While Perip commanded the troops to shell the German attacking troops, Rokossovsky also returned from the positions of the 327th regiment to his command post.

Seeing the shells exploding one after another in the enemy's offensive ranks, Rokossovsky called the staff officer next to him and asked curiously: "Comrade staff, I don't know which of our artillery units is teaching the Germans a lesson with artillery fire?" ”

The staff officer looked at it for a while, then shook his head and said, "Comrade commander, let's analyze it from the point and direction of the shells. It was not our artillery that shelled the enemy, but a bit like the artillery of the Germans bombarding their own people. ”

"Nonsense, the Germans are so convenient to contact, if there is a misunderstanding, they will contact in time......" Rokossovsky's words were not finished, when he saw a shell fall on the back of an enemy three-wheeled motorcycle and explode, the two rear wheels of the motorcycle first took off, and a front flip came in the air, throwing all three German soldiers on the car out, throwing them to the ground and motionless.

Seeing this, Rokossovsky immediately understood in his heart that the artillery bombardment that the Germans were suffering was neither from their own rear artillery positions, nor from the accidental bombing that occurred when the Germans mistook their firing parameters. Rather, it was a small force under the command of Fripp, which succeeded in seizing the enemy's artillery positions and turning the muzzle to bombard the enemy.

"It's amazing, it's amazing." Rokossovsky used to hammer it around the log wall and said excitedly: "Captain Perip and the fighters of the guard company are good. ”

"Comrade Commander, what the hell is going on?" The staff officer asked in confusion next to him, "You've confused me." ”

"Comrade Staff Officer, have you forgotten the guard company I sent out last night?"

"Guard Company?!" After repeating Rokossovsky's words, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he said in surprise: "Comrade commander, what do you mean ......"

Without waiting for him to finish, Rokossovsky nodded with a smile and said: "That's right, Comrade Staff Officer, things are as you imagined." ”

The staff officer suddenly became excited, and he also said in a loud voice: "Captain Perip is really good, not only did he kill the enemy's artillery positions without stopping, but now he is also bombarding the enemy's attacking troops with enemy shells, what a great job!" After the excitement, he suddenly frowned and asked rhetorically, "Comrade commander, can they get out of danger safely if they go deep behind enemy lines?" ”

When Rokossovsky heard the staff officer ask, he couldn't help but sigh and said: "I think it is more than lucky, and whether they can get out of danger safely depends on their luck." ”

However, the staff officer's words still reminded Rokossovsky that he felt that this small force that had gone deep behind enemy lines could not be left to fend for itself, and that he should still help them. Thinking of this, he walked over to the telephone and picked it up. After dialing Novikov's division headquarters, he said into the microphone: "General Novikov, I have something to ask you for help with. ”

"Comrade Commander, if you have anything, just give orders." Novikov readily agreed: "Although the number of tanks left in our division is not much, if you want us to attack, we will definitely not let you down." ”

"Comrade Novikov, tanks are not needed for this time." Rokossovsky said in a serious tone: "I sent a guard company last night to go deep into the rear of the enemy and destroy their artillery positions. Judging by the current situation, they clearly succeeded, and they turned their guns to bombard the German attacking forces. ”

"What are you going to ask us to do, please tell me!"

"The task is simple." Rokossovsky ordered: "You immediately send a company of infantry, go west along the forest, go to search for this small force." Remember, they are wearing German uniforms, so don't get them wrong. Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Novikov replied loudly: "I immediately sent the fighters of the motorized battalion to search westward, and we must rescue this unit, which has penetrated deep behind enemy lines." ”

"Well, Comrade General, since the task is clear, let's act immediately without further ado." Rokossovsky said in a bit of a hurry: "If the time drags on too long, I am afraid that they will be entangled by the Germans, and they will not be able to withdraw if they want to." ”

Rokossovsky had just put down the phone when he suddenly heard a telegraph operator sitting by the wall shouting to himself: "Comrade General, Comrade General, please come here." ”

Rokossovsky walked quickly in front of the operator, lowered his head and asked: "Comrade operator, what's the matter?" ”

The operator looked up at Rokossovsky and said: "Comrade General, I received a strange call for you. ”

"Looking for me?" Rokossovsky, full of doubts, took the headset and microphone in the operator's hand. Shouted at the microphone: "Hey, I'm Rokossovsky, where are you?" ”

After hearing Rokossovsky's voice, the other party was silent for a moment, and then said excitedly: "Thank God, Comrade Commander, I finally got in touch with you." I am the Chief of Staff, Major General Maslov, and we are retreating to Shepetovka, so in order to prevent misunderstandings, I mentioned to contact you. ”

"What, you guys are moving towards Shepetovka?" Rokossovsky was taken aback when he heard Maslov say this, and he nervously asked: "Aren't you holding on to Lutsk, why are you retreating?" ”

"Comrade Commander, the situation is very bad." Maslov said on the phone with some emotion: "The enemy stormed Lutsk and crushed our troops. Seeing that the city could no longer hold on, Commander Potapov gave the order to retreat, so our remnants withdrew from Lutsk. Knowing that you are in Shepetovka, I took the personnel of the corps command and a part of the infantry to move in your direction. ”

"Where are you now?" Rokossovsky asked. After hearing Maslov's answer, he looked it up on the map and soon found the place. Then he continued: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have found your position, and in order to prevent you from stumbling into the enemy's area, I will immediately send someone to meet you. ”

"Okay, Comrade Commander, let's set up defenses at our current position first, and then continue our advance towards Shepetovka after we meet up with the people you sent."

After returning the headset and microphone to the operator, Rokossovsky walked to the telephone, called the commander of the 325th regiment, and instructed: "Comrade commander, there is a unit withdrawn from Lutsk, which is currently in the southwest of your regimental defense area, and you immediately send men to meet them. ”

"Understood, Comrade General." The regimental commander replied respectfully: "I will immediately arrange for men to meet the friendly troops." (To be continued.) )