The late autumn wind blew away the smoke of the battlefield, the rising sun dispelled the morning damp, and if it weren't for the yellowed grass full of potholes gnawed by shells, it would have looked like a calm German town in the bleak suburbs of late autumn.

However, this calm was only temporary, and the Russians would soon continue their offensive, as the Germans knew well with the more violent momentum of the last time. So everyone was busy with their heads down, mending trenches, replenishing ammunition, treating the wounded. The atmosphere on the whole position was heavy, and there was no joy in the slightest of having just repelled a Russian attack.

Standing in the waiting hall, which has been turned into an ambulance station, Erhard's heart is heavy. There are now less than 30 seriously wounded people in the waiting hall, but two military doctors and a few paramedics alone are unable to provide effective treatment for these seriously wounded, and most of them can only be urgently bandaged and given a morphine injection and left to their fate. And this is just the beginning, soon there will be more and more wounded here, and then there will definitely be fewer and fewer wounded, and there is nothing I can do about it.

Thinking that the hall would be filled with wounded and helpless moans echoing through the hall, Erhard felt that it had been a mistake to locate his headquarters in the station staff's office, just across the wall, preferring to crouch in the trenches and listen to the explosion of shells.

Walking out of the door of the waiting hall, Erhard, who was about to smoke a cigarette to breathe, saw the sergeant standing outside the door, with an unlit cigarette in his mouth, his left shoulder tightly bandaged, and awkwardly touching his left pocket with his right hand, which was the accurate shooter in his company.

"Seriously?" After signaling that he didn't need to stand upright, Erhard pulled out his lighter and lit it for him.

"Piercing wounds, it looks terrible." Thomas twitched his face and forced an ugly smile: "The military doctor said that luck is good, a clean hole, and the bone is only broken by the bullet at the edge, if it can grow well, there will be no sequelae if it recovers well." ”

Then, as if he were smoking not a cigarette but a large cigarette, he inhaled the smoke into his lungs in an attempt to relieve his pain, but his pale face and trembling lips showed that nicotine was clearly not as effective as opium.

Spit out the smoke, then said with a forced smile as if explaining to Erhard: "I said that I was not seriously injured at all, but the platoon commander said that it was a burden for an accurate shooter who could not shoot accurately to stay on the position, so he drove me over." "In addition to injuring his shoulder, he can run and jump, and staying in the waiting hall full of seriously injured people makes Thomas uncomfortable.

Despite Thomas's words, Erhard knew the situation would not be as rosy as he said. The military doctor will definitely not say that the situation is bad at this time, even if the words of the military doctor do not have any comfort in it, it is necessary to recover well so that there will be no sequelae.

To recover well, the first thing is not to die here, the second is not to worsen the injury, and finally to get proper treatment. It was too difficult for the current defenders of Soldao.

Although not as demanding as a sniper, those who can become accurate shooters are also considered the elite of the army. Only non-commissioned officers with a good level of education, special shooting training, and extensive experience can use the only two G3 semi-automatic rifles with expensive Zeiss 3x optical scopes in an infantry platoon.

If you are killed by a stray bullet on the spot, it is a hundred, but if you are not treated in time, it is too cruel for a good accurate shooter. Did Thomas really believe what the military doctor said, or was there a lot of comfort in it?

Looking at Thomas's smiling face, Erhard could only pull the corners of his mouth and put on a smile: "In that case, stay honest, don't make the injury worse, then there will be no rule of law when reinforcements come to send you to the back." ”

"Reinforcements?"

Although the war had only been fought for a few months, and had been on the defensive until then, the German soldiers had not yet experienced the pain of the saying that reinforcements were never reliable. However, as a non-commissioned officer with rich experience, Thomas has also seen a lot of various training and exercises, and he still has an idea of this sentence.

"Well, the 20th Division launched an attack early in the morning, and yesterday the Russian defense line could not stop our offensive, and today they can't stop it. And the armored train is also on its way, the 12th Cavalry Division is also moving here in the northwest direction, and reinforcements will soon arrive. ”

Erhard wasn't lying, but the situation wasn't as easy as it sounded.

It is true that the defense line that the Russians rushed out of one night could not stop the attack of the 20th Division, but even if the Russians did not resist afterwards, it would take at least 5 hours to walk all the way to Soldao.

The armoured train carrying a fully formed infantry battalion reinforced with two assault gun platoons did depart from Eylau early in the morning, but the unsurprisingly damaged railway line made the armoured train not as close to Soldao as the 20th Division at this time.

If the four-legged 12th Cavalry Division did not encounter any obstacles, it would have been enough for 2 hours, but "reinforcements are never reliable", and whoever believes in this statement of 2 hours is stupid. However, as an officer, I must not say anything discouraged at this time.

