Bab 167: Chapter 166 Unburden
The hood of the car billowed with thick white smoke, almost obscuring the view. In a state of embarrassment, Lynn slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop in front of the ruins. Such a scene was all too familiar to Lynn. However, the once glorious Third Reich was nearing its end infinitely. Every day, every hour, the situation was deteriorating.
Having crossed through the streets where the two armies faced off, Lynn and his companions found themselves under the guns of the German troops. Fortunately, this was a time before car bombs became prevalent. The beleaguered German soldiers didn't mistake their gas car for a Soviet weapon. With the guns silenced, voices called out for them to hurry from the nearby ruins. As Lynn stepped out of the car onto the ground, it felt like he had just been on a roller coaster ride. Without time to appreciate the solid ground, he quickly turned to help Tanze and hurried towards cover. Tichimir and another German soldier, rescued by Lynn, escorted Colonel Matsov closely behind. Meanwhile, the German soldier who had been sitting in the passenger seat went straight to the rear of the car, bowed his head, and mourned for his fallen comrade before moving on.
Back on their own side, Lynn's suspended heart relaxed slightly. Meeting the field commander here, SS Colonel Delwisch Wint, Lynn suggested handing over Colonel Matsov, who had become a prisoner for the second time, on the spot. However, the furrowed-brow commander admitted he had to focus entirely on the present battle and had no energy to deal with such a "hot potato" of a Soviet officer. From a tactical standpoint, the Soviet forces opposite only knew how to attack, and even if a batch was repelled, reinforcements would follow. As for their unit numbers, personnel, and equipment, they were of value only to command headquarters at least. Therefore, Colonel Wint suggested Lynn take Colonel Matsov directly to the Civil Defense Headquarters established in the city center, and all he could do was provide a military vehicle.
Lynn accepted Colonel Wint's suggestion and made a small request - help in finding their missing comrades, Woflrum and Noah, and inform them to return to the city center to meet up. Colonel Wint readily agreed, but before Lynn could even light a cigarette, the Soviet forces launched another attack, turning the defended buildings and rubble nearby into a flaming, smoke-filled inferno. Fearful of losing their way, Lynn quickly escorted Matsov, Tanze, and Tichimir away. The compact and agile VW82 bucket car accommodated the four of them perfectly, but unfortunately, the car had no fuel! It took considerable effort for Colonel Wint's men to procure a few liters of gasoline. It should be enough to get to the city center, but any detours would be challenging.
Thinking of the last bastion on the east bank of the Spree River, which had previously come under attack from Soviet forces, Lynn was prepared for the possibility of forcing their way through the rubble-filled streets. However, halfway there, they encountered a small detachment of German armored vehicles consisting of three Panther tanks, three Sturmgeschütz III assault guns, and some infantry. After stopping and inquiring, they learned that the Civil Defense Headquarters had deployed a powerful reserve force to the eastern front of the city. The Soviet forces attacking the last stronghold on the east bank of the Spree had been repelled, and these German armored units were heading to support Colonel Wint's forces.
With this good news, Lynn joyfully stepped on the gas pedal and raced towards the stronghold along the main road. A minute and a half later, they slowed down as they approached the area where dozens of Soviet tanks were scattered. They reached the stronghold, passing through the area where several Tiger tanks were stationed, under the watchful eyes of the tank crews who were either smoking on top or chatting with infantry nearby, enjoying a moment of leisure before the decisive battle. In nearby bunkers of similar construction, powerful 88mm anti-tank guns were deployed, reminding Lynn of Helwyr. The German gunners, despite being elite, were not well-protected by their seemingly spacious gun shields, and once involved in street fighting, their situation was often more dire than that of the infantry.
Turning into Wilhelmstrasse, with the colossal dome of the Imperial Chancellery still visible in the dim twilight, Lynn spotted another pleasant surprise at the west end of the bridge. Buell and Frederick (a young soldier who had joined and temporarily served as Noah's loader) faithfully awaited them there, unaffected by either the fierce Soviet assault on the stronghold or the majestic advance of their own reserve forces. If it weren't for the bad news brought by the young SS private Frederick about Brouk's fatal injury, everything would have been perfect for Lynn.
