Although the main attack of the German 363rd Division on the left flank of the 506th Regiment at Opheus Justden at dawn that day was concerned, the skirmish on the embankment was probably crucial. If two companies of the German SS had occupied the south side of the embankment without hindrance, they would have attacked the regimental command post while Colonel Zinke was concentrating his attention on Opie Justden.

Lieutenant Colonel Chase decided to receive Lieutenant Parks at the battalion headquarters. When he asked the non-commissioned officer on duty at the battalion headquarters to bring Parks in, he was looking at a commendation order, which was signed by Commander Zinke himself.

"Knock knock!" There was a knock at the door, and he didn't look up, just called, "Please come in!" ”

Hearing the invitation from inside, Parks pushed the door open, and he saw Lieutenant Colonel Chase reading a document and standing at his desk. And he seems to be the only one in the entire battalion command. He couldn't help but open his mouth.

"You may be seated, Lieutenant Parkes!" Lieutenant Colonel Chase approached, made a gesture of invitation to Parks, then unfolded the document in his hand and read to Parks, "By launching this courageous attack on the superior enemy forces and using tactics flexibly, this platoon inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and thwarted the enemy's attempt to attack the battalion command post from the rear flank. ”

After Lieutenant Colonel Chase finished reading, he handed the document to Parks and said, "This is a commendation order signed by Colonel Zink himself, let me hand it over to you myself!" I hope you can read it to the second row of E Company and all the brothers. ”

"I think, it's more appropriate for you to pronounce it, Shangguan, this is your power!" Parks spread his hands at him.

"No, no, you earned it." Lieutenant Colonel Chase nodded at him and smiled, "I'm very happy that you were able to achieve such an achievement, to be honest, you saved the battalion headquarters and the regimental headquarters." ”

Parks nodded and smiled, "Well, in that case, I will be happy to share it with the brothers in the second row of Company E and all the brothers, I am so proud of them!" ”

Lieutenant Colonel Chase smiled at Parks, "I'm proud of you too. Honestly, this is the last order I signed for you as a battalion commander, and I'm lucky that this is a commendation order! ”

Parks couldn't help but stand up, looked at Lieutenant Colonel Chase, and said in surprise, "I don't understand, sir. What does this mean exactly? Maybe I should say congratulations, right? ”

Lieutenant Colonel Chase smiled and said, "This is just something that has been decided a long time ago. Lieutenant Parks, you know, since the death of Major Horton, I temporarily came down from the regimental headquarters to take over the second battalion. During yesterday's battle, Lieutenant Colonel Charles of the regimental headquarters went to the front to check the situation, only to be hit by German artillery fire. The regimental headquarters was now short of manpower, so Colonel Zinke transferred me again. So—" said Lieutenant Colonel Chase, shrugging his shoulders at Parks and smiling, "and that's how it turned out! ”

Parks couldn't help but laugh, and Jean held out his hand to Lieutenant Colonel Chase, "No matter what, I still want to congratulate you." Lieutenant Colonel. Looks like you've got a promotion. ”

"If that's a promotion, of course!" Chase spread his hands and smiled.

"Hmm-" When Parks was about to ask further, Lieutenant Colonel Chase suddenly smiled at Parks, "You must have thought that someone will take over the position of the second battalion, right?" That's right, it's Dick. He served as the deputy commander of the 2nd Battalion and was experienced and performed very well on the battlefield. He is undoubtedly the best candidate for the battalion commander, and I have recommended him to Colonel Zinke. It is believed that it will not be long before his official appointment will come down. ”

"Oh, that's—" Parks didn't know what to say, but it was good news, he nodded, and smiled, "It's an honor to be led by you!" ”

"Me too. You're the best officer I've ever led, Parks, do your best! Lieutenant Colonel Chase held out his hand to him, it was a farewell ceremony.

Winters became the commander of the second battalion. When Parks came out of the battalion headquarters, he felt inexplicably excited. He was glad that Winters had just arrived. After all, who wouldn't like to be promoted?

Indeed, Winters was going to be the commander of the second battalion. Colonel Zinke called Winters to the regimental command shortly after the battle, and it was clear that he admired Winters. And in a series of recent commands, Winters did play some key roles. For example, he was very accurate in his judgment of the encounter at Parks, informed the British artillery in time to coordinate the operation, and sent Lieutenant Spierre of D Company to reinforce him, thus crushing the two companies of the German sneak attack regimental headquarters in one fell swoop and inflicting heavy losses on them.

"How do you feel about letting you bring a battalion?" Colonel Sink asked as he met with Winters at the regimental headquarters.

