"We don't have enough troops to defend the line between Dubna and Kimre!" Konev said bitterly.

He worked hard near Moscow, and as a result, at this important time, his defensive positions turned out to be 100 kilometers more at once!

Originally, the troops in hand were not very sufficient, and now it is even worse. The Germans were able to expand their frontal front and be able to engage Army Group North, which would not have been able to help, and the effect was very far-reaching.

At the very least, in the northern part of Moscow, the Soviets would have to commit new troops, and the reserves would be reduced accordingly.

"If we fortify in the north of the city, then we will have at least 200,000 people immobilized...... You know what that means. He looked at Khrushchev, and the depression on his face was palpable to everyone.

"I can give you 200,000 men, but we must stop the German advance in the north! Otherwise, they will go around to our rear, and it will be all over. "Khrushchev didn't care about throwing troops into the army, he cared about not being surrounded.

As long as it is not surrounded, there will be a steady stream of troops entering Moscow, which can be turned into a huge millstone, grinding the flesh and blood of soldiers on both sides.

But if it's completely surrounded, it's a different story. He won't be supported anymore and will soon be consumed.

"This is not an ordinary 200,000 soldiers, the troops drawn from the Far East must be filled with at least 70,000 people to support these soldiers." Konev shook his head and explained.

Konev's words stunned Khrushchev for a moment, and then he realized that not 200,000 recruits could support the defensive line, they also needed veterans as support.

Without the leadership of veterans, their combat effectiveness is not even one-tenth of that of the regular army, and these recruits need to be tempered and need time to run in before they can become real combat effectiveness.

And before they can form a fighting force, they need veterans to sacrifice themselves to buy these recruits the time they need.

"We only have a reserve of more than 100,000 from the Far East! Now that you have taken away 70,000 people, there is almost nothing left of our reserves! Khrushchev said with some reluctance.

"If you want to hold the defense line to the north, this is already the most conservative estimate!" Konev said without giving an inch.

Then he paused and said another question: "Comrade Khrushchev! Our southern regions are also collapsing, Tula is already surrounded, and it is only a matter of time before it falls......"

Rokossovsky's rainy counterattack recaptured some areas, but he did not achieve the goal of crushing the German G-group.

After a brief period of rain, his troops were pursued by the Germans and retreated to Tula in one fell swoop to stabilize their position.

Unfortunately, they were also not able to build a new line of defense near Tula, since the Germans were trying to encircle Tula and encircle the Rokossovsky cluster.

In such a dangerous situation, Rokossovsky led his troops to continue to retreat, leaving only a small number of troops, and held the Germans in Tula from continuing the pursuit.

Guderian also took it when he saw it, completely ignoring the retreating Rokossovsky cluster and concentrating on besieging Tula.

The loss of Tula was only a matter of time, Konev and Khrushchev knew this.

Because the only troops on the periphery of Tula capable of field battles, now under the command of Rokossovsky, have retreated to the area near Ryazan to rest.

If Tula was lost, the north of Moscow would be occupied by the Germans, and Moscow would be almost the enemy on three sides.

"Rokossovsky's counterattack...... It was so easy to be defeated! He pinched so many main forces! It was defeated to Ryazan! It's disgusting! Khrushchev said hatefully.

You must know that the 2nd and 3rd Guards Tank Divisions are the main forces that the Soviet Union has managed to put together, and as a result, these two divisions are now suffering heavy losses and have no ability to fight again.

"Originally, the order for General Rokossovsky to counterattack was just an option to delay time." At this moment, Konev couldn't care about Khrushchev's feelings, and spoke.

He glanced at Khrushchev, whose face was pale, and continued: "Rokossovsky has only 2 armored divisions in his hands, and he has at least 4 armored divisions of the German army in front of him, and the strength itself is not superior. ”

"If he breaks through the German lines, then he can disrupt the German deployment, inflict heavy damage on a German armored division, and buy time for defense." He said as he scratched the map.

"Of course, if the Germans finally withstood our counterattack, then our opportunistic ideas were shattered." After saying that, he withdrew his hand and looked at Khrushchev.

"Ryazan...... All the way to Vladimir...... We don't have much more safe place. Khrushchev sighed somewhat decadently.

"Report!" An officer's voice came from the door, and only after receiving permission did the officer enter, look at the two men in the room, and stand in a salute.

"Comrade Khrushchev...... The news has just come that the German Army Group North has surrounded Tver ......"

"Tver......? Damn it...... Can't there be some good news today? Damn it! Damn it! When Khrushchev heard the report, he clenched his fists in hatred and complained.

On this day he heard all bad news, the Germans approached the Ivankov reservoir, surrounded Tver and were attacking Tula......

It is equivalent to saying that Moscow has been attacked on three sides, and the defenders in the city are not having a good time!

"Get the seriously wounded out as soon as possible! At least before being surrounded, more than 100,000 people will be snatched away! Konev thought for a moment and said to Khrushchev: "Our grain should be used sparingly. ”

"You mean?" Hearing Konev's suggestion, Khrushchev looked at his subordinate and asked with a frown.

"We're going to get ready to be surrounded! Comrade Khrushchev...... There are too many useless people, and the pressure on food is even greater, and we have to think of a way! Konev gave his advice.

"There is no order to retreat, and letting the wounded leave will cause the morale of the combat troops to waver!" Khrushchev waved his hand dissatisfiedly and spoke.

"Then let the civilians go! Don't take any food with them, let them get out of here on their own! Konev did not expect Khrushchev to agree to his proposal, so he retreated and said: "They have no effect except wasting food." ”