The fighting was raging outside the city, and Rokossovsky in the city did not stop. He was deeply impressed www.biquge.info the mines planted by the Germans in the village. While waiting for the report of the battle outside the city, he arranged for the personnel to carefully inspect the military facilities in the city and the equipment discarded by the German army, so as to prevent the enemy from laying mines in these places.

Fortunately, however, no traces of mines were found in the city, and it seems that the enemy's abandonment of the city was a temporary attempt and not a long-term plan. The ambush of the 328th Division was a complete accident.

Without waiting for Orel to return, Zakharov and Lobachev, who were acting with the command of the army group, also rushed to Sukhinich. Seeing that the city was full of weapons and equipment discarded by the German army, and all kinds of military supplies, Lobachev couldn't help but ask curiously: "What's the matter with the Germans, throwing away so many weapons and equipment, aren't they ready to fight?" ”

Hearing Lobachev say this, Rokossovsky couldn't help but smile bitterly, and he said helplessly: "Although most of the Germans fled in a hurry, they still laid an ambush in a certain area, causing our pursuing troops to suffer heavy losses. ”

Zakharov and Lobachev, who had just arrived and did not know the situation inside and outside the city, were taken aback when they heard Rokossovsky say this. Zakharov asked in surprise: "Comrade commander, what the hell is going on, which unit suffered losses?" ”

"The 328th Infantry Division under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Yershov," Rokossovsky did not feel good when he mentioned this unit, because he promoted the lieutenant colonel, who had served as deputy division commander for a short time, to the position of division commander, and the unit suffered setbacks, and he could not escape the blame. "Since in the course of their pursuit, they did not conduct the necessary reconnaissance, as a result of which they crashed headlong into the encirclement of the Germans. Although Orel led the tank battalion, supported by the 324th Infantry Division, rescued them, there were only more than 300 people left in the division. ”

"Just over 300 left?" After hearing this, Zakharov and Lobachev couldn't help but gasp, there were only so many people left in an infantry division, and they simply could not participate in the next stage of the battle, waiting for their fate, they could only withdraw to the rear for rest and replenishment.

After a short silence, Zakharov tentatively asked Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, do you think you can give them some additional troops so that they can participate in the next battle?" ”

Rokossovsky sighed and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander, do you think that I don't want to replenish them with soldiers? But after such a long battle, the troops have been severely reduced, where can I find someone to replenish them? ”

"It seems that they really only have to withdraw to the rear to make up for it." After Zakharov said this, he then asked: "In this way, there are only two divisions left of the troops that we can use to attack the fortifications, which one do you think will be transferred up?" ”

"The divisions to which the group army belongs have only one or two thousand people left, and the area of defense is still so wide." Ma Lining interjected and said: "No matter which division is transferred, it will form a defensive gap, and I think we should think about it in the long run." ”

"The first thing to do now is to get the 11th Guards Division, which is still pursuing the Germans, back into the city and build fortifications outside the city." Rokossovsky was afraid that everyone would not pay attention to this matter, and he deliberately emphasized: "We must hold Suchinich and consolidate the victories we have won." When the enemy perceives that our forces are limited, he may come to his senses and concentrate his forces on us in an attempt to take this important city again. ”

It was not until one o'clock in the afternoon that the pursuing troops returned. The tank battalions in the hands of Orel and Kiryukhin remained outside the city as a mobile force to defend against German surprise attacks. Chernyshov, having received a notice of the meeting, told the troops to slowly retreat towards the city, and he returned to the city by car first.

In the headquarters of the army group, Rokossovsky's gaze constantly swept over several division commanders. Chernyshov was in high spirits at the moment because of the good results he had achieved in the pursuit of the Germans; Kiryukhin's results were mediocre, and there was nothing to brag about, so he sat in his place without saying a word. And the two division commanders, Yershov and Ivan, looked dejected.

Rokossovsky sighed and then said: "Comrades, our success in capturing Suchinich today would have been a joyous thing. However, because we did not send scouts in time to carefully reconnoiter the road ahead, we rashly launched a pursuit operation, with the result that the 328th Infantry Division fell into an ambush circle of the Germans and suffered huge losses. ”

As soon as Rokossovsky's words were finished, Yershov stood up and said stubbornly: "Comrade commander, it's all my fault, I underestimated the enemy, and as a result, my troops were almost wiped out by the Germans. ”

"The 328th Infantry Division suffered such losses in the battle, and you, as the division commander, are to blame." At this, Rokossovsky glanced at the two guards standing next to him, and the two immediately stepped forward and grabbed Yershov's hands from the left and right. He continued: "In view of the dereliction of duty of Lieutenant Colonel Yershov, which caused the troops to suffer huge losses, I now announce that he will be brought to trial before a military court. You first take him to the headquarters of the Front Army and hand him over to the comrades of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. ”

The two fighters nodded, and Yershov left the command with him. When the commanders present saw this scene, they couldn't help beating drums in their hearts, and everyone knew in their hearts that being sent to a military court during the war meant being sentenced to death. It is inevitable that a general like Pavlov will die, let alone a small person like Yershov.

After Yershov left the headquarters, everyone turned their attention to Rokossovsky to see what he was going to do with Colonel Ivan.

Rokossovsky looked at Ivan, sighed softly, and said somewhat helplessly: "Comrade Colonel, what do you say I should do with you?" ”

"Comrade commander," Ivan said with a resolute expression as he looked at Rokossovsky, "the troops have suffered huge losses, and I, as the deputy division commander, also have an unshirkable responsibility, and I am at your disposal." ”

"If I send you to court-martial, there will be no one to be the commander of the 328th Division." Rokossovsky felt that this was the time to correct the mistakes he had made some time ago, so he announced: "From now on, I will reinstate your division commander in the hope that you will command the troops in the next battles and establish a meritorious service that will wash away the shame of today." ”

Seeing that Rokossovsky not only did not send himself to a military court, but on the contrary, reinstated himself as an official, Ivan was suddenly moved to the point that his eyes were red. After a moment of silence, he loudly assured Rokossovsky: "Don't worry, Comrade Commander, as long as our division is replenished, I assure you that in three months we will definitely be able to become the main force of the entire army group." ”

"Very well, since you have such faith, I believe in you." Rokossovsky raised his right hand and pressed it down, saying: "You sit down first, and we will have a meeting!" ”