Rokossovsky left Potapov's office and hurried back to his corps command post on the first floor. As soon as he entered the door, without waiting for Vnukov, who had a surprised face to speak to himself and Maslov, he couldn't wait to ask first: "Comrade Technical Deputy Commander, where is our maintenance battalion?" ”

When Deputy Army Commander Vnukov heard Rokossovsky's question, he was stunned for a moment, and then asked carefully: "Comrade Army Commander, did you attack this time and the tank troops suffered great losses?" ”

"Not what you think, Comrade Colonel." Rokossovsky walked towards the table and said: "The German troops that rushed to Rivne have been annihilated by us. Now the tank division, which was under the command of Colonel Chernyaev, controlled the road and prevented the Germans from going around to the rear of our troops. ”

He walked over to the table, shook hands with Kamenev, who was standing there, leaned over to look at the map on the table, and continued: "I have just received an order from the commander to go to the aid of General Tamruch's troops and assist them in establishing a firm position northwest of Dubno. ”

After saying this, he looked up at Vnukov: "Comrade Deputy Army Commander, how long will our maintenance battalion be able to complete the maintenance of the tanks and replenish Novikov's tank division with enough fuel and ammunition?" ”

Vnukov raised his hand and looked at his watch, frowned and thought for a moment, then replied: "Comrade commander, to complete the necessary maintenance work, it will be necessary to wait until about two o'clock tomorrow morning at the earliest. ”

"It's better to hurry," Rokossovsky, after listening to the answer of his deputy, muttered: "You must know that after we set off, we will have to walk more than fifty kilometers to reach the defense zone of friendly forces." If you set off too late, you will be attacked by German air raids on the road. ”

"Don't worry, Comrade Commander," Vnukov picked up the military cap on the table, put it on his head, and assured Rokossovsky: "I'll take the maintenance battalion over and try to complete the maintenance work as soon as possible." ”

Although Vnukov personally led the team to carry out the maintenance of the tank, by the time he was busy with all the work, it was already dawn. Rokossovsky, who had been waiting impatiently for a long time, called Novikov in front of him and ordered: "Comrade division commander, let the troops set off immediately, quickly rush to the defense area of the 22nd Mechanized Corps, and assist General Tamruch in building a strong defensive position." ”

After Novikov turned to leave, Rokossovsky looked up at the gray sky and prayed in his heart that during the march of his troops, he would not encounter the German air force. After praying, he got into the armored car, closed the door casually, and instructed the driver: "Drive!" ”

…………

On the heights on the side of the 22nd Mechanized Corps facing the Germans, a regiment of infantry had just been stationed. This unfinished regiment was hidden in the weeds of the hillside. A defensive formation was laid out, in which the firepower was heavy in the front and light in the rear, and the troop was heavy in the front and heavy in the rear, two lines of defense were set up, and dense trenches were dug.

At this time, the commanders and fighters lay down in the trenches, carefully poked out their guns, and aimed in the direction from which the enemy came. Boxes of grenades were opened, and the grenades that were taken out were neatly placed in the soldiers' handy places. All the grenades have been unscrewed, the hoops have been pulled, and they are waiting for the commanders to throw them.

Behind the hillside, a cavalry contingent of more than 1,000 people was assembled, all of whom were commanders and fighters of the 158th Regiment of the 3rd Cavalry Division. While there was still some time, the regimental commander, Lieutenant Colonel Brovchenko, rode around the front row of the cavalry phalanx, as he had done before the charge began. Looking at the high-spirited warriors in the queue, he couldn't help but nod with satisfaction, and after restraining his mount, he asked the nearest cavalry soldier with a smile: "Comrade warrior, are you nervous now?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Regiment Commander, I'm a little nervous." The young soldier nodded and replied, "I just don't know when the Germans will come, and I'm a little unsure when I'm waiting here." ”

"Don't worry, comrade warrior." Brovchenko comforted him and said: "If the Germans do not come, it is enough, as soon as they come, our cavalry will be able to crush them." ”

As soon as he finished speaking, a crisp gunfire rang out from the other side of the hill. "The Germans are coming!" Almost at the same time as the gunshot rang out, such a thought crossed Brovchenko's mind. He was not surprised, but immediately turned his horse's head and rode his horse up the hillside. Halfway up the mountain, he turned over and dismounted, and ran along the traffic trench towards the hilltop position.

When he reached the top of the mountain and saw the enemy in the distance, he couldn't help but gasp. At the forefront of the attack were seven tanks lined up, followed by a dozen armored vehicles, and then hundreds of German infantry lined up in stragglers. His breathing became rapid because of the nervousness, and his hands holding the trench began to tremble slightly.

At this time, he felt someone tapping him on the shoulder from behind, and quickly turned his head to look. Behind him stood the major, and when Brovchenko turned around, he hurriedly asked: "Are you Lieutenant Colonel Brovchenko of the cavalry regiment?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Major, it's me." Brovchenko turned around, stood up straight and asked politely: "Is there anything about you?" ”

"I have just received an order from the chief of staff of the corps to have the cavalry attack immediately." When the major said this, his eyes couldn't help but glance at the German troops who were coming from a distance, and his voice became a little trembling unconsciously: "Let you repel the German troops attacking our position." ”

Brovchenko knew that this was an unfulfilled order, but he still agreed with a hard head: "Yes!" Then he turned and walked down the hill along the traffic trench.

He rode back to the front of the cavalry phalanx, rubbing his hand against his uniform, rubbing the sweat from his palm. After glancing over the commanders and fighters of the whole regiment, the horse came to the side of the standard-bearer, raised the military flag, clutched the flagpole and shouted at the soldiers: "Brothers, the Germans have rushed up and are ready to fight!" ”

Seeing that the fighters drew their sabers one after another, they were ready to attack. Brovchenko exhaled the sullen breath in his chest deeply, and shouted as if with all his strength: "Brothers, let's go and beat the Germans to the ground!" ”

He jerked the reins, and the horse neighed up its front hooves, followed by the heels of his boots slamming into the horse's belly. "Cavalry regiment, kill!" After shouting these words, he held the reins in one hand and the military flag in the other, and took the lead in riding his horse and rushing out. The cavalrymen urged their mounts, raised their sabers above their heads, stretched them diagonally forward, followed closely behind the regimental commander, quickly rounded the hillside, and rushed towards the menacing German troops.