Burning Moscow

Hearing what I said, Katukov looked down at the map on the table and said casually: "The front army has assigned us two pontoon bridge battalions. Even if the German army blows up the bridges, it’s nothing. We can choose the river. Floating bridges are erected in a gentle area to allow troops to pass.] 8] 8] Reading] books, .＠.∞o　 but..."

Hearing half of what Katukov said, I stopped abruptly, and I couldn't help asking anxiously: "But what?"

"Comrade Deputy Commander of the Front Army," Katukov’s chief of staff respectfully explained to me: "Although the battle lasted only two or three days, our troops were advancing too fast and the logistics supply troops were far away. The ground lags behind. If our troops in front can’t be resupplied in time, they will lose the ability to continue advancing soon. So I think the troops should stop and rest on the spot after completing the river crossing operation. After the supplies from the rear arrive, we will continue to attack the enemy."

The Chief of Staff’s words made me aware of the seriousness of the problem. At the beginning of last year, the Voronezh Front and the Southwest Front fought in the Kharkov Campaign. Although the force was several times larger than the Germans, the result was a victory and a defeat due to insufficient logistics. , Was defeated by Mainstein's troops. If a similar situation occurs in Katukov’s troops, I am worried that they will eventually repeat the same mistakes.

Thinking of this, I turned my head to look at Katukov and asked with a serious expression: "General Katukov, if you move the logistics base forward, it will take a few days for you to attack again."

Katukov thought for a while, then frowned and said: "I think it will take at least three days to replenish the troops with the ammunition and fuel needed to continue fighting under the current road conditions."

"Three days?" When I heard his statement, I immediately shook my head and objected: "No, three days are too long, enough for the Germans to build a new defense on the south bank of the river. At that time, our troops will attack again. A huge price is bound to be paid."

"But, Comrade, the deputy commander of the front army." The chief of staff was a little anxious after hearing my words in a non-negotiable tone, and quickly defended: "According to the information I have, the tank unit consumes fuel and ammunition. It's almost there, if they don't add anything, they won't be able to move forward at all."

"Comrade Chief of Staff is right." After Katukov waited for his Chief of Staff to finish, he sighed and said to me in a negotiating tone: "Leda, according to the report, the current 1st Guards Brigade and tanks Each tank of the 64th Brigade has less than five shells. As for the fuel, most tanks only have the point in the fuel tank. They can travel up to 20 or 30 kilometers, and they will lie down because they have no fuel."

"I understand what you mean." Regarding the difficulties that Katukov raised, although I knew in my heart what he said was the truth, I still insisted on my opinion and said: "But I still said that, I can't give the Germans a breather. The opportunity must be to completely smash their defense on the road to Chernivtsi before they build a new line of defense."

Seeing the embarrassed expression on Katukov’s face, I felt a little unbearable, so I thought of a compromise: "General Katukov, you first order the Pontoon Battalion to erect a pontoon bridge, even if the tanks cannot pass temporarily, You can also let our infantry cross the river to establish a defensive position."

"Comrade deputy commander of the front army," the chief of staff reluctantly said to me: "but without the support of tanks, our river crossing troops may be driven into the river if they are violently counterattacked by the Germans."

I looked at the Chief of Staff and said with a relaxed expression: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I think that the next battle will be played by the 11th Guards Corps of General Guttmann. You ask him to combine all the tank fuel with The ammunition was collected and handed over to the 64th Brigade of Colonel Boyko’s tanks, allowing this brigade to continue to advance as the vanguard, disrupting the deployment of the German army. The rest of the troops, waiting for the ammunition and fuel to be replenished, will quickly Keep up."

Katukoff thought about this proposal for a moment, and then nodded in agreement: "Lida, your method is good. You can continue to attack the German army, and you can also avoid being unable to serve as infantry due to insufficient ammunition and fuel. Provide volunteer questions." After saying this, he immediately ordered his chief of staff, "Chief of staff, call General Guttmann and ask him to do what the deputy commander of the front does."

I knew in my heart that what I was proposing was just an expedient measure. To completely defeat the main force of the German army, it is far from enough to rely on a tank brigade and an infantry division. It is necessary to suppress the power of the entire group army. Row. Thinking of this, I took the initiative to say to Katukov: "Comrade General, I will call Comrade Marshal and tell him the difficulties you are facing, and see if he has any solutions."

"Great, this is really great." Hearing what I said, Katukov was immediately overjoyed, and said repeatedly: "You can ask Marshal Zhukov to order the air force to deliver fuel and ammunition for us, so that it will be noon tomorrow at the latest. The large forces of China can continue to move forward."

Katukov’s words gave me the enlightenment, yes, why do I always think about car and rail transportation, but forget the fastest way of transportation by air transportation? I hurriedly nodded and said, "Yes, that's right, General Katukov, what you said really reminded me that I immediately made a request to Comrade Marshal to send the air force to deliver materials for you."

Zhukov who answered the phone heard my voice and smiled and said, "Lida, are you going to report to me that the troops of the 1st Tank Army have reached the Zalehi base area and the Transnistria? The comrades in the Intelligence Department have already told me this good news."

Although Zhukov already knew the results of Katukov's troops, I still reported to him in detail the results of the troops' achievements in accordance with the regulations. Finally, I made my request cautiously: "Comrade Marshal, due to the rapid advancement of the Tank 1st Army, it is now too far away from the logistics supply base. After repeated battles, the troops have had serious ammunition and fuel. Insufficiency, if we cannot make supplements in time, our offense may be temporarily suspended for a period of time."

"No, this will definitely not work." As soon as I finished speaking, Zhukov said categorically: "In any case, the attack on the German army cannot be stopped for a moment. How long will it take for Katukov's troops to complete the supply?"

