The 73rd Infantry Division on the right of the German army, successfully breaking through the resistance of the Soviet 71st Infantry Division, continued to move closer to the Glodenz area, trying to join up with the German units that came out from there to meet them. The 136th Infantry Division, after a rapid march, rushed to the Otowitz area and hastily set up a defensive position to block the German positions that had broken through.

After successfully repelling the first wave of German attacks, the Soviets captured a lot of prisoners, and through their interrogation, it was found out that the German troops who broke through from Thorn actually numbered more than 30,000 people, in addition to being well-equipped, even equipped with armored vehicles, trucks, and some tanks and artillery.

After receiving this hour, the division commander, Major General Semosikin, hurriedly reported to General Popov by telegram, hoping to get reinforcements from the main forces of the army group. Popov, who was directing the troops to clear the remnants of the German troops in the fortress, was immediately taken aback when he received a telegram from Semosikin. Although he knew from the early information that there were tens of thousands of German troops breaking through, he wishfully thought that most of them were residents of the fortress, and that with the 71st and 136th infantry divisions, it would be enough to block the enemy who broke through, and then held out until the main force that occupied the fortress arrived.

Popov took the telegram and felt guilty for underestimating the enemy and underestimating the enemy's strength. The chief of staff asked tentatively on the side: "Comrade commander, do you think you need to report this news to Comrade Marshal?" ”

"You're right," Popov felt that the chief of staff reminded him in a timely manner, so he quickly nodded, handed the telegram in his hand to the other party, and said: "Forward the contents of this telegram to Comrade Marshal." ”

After receiving this telegram from Popov, Rokossovsky could not help frowning and said to Bogolyubov: "Comrade Chief of Staff, if what General Popov said in the telegram is true, then there will be only a few troops left in the Thorn Fortress to contain our army. ”

"I think it should be so, Comrade Marshal." Bogolyubov nodded and said, "I suggest that General Popov be called back immediately, and ask him to immediately speed up the capture of the fortress of Thorn, and at the same time draw troops from the direction of the fortress to chase the fleeing German army." Now the German army that has broken through has been blocked by the 136th Infantry Division on the front line of Otowitz, as long as they can hold out for a day, then the main force of the 70th Army, which has caught up from behind, can form an encirclement against them. ”

When Bogolyubov was about to turn around and leave, Rokossovsky suddenly asked: "Comrade Chief of Staff, can you send an air force to bomb the fleeing German troops?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, due to the bad weather conditions, the fighters of the Air Force who took off at risk rushed to the direction of Erbin to support General Gusev's 48th Army." Bogolyubov said with some embarrassment: "After being attacked by the Germans, despite their stubborn resistance, the Germans managed to advance five to eight kilometers. ”

"Comrade Marshal, Comrade Marshal." Just as Rokossovsky was about to personally talk to Air Force Commander Vershinin to find out if he could transfer part of the Air Force to assist the 136th Infantry Division in blocking the fleeing enemy, a communications staff officer broke in from outside with a telegram, and as soon as he saw Rokossovsky, he quickly straightened up and reported: "Comrade Marshal, an urgent telegram from General Volysky, commander of the 5th Guards Tank Army. After the communications staff member finished speaking, he put the telegram in his hand in front of Rokossovsky, and then stood aside to see if Rokossovsky had any other orders.

"What's wrong, Comrade Marshal?" Seeing Rokossovsky's serious expression when he read the message, Bogolyubov hurriedly asked with concern: "Has our tank army arrived at the designated position?" ”

After reading the telegram, Rokossovsky casually handed it to Bogolyubov and said: "General Volysky reports that the enemy is approaching his command post, and he begs me to allow him to move his headquarters to the defense zone of the 2nd Shock Army. ”

After Bogolyubov put down the phone, he tilted his head and looked at the map on the table for a while, and then asked: "Comrade Marshal, what do you think?" Agree to General Volisky's request? ”

"No, Comrade Chief of Staff. In the current situation, the command of Volysky cannot be transferred. Rokossovsky slapped the map twice with the palm of his hand and said: "According to what we know, the units of the tank army are distributed over a vast area, and if they lose their unified command, even for a few hours, it is possible to plunge the troops into confusion." ”

"Comrade Marshal, but the enemy is already approaching Volysky's command post, and if he is not transferred in time, I fear that he may be in danger." Bogolyubov carefully reminded Rokossovsky: "As soon as the command of the tank army is terminated by the enemy, the troops below will be completely thrown into disarray." ”

"Chief of Staff, you immediately go and send a telegram to Volisky, tell him to hold on no matter what, and I will send him reinforcements immediately." After Rokossovsky finished speaking, he grabbed the phone on the table, and after shaking the handle a few times, he put the earpiece to his ear and said: "I'm Rokossovsky, immediately give me access to the command of the 3rd Guards Cavalry Army and find General Oslikovsky." ”

Soon Osirichowsky's voice came from the earpiece: "It's me, Comrade Marshal, do you have any instructions?" ”

"General Osilikovsky, something went wrong." Rokossovsky said into the microphone: "General Volysky's command post is under attack by the Germans, you immediately send troops to support him, to drive the enemy away as soon as possible." ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Marshal." Hearing Rokossovsky's order, Oslikovsky immediately replied cheerfully: "My vanguard regiment has reached the area of operations of the 48th Army and has established contact with friendly forces. I could order them to rush to the aid of General Volysky and drive the enemy away from the vicinity of the headquarters of the tank army. The commanders and fighters of the whole army were ready for all kinds of battles, and they were all eager to fight the enemy to the death. ”

"Well done, Comrade Oslikovsky." After listening to the other party's statement, Rokossovsky said approvingly: "You and your fighters are good, I wish you success!" ”

As soon as Rokossovsky finished the call with Osirichowsky, another phone on the table suddenly rang, and a slightly flustered voice came from inside: "Comrade Marshal, the German army has about a regiment of troops, and it is moving in the direction of your headquarters, and I am organizing forces to block ......"

"I see, I'll be ready for battle." As soon as Rokossovsky put down the phone, he immediately instructed Bogolyubov, who had not yet left, "Chief of Staff, a German unit is rushing in the direction of the headquarters, immediately raise the battle alarm, so that the guard units are ready for battle and establish a ring defense near the headquarters. We are surrounded by sturdy stone houses, and if you make the most of these buildings, you can form a well-established defense. ”