"After smoking this cigarette, I'll be honest and stay inside." Erhard made a move to chase people away: "The Russians don't give us much time to relax. ”

It is true that the Russians did not give the Germans much time, because they themselves did not have much time left. The attack launched by the German 20th Infantry Division was like an awl to the ass of the Russians, urging them to take Soldao as soon as possible.

Thirty minutes after the first tentative assault was repulsed, there was another whistling of tearing air in the air.

Although the Russian shelling was still so sparse, the sound of the artillery still did not mean to stop after half an hour. This time, the Russians have invested in it, and they must have figured it out, if they don't take Soldao, it's pointless to save that bit of ammunition.

Nearly an hour of fire preparation made the Germans realize that the Russians were desperately trying to run out of ammunition and completely bomb their own defenses.

Although the Russians were already desperately prepared this time, the Russians' actions still surprised the Germans. The few minutes between the infantry charge that should have been after the Russians had finished the shelling were gone, and almost as soon as the artillery fire stopped, the whistle of the infantry attack sounded.

The Germans didn't even have time to count how much they had suffered in the shelling, and the Russians charged!

There was no time to repair the trenches and treat the wounded, everyone grabbed their weapons and shot wildly at the Russians who rushed over!

But it didn't work!

The Russians attacked more decisively this time! Be more resolute!

Even though they were swept away by bullets in rows, the Russians were not pressed to the ground like last time and couldn't lift their heads! Die or die! Rush or rush!

The Russians paid an even more terrible price, but German casualties continued to mount. The long Russian shelling had an effect, several trenches collapsed, casualties could not be counted for the time being, and the number of stray bullets flying everywhere made the number increase. Four of the Makqin firing points were removed, the intensity of the cross-fire blockade was greatly reduced, the artillery position suffered seven shells, and the complete scrapping of three artillery pieces made matters worse.

Just as Erhard was about to let the reserves of the three platoons that remained in his hands go up, something worse happened.

"The Russians in the city of Sordo have attacked! There is about a battalion! ”

"I fuck you Greyskin! Where did they get a battalion?! "Erhard, who was furious, longed for the destruction of the world at this time, and everyone had the heart to die together.

For the possibility that the Russian army in Soldao still had the ability to resist, Erhard was prepared, so he left a platoon of troops and 2 Maxims in the rear.

But he never thought that how the Russians, who were beaten by themselves yesterday and retracted into the city and bombarded by armored trains for half a day, could still muster together a battalion of troops?!

And the timing of the attack chosen by the Russians is too correct, if it was rushed out during the first wave of tentative attacks of the Russians before, then not to mention that Erhard still has 3 platoons of reserves in his hands, even if 3 platoons are drawn from the front line of defense to reinforce it, there will be no problem.

But now, the knife stabbed in the back by the remnants of the Russian army in the city of Soldao is too accurate and ruthless.

"Let Row 1 and Row 2 go to the west, you have to give me a fucking block of the Greyskin!" Anger doesn't solve the problem, if you give Erhard an atomic bomb now, he really dares to detonate it and everyone will die, but he doesn't, so he can only make a decision immediately.

"Fergt! Take your platoon, let the assault guns clear the way, and give me the back of the Grey Dog to the east from the flank! I don't want to see any Greyskins back in town and wait for the opportunity to get me in trouble! ”

"Anyone who can move, come with me with a weapon! Plus, everybody brought me a box of ammunition! Erhard fastened his steel helmet to his head, grabbed his rifle and rushed out: "We have at least one division in front of us!" If you get stabbed in the back by a fucking battalion and lose your position, you won't have the face to say how you died! ”

As soon as he rushed out the door, Erhard saw Thomas standing outside the door with a steel helmet on his head and a semi-automatic rifle.

"The wounded will go back to me!" Erhard, full of anger, roared, without the friendliness of the previous conversation.

"I can move! Captain! ”

Erhard, who was choked back, looked at the tightly tied left shoulder, hesitated for a second, and then roared again: "Who can you hit like this now?" Put your stuff aside! Be a herald for me! The hand you can use will carry the ammo box for me! ”

"Yes! Captain! ”

said that they were able to move and go with themselves to reinforce, but in fact, there were only 19 people in Erhard's temporary battalion headquarters except for the signal soldiers, counting Erhard himself and a Thomas who could only run errands, barely half a platoon.

This reinforcement is a drop in the bucket in the face of a battalion of the enemy, but if a platoon on the east can't hold back the Russians and allows the Russians to break through the defensive line, then fighting for trenches with the Russians in hand-to-hand battles makes no difference between one more platoon and one less platoon.

