Shortly after Carmela gave the artillery an operational order, a call was received from the command of the Front. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 The info call was made by Bulganin, the military commissar of the Front Command, who was responsible for the duties of the commander when Timoshenko was not in the headquarters.

He asked Rokossovsky to answer the phone by name, but Malinin had no choice but to hand the microphone to Rokossovsky and said in a low voice: "The call is from the military commissar of the Front." ”

"Hello, Comrade Military Commissar of the Front Army." Rokossovsky did not know what important things Bulganin had called him at this time, but he still patiently asked: "Do you have any instructions?" ”

"Comrade General," Bulganin said politely, "I have just received an order from my superiors to transfer your current head of artillery, General Carmela, back to Moscow. ”

"What, transfer General Carmela?" Hearing this news, Rokossovsky couldn't help but be taken aback, knowing that at the height of the fighting, a general was transferred back to Moscow, and the most likely fate he faced was to be sent to a military court, and General Pavlov, who was shot dead not long ago, and several of his generals were typical examples. Rokossovsky quickly recalled Carmela's recent performance in his mind, and found that there were no mistakes, so he couldn't help but ask: "Comrade Military Commissar, can I ask, why did General Carmela be transferred back to Moscow?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Rokossovsky." I don't know if Bulganin didn't know the truth, or if he deliberately concealed it, he said in a businesslike tone: "The other units need artillery commanders with rich combat experience, and some people think that General Carmela meets this condition, so they plan to transfer him to the rear." ”

Seeing that Bulganin had already said this, Rokossovsky could no longer object, so he could only reluctantly say: "I obey the orders of my superiors, and I will arrange for General Carmela to return to Moscow." But who will take his place after he leaves? ”

"You don't have to worry about this, Comrade Rokossovsky." Bulganin said in a relaxed tone: "Your new head of artillery, the superiors intend to make Major General Vasily Ivanovich Kazakov a post. You don't have any questions, right? ”

Hearing that the newly appointed artillery chief was actually Major General Kazakov, Rokossovsky's heart suddenly became much more steady. Although the other party is not from a cavalry background like himself and Carmela, after all, they are all alumni who graduated from the Frunze Military Academy, and I believe that the cooperation with him will be very harmonious. So he replied: "I understand, Comrade Military Commissar, when Major General Kazakov arrives, I will hand over General Carmela with him as soon as possible." ”

Seeing Rokossovsky put down the phone, Carmela asked in a bit of a panic: "What's the matter, Comrade Commander, why did the superiors transfer me away?" ”

"Ivan, don't worry." Rokossovsky saw his panic in Carmela's eyes, and knew that he was worried that after he returned to Moscow, he might be sent to a military court on trumped-up charges, so he hurriedly comforted him and said: "Comrade Military Commissar of the Front Army said that at present, our troops need a large number of commanders with rich combat experience to enrich the artillery units, and you happen to be the most suitable person. ”

Although Rokossovsky had already said this, Carmela was still skeptical, after all, after losing contact with the 19th Army, he led a part of the artillery commanders to withdraw from the front without receiving orders from his superiors. If the higher authorities wanted to pursue him, this alone could send him to a military court, or even sentence him to death.

However, now that his superiors have given the order to transfer him, everything is irreparable. He sat down at the table, as if all his strength had been hollowed out, looked up at Rokossovsky and said weakly: "Since this is the case, then I obey the orders of my superiors." As soon as the new chief of artillery arrived, I immediately handed over my duties to him. ”

Lukin's 16th Army launched a counterattack towards Smolensk, and after successively breaking through the German defenses outside, managed to storm the city. Just as the troops were about to develop in depth, German tanks appeared in the streets, and the commanders and fighters, who lacked anti-tank weapons, were killed and wounded under tank fire and machine gun fire, and had to withdraw from the city.

Timoshenko, who was supervising the battle in the observation post outside the city, was still complacent when he saw the troops pouring into the city like a tide. As a result, in less than an hour, the troops that rushed into the city were beaten by the Germans and withdrew in disarray.

Brother Timoxin, who had just been in a better mood for a long time, was suddenly angry again. He pointed at Lukin's nose and scolded loudly: "Lieutenant General Lukin, is this our most elite 16th Army?" Less than an hour after storming the city, the Germans drove them out of the city like rabbits. This is simply a disgrace, the greatest disgrace to our entire Western Front. ”

After he scolded Lukin, he turned his head and asked the staff officer next to him: "How is the situation there Rokossovsky, have they launched an attack on the enemy's positions?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." The staff officer hurriedly picked up a telegram and handed it to Timoshenko: "General Rokossovsky mobilized the most elite troops and launched an attack on the depth of the enemy's defense. When they broke through the German lines, first German tanks rushed out of their flanks and cut off the rear of the attacking troops. At the same time, they were hit by long-range German artillery fire. At present, the troops have begun to retreat. ”

"How can you retreat?" When Timoshenko heard this, he couldn't help but be furious, he pointed at the staff officer with his hand and ordered: "Immediately send another telegram to Rokossovsky, tell him that at any time, retreat is not allowed, and it is necessary to fight to the last soldier." Hurry up, send this order out. ”

When Rokossovsky received this telegram, he could not help frowning. At present, under the cover of artillery, the commanders and fighters of the tanks and motorized infantry regiments that are attacking have broken through the encirclement of the Germans and are retreating to the starting positions. In five or six minutes, they would have been able to completely disengage with the Germans and successfully return to their own lines. But at this time, Temoshengo sent such a ridiculous order, which couldn't help but make him in a dilemma.

After reading this telegram, the commander of the 7th Mechanized Corps, Vinogradov, who served as his deputy, sighed and said helplessly: "An order is an order, and even if it is a wrong order, we can only carry it out." ”

Carmela, who was a little calmer, leaned over to read the contents of the telegram, and said with a bitter face: "Knowing that this is an order to send the soldiers to death, we can only carry it out unconditionally." ”

Ma Linin stood next to him and asked with a look of embarrassment: "Comrade commander, what should we do?" Ordered the troops to stop retreating, turn over and continue the battle with the enemy? ”

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, how is the situation at the front?" Rokossovsky asked aloud at Tarasov, who was sitting not far away, before making his final decision.

Tarasov hurriedly got up from his seat, ran in front of Rokossovsky, and replied respectfully: "Comrade commander, according to the report of the forward observation post, at the moment we have less than thirty tanks left, and at the same time more than half of the commanders and fighters of the motorized infantry regiment are killed or wounded. ”

"What to do, comrades commanders?" Rokossovsky looked at his subordinates and asked loudly: "Do we need to carry out this order of Marshal Timoshenko?" If it had been carried out, the force we had sent an hour or two earlier would have been wiped out under the double blow of German artillery and tanks. ”

After looking at each other, Vinogradov and Carmela said with a painful expression: "Comrade commander, these commanders and fighters who are constantly suffering casualties under enemy artillery fire are all my subordinates. I am saddened by their bloody sacrifices, but the orders of the superiors are orders and cannot be disobeyed. Even if we know that it is an order for us to commit suicide, we can only carry it out. ”

After Rokossovsky finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Carmela, who looked depressed, and asked: "Ivan, what is your opinion?" ”

Carmela looked at Rokossovsky and said with a wry smile: "Comrade commander, maybe in a few hours or even less, I will no longer be your artillery chief, and it is not appropriate to express my opinion on this order issued by my superiors. ”

"You have been my artillery chief for as long as you have not left my command." Rokossovsky said sincerely: "So you still have a say in the affairs of the combat cluster. ”

Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Carmela first glanced at Vinogradov, then frowned and said: "I agree with General Vinogradov, knowing that this order will lead to the total annihilation of our troops, but it must be carried out unconditionally. ”

After listening to the answers of the two, Rokossovsky couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in his heart. He had expected that even if Carmela didn't say anything, Vinogradov would raise his objections, after all, his men were constantly falling under enemy fire. Who knows that he would rather let his troops lose than disobey the orders of his superiors.

Rokossovsky took a deep breath, and then said to the two of them categorically: "Comrade two generals, although I also think that the order of the higher authorities should be carried out, if I see that the execution of this order will cause unnecessary casualties to the troops, and may even destroy the troops, I think there is no need to carry out such an order again. ”

After speaking, he turned around and instructed Ma Linin: "Chief of Staff, please inform the commanders and fighters participating in the battle to use the cover of our army's artillery fire to speed up the retreat, quickly break away from contact with the enemy, and withdraw to the starting position of the attack." ”

After listening to Rokossovsky's instructions, Malinin excitedly agreed, and then happily went to contact the forward commander. Carmela just wanted to open her mouth to persuade her, but she saw Rokossovsky turn her face and look at him and say: "And you, Comrade Artillery Chief, order all the artillery hidden in the forest to open fire." Shoot the shells as fast as possible, separate our commanders and fighters from the enemy with artillery fire, cover their safe withdrawal to their positions. ”

"But, Koschika." Out of concern for Rokossovsky, Carmela couldn't help but call him by a nickname: "You have to think twice, if you do this, it will affect your future prospects." ”

"If you sacrifice thousands of soldiers in vain, and get a promotion, I'm not uncommon." Rokossovsky said resolutely: "As long as I can save more seeds for the troops, even if I am sent to a military court in the future, I will never regret it." ”

"Comrade Commander." Rokossovsky's words inspired Vinogradov's blood, and he got up from his seat and said with a serious face: "Since you have made such a decision, as your deputy, I will resolutely stand on your side." Even if the superiors blame it in the future, I will share this responsibility with you. ”

"Thank you, thank you! General Vinogradov. Vinogradov's words made Rokossovsky's nose sour for a while, and he stepped forward to hold the other party's hand and said excitedly: "Thank you for supporting me at this critical moment!" ”

Under the cover of artillery, the tank units and motorized infantry regiments that attacked significantly succeeded in withdrawing their positions on the right flank. When Rokossovsky saw the statistics that Tarasov had given him, the muscles in his face twitched violently, he knew that the troops had paid a great price in this temporary offensive, but he did not expect such casualties. Of the 70 tanks that came out, only 16 returned; Of the more than 2,000 people, there are only more than 400 people left, and almost all of them are hanging lottery.

After Rokossovsky handed the battle report to Vinogradov, he instructed Malinin: "Comrade Chief of Staff, let them withdraw to the second line of defense for rest!" ”

At this moment a general walked in from outside the door, who quickly came to Rokossovsky and, after raising his hand and giving a military salute, reported loudly: "Hello, Comrade Commander, the new head of artillery, Major General Kazakov, reports to you. Please instruct! ”

Rokossovsky raised his hand to return the salute, then shook the other party's hand vigorously a few times, and said excitedly: "Welcome, General Kazakov, welcome to work with me." Come, let me introduce you to my deputy, General Vinogradov, who turned out to be the commander of the 7th Mechanized Corps. ”

After Kazakov and Vinogradov shook hands, Rokossovsky pointed to Carmela and introduced him: "This is your predecessor, General Carmela, you can go and do a handover later." ”

After shaking hands with Kazakov, Carmela said enthusiastically: "Comrade General, our artillery positions are only a few kilometers from here, if you do not object, I will take you to get to know the commanders of the artillery at all levels." (To be continued.) )