The 238th Mechanized Division, which was ordered to march towards Smolensk, was temporarily stationed here, of course, for a reason.

When this voice was heard, Rokossovsky knew why, because he saw Timoshenko.

Timoshenko had a lot of white hair on his head, he was only a year older than Rokossovsky, and as Rokossovsky's old chief, he took on more pressure.

After all, Pavlov was shot by Stalin's order, and the top brass of the Black Sea Fleet committed suicide after the defeat.

Since returning from Moscow, Timoshenko has not returned to Smolensk, not because he is afraid of being surrounded, but because the most important task for him is not to command the battle on the front line, but to mobilize reinforcements in the rear and coordinate them.

Therefore, he set up his headquarters in Casna, and after the arrival of the 238th Mechanized Division, he personally came to the troops here, inspecting the troops, teaching the appropriate time, and observing the nearby terrain and routes.

He had to be prepared for how he could save his troops in case of defeat in Smolensk, and continue to build a defensive line in the rear, which he was not optimistic about as the Germans continued to build up their forces in Smolensk.

Pavlov was shot, of course, because of failure, but also because he failed too quickly, and lost all the army, and if he held out for a period of time and then failed, and although he failed, he could withdraw the army, Stalin would not be so angry.

The surrounding terrain is dominated by swamps, which makes Timoshenge feel a little relieved, and when he assigned tasks to the 238th Division here, someone actually came over to recruit this team, which made Timoshenge suddenly a little angry, these troops, but he worked so hard to come, but he can't cheapen others!

When he came out, he looked at the man who had jumped out of the car, and his serious face showed a kind expression.

"Marshal Timoshenko, it's a pleasure to meet you." Rokossovsky was also a delight.

He was almost shot at the beginning, but he was saved by Timoshenko, so Rokossovsky certainly respected and loved Timoshenko, and Timoshenko also liked this experienced veteran under his command, which was already one of the few people who came from the civil war.

"Rokossovsky, it's you." Timoshenko said, "What are you doing here?" ”

"I have orders from Comrade Stalin to take charge of the defense of this area of vacuum." Rokossovsky said, handing the order to Timoshenko.

All the troops were transferred to Smolensk, and the rear was quite empty, which was also Timoshenko's concern, and now, looking at Rokossovsky's order, Timoshenko was also happy, and he was much more relieved to have him to guard the rear.

"Well, if you have any difficulties, you can tell me." Timoshenko said.

Rokossovsky was also not polite to the old chief: "I have collected all the routed troops along the way, and now I am only more than a thousand, and there is an extreme lack of troops at hand, Moscow only gave me this power, but I am not as lucky as Lukin." ”

Lukin was lucky enough to encounter a lot of routs, but Rokossovsky was different, for the simple reason that since Moscow issued an order not to retreat a step, those who left the troops without permission and retreated were deserters, caught, and could be shot directly, in this case, of course, there were very few routs.

Now more than 1,000 people have been collected, and when they encounter the tank units of the Germans, they will be routed at the slightest contact, and they are really incapable of fighting a tough battle.

Timoshenko frowned, looking at his old subordinates with a bitter look, he said: "Okay, I'll give you the 238th Mechanized Division, and give you another heavy howitzer regiment." ”

In an instant, Rokossovsky's face bloomed with joy, not only did he have this formed mechanized division, but he also got an extra howitzer regiment, so that when he encountered the German charge, he could also cover them with howitzers, what a generous old chief.

"Marshal, thank you very much." Rokossovsky saluted him.

"I have requirements for you." "You need to take your troops, hold here, don't let the Germans encircle you, and at the same time, if necessary, keep the opening to cover the retreat of the troops in Smolensk," Timoshenko said. ”

"Yes, no problem." Rokossovsky said: "Resolutely carry out your orders. ”

With the 238th Division, as well as the heavy howitzer regiment, plus these collected skirmishers, Rokossovsky's cluster finally has a look.

At the same time, he also knows that his task is difficult.

According to the news from Timoshenko, the Germans are making a detour and want to encircle the troops in the entire Smolensk region, and the German troops in the north and south are encircled at the point of Yaltsevo!

It was in this village that Rokossovsky convened the first operational meeting of his group.

"The Germans will come from our north, and as long as they occupy us, the mouth will be closed, and according to intelligence reconnaissance, it will be the German 7th Panzer Division." Koroa said.

Just now when Timoshenko was holding a meeting with them, he mentioned this situation, their task was to block the Germans from closing the gap, and now Rokossovsky has come, Timoshenko has thrown this task to Rokossovsky, and Timoshenko has gone back to deal with the emergency.

Koroa is not optimistic, although they have nearly eighty tanks, almost catching up with the establishment of tank divisions, but most of them are T-26, BT-7 and other goods, which belong to the inventory that others do not want, Stalin tanks, there are only seven, if these tanks are engaged with the German tank forces, they will be wiped out in almost a few minutes.

If it was a regular way of playing, then they didn't have any chance of winning, but now is Rokossovsky, and in this case, the big waves are sweeping the sand, and the gold should shine!

"I have a plan." Rokossovsky said: "For several years, the Germans have been victorious in all battles, they are used to blitzkrieg, they are not afraid of danger, they are courageous, we can use this psychology of theirs, fight an ambush war, and deal a severe blow to the arrogance of the Germans." ”

When Rokossovsky said these words, the others did not believe it, after all, even Koroa was ready, let him go to the battlefield, he would fight himself, and he would fight until he died heroically, he did not think that he could win.

However, as Rokossovsky continued to elaborate on his plan, the eyes of the people around him slowly lit up.