The key to repelling the Russians is whether the poor mobile force consisting of only 2 assault guns and a platoon of infantry can pierce the Russians in the waist.

And the key to stopping the Russians in front of the line of defense is to look at the 2 Maxims.

Ludvik didn't know that he was carrying half of the captain's hope at this time, but he knew very well that the MG4 light machine gun in the platoon lacked the suppression ability, and he was one of the only two support points of the entire defense line!

"The Russians are crazy!"

In Ludvik's opinion, the Russians on the opposite side were crazy. It may be a bit much to say that the Russians have a battalion, but it is definitely not less to say that the Russians have 3 companies.

Where did the Russians, who were crippled by two battalions disabled yesterday and then bombarded by an armored train for half a day, come out of three companies?

Because nearly half of the Russians who charged were wounded! And many of them are not lightly wounded who are still fighting hard! The guy with his head wrapped and his arms hanging is also charging! There are even people who don't have weapons in their hands!

That's why they have 3 companies of troops to charge!

"The enemy on the left flank is approaching!"

"Fuck you!" Ludvik had to turn his gun, and Maxim's tongue of fire swept across the battlefield, sweeping down the Russians in patches.

However, there were only two Maxims on the entire line, and the machine gunners inevitably lost the other, and the gap after the machine guns were swept away allowed the Russians to continue to shorten the distance between them and the line.

The Germans should be glad that the Russians on the opposite side are the rear troops guarding Soldao, and they still charge in a dense formation without suffering on the front line of the German-Russian battlefield, which allows the MG4 to sweep down several people with a long point shot, the semi-automatic rifle can hit people without aiming as long as the trigger is pulled, and the wooden-handled grenade is even more effective, otherwise the situation of the Germans will be even worse.

"Right ahead!" As soon as the Russians on the left flank were pressed to the ground, the shouts of the secondary shooter forced Ludvik to turn his gun back, but before a long shot was finished, Maxim heard the sound of a firing pin air strike.

"Reload!"

"The last box!"

"Gone?"

"It's gone!"

"Damn it." The Russians used a long cartridge belt of 300 rounds, and they only received a total of 4 ammunition boxes with cartridge belts!

In such a short gap between the reloading of the machine guns of the Germans, the Russians in front had already rushed to the point of fire!

"!" The co-shooter on the side grabbed the G3 semi-automatic rifle next to him, leaned out from behind the chest wall of the firing point, aimed at the Russians who were close in front of him, and frantically pulled the trigger, emptying the G3's 20-round magazine in 7 seconds! However, before he could pull out a new magazine, he fell backwards.

But he had enough time!

Ludvik's Makqin roared again, and the Russians in front of him instantly splattered with blood mist, and the fallen corpses spread a whole layer on the ground in front of the firing point!

When the crisis was lifted, Ludvik turned his head: "Are you okay?" ”

"I'm fine! Flesh wounds! "Although a large piece of flesh was torn off from the left arm, it was really just a flesh wound!

"If you're okay, go get ammo!" At this time, there was no room to care about the injuries of his comrades.

Although the crisis was resolved, the situation faced by the Germans did not change fundamentally, and even though they had already paid heavy casualties, the Russians still did not retreat! If Makqin is dumb, the defense line will not last long and will collapse!

However, 300 rounds of ammunition did not last long, and only a moment after the assistant shooter left, the sound of the firing pin was heard again from Maxim.

"Reload!" After subconsciously shouting, Ludvik realized that there was no ammunition left.

The previous scenario was once again playing out in front of Ludwick's eyes, and as a machine gunner, he didn't have a G3 by his side!

Just as Ludvik was about to draw his P03 pistol and prepare for a final fight, a dozen grenades exploded among the Russians, followed by a dozen more grenades across the sky, and then a light machine gun was directly mounted on the chest wall of the firing point, and the shooter stood next to Ludvik and began to shoot.

Just when Ludvik was still stunned, the ammunition box that had been emptied was kicked open, and then the new ammunition box was placed next to Makqin, and the lid of the ammunition box was lifted: "What are you still stunned for?!" Keep shooting! ”

Reinforcements arrived.

Although the reinforcements brought by Erhard were few, they stabilized the crumbling defense line for a while.

Maxim's gunfire rang out again, and the Russians were blocked.

It didn't take long for Fergt to lead a platoon under the cover of 2 No. 2 assault guns from the rear of the Russians' right flank to the back of the Russians, cutting off the connection between them and the city!

The Russians don't have a chance!

"The Russians are finished!"

"Get on the bayonet! Rush up! Slaughter them! Erhard shouted and jumped out of the trenches: "Don't let anyone go!" ”

Fergt's platoon could only block the Russians' direct retreat to the city, but it could not stop the Russians from escaping in all directions, and all the Russians must be wiped out in this open field!

