Rokossovsky did not ask Novikov about the course of the battle, in his mind there was nothing special about such a sneak attack at all, and it was even simpler than last month's exercises. Even the commander of the Fifth Army could not have imagined that he would lead his troops to Lublin, how could the Germans think of it? Moreover, since the beginning of the German invasion, this side of the border has simply become a no-man's land, and on the road from border post No. 13 to Lublin for nearly 100 kilometers, not only have no enemy checkpoints in sight, but not even the necessary patrols have been encountered. In the case of mental calculation or unintentional, as long as the sentries are eliminated, those German officers and soldiers who sleep in the barracks can only be captured with their hands tied.

At this moment, what he wanted to know most urgently was the seizure of Lublin, knowing that in the warehouse in Cheum, there was only a small amount of German military uniforms and food, and if it were not for the dozens of captured trucks, it would be equivalent to running away in vain.

Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Novikov immediately replied excitedly: "Comrade commander, we found a large amount of weapons and equipment in the warehouse, according to the list of the German army, a total of 300 MG34 machine guns, 2500 submachine guns, and more than 12000 rifles......"

In his report, Rokossovsky heard that there were cars, motorcycles, anti-aircraft guns, mortars and other equipment, but he did not hear about the tanks he was interested in. Therefore, after the other party's report was completed, he frowned and asked: "Why, comrade division commander, didn't you find the captured enemy tanks?" ”

Novikov hurriedly said: "Yes, comrade commander, I haven't had time to report to you yet." In the open warehouses north of the city, two hundred German tanks were parked, which were supposed to be ready to replenish the front-line armored clusters ......"

"What, what did you say, there were two hundred tanks?" Rokossovsky didn't wait for him to finish, grabbed his arm and nervously urged: "Hurry up and take me to see." After saying that, he pulled Novikov and was about to leave.

"Konstantin Konstantinovich, it may not be possible to walk here, we have to walk for at least half an hour, we have to take a car." Novikov reminded him: "Lublin is a medium-sized city. ”

Rokossovsky saw Novikov waving behind him, and immediately a gas car drove towards him, and hurriedly gave the order: "Okay, then get in the car!" ”

Although Rokossovsky had been prepared, when he saw the two hundred tanks lined up in front of him, the huge visual impact still made him feel dizzy. You must know that although the Ninth Mechanized Army has two tank divisions, the total number of tanks is less than 120, most of which are old-fashioned tanks, which are not at all opponents of German tanks. If you encounter a German armored group, your own tank can only become a target for German tanks and anti-tank guns. Now that there are 200 German tanks, as long as the refitting is completed, the overall combat effectiveness will be qualitatively improved.

After Chernyaev and Scherstyuk arrived, they saw the tanks neatly parked in the improvised shed with camouflage nets, and their mouths suddenly turned into O-shaped, and they didn't close it for a long time, both of them were a little stupid, originally everyone knew that the military warehouse in Lublin was a big piece of fat meat, but they didn't expect that there would be such a big piece of meat.

It took a long time for Chernyaev to come back to his senses and muttered: "Comrade commander, with so many tanks, you can reequip all our division and the 35th division, right?" ”

Before Rokossovsky could speak, Novikov answered: "Comrade Colonel, if you don't say it, Comrade Commander will also reequip our two divisions, and you can't leave these tanks to the Germans, right?" ”

After hearing this, Rokossovsky smiled and said: "It's okay to change your clothes, but will our fighters operate German tanks?" If the combat effectiveness after changing clothes is not as good as before changing clothes, then it is better not to change it. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander." Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Chernyaev blushed and explained: "In just one night, I can get all the fighters to master the operation of these tanks." ”

Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction at Chernyaev's statement, and then said to Novikov: "Comrade division commander, I can give you only one night, and by tomorrow morning at the latest, your subordinates will have to master the operation of these tanks skillfully. After speaking, he turned his head to look at Scherstyuk, "Comrade General, there are still a large number of small arms in the warehouse, just so that all your troops can be reloaded." ”

"Comrade Commander." After Novikov waited for Rokossovsky to finish speaking, he asked curiously: "After all our troops are reequipped, what will be done with the eliminated tanks?" ”

"Those old T-26 and BT-5 tanks are buried in the fortifications outside the city as fixed batteries." Rokossovsky said disapprehantly: "When the troops are transferred, blow them all up." ”

"Comrade General, if I am not mistaken, you mean to abandon Lublin?" Scherstyuk was amazed and asked: 'But didn't the order given to us by the higher authorities stick to Lublin?' ’

According to Rokossovsky's original plan, he came quietly and left quietly, and after sacking the Lublin, which had stockpiled a large amount of weapons and equipment, he immediately turned around and went to other places to continue to harass the enemy. It is better to withdraw from Lublin, when the Germans find out that Lublin has been occupied by the Soviets, and even if they mobilize troops to encircle and suppress it, it will be too late. In this way, he would not only achieve the results of the battle, but also disrupt the offensive deployment of the German army, and then, depending on the specific situation, decide whether the troops should remain in Poland and continue to harass the fighting, or whether the whole army would advance east and return to the territory of the country to fight.

But judging by the order of the General Staff forwarded by the command of the Fifth Army, the Supreme High Command was in no hurry to return to the country, but hoped to hold on to the Lublin region, wait for the convergence with other mechanized armies, and turn it into a starting point for a major counteroffensive.

Judging by the current situation, the considerations of the Supreme High Command are justified. If their own troops held on to Lublin, it would be tantamount to inserting a wedge in the important supply lines of the German army, so that the German troops who had been cut off from supplies would have to abandon the area they now occupied and retreat to Poland under the fierce blows of the Soviet field troops.

Rokossovsky sighed, showed a wry smile, and replied to Scherstyuk: "Comrade General, Lublin cannot be held. The Germans not only had a strong armored force, but also a powerful air force. Under the three-dimensional attack of their air-ground cooperation, if we hold on to Lublin, not only will the city be in ruins, but the troops may also be completely annihilated. ”

Seeing what Scherstyuk wanted to say, Rokossovsky hurriedly preemptively said: "Okay, Comrade General, time is pressing, you better let your subordinates go to the warehouse to get new weapons." Once you've received your weapons, divide your men into two groups, one to repair fortifications and one to familiarize yourself with new equipment, and rotate them every two hours. Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade General. I'll go. After Scherstyuk finished speaking, he raised his hand and saluted Rokossovsky, turned and left with heavy steps.

After Novikov waited for Scherstyuk to leave, he tactfully addressed Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, I think that no matter whether we can hold Lublin or not, the orders of the higher authorities should be carried out unconditionally. ”

"Alright, Comrade Novikov." Rokossovsky did not wait for him to finish, then interrupted his later words and said with some impatience: "I know how to carry out the orders of my superiors. Now you and Colonel Chernyaev immediately go back and arrange for men, some of whom will drive the old tanks to the positions built by the infantry, and some of them will come here to familiarize themselves with the use of German tanks. ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." After the two division commanders agreed neatly, they also turned around and left.

After the two of them had gone away, Rokossovsky turned around and ordered the telegraph operator standing behind him: "Telegrapher, send a telegram to the command of the Fifth Army saying that our division has successfully occupied Lublin and seized a large amount of weapons, ammunition and military supplies. Now we are building fortifications outside the city, preparing to hold Lublin and wait for reinforcements to arrive. ”