"But the strength of our existing defensive zone is still seriously insufficient, where can we draw troops to strengthen the defense in this direction?" Although Lobachev was only a political cadre, he was exposed to the command every day and was very familiar with the current situation of the group army, so as soon as Rokossovsky finished speaking, he immediately complained: "We must not be allowed to abandon our existing positions and transfer our forces in this direction." Pen Fun Pavilion www.biquge.info"

"After the German breakthrough in this direction, the troops of the 30th Army were crushed. In such a vast area, even if our entire army group was transferred over, it would not necessarily be able to stop the German attack. Rokossovsky said with a helpless face: "So I sent General Zakharov with some troops to contain as many of the routs of the army group as possible, organize them, and build new defenses in Kling and Sun Hill." ”

"Can this work?" Lobachev asked in a skeptical tone.

"At this point, we have to resign ourselves to fate." After Rokossovsky said this, he pointed to the existing defense zone with his hand and continued: "Since the Germans have successfully broken through on the left and right flanks of our army and effectively advanced the battle line, then I think that the enemy in front of our army will inevitably increase the intensity of the attack, so that perhaps we will really not be able to stop their offensive. ”

After listening to this, Lobachev asked worriedly: "Then what should we do?" ”

Without waiting for Rokossovsky to answer, Malinin walked into the command headquarters, came to him and reported: "Comrade commander, the deputy commander has already set off for the Kling direction with the assembled troops. ”

"Chief of Staff," Lobachev heard Malinin say this, grabbed Malinin's arm, and asked nervously: "I don't know how many troops Zakharov brought with him when he went to Klin?" ”

Malinin glanced at Rokossovsky a little puzzled, and said in his heart, why didn't the commander tell the military commissar about this? But in the face of Lobachev, who asked him, he still answered truthfully: "The deputy commander took the 25th Tank Brigade, the 126th Infantry Division and the 17th Cavalry Division to the Klin area to contain the troops. ”

After listening to Malinin's report, Lobachev felt a little reassured, and then he continued to ask Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, what should we do next in the face of the fierce German offensive?" ”

Rokossovsky replied with a blank face: "Judging by the current situation, it is still necessary to abandon the existing positions and withdraw to the Istrian reservoir area, according to our plan some time ago, choose a suitable position there, build a new solid defense, and block the German troops rushing towards Moscow." ”

"But, Comrade Commander." In response to Rokossovsky's statement, Lobachev asked worriedly: "Didn't General Zhukov deny our retreat plan a long time ago?" And after you gave the troops the order to retreat, he also forcibly canceled it. ”

"At this time and at that time, my comrade military commissar." Rokossovsky said with a wry smile: "Although our situation was not good at that time, the friendly forces on the left and right flanks were still able to stubbornly resist the German attack, so that the defense line of the three armies became a whole, and if we withdrew from the battle regardless of it, the flanks of the friendly forces on both sides would be exposed to the enemy." And now, the friendly forces on the left and right flanks have been repulsed by the Germans, and the two flanks of our army group have been exposed in front of the Germans, coupled with the limited forces that can be used, we can't hold such a wide position at all, so we can only ask our superiors again for permission to retreat. ”

"It seems that this is the only way to go." After listening to Rokossovsky's analysis, Lobachev said helplessly: "If our reserves had not been exhausted in the counterattack a few days ago, it is estimated that they would still be able to hold the existing defensive area." But now, the only option is to retreat. However, before our troops retreat, I think you should communicate with General Zhukov and listen to his opinion. ”

"All right, Comrade Military Commissar." Rokossovsky knew that Lobachev had a point, and if he did not negotiate with Zhukov, he would lead his troops to retreat recklessly, and he would probably be severely punished. "I'm calling him."

After receiving Rokossovsky's call, Zhukov asked bluntly without greetings: "Rokossovsky, how is the situation, did you send people to collect the remnants of the 30th Army?" ”

"Yes, Comrade General." After Rokossovsky reported on the situation of sending Zakharov to lead his troops to collect the remnants, he continued: "Although Comrade Zakharov commanded two divisions and one brigade, the actual strength was only 600 men, and whether or not a strong defense could be built in the Kling area depended on the number of remnants gathered. ”

"You're calling me just to say this?" After listening to Rokossovsky, Zhukov impatiently asked: "Don't you know that I am very busy with work every day?" ”

"One more thing." Hearing that Zhukov was showing signs of anger, Rokossovsky hurriedly said: "With the friendly forces on the left and right flanks of our army, routed by the Germans, the two flanks of our army group have been exposed to the enemy. In addition, our unit has suffered a lot of losses in the recent battles, and it is a little powerless to hold on to such a vast defense area.

After Rokossovsky said this, he held his breath and prepared to withstand the thunderous power of Zhukov. But after a while, there was no movement in the receiver of the phone, so much so that he almost thought that the other party had hung up.

"Comrade Rokossovsky," Zhukov finally spoke, after pondering for a long time, "I understand the current situation of your army group, but I do not have reserves in my hands, and it is obviously impossible to send troops to strengthen you. Since this is the case, then I agree with you to withdraw your troops to the area of the Istrian reservoirs. But let me warn you, this is the last line of defense of your army, and if you can't stop the Germans, you can shoot yourself in the head with a pistol without me taking you to court-martial. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade General." Hearing that Zhukov agreed to his request to lead his troops to retreat, Rokossovsky's hanging stone finally fell to the ground, and he said lightly: "After we have established a strong defensive line on the Istrian reservoir, we will definitely not let the Germans advance a single step." ”

After Rokossovsky put down the phone, he instructed Malinin: "Chief of staff, call the commanders of the troops at the front and say that our army will withdraw from the existing defensive zone tomorrow and withdraw to the Istrian reservoir to establish a new defense, so that they can prepare for retreat in advance and leave the troops in cover." ”

"When exactly will you retreat?" "If there is no unification time, I am afraid that the troops will fall into chaos when they retreat. ”

Rokossovsky raised his hand and looked at his watch, and said decisively: "Then it will be five o'clock in the afternoon, when it will already be dark, the German ground offensive will stop, and the air force will not be able to send out reconnaissance, and our retreat will not be easily detected by them." ”