After Rokossovsky and Maslov returned to Lutsk, they hurried to Potapov's office without even having time to go to their own military headquarters.

Potapov, who was anxious about the defeat of the troops everywhere, saw Rokossovsky walk in, looked up at him, looked down at the map in front of him, and at the same time asked coldly: "Comrade General, how is the situation of the Ninth Mechanized Army, has it also been defeated by the Germans?" ”

Hearing Potapov say this, Rokossovsky was stunned for a moment, and then immediately understood that the other party said this, probably because he had heard too much of such a battle report today. He took a few steps forward, stopped at Potapov's desk, straightened up and reported: "Report to Comrade Commander, the Ninth Mechanized Corps ambushed a fast German column of tanks, armored vehicles and motorcycles on the way to Lutsk-Rivne......"

When Rokossovsky gave a clear account of today's battle, not only did Potapov, who was in a bad mood, raise his head and look at him in surprise, but even Nikishev and Pisarevsky, who were standing on the other side of the room reading the battle report, put down the documents in their hands and gathered around.

After Rokossovsky's report was completed, Pisarevsky first asked tentatively: "Comrade Rokossovsky, you must know that our army has suffered setbacks in all directions, and if your army has also suffered losses, you might as well tell the truth, no one will blame you here." ”

"Yes, Comrade Rokossovsky." Military Commissar Nikishev also said: "Up to now, we have at least two infantry divisions, which have been bombarded indiscriminately by the Germans, and then attacked by the German armored forces, and as a result, the whole army has been annihilated. Therefore, no matter how bad the battle report is, we are mentally prepared, so you don't need to use such an optimistic battle report to make us happy. ”

When Rokossovsky heard the two of them say this, he suddenly understood in his heart that what they had just reported was false information, and he hurriedly coughed and said: "Military commissar, chief of staff, everything I said is true. The German colonel, who was captured by our troops, is in the car downstairs, and if you don't believe it, you can send someone to check it out. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, the chief of staff, Pisarevsky, hurried to the door, gave a few orders to the officers outside, and then heard a sound of footsteps fading away. Rokossovsky, knowing that it must be the officer on duty at the door, went down to check on the captured colonel.

"Comrade Rokossovsky, you must be tired after walking such a long way, hurry up and please take a seat." Potapov's attitude also became enthusiastic at this moment, and after beckoning Rokossovsky to sit down, he waved to Maslov, who was standing a little farther away, and pointed to the empty chair next to him: "And you, General Maslov, please sit down too!" ”

After the two of them were seated, Potapov personally poured two cups of hot tea, served them to the two of them, and then asked with a smile: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I don't know how your troops are deployed now?" ”

Rokossovsky and Maslov hurriedly got up from their seats, and Rokossovsky straightened up and replied: "Comrade commander, I order Colonel Chernyaev's 20th Tank Division to hold on the Lutsk-Rivne road, so that no more enemies will rush to Rivne through here. In addition, I led General Novikov's 35th Tank Division back to the defense zone south of the city to strengthen the defense of Lutsk. ”

Potapov opened his mouth and was about to say something, when he suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside, and then an officer rushed in through the door, startling everyone and thinking that something had happened again. The officer, perhaps in such a state of excitement, slipped under his feet as he entered the door, and if Pisarevsky hadn't helped him in time, he might have fallen to the ground.

The officer shouted at Pisarevsky with a happy face: "Comrade Chief of Staff, it's true, it's true, there are really German prisoners in the car below, or two colonels." ”

"Alright, I got it." Pisarevsky waved his hand at the officer and ordered: "It's none of your business here, you go out first." ”

After waiting for the officer to leave, Pisarevsky came over and asked Rokossovsky curiously: "Comrade commander, didn't you say that only one German colonel was captured?" Where did another one pop up? ”

"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff." Rokossovsky replied with a smile: "We were in the battle outside the city, and we captured a German colonel, and we knew from his mouth that the enemy's fast column would rush directly to Rivne, so I led the troops of two tank divisions and went to an ambush on their way, but I didn't expect to capture another German colonel." When he said this, he turned his head to look at his chief of staff, Maslov, then turned his head to look at Potapov, smiled, and said, "I was just going to the headquarters to report to you, so I brought the two captured German colonels with me." ”

Potapov raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder, approvingly: "Well done, Comrade Rokossovsky." Then he instructed Pisarevsky, "Comrade Chief of Staff, please immediately report the results of the Ninth Mechanized Army to the Front Command by telegram!" ”

"Yes, I'll send the report." With that, Pisarevsky turned and walked out of the command's office.

After seeing Pisarevsky's back disappear at the door, Potapov turned to Rokossovsky and asked: "Can your mechanized corps be dispatched again?" ”

Rokossovsky knew that Potapov must have some new task to give him, but the troops had just returned to their stations, and in a short time they could not go into battle, because he could only reply euphemistically: "Comrade commander, our tanks need to be maintained, replenished with fuel and ammunition, and will probably be able to return to battle tomorrow morning." ”

"Do you have to go into battle tomorrow morning?" Potapov said with a hint of regret on his face: "Originally, I was going to entrust you with an important task. ”

"Comrade Commander, don't know what the task is?" Rokossovsky asked politely, he wanted to figure out the situation before deciding whether to let the tank division go out in advance.

"Come and see." Potapov brought Rokossovsky to the map, pointed to the position above and said to him: "The remnants of the 22nd Mechanized Corps are holding the last positions here. At present, although they have been reinforced by the 3rd Cavalry Division, it is still very difficult to repel the frontal German attack. So I want you to lead your troops to reinforce Tamruch so that they can re-establish a solid position here. ”