"Sir?" Winters couldn't help but say confusedly, "I'm now the deputy commander of the second battalion, sir!" ”

Colonel Sink took a puff on his cigar, then smiled and pointed at him with a smile, "I mean take over the second battalion completely, and you will be the battalion commander, Dick, I know you are a good officer." ”

"But—" Winters took a deep breath, he was only 26 years old, he had only been a captain and company commander for three months, and he had been a deputy battalion commander for less than a month, and now he was about to be promoted to the battalion tent, which really shocked him. Winters took a deep breath and replied, "Sir, I'm still in charge of some administrative matters. I'm worried—"

"Don't worry," Sinker comforted him, "I'll take care of that." I'll find someone to replace you, and maybe you can find someone to do the work for you. You are now the battalion commander, and you should have your own decision-making power over the personnel of the battalion headquarters. Don't worry, I won't interfere with you. ”

"Thank you very much, sir! I think I'll do my best to do my job! Winters saluted Colonel Zinck, who was clearly grateful for his decision.

"Well, what do you think of Parks?" Although Colonel Zinke said that he didn't care about the affairs of his battalion headquarters, he couldn't help but name one person, "He is a very good officer, there is no doubt about it!" ”

Winters nodded, "Yes, but I don't think he's a good fit for administrative work." He is more suitable for leading troops on the battlefield, this is his merit! ”

Colonel Sink nodded and smiled, "Maybe you're right!" Well, I don't have much more to say. You decide the administrative matters yourself, you don't have to think about my factors! ”

"Thank you, sir!" Winters nodded, and then he was ready to leave, this promotion made him a little dizzy, it was obvious that the speed of promotion was indeed very fast. Even if he has a relatively calm mind, he can't help but feel a little excited in his heart. Of course, what he wants most is to be able to share it with Nexon and Wales and Parks now.

"That's right, Dick!" Zink didn't mean to let him go immediately, he said to Winters, "General Taylor is very proud of Lieutenant Parkes's battle, and he intends to publicize this operation widely in the 101st Airborne Division. Perhaps he had already given this order to the public relations office of the divisional headquarters by now. ”

"What do you mean?" Winters looked at Colonel Zinke in some surprise.

Colonel Sink took out a small delicate box, handed it to Winters and smiled, "Of course it's not for propaganda. Parks, his accomplishments deserve such an official rank. I think it will be a great honor for you to present it to him personally. ”

Winters opened the box and saw that it was a silver bar. Parks was now a lieutenant with a silver bar, so with one more, it was clear that his rank had been promoted, as Colonel Sink had said.

"I think he'll be very grateful, sir!" Winters felt that the harvest this time was too great, and even a little floating. But that's exactly what happened. Winters left the regimental headquarters with Colonel Zinke's relieved smile. He was a little anxious to get back to the battalion headquarters.

At the battalion headquarters, Winters saw Lieutenant Colonel Chase who was packing up his things, Winters's face was full of joy of course, of course, he couldn't hide Lieutenant Colonel Chase, he saw Winters come in, immediately stopped what he was doing, greeted him, and said with a smile: "I think Colonel Sink must have talked to you!" Congratulations, Camp Commander Winters! ”

"Congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel Chase!" Winters quickly restrained his expression of joy, and he shook hands with Lieutenant Colonel Chase very politely, after all, they had just left, and they were so jubilant, which was a little unreasonable.

Winters and Lieutenant Colonel Chase talked for a while, but the topic was always inseparable from the promotion of the second battalion, and even to Parks. And Chase also chatted while packing his luggage and documents, he stopped, and then said with a smile: "Originally, I was supposed to wait a few more days to report to the regiment headquarters, but the things in the battalion headquarters, I am very relieved, you will be a good battalion commander!" ”

"Thank you! Lieutenant Colonel Chase! Winters smiled at him.

Lieutenant Colonel Chase did not stay in the second battalion for a long time, although the official appointment had not yet come down, but it didn't matter, he just handed over the position of battalion commander to Winters in advance, which would be good for him and himself.

After waiting for Lieutenant Colonel Chase to go out, Winters couldn't help but walk to the desk that Chase often used, tried the chair in front of the desk with his hand, and then sat down very carefully, feeling a little strange. He put himself in a comfortable position, lying down in a chair with his feet on his desk.

"Wow!" At this time, there was a whistle at the door, and then there was an exclamation, and without looking, you knew that it was Nickerson who had arrived at the camp headquarters. He looked at Winters sitting in the position of Lieutenant Colonel Chase, and couldn't help but shake his head and smiled: "It seems that you want to replace Lieutenant Colonel Chase, right?" God, I just saw Lieutenant Colonel Chase leave, as if to go to the regimental headquarters. No wonder you're so bold! ”

"Do you think I'm trying to take Lieutenant Colonel Chase's place?" Winters smiled.

Nickerson looked at him in surprise, he had rarely seen Winters show such a moment of expression: "Did you take the wrong medicine?" ”

"No, no, Nick, tell you the truth, do you know what Colonel Zink asked me to do today?" Winters smiled, "Lieutenant Colonel Chase has been transferred to the regimental headquarters as the chief of operational staff, and told me to take over the position of battalion commander of the second battalion!" ”

"Wow!" Nickerson whistled again in surprise, then smiled at Winters, "You're lucky Dick!" And what about Parkes? What will he get? ”

Winters looked at Nickerson and smiled, "I'm afraid you'll have to call him Captain Parks when you see him in the future!" ”

(To be continued)