Hearing Zhukov’s question, I raised my head and glanced at Katukov, who was standing on the opposite side. “According to the current road conditions and the carrying capacity of the transport team, it will take three days to complete the supply of all troops at the earliest.”

"Three days is too long." Zhukov's tone became stern: "Don't you know the truth of the soldiers? If you are so protracted, after you complete the supply, the German army has been built in front of you. The new line of defense is ready. At that time, when you attacked, you would pay a much higher price than it is now. Let’s ask Katukov to hand over all the fuel and ammunition to one of the tank brigade, and this tank The brigade led the infantry to continue to attack and advance south, disrupting the German defensive deployment."

As soon as Zhukov finished speaking, I immediately replied: "Comrade Marshal, I have just given them a similar order. However, only with a tank brigade and an infantry division, the attack power is still weak, so I want to ask you. Provide some necessary help."

"Help, what help?" Zhukov asked in a dissatisfied tone.

"That's it, Comrade Marshal." Hearing that Zhukov was on the verge of a fire, I quickly explained: "If you use a car to transport fuel and ammunition, the delay on the road is too long. So I want to beg you to send the air force as the number one tank. The troops of the group army are transporting supplies so that at noon tomorrow at the latest, new attacks can be launched against the depths of the German defense."

I thought that my request would be rejected by Zhukov. Unexpectedly, he was silent for a moment, and he readily agreed: "Well, since you said that, I will call the Air Force Commander Krasovsky and ask him to dispatch the transport plane early tomorrow morning. Tukov transports supplies. But you have to prepare the landing and storage locations first, understand?"

"I understand, Comrade Marshal." After Zhukov agreed to the airlift request, my mood became happy: "We will prepare the landing site for the Air Force transport plane as soon as possible."

Putting down the phone, I excitedly said to Katukov: "General Katukov, Comrade Marshal has agreed to send us a transport plane to transport supplies. The transport plane will take off at dawn. Before that, you must do two things: 1. It is the place where the plane is ready for landing, the area where the supplies have been stored; the second is to erect the pontoon overnight to allow Colonel Boyko’s 64th Tank Brigade to guide the 24th Infantry Division to move forward."

"Chief of Staff," Katukov waited for me to finish, and immediately ordered his chief of staff: "You immediately arrange these two things so that our troops can relaunch the attack on the Germans tomorrow."

When the chief of staff went to call and confessed the mission, I suddenly remembered something and asked curiously: "General Katukov, I remember that during the Battle of Kursk, I asked you once, saying that the infantry first The 24th Division was revoked because of the loss of its banner. Why was it restored afterwards?"

Hearing me suddenly asked this question which was not relevant to the fighting situation, Katukov smiled bitterly and said: "Yes, the 24th Infantry Division was indeed revoked by the Supreme Command because of the loss of its flag. However, with the help of a local resident, the personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs found the graveyard of a sacrificed officer. When the remains were taken out, the division’s flag was wrapped around his body. Although it was a little damaged, it was still identifiable. Come out...In this way, the superiors restored the organization of the troops."

At three in the morning, General Guttmann called and reported to us that the pontoon bridge on the Transnistria had been erected and requested the next task.

After listening to the other party’s report, Katukov said loudly: "Comrade General, the order is clear. Colonel Boyko’s 64th Tank Brigade leads the 24th Infantry Division to attack in the direction of Chernivtsi. Don’t give The Germans have a chance to breathe. Also, is there a place ready for the transport plane to land?"

"Ready." Guttman replied loudly: "We are still on both sides of the runway and have prepared bonfires. As long as we see the aircraft appear, we will light the bonfire and show them the direction of landing."

"Very well, General Guttmann, you did a good job." After praising his men, Katukov continued: "Once your troops are supplied, they will immediately cross the Transnistria and follow Behind the vanguard, continue to advance south and strive to capture Chernowitz as soon as possible. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade Commander." As one of Katukov's most trusted subordinates, Gertman, after listening to the words of his superiors, immediately expressed his attitude: "As long as the supply is completed, our troops will You will rush to Chernowitz as soon as possible, so don't worry."

Hearing me suddenly asked this question which was not related to the fighting situation, Katukov smiled bitterly and said: "Yes, the 24th Infantry Division was indeed revoked by the Supreme Command because of the loss of its flag. However, with the help of a local resident, the personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs found the tomb of a sacrificed officer. When the remains were taken out, the division’s flag was wrapped around his body. Although it was a little damaged, it was still identifiable. Come out....In this way, the superior resumed the organization of the troop~www.wuxiaspot.com~ At three in the morning, General Guttmann called and reported to us that the pontoon bridge over the Transnistria had been erected and requested One-step task.

After listening to the other party’s report, Katukov said loudly: "Comrade General, the order is clear. Colonel Boyko’s 64th Tank Brigade leads the 24th Infantry Division to attack in the direction of Chernivtsi. Don’t give The Germans have a chance to breathe. Also, is there a place ready for the transport plane to land?"

"Ready." Guttman replied loudly: "We are still on both sides of the runway and have prepared bonfires. As long as we see the aircraft appear, we will light the bonfire and show them the direction of landing."

"Very well, General Guttmann, you did a good job." After praising his men, Katukov continued: "Once your troops are supplied, they will immediately cross the Transnistria and follow Behind the vanguard, continue to advance south and strive to capture Chernowitz as soon as possible. Do you understand?"

"Understood, Comrade Commander." As one of Katukov's most trusted subordinates, Gertman, after listening to the words of his superiors, immediately expressed his attitude: "As long as the supply is completed, our troops will You will rush to Chernowitz as soon as possible, so don't worry."8