"Why do you think things turned out like this? Wittmann, we didn't want this result when we started fighting this war."
"War is a big gamble, Wegener. No one can only win but not lose at the gambling table. You should understand that now is the time when we are losing money against the wind."
There are two people sitting on the turret of the King Tiger tank, which is as huge as a mountain giant. Wittmann, with a cigarette in his mouth, is maintaining the mg34 machine gun on the top of the King Tiger's head. This old gun is as durable as ever.
It is still reliable and durable to this day, and it is easy to use. The gunner who was leaning half out of the turret did not seem very interested when he heard this.
"But we have won before, and won a lot. Do you think we will win again?"
As the eldest member of the entire crew, Wittmann has relatively the richest life experience. His subordinates often look to him for answers to questions, whether it is daily life or philosophy of life, just like what their commander said.
It's always right.
"..."
Only this time, Wittmann, who was smoking a cigarette and cleaning his gun and loading it, did not answer directly.
It's not that he was pretending to be a mysterious person selling medicine in a gourd, but he seemed to be thinking about something. After a few moments, he finally pinched the cigarette butt in his mouth, put the gun cleaning cloth on the gun body, and then spoke.
"If I'm telling lies, I would encourage you to continue fighting. To be honest, I don't have the confidence in my heart. I don't know if there is any hope of winning this battle, because it is really too slim, so slim that sometimes
Even I want to give up, but I know I can't."
"Remember? We swore an oath to the head of state. Loyalty to us is absolute and uncompromising. There are many ways for a person to realize the meaning of life, and I choose to dedicate everything to him, even including my own.
Life, so far, I still think it is worth it, otherwise how can I live a more meaningful life than this? You have to persevere in everything, right?"
"..."
The young gunner Wegner stopped talking, holding on to the edge of the turret with a thoughtful look on his face. Wittmann, who had no intention of interrupting, immediately jumped out of the car, intending to go and see the car being maintained near the front.
How is the situation with the driver and electromechanical personnel of the roller coaster?
"So we're fighting a war that may have been lost, huh?"
Wittmann, who had already turned around, stopped and seemed to be thinking about something for a second or two. When he turned around again, his expression still had the corners of his mouth raised, giving people strength.
Smile with confidence.
"The future has not yet been written, and the destiny of tomorrow can only be created by ourselves. I don't remember which Yeluzi poet said it, but I gave it to you. Once you understand it, you will know what to do. I am waiting for you.
"
"..."
Wittmann no longer paid attention to the young gunner on the turret. This had nothing to do with cold-bloodedness.
Few young people in their early twenties like to be forcibly disciplined by older people to teach them things they may not like. Wittmann would know this because he himself came here at that time.
.
Instead of talking about nonsense for a long time, Wittmann thought it was better to let the young man think about it and consider what he should do next. With his understanding of Wegener, Wittmann believed that he would stay.
It's not that it's because of the fanaticism for war and the desire for killing. Wittmann can see that this young man is actually tired of the current war, but he will not easily abandon important comrades. This reason is enough for him to choose to stay.
Yes, now he just needs a little time, a little private time to think carefully.
"How is it? Is the situation serious?"
Half an hour ago, Wittmann's Tiger King arrived here injured.
In the last battle, Wittmann's King Tiger was hit on the side armor by a US Sherman main gun. Fortunately, the rough-skinned and thick-skinned King Tiger's side defense was far from being as unbearable as the crispy-skinned Leopard.
One blow. The thick side armor helped Wittmann withstand this fatal blow, and even caused ricochet due to the tricky angle of impact, which directly bounced away the incoming armor-piercing projectile.
Luck was also mixed with some misfortune. The whizzing armor-piercing projectile was changed along the edge of the armor and ejected downwards. It hit the edge of the King Tiger's guide wheel and scratched a track pad. It almost killed the Tiger on the spot.
Wang's legs were broken.
The track shoe that was nearly half blown off was still barely usable, and the guide wheel with unknown damage seemed to be functioning normally.
After assessing the damage, Wittmann believed that the damage to the vehicle was not enough to warrant abandoning the vehicle. He immediately ordered the entire crew to stay at their posts and continue fighting until the battle was over. The number of troops and technical equipment that had been lost was not as good as that of the vehicle.
Our own US military squad forced them to retreat.
Wittmann, who was not asked to pursue the enemy, was able to lead his troops to move quickly, lest the ground-licking planes summoned by the defeated Americans later come to retaliate.
He persisted with injuries all the way to the hiding place and was still not paralyzed. Wittman didn't know whether he was lucky enough or whether he should say that the quality of the new King Tiger that he had just bought had been improved. All in all, this was a
A good thing.
Furthermore, the first thing to do after arriving at a sheltered location and taking a breather is of course to quickly stop the car for inspection to see how the damage is and whether the car can be repaired through simple field repairs.
If he really wanted to be paralyzed in this ghost place with no village or shop, he would have no choice but to abandon the car. Wittmann, who knew the battle was fierce and dangerous, also prayed in his heart that his precious new car would never break down at this time.
Let all the people in the car become infantry.
"Almost half of the track shoe has been blown away. Although it has not reached the central axis and will not allow the track to come out while running, the hole is really big enough. It is no exaggeration to tell you that it can now jam a big stone.
Go in, there's a rock bigger than a helmet."
"The guide wheel is in slightly better condition and seems to be able to hold up. Here, here, here, and here, there are a bunch of spider web-like cracks. I think a single shot from a Russian anti-tank gun can make it go away.
It's broken, but it does still work for the time being, so as long as you don't let it get hit again it should be fine."
The driver, Heinrich, is a kid even younger than Wegner. He is only 20 years old this year, but at his age, he is already considered a veteran. Many of the pacifier-picking kids in the youth division are younger than him.
.
His excellent skill level and professional quality allowed him to be selected into Wittmann's crew and become the driver. Wittmann, who nodded, seemed to agree with the "injury diagnosis" given by Heinrich.