Over the next week, Maslov's reconnaissance detachment continued to gather the people passing through Shepetovka, as well as the scattered troops and stragglers who had broken through the encirclement, to the city. Rokossovsky used these personnel to form four motorized battalions, and after being equipped with three artillery batteries and twenty tanks, he sent them to reinforce the defense area of the 109th Division in the central sector.

In the face of the increasingly ferocious offensive of the German army, Rokossovsky felt that the newly added more than 2,000 people were still too little. He was in the headquarters and was debating with Maslov where to find some troops to strengthen the existing defenses.

After Maslov waited for him to finish, he replied with a bitter face: "Comrade commander, our scouts have already looted all the troops that can be contained nearby, and it is impossible to replenish them in the short term. ”

When Rokossovsky heard him say this, the expression on his face became even more serious, and he asked tentatively: "Chief of Staff, is it true that you can't collect any troops?" ”

Maslov nodded, and said a little helplessly: "Comrade commander, not to mention those small troops that broke through, even the refugees who escaped from the west have hardly been seen in the past two days. ”

"Didn't one of the reconnaissance groups we sent contact with Fedyuninsky's troops last night? When will they be able to withdraw to us? ”

"The troops remaining in Lutsk have been surrounded by the Germans. Fighting is currently taking place between Lutsk and Volynsky New Town. Pointing to the map with a pencil, Maslov said: "The enemy concentrated superior forces and seized Rivne and Zhytomyr along the road, cutting off our connection with the rear. Fortunately, we have enough weapons, ammunition and all kinds of military supplies here, otherwise we would have had to retreat because we ran out of ammunition and food two days ago. ”

Seeing the blue arrows on the map representing the direction of the German army's offensive and the red defensive zone representing the Soviet army, Rokossovsky felt particularly uncomfortable. Although he fused the memories of later generations and generally knew in what direction the enemy would attack next, he was unable to turn the tide of the battle due to the limitations of his troops and technical equipment.

Just when the two of them were at a loss, Captain Fripp suddenly ran in from outside, and reported with an excited face: "Report to the commander of the army and the chief of staff, there are commanders of friendly forces outside who want to see you." ”

"Commander of a friendly army?" After hearing this, Maslov thought that which unit had just protruded from the enemy's encirclement, and after frowning, he asked disapprerovitly: "Did he say which part?" ”

Perip nodded vigorously and replied, "He said that he was the commander of the 37th Division of the 41st Infantry Corps, Major General Mikushev, and he was ordered to lead the whole division to Lutsk. ”

Rokossovsky heard clearly that Fripp had mentioned the word "whole division" in his report, and hurriedly asked: "Comrade Captain, you said that this commander of the friendly army took a division and entered our defense zone?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Flip replied in the affirmative: "According to the report of the observation post east of Shepetovka, this unit is a fully equipped division. ”

"Great, that's great." When Rokossovsky heard this, he couldn't help but slap the table, and then excitedly said to Maslov: "With this fully equipped division, the next battle will be easy to fight." With that, he turned to Perip and asked, "Where is the commander of the friendly army?" ”

"Just outside......" Before Felip could finish his words, he saw Rokossovsky and Maslov walking out of the command headquarters quickly, he quickly closed his mouth and quickly followed.

After Rokossovsky and the others walked out of the headquarters, they saw a general of medium stature standing outside, who should be the general Mikushev that Felip said. So, he walked quickly to the general, took the initiative to extend his hand to him, and said in a friendly voice: "Hello, General Mikushev. I am Rokossovsky, commander of the 9th Mechanized Army, and welcome to Shepetovka. ”

"Hello, Comrade Commander!" Mikushev shook Rokossovsky's hand, shook it vigorously and said: "I am Major General Mikushev, commander of the 41st Division, and it is a pleasure to see you!" ”

After Maslov stepped forward to shake hands with Mikushev, he turned around and made a gesture of please, and then said: "Comrade General, don't stand outside, let's go inside and talk." ”

After a few people returned to the headquarters, Rokossovsky personally poured a cup of tea, put it in front of Mikushev, and then asked with a smile: "General Mikushev, where did your troops start from?" ”

Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Mikushev immediately jumped up from his seat, straightened up and reported: "Comrade Army Commander, our division departed from Kiev on June 29 and was originally planned to arrive in Lutsk on July 4 and be incorporated into the operational sequence of the Fifth Army. ”

After Rokossovsky waited for Mikushev to finish speaking, he couldn't help frowning, and then asked rhetorically: "General Mikushev, since according to the order, you should have entered Lutsk on July 4. But today it's the 7th, why are your troops still more than a hundred kilometers away from Lutsk? ”

Mikushev's face blushed a little, and then he replied: "Comrade commander, according to the plan of the march, we should have passed through Zhytomyr, Rivne and then entered Lutsk. Who knew that the first two cities had already been occupied by the Germans, so we had to change the route of the march and pass through the forest. With no guide, we got lost in the forest several times, and inevitably delayed our trip. ”

After listening to his explanation, Rokossovsky turned his head to look at Maslov, and saw that the other party was making a look at him, suggesting that he would leave this force behind. He naturally understood the hint of the deputy, so he said to Mikushev: "Comrade General, the troops currently holding on to Lutsk have fallen into the encirclement of the German army, and if you go in this way, it will be tantamount to throwing yourself into a trap. ”

Mikushev was taken aback by Rokossovsky's words, and he hurriedly asked nervously: "Comrade commander, then what should I do next?" ”

"It's simple, keep your troops in Shepetovka and assist us in defending here." After Rokossovsky said these words, seeing that Mikushev's face showed an embarrassed expression, he hurriedly emphasized: "There are hundreds of military warehouses here, which store weapons, ammunition and various military materials that can meet the needs of the entire Southwestern Front. Once this place falls into the hands of the enemy, the consequences are unimaginable. ”

"Since you know that the enemy is coming, why don't you transfer the supplies?" After waiting for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, Mikushev said curiously: "If you transfer part of it every day, then it won't be long before all the materials in the warehouse can be transferred." ”

"You think too simply, Comrade General." Rokossovsky smiled wryly and then explained to him: "Even if the train is used for 24 hours a day, it will take at least two months. But we don't have that many means of transport now, and it takes longer to move supplies. Therefore, we have to find ways to hold on to Shepetovka and buy precious time for the transfer of supplies. (To be continued.) )