While Leskov and his men were building fortifications at the edge of the forest, Rokossovsky was sitting at the observation post worried. He felt that without an effective reconnaissance unit, he would not be able to obtain accurate information about the German army in time, and he held out in Shepetovka for several days, but he did not even know the number of the German army on the opposite side.

"Comrade Commander, what are you thinking?" Hearing this voice, Rokossovsky did not have to look back, he knew that it was Novikov who came.

"Please be seated, Comrade Division." Immediately after beckoning Novikov to sit down, Rokossovsky asked a serious question: "How many tanks are left in your division?" ”

"There are very few, and after repeated battles, there are not many tanks left." Novikov shook his head and said with a melancholy expression: "At present, there are only twenty tanks left that can be put into battle, and two-thirds of our tankmen have now become infantry, and we must find a way to replenish them with a batch of weapons." At this point, he looked left and right, and then asked curiously, "Why didn't you see Lieutenant Colonel Liao En, the commander of the 116th Tank Regiment?" ”

"Lieutenant Colonel Liao En is not here, he went to inspect the defense area of the other two tank battalions." Seeing the puzzled expression on Novikov's face, Rokossovsky hurriedly explained to him: "Although the 116th Tank Regiment has a large number of combat vehicles, because their defensive zone is too open, it can only be used as a fixed battery, and the only one that can really be used on the battlefield is your tank division." ”

"Colonel Chernyaev's 20th Tank Division, Colonel Kalinin's Motorized 131st Division, and Lieutenant Colonel Vajim's Motorized Regiment, I don't know when they will be returned?" After Novikov repeated the numbers of several units belonging to the mechanized corps, he said with some displeasure: "Tearing our army apart is tantamount to opening your fists, can you still have the strength to beat people like this?" I think you should call the commander of the Fifth Army, General Potapov, and ask for the other two divisions to be rebuilt, so that the strength of our army can be greatly improved. ”

"Do you think I don't want the troops to be rebuilt? As soon as Chief of Staff Maslov comes, we will be able to strengthen our intelligence work. Rokossovsky said angrily: "But now there is no way at all, and the radio station cannot be contacted by the army headquarters at all." ”

Novikov looked left and right, then approached Rokossovsky, lowered his voice and asked: "Comrade commander, do you think we can stop the Germans here?" ”

"We can't stop the Germans here." Although Rokossovsky thought so in his heart, he said something else: "Comrade Novikov, what's wrong with you, no matter what the situation is, we will hold out here until our follow-up troops arrive." ”

Rokossovsky, who does not tell lies, couldn't help but blush after saying this. He hurriedly picked up the teacup in front of him to hide his uneasiness. After taking a sip of water, he promptly diverted the topic and asked: "General Novikov, you came to me, is there anything wrong?" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Novikov said as he took out a roll of paper from the briefcase he was carrying, spread it out and put it in front of Rokossovsky, and said: "This is my division's application for a medal report. In the past, I gave these documents directly to the political deputy commander, but unfortunately he is not here now, so I can only hand them over to you. ”

Rokossovsky casually flipped through the thick report in front of him and said with a smile: "Comrade Novikov, there are really a lot of commanders and fighters in your division who have made meritorious contributions. ”

"It's not enough, Comrade Commander." Novikov said with a serious expression: "In these application reports, there are still many people missing, such as those comrades-in-arms who have already died. I think they should be added by name and given them the credit they deserve. ”

"Since that's the case, you can make a separate list and add all the commanders and fighters to it." Rokossovsky knew that honor was more important than life in the country of Russia, and if the fallen comrades could not apply for medals and honors in time, they would become unknown heroes over time. It is precisely because of this consideration that Rokossovsky said very simply: "We must let our future generations remember forever these commanders and fighters who died honorably to defend the motherland." ”

"Okay, Comrade Commander, I'll draw up a list for you." After speaking, he took out a pen and paper from his briefcase, and carefully filled in the notebook with the list of martyrs he remembered.

Rokossovsky looked at Novikov, who was writing hard in front of him, and thought to himself: "In the recent battles, everyone has shown valor, and no one has wavered in the face of the enemy's fierce attack. In addition to the commanders and fighters at the grassroots level, the middle and senior commanders in the army should also receive medals. ”

He glanced down at the four medals on his chest, and said in his heart: "The army has the right to award medals to commanders and fighters at all levels, but commanders above the division level can only be awarded medals by higher-ranking commanders. At present, the command of the Fifth Army cannot be contacted, and if you want to apply for a medal, you can only go through General Lukin. ”

Thinking of this, he picked up the phone and dialed Lukin's headquarters. After hearing Lukin's voice, he said straight to the point: "Comrade commander, I have something to report to you. ”

"Comrade Commander, if there is anything, please hurry up." Lukin said in a somewhat impatient tone, "I'm busy right now!" ”

"That's right, Comrade Commander." Rokossovsky said politely: "Since the commanders and fighters of the whole army have performed very well in recent battles, I would like to award them medals, I wonder if you agree?" ”

"I agree to award medals to the commanders and fighters in recognition of their bravery and tenacity in recent battles." Lukin readily agreed to Rokossovsky's request, but then asked puzzledly: "Comrade army commander, award medals to commanders and fighters, not to mention your army-level commanders, even division-level commanders have this right, why did you call me to ask for instructions?" As soon as his words came out, it immediately dawned on him, "By the way, Comrade Rokossovsky, I think that the outstanding performance of the middle and senior commanders at all levels of your army in the battle should also be commended, and I will immediately report to the command of the front army on awarding the medal." ”

Lukin was very efficient, and as soon as it was dark, his phone was called to Rokossovsky's observation post. He said excitedly on the phone: "Comrade Rokossovsky, in view of the outstanding performance of your Ninth Mechanized Army in battle, the head of the Front Army has decided to award medals to all division commanders, regimental commanders, and other commanders and political functionaries of the Ninth Mechanized Army. At the same time, I would like to congratulate you on being awarded the fourth Order of the Red Banner. (To be continued.) )