บท 103: Chapter 103 Decisive Action
As the deputy of the second team, Lynn received the order to take a set of infrared night vision goggles and ten soldiers to flank from the north side of Kapoka village. At first glance, although there were no trees or bushes for hiding along the way, they could use the small hills with a higher elevation on the north and a lower elevation on the south. Due to the angle, they could climb the hillside without being spotted by the Soviet sentries around the village. In this way, flanking from the north seemed like a perfect and effortless strategy.
Being the commander for the first time on the battlefield, Lynn didn't take it lightly. He quickly focused on the top of the hill, where there were only a few pine trees resembling bald heads, seemingly unable to conceal anything, yet there might be a Soviet sentry wearing camouflage netting. If that hidden sentry fired a shot, not only would their flanking maneuver be compromised, but Eric's team attacking from the front and Enric's team flanking from the south would also be exposed early. In such a scenario, even if they won the battle through a direct assault, the casualties would increase due to the loss of surprise.
Regarding the hilltop far beyond the effective range of the infrared night vision goggles, Lynn observed with binoculars for a long time, but to no avail. Charging head-on was not an option, and there was no way to bypass it. The usually calm deputy of the second team became anxious.
Was there no choice but to rely on luck?
No, Lynn immediately dismissed his own wishful thinking: if he were a Soviet commander, he would undoubtedly deploy a hidden sentry there!
The night assault team split into three routes. Eric's team took on the main frontal attack, covering the shortest distance, so their assault would naturally commence later. Seeing that Lynn hadn't set off with his team yet, Sergeant Eric finally approached to inquire about the situation.
"Commander, we can't flank from the north!" Lynn reported truthfully.
"What?" Eric was surprised and turned to look, noticing that Enric's team had already departed.
"There!" Lynn pointed to the hilltop that troubled him, "I'm concerned that there might be a Soviet hidden sentry ambushed there. Unless we take the time to eliminate it, the risk of premature exposure is high!"
Eric looked at the seemingly innocent hilltop with astonishment, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm quite certain!" Lynn whispered, "I'm sorry for not carefully observing the terrain earlier, leading to this negligence!"
"What do you suggest then?" Eric's tone seemed accusatory.
Lynn bit his lip. What other options did they have at this point?
"We can't go north, so either I lead the team to reinforce Sergeant Enric's unit, or we follow you for a frontal assault!" Lynn reluctantly presented his options.
Eric hesitated. A three-pronged flanking attack was the ideal strategy, even if one or even two sides encountered resistance, the attacking forces from the remaining direction(s) could provide support. However, there were no fixed tactics on the battlefield. In a previous night raid that Lynn participated in, all combatants, led by a tall officer, infiltrated a Soviet encampment through a single breach. In terms of process, that battle was a classic!
"Alright, follow me for a frontal assault on Kapoka village!" Eric finally made a decision.
With no better alternatives, Lynn could only plan to adapt to the situation during the assault. But just then, the ambient light suddenly dimmed. Looking up, Lynn saw that the clear moonlight had been blocked by a large patch of clouds!
Was this a heaven-sent opportunity?
A surge of excitement ran through Lynn's heart. Although the clouds didn't cover the sky completely, they could obscure the moonlight for a certain period—whether half an hour or fifteen minutes—enough time to ascend the hilltop under cover of darkness, solving all their problems!
"Commander, let's proceed according to the original plan!" Without time for deliberation, Lynn said to Eric, then turned to his assigned soldiers and instructed, "Runks, lead the way. Take everyone around to the north side of the village. If I don't arrive in time, wait outside for the assault order. Karl, you're with me!"
Lynn's choice of these two individuals was not arbitrary. Runks, a member of the Vampire Assault Team and an SS Untersturmführer, carried a set of infrared night vision goggles, while Karl Lindemann, holding a Czech-made cz27 with a silencer, held the position of SS-Oberscharführer, equivalent to Lynn's rank.
With time uncertain, Lynn had to act quickly. He briskly moved towards the hillside, his body demonstrating satisfactory mobility given proper rest and nutrition.
Karl, of shorter stature, followed closely behind.
"Karl, listen carefully," Lynn whispered as they ran, "There may be a Soviet hidden sentry on the hilltop. When we reach it, try to make as little noise as possible. Once we spot the target, you use your silenced pistol to take them out!" Before entering the "danger zone," Lynn succinctly explained his combat plan to his temporary partner.
"Got it!" Karl immediately agreed. After a while, he asked, "Is the sentry hiding near those trees?"
"I believe so!" Lynn replied while running, "With camouflage netting, there's likely a dugout as well, so we won't be able to see them!"
"How do you know that?" Karl inquired again.
Unable to explain, Lynn chose not to answer. Due to the darkness, the field was pitch black. Lynn suddenly stepped into a depression on the ground with his left foot, but fortunately, his agility prevented any substantial injury even with a severe ankle twist. The momentary pain dissipated after a few steps.
Even with Karl, a well-trained special forces soldier, being injured by a depression on the ground was a subject of ridicule. With a tone tinged with apology, Lynn asked, "Are you alright, Karl? Can you continue?"
A trained special forces soldier being injured by a depression in the ground would certainly become a laughingstock. With a slightly apologetic tone, Karl replied, "I'm fine, Commander. I can continue!"
Fearful of running out of time, Lynn didn't have the luxury of helping him up. He said, "Keep up," and immediately resumed running.
After running for five or six hundred meters in the field, Lynn finally reached the foot of the slope. The hill was gentle, with only a hundred meters or so from the ground to the top. He breathed heavily but suppressed any noise, feeling the difficulty of maintaining stealth. When Karl caught up, he barely managed to express his readiness for combat through gestures. Seeing Karl raising his small-sized pistol with his right hand, Lynn took a deep breath and gently placed his assault rifle down, pulled out a two-inch sharp dagger from his waist with his left hand, and held it in front of him. With extremely slow movements, they began to advance step by step.
Although their climbing speed was slow, it only took about a minute to reach the hilltop. Lynn's heart pounded as he saw no human figures or man-made structures. Was he just being paranoid?
Due to preoccupation with thoughts, when Karl's hand touched his foot, Lynn was almost startled into making a sound. When Karl climbed to his side, he made gestures indicating readiness for combat. Seeing Karl raise the compact pistol, Lynn took a deep breath, gently put down his assault rifle, pulled out a bayonet from his holster with his left hand, and held it in front of him. With extremely slow movements, they advanced step by step.
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