By the time the Norman army's all-tracked armored vehicles appeared at the pass, Weiss had already returned to the camp headquarters from a well-seen observation and sniper position.

"Previously, our perimeter reconnaissance had not detected enemy sorties, they must have been the last to set off, and their snow movement was much faster than the normal march of the infantry, so that their sudden arrival could be reasonably explained." Major Ezerson analysis.

Weiss stood in front of the battlefield sand table handmade by the guerrilla fighters, looking at it with a wistful thought. After a long time, he raised his head and said, "The enemy seems to have put a lot of thought into taking us by surprise. I'm worried that they still have a backhand, so Major, not only can't the perimeter guards be withdrawn, but they must also be put on higher alert, and the enemy must not be allowed to take advantage of the loopholes! ”

"It's been ordered." Ezesen responded.

Weiss nodded: "Our overall plan remains the same - as long as we hold on until the night, we will be able to usher in a turnaround!" The key now is to destroy the Norman tanks that can travel on the snow, they should not be difficult to deal with, mines, machine guns and anti-tank guns can do it, just to be safe, remind everyone to use steel core bullets! ”

"It's been ordered." Ezerson's answer was the same as before.

Such a tacit understanding made Weiss can't help but look at him more. There was both approval and relief in his eyes. This "senior staff member" has served in the General Staff of the Federal Army for a long time, and when he first arrived, he still had the problem of emphasizing theory over practice, but he was very adaptable, experienced two surprise battles, and suddenly understood the guerrilla warfare model, and then gradually became a suitable "cog", contributing "light and heat" to the resistance organization in the way he is good at.

Immediately, the signal corps came and reported to them the reconnaissance ahead: the enemy tanks had crossed the open area and entered Area C.

Area C, located behind the pass and the open area, is a forest area with a depth of more than 10,000 feet, or about 3 kilometers. Previously, the Norman army fought violently, only to meet the stubborn resistance of the guerrillas. After a terrible fight, the Normans retreated with their heads broken and bleeding, and the partisans paid a great price. It is said that this was the time when the two sides were reorganizing their troops and horses and housing the wounded, and now that the Norman army was suddenly put into new force, it was inevitable that the resistance would be under heavy pressure.

After a moment of thought, Weiss said to Major Ezerson in a consultative tone: "Inform everyone to hold the battle line, rely on the intact bunker to deal with the enemy, and if our weapons do not work, withdraw to camp along the tunnel!" Inform the remaining personnel of the 5th detachment to immediately lay mines between the defensive line and the camp; Inform Detachment 2 to deploy half of its combatants to return to Area C with anti-tank guns and flank enemy tank units. ”

"And mortars!" Major Ezerson reminded that "in the woods, the enemy's tanks do not get up at speed, and mortars can do just that." ”

"You're right." Weiss added, "Mortars not only damage enemy vehicles to a certain extent, but if the enemy has infantry with them, they can be picked up with mortars." By taking out the enemy's infantry, we can use the tunnels to use flexible tactics against their vehicles. ”

"Yes!" "Mortars, machine guns, anti-tank guns, incendiary bombs, explosives packs, we can turn this forest into a graveyard for enemy tank troops!" ”

"Just do it!" Weiss clenched his fists. In this battle, the guerrillas could not afford to lose, and from the position of the occupiers, it was also a battle that must be won. The last time they met, although he saw that Ze still had reason and compassion in his heart, it was only for ordinary people. For the guerrillas who took up arms to fight against them, when they came to the battlefield, he obviously would not be merciful.

At about the same time, at the pass position directly ahead, several Norman officers stood in the bunkers dug by the guerrillas, holding binoculars, and watched intently at the wolf-filled mountains and forests ahead.

"Your Excellency Baron Scala, you don't have to come here yourself." A bearded, square-faced officer said in Norman with a distinctly southern accent, "It's nothing during the day, but at night, it's not only cool, but also a place where you can encounter the enemy at any time." ”

The square-faced officer spoke to someone who was in the "C position" among these Norman officers, who was not outstanding in stature, not handsome in appearance, and not so extraordinary in temperament. Like the people around him, he was wearing a thick winter coat, and only the corners of the red background gold collar badge could be faintly seen on the neckline. If it weren't for the title mentioned by fellow travelers, it would be difficult for others to tell from the attire that this was a general-level figure.