In order to survive, the Russians were able to organize such a counterattack after being crippled yesterday, and Erhard did not want to gamble that the Russians' poor organizational skills would make them not regroup after they fled, and he did not want to do it again after being stabbed in the back.

The Russians were cut off from retreating in front of their eyes, and their rout under the attack from both sides was already a certainty, and they blocked the crazy attack of the Russians! This realization brought the morale of the Germans to its peak for a while.

Everyone screamed and jumped out of the trenches and charged the Russians!

Afraid of hurting the friendly troops who jumped out of the trench and launched an active attack, the assault gun did not fire, but the machine gunner who climbed into the car mounted the light machine gun on the roof of the car, and the co-shooter who climbed up together operated the car machine gun, and the fire of 4 MG4s blocked the retreat of the Russians!

The performance of the No. 2 assault gun yesterday made a deep impression on the Russians, and the image of the two indestructible steel monsters constantly spitting tongues of fire at this time quickly devoured the Russians' will to continue fighting.

The Russians began to break up.

However, the Germans, who jumped out of the trenches and took the initiative to attack, were not even ready to leave this opportunity to the Russians.

When it was discovered that escaping from the battlefield had become a luxury, the brutality and savagery in the Russians were stimulated.

The superiority of the Germans in firepower is hopeless, but white-knuckle combat! Slavic warriors have always been confident in their physique and technique!

And in a white-knuckle melee, the Germans' firepower can't be exerted, and the automatic rifles in their hands are also shorter than those of Mosin Nagant, so as long as you tear the Germans in front of you and rush into the German trenches, you still have a chance to live!

The Russians, who had already been forced to red-eyed, turned their guns and greeted them!

The Russians think beautifully, but the reality cruelly tells the Russians that this is just a futile struggle.

The Russians may indeed have some physical superiority, but the Germans were far superior in tactics!

Although the army's firepower has been increasing imperceptibly over the past few decades, if you can solve it with artillery, you don't need to use guns, and if you can solve it with guns, you don't need to use bayonets, which has to some extent become the default rule of the German Army, which has embarked on the road of no return to the supremacy of firepower.

However, in such words as "a unit that does not dare to see red with a bayonet is not a good unit", "the Prussian army has a glorious history of defeating the enemy in several hand-to-hand battles in history, and tradition cannot be lost!" "White-knuckle warfare is the best way to temper officers' organizational ability and soldiers' ability to cooperate" and other strange theories, but the German Army has never abandoned its own white-knuckle combat training.

There is also a saying that it is because of the request of His Majesty the Emperor that those guys in the General Staff have been grasping white-knuckle combat training as a key subject, which has led to an increase in their training intensity, but no one dares to spread this statement openly.

Whatever the reason, however, the Germans now have an overwhelming advantage in this brutal white-knuckle battle. A 12-man infantry squad was divided into three combat groups, each led by a non-commissioned officer, and in order to prevent wounding friendly soldiers, the three soldiers only shot at the legs of the rushing Russians, and the alternating fire of the three semi-automatic rifles made it extremely difficult for the Russians to get close.

The guys who were lucky enough to rush in front of them didn't have to think that the Germans would not be able to shoot after getting closer. Although the German Army still does not have a pistol issued to the whole army, even the second-line troops can achieve one non-commissioned officer. The 13-round P03 semi-automatic pistol will wake up enemies from daydreams with 9X23 Bergman pistol rounds.

Even if they do end up in the bayonet phase, a well-coordinated soldier under the command of a non-commissioned officer will make the enemy on the opposite side find that he has to face at least 2 triangular bayonets at any one time.

Cruelty, more for the Russians.

After stabbing to death the last guy who dared to resist, the remaining Russians surrendered. When the brave are gone, the rest are cowards.

But surrender still won't change the outcome of these Russians.

"In something as dangerous as war, the wrong ideas born of kindness are the most pernicious. The side that uses violence at all costs and at the expense of bloodshed will inevitably gain an advantage when the other side does not do the same. ”

Whispering the ideas from Clausewitz's "On War", looking at at at least the hundreds of Russians kneeling on the ground with their hands raised, Erhard's voice was as hard as steel: "We can't take so many prisoners, gather them together, and kill them all."

The people who were originally defending here stayed, divided into two squads and entered the city, searching for the remnants of the Russian army, and those who could still breathe were slaughtered. The rest remained on guard. ”

Even though he knew that the Russians had pulled up the wounded in this attack, and that even if there were still alive in the city, they should all be seriously wounded who could not move, but Erhard still had to make sure that nothing went wrong.

"Everyone else comes with me! The battle ahead is not over yet! ”