Rokossovsky basically wanted to wait until he returned to Zhizdra, and wanted Serova to stay in the headquarters for two days, and then send her to join the members of the condolence group. www.biquge.info As soon as they arrived in Sushinich, they met a condolence group that had been waiting here for a long time.

Although the condolence group departed later than theirs, due to the delay of Rokossovsky to receive the tank corps, he instead let the condolence group reach Sushinich ahead of him.

Serova took advantage of the fact that Lyonka was helping her carry her luggage, and reluctantly said to Rokossovsky: "Koschika, we are separated, we want to meet again next time, I don't know when we will wait." If you have time, don't forget to call or write to me. Lend me your notebook and pencil to use. ”

She took the pencil and notebook handed by Rokossovsky, wrote down her phone number and email code on the last page, stuffed the notebook into the other person's hand, turned and ran away without looking back.

Seeing Serova sitting in the car of the condolence group, Lyonka walked up to Rokossovsky and asked him: "Comrade commander, where are we going next?" ”

Rokossovsky stuffed the notebook into his briefcase, glared at Lyonka, and said angrily: "Where to go?" Where else can we go, of course, back to Zhizdra, where the headquarters of the army group is. ”

The convoy left the place where Rokossovsky was wounded and went along the road towards Zhizdra in the southwest. Two or three kilometers from the destination, a motorbike convoy appeared in front of him, and Rokossovsky counted through the window of the car that there were more than two dozen three-wheeled motorcycles.

Lyonka apparently saw the convoy as well, and he muttered, "Hell, how did a motorcycle team come up at this time, and what are they going to do?" ”

As soon as he finished speaking, the motorcycle team stopped on the side of the road, and the soldiers on the car got out of the car one after another, standing in a neat row on the side of the road, as if ready to be reviewed.

Before leaving Sushnych, in order to ensure the safety of Rokossovsky, Second Lieutenant Tupanv himself sat on the first truck, and when he saw this convoy that appeared out of nowhere, he quickly ordered the driver to stop and prepare the fighters for battle. Seeing the motorcyclists standing neatly next to the motorcycles, he couldn't help but walk over and ask curiously, "Hey, I said, which part of you are from?" ”

The leader of the team was a captain, although his rank was higher than that of Tupanv, but he saw that Tupanv was from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and still said politely: "We are from the 16th Army Guard Regiment, and we have come here to pick up the commander back by order of the chief of staff!" ”

Rokossovsky had actually been paying attention to the movement outside, and when he heard that the motorcycle team was coming to greet him, he hurriedly pushed the car door and walked down. Seeing Rokossovsky appear, the captain hurriedly shouted: "All of them, listen to my command: stand upright ~ salute!" ”

At the command of the captain, the fighters standing on the side of the road at the same time raised their hands to salute Rokossovsky. Seeing this scene, Rokossovsky's eyes were a little moist, and after he raised his hand and returned a military salute, he ordered the captain: "Okay, Comrade Captain, let's go, I will rush back to the headquarters of the army group as soon as possible." ”

Surrounded by the motorcycle team, Rokossovsky and his convoy drove along a path into the forest. After driving for about ten minutes, he came to an area with a large number of tents, which, according to his experience, must be the location of the headquarters of the group army.

The convoy stopped in front of a large wooden hut, and members of the command such as Zakharov, Lobachev, Malinin and Kazakov stood at the door, respectfully waiting for Rokossovsky's arrival.

Rokossovsky stepped forward to shake hands with everyone one by one, gave them a warm hug, and said excitedly: "Comrades, thank you, thank you, thank you for remembering me, the commander who once withdrew from the battle." ”

"Comrade Commander, look at what you say." After hugging Rokossovsky, Malinin said with a smile: "At all times, you are the commander of our 16th Army, and everyone is looking forward to your early return to the front line every day." ”

After the simple welcome ceremony, while walking towards the headquarters, Lobachev approached Rokossovsky and asked in a low voice: "Hey, how is the matter with Borisova?" Are you still in conflict? ”

"There has been no contradiction for a long time." Rokossovsky thought that he could get back together with Borisova, and Lobachev was indispensable, so he quickly lowered his voice and said to him: "Comrade Military Commissar, thank you!" ”

Returning to his familiar command and seeing many familiar faces, Rokossovsky felt an inexplicable sense of intimacy, as if he had returned to his own home.

He sat down at the table, looked at Zakharov and asked: "Comrade Zakharov, during my absence, you have been commanding the troops, and according to the battle reports I have seen, you have behaved well. ”

Zakharov grinned, and then flattered: "Comrade commander, we are always looking forward to your early return." I don't have enough ability, it's a bit difficult to command an army, and now that you're back, the pressure on me is much less. ”

Rokossovsky smiled faintly, turned his head and asked Malinin: "Chief of Staff, give me a report on the current situation." ”

Malinin hurriedly stood up, pushed the map on the table in front of Rokossovsky, and began to introduce the situation: "Although our army succeeded in capturing Zhizdra, the casualties of the troops were too great to continue to advance. According to the analysis of the situation we have detected, the enemy is massing forces in Lyutinovo, northwest of Zhizdra, and Diatikovo in the southwest, preparing for a counterattack on Zhizdra. ”

"What measures have been taken?" Rokossovsky quickly stepped into his role.

"Due to the restoration of the formation of the infantry corps by the superiors, we formed a new infantry corps with the 108th, 324th and 328th infantry divisions, with the former commander of the 108th division, Major General Orlov, as the corps commander." Speaking of this, Malinin pointed his finger at the position of Lyutinovo, "At the moment they are deployed on the right flank of the army group to defend against the enemy from this area. ”

After Malinin finished speaking, Rokossovsky continued: "Before I returned to the headquarters, I went to see the commander of the 12th tank army, and he said that his troops would be assembled within a week before moving to the Zhizdra area. However, he assured me that the 86th Tank Brigade would be deployed tomorrow and arrive in the Zhizdra area within two days. ”

When he heard that a tank brigade was coming, he was most happy to hear that the commander of the armored corps, Orel, said excitedly: "Comrade commander, the tanks at the front have been completely lost in the battle, and if the 86th tank brigade can arrive on time, our offensive strength will be greatly improved." ”

Seeing that Orel was a little carried away, Rokossovsky hurriedly reminded him: "Comrade Colonel, this tank army has just been formed, although there are three tank brigades and one motorized infantry brigade, but the equipment and combat effectiveness will not be known until they go to the battlefield." You have to prepare your mind in advance. ”