"If I am destined to die on the battlefield, at least the loyal man of steel will give me a metal grave."
As he listened to the last words that Enschel said to him before getting in the car, Wittmann sighed softly and had to sigh that he and Enschel were still fundamentally different. No matter how well the two of them worked together, they would still be able to urinate.
In a pot, this reality cannot be avoided or changed no matter what.
What Wittmann was thinking about was how to win the battle with minimal casualties while giving priority to keeping his own side alive. If the situation really didn't allow it and there was no hope at all, then he might have to consider other backup plans.
But it's better here in Enshel. If you encounter any trouble that can't be solved, you will just risk your life. Even if I die, I will fight with these allied bastards! I don't care whether it is worth it or whether there is anything else.
A good choice, in short, must be to carry out the orders of superiors first, and it must be resolutely carried out without any discounts.
Wittmann couldn't say that such an approach must be wrong. Perhaps this was the reason why Enschel was not the most outstanding person, but he could sit on the throne of the commander of the heavy armored battalion.
The more unfavorable the war situation is, the more the people above need people who can resolutely execute orders in the face of adversity.
Wittmann had already realized this a long time ago, but now he has a deeper understanding of it because of Enschel's attitude.
Everyone is a grasshopper tied to the same rope. At this point, Wittmann can no longer say anything. He can only follow Enschel's orders and he will carry them out. After all, strictly speaking, Enschel
You are the commander of the 101st Heavy Armored Battalion, and Wittmann is just his deputy.
Although the two brothers were easy to discuss on weekdays, if they had a hard time arguing, Wittmann would still have to obey and carry out Enschel's orders without compromise. Looking at it now, this may be regarded as a helpless decision.
thing.
If you and Enschel's positions were switched, maybe the situation would be a little different?
Wittmann didn't know and couldn't decide on a definite answer, but he knew that he shouldn't continue to think wildly. Thinking more would only bring drag and negative effects to the battle that was about to begin. A mature and battle-experienced man
The old commander should never go to the battlefield with all his worries. This would be irresponsible for his own life and the lives of his brothers.
Wittmann, who thought of stopping here, took a breath, flicked the last half of the cigarette butt in his hand, and sent it to the grass on the side. He then kept the hatch open and returned to his car.
007’s King Tiger turret.
"Hey, boss, you look very bad. Are you constipated?"
Corporal Gunther Weber, who just celebrated his 20th birthday, is the youngest member of the entire vehicle crew and serves as the loader. He is even a few months younger than Herschel, who is also 20 years old. Of course, he is also the youngest member of the entire vehicle.
The most cheerful and lively person in the group and the one who usually talks the most.
"No one will think you are dumb if you don't speak. Just calm down and prepare yourself. The battle will begin soon."
Among all the armored crew members that Wittmann led, everyone's unanimous impression of the commander was his indifference before the battle, his calmness and godlike judgment during the battle.
This is certainly an excellent quality that a commander should have, but in terms of being humane and worldly, if you happily make a joke to liven up the atmosphere without thinking about it, I'm afraid it won't make anyone feel good.
, not to mention that Weber is just a new recruit who has not been in the army for a long time.
"..."
Seeing that Weber was speechless and with his head drooping after being retorted by his words, Wittmann felt that what he had done to a 20-year-old kid might be a little too much, and immediately took the initiative.
He reached out his hand and patted Weber's shoulder, who was right next to him.
"Perform well and let those Allied trash know how powerful our SS is! We are different from those Wehrmacht forces, we are the elite of the Führer!"
The words are an old saying that has been said countless times, but if it is said from the mouth of Wittmann, who has great personal charm, it can still bring great inspiration and encouragement to this young recruit who admires his commander.
"Yeah! I will definitely teach them a lesson!"
The No. 007 King Tiger tank drove as the vanguard in the third parking space of the entire armored column. The dull and roaring roar of the gasoline engine was accompanied from time to time by a few abnormal sounds like water drops falling into a pan. Wittmann sat on the
The car's engine has been having some minor problems recently.
I don’t know how much time passed, but when Weber, whose enthusiasm for encouragement had somewhat subsided, was about to fall asleep leaning against the turret bulkhead, Wittmann’s loud reminder suddenly sounded loudly in his ears.
"Close to the destination! I can see it. Enschel, the enemy is attacking the outskirts of the town! Wait, a gap has been opened! The outer position has been lost, and the Allied troops are pouring into the town along the gap! What do you plan to do?
what to do?"
Wittmann stood in the commander's position with half of his body leaning out of the turret. He held up a telescope and pressed the microphone on his throat while speaking loudly. This was the first sight that caught Weber's eyes after he woke up.
impression.
"How many are there? Can you judge the strength of the enemy's troops? How is the equipment? Are they carrying heavy weapons and armor? Can you see the status of friendly forces?"
Enschel on the other end of the radio pointed to the key points of various problems as soon as he opened his mouth. Wittmann on the other end of the radio who kept pressing the talk button also gave the answer immediately.
"I can only see the enemy on the west side of the town. The north and east are blind spots. There is no trace of the enemy in the south. The number of people I can see is about one battalion. There are no traces of friendly troops on the outside. The sound of exchanges of fire comes from the town.
It’s coming from inside, it’s very fierce! The enemy has armored forces! The model...is the Sherman of those Yankees! I can see about 20 of them!”
Although this was the first battle with the Allies, this did not mean that Wittmann did not know the enemy's tank model and basic name.
The Allied Armored Combat Vehicle Identification Manual had been distributed a few months ago, and Wittmann even attended several lectures by experienced armored soldiers who had fought against the Allies in North Africa and Sicily.
Officers, teaching combat skills and experiences to these colleagues who have never encountered Allied forces.
With his round, fat body and the characteristic short-nosed main gun, Wittmann could almost immediately recognize the Allied tanks lining up outside the town. They were the American Sherr tanks that he had memorized in the identification manual.
Mann medium tank.
"20 vehicles!? This bunch of Allied garbage gathered quickly enough!"
Enschel on the other end of the radio was slightly surprised at first, and then the subsequent orders were sent to Wittmann.
"You lead a company to intercept them from a distance, Wittmann, remember not to get caught up in them! Give me these garbage cans and smash them outside the town! I will take the rest of the people into the city to provide support, and keep in touch at any time!"