Shabalin accompanied the members of the condolence group, and after walking around the city where the headquarters of the front army was located, seeing that it was not early, he arranged for them to stay in a hotel in the city, and while they were having lunch, he returned to the headquarters alone, wanting to consult with Rokossovsky about where to let the condolence group go next. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

Unexpectedly, he walked into the headquarters and found that in the house, except for Malinin, who was on the phone, and several staff officers, the heads of the front, including Rokossovsky, were not there. He muttered to himself, could it be that something urgent happened, and the commander and the others had gone to the troops? Therefore, as soon as Ma Lining finished the call, he hurriedly asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, have you seen the commander?" ”

Ma Lining looked through the content of the call he had just recorded, and replied absentmindedly: "See, he has something to do and go back to his residence." ”

"Where are you going back to your accommodation in broad daylight?" Shabalin couldn't help frowning after hearing this, "I'll go to him and ask the comrades who are going to arrange the condolence group next." ”

When Shabahrain had taken a few steps towards the door, Malinin came back to his senses from his business, he felt grabbing Shabahin's arm, and said with some difficulty: "Comrade Military Commissar, you... You don't go, Comrade Commander is working with the leadership of the condolence regiment, in ... Talking about something important. ”

"What can the commander and the leader of the condolence group talk about," Shabalin said dissatisfied: "As soon as the condolence group arrived, the head of the regiment did not know where to go, and it was the deputy head of the regiment who was always dealing with me. When I went to see the commander, I had to criticize this comrade from Moscow well. ”

When Ma Linin heard Shabalin say this, a strange look suddenly appeared on his face, and he continued to hold Shabahin's arm, and at the same time explained incoherently: "The head of the condolence group has a very close relationship with the commander, you know, a very close relationship. The two of them met while defending Yaltsevo and have experienced life and death together, understand? Now that we've finally met, there's definitely a lot to talk about, so don't bother them. ”

Shabarin, who was confused, stared at Malinin for a long time, and finally nodded and said: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, since the commander and his old comrades-in-arms have reunited, there must be a lot to talk about, so I won't bother them." However, how to arrange the next itinerary of the condolence group, someone must have an idea. ”

Malinin thought for a moment, and then said to Shabalin: "Comrade Military Commissar, at present, all the sections in our defense area are calm and calm, and there is no exchange of fire with the German army, you can take them to the defense areas of various group armies. This will not only ensure their safety, but also achieve the purpose of their trip. ”

Shabalin stared at the map for a long time, and finally said: "The 3rd Army successfully established a landing ground on the left bank of the Zusha River some time ago, which is a good result, and it is just right to take the comrades of the condolence group to see it." ”

"I will immediately arrange a platoon of guards to escort you to the defense area of the 3rd Army." Malinin let go of his grip on Shabahin, picked up the phone on the table, and made a call to the commander of the guard regiment, asking him to transfer a platoon and escort the military commissar and members of the condolence regiment to the garrison of General Korzun's 3rd Army to offer condolences.

Shortly after Shabalin left with the condolence group, Rokossovsky and Borisova also returned to the command. When he entered the door and saw that there were not many people inside, he couldn't help but ask Ma Lining curiously: "Chief of Staff, where have the others gone?" ”

"Generals Orel and Kazakov, went to inspect the artillery and tank units." Malinin reported to Rokossovsky: "General Maksimenko went to the logistics unit to receive the new communications equipment. ”

"What about the Military Commissar?" Seeing that Shabalin was not there, Rokossovsky hurriedly asked: "Where did he go?" ”

"He took the comrades of the condolence group to the defense area of General Korzun." When Malinin said this, he quickly glanced at Borisova who was standing next to Rokossovsky, "I thought that you and Borisova must have a lot to say when they reunited after a long absence, so I didn't bother you." ”

"Ah, comrades have gone to the front to inspect it." Borisova's face turned red when she heard Malinin say this, and she hurriedly looked at Rokossovsky and said: "I am the head of the condolence group, I can't leave everyone alone, can you arrange for someone to send me to General Korzun's defense area?" ”

"No problem," Rokossovsky nodded and readily agreed to Borisova's request: "I will immediately send a guard squad to escort you to the defense area of the 3rd Army and the comrades of the condolence regiment. ”

After Borisova left, Rokossovsky solemnly asked Malinin: "Chief of Staff, how is the battle going in the Don direction?" ”

Malinin handed the battle report he had recorded to Rokossovsky and said with a serious expression: "General Vatutin's troops have occupied a narrow landing ground on the west bank of the Don River, and due to the heavy artillery fire of the German army and their air supremacy, they are temporarily unable to expand the landing field. ”

When Rokossovsky saw the battle report, he threw it on the table and said angrily: "Nonsense, it's nonsense." In such a narrow area, the strength of a division was placed. With such a dense formation, every shell of the enemy could kill and wound several or even a dozen of our commanders and fighters. It must be stopped immediately, or our army will suffer senseless sacrifices. ”

"But Comrade Commander, we don't count this matter." Ma Linin smiled bitterly and said: "If there is no order from the Supreme Command, I estimate that General Vatutin, even if he knows that this will consume the vital strength of our army in vain, he can only fight hard." ”

"This is not how the war is fought," Rokossovsky also had a great headache for Vatutin's stubbornness, "and all the living forces of our army have been exhausted, where will there be troops to counterattack the enemy in the future." By the way, what about Chibisov's 38th Army, where are they at the moment? ”

"It's still in the old place," Malinin said with some helplessness, "if they can be active on the west bank of the Don, they can still contain part of the German forces and assist the troops of the 6th Army in expanding the landing ground." But Chibisov received an order to threaten Voronezh from the north, and when the Voronezh Front attacked the city, he would attack from the enemy's flank. ”

"It's ridiculous, it's ridiculous." After hearing this, Rokossovsky said angrily: "I handed over the 38th Army to Vatutin, in the hope of strengthening them and increasing the chances of victory in the liberation of Voronezh. Who knows that he abandoned the 38th Army, but concentrated the main forces on the Don River and fought a senseless war of attrition with the Germans. It's over, it's over, I think this battle to liberate the city of Voronezh was a complete failure. ”