Katukov and his chief of staff prepared to let the troops march overnight, and before the Germans had time to adjust their deployment, they rushed decisively into the depth of the enemy. Regarding the deployment of the two, the military commissioner expressed his concern. He looked at Katukov and said: "Comrade Commander, our officers and men have not been well rested after a long battle. They have changed. I am exhausted. If in this case, order them to march overnight, I am worried that the combat effectiveness of the troops will be greatly reduced." After saying this, he turned his attention to me in order to seek my support. , Added, "You think you are right, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army?"

I very much agree with the deployment made by Katukov. Under the current circumstances, only the soldiers are extremely fast can beat the German drowning dog so hard to turn over. Thinking that Katukov’s military commissar was a political cadre and a layman in the military, he explained to him with a smile: "Comrade Military commissar, I understand what you mean, although the commanders and fighters have gone through a series of battles, I'm very tired. But the huge victory we just won will definitely increase the morale of the troops and make them more brave in the next battle. At the same time, we will pursue the victory, so that the Germans will not have time to build defenses. The fortifications will help us further expand the results."

After I finished speaking, Katukov also added: "Yes, Comrade Military Commissioner, what Lida said is exactly what I want to say. If nothing happens, our troops will be able to do so during the day. Arrived at Transnistria."

After listening to what Katukov said, the military commissioner said with a smile: "Comrade Commander, you are the chief military officer. You know more about military affairs than I do. Since you said that we will take advantage of the victory and pursue it. , Can achieve greater results, then I also believe that what you said can become a reality."

I reminded Katukov and said: "Comrade General, since we have captured Chortkov, should you report this good news to Comrade Marshal?"

In fact, even if I don't remind Katukov, he is ready to report the good news to Zhukov. Hearing what I said at the moment, he also said, "Well, I will report to Comrade Marshal!"

Zhukov was also overjoyed after receiving Katukov's Annunciation call. After a while, he cautiously asked, "Comrade Katukov, can your troops reach the Dniester River today?"

"No problem, Comrade Marshal." In response to Zhukov's question, Katukov answered with confidence: "My troops are divided into two groups, and at the same time they pounced on the Transnistria. According to our prior reconnaissance, the Germans are in There is no particularly strong defense in this area. I believe my soldiers will be able to accomplish this glorious task."

After listening to Katukov’s answer, Zhukov continued: “Currently, the 3rd Army of Rebarko’s Guards Tanks is attacking Kamenets-Podolsky. At the same time, it has sent General Lelyushenko’s tanks. The 4th Army is rounding westward and must encircle the German Tank 1st Army in the shortest time."

"I understand, Comrade Marshal." Although Zhukov did not explain the specific tasks, as an experienced senior commander, Katukov immediately understood what he should do. He stated to Zhukov: "We will be here. In the shortest possible time, capture Chernivtsi and cooperate with the friendly forces to encircle the German Tank 1st Army."

Seeing Katukov put down the phone, his military commissar said with a smile: "Comrade Commander, we are the 1st Tank Army, and Hubei is also commanding the German Tank 1st Army. We will soon be able to see what happens. Who is the real number one."

After hearing this, Katukov smiled at his military commissioner, and then asked the chief of staff: "The chief of staff, when will the infantry division in our hands reach the Transnistria?"

I understand the purpose of Katukov's question. Without the assistance of infantry, it would not be difficult to siege a city by tank troops alone, but it would not be so easy to seize the city.

The chief of staff replied: "Comrade Commander, the current 24th Infantry Division following General Guttmann's 11th Guards Corps is advancing towards the Transnistria, and they are only less than 40 kilometers behind the tank."

"Forty kilometers?" Hearing the data reported by the chief of staff, Katukov couldn't help frowning: "For infantry, forty kilometers is equivalent to a day's journey. The distance between our infantry and tanks Is it a bit too wide?"

"There is no way, Comrade Commander." The chief of staff shrugged and said helplessly: "Because of our lack of vehicles, except for the mechanized brigade, ordinary infantry can only take the way of walking, so the marching speed is inevitable. The land is affected."

After Katukov and other chiefs of staff finished speaking, they looked at me for help: "Lida, can you apply to Zhukov and let him provide us with a batch of trucks to transport the troops."

"That's right, Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army." Hearing Katukoff's words, his chief of staff couldn't help but quickly added: "I heard that the front army command has a batch of newly arrived US-aided trucks. The performance and load are better than the trucks we are equipped with now. Can you ask your superiors to provide us with a batch to transport the soldiers." He was afraid that I would disagree, and added specifically, "Not too much, just one One hundred is enough."

One hundred is enough? When I heard the Chief of Staff say this, I couldn't help but smile secretly, and said to my heart: Do you think that the US aid trucks are all over the mountains, and you can just transfer a hundred vehicles? But since he made the request, and Katukov looked at me expectantly, I couldn’t help them, so I nodded and said reluctantly: "Well, I’ll try to make a call. , But whether the superior is willing to provide you with the truck you need, I don’t know."

Before calling, I thought about it carefully. It would be inappropriate to find Zhukov for this kind of thing. He was thinking about how to seize the city and encircle the German troops, and he would never care about such trivial matters. If you want to do this, you can only approach the Chief of Staff Bogolyubov, who will negotiate with the Minister of Logistics and provide the necessary trucks for Katukov's troops.

I made up my mind, and I asked Katukov's chief of staff to call the front army headquarters for me. Hearing Bogolyubov's voice, I didn't go around with him either, and said straightforwardly: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I have something to ask you for help."

Bogolyubov heard that I had something to ask him for help, and he was shocked for a moment, and then asked: "Comrade Deputy Commander, you call me, do you want to transport Katukov’s tank to the 1st Army? A soldier’s truck?"

I didn't expect that before I spoke, Bogolyubov guessed what I was coming for, and asked curiously: "Chief of Staff, how do you know that I want to ask you for a truck?"

Bogolyubov snorted, and then replied: "Recently, I have received calls from various army groups every day, all for the idea of ​​calling those new American Dodge trucks..."

When I heard Bogolyubov say the name of the Dodge truck, the image of a Jiefang truck that was common in later generations came to my mind. This kind of truck not only carries a lot of soldiers, but also can tow heavy artillery. Compared with it, the trucks currently equipped by the Soviet Army are just a pile of rubbish.

After finally waiting for him to finish, I said in a negotiated tone: "Comrade Chief of Staff, the 1st Army Group of Tanks of General Katukov is currently advancing towards the Transnistria. Due to insufficient vehicles, the infantry is far away. Behind the tank. You should know that without the cooperation of infantry, it is very difficult for tank troops to seize a city."

I don’t know if Bogolyubov was moved by what I said, or if he considered my identity, after hesitating for a while, he asked carefully: "How many cars do you plan to buy?"

"As much as you can give me, I want as much." Katukov next to them heard that Bogolyubov was willing to provide us with a truck, and they all rushed over. I smiled at a few people, and then said: "It's best not to be less than two hundred."

When I said this, I also knew in my heart that even if the logistics department of the front army had two hundred Dodge trucks, it would not be possible to give them all to me. When I say this, I'm just thinking about repaying the price on the spot, and always giving Bogolyubov a bargaining space. If I only mention one hundred, he might only give me eighty or even less in the end.

But Katukov's eyes widened in surprise when I said that I wanted two hundred trucks. But at this time, he didn't dare to speak, so he could only write a few pens on the paper with his head down, and then hand it to me. I quickly browsed through the content on the paper and saw it read: "Two hundred cars are too many, and the superior will not give them. One hundred cars are enough!"

After reading the content on the paper, I nodded slightly at him, indicating that I knew, and then quietly waited for Bogolyubov's reply. Bogolyubov, who was on the other end of the phone, was silent for about two or three minutes, and then said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Deputy Commander, there are currently less than 300 trucks in the logistics department. The needs of the troops. And it may cause gossip, saying that I am too partial..."

"Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, don't say it anymore. I understand what you want to say." Before he could finish speaking, I interrupted him and asked decisively: "Just say, yes. How many trucks can you give me?"

"Two hundred cars are definitely not available." Bogolyubov replied, biting his molars, "I can only give you one hundred and twenty cars at most. No more cars will work."

In order to prevent Bogolyubov from repenting, I pretended to say with regret: "There are only 120 vehicles, which is too few. But there is no way. After all, it is a large corps fighting, and we can’t give us all the supplies behind. This will allow the commanders of other troops to have opinions on you, so I will accept the hundred and twenty vehicles. But there is a condition that you have to equip me with the driver and drive the car until..." Having said that, I covered the microphone with my hand and asked Katukov in a low voice, "Comrade General, where should they drive the truck?"

Hearing that I was looking for one hundred and twenty U.S. trucks from my superiors, Katukov was already overwhelmed with joy. He gave me a thumbs up, and then whispered: "Just let the driver take the car. Drive to Chortkov!"

I nodded, let go of my hand covering the microphone, and then said, "Comrade Chief of Staff, let the driver drive the truck to Chortkov. We can let the infantry wait for the car there."

"It's great, Comrade Deputy Commander. You are so great!" After I put down the phone, the chief of staff followed Katukov's appearance, gave me a thumbs up, and said in admiration, "I was originally. It’s very difficult to want a hundred trucks. I didn’t expect you to have a few words and you would have 120 trucks for us."

After listening to the Chief of Staff’s compliment, I just smiled and said that in later generations, I am a businessman doing business in your country. This kind of bargaining is just a piece of cake for me. But there was no overwhelming expression on my face. Instead, I turned to ask Katukov: "Comrade General, do you know if these trucks are enough to transport your troops?"

Katukoff thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Enough. As long as the cabin of the Dodge truck is slightly modified, one car can hold at least 30 fighters, and 120 cars can hold 3,600. Hundred men. The 24th Infantry Division has only 5,000 men, so half of the commanders and fighters can be carried in the vehicles, and the rest will be on foot, so that it will not affect the combat."

…………

The truck sent by Bogolyubov ~lightnovelpub.net~ arrived at Chortkov at noon. The 24th Infantry Division, which had been waiting here for a long time, waited for the vehicles one after another, and the convoy marched along the road towards the Dniester River.

In the evening, encouraging news came from the troops ahead. The 1st Guards Tank Brigade of Colonel Gorelov and the 20th Motorized Infantry Brigade of Colonel Babajanyan reached the Zalehi base area and the Transnistria. The 11th Corps of Guards Tanks of General Guttmann also arrived at Transnistria.

After receiving this series of good news, Katukov couldn't help but applaud again and again. After he was happy, I smiled and asked him: "Comrade General, now that your two armies have reached the bank of the Transnistria, what are you going to do next?"

In the evening, encouraging news came from the troops ahead. The 1st Guards Tank Brigade of Colonel Gorelov and the 20th Motorized Infantry Brigade of Colonel Babajanyan reached the Zalehi base area and the Transnistria. The 11th Corps of Guards Tanks of General Guttmann also arrived at Transnistria.

After receiving this series of good news, Katukov couldn't help but applaud again and again. After he was happy, I smiled and asked him: "Comrade General, now that your two armies have reached the bank of the Transnistria, what are you going to do next?"