In the original history, Rokossovsky's troops were still in the process of marching to the border, so much so that the Southwestern Front had to use seven underrepresented divisions against ten German tank and infantry divisions near Lutsk. Now, with the Ninth Mechanized Corps entering the battlefield four days ahead of schedule, the situation has turned in favor of the Soviet Army.

Although the German army's undeclared war caught the Soviet army by surprise, in many border posts or fortified areas close to the national border, many units like the Lopatin border guard squad spontaneously entered the battle without receiving orders from their superiors, effectively delaying the pace of the German army's advance and preventing them from concentrating their superior forces to rapidly advance to the big cities.

It was precisely because of this that when the Germans besieged Vladimir Volynsky, they had limited forces to hold back reinforcements, and Rokossovsky's troops could easily break through the defensive line. While in the city, Rokossovsky learned from a conversation with the commander of the 87th Division that except for one regiment in the city, the rest of the division's troops were fighting stubbornly against the Germans in various defensive areas.

When Rokossovsky saw that the enemy's forces, although numerous, were scattered over the vast land, he could no longer sit still, and he decisively ordered the 20th and 35th tank divisions, immediately loaded with the infantry of the 45th division, to break through the border and prepare to pass through the gaps of the German army to attack their rear.

When passing through the 13th frontier post, seeing that it was besieged by the Germans, he asked Novikov's tank division to divide into two routes, one to attack the enemy's artillery position, and the other to rush directly into the post and destroy the enemy surrounding the outpost.

Rokossovsky stood next to the armored car, looked at the dozen or so scarred but energetic commanders and fighters standing in front of him, smiled and nodded, then walked up to the officer and asked: "Comrade lieutenant, who of you here is more familiar with the terrain on the other side of the border?" ”

Lopatin hesitated for a moment when he heard Rokossovsky ask, and then said: "I'm sorry, Comrade General, my orderly Misha is a Pole, and he was the most familiar with the terrain in the outpost, but unfortunately he died in battle. ”

Hearing that the soldiers who were familiar with the terrain in the post had died, Rokossovsky couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in his heart, but he still asked loudly at the other fighters unwillingly: "Comrades soldiers, who else among you is familiar with the terrain on the other side?" ”

He was answered by silence.

"Does no one really know?" Rokossovsky was extremely disappointed when he saw that no one answered, but for the sake of safety, he repeated the question.

Kochetov, who was in the queue, glanced to the left and right, then took a step forward and said with some restraint: "Comrade General, maybe I can help you." ”

Seeing that someone in the queue stood up, Rokossovsky hurriedly walked up to him and asked in a friendly tone: "Comrade fighter, what is your name?" ”

Kochetov straightened his waist and replied: "Comrade General, my name is Kochetov, and I am a soldier of the 7th Infantry Division of the NKVD. ”

"Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs?" Rokossovsky knew that the soldier in front of him was actually from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and he couldn't help but feel a little unhappy in his heart, he turned his head and asked Lopatin, who was standing in the ranks: "Comrade lieutenant, do you belong to the Ministry of Internal Affairs?" ”

"No, Comrade General." Lopatin hurriedly defended: "The warrior Kochetov is not my subordinate, and almost all of the squad of the Ministry of Internal Affairs where he belongs died in yesterday's battle, so he was temporarily assigned to my squad." ”

After Rokossovsky figured out the whole thing, he turned his head to Kochetov again: "Comrade warrior, my troops are going to attack Lublin, are you willing to act as a guide for us?" ”

Before Rokossovsky's words fell, Kochetov hurriedly replied: "Comrade General, I am familiar with the terrain of the Lublin region, and I am willing to act as a guide for you. ”

In order to confirm the qualifications of this guide, Rokossovsky asked: "Comrade soldier, tell me what you know about the situation in the Lublin region." ”

"Comrade General, according to the information available to our Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Germans have been expelling all the peaceful inhabitants of the occupied Polish territories from the border areas since April. Moreover, the German alarm offices also issued a warning to the local Polish authorities: in the event of a military operation, the residents must not panic, otherwise they will be shot on the spot.

The Germans also converted all civilian medical institutions in Poland into military hospitals and sent their own medical personnel. All the Poles who were in charge of the railways were also replaced by the Germans with German officials. Before the outbreak of the war, all German trains bound for the border were escorted by reinforced German guards. ”

Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction at the information provided by Kochetov, and then said to him: "Understood, comrade soldier, you go and rest first, and then call you when the hot troops depart." ”

Now that the guide has been implemented, it is time to discuss how to copy the rear of the German army. While waiting for the three division commanders to come to the meeting, Rokossovsky meditated on the history of that time, and he remembered that just this evening, the command of the Southwestern Front would receive an order from the General Staff for a counteroffensive, asking them to concentrate their forces on a centripetal assault on the Lublin area.

This erroneous order issued by the General Staff was not at all possible because of the limited circumstances at that time. But now Rokossovsky's troops have crossed the border, only eighty kilometers from Lublin, and with such a good opportunity, it is really a bit unreasonable not to fight.

When all three division commanders arrived, Rokossovsky explained in detail his plan to raid Lublin, and then asked for their opinions.

Novikov was the first to take his position, suggesting that tanks should take advantage of the darkness to advance along the road to the Lublin area, and at most four hours would reach their destination.

"Any other comments?" After Rokossovsky and Novikov's speeches were over, he consulted two other division commanders. They shook their heads together, indicating that there was no disagreement.

Seeing that everyone was on the same page, Rokossovsky no longer wasted time, but quickly gave the battle order to the three men: "After dark, General Novikov's 35th Tank Division, with a regiment of infantry, will quickly advance along the road to the Lublin area. In order to be safe, you have to clear all the enemies you encounter on the road.

Colonel Chernyaev's 20th Tank Division, also carrying an infantry regiment, followed the 35th Division, keeping a distance of five kilometers. In this way, no matter which unit is attacked by the enemy, it can be supported by the other force.

Although I felt that two tank divisions plus two infantry regiments would be enough to capture Lublin, for the sake of safety, the remaining infantry regiment of General Scherstyuk remained in the post to build fortifications. In this way, even if the battle ahead is unfavorable, we will be able to break through the enemy's encirclement from here. ”

What is strange is that none of the three division commanders said that this combat plan was too bold or too whimsical. Rokossovsky felt strange at first, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized that perhaps his own behavior in predicting the outbreak of war and preparing for the corresponding battle in advance gave them enough confidence.

Seeing that there was no opinion, Rokossovsky sent them back to their respective units at once, and went to assign tasks to the commanders at all levels, and to make every soldier understand the meaning of the tonight sortie, so as to ensure victory in the battle.