ago, there was an explosion of unknown cause there. When our people went in to check, they found Bao Allman and his family are dead."

  Chuikov called Zhukov and reported to him the intentions of the negotiators and Weidling's preparation to command the troops to surrender.

   Knowing that the German army was about to surrender, Zhukov was also very happy. However, he still has some concerns about Fritsch's speech to the Germans on the radio: "Chuikov, do you believe that Dr. Fritsch's speech to the German people on the radio will meet our requirements?"

   "I think there should be no problem." Chuikov replied confidently: "As long as it is under our supervision, there should be no problem."

   "Very good, very good." Zhukov said: "I will call Comrade Stalin now, and you should not make any decisions until you receive my call."

   "Okay, Comrade Marshal, I am waiting for your news."

  Ten minutes later, Zhukov called Chuikov: "Chuikov, please record what I said."

  Chuikov quickly took out a pen and paper, and was ready to record: "Comrade Commander, I'm ready, please tell me."

   "Please announce to the members of the delegation: First, the Soviet High Command accepts the surrender of Berlin and orders all troops to cease military operations.

  Secondly, all existing German institutions should declare to all soldiers, officers, and citizens that all military stores, buildings, public facilities, and things of value are to be properly maintained as they are and not to be blown up or destroyed.

  Third, please take our commander and follow Heinersdorf to find Dr. Fritsch and let him give a speech on the radio.

  Fourth, we will keep all soldiers, officers, generals, and residents safe and provide medical care to the wounded wherever possible.

  Fifth, the Germans should not carry out any provocative actions, such as shooting or other sabotage activities, otherwise, our army will be forced to take countermeasures. "

  After several representatives listened to what Chuikov relayed, Hainersdorf asked cautiously: "General Chuikov, I have a personal request. I hope you can send troops to protect the lives of our Propaganda Department personnel."

Regarding Hainersdorf's proposal, Chuikov readily agreed: "Mr. Hainersdorf, I assure you on my honor that as long as anyone who voluntarily lays down his arms and does not take any hostile measures will You can rest assured that our commanders and fighters will never hurt a single hair of them."

   Having received Chuikov's promise, Hainersdorf heaved a sigh of relief and said with emotion: "If this is the case, that would be great."

   "Mr. Hainersdorf, I think you must be very tired at the moment." Chuikov said: "I will send someone to take you to rest first, and I will invite you to come over later to continue the unfinished negotiations."