The Norman general, who had advanced to the ranks of the nobility by virtue of his military exploits, took out a golden pocket watch from his pocket, opened the lid and glanced at it, and said in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant, nor lukewarm: "There are still more than four hours to go. Now that we're standing here, there's no reason for the enemy to survive the next four hours! ”

Another Norman officer, who also wore a beard and was tall and long-faced, said worriedly: "But the enemy we are facing is a guerrillas, a bunch of lowly and filthy fellows like gophers, not the regular army of the Federation. The enemy could abandon the camp and disperse into the surrounding mountains and forests, in which case it would be impossible for us to end the battle before dark. ”

The general said: "Mr. Emdente, the guerrillas can be dispersed and transferred, but what about the civilians who provide them with backup?" You may not feel it, but I firmly believe that this will be a great opportunity to wreak havoc on the Lorraine guerrillas. As long as we win, the next few months, regardless of the situation on the front, will be calm in Lorraine. ”

The square-faced officer said: "You are from Lorraine, you know the customs here, of course we trust your judgment." ”

This sounded like a compliment, but the general seemed to be mocked, and a look of displeasure appeared on his face.

The tall, long-faced Norman officer put down his binoculars, raised his head and said: "Our tank squadron is already in place!" In woodland operations, it is not advisable for tank units to act alone, and infantry should provide close cover throughout the process. ”

Another Norman officer raised the corners of his mouth: "Don't worry, we will protect the butts of the chariot troops with bayonets!" ”

"Don't take it lightly!" The tall, long-faced Norman officer reminded solemnly, "The cost of such a tank is three times that of an ordinary tank, and in terms of value, a squadron is worth half an artillery regiment!" If they are lost here, not only will I not be able to recover, but your troops and their reputations will also be damaged. ”

The infantry officers were still trying to tease, but the generals coldly interrupted the conversation, which lacked practical meaning.

"Major Emdent is right when he says that the value of a squadron of snow tanks is not comparable to that of ordinary troops. Gentlemen, since Admiral Sedlinz has sent a squadron of snow chariots to support us, we should cooperate with them unconditionally on the battlefield, just as His Majesty said in Operational Instruction No. 1, that the Norman army should be united and undivided in order to get out of the shadow of defeat and move towards new victories and glories. ”

Hearing this, the tall Norman officer's expression softened, and he nodded slightly at the general: "Don't worry, our snow chariots are not so easy to deal with, and the enemy who tries to resist will soon see this." ”

At this time, someone muttered inophistically: "Strong breastplate, fragile ass." ”

The infantry officers snickered.

The tall, long-faced Norman officer snorted coldly, but did not refute anything.

After a short time, two other officers present at the scene reported one after another:

"Your Excellency, the Ouattara Musket Battalion is in place!"

"Your Excellency, the Sego Musket Battalion is in place!"

The general picked up the binoculars again, observed for a moment, and said in a straight voice: "Herald...... All units march together in three directions and smash the enemy's lair! ”

Three red flares rose into the air, and a moment later, the rumbling of cannon rang out behind the pass. Although the artillery bombardment of this scale was not comparable to the earth-shattering artillery salvo on the frontal battlefield, in this cold and windy vast snowy forest, the continuous and accurate artillery fire output seemed to exacerbate the gap in this asymmetrical battle.

The shells fired by the light artillery fell into the depths of the snow forest with a short screech, and the successive explosions largely drowned out the rumbling mechanical roar in the forest. On the leading Norman chariot, the commander leaned out half of his body through the roof hatch, twisted around and shouted: "Keep the chariots apart, the rear car covers the front car, and the infantry covers the rear car!" Brothers, victory belongs to the Norman Empire! ”

Before the exchange of fire against the enemy, in order to maintain communication cooperation, the commander of each Norman chariot had the roof hatch open, or poked his head out, or exposed his upper body. Hearing the call of the commander of the long car, they echoed like a pack of wolves: "Victory belongs to the Norman Empire!" ”

Behind the chariot group, hundreds of Norman infantrymen marched deep into the woods with bayonet rifles. Walking in the front of the company, the soldiers are neatly dressed, the faces are clean, at first glance, they have not experienced a vicious fight before, so they are full of spirit and strong pace, and the company walking behind, the soldiers are not only disheveled, gray faces, many of them are still colorful, the injuries are not serious, simple bandaging and re-entering the battle, although they appear to behave cautiously, but morale is not low, and they are not like frightened small animals, as soon as there is movement, they will lie down, but in a state of high vigilance.

The Norman artillery, deployed behind the pass, prepared for about ten minutes of artillery fire with a small number of light guns. When the sound of the artillery subsided, a large area deep in the snow forest suddenly "changed color": from a distance, it looked as if the white cake had expired and moldy, and many brown patches had grown—some of the trees had been shaken off by the shells, some were the ground that had been burned by the shells, and a few were fortifications that had unfortunately been detonated......

The Norman line of attack continued to press, and as they approached the area where the previous fierce battle had taken place, one of the infantry shouted: "Attention! Ahead were the guerrilla lines, and those bunkers were lined with repeating guns and turnerguns! There are also hidden tunnels around the bunker where enemies can ...... at any time."

Before he finished speaking, the guns and Norman chariots on the side of the guerrillas rushed to power, like the roar of a wild beast before fighting to raise its momentum and ignite the fighting spirit, resounding through the snow forest filled with the smell of gunpowder smoke and scorching breath.