"It's always..." Lynn sighed heavily, but the deceased had passed away, and he was willing to bury that sadness deep in his heart. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Brothers, get in!"
With two adults and two sets of night vision equipment, the small military bucket car became overcrowded. Colonel Matsov, who was squeezed, groaned in pain, and Lynn was content not to drag him out and beat him to vent his frustration, ignoring his groans.
Passing through the heavily fortified Bodhi Tree Avenue, Lynn saw the symbol of German victory, the Brandenburg Gate, in the dim night. There were numerous defensive positions constructed around it, with several Panther tanks hiding in prepared positions, only revealing their turrets with obvious sloped armor and long-barreled guns above the sandbag breastworks. Tank crews either sat on top smoking or chatted with the surrounding infantry, enjoying a moment of leisure before the decisive battle. In nearby bunkers of similar construction, powerful 88mm anti-tank guns were deployed, reminding Lynn of Helwyr. The German gunners, despite being elite, were not well-protected by their seemingly spacious gun shields, and once involved in street fighting, their situation was often more dire than that of the infantry.
Turning into Wilhelmstrasse, with the colossal dome of the Imperial Chancellery still visible in the dim twilight, Lynn spotted another pleasant surprise at the west end of the bridge. Buell and Frederick (a young soldier who had joined and temporarily served as Noah's loader) faithfully awaited them there, unaffected by either the fierce Soviet assault on the stronghold or the majestic advance of their own reserve forces. If it weren't for the bad news brought by the young SS private Frederick about Brouk's fatal injury, everything would have been perfect for Lynn.
"It's always..." Lynn sighed heavily, but the deceased had passed away, and he was willing to bury that sadness deep in his heart. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Brothers, get in!"
With two adults and two sets of night vision equipment, the small military bucket car became overcrowded. Colonel Matsov, who was squeezed, groaned in pain, and Lynn was content not to drag him out and beat him to vent his frustration, ignoring his groans.
Passing through the heavily fortified Bodhi Tree Avenue, Lynn saw the symbol of German victory, the Brandenburg Gate, in the dim night. There were numerous defensive positions constructed around it, with several Panther tanks hiding in prepared positions, only revealing their turrets with obvious sloped armor and long-barreled guns above the sandbag breastworks. Tank crews either sat on top smoking or chatted with the surrounding infantry, enjoying a moment of leisure before the decisive battle. In nearby bunkers of similar construction, powerful 88mm anti-tank guns were deployed, reminding Lynn of Helwyr. The German gunners, despite being elite, were not well-protected by their seemingly spacious gun shields, and once involved in street fighting, their situation was often more dire than that of the infantry.
Turning into Wilhelmstrasse, with the colossal dome of the Imperial Chancellery still visible in the dim twilight, Lynn spotted another pleasant surprise at the west end of the bridge. Buell and Frederick (a young soldier who had joined and temporarily served as Noah's loader) faithfully awaited them there, unaffected by either the fierce Soviet assault on the stronghold or the majestic advance of their own reserve forces. If it weren't for the bad news brought by the young SS private Frederick about Brouk's fatal injury, everything would have been perfect for Lynn.
"It's always..." Lynn sighed heavily, but the deceased had passed away, and he was willing to bury that sadness deep in his heart. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Brothers, get in!"
With two adults and two sets of night vision equipment, the small military bucket car became overcrowded. Colonel Matsov, who was squeezed, groaned in pain, and Lynn was content not to drag him out and beat him to vent his frustration, ignoring his groans.
Walking through the underground passage connecting the bunker to the surface, Lynn suddenly felt a sense of emptiness, as if he had lost his goal to continue fighting for a moment. It wasn't until he walked out of the passage and saw his subordinates waiting for him in the car that he suddenly became clear again: with loyal subordinates, convenient transportation, and the promised supplies from the Civil Defense Headquarters, shouldn't it be time to plan their next move and put it into action?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone