At two o'clock in the morning on the 22nd, Zhukov came to Rokossovsky's headquarters in a light car. As soon as the pen %fun % pavilion www.biquge.info entered the door, he asked bluntly: "How is it, are you ready?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front." When Rokossovsky heard Zhukov's question, he immediately replied in accordance with the order: "The troops participating in the offensive, under the cover of night, arrived at the starting point of the offensive two hours ago. The artillery was also ready to shoot. ”

Zhukov bowed his head slightly, and then instructed Rokossovsky: "Take me to the forward observation post." ”

Hearing that Zhukov was going to the forward observation post, Rokossovsky hurriedly persuaded: "Comrade Zhukov, it is too close to the enemy's position, and it may become a target for the German army at any time. For your safety, let's stay here and listen to the war report. ”

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Zhukov glared at him and said angrily: "If I come to you just to stay in the headquarters and listen to the war report, then I might as well stay in my own front army headquarters." After speaking, he raised his voice and repeated the order just now, "Take me to the forward observation post immediately." ”

Rokossovsky knew Zhukov very well, and when he saw that he repeated this order again, he knew that there was no room for change, so he could only personally accompany him to the forward observation post of the Orlov army.

After sending everyone from the observation post, Rokossovsky cautiously asked Zhukov: "Comrade Zhukov, I don't know how bad the situation is in the Kharkov direction?" ”

"The situation is very bad," Zhukov said with a frown, "the Kleist cluster joined the German 6th Army south of Balakliya, cut off the way for our troops to retreat from the Barvenkovo salient across the Severodonets River, surrounded all of the 6th and 57th armies, as well as part of the 9th and 38th armies. Not only that, but the German units, having completed the encirclement, tried to further widen the blockade.

At present, Kleist's armored battle group has widened the outer circle of this encirclement to the east, and at the same time, the German 60th motorized rifle division, the 384th, 389th infantry division, and the 100th light infantry division have fanned out to the west, firmly blocking the retreat of our troops in the encirclement. ”

"yes, it's very bad." After listening to this, Rokossovsky let out a long sigh and said with emotion: "I hope that the offensive we launched today can relieve some pressure on the friendly forces in the Kharkov direction." ”

Orlov, who rushed to hear the news, saw that Zhukov and Rokossovsky were both staying at their forward observation post, and couldn't help but look a little at a loss: "Comrade commander, how did you get here?" It's too dangerous here, so let's go to my military headquarters. ”

Rokossovsky waved his hand at him and said, "Okay, General Orlov, we will take care of our own safety, you better go back to your own headquarters and prepare for the attack." ”

Just as Orlov turned around and was about to leave, he was stopped by Zhukov, and then asked: "Comrade Orlov, I want to ask you if you are ready to attack?" ”

"Yes, Comrade General." Orlov straightened up and replied: "The troops are ready for battle." ”

Zhukov waved his hand, "I don't want to listen to what you can see in the report, I want to know about your specific deployment." For example, if the offensive goes well, how should the troops develop into the depth of the enemy; If the offensive is thwarted, what remedies will you take to salvage this unfavorable situation? ”

Orlov didn't expect Zhukov to suddenly ask such a question, and with some flustered and stammering, he explained in detail the combat deployment he had made. Zhukov frowned and listened to the other party's report, and finally said lightly: "Okay, I know." You go back to the military headquarters first. ”

Orlov raised his hand and saluted Zhukov and Rokossovsky, then turned and walked out of the observation post. As soon as his back disappeared from the door of the observation post, Zhukov said to Rokossovsky: "This commander has limited abilities, and it is okay to be a military commander, and he is not suitable for a higher post." ”

Rokossovsky still admired Zhukov's ability to see people, since he said that Orlov was useless, then Orlov as an infantry corps commander is probably the end of his career.

While the two were talking, a voice suddenly came from outside the observation post. Zhukov listened attentively for a moment, and then shouted at the door: "Comrade Kutsevalov, I'm here, please come in." ”

A moment later, a general walked in from the outside. After Rokossovsky saw the other party's uniform clearly, he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, because the air force uniform worn by the person who came, with three gold stars on the collar badge, was actually an air force lieutenant general.

Zhukov said with a smile: "Rokossovsky, let me introduce to you, this is the newly appointed commander of the Air Force of the Front, Kutsevalov. Then he said to Kutsevalov, "Comrade Kutsevalov, this is Rokossovsky, commander of the 16th Army, when you took office, he was still treating his wounds in the military hospital in Moscow. ”

After Rokossovsky waited for Zhukov to finish speaking, he stretched out his hand to Kutsevalov with a smile on his face and said in a friendly manner: "Let's get acquainted again, my name is Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky, and it's a pleasure to meet you!" ”

Kutsevalov shook Rokossovsky's hand and said with a smile: "My name is Timofeei Vdolovich Kutsevalov, General Rokossovsky, I have heard of your name for a long time, and it is my honor to fight side by side with you." ”

Zhukov waited for the two to chat for a while, then interjected: "It's almost time, let's start preparing." As soon as his order was given, the staff officers and communications personnel who arrived with the commander of the Air Force immediately placed all kinds of communications equipment in the trenches where camouflage nets were tied up at the observation post and outside.

In order to better realize air-ground coordination in the offensive, Rokossovsky and Kutsevalov also studied the coordinated actions of aviation and infantry, and specified the identification signals of the front line.

After the communication equipment was arranged, Zhukov asked the communications staff officer to connect the two armies on the left and right, and asked the two Popov generals: "Our attack on the German army will begin in a few minutes, are you all ready?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front." The two Popov generals replied in unison: "We have everything ready for the offensive." ”

"Very well," Zhukov said with satisfaction to the answers of the two commanders: "The offensive proceeds on time according to the battle plan drawn up in advance, good luck